Pixie Hollow Opens at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on October 24, 2008

From the Orlando Sentinel:

The Magic Kingdom's newest attraction -- Pixie Hollow -- features Iridessa (from left), Rosetta, Tinker Bell, Silvermist and Fawn. The Disney Fairies are a new set of characters, developed for books, movies, Internet games and merchandise.

Tinker Bell and four new Disney fairies get a home at the Magic Kingdom this week when Walt Disney World opens up its new Pixie Hollow meet-and-greet attraction.

The attraction is set to open Friday in Mickey’s Toontown Fair area, just in time to preview the release, also Friday, of the first Tinker Bell straight-to-DVD movie, based on stories developed for the old Disney character and her four new friends, Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist and Fawn.

Until now the four new fairy characters and their story have been known through a new line of books, toys and a Web site, introduced by the Walt Disney Co. over the past couple of years.

Tinker Bell was first introduced to Disney audiences in the 1953 movie Peter Pan. In anticipation of the new line of movies, Disney also is introducing a new line of costumes for young girls.

The Disney Fairies’ “Pixie Hollow” meet and greet will open inside the Toontown Hall of Fame at Mickey’s Toontown Fair in the Magic Kingdom tomorrow, October 24.

Old Enemies and New Friends

WDWNT on October 23, 2008

Brady MacDonald over at the LA Times Travel Blog has posted exclusive sneak peeks at High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now! & Pixie Hollow, which are both scheduled to debut tomorrow:

The new “High School Musical 3” parade debuting at Disney’s California Adventure on Friday features six new songs from the movie, including a pair of step-by-step reproductions of elaborate dance numbers.

A cast of 60 performers has been preparing three weeks for the new show — officially called “High School Musical 3: Senior Year: Right Here, Right Now” — enduring six-day-a-week, eight-hour-a-day rehearsals that start at 4 a.m. before the Anaheim theme park opens to the public, show director Randy Wojcik said.

Disney doesn’t call the show a “parade,” even though it travels along the Anaheim theme park’s parade route. A self-described “Wildcat geek,” Wojcik dubs the latest incarnation a “traveling rock concert” and a “street party.”

Just like the similarly themed “High School Musical 2″ show it replaces, the new “HSM3″ production will make stops at the Sun Plaza near the main entrance and the Golden State Stage near the former Golden Dreams attraction. A 14-person cast will perform three shows daily from the late morning to early afternoon.

The live show replicates two iconic production numbers from the upcoming movie — “A Night to Remember” and the “High School Musical” theme song.

Audience members are encouraged to participate during two songs — busting out their own signature dance moves during “A Night to Remember” and donning top hats, canes and feather boas during “I Want It All.”

The songs performed in the California Adventure “HSM3″ show include:

  • “Now or Never” (opening drum cadence)
  • “I Want It All” (Broadway show tune)
  • “A Night to Remember” (upbeat prom dance number)
  • “The Boys Are Back” (urban R&B)
  • “Just Wanna Be With You” (pop anthem)
  • “High School Musical” (finale theme song)

Personally, I can’t get “I Want It All” out of my head. My 8-year-old daughter, Hannah, has been listening to the song nonstop since she got the CD earlier this week.

“High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” starring Zac Effron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale opens in theaters on Friday.

How do you sit down for a photo with Tinker Bell without actually sitting on the palm-size pixie? We’ll soon find out when Peter Pan’s fairy friend gets her own meet-and-greet area at Disneyland.

Pixie Hollow, which takes the place of Ariel’s Grotto near the Matterhorn Bobsleds, is expected to soft open on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 in advance of an official opening next week.

Visitors walking past an “enchanted” pond will feel as though they are shrinking to the size of a fairy through a series of visual and audio cues. Bronze statues of the five Disney fairies — Iradessa, Rosetta, Fawn, Silvermist and, of course, Tinker Bell — line the pathway. Along the way, whispers and echoes emanate from the fantasy fairy world. Tinker Bell, played by a 5-foot-tall face character, poses for photos in front of her home, an upside-down tea pot.

Most folks won’t think twice about posing for a picture next to a pixie that can fit through a keyhole. After all, Disneyland is a place where dogs walk on their hind legs, pants-less ducks swear like sailors and squeaky-voiced mice run the place.

