Universal’s Epic Universe is rapidly taking shape, and the celestial beacon of hospitality, Helios Grand Hotel, is no exception! New construction photos have arrived thanks to X user bioreconstruct, offering a glimpse into the progress of this magnificent hotel.
One of the most obvious areas of progress since the last update is the work that has been done on the dome at the top of the hotel. The dome’s frame is starting to take shape, with metal coverings being placed over the frame. The area under the dome, when completed, will be the home of a lounge for guests to enjoy.
Helios Grand Hotel is slated to open in 2025 and will be located within the Celestial Park area of Epic Universe. This convenient in-park location promises an immersive experience for guests, transporting them to a world inspired by the heavens and earth. The hotel is really shaping up to be THE place to stay during a Universal Orlando Resort vacation!
Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs Offers New Lunch Items
Popular Morimoto Asia Restaurant in Disney Springs has added 3 new delicious items to their already amazing menu! Feast your eyes on the new pan-Asian signature dishes for their weekday lunch menu, available from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Tantalize your taste buds with the New Asian Salad – With mesclun and baby iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, red onion, orange segment, apple, wonton chips and ginger dressing, pricing out at $15. Options to add protein: chicken for $9, oishii shrimp for $10, bulgogi beef for $10, calamari for $9 or fried tofu for $5.
Morimoto Asia has also added their version of a popular traditional Japanese dish Katsudon, which features Panko breaded pork skirt, dashi soy, organic egg, scallions and pickled ginger on top of house-polished white rice. This delicious dish is priced at $21.
And finally, the mouth watering Poke Bowl – with tuna, salmon, Hamachi marinated in soy, sesame, crunchy garlic chili over sushi rice with a price point of $24. In addition to the new lunch specials, a selection of hot entrees, dim sum and sushi rolls are also available during the lunch period.
Japanese master chef Masaharu Morimoto is known worldwide for his singular interpretations of Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes. His unique culinary perspective and unforgettable cuisine is matched only by his gorgeously-executed locations, including Morimoto Asia. To view the full menu, click here! We can’t wait to try all of these incredible dishes. Which one would you like to try?
Everything NEW Coming to Nat Geo & Disney+ in May 2024
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Nat Geographic and Disney+! Featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures on National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD, the marathon will begin on May 2nd at 10/9c beginning with “Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin”.
A list of exciting new premiers are set to debut! Starting off with “Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story” premieres May 6 at 10/9c and streams the next day on Disney+/Hulu. When a wild otter in desperate need of help washes up on his jetty in the remote Scottish islands of Shetland, Billy, his wife Susan, and their devoted sheepdog Jade find themselves with a unique new member of their family.
Next up on the list of premiers is a new season of Gordon Ramsay Uncharted, streaming on May 27th. Gordon Ramsay is back to seek culinary inspiration as he treks around the globe to learn about the cultures, dishes and flavors unique to each location. This season finds the multiple Michelin-starred chef and Ironman athlete cooking for the Jordanian royal family at Petra, braving the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, exploring Cuba’s hidden cuisine, diving for stone crab in the Florida Keys, herding cattle with Hawaiian cowboys and risking his life to pry gooseneck barnacles off the rocks of Spain’s Galician coast.
Along the way, he meets local experts and food legends, who guide him as he risks life and limb to take part in culinary customs, learn about delicious delicacies and taste the fresh flavors of each region.
“Unlocking Florida’s Keys” premieres May 27 at 9/8c Gordon takes on the gorgeous and resilient Florida Keys, going to extremes to gather the finest ingredients and recipes of the Conch Republic.
“The Cliffs of Ireland” premieres May 27 at 10/9c Bathing sheep and scaling cliffs for crab, Gordon traverses land and sea in search of the culinary wonders of Ireland’s stunning Connemara Coast.
Next on our list is Fiennes: Return to the Wild streaming May 28th. Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and actor cousin Joseph Fiennes trek Canada’s B.C., tackling tough terrain and dazzling scenery. Ranulph shares past triumphs, perilous journeys, and even his Parkinson’s diagnosis, strengthening their bond and forging lasting memories.
