Laugh Floor Update

WDWNT on October 27, 2007

The cheap looking banners in the queue of the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor at  the Magic Kingdom have been replaced by some rather profesional and appealing ones. The new banners do not look like they were drawn by a child, but look more like those belonging to the rest of the resort. Some of the banners also say Tomorrowland Expo Center, giving the facility a name. Ther is even a banner telling people that the door with the light above it leads to Monstropolis. These banners finally give some unaware guests a story to follow, and really add to what I feel is a rather solid attraction.

SSE Delayed!!!

WDWNT on October 27, 2007

In the “we saw it coming, but is it really that much longer?” department, the opening of the new Siemen’s Spacship Earth at Epcot has been pushed back from November 13th, 2007 to February 19th, 2008. The pushback was pretty much expected from day one, but the latest deadline given for the project to finish was originally December 20th. The problems being experienced in the refurbishment range from major technical glitches in the new finale, to just the fact that they have not had enough time, enough money, or enough workers in the project. The same problems can be seen in the construction of the Yak and Yeti Restaurant at Animal Kingdom. The restaurant was supposed to open in October, now November, and is expected to be pushed back yet again. All of this also establishes something we mentioned here on the site a long time ago, that the new Spaceship Earth will bear little or no resemblence to the attraction that preceeded it.

Hollywood Studios Press Release

WDWNT on October 26, 2007

Disney made a formal announcement on when the Disney MGM Studios will become Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here’s the info:

“Disney-MGM Studios transitions to a new name — Disney’s Hollywood Studios — effective Jan. 7, 2008. On Oct. 25, 2007, Walt Disney World Resort unveiled the new official logo the renamed theme park will take. The bright, new logo features a clapboard-holding Mickey Mouse. “Mickey still plays a prominent role for us,” said Studios vice-president Michael O’Grattan, “and Hollywood now truly is our middle name.”

Block Party Bash Debut

WDWNT on October 25, 2007

Disneyworld.com  is reporting that the new Block Party Bash parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will debut on March 14th, 2008 at 3pm. The parade’s last day performing at Disney’s California Adventure will be January 6th.

T-Rex Press Release

WDWNT on October 24, 2007

The following is a small article from the Orlando Sentinel on the new T-Rex Restaurant coming to Downtown Disney next summer.

Two life-size dinosaurs will grace the outside and dozens more robotic dinosaurs will decorate the interior of the T-Rex restaurant and store under construction at Downtown Disney.

The restaurant, slated to open next fall in Downtown Disney’s Marketplace section, will be the second in a new chain designed by Steven Schussler, who created Rainforest Cafe, and developed in partnership with Landry’s Restaurants. The 30,000-square-foot project, much larger than the Kansas City prototype, will include a cocktail bar, a 3,500-square-foot retail shop and enough educational and entertaining decor to qualify as an attraction, Schussler said.

“We’ve got over 35 different dinosaurs on the inside, a quarter of a million dollars in fossils embedded in the men’s room and ladies’ room, with educational comments so you can learn about them. Most of that stuff in there is literally 45 [million to] 80 million years old,” Schussler said.

WDW New Year’s Eve Schedule

WDWNT on October 23, 2007

Walt Disney World released their schedule of events and park hours for December 31st, 2007. Here is the press release:Walt Disney World guests can count down to 2008 with a dazzling display of entertainment, parades, fireworks and extended hours throughout the Disney theme parks on New Year’s Eve. Here’s what’s in store:

  • Disney-MGM Studios is aglow with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Sylvania. Millions of sparkling lights adorn the Streets of America backlot through Jan. 6, 2008. Special New Year’s Eve park hours: 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Special entertainment includes a trio of “Fantasmic!” fireworks shows — at 6:30, 8:30 and 10 p.m. — plus a special showering of fireworks at midnight.
  • Donning hats and noisemakers, revelers can party on until 1 a.m. at Magic Kingdom with double the parades and fireworks. Guests can count down to the magical hour with the “SpectroMagic” parade at 7 and 10:30 p.m., plus “Holiday Wishes” fireworks at 8:30 p.m. and “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
  • A special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” laser-light spectacular will be presented at 7:30 and 11:40 p.m. at Epcot. Latin crossover band Papo’s Groove and the energetic DJ Indio Davila will entertain partiers at America Gardens Theatre, while the big band swing music of the Tom Butler Orchestra will fill World Showplace. Rockers can boogie down at Scooter’s dance party at the Fountain Stage, plus techno rock at the China pavilion and classic rock ‘n’ roll at the Italy pavilion in World Showcase. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
  • “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade,” an outrageous street party starring favorite Disney friends, winds through Disney’s Animal Kingdom at 3:45 p.m. Theme park hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

    • T-Rex Restaurant News

    WDWNT on October 14, 2007

    The T-Rex Restaurant at Downtown Disney is opening Summer 2008, according to the construction walls surrounding the site. Even if the restaurant opens by the end of the summer, that only gives them 10 months to complete the new restaurant. This would probably make the people involved in the construction of the new Yak and Yeti restaurant at Animal Kingdom look bad, as they are once again struggling to meet their second opening date.

    Cinema Shutdown

    WDWNT on October 13, 2007

    The Main Street Cinema on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom is now closed for the removal of Virtual Magic Kingdom Central. In it’s place will be anb Art of Disney store, similar to those that can be found in the other three theme parks and Downtown Disney. The Marquee on the building says “Coming Soon”, but no official opening date has been set yet for the store. Expect it to open in early December.

    Jedi Academy

    WDWNT on October 10, 2007

    The new Jedi Training Academy show has debuted on a new Star Wars inspired stage next to the Star Tours attraction at the Disney MGM Studios. According to sources, the show is performed seven times a day.

    Teppan Edo Now Open

    WDWNT on October 9, 2007

    Last night, the new Teppan Edo restaurant in Japan at Epcot opened to the general public. You can see pictures of the new restaurant over at our friends from Mousesteps.com.