Month: August 2024

New Features Revealed! Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

We are bubbling with excitement to share the tropical features coming to the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, projected to open on Dec. 17. 

Artist rendering of Wailulu Bar & Grill

Delicious Dining at Wailulu Bar & Grill 

Get ready to indulge in the delicious flavors of Polynesia at the Wailulu Bar & Grill. “Wailulu” gets its name from the Hawaiian words “wai,” which means water, and “lulu” which means calm, which is very fitting as this unique restaurant will boast breathtaking views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. 

Wailulu Bar & Grill will feature spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas and a spectacular bar space with views of Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. This casual walk-up pool bar will feature an all-day menu for lunch and dinner that is influenced by the Polynesian Islands’ local and indigenous ingredients. Specialty coffee and on-the-go morning pastries will be available for breakfast. 

The dining room will be adorned with dazzling Polynesian-inspired artwork, created exclusively for the space, including floating tropical fish sculptures crafted from recycled materials and reclaimed fishing nets. The fish will be “swimming” throughout the space, leading to a grand textile piece featured in the bar area, representing a colorful coral reef. 

The center of the dining room will showcase an abstract Polynesian Stick Chart, an ancient navigation tool used to traverse the seas. A vibrant centerpiece composed of beautiful shades of blue, teal and green faux stained-glass will create an ambiance to dive in and explore the mouthwatering menu! 

Speaking of exploration, our favorite wayfinding princess, Moana, will be featured in a painting on display in Wailulu Bar & Grill. 

We will be sharing more information about Wailulu Bar & Grill and its menu in the near future, so make sure to stay tuned to Disney Eats on the Disney Parks Blog for more. 

Artist rendering of the Moana’s Voyage splash area

Soak Up the Sun in New Pool & Splash Area 

Little ones can embrace their inner wayfinder at Moana’s Voyage, a whimsical new splash area that will feature life-size sculptures of Moana and her iconic canoe from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film. 

The tower will also be home to Cove Pool, a brand-new zero entry pool offering even more opportunities to relax. Both Disney Vacation Club members and guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be able to experience these new aquatic features.  

Artist rendering of a terrace garden

Take In Stunning Terrace Garden Views 

Members and guests staying at the Island Tower addition will enjoy exclusive access to four tropical terrace gardens. 

Each terrace garden will feature vibrant artwork, lush foliage and uniquely themed seating areas. The distinctively designed hideaways will offer families a serene locale to gather and take in the views during their stay. 

Speaking of views, these oases will offer picturesque views of Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses or Seven Seas Lagoon, making it a spectacular place for viewing Magic Kingdom fireworks.  

Book Your Stay at the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows 

Disney Vacation Club members can now make hotel reservations by contacting Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Members will be able to make points-based reservations at a later date.   

All guests can make reservations for the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows either online or by contacting (407) 934-7639. 

Our island-inspired adventure is just getting started, so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog to see how far we’ll go! 

The Island Tower addition is new developer inventory at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and is under construction, projected to open December 17, 2024.  

This advertising material is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of timeshare interests. 

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Searchlight Pictures’ “Kinds of Kindness” Making Its Streaming Debut August 30th

Searchlight Pictures’ Kinds of Kindness will be available to stream on Hulu starting August 30th. What’s Happening: Searchlight Pictures’ Kinds of Kindness makes its streaming debut on Hulu on August 30th. The film will also be available to stream via Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers. About Kinds of Kindness: Kinds of Kindness is a triptych fable following a man […]

The post Searchlight Pictures’ “Kinds of Kindness” Making Its Streaming Debut August 30th appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.

