Luigi’s Garage is located where Al’s Toy Barn used to be.  Only the facade and decorations have changed.  Otherwise, the area looks the same as it used to.  However, instead of meeting Woody and Buzz Lightyear, guests can now meet Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater all day!  Check out the pictures below!

Images: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

The new Luigi’s Garage is now open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

I think we’re taking the kids to Disney’s Hollywood Studios tomorrow (although with 4-year old triplets, there is always the chance they’ll change their minds and we’ll be off to the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom instead).  If we make it there, I’ll take some pictures and post them on The Disney Traveler later this week!

Images: Flickr 1, 2

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The Power Rangers make several appearances each day outside of the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show.  Five Power Rangers drive out from backstage in a cool Power Rangers car with music booming through the speakers.  Each Power Ranger jumps out of the car, poses in a cool Power Rangers stance for an introduction, then they all head in different directions so guests can line up for autographs and pictures.

Kids love meeting the Power Rangers, but it’s a bit hectic trying to make it to meet all five Power Rangers.  The lines can be long, and the Power Rangers only stay for about 15 minutes or so.  There are many disappointed children when time is up and they didn’t have enough time to wait through all five lines to get pictures with all five Power Rangers. 

TIP: Have your child pick the top two Power Rangers he or she wants to meet, then be sure to stand in those lines first.  Typically, the Red, Blue, White, Pink and Yellow Power Rangers are available for pictures and autographs.  Plan ahead to avoid disappointment if there isn’t enough time to meet all of them.

Images: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

I’ll sum up my thoughts on Toy Story Mania in one word – fun!

As you go through the ride entrance, you’re immediately met with a feeling that this ride is going to be fun!  The environment is created to make it look like you’ve been shrunk down to the size of one of Andy’s toys from the original Toy Story and Toy Story 2 movies.  Classic toys and new favorites are scattered throughout the queue in giant sizes.  Even the ceiling is decorated!

Luckily, we were able to get Fast Passes to Toy Story Mania because the wait time never seems to drop below 2 hours!  Based on how much fun the ride is, I doubt that will change anytime soon.

As we neared the end of the Fast Pass line, we picked up our 3D glasses and merged with the main line then went up a set of stairs that open to a grand view of the ride loading area.  You can see the unique ride cars exiting and entering the ride as they make their way around Andy’s room which is filled with toys and games, including a lot of Tinker Toys!

When it’s your turn to ride, you hop on a 2-sided car (see the picture above) then head into the dark ride.  The car moves faster than you’d expect and quickly stops at a set of 2 screens.  Two cars line up next to each other and the riders facing the screens use their unique “spring-action shooters” to shoot at classic carnival game targets including balloons, but don’t be surprised to see unique targets like little green aliens from the Toy Story movies, too!  While you and your partner are shooting at the screen in front of you, the two people seated in the same car behind you are shooting at a screen in front of them.  It’s a unique set up that you have to see to believe that it works!

Your car sits at the first set of screens for a few moments then zips onto the next for another shooting game.  This continues for several minutes (longer than I expected it to) as you and the other cars maneuver through the various screens with different games on them.  At each screen, a different Toy Story character greets you and cheers you on.

At the end of the game, your scores are tallied and you can see how you scored in comparison to your partner in your car. 

Aside from the fact that it’s plain old fun to zip around in the dark watching 3D screens and shooting at carnival game targets, Toy Story Mania is fun because anyone can play regardless of age or “video game” abilities.  The targets require little aiming ability, and the shooters use a pull string mechanism rather than a trigger.  My 4-year old triplets still have trouble using the blasters on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in the Magic Kingdom, but they had no trouble with the shooters on Toy Story Mania!  As you shoot, your “virtual darts” appear on screen as splotches of color like paint that match the color of your shooter, so it’s easy to see where you’re shooting and when you actually hit something – another thing that’s great for younger children.

My husband and I went on this ride with our 4-year old triplets and my mother who is in her 60s.  We all loved it and can’t wait to go again!  Overall, I give Toy Story Mania two thumbs up! 

Have you ridden Toy Story Mania yet?  What did you think?  Leave a comment and share your opinion.