“Hell or High Water” premieres May 28 at 10/9c Ranulph Fiennes and his cousin Joseph travel Canada’s wilderness and reflect on Ran’s epic life and recent Parkinson’s diagnosis.
New episodes of To Catch A Smuggler premier starting May 1st!
“Not My Meth” premieres May 1 at 9/8c A mother crossing by car with her kids is caught smuggling cocaine in El Paso. AMO shoots out the engine of a boat loaded with coke in Puerto Rico.
“Pots of Coke” premieres May 8 at 9/8c HSI tracks a shipment of $12.6 million worth of cocaine hidden in gardening pots. CBP seizes illicit ammo and cash traveling to Mexico.
“Coke and the Kids” premieres May 15 at 9/8c HSI chases fleeing coke smugglers near a school. CBP finds shipments of pills, ketamine and counterfeit cash and stops knockoff shoes at the border.
“New Drug on the Block” premieres May 22 at 9/8c HSI uncovers a new street drug during a controlled delivery. CBP finds invasive snails in the mail at JFK and 16 kilos of coke in a bumper in El Paso.
“My Big Fat Weed Run” premieres May 29 at 9/8c CBP finds weed worth $200k inside a passenger’s luggage. HSI in Colombia raids apartment filled with counterfeit sneakers. CBP finds coke in a bumper.
Woof, woof! New Episodes of Better Human, Better dog with Cesar Millan premier on May 3rd!
“Fortress of Fear” premieres May 3 at 9/8c Driven by their pet parent’s fear, two brothers constantly attack one another, forcing them to be separated in a divided household.
“Fortress of Fear, Part 2” premieres May 10 at 9/8c Cesar continues his urgent red-zone rehab of two packmate dogs constantly turning violent against one another, driven by their pet parents’ fear.
“Brutal Labradoodle” premieres May 17 at 9/8c Cesar works with a labradoodle named Harvey, whose fearful nature and lack of leadership leads to aggression toward humans … and the family TV.
“Lighter Love” premieres May 24 at 9/8c Cesar works with Moose, an overweight pit mix whose health is in jeopardy, and Remy, a miniature poodle whose bad behavior has taken over the balcony.
“Unleashing Independence” premieres May 31 at 9/8c Stella and Bailey are English bulldogs whose frequent fights cause paraplegic pet mom to fear being left alone with two dogs she can’t control.
More animal fun filled episodes of Critter Fixers will debut on May 4th!
“Vets Helping Vets” premieres May 4 at 9/8c The docs at Critter Fixer strive to aid the animals of service members, including a wounded search-and-rescue dog and sheep on a veteran-run farm.
“Handle With Care” premieres May 11 at 9/8c The docs at Critter Fixer “treat both ends of the leash” when patrons arrive with pets in medical trouble, including a puppy, tortoise and chinchilla.
“A Wolf and the Bear” premieres May 18 at 9/8c The docs at Critter Fixer treat a wolf who’s been shot, help a cat with a long-term virus and perform an emergency C-section to deliver 10 puppies!
“Little Heroes” premieres May 25 at 9/8c The docs at Critter Fixer attempt to outfit an injured duck with a prosthetic leg and help a lizard with venom that holds a key to combating diabetes
Port Protection Alaska starts on May 7th!
“Don’t Look Back” premieres May 7 at 9/8c Curly Leach spends some final moments with a very dear old friend, leaving Port Protection for an easier life back on the grid.
Wicked Tuna Episodes Premier on May 5th!
“Coming in Hot” premieres May 5 at 9/8c Captain Bob Cook puts the fleet on notice when he catches two giant bluefin tuna and moves closer to the top spot in the competition.
“Three-Way Throwdown” premieres May 12 at 9/8c Captain Tyler McLaughlin is scratched by his cat, forcing him to head in and is further delayed by boat malfunction.
“Triple Threat” premieres May 19 at 9/8c With the quota dwindling Wicked Pissah and DotCom race to knock Fat Tuna out of the top spot as Bob and his mates fight to extend their lead.