Life-size Tinks already appear in Disneyland’s Parade of Dreams and high above Sleeping Beauty Castle in the nighttime fireworks show.

The evicted Little Mermaid will be shedding her tailfin and donning a dress over in the Princess Fantasy Faire at the Fantasyland Theater.

Celebrate Along with Mickey?

WDWNT on October 22, 2008

The very popular Dream Along with Mickey stage show that currently performs in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom will be going under the knife in January for reasons that are still unconfirmed at  this time. As part of a two week long rehab, it is rumored that the show will be receiving a few minor costume and music changes to better fit the 2009 “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign (or at the least not clash with the new theme). These changes would probably have to take place since the show was designed for the Year of a Million Dreams that began in October 2006 and will be ending on the last day of this year. Because of this, it is completely possible that a totally new show may debut later in the month of January. To keep up to date on this and other refurbishments coming up soon at the Walt Disney World Resort (*cough* Space Mountain *cough*) stay tuned to WDW News Today and our fantastic attraction updates page.

9/21/08 Jose Eber’s Contemporary Resort Update

WDWNT on October 21, 2008

Work around Disney’s Contemporary Resort is really picking up with some major changes taking place over the last week. WDWNT photographer Jose Eber was there to share with us some of the new additions:

The Resort map has been updated to include the upcoming Bay Lake Tower expansion.

Officially Opens Fall 2009.

However, there is something new you can experience now: the seating area for the new quick service dining location for the resort.

What is finished of the new dining spot sports a touch of character.

The Concourse Steakhouse replacement is going to be right next door to the often loud Chef Mickey’s. The Grand Canyon Concourse is going to be very noisy.

A wall of planters separates guests from where they will buy their food when the counter service addition opens in a few days.

I’m hoping more registers than these pop up before this place opens, or I’ll be expecting long lines.

Jose even pieced together a nice little panoramic shot for us. As you can see, more of the seating area is behind walls where the Outer Rim bar once stood.

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as work continues on Disney’s Contemporary Resort through the Fall of next year.

Characters in the Choc Walk

WDWNT on October 21, 2008

Myrna has sent in a few more pictures from yesterday’s Choc Walk, covering the various characters that cheered on the guests from the sidelines:

Flora, Fauna, & Merryweather.

Flik & Atta.

The Incredibles float from the Pixar Play Parade, along with some of the performers.

Mr. Incredible.

Mrs. Incredible.

Experience A Change of Plans

WDWNT on October 19, 2008

As we reported a few weeks ago, the original plans for the American Idol Experience attraction coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009 have been drastically changed. The ideas for the elaborate facade that were revealed in concept art earlier this year have now been scrapped, and the official attraction website now features the revised final plans for the exterior of the building. You can view the updated artwork by going HERE to the official website.

While many will argue that the problematic economy is the reason for the changes, it’s actually some much more sensible reasoning. First off, the interior of the attraction has been just about complete for a month now and there was no way they could make the originally planned exterior changes to the theater in time for a first-half 2009 attraction opening. Secondly, going through with the changes would have forced them to find an alternative route for the new Block Party Bash parade that began showing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier this year. Even though the plans are now a lot less elaborate, I think we can all find a smile at the official name that the former ABC Theater will be receiving. When this attraction opens in early 2009, the home for Hollywood Studios latest production will be the “Superstar Television Theater”, a homage to the original attraction that opened in this space, “Superstar Television”.

Original Exterior Artwork Revealed Earlier This Year

At the end of the day, the fact remains that this attraction needs to open when the new season of American Idol begins on Fox and going through with the original plans would have never allowed that to happen. While many will criticize what is for what could have been, this attraction is guaranteed to keep guests coming to the Studios as it approaches it’s 20th anniversary next May. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the upcoming American Idol Experience attraction becomes available.

Roll Up, Roll Up! New Games Coming to Paradise Pier!

WDWNT on October 19, 2008

According to various sources, the Midway Games over at Paradise Pier will in fact close down on October 27th, 2008 for their conversion over to the new Disney character themed games. The buildings housing the games will be re-themed into a similar Victorian style as that seen with Toy Story Midway Mania. The 4 games are going to be Casey at the Bat (based on a 1950’s Disney cartoon), Bullseye’s Stalion Stampede (from Toy Story 2), Dumbo’s Bucket Brigade, & Goofy About Fishin’.

