WDW News Today Live
The first edition of WDW News Today Live is now over, but don’t threat, we’ll be back with a second edition on July 6th, 2008. Updated info on the second live show will be available at a later date here on Disneyland News Today!
Animatronic Wall-E Coming to Disney’s California Adventure
A real-world mobile audio-animatronic Wall-E robot will roam around Disney’s California Adventure and interact with theme park visitors later this year, according to the monthly newsletter mailed to Disneyland Annual Passholders.
“Be sure to keep your Visual Input Devices (also known as ‘eyes’) peeled as you play in the park this summer,” reported the Backstage Pass newsletter. “You might just catch a glimpse of the newest Pixar pal mingling with our human guests. Of course, Wall-E’s in-park appearances are subject to change without notice.”
The adorable remote-controlled, 3-foot-tall robot built by Walt Disney Imagineering has been spotted on the streets of Los Angeles and at a Philadelphia science center, but the Mouse House has remained mum on future theme park visits by Wall-E.
According to video of the real-world robot, the animatronic Wall-E rolls on his tread feet, moves his arms and hands, tilts his head, blinks his eyes and responds to questions in his own E.T.-like language.
Don’t expect to see Wall-E at California Adventure until long after the Disney-Pixar computer-animated movie opens in theaters June 27. The animatronic robot’s schedule becomes more booked every day with television interviews and a planned world tour.
— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Podcast Episode 46 Now Available for Download
Join Tom Corless and a cast including Jason Diffendal, Denise Hafto, Kelly Russo, Justin Heyman, John Corigliano, Lee Scott and Luke Manning for a show that Bridges the Gaps Between You and the World. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the Walt Disney World information and fun we have to offer on this manic edition of WDWNT.
To kick off episode 46, John Corigliano joins me in discussing the Walt Disney World News and Rumors from the past week. This time around, we discuss changes to Space Mountain, The Nine Dragons Restaurant, and the latest addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Our Walt Disney World history segment, Back To The Future, returns this week, as we talk about the history of a particular space in The Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. Join me on a trip through time as I cover Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh along with John Corigliano, Jason Diffendal, and Justin Heyman.
After that, John Corigliano returns with his brand new segment, Your Ear to the World, which will be a bi-weekly segment with live binaural audio from Walt Disney World. For the second edition, John brings us to a showing of Mickey’s Philharmagic during Mousefest 2006. Be sure to use headphones if you wish to fully enjoy this experience.
Finally, we have the latest discussion in our dining series, as we are joined by Denise and Kelly of Magical Travel to discuss counter service dining locations at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts. You may be surprised at just how many great offerings these resorts have in store.
To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on iTunes, go to this link. If you do not have iTunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows
MintCrocodile’s Midway Mania Update
I’d like to welcome MintCrocodile to Disneyland News Today as our new Official Photographer. Whenever I’m not at Disneyland to cover the latest happenings, I’m sure Mint will be!
His first update for us shows a little bit more of Toy Story Midway Mania:
As previously reported, the attraction is now out from behind walls, & is open to Cast Members only
A lovely detailed (but walled-off) area on the exit balcony of the attraction
A close up of the miniature Midway Games play-set (the entrance to the actual ride itself, in full size of course)
And Mr. Potato Head came in this box
Some lovely merchandise featuring this graphic is available in the Midway Mercantile
While the queue might look a little plain in comparison to the WDW version, it still is amazingly detailed!
These posters are in the queue for the attraction
They advertise each of the separate games in the ride
This isn’t a game, but rather a clever hinting at surprise points you can score on the ride
The following couple of posters show other hints at game-play
Mint had a chance to the to ride the attraction…
… And he got the top score of the day!
For more pictures of Toy Story Midway Mania, check out MintCrocodile’s SmugMug page!
Premiere Already
It seems the new Premiere Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is being rushed into service for Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The theater will host previews for the new Clone Wars film and also many of the other events that used to held inside the ABC Theater (now under renovation to become the American Idol Experience) during previous Star Wars Weekends. We will try to get some pictures of the new theater as soon as we possibly can.
Celebrating a Year of Bridging the Gaps Between You and the World
Tom Corless, the guy in charge of everything in the News Today family, wanted me to pass the following information along to everyone:
It’s hard to believe that WDW News Today will be turning 1 year old on July 8, just about a month from now. When I began this website in 2007, never in my wildest dreams did I believe we would be where we are today; one of the most visited Walt Disney World information websites on the internet. With the help of a fantastic staff and devoted readers and listeners, we proved many detractors wrong and made it a lot further than many critics suggested. To celebrate our “dream come true”, we are preparing a month long party to remember the magical moments of the last year and reward our readers and listeners who have made this all possible. In case you haven’t noticed, some of the changes for our anniversary celebration have already taken shape, yet some are still on the way. Here is a complete list of what to expect from WDWNT during this celebration from June 8-July 8, 2008:
Already in Place:
Magical Milestone Banners: New banners, featuring the WDWNT 1 Year anniversary logo, for the top of the WDW News Today website celebrating the milestones and events that have made the last year so memorable.
1 Year Anniversary Logo: Inspired by the actual Walt Disney World 1st anniversary pin, the original WDWNT website, and the mouse that started it all; this logo will stay with us throughout our entire 1 year anniversary celebration.
