Passholder Not-So-Exclusive Summer Nightastic! Preview

WDWNT on May 25, 2010

Disney has confirmed that the Main Street Electrical Parade and Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular will debut on June 5th at the Magic Kingdom for what is being called a Passholder preview:

Clear your calendar for Saturday, June 5, 2010, and get over to theMagic Kingdom® Park for an advance viewing of the return of perhaps the most beloved and adored Disney parade in history! The Main Street Electrical Parade is back as part of Summer Nightastic! Check it out at 9 and 11 p.m., or both!

Plus! That same night, Passholders* can check out the new Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular at 10 p.m., with special light effect viewing glasses, provided free to who? Passholders, that’s who. Pick up your free glasses between 4 and 8 p.m. at the Rose Garden entrance near Tomorrowland® and enjoy the show.

To learn more about the special advance viewing of Summer Nightastic! for Passholders, go to disneyworld.com/passholder.

*Weekday Select and Epcot® After 4pm Passholders are welcome but will require admission to Magic Kingdom Park.

While listed as a passholder preview, the park is open to the general public during these performances. The only real perks for Passholders are that they are being informed about these preview performances (it is still advertised as Spectromagic and Wishes! performing on the DisneyWorld.com calendar) and are provided the strange glasses usually distributed at the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel To Be Renamed

WDWNT on May 25, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:


Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

A quick update to share tonight…our antique carrousel ride in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom Park –Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel – is officially changing its name to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The name change takes effect June 1.

The name change helps tell the rest of the Cinderella story that inspired the carrousel. Here’s the official story behind it:

Following their fairy-tale romance and happily-ever-after wedding, Cinderella and Prince Charming took up residence in Cinderella’s Castle. With peace throughout the kingdom, Prince Charming had time to practice for jousting tournaments. In the countryside near the castle, he built a training device of carved horses, on which he could practice the art of ring-spearing, a tournament event in which a knight rides his horse full speed, lance in hand, toward a small ring hanging from a tree limb, with the object of spearing the ring. This event was known by various names throughout the lands, but generally came to be called “carrousel.”

The carrousel device drew the attention of the villagers, who wanted to take a turn on this amazing spinning contraption. So Prince Charming had a second carrousel constructed closer to the Castle, where everyone could take a spin on this wondrous invention. Instead of a working knight’s training device, however, this new carrousel is more befitting its regal location in the Castle Courtyard – its rustic training horses replaced with ornately decorated prancing steeds adorned with golden helmets and shields, flower garlands, feathers and other festoons. Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.

Meet Imagineer Kevin Rafferty

WDWNT on May 25, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Toy Story Mania
Calling all Toy Story Mania and Walt Disney Imagineering fans….Just after Disney’s California Adventure park closes to the public on May 27, parts of the Park will re-open for a meet-up of 150 fans.

Kevin Rafferty, Walt Disney Imagineer, Senior Concept Writer, will meet with the group to give an insider’s look at the new changes in Toy Story Mania. Kevin will even share original concept sketches and sketches of the ideas that didn’t make it into the attraction. Fans will have a chance to ask Kevin questions about the making-of the attraction and what it’s like to work on this project.

There will also be a few surprises you might not want to miss. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, and check-in will close at 5:45 p.m.

To attend, please RSVP to meetups@disney.go.com. This event is subject to capacity of 150 people, so we recommend that you RSVP quickly.

Here are a few things you should know:

  • Valid RSVPs must include your name and the name of your guest if you are bringing one. RSVPs that include the names of more than two people or are missing information (e.g. incomplete names) will not be accepted.
  • Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
  • All guests must be 18 years or older.
  • The event is subject to change or cancellation.

Note that the event is already full

Video of Toy Story Mania with Toy Story 3 Characters

WDWNT on May 25, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul presents a video featuring all the changes and additions to Toy Story Midway Mania from Toy Story 3. This video is embedded via the WDWNTube:

The changes to the attraction include:

  • Villain icons in the background of the practice game (Lotso, Stretch, etc.)
  • Buttercup the Unicorn (voiced by Jeff Garlin believe it or not) has been added to “Hamm & Eggs”
  • Rex and Trixie now host Dino-Darts, replacing Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop
  • Additions to the prize scene include Trixie, Mr. Pricklepants, Dolly, Buttercup, and the big surprise, spanish-speaking Buzz Lightyear
  • The scoreboards at the very end of the attraction now present scoring for best in vehicle, best this hour, best today, and best this month

Stephen Thomas’ 5/21/10 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on May 22, 2010

DLNT Reporter Stephen Thomas’ took a trip to the Disneyland Resort and has some newsworthy photos to share of Cars Land, Silly Symphony Swings, and much more.

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Thanks for the report Stephen