Dig Up That Concrete!

WDWNT on August 31, 2008

Our sources are reporting that the planned repaving of the New Orleans Square Railroad Station, although removed off of the Disneyland.com calender, will still be happening as planned from September 2nd to October 16th. During this time, the train will not stop at the NOS Station, & will continue on to Toontown Station.

We’ve also heard talk that the area outside Star Tours may also be getting repaved. This will mean that the outside portion of the Star Tours queue will not be in use, & guests will enter on the other side of the Star Tours entrance marque. Hopefully the line doesn’t get too big, for there’s not a lot of space on that side, thanks to the Astro Orbitor! The tentative time for this to happen September 2nd through the 21st.

Also don’t forget that the area surrounding the Haunted Mansion will be repaved while the attraction is closed for it’s conversion to Haunted Mansion Holiday from September 2nd to the 25th.

Wishing Star Crystals

WDWNT on August 31, 2008

About a month ago, the Three Magic Fairies “magic crystal” store in Sleeping Beauty Castle closed, to be replaced with the disabled room for the soon to re-open Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through. It had been rumored that it would be moving to the old home of Gepetto’s Holiday Workshop. Well that is now come true, & the new crystal store opened yesterday (with a Pinocchio theme of course) as Wishing Star Crystals.

We’ll have pictures of this new store later in the week, so stay tuned!

8/30/08 Adam Roth Epcot Mini-Update

WDWNT on August 31, 2008

Here is a fantastic mini-Epcot photo update provided by our own Adam Roth of WDWCelebrations:

As first reported on WDW News Today, the new food and beverage guest testing station near the entrance of Epcot is almost ready for use

Many of you may remember this as the area for the Leave a Legacy sales and information desk

This may also be used to sign-up for the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure

Adam made a trip to the Epcot: Creating the New World of Tomorrow exhibit

Not only does the timeline outside the exhibit just mark the 25th anniversary, it now reminds guests that Marty Sklar re-dedicated the park on that day.

Half of this beautiful map is now in the dark.

Looks like the lighting got knocked out of place

The Speech Ray Bradbury gave to the Imagineers building Epcot

Notice the picture features the original layout proposed for Epcot

Innoventions has become a sea of walls, with both the IBM and video game exhibits now closed

Golden Dreams Closes September 7th

WDWNT on August 30, 2008

According to the OC Register:

The last performance of Golden Dreams for the public, an American dream film performance in Disney’s California Adventure, is Sept. 7. Disney announced back in fall that as part of sprucing up California Adventure, Golden Dreams will be replaced by a dark ride based on “The Little Mermaid.” So, if you want to see the show — show up by Sept. 7. Still, the theater will be open through the spring, but only to school kids as part of the Disney youth education program.

Not really good news in my opinion. If they’re not going to start construction until next year, then they should just keep the attraction open to everyone. Just my 2 cents…

Mark Your Calenders!

WDWNT on August 30, 2008

It’s once again time to mark your calenders, as we have a few interesting additions to the attractions refurbishment list. First up, the Flik’s Flyers refurbishment that was originally scheduled from September 2nd to the 11th, has now been moved up to September 15th through to the 25th.

Looking at the Disneyland.com calender, it seems that the last day Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams is scheduled for is Tuesday November 11th. Remember Dreams Come True’s last performance this year will be on Sunday November 16th. Then after a week or so with no parade or fireworks, performances of both A Christmas Fantasy & Believe In Holiday Magic will start on Friday November 21st. Both Christmas offerings will stop performances on January 4th, 2009, & Parade of Dreams will return after the repaving of Main Street on February 13th. It is not yet known when in January Remember Dreams Come True will return.

Lastly, The Vineyard Room is listed as closed for refurbishment from September 29th all the way through the end of October. Perhaps it has another month left in it? We’ll have to wait & see when this Monday rolls around.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for updates on all attraction refurbishments. And for up-to-the-minute information on the various refurbishments, be sure to check our Attraction Refurbishments page!

