A Paradise of Fun, Under the Sun

WDWNT on April 9, 2009

Disneyland News Today reader Stephen Thomas was nice enough to send in pictures he managed to grab from the HoJo Anaheim’s Mattercam of the progressing work on the California Screamin’ sunburst, as well as work that has finally begun on the Mickey face for Mickey’s Fun Wheel:

The sunburst looks to be pretty much done. Just a little bit left to paint in the middle.

A white backing of Mickey’s head has been put up. His facial features will either be put up on top of that or painted on.

Thanks once again Stephen!

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WDWNT on April 9, 2009

The various packages you can treat your daughter to in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique have been revealed:

The Coach Package includes hairstyle, shimmering make-up, princess sash, princess cinch sac and body jewels – $44.95, plus tax

The Crown Package includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess cinch sac, body jewels and nail polish – $49.95, plus tax

The Castle Package includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess cinch sac, body jewels, nail polish, princess gown of choice, wand, shoes and portrait package courtesy of Disney’s PhotoPass® Service (assorted prints in themed folder) (Price range determined by the choice of princess gown and shoes.) – Ranges from $195.85 to $205.85

Tren-D’s “Official” Opening Moved

WDWNT on April 9, 2009

The Tren-D store in the Downtown Disney Marketplace has pushed back its official opening by one day to April 10, 2009. Here is the slightly updated information:

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Event: Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of Tren-D, Disney’s stylish new boutique store!
Event Date: Friday, April 10
Event Time: 10:00am
Event Location: Downtown Disney® Marketplace, near Disney’s Pin Traders and Once Upon a Toy

A stylish boutique with designer flair and eclectic offerings becomes a premier shopping spot at Downtown Disney Marketplace with the March opening of TrenD. The urban-inspired Walt Disney World® Resort specialty store is a one-of-a-kind, hip destination for fashion-conscious shoppers seeking trendy apparel and novel accessories.

“This unique environment, filled with textured fabrics, silhouettes, and whimsical art and design allows us the opportunity to push the creative envelope as it relates to fashion and our characters,” said Mark Perrotta, Director of Product Development and Design. “Our guests continue to respond to trend merchandise and novel products that they can’t purchase at home. TrenD speaks to what is happening today with a blend of vintage and hip with stylized Disney influences.”

Offerings include organic loungewear, embroidered handbags, jeweled sunglasses and trendy accessories set among whimsical art and unique furnishings. The eclectic environment offers a raw and unfinished feel with jeweled chandeliers, distinct fixtures and mod furnishings.

Much of the merchandise will not be available anywhere else at Downtown Disney. Designers such as Kidada Jones, Tarina Tarantino and Roxy will showcase their artistry — blending it with Disney-inspired creations.

“With its exclusive product lines and new environment, we think TrenD will complement the existing merchandise offerings at Downtown Disney,” said Perrotta. TrenD is in a 2,500-square-foot venue near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy. The space previously was used by Summer Sands.

In addition, a special Limited Edition pin will be released to commemorate the occasion:

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The pin will retail at $12.95 and will be limited to 500 pieces

More Details on Downtown Disney’s Latest Offerings

WDWNT on April 8, 2009

Two very small press releases were just made available by Walt Disney World regarding the “Characters in Flight” balloon and the “Paradiso 37” restaurant at Downtown Disney:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The fun soars to new heights at Downtown Disney West Side with an iconic new tethered balloon that takes guests on ascents of up to 400 feet above the waterfront.

Guests board a gondola beneath the 105-foot-high balloon from a landing platform on Village Lake at the end of the main promenade at Downtown Disney West Side. Riders can catch flights seven days a week. Hours Sunday-Thursday are 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. while ascents Friday-Saturday are 10:30 a.m.-midnight. Tickets ($16 for ages 10-up and $10 for ages 3-9) can be purchased on site. Availability is on first-come, first-serve basis.

