Everyone has been waiting what the big news was going to be coming out of the D23 Expo this weekend. Let’s just say that Disney did not disappoint. Here’s what we’re excited about:

1. Star Wars-Themed Lands Coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts « Disney Parks Blog.

Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, just announced the addition of a Star Wars themed land to Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort. This actually comes as no surprise since this was teased by Iger sometime last year. Many Disney fan sites speculated, after the closure of many attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, what would become of what was referred to as a “half-day park”. Well, now this answers many questions. Park attendees will see an expansion of about 14 acres which will be the largest single themed expansion ever. One attraction that is planned is one that will allow you to go on a secret mission on the Millennium Falcon! How cool will that be? So far, there has been no indication on when this will be completed. However, we think they’ll look to complete things before the release of Episode VIII? Might be a great way to promote the film!

2. Captain America: Civil War Footage Revealed At D23 – Epicstream.

Comicbook.com has been following this for sometime but we got this information from Epicstream. They report more details from the upcoming sequel to Age of Ultron. Mind you, those that don’t follow the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), you should understand that this is not an Avengers movie. Think of it as Avengers 2.5. Any who, this is what Comicbook.com had this to share of what was revealed at D23:

• A scene showed Captain and America and The Falcon fighting crossbones, with Black Widow aiding in the background.
• Another scene revealed the Falcon’s pet falcon, Redwing.
• Another shot revealed Black Widow and Hawkeye fighting. Black Widow asks, “Are we still friends?” To which Hawkeye responds, “Depends on how hard you hit me.” This confirms that Black Widow and Hawkeye will be on opposing sides of Civil War’s conflict.
• A scene showed Bucky Barnes trapped in a cage.
• Another shot showed Black Panther in action for the first time, popping his claws out.
• A scene shows Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man being brought into Captain America’s faction. Star-struck, Ant-Man stammers, “I know you know a lot of super… people, so I wanted to say thinks for thanking of me. Thanks for thinking of me.”
• Tony Stark and Steve Rogers debate their opposing ideologies, with Stark saying, “Without boundaries, we’re no better than them.”

This film is apparently after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. There’s a lot of hype running around this film and we can’t wait to see what else is revealed!

3. Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush To Return in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – Epicstream.

 

And why not? We’ve always wondered what become of Will Turner after the events of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Does this mean that we could potentially be seeing Elizabeth Swan, aka Keira Knightly? It would be nice to see the old gang back together again after so many years. Only time will tell.

4. New Star Wars: The Force Awakens Poster Reveals Finn Wielding A Lightsaber – Epicstream.

 

Now hold on just a sec. Is that Finn holding a lightsaber? Looks like Disney is really making everyone excitement level rise. It seems that the hype surrounding this film is just a great as the film is expected to be. Just when we think we have everything figured out. Boom! Try again. We do know this, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the most anticipated movie of 2015!

What else are you excited about coming out of the D23 Expo? Let us know what you think!

Starting this fall, we’ll be removing certain tracks in favor of new tracks and giving the radio station some new sounds. It’s definitely time for a bit of an overhaul. Just remember, you still have the opportunity to let us know which tracks are your favorite. If the tracks get enough likes, we’ll keep them! If not, well, you may not hear them for a while. As you let us know, we’ll be tracking this information over the next thirty days. We’ll let you know, each week, which tracks are on the “chopping block”. So, keep listening and let us know! You can rate our tracks using the following methods:

IN THE APP

Look for this icon  in the lower right hand corner of the app. When you tap it, it should bring up the following menu:

ON THE COMPUTER

As the track is playing, hover over the graphic above the track and you rate the track there. See the graphic below:

via The 15 BIG Changes That Are Coming to Walt Disney World (June 2015 Edition) | Theme Park Tourist.

There are some very exciting things that we’re reading here. As a Star Wars fan, some of these changes make me very excited. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been in need of a huge change for a few years now. It’s even considered by many to be a “half day park”. With the Star Wars influence that’s expected and the Toy Story additions, the hope is that DHS will place themselves in somewhat of a renaissance. Also, the fact that Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be receiving some updates is also exciting. Especially since the Kilimanjaro Safaris will be receiving an update.

As someone who can appreciate the days of WDW old, I am still very excited to see all the new changes coming to the parks.

Once again, there were some interesting choices for the favorites this week. However, Star Tours Area Loop still takes the top spot along with Delta Dreamflight staying the top ten. Soarin’ gains two tracks in the favorites and Carousel of Progress maintains a constant favorite! Here is a list of the full top 10:

1. Star Tours Area Loop

2. Festival of Fantasy – Full Parade

3. Soarin’

4. Delta Dreamflight

5. Spaceship Earth – Earlier Version

6. Carousel of Progress

7. Mickey’s Philharmagic – Full Show

8. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

9. Soarin’ – Exit Music

10. Magic Kingdom Entrance – Part 2

 

via Confirmed – Disney Quest To Close! – Disney Dining Information.