Helios Grand Hotel at Universal’s Epic Universe Luxury Resort: Rooms, Restaurants & Perks

Universal Orlando Resort has shared a first look at Loews Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room luxury in-park resort overlooking Epic Universe, their third theme park in Florida that opens in 2025. This sneak peek shares concept art & info about guest rooms, restaurants, retail and everything else in the upcoming accommodations–including how perks are tiers […]

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New Restaurant, Water Features, and Terraces Arriving With New Island Tower At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is taking shape, and we are learning more about a new dining location and other amenities coming to the resort addition. What’s Happening: As we get closer to the debut of the new addition to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Island Tower, we are getting […]

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Universal Helios Grand Hotel Room Layouts Revealed

In addition to sharing details of the hotel’s theming and dining options, Universal Orlando has released layouts of the Universal Helios Grand Hotel rooms.

Standard Rooms

A hotel room with two double beds, a TV, coffee maker, and a large window with a view of a theme park. The room has blue carpeting and floral-themed decor.

The guest rooms of Universal Helios Grand Hotel are designed to evoke the tranquility of a blissful garden with hues of blue and purple, and impressionistic depictions of flowers on the headboard.

Floor plan of a hotel room with one queen bed, nightstands, a chair, a small table, a desk, a bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower, and an entry area with a closet.

King Bed: With one king-size bed and a two-compartment, three-fixture bathroom, the 340 square foot King Room will accommodate up to four guests (with a rollaway bed).

A top-down floor plan of a hotel room with two double beds, a bathroom with a bathtub, a sitting area with a sofa, a desk, and chairs. The room has dark carpet with a floral pattern.

Deluxe 2 Queen Beds: This 415-square-foot room accommodates up to five guests. It has two queen-sized beds, a common area featuring a small sleeper sofa, and a two-compartment, three-fixture bathroom.

Club Level Rooms

A modern dining area at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel features several people seated at tables, a TV on the wall, large windows showcasing a view of trees, and a chef in uniform serving food from a countertop. The room layout ensures an inviting atmosphere for all guests.

Guests staying on the Club Level will enjoy exclusive extras like access to a private lounge, continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres, and personal concierge service.

Club Standard 2 Queen Beds: With two queen-sized beds and a two-compartment, three-fixture bathroom, there’s plenty of space in this 325 square foot room five guests (with a rollaway bed).

Floor plan illustration of a Helios Grand Hotel room showing a bathroom, universal corridor, two beds, a sofa, a chair, and a desk.

Club Deluxe 2 Queen Beds: This 415-square-foot room accommodates up to five guests. It has two queen-sized beds, a common area featuring a small sleeper sofa, and a two-compartment, three-fixture bathroom.

Suites

A themed bedroom with two single beds featuring colorful headboards shaped like boats. The wall displays a mural of flying dragons in the background. There's a nightstand with a lantern between the beds.

Suites will accommodate up to four guests (with a rollaway bed).

How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suite: Give yourself (and the kids) a little privacy in this delightful 545 square foot room that features a separate kids’ room with two twin beds that’s themed in heartwarming and imaginative How to Train Your Dragon décor.

A top-down view of a one-bedroom apartment floor plan at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, showcasing the room layout with a bedroom, living area, kitchen, dining area, and bathroom. The layout includes furniture and fixtures.

King Suite: Perfect for a family that wants a little privacy, this 495-square-foot room features a king-size bed for the adults in a private room. The common area features a small sleeper sofa, 55” flat panel TV, and a microwave. A two-compartment, four-fixture bathroom gives ample space for everyone.

The room layouts revealed in this top-down floor plan of a furnished apartment include one bedroom, an open living and dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and a separate toilet.

Celestial Suite: The Celestial Suite allows your party to stretch out. In this 740 square-foot suite, there’s a king-size bed in a private bedroom and a separate common area equipped with a sectional sleeper sofa. There’s also a two-compartment, four-fixture powder bath, microwave, small refrigerator, and a dining table.

Floor plan of a modern apartment featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining area, and a rounded balcony. Experience this Universal Helios Grand Hotel-inspired design that brings hotel room layouts to your everyday living.

