Gateway Gifts Reopens @ Epcot

Gateway Gifts at EPCOT closed for a brief refurbishment earlier this week in order to even out the design elements and interior of the two stores flanking Spaceship Earth. Camera Center recently reopened with a similar new look, and it seems the same design choices were made for Gateway Gifts, with the exception of the exterior signage. That’s right, everyone’s retro favorite Gateway Gifts neon teal signage survived the refurbishment somehow. Here’s a look inside the store:

As you can see, the ground was repaved during the refurbishment. Rolling planters still line the outer edge of the store as more concrete is poured in the remainder of the pathway.

The Monorail art from the old store has also survived (albeit in purple), taking back its rightful place behind the right-hand registers.

Sleek new illuminated registers have replaced the smaller, clunkier old ones.

Taika Waititi In Talks to Direct A Star Wars Movie

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney and Lucasfilm are looking at Taika Waititi (“Thor: Raganarok”) to direct a future Star Wars film.

Not much is known about what project Waititi could be involved with, but it could be part of the the Star Wars movie that Kevin Feige is developing for Disney and Lucasfilm.

Waititi directed the last episode of “The Mandalorian” series and also voiced the character of IG-11. With both ties to Marvel and Star Wars, it seems as though Waititi would be a good fit for a future Star Wars movie.

Now that the last film in the Star Wars Saga has been released, it will be quite some time before we see another Star Wars movie in theaters. The next Star Wars movie is scheduled to be released in December 2022.

VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 08: Taika Waititi walks the red carpet ahead of the Award Ceremony during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 8, 2018 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage)

For the time being, Disney has decided to shift the focus to several live action Star Wars series that will air on Disney+. This will include a second season of “The Mandalorian”, a series based on K2SO and Cassian Andor from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”, and actor Ewan McGregor reprising his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in his own series.

New Limited Edition Space Mountain Minnie Ears; Part of the Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Series

When Disney announced a new monthly series for 2020, we couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for us. “Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction” is a new collection that features a different Disney attraction each month. This limited release series will be available at Disney Store locations as well as in the parks. The collection includes pins, plush, Loungefly backpacks, and even Minnie ears! We can’t wait to have the full collection of ears. The first set of ears to release for this new series features the iconic Space Mountain attraction from Disney Parks.

These ears are limited release, so make sure you grab them while you can. These retail for $34.99, and discounts are applicable in park.

Disney Drops “Fox” Name From Movie Studio

20th Century Fox, the 85-year-old movie studio is no more. Well, it still exists but Disney is dropping the “Fox” from the name and changing the name to 20th Century Studios, mirroring the 20th Century Pictures name the studio had in 1933 before the merger Fox Film in 1935.

Fox Searchlight Pictures will also have a name change, now being called simply Searchlight Pictures. Decisions on the name of 20th Century Fox Television and Fox 21 Television Studios have not been made at this time, but discussions are taking place.

The change of removing “Fox” from associated properties has been ongoing with work emails being changed and credits for movies, including “Downhill” featuring Will Ferrell, reflecting the new Fox-less name. The logos of the companies won’t be altered, save for the removal of Fox, and the iconic theme song will remain.

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New Limited Edition Epcot International Festival of The Arts 2020 “Figment Coloring Co.” MagicBand Available

A little spark of inspiration is at the heart of all creation, and with this new Limited Edition Figment MagicBand, a dream can be a dream come true with just that spark… in me and you! This year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts has rolled out an incredible collection of Figment-centric merchandise, but we’d be remiss to overlook this year’s MagicBand, which is covered in tiny dragon tracks.

The royal purple MagicBand features a bright yellow splattered paint Mickey puck, with tiny Figment footprints all along. Figment himself graces one side of the band in his white painter’s overalls, while the other side shows the Festival and EPCOT logo.

You can get this Limited Edition (LE 2000) MagicBand for $34.99.

Visit the International Festival of The Arts On Your Next Disney Trip! Click Here!