Lianett Fernandez

Lianett is an annual passholder and has been visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California since the 1980s. She loves Halloween, park festivals, and she is a huge Star Wars fan. Her favorite park food is the coconut Dole Whip. She is also an annual passholder at Universal Studios Florida and has visited Disneyland Paris.
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PHOTOS: Scaffolding Removed From Space Mountain Spires at Magic Kingdom

Scaffolding has been removed from Space Mountain’s spires in Magic Kingdom, and rooftop cleaning has seemingly been completed in preparation for the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run.

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Space Mountain Façade Refurbishment

The scaffolding around the Space Mountain rooftop spires have now all been removed as the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run nears on April 4. Disney has been cleaning the Space Mountain roof exterior since January as they complete the construction for TRON Lightcycle / Run and its surrounding area. We have been following along with the refurbishment while keeping you updated on the changes made to the surrounding area.

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Scaffolding was installed in early February around the Space Mountain spires as cleaning and repainting continued on the attraction’s roof.

The scaffolding surrounding the large spires was recently removed, but the smaller spires remained covered.

Space Mountain no scaffolding clean roof short spire

The smaller spires are no longer surrounded by scaffolding, and the work on Space Mountain’s rooftop appears to be complete.

Disney has been making some changes to the surrounding area of the new attraction, TRON / Lightcycle Run, as it prepares for its grand opening next month.

In addition to the maintenance work completed on Space Mountain, a name change and retheming have been made to the classic attraction’s neighboring shop, and a new food stand has been added.

Tomorrowland Launch Depot

Formerly known as Tomorrowland’s Light & Power Co., the shop next to Space Mountain has officially been renamed as part of the updates made to this area. The new name for this shop is Tomorrowland Launch Depot. The1994 Tomorrowland decorative exterior cogs and steampunk style have been replaced with a sleek streamlined facade. The original tower art underneath the clock has been replaced with a mural of Tomorrowland attractions past and present.

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The shop formerly sold Space Mountain themed merchandise and featured a D-tech on demand counter for the customization of MagicBands, phone cases, and other items. While it is uncertain if these items will continue to be sold at the shop, new merchandise has been revealed. The new shop will sell unique TRON themed items, including Loungefly backpacks, t-shirts, toys, and light-up clothing and accessories.

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Another shop entrance will be located in the back, making it easily accessible for guests exiting the TRON Lightcycle / Run attraction.

Tron identity action figure

Tomorrowland Launch Depot will offer guests the opportunity to experience the TRON Identity Program. Guests who purchase the special action figure can customize its unique identity chip and use it to interact with other TRON toys and merchandise. The Tron Identity Program action figures will be priced at $89.99.

Energy Bytes

Disney recently revealed all the details surrounding the new snack stand, called Energy Bytes, located near the entrance of the new TRON / Lightcycle RUN attraction and Space Mountain.

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Unique sweet and savory snacks will be available at this food stand, including dumplings, donut holes, mochi ice cream, and a frozen watermelon refresher. These snacks will be sold for under $10. The full price list, with photos, is available here.

With so many new things to see, will you be visiting Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.

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

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Shuri’s Vibranium Gauntlet Light-Up Toy from ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Arrives at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you’re looking to salute the noble nation of Wakanda from Marvel’s “Black Panther” series as you stroll around Walt Disney World, now you can with a new replica of Shuri’s Vibranium Gauntlet, now available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Specifically, we found this at Keystone Clothiers.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Light-Up Shuri’s Vibranium Gauntlet – $99.99

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This light-up gauntlet toy from Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is styled like the vibranium gauntlets created by Shuri in the first “Black Panther” film, featuring the face of a panther with light-up yellow eyes over the fists. The head area of the gauntlet moves back and forth. The wrist area of the gauntlet lights up in purple and it also makes sonic blaster sounds.

The vibranium gauntlet comes in a stylized box that appears like a special crate, similar to the ones seen in the “Black Panther” films and contains one gauntlet in each box.

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On the back of the box, you can see some of the features once the gauntlet is lit up.

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The side of the box has graphics of what appears to be cylindrical turn handles that would open the crate if it were not a toy.

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This is a closer look at the vibranium gauntlet where the details of the panthers face and teeth are move visible, along with the some of the graphic art, typical of Wakanda, that decorates the toy. This item can be found in Keystone Clothiers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on shopDisney.