Hospitality Suite: This suite has a private bedroom with a king-size bed and a common area to host a small gathering. This 1200 square foot suite also features a two-compartment, four-fixture bathroom, and sleeps up to four guests (with a rollaway bed).

A top-down view of a furnished apartment floor plan at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, featuring a living area, dining space, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and workspace. The Room Layouts include various seating options and decorative elements.

Presidential Suite: When you want the ultimate in comfort, this 1500-square-foot suite delivers. Plus, outside your window is Universal Epic Universe. In addition to a private bedroom with a king-size bed and a large common area.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel is the in-park hotel of Epic Universe. The hotel and theme park are scheduled to open in 2025.

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.

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Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik Joins Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars”

According to Variety, Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik will be joining Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars. What’s Happening: American Olympic medalist Stephen Nedoroscik will be joining the 33rd season of Dancing With the Stars. He is the first celebrity announced for the new season of the competition show. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will be […]

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Terrace Gardens Revealed for DVC Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas

Disney Vacation Club announced that Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will feature terrace gardens.

Island Tower Terrace Gardens

A modern, tropical-themed room with wicker furniture, plants, large colorful mural, and a view of a waterfront at sunset. People are present, some taking photos near the balcony.

Disney Vacation Club shared concept art of one terrace garden. These are the large open squares we’ve seen on the tower during our construction updates. The pictured terrace has a set of curved benches covered by a frame, ferns lining the room, and a vibrant mural seemingly of Moana’s outrigger.

Each terrace garden will feature vibrant artwork, lush foliage and uniquely themed seating areas. The distinctively designed hideaways will offer families a serene locale to gather and take in the views during their stay. 

Disney Parks Blog

There will be four terrace gardens, two on each side. The one shown above features a view of Seven Seas Lagoon, with Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the distance. The terraces on the other side of the building will offer views of Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses.

DVC also revealed the tower’s Moana splash pad and Wailulu Bar & Grill.

Island Tower is projected to open on December 17, 2024.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Center Portion of Test Track Canopy Supports Removed in EPCOT

Crews have begun removing the support structure for the former Test Track canopy. The canopy itself was removed in early August as part of reimagining the EPCOT attraction.

Test Track Canopy Removal

Three cars, including a yellow sports car, black SUV, and red truck, are parked in front of a building under construction with a sign that reads "Test Track, reopening soon.

In late 2022, the canopy was damaged by Hurricane Ian and removed. It was replaced in March 2023 but is gone for good.

A Chevrolet Test Track attraction under construction with two cars parked in front. Sign reads "Test Track Chevrolet Coming Soon.

Most of the roof of the canopy support structure is now gone, leaving only two scaffolding towers and an archway.

A construction site with metal scaffolding and a large crane in front of a modern building under a cloudy sky.

A crane was on site Thursday morning, sitting in front of the archway.

Outdoor scene with a fenced-off area, green grass, trees, and metal structures. Overcast sky in the background.

Concept art (at the bottom of this article) indicates that the entire canopy structure will be removed. A new more permanent overhang will be installed over the attraction entrance.

Construction site with scaffolding and cranes, surrounded by green foliage and trees. Grey clouds are visible in the sky. Safety barriers surround the construction area.

Test Track closed in June for this reimagining and is scheduled to open next year.

A construction site shows a partially built steel framework with cranes and machinery in front of a large, curved building under a cloudy sky.

We’ve previously noted that crews removed paneling from the underside of the exterior track.

Construction site with metal framework structures and cranes, partially obscured by a gray fence and leafy trees, under an overcast sky.

Test Track 3.0 will “celebrate today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future.” Disney said it would draw inspiration from World of Motion, which Test Track replaced.

Rendering of the Test Track attraction at Disney's Epcot, with families and visitors entering the building. The attraction, which features Chevrolet signage and a futuristic design, seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art technology, ensuring it meets all required permits for safety and innovation.

The new overhang will be rounded like the show building. The attraction will also get a new sign.

Are you sad to see the old canopy come down? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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