Last Tour to Endor (Or Is It?)

WDWNT on May 6, 2010

The following press release was issued by the Star Wars Celebration website:

BE THE FIRST TO BE THE LAST,

AS STAR TOURS PREPARES TO LAUNCH ITS…

LAST TOUR TO ENDOR

On August 14, Fan-Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction

Gets the Ultimate, Out-of-this-World Send-Off

Exclusive Festivities Coincide with the Biggest Party

This Side of the Galaxy – Star Wars Celebration V

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – After more than a decade of interstellar travel, Disney Parks’ StarTours attraction is powering down to make way for its reimagining in 2011 – but Last Tour to Endor offers fans the opportunity to attend an out of-this-world, first-of-its-kind decommissioning party before Star Tours launches its final flights. Taking place on August 14 from 8:00pm – 1:00am at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Last Tour to Endor is a special event on the Saturday night of Star Wars Celebration V – THE official Lucasfilm fan convention and the biggest Star Wars™ party in the galaxy! Fans and families attending Last Tour to Endor at the Walt Disney World Resort can enjoy a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience – including specially-themed intergalactic party zones, Star Wars shows, a Death Star Disco and much more. The evening will culminate with Symphony in the Stars – a Star Wars fireworks spectacular as only Disney Parks can create. Though the party begins at 8:00pm, Last Tour ticket-holders will also be allowed early entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 4:00pm – where they can be sure to secure a seat one of the StarSpeeder 3000’s final voyages!

Disney Parks will also have a prominent presence on the Celebration V show floor at the Orange County Convention Center – including Jedi Training Academy for younglings and Padawans and a Disney merchandise booth featuring a host of exclusive items as well as Star Wars items only previously available at Disney park stores. CV attendees will also enjoy special room rates at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, specially-priced tickets with pre-arrival purchase savings for Walt Disney World parks and an exclusive, reserved room block at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – which will include complimentary round-trip transfers to and from the
convention center.

To purchase tickets – and to take advantage of Last Tour to Endor special offers – visit www.starwarscelebration.com/Disney. For more information on Star Wars Celebration V visit www.starwarscelebration.com for the latest updates.

Tickets to this event guarantee only one of the final rides on the original Star Tours, not the last. The ride will still operate beyond August 14th. How much longer after that date is unknown. Rumors indicate the attraction will close on September 8th, but it is yet to be confirmed by Disney. Stay tuned as we get more information on the Star Tours farewell festivities.

Disney Talks About Mickey Talking….

WDWNT on May 6, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Some lucky Disneyland park guests experienced a very special meet and greet with Mickey Mouse this week.

Mickey, who usually saves his voice for shows and parades, talked with guests and interacted with them in never-before-seen ways! This was part of a process we call “playtesting” as it gives us a chance to develop new concepts with our guests long before they end up in the Parks. “We’re always looking for innovative ways to let guests interact with our beloved characters,” says Disney Imagineer and head of Advanced Development Scott Trowbridge. “And we have many more surprises up our sleeves.”

Since many guests did not have an opportunity to experience this, here’s a short video that shows some of the fun.

Jamie Nakagiri’s 4/30/10 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on May 6, 2010

DLNT Reporter Jamie Nakagiri took a trip to the parks last friday and has several newsworthy photos to share.

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Disney Gallery Celebrates Disneyland’s 55th Anniversary

WDWNT on May 5, 2010

From Art of Disney Parks:


DAY ONE DISNEYLAND

Original Inspirations for “The Happiest Place on Earth”

Art Exhibit Opens – May 22, 2010

Join us as we unveil the new 55th Anniversary themed exhibit at The Disney Gallery which will showcase original inspirations for The Happiest Place on Earth. This new exhibit will capture your imagination while it takes you on a visual journey back in time.

The Disney Gallery will also offer a selection of
55th Anniversary inspired original art, giclees and deluxe prints by Walt Disney Imagineers and Disney inspired artists as Steve Adams, Charles Boyer, Jim Crouch, Jeremy Fulton, Larry
Nikolai, Noah, Maggie Parr, Jimmy Pickering, George Scribner, Mark Seppala
and Yakovetic.  Please continue to watch for more information
regarding a special product release & signing with these artists on
from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in The Disney Gallery.


Steve Adams

Main Street, U.S.A. Horse-Drawn
Streetcars

Original –Acrylic/Colored Pencils – $3,600

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $tbd

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Tink Over Castle with Fireworks

Original –Acrylic/Colored Pencil – $3,100

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $
tbd
Deluxe Print – Open Edition –
$35

Charles Boyer & Bruce Boyer


Disneyland park, 55th Anniversary


Original – Oil Paint – $19,500

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $495

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35


Jim Crouch


Image will be available shortly


Title TBD


Original – Oils – $TBD

Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD


Find out more about Jim Crouch


Jeremy Fulton

Fantasyland

Original – Ink & Paint- $2,000

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
Jeremy Fulton

Main Street, U.S.A.