Image: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

First up, as you enter the newly named Pixar section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’re greeted by sites and sounds you know well if you’re a Toy Story fan, including escapees from Andy’s Barrel of Monkeys and Woody’s Round-Up products found in Al’s apartment from Toy Story 2.

Green Army Men and a huge Scrabble board hang from the building across the street from Toy Story Mania.

As you enter Toy Story Mania, you see blocks, tinker toys, more green army men and monkeys, and more!

When you enter the Toy Story Mania building to begin your wait on line, you’re meant to feel like you’ve been shrunk down to the size of one of Andy’s toys, and you’ve entered Andy’s room.  You’re immediately surrounded by lots and lots of toys, including a variety of classic toys that adults will remember fondly from their own childhoods.

The balsa wood plane below is bigger than an average adult!

No spot is forgotten in the Toy Story Mania queue.  Even the ceiling is painted to look like a giant Chutes and Ladders game board!

Scattered throughout the queue are huge pictures that are meant to be drawings done by Andy of his favorite toys.

The walls are also painted to look like Andy’s bed, shelves, etc. – complete with stacks of toys!

At the end of the queue, you get your turn to hop onboard one of the innovative cars and take a spin through Toy Story Mania.

Trust me, this ride is not to be missed on your next Walt Disney World vacation.  Watch for the details in my written Toy Story Mania ride review coming on The Disney Traveler!  You can subscribe to The Disney Traveler, so you don’t miss it!

Images: Susan Gunelius

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Dave Filoni, the director of “The Clone Wars” made an appearance at the Star Wars parade.

Jake Lloyd who played the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode 1 also appeared in the parade.

Warwick Davis who played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi and has appeared in many other movies such as Willow even made an appearance!

The grand finale of the parade was an appearance by Darth Vader!

Images: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

Every day during Star Wars weekends there is a special parade filled with Star Wars characters in costume as well as some people in the original movie casts or involved in the original movie productions.  I snapped some great pictures of the Star Wars parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Sunday.  In fact, I got so many good pictures that I’m going to split them into two separate posts.

Without further ado, here is Part 1 of the Disney Star Wars Weekend Parade in pictures:

First up, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy dressed as Princess Leia, a Jedi Knight, a Storm Trooper and Darth Vader.

Next come Storm Troopers, Sand People, Jawas, and more of the characters every Star Wars fan knows and loves!

Check out tomorrow’s post on The Disney Traveler to see Part 2 of Disney’s Star Wars Weekends in Pictures.

You can follow the link to read about Disney’s 2007 Star Wars Weekends.

Images: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

I’m still not sold on this new Disney World attraction.  How about you?

Image: AmericanIdol.com

Post from: The Disney Traveler

The new Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian is scheduled to open tomorrow and will give Disney guests a peak into the world of the second movie in the Narnia series.  Features inside the attraction include a Narnia knowledge test, a chance to meet Prince Caspian, and special behind-the-scenes footage. 

Guests will also walk through Aslan’s Stone Table Chamber and have a chance to see real concept art and storyboards as well as props and costumes that were actually used in the movie.

Sounds like this is going to be a very cool attraction for Narnia fans!  Did you get a chance to visit the first version of this attraction, Journey into Narnia: Creating the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?  What did you think?

Image: Flickr

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Check out the scheduled events:

• Magic Kingdom: 9:00 p.m. – “Disney’s Celebrate America!-A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” uses incredible fireworks and music to honor the people and traditions of the United States.  Disney’s SpectroMagic parade will also run at 10:30 p.m. and again at 12:30 a.m.
• Epcot: 9:00 p.m. – “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth”, Epcot’s nightly lights, fireworks and music show, will include a special ending to celebrate July 4th.  Also, the American Pavillion will host special events throughout the day on July 4th including appearances by historical characters and additional performances by the acapella vocal group, Voices of Liberty.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9:00 pm. – A special fireworks show will feature music and skyrockets. 
• Downtown Disney: 10:30 p.m. – A special fireworks show will entertain guests in the Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island areas.

Where will you be on July 4th?

Image: Flickr

Post from: The Disney Traveler