Characters In Flight operated by Aerophile is a 72-foot-diameter balloon with a whimsical design featuring silhouettes of a dozen of Disney’s “flying characters” – such as Mary Poppins, Peter Pan and Dumbo. The vibrantly colored balloon can lift up to 30 guests at a time on a six-minute trip – thanks to its enclosed volume of 210,000 cubic feet of lighter-than-air gas. The ascents, by day or night, provide guests with an unparalleled, 360-degree view of up to 10 miles.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Paradiso 37, a high-energy restaurant and bar featuring cuisine from North, South and Central America, welcomes guests to its table in May at Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort.

The lakeside eatery will offer a delectable variety of menu offerings representing the 37 countries of the Americas, plus an international wine bar, 37 varieties of tequila and 10 signature frozen margaritas.

The new concept was developed by Orlando-based E-Brands Restaurant Group, a multi-concept restaurant group which currently owns and operates Timpano Chophouse, Samba Room, Taqueria Canonita, Aquaknox, David Burke, Salsa Orlando and Canonita Express in a number of locations across the United States.

The lively Downtown Disney restaurant will feature nightly entertainment and will be open daily from 11 a.m. until late night.

Jose Eber’s 4/6/09 Mini-WDW Update Part 2

WDWNT on April 7, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber has more pictures to share from his latest trip to Walt Disney World Resort, so let’s take a look at some more newsworthy photos:

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The Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is nearly completed

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The bridge (featuring the horrible frosted windows) is nearing completion

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Some landscaping taking place behind the main building of the Contemporary

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The exterior of the Fantasia Market is complete. The “mini-market” opens at the end of April.

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The sign and logos very much resemble that of the Fantasia store next door

Jose Eber’s 4/6/09 Mini-WDW Update

WDWNT on April 6, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber took a short trip to the Walt Disney World Resort this morning and has a few photos to share:

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The Characters in Flight balloon at Downtown Disney looks ready to take off any minute now

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The Virgin Megastore is almost gone, rumors suggest that this may become an AMC-Imax location

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Work continues on “Paradiso 37”, not much progress on the exterior in the last few days

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The finishing touches are being applied to the entrance of the Bay Lake Tower wing of Disney’s Contemporary Resort

No Popcorn For You!

WDWNT on April 5, 2009

While this news isn’t really Disney news, I thought it would be interesting to note that the AMC Theatres in Downtown Disney has lost its permit to sell food, due to major plumbing issues:

NAME: AMC Theatres Disney 12
ADDRESS: 1565 S. Disneyland Dr.
CITY: Anaheim
MAJOR VIOLATIONS: Plumbing In Disrepair
PERMIT SUSPENDED: 3/26/2009
PERMIT REINSTATED: “

I’m sure guests will still be able to bring in outside food, but for the time being at least, no food can be sold at the AMC.

Celebration Round-up and Barbecue Opens at Disneyland

WDWNT on April 3, 2009

From the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

“Toy Story” heroes Woody, Jesse and Bullseye are the stars at the Celebration Roundup & Barbecue, a new Disneyland outdoor restaurant located in the Frontierland area.

The stage hosts constant entertainment featuring country music acts and seven different skits starring Disney-Pixar characters.

The restaurant serves food family style, which means big portions are taken to each table in containers that can be passed around to everyone in the party.

Oregon resident Ken Patchett and his family had lunch today at the Celebration Roundup & Barbecue. He said the cost for the meal ($28.99 for ages 10 and up; $18.99 for ages 3-9, plus tax and gratuity) was high, but he liked the food, the open space and the festive atmosphere.

“The ribs rock,” said Ken Patchett.

“The cornbread is awesome,” said his wife, Audrey.

Planning for this venue started about a year ago, keeping the “What will you celebrate?” promotional campaign theme in mind.

The menu consists of corn, coleslaw, beans, barbecue ribs and chicken, cornbread and dessert. As part of the celebrate campaign, all restaurants in the resort feature a special “celebration” item, and the Cowboy Cone Cakes, which come in four flavors and are served inside a waffle cone filled with mousse, are an example.

Reservations may be made in advance by calling 714-781-3463. Walk-up reservations are also available.

Annual Passholder Appreciation Days

WDWNT on April 3, 2009

The Disneyland Resort will be appreciating its annual passholders with special food and merchandise discounts at Downtown Disney from April 19th through the 25th (you can click on either of the images to be taken to a bigger pdf file):