Don’t miss other “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”-inspired merchandise including Namor ears, as well as the vibranium gauntlet-inspired W.E.B. Tech attachment and sipper both at Disneyland Resort.

Will you be buying this for yourself or a little Black Panther-to-be in your life? Let us know in the comments!

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

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UPDATE: Disney+ ‘Tiana’ Series Release Window Changed

Walt Disney Animation Studios has updated the release date for the “Tiana” series on Disney+ to an unknown future date.

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Tiana Series on Disney+

Disney’s “Tiana” television series, originally scheduled for release on Disney+ in 2024, now has no known release date. It appears that Walt Disney Animation Studios has quietly updated their website and removed the original release date of 2023. The website now says “Coming to soon [sic] Disney+.”

Disney+ Tiana Series date change

Originally scheduled for a release date of 2023, and then later changed to 2024, the release timeline is now unknown. It may come sooner or later than planned but has likely been delayed.

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The “Tiana” series centers around Tiana’s new adventures as Princess of Maldonia and is both directed and written by Stella Meghie. Meghie has been a director on the series “Grown-ish,” “Insecure,” and will now be joining the Marvel universe as well. Earlier, we reported that Disney+ will be creating a series based on “Wonder Man” with “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” director Destin Daniel Cretton leading the project. Meghie has now been added to this team and will be directing several episodes, according to Variety.

How do you feel about the Tiana TV series being delayed? Let us know in the comments.

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

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Disney Creates Flynn’s Arcade-Inspired Space Exclusively for TRON Lightcycle / Run Media Event

As part of the TRON Lightcycle / Run media event today, Disney created a special welcome center inspired by Flynn’s Arcade exclusively for the media event preview attendees.

TRON Lightcycle Run Stock Entrance Sign

Disney treated their media guests today by welcoming them to a space inspired by Flynn’s Arcade from the 1982 film “TRON” and its sequel “TRON Legacy.” The arcade was the business (and home) of Kevin Flynn, creator of the Grid.

Disney Parks shared video on their Instagram stories showcasing the event with a walk-through of the arcade and its offerings. This all comes ahead of TRON Lightcycle / Run’s grand opening at the Magic Kingdom on April 4.

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Media guests were greeted by this neon sign that reads “Game On” with a hidden Mickey icon and an arrow pointing them in right direction.

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Next, they walked through a dark tunnel with green neon lights encasing them, very much in theme with The Grid.

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The temporary media event arcade featured a variety of game options, including Guitar Hero.

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A Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga game can by seen here surrounded by a back frame made of neon lights with a Mickey icon on the top.

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The arcade classic, Space Invaders was also featured at the media event, also surrounded by its own neon light frame.

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Although the Disney Parks Instagram story did not show a TRON arcade video game, there was a TRON pinball machine.

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A prize wall was also seen in the video, complete with a bucket hat, tumblers, a keychain plush of Expedition Everest’s Yeti, and a Baby Groot squeeze toy, among others.

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Here, under this giant neon Mickey ice cream bar, fresh popcorn can be seen in a machine, available to guests at the media event.

Flynn’s Arcade was previously replicated more faithfully during the ElecTRONica dance event, which took place select nights at Disney California Adventure from 2010 to 2012. The location featured a number of classic arcade games as well as the TRON arcade game manufactured by Bally Midway. Guests could also immerse themselves in the neon world of The Grid during the beloved dance event. We covered this event in the early days of WDWNT if you would like to read more about it.

What do you think about this exclusive TRON media event? Do you wish it was open to the all park guests similar to the way ElecTRONica’s experience ran? Tell 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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Spirit Jerseys, Loungefly Bags, and More From the Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy Collection Has Landed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Collection has arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just in time for the International Women’s Day celebration.

Both an adult and youth Spirit Jersey, along with a white faux leather wristlet and a Loungefly crossbody bag, have been spotted at the park. All products feature the phrase “The Force Is With Us.” They can be found at Keystone Clothiers as well as on the ShopDisney website.

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As we mentioned a few months back, Keystone Clothiers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is still under construction for damage sustained to the exterior due to a falling piece of the façade, but it is still open for business.

Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Spirit Jersey for Adults – $74.54

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This white Spirit Jersey for adults has a screen printed applique on the front that features Princess Leia, Ahsoka Tano, Rey, Padme Amidala, Hera Syndulla, and Rose and Paige Tico, along with BB-8. The Spirit Jersey has a black trim around the neck and sleeve cuffs. It’s available in sizes XS – XXL and retails for $74.54 at the parks and $74.99 on ShopDisney.

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The front side also features a small black applique with the Star Wars logo.

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The back side has a screen print of the words “The Force is With Us” in puffy ink.

Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Spirit Jersey for Kids – $54.99

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A white Spirit Jersey for kids with a screen print on the front of Ahsoka Tano, Rey, Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, Hera Syndulla, and Rose Tico, is also available. The front side of the Spirit Jersey also features a small black applique with the Star Wars logo. It’s available in sizes 4 -14 for $54.99 at the parks or $49.99 on ShopDisney.

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The Spirit Jersey has contrasting sleeves in black and burgundy along with a screen print in puffy ink across the back that says “The Force is with us.”

Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Loungefly Crossbody Bag – $40.00

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A Loungefly rectangular crossbody bag is also part of the collection. This bag features Princess Leia, Ahsoka Tano, Rey, Padme Amidala, Hera Syndulla, and Rose and Paige Tico, along with BB-8. It retails for $40.00 at the parks and on ShopDisney.

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Close-up of the front of the bag.

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The back of the bag is solid black faux leather with a Loungefly Star Wars emblem badge.

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The bag comes with a chain strap that has a faux white leather shoulder piece with the words “The Force is with us.”

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This bag also features an applique on the side that shows a silhouette of Princess Leia’s iconic hair and says “Women of the Galaxy” and “The Force is with us.”

Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Wristlet Bag – $24.99

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A white faux leather wristlet is also available from this collection. This wristlet, that resembles a mini belt bag, comes with a zipper across the top and a small applique on the front with a silhouette of Princess Leia’s bun hairstyle and the phrases “Women of the Galaxy” and “The Force is with us”, similar to the one on the Loungefly crossbody bag. It retails for $24.99 at the parks and ShopDisney.

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The strap is made of white elastic with the words “The Force is with us” printed in black.

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The inner lining features a black, white, and gray geometric print.

These items are part of the same collection as the new Princess Leia inspired BaubleBar ears recently seen at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom.

With so many items to choose from, there is definitely something for adults and younglings alike. Are you excited about this new Star Wars Women of the Galaxy collection? Tell us what you’re getting in the comments.

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

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New $99,000 Arribas Brothers Spaceship Earth Available at Walt Disney World

An Arribas Brothers rainbow colored figure of Spaceship Earth, covered in Austrian crystal stones, has been spotted at Kunstarbeit in Kristall in EPCOT for only $99,000.

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Limited Edition Spaceship Earth 40th Anniversary by Arribas Brothers – $99,000

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The Arribas Brothers are back at it again, but this time, instead of creating a crystal covered replica of Cinderella Castle, they have honored EPCOT’s park icon, Spaceship Earth. This limited edition Arribas Brothers’ rainbow colored replica figure of Spaceship Earth has been spotted at Kunstarbeit in Kristall at the Germany Pavilion in EPCOT and was released as part of the EPCOT 40th anniversary. The statue comes with a certificate of authenticity and is a limited production of 40. It retails for $99,000.

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The ball and grass are completely covered in Austrian crystal stones and rest on top of a black circular base.

Here you can see the details on the “grass” area where the crystals go from a darker green to a lighter green in an ombre style.

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Both the left and right sides of the figure seem to have the same design.

Spaceship earth arribas brothers epcot replica left side
Spaceship earth arribas brothers epcot replica detail seal

The base has a blue and silver crystal trim to finish off the figure, and it rests on top of a black base featuring a small EPCOT 40th anniversary emblem in gold.

Spaceship earth arribas brothers epcot replica certificateofauthenticity

Each comes with a signed certificate of authenticity. It details the extensive process of hand-setting each of the 155,300 crystals over 681 hours for each figure.

Earlier during the anniversary, crystal replicas of the entrance pylons also debuted at a smaller price point of $1,250.

These Spaceship Earth replica figures are limited, but we are curious; would you bring one home? Let us know in the comments.

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