Buzz on the Boom

WDWNT on August 30, 2008

The lovely Blue Sky Disney website put up a special world-wide Blue Sky Buzz this past Monday, which shows what Disneyland, as well as Walt Disney World & Disneyland Paris should be looking like around 2011/2012 time-frame.

As far as the Disneyland Resort goes, Honor mentions that the Maliboomer is now scheduled to be removed in 2011, as opposed to the original 2009 plan. But don’t worry, all other refurbishments, additions, & removals will still happen as originally scheduled.

Over in Disneyland, the previously talked about Stars Tours 2.0 should be up & running as the main new attraction for the 55th anniversary celebration. A complete re-do of Tomorrowland is currently scheduled to be completed for 2012, which could bring an entirely new E-Ticket attraction to that area of Disneyland.

And if you’re interested, stay tuned to Blue Sky Disney later in the week, as Honor will have up a second Blue Sky Buzz, this time looking towards the Asian Disney parks.

Phelps-Mania Takes Over the World

WDWNT on August 30, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (August 29, 2008) – Direct from the Beijing Games where he won a record eight Gold Medals, world champion swimmer Michael Phelps celebrated his unprecedented achievement with an all-American homecoming parade in his honor at Walt Disney World Resort.

In a star-spangled salute amidst confetti and thousands of flag-waving fans in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps was honored for his record-setting wins and for the spirit in which he captivated the world in his quest for Gold.

The 23-year-old from Baltimore beamed as he rode through the park alongside Mickey Mouse, waving to fans who chanted his name.  Magic Kingdom guests joined in “America’s Homecoming Parade” for the swimmer who broke records in each event he entered in Beijing.  

For Phelps, who also was honored in Disney parades at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Park in California following the 2004 Summer Games, it was a sweet homecoming to the United States and to see fans who supported him in his quest for Gold in Beijing.

“I am so happy to celebrate here and see some of the fans who supported me,” said Phelps. “It’s great to feel so much excitement around the sport of swimming in the U.S. and around the world.  To top it all off with a parade at Disney World is just incredible.” 

During his celebration in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps also took time to meet a group of local swimmers from the central Florida area.  The aspiring young swimmers had the chance to talk with Phelps, ask about his record-breaking experiences and see the Gold Medals he won in Beijing.

Phelps’ celebration at Walt Disney World is planned to be the next feature on his wildly popular Facebook.com page.  Phelps, one of the most popular public figures on the social networking site, has nearly 1.5 million Facebook “fans” who have subscribed to receive his latest news and updates.  Phelps said he plans to offer photographs and video of his Walt Disney World visit on his Facebook.com site.

Phelps, who has announced he will train for the 2012 Games, now owns the record for most Gold Medals in a single event (8) and for a career (14).

Fill Up The World!

WDWNT on August 29, 2008

The re-filling of the It’s a Small World flume started yesterday, & by now should hopefully be completely filled. You should be able to make out water in the flume in this picture of MintCrocodile’s:

One Golden Morning at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 28, 2008

We are  receiving  multiple reports claiming that record-setting Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps will be in the Magic Kingdom at 10:30 am Friday morning for a heroes welcome parade. While no major news outlets have made this official, the sources giving us the news can be considered credible. If the parade does take place, be sure to take a spot on Main Street U.S.A. (since the Liberty Square bridge is still being replaced) tomorrow morning and enjoy the parade.

More to those Magic Hours

WDWNT on August 26, 2008

As reported by multiple outlets, you may not need to get a wristband to ride attractions and stay in the parks during provided Extra Magic Hours for Disney resort guests beginning next week. According to these sources, guests will just need to flash their “key to the world” cards to gain admittance to attractions open during those hours. What this does is cut costs by dispensing of the cast members who would give out the wristbands and it also allows non-Disney Resort guests to actually still stay and enjoy shopping and dining in the parks during these hours. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gain more information on this change to Extra Magic Hours in the Walt Disney World theme parks.