Here’s some concept of the games from inside the Blue Sky Cellar, courtesy of our very own Myrna Litt:

There’s no word yet on how long this refurbishment will last, or if it will even start on October 27th, so stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest.

More Information on Goofy’s Sky School

WDWNT on October 18, 2008

According to the LA Times Travel Blog:

Mulholland Madness — a themeless off-the-shelf roller coaster that earned Disney’s California Adventure its on-the-cheap reputation — will get a Goofy’s Sky School “refreshing” as part of a $1.1-billion effort to add a heavy dose of Mickey Mouse and friends to the under-performing theme park.

Gone is the giant foldout map of Southern California that always seemed like a futile attempt to hide the fact that the coaster was nothing more than a wild-mouse ride found at any freeway entertainment center. Gone too is the Magic Mountain-esque, slapdash, Caltrans maintenance-yard theme involving little more than a plastering of roadwork signs.

The new back story follows Goofy’s attempts to teach a group of novice pilots how to fly. Naturally, things go awry. The reworked ride is expected to open in 2010.

Bob Weis, California Adventure’s chief imagineer, said the four-person Mulholland Madness cars will get an extensive makeover. The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, features a similarly themed Goofy’s Barnstormer roller coaster with airplane styling and a front propeller.

Blue Sky Disney suggests the Goofy makeover is merely a placeholder for a true E-ticket-type  attraction — essentially a Disney character Band-Aid meant to hide a scar until more money frees up for future expansion.

In addition to the Goofy coaster, Paradise Pier will get a complete Disney overlay in the next few years, with the Orange Stinger transforming into the Silly Symphony Swings (with a “Band Concert” Mickey Mouse makeover) and the park’s iconic Sun Wheel becoming Mickey’s Fun Wheel. The boardwalk games and shops, currently sporting tongue-in-cheek California references, will adopt new Disney character back stories as well.

New Bay Lake Tower Brochure

WDWNT on October 18, 2008

Jose Eber has sent in some pictures of a new brochure being handed out at all of the Disney Vacation Club information kiosks, on the all new Bay Lake Tower addition to Disney’s Contemporary Resort:

Myrna Litt’s 10/16 Blue Sky Cellar Photo Report

WDWNT on October 18, 2008

It’s time for a photo report from Myrna Litt, of the new Blue Sky Cellar in the Golden Vine Winery at Disney’s California Adventure:

The entrance to the Golden Vine Winery has been modified with some slightly over the top Blue Sky Cellar signage.

Displays on the back wall of the Blue Sky Cellar. This one looks at Buena Vista Street.

Paradise Pier.

Concept art for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure, World of Color, & Toy Story Midway Mania.

Cars Land. The mountain range in the back of the overall land concept art will be the show building for Radiator Springs Racers, possibly to be one of the biggest attractions Disney has ever constructed!

This little introduction to the concept behind “blue sky” is at the entrance of the exhibit.

Various concept art for Mickey’s Fun Wheel & the Games of the Boardwalk.

Concept art for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure & Goofy’s Sky School.

Even though the attraction has already opened, Toy Story Midway Mania is included in the cellar as it’s really the first of many attractions that will transform DCA into an amazing theme park.

A model of the new Games of the Boardwalk games & theming.

An amazing model that shows just how amazing Paradise Pier will become. Notice the replacement for the Maliboomer at the right of the model? It’s going to be a parachute type ride, like one that was once at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Screens have been built into these wine barrels, that host trivia related to both Walt Disney, as well as current & future DCA attractions.

In the coming soon area, there is a small display on Buena Vista Street & Cars Land. These 2 developments will have more exhibits added once the Paradise Pier work starts to wrap up.

This picture of Walt Disney is in the Screening Room.

A big version of this awesome map hangs also hangs in the Screening Room.

Finally, here’s a short little video clip (with no sound) of the 6 minute film shown in the Screening Room of the Blue Sky Cellar:

Myrna also got some other shots from around the Disneyland Resort, which she should be sending to me later today, so stay tuned!