Magical Travel Becomes Official Travel Agent: We are proud to announce that Magical Travel is now our official travel agent sponsor and will be answering your vacation planning questions on the WDW News Today Community Forums, as well as on our family of podcasts.
WDWNT Studio Store: After a long absence, we finally have an official store for all your WDW News Today, Disneyland News Today, and Disney Pincast needs. We will be adding new items to the shop regularly and all proceeds made from purchases will go towards contests and updates that will make everyone’s WDW News Today experience better.
Events from June 8-July 8:
WDW News Today Live: Join us for our first ever live interactive shows on June 8 and July 6, as we present exclusive content and talk live with listeners. These shows will be hosted on talkshoe.com and information on how to join in on the show is located on the left sidebar of wdwnewstoday.com.
1 Year Anniversary Contest: Join us on our first live show on June 8 to get details on how you can win one of the largest Disney prize packages ever. We will then announce the winner on our second live show conducted on July 6.
WDWNT Podcast Episode 50: Join us for the biggest episode in the history of the WDW News Today podcast as we celebrate one year of the WDW News Today podcast and website, as well as a landmark 50 episodes of the show. More details on this available soon.
All this and more is waiting for you during our very special month long celebration of WDW News Today’s 1 year anniversary. We hope that this is the first of many anniversaries we will be able to celebrate and hope to continue to help you better plan your next Disney vacation. We hope to see you this Sunday at our first live show!!!
See Ya Real Soon,
Tom Corless
Owner of WDW News Today
Birthday Party Bash
It’s hard to believe that WDW News Today will be turning 1 year old on July 8, just about a month from now. When I began this website in 2007, never in my wildest dreams did I believe we would be where we are today; one of the most visited Walt Disney World information websites on the internet. With the help of a fantastic staff and devoted readers and listeners, we proved many detractors wrong and made it a lot further than many critics suggested. To celebrate our “dream come trueâ€, we are preparing a month long party to remember the magical moments of the last year and reward our readers and listeners who have made this all possible. In case you haven’t noticed, some of the changes for our anniversary celebration have already taken shape, yet some are still on the way. Here is a complete list of what to expect from WDWNT during this celebration from June 8-July 8, 2008:
Already in Place
Magical Milestone Banners: New banners, featuring the WDWNT 1 Year anniversary logo, for the top of the WDW News Today website celebrating the milestones and events that have made the last year so memorable.
1 Year Anniversary Logo: Inspired by the actual Walt Disney World 1st anniversary pin, the original WDWNT website, and the mouse that started it all; this logo will stay with us throughout our entire 1 year anniversary celebration.
Magical Travel Becomes Official Travel Agent: We are proud to announce that Magical Travel is now our official travel agent sponsor and will be answering your vacation planning questions on the WDW News Today Community Forums, as well as on our family of podcasts.
WDWNT Studio Store: After a long absence, we finally have an official store for all your WDW News Today, Disneyland News Today, and Disney Pincast needs. We will be adding new items to the shop regularly and all proceeds made from purchases will go towards contests and updates that will make everyone’s WDW News Today experience better.
Events from June 8-July 8
WDW News Today Live: Join us for our first ever live interactive shows on June 8 and July 6, as we present exclusive content and talk live with listeners. These shows will be hosted on talkshoe.com and information on how to join in on the show is located on the left sidebar of wdwnewstoday.com.
1 Year Anniversary Contest: Join us on our first live show on June 8 to get details on how you can win one of the largest Disney prize packages ever. We will then announce the winner on our second live show conducted on July 6.
WDWNT Podcast Episode 50: Join us for the biggest episode in the history of the WDW News Today podcast as we celebrate one year of the WDW News Today podcast and website, as well as a landmark 50 episodes of the show. More details on this available soon.
All this and more is waiting for you during our very special month long celebration of WDW News Today’s 1 year anniversary. We hope that this is the first of many anniversaries we will be able to celebrate and hope to continue to help you better plan your next Disney vacation. We hope to see you this Sunday at our first live show!!!
See Ya Real Soon,
Tom Corless
Owner of WDW News Today
And the Walls Came Down!!
Late last night the walls covering Toy Story Midway Mania came down. The new attraction at Disney’s California Adventure is now visible. Mr Potato Head is also uncovered and is operating. We should have pictures later tonight or tomorrow.
Stay tuned for more information regarding Toy Story Midway Mania!!
World Premiere
We finally have confirmation from Disney that the old Backlot theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been converted to a closed venue, and we now have a name to call it by:
“AÂ new indoor concert venue to be called the Premiere Theater is being fashioned from an unused open-air theater.”
While we still don’t know exactly the uses for the theater, we believe it will first get use for special events and maybe even a Disney film premiere at some point, before finally hosting the rumored “Festival Disney” ticketed stage show concept a few years down the road. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more info becomes available; and remember, you heard it here first!!!
Updated Info on WDWNT Live
Due to some technical difficulties the information to join the WDWNT Live Show has changed & is below. Thanks!
Scheduled Time:
Date: Sun, June 8, 2008
Time: 08:00 PM EDT
How to participate:
Call in:
Dial: (724) 444-7444
Enter: 20663 # (Call ID)
Enter: 1 # or your PIN
Join from your computer & Chat with us LIVE:
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/ta … 663&cmd=tc
Stay tuned to this thread on the WDWNT Community Forums for the latest details on the live show.