“End of a Sea Monster Season” premieres May 26 at 9/8c On the season finale FV-Tuna.com, Wicked Pissah, and Fat Tuna battle for the top spot, but monster fish and big money make it anybody’s game.
Tune in May 2024 for these exciting premier episodes to debut!
The hypo allergenic earrings are 19mm with a stainless steel french hook and shaped like the Star Wars lightsaber with a metallic hilt and pearl white sword that glows in the dark! A must have for any Star Wars fan.
Gear Up for May the 4th with these Exciting Star Wars Products!
May the 4th is right around the corner, start getting ready with these out of this galaxy Star Wars Products available now! You will find apparel, toys and even food, check them out:
This Star Wars action figure is detailed to look like Mae (Assassin) from Star Wars: The Acolyte with exquisite features and decoration, The Black Series embodies the quality and realism that Star Wars devotees love. May the Force be with you!
The jacket features a scene and characters from the film printed throughout, plus the Star Wars Phantom Menace logo embroidered at the chest. It also comes with contrast blue sleeves, snap-button closures and front pockets. A must have for any Star Wars fan!
Towering at over 2 feet tall, this interactive Darth Vader robot is packed with kid-controlled action, including a pop-out disc launcher, extendable Lightsaber accessory and a Force-inspired ball launcher, plus cool lights and familiar character sounds. Kids will for sure love it!
This Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series buildable TIE Interceptor model (75382) for adults is a must in your collection! The iconic TIE Interceptor starfighter was part of the first-ever launch of LEGO Star Wars UCS sets in the year 2000; now it’s back and redesigned for even greater authenticity. Revel in buildable details, such as its distinctive wings, cockpit interior, laser cannons and rear engine.
This Target exclusive Funko is now available for pre-order! There are also plenty of other Star Wars The Phantom Menace characters to pre-order now, so hurry up before they go away.
TRUFF collaborated with Lucasfilm to draw inspiration from the depths of the dark side, igniting a fusion of flavors that boldly pushes the boundaries of spiciness to new heights. This is TRUFF’s hottest hot sauce yet with a symphony of flavors that intertwine the fiery essence of ghost peppers with the opulent notes of real black winter truffles.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is once again bursting with new life! Adorable African pygmy goose chicks have recently hatched and can now be spotted waddling along the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. These fuzzy bundles of joy are sure to melt your heart as you observe their first wobbly steps in the world.
Here’s an interesting fact courtesy of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment: When it comes to raising their young, African pygmy geese exhibit a unique parenting style. The females take charge of most chick-rearing duties, while the males act as watchful guardians, keeping an eye out for any potential threats. It’s a true testament to teamwork in the animal kingdom!
So, next time you find yourself exploring Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, be sure to keep an eye out for these delightful feathered newcomers. And who knows, you might just witness a heartwarming display of avian parenting in action!
New Lizzie McGuire Cakeworthy Collection Now At The Disney Store!
We’ll be gladly be called an outfit repeater with this Lizzie McGuire Cakeworthy Collection available now at the Disney Store! Hitting right into our nostalgia feelings, this collection takes us back to the early 00s when Lizzie would provide hours of fun with her on her adventures on the Disney Channel.
As a girl who grew up watching Lizzie McGuire and relating to her on another level, this collection feels so personal to me, i’m so glad Cakeworthy released these pieces that are a must have in any girl who grew up in the early 00s!
Let me tell you, the way i gasped when i saw this jacket, was insane, i mean look it, my inner 13 year old is screaming right now.
The jacket features embroidered colorful flowers all around and Lizzie on the back with her signature at the top in hot pink letters. This is a must have!
Cakeworthy is very well known for their plaid shirts and this one is gorgeous!! The combination of pink, purple and blue, so cute! The front pocket features Lizzie and the back the iconic “Lizzie Mcguire you are an outfit repeater” phrase.
If you look closely at the collar, you will notice the embroidered flower and Lizzie signature, very cute.
