June 11-17
I’m back and this time it’s with some news that I don’t think I’ve included here before…gaming news. That’s right! I enjoy Star Wars and man oh man are the “Jedi” games so fun. “Jedi: Fallen Order” was great. I’ve played it twice and it’s still so fun. I have yet to reach every part of every world on the map. “Jedi: Survivor” might be even better. I’ve done even LESS of that map. Speaking of game maps though, have you ever wanted to just wander around in the world of Star Wars? You know, like in an open world type of game? Well, that is Lucasfilm Games and Disney’s dream as well. “Star Wars: Outlaws” has been announced and will be made by Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment. Here is the trailer for the game. It was announced for Xbox. Hopefully it will be available on other platforms as well. Bad ass protagonist, a cute animal companion, and a vibe more like Rogue One than a Jedi-focused game? Count me in.
In a rare showing of merch news, I have to share two items with you.
Firstly there are Figment ears. You read that right. Figment. (I like Figment so I might be a little biased). You west coasters may not truly get the Figment love of us east coasters, but rumor goes that they are working on a Figment film so hopefully you’ll get to see a bit of the little guy and understand why he’s so great.
A cute purple dragon with orange wings and horns and a giant smile comprises the ears on a Mickey headband with the Imagination Pavilion and a topiary of Figment in the background. Image courtesy of WDW News Today
But that’s not all folks.
What you may not know about me is that I am a LEGO fan. Sadly I missed out on the LEGO Disney Castle set. You know, the gray version of the castle. I saw it was going away and I knew that the Disney100 was coming up so I didn’t hunt one down online. I waited.
My wait has paid off.
Behold…the new (improved? Worsened? You decide) LEGO Disney Castle.
Left half shows the front of the LEGO box for the new Disney Castle set. Right half shows a photo of the back of the castle when assembled. Photo courtesy of WDW News Today.
This castle features the pink paint and instead of classic Disney Characters like Mickey, you get princesses. I’m sad there’s no Aurora figurine but hopefully that can be purchased separately. LEGO does offer Disney100 characters to purchase and assemble for $5, each one is in an opaque package so you don’t know what you get with each purchase, which is part of the fun. The interior of the castle features mini scenes related to the princesses too, and fireworks shooting from the turrets! I’m so excited. Retail is $400 and will be available to LEGO VIPs July 1st and open to the public to purchase starting July 4th.
I am absolutely going to get this. Problem is, where will I put it???
There is also going to be a LEGO Sanderson Sister’s house. GAAAHHH! I’m so excited and now will have even less room. This may be a set that I put together each Halloween and put away for the rest of the year. As a fan of Hocus Pocus since it came out, I cannot wait.
Stay tuned!
Out in California Mr Toad’s Wild Ride is about to close for refurbishment next month along with work continuing on the Adventureland treehouse. Work also continues on the San Fransokyo portion of DCA which looks like it might be approaching completion soon!
Back east there are a lot of updates.
The EPCOT construction might finally be getting close to being done. World Nature restrooms are reopened. Disney has also announced some info about the Jollywood Nights holiday happenings including a Muppets show that they’re comparing to the Rockettes in NYC. I’m a Muppet fan so this sounds like so much fun. Also, yet again, Cinderella castle will not get the stunning icicle lights this holiday season but Mickey’s holiday party will return.
Now how about some Cruise News? The DCL version of the MagicBand has arrived on the Wish. I was on the Wish when they were trying this out for the first time. I saw someone use it and the band works exactly like it does in the parks. It can open your room and be used for purchases. They call it the DisneyBand+ but it looks just like the MagicBand+. I’m not sure if you can use your MB+ or if you have to buy a DB+, but once I learn that info I’ll share it here.
In Disney Company news there was a major shake-up with the CFO, Christine McCarthy, stepping down. It seems to be related to a medical issue; unsure if this is affecting her or a family member, but either way I wish her and her family the best of luck and a speedy recovery. As someone in the medical field and who has had medical issues affect my family, I understand the burden. I’m glad she is shifting her focus to herself and her family. Her Disney family will always be here if/when she returns. Kevin Lansberry, CFO of Disney Parks, will step up as the interim Disney Co. CFO in her stead.
Wow, this was a long one. There was even more news but I have to cut it off somewhere, and this is it folks.