This is something that doesn’t really come as a surprise. My wife and I have never been to Disney Quest. It never really appealed to us. I’m willing to be that it didn’t appeal to others either. I’ve never spoken to anyone that has given this a try because it’s always extra. If you’re a season pass-holder, you can get a discount. However, that’s pretty much it. It sounds as if this is being replaced by what’s referred to as “The NBA Experience” that will involve a new restaurant and store. Not sure how that’s going to be much better. But, I guess we’ll see.

Downtown Disney has been going through quite the extensive renovation. The location will soon be referred to as Disney Springs and we’re already seeing some of the changes. For those interested in the Marvel movies will enjoy the new Superhero Headquarters (I may have been there once or twice on my last trip). A month or so, we also mentioned the addition of an Indiana Jones themed restaurant.

What do you think of the changes that Disney has made, so far, in Downtown Disney?

For anyone that has ventured into Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for lunch or dinner have heard the Lou Rawles-esque voice of Sonny Eclipse. Gracing the restaurant in Tomorrowland, Sonny sings his greatest hits with his Astro Organ and backup from the Space Angels. Magic Kingdom Radio listeners have heard his song Planetary Boogie for some time now. But coming soon, his entire show will be heard on the station! So get ready to listen to the cosmic tunes of Sonny Eclipse!

We were actually surprised by the list, this week. There were some interesting choices for the favorites, this week. The Star Tours Area Loop takes the top spot with the Tomorrowland Area Music close behind. However, this week, Delta Dreamflight makes the top ten. This is the first appearance for this track! There also seems to be a lot of love for Big Thunder as two tracks from that attraction make the list. Here is a list of the full top 10:

1. Star Tours Area Loop

2. Tomorrowland Area Music

3. Magic Kingdom Entrance – Part 2

4. Soarin’ – Full Attraction

5. Disney’s Electrical Parade

6. Delta Dreamflight

7. Magic Kingdom Trolley Show

8. Big Rock Candy Mountain (Big Thunder area queue)

9. All Aboard the Mine Train (Big Thunder)

10. Jungle Cruise Queue #1

‘Frozen Ever After:’ An Exclusive Look at Disney’s Upcoming Attraction – Speakeasy – WSJ.

“Disappear! Disappear!” Well that’s exactly what the Maelstrom attraction did. The words uttered by the trolls in the Norwegian pavilion attraction will no longer be heard. In it’s place will spawn a new “Frozen” inspired attraction called “Frozen Ever After”.

Rumors for this attraction began around the time when the princesses of the movie were housed in EPCOT’s Norway pavilion. To tell you the truth my first thought watching the movie, Frozen,  was that I could see them making the Maelstrom attraction “Frozen” inspired. I whispered this to my wife as I was watching the film but was only half kidding. I’m not entirely sure that the theater wasn’t bugged and someone stole my idea. Hmmm…I could have been rich. But seriously, I had no idea that this would come to fruition. Disney is always stepping up efforts to improve and update attractions in the parks. For instance, when they changed The Seas to feature characters from the movie Finding Nemo. 

As I understand it the attraction will feature the main characters of the movie during a celebration in Arendelle. The attraction will still feature the same ride path as well as the same boats. However, all of the displays will be changed over to be set in the fictional town of Arendelle.

So even though I was not the “first to pass this way” or the last, I’m saddened at the fact that I’ll no longer see those trolls sending me back over the falls. Although I like Frozen, I’m not as big of a fan as most people seem to be. There is no doubt in my mind that this attraction will require a FastPass. The line for Maelstrom was out of control, at times. Now that Frozen will officially hit EPCOT next year, the Norway Pavilion will never be the same.

What do you think of this change?

This week, Magic Kingdom Radio listeners have chosen to go retro as their favorite. Mickey Mouse Revue has been chosen as the number one track with Space Mountain at a close second. Mickey Mouse Revue is mostly played during Throwback Thursday but can sometimes be heard on the weekend. Here is a list of the remaining Top 10:

1. Mickey Mouse Revue

2. Space Mountain

3. The Enchanted Tiki Room

4. TTA People Mover – Full Ride Through

5. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

6. Carousel of Progress

7. Magic Kingdom Entrance #1

8. Dapper Dans – All in the Golden Afternoon

9. Pirates of the Caribbean

10. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth