Good morning, Hollywood! It seems like just a normal day in Hollywood Studios, but something big is happening at the moment… but more on that later. Let’s see what’s happening in the rest of the park.

The KPUT “Good Morning Hollywood” radio show is one of my favorite bits that the Citizens of Hollywood perform. It happens most days from 9:15 to 9:45 right on Hollywood Boulevard. The show is slightly different every day, depending on what characters are hosting.

Juan Scenario and Betty Shambles are two of my favorites, so today was already off to a good start.

“I’m Betty Shambles– with a face for radio!”

The next phase of the new costumes for cast members went into effect today– the entrance cast got new duds!

Merchandise

Today’s only new pin release was this Alice in Wonderland pin, the next in the “Vintage Vinyl” line. This was available in The Dark Room on Hollywood Boulevard.

I also found these fun light-up Mickey and Minnie pins in the Dark Room.

The flash and blink different colors.

The Miss Piggy ear headband is back in stock! I was afraid they had discontinued it.

This hat looks like it’s part of the Little Mermaid 30th Anniversary line, but I don’t remember seeing it before this. It’s kind of cute.

The little fin on the side is a nice touch.

Construction and Maintenance

Speaking of The Little Mermaid, “Voyage of the Little Mermaid”, the ever-present stage show in the Animation Courtyard has been closed for a short refurbishment the last few days.

It should be done soon. They had the exit doors open, though they were blocked by hedges. Whatever they’re doing inside that theater, it reeked of industrial glue.

Also visible from Animation Courtyard is a paint job happening on on of the taller buildings.

I think this is part of the offices behind Launch Bay (the old animation studio). Some poor worker was white washing the building with a 50-foot paint roller.

I think they’re getting close to finishing whatever this building is across from Star Tours. I heard a lot of loud drilling and hammering today.

You can sort of see the outline of the building behind the scrim when the light hits it just right.

They’re doing some landscape work it looks like, just on the other side of the new structure, across from the Sci-Fi Dine-In Restaurant.

I couldn’t get a good look at it, but it’s possible they’re removing some of the planters to widen the path here. It would be helpful, especially with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening so very soon.

Still no vertical construction on the new Oasis Canteen. I would assume their little “mishap” last week with the water lines probably delayed their progress.

Meanwhile, at Backlot Express… I’m so glad they went through the trouble of removing the lovely prop warehouse theming over here to fit two more tables in. Great work, guys. Maximize that capacity. I wonder what will go missing next?

Everyone in the park seemed to be localized in Toy Story Land today.

Anyone want to place bets on if the Slinky Dog Dash average wait time will stay the same or go down once Galaxy’s Edge opens?

Cast Member previews have officially started for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. They were letting Cast Members and guests into the land in scheduled increments just beyond those bushes.

I wonder what could possibly be back there?

Hmm… What is through that tunnel?

I think that might just be too much to cover in this article. You can check out our first look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios in our full article. There’s a video and everything!

Galaxy’s Edge opens to select scheduled Annual Passholders starting August 17th, and opens to the rest of humanity on August 29th. We’ll keep you up to date on everything happening in Hollywood Studios until then!

Henry Taylor