Original – Ink & Paint – $2,000

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Jeremy
Fulton


Larry Nikolai


Welcome to Fantasyland


Original – Acrylic on Masonite Board – $5,850

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $400

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Larry Nikolai


Noah


Image Will Be Available Shortly


Title TBD


Original – Acrylic on Linen and Board – $TBD

Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD

Find out more about Noah


Maggie Parr

Dare to Dream

Original – Oil on Canvas – $5,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $650
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
Maggie Parr

Welcome Aboard

Original – Oil on Canvas – $4,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $795
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Maggie Parr


Jimmy Pickering


Disneyland 55

Original – $2,800
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Jimmy Pickering


George Scribner


6 pm Stage, Disneyland park 1955

Original – Oil on Canvas – $5,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $375
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Horse Drawn Wonder

Original – Oil – $1,500
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $300
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
George Scribner

Follow Me

Original – Oil – $1,500
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $300
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
George Scribner


Mark Seppala


Fantasyland Grape Juice Bar Mural

Original -Acrylic – $TBD
Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD


Yakovetic

Opening Day

Original – Oil on Wood Panel – $7,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Yakovetic

Jingles

Original – Oil on Wood Panel – $8,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Yakovetic

*****************************************

Merchandise available while supplies last. Information subject to change without notice.  Separate
admission is required to enter Disneyland Resort theme parks.

Walt Disney “World Cup”

WDWNT on May 4, 2010

If you’re like me, you’ll be glued to the television for a few weeks once the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in June. Walt Disney World is offereing a pretty unique way to enjoy the games while you’re visiting:

Soccer fans in Central Florida can get swept up in the fever of 2010 FIFA World Cup through unique viewing opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill at Disney has been designated as an official viewing location for the month-long global soccer tournament. Soccer fans can watch live World Cup matches televised on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 from South Africa involving their favorite soccer national teams on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill’s many large high-definition screens.

In addition, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill will offer special viewing parties running for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and third-place match (June 26-July 10), which will include guaranteed seating to view the matches and an all-you-care-to-eat buffet featuring Buffalo wings, hot dogs, seasonal fruit, build-your-own salads, a nacho bar, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks – all for $19.99/per person, per game (plus tax).

The beautiful game kicks off on the world stage June 11, with open seating for breakfast and lunch available at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill for the group stage of play running through June 25. A special viewing area will be available for the championship match July 11.

Reservations can be made starting May 27 by calling 407/WDW-DINE or by visiting espnwwos.com.

New Details on WDWNT: The Weekend

WDWNT on May 4, 2010

It’s hard to believe we are just under 4 months until the WDWNT Network holds its first-ever event at the Walt Disney World Resort, WDWNT: The Weekend. As we stated when we announced the tentative schedule for the event a few months ago, things were subject to change. Some things have changed. In an effort to make the events more affordable, we have changed the venue for our Live Podcast and Breakfast event and reduced the ticket price. The event will still be held on Saturday, August 28th, but will now be held in the Cape Cod Room at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Convention Center. Tickets for the Live Podcast and Breakfast are available now, you can get all the details on what’s included at this link (Tickets are also still available for our Liberty Tree Tavern and Boma group meals on the same page).

Many have asked us about being able to participate in the event from home. We are proud to announce that there will be a few different opportunities to do so. Of course, we will be broadcasting the Live Podcast event on WDWNTunes, but we are also proud to announce a new event that will allow those at home to play along with those in attendance. We’re calling it “WDWNT’s Future World Adventure”. While we can’t give you all the details just yet, it will be an event where teams of WDWNT: The Weekend attendees compete for prizes and our followers sitting at home can play-along simultaneously. Stay tuned for more details on this fun competition as we get closer to WDWNT: The Weekend.

We were asked on multiple occasions “Why is the event in late August?”. To answer the question, we wanted to pick a time of year that was both affordable and gave our guests the opportunity to take part in other special events at Disney World. When we selected dates for the event, we had a feeling that the annual “free dining” offer would be available for bookings during WDWNT: The Weekend, and we were right. You can book “free dining” or one of several other special offers for the Walt Disney World Resort during WDWNT: The Weekend at our special booking page, courtesy of Magical Travel.

We will be providing more frequent updates concerning WDWNT: The Weekend now that we are getting closer to the event. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!!!

You’ll Be Looking for Droids at Star Wars Weekends

WDWNT on May 3, 2010

We were quite excited to tell you that Jedi Mickey Mouse would get his own astromech droid companion in the form of toys, pins, and more a few weeks ago, but R2-MK may be doing a bit more at Star Wars Weekends 2010. He may actually be appearing. Rumors indicate that a “walk-around” living character of R2-MK will be making appearances with Jedi Mickey at Star Wars Weekends this year. While this is just a rumor at this point, we have been hearing rumblings that the character is backstage at Walt Disney World and should appear when Star Wars Weekends begin at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 21st. Star Wars Weekends events then run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Studios until June 13th.