Finally, this shirt has to be in your wardrobe, i mean look at it, it features a fashionista Lizzie on the front and “Keep your standards high” on the back. Love!
Great news for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders! Disney has just announced the addition of several more “Good to Go Days” for late April 2024. This is on top of the previously announced dates of April 22nd and 23rd.
Mark Your Calendars! Here are the new “Good-to-Go Days”:
Wednesday, April 24th
Sunday, April 28th
Tuesday, April 30th
What are “Good-to-Go Days”?
These are special days where Annual Passholders can skip the park reservation step and head straight to the magic! All four Walt Disney World theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) are open for exploration on these reservation-free dates.
Finding “Good-to-Go Days” and Important Reminders
You can find the latest “Good-to-Go Days” listed on the Walt Disney World Passholder Admission Calendar. Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
Disney will be adding “Good-to-Go Days” periodically, so check back often! New dates may be released just days or even weeks in advance.
Blackout dates still apply depending on your Annual Pass tier.
Annual Passholders can still visit any park after 2 pm without a reservation, except for Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays (blackout dates apply).
To use Park Hopper, you’ll need a park reservation for your first park, or you can enter a park on a “Good-to-Go Day” or after 2 pm (except Magic Kingdom weekends) before hopping to another.
So ditch the planning stress and embrace the spontaneity! These “Good-to-Go Days” offer Annual Passholders a fantastic opportunity to experience the magic of Disney World on a whim.
The future of EPCOT’s Imagination! Pavilion is shrouded in a bit of mystery following the recent filing of a construction permit. The permit, categorized as “general construction,” applies to the entirety of the pavilion located at 1990 Avenue of the Stars Bay Lake.
The address of the permit includes all areas under the pavilion’s roof, including the well-known Journey into Imagination with Figment ride, interactive experiences like ImageWorks, the Magic Eye Theater, and restrooms. POLI Construction INC, the contractor listed on the permit, recently completed the renovation of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort’s Trail’s End Restaurant.
The permit offers a completion date of November 28th, 2025, but does not necessarily indicate an immediate construction start date. This news comes amidst EPCOT’s ongoing transformation, with significant renovations recently completed in the park’s front half. Whether this permit signifies a minor refresh or a more comprehensive reimagining of the Imagination! Pavilion remains to be seen.
The permit itself offers no specifics regarding the planned work, with “general construction” potentially encompassing anything from routine maintenance to a more substantial reimagining of the pavilion. Disney has yet to officially comment on the nature of the planned construction. Could Figment embark on a new adventure with an updated ride experience? Might the pavilion receive a complete overhaul, offering guests fresh interactive elements?
While details are scarce, this development undoubtedly fuels the imagination! The Chip and Co team will continue to monitor the situation and share any updates as they become available!
Adventure Is Out There With This New Up Ear Headband!
This Up Ear Headband is a must have for all your outdoor adventures! We spotted it at Animal Kingdom and is also available online at the Disney Store for $34.99.
It features simulated leather ears with embossed designs of the Up house with balloons and “Adventure is out there” quote on one ear and a compass on the other. The bow is inspired in the bow tie worn by Carl and is detachable so you can wear them as Minnie or Mickey ears.
The last fun detail on this ear headband is the Grape Soda bottlecap brooch on one ear, so cute! Want to take a closer look at it? Check our Instagram post:
The Three Caballeros Glow In The Dark Ear Headband Spotted At Epcot!
We found the new The Three Caballeros Glow In The Dark Ear Headband at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot for $44.99! Don’t have a trip to Disney World anytime soon? No worries, you can order yours online at the Disney Store!
The fun pair features padded simulated leather ears with Donald, Jose Carioca and Panchito playing their guitars in one ear and fireworks on the other. The back of the ears features an embossed “Saludos Amigos!” phrases surrounded with music notes and fireworks that continue on the other ear.
Some fun details of this ear headband is a removable rainbow striped bow with a guitar charm and that is also glows in the dark!!
You can take a better look at them in our Instagram post:
