WDWNT Network’s “As The Globe Turns” 9/12-9/18/10

WDWNT on September 19, 2010

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It’s time for the WDWNT Network’s weekly review of interest topics and new programming, just in case you missed something. Without any further ado, here is this week’s edition of “As The Globe Turns” for September 12th-September 18th, 2010:

News from Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida (Provided by WDW News Today)

–The Disney Bear is about to invade Epcot and have a much bigger impact than you probably expected

–Review of La Cantina De San Angel and some new items from Epcot in a photo report from Adam Roth

–The new facade of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh emerges and Castle Dreamlights go up in a photo report from Cody Smith

–Preview and review of the new Hacienda De San Angel at Epcot from the grand opening

–Kodak leaves the Imagination pavilion after 28 years and Duffy moves in at Epcot in a Banks Lee photo report

–New artwork and details released for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

–Block Party Bash is leaving and a new parade is moving in at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

News from Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California (Provided by Disneyland News Today)

–Disneyland gets Tangled, Halloween is almost here, and Carsland claims more of the California Adventure in Micheal Wada’s photo report from September 12th

–New parade coming to Disneyland as part of Mickey’s Halloween Party

–Is TRON lightcycling into World of Color?

–Spooky artwork adds something special to Disneyland’s merchandise assortment

News on Disney Trading (Provided by The Disney Pincast and The Vinylmation Station)

–A look at the pins exclusive to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

–Vinylmation Occupations preview

–Disney Vacation Club exclusive Vinylmation on the way

WDWNT Network Podcasts

-The WDW News Today Podcast Episode 161 (9/13/10) – WDWNT celebrates the now-extinct Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with “The Ugly, The Bad, and The Good” and an interview with Star Tours super-fan Peter Finnen. Available for download on-site or through iTunes in either enhanced or standard edition.

-The Disneyland News Today Podcast Episode 35 (9/13/10) – The DLNT Podcast crew delivers a News and Rumor Report, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of Grizzly River Run at California Adventure, and “This Week in Disneyland History” featuring Captain EO. Available for download on-site or through iTunes.

-The Disney Pincast Episode 128 (9/17/10) – Tom Corless returns to The Disney Pincast to join John Rick for a week of releases, Disney Pin Investigations, and more. Available for download on-site or through iTunes.

-The first new episode of The Vinylmation Station podcast since early July will be recorded and released sometime in September 2010.

New Videos from WDWNTube

The following videos from the Disney Parks around the world were released on the WDWNTube (www.WDWNTube.com) in the past week:

-WDWNT’s annual anniversary video was released last week, taking a look back at the third year of WDW News Today. Rather than just link you to them, we’re once again embedding the epic production from Banks Lee in case you haven’t seen it:

Audio Programming from WDWNTunes

The WDWNT Network’s online radio station plays Disney Parks music 24 hours a day, but also features special music blocks and plenty of original programming you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s a look at some current and upcoming special programming for WDWNTunes (www.WDWNTunes.com):

-“WDWNT Network presents (for some reason) The Transformerscast: The Epic, Epic of Epic Proportions – A Play in Five Acts” will debut at 10:00PM ET on September 22nd. Scott Smith attempted to launch a podcast about his favorite toys twice (unsuccessfully) on “See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless. Tom has give Scott one last chance to make the show a success, and Scott won’t let anyone stop him, including the rest of the WDWNT Network staff. Will Scott finally be able to make The Transformerscast a hit in his epic farewell performance? Tune in to find out!

-Season 2 of the “Super Obscure Show” (or S.O.S.) debuts October 2nd at 11:00PM ET. Episodes will replay for a full week at both 10:00AM and 11:00PM until a new episode debuts every Saturday.

-Your last chance to catch Season 1 episodes of the revolutionary “See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless is during replays nightly at 11:00PM ET through October 1, 2010. First season episodes will no longer be airing on WDWNTunes beyond this date. “See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless Season 2 is tentatively scheduled to debut January 2011.

-Our 2 hour Halloween audio block has begun airing daily at 7AM and &PM ET and will run through October 31st. The block includes audio from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland to get you in the haunted holiday mood.

Everything Else

–If you ever wanted to be a WDWNT Podcaster, there has never been a better opportunity than right now

-In an effort to make the WDW News Today twitter account strictly business, Tom Corless has made a separate, personal twitter account for himself. The WDW News Today website and podcast will be updating through @WDWNT, Tom will now be personally tweeting from @WDWNTom:

-To contact us at any time with questions, suggestions, comments, or concerns, you can email us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com

Epcot Is About To Become “Walt Duffy World”

WDWNT on September 19, 2010

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Duffy the Disney Bear will debut at Epcot on October 14th with a new meet and greet between the entrance to World Showcase and the Mexico pavilion, right near the Port of Entry shop (otherwise known as Tower East). The Port of Entry shop will be turned into a Duffy-only shop, referred to at today’s passholder event as “Duffy Central”. More Duffy merchandise will be available at the various World Showcase pavilions, matching the country they are available in. Each country in World Showcase will also have small themed area where guests can pose their Duffy plush for a photo. Disney will also be selling different outfits for Duffy for different seasons and special events as they roll around. Duffy will also have his own theme song, Walt Disney World exclusive mug and popcorn bucket, and official Facebook page in the coming weeks. All of the Kidcot fun-stops at Epcot will be changed to a Duffy theme sometime in the near future. Disney Bear pins and Vinylmation will be officially launching in March 2011, yet some Duffy pins will be released at February 2011’s “Love is Magical” event. Duffy will even have his own original cartoon series on Walt Disney World Resort Television. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get closer to the debut of Duffy the Disney Bear October 14th at Epcot.

His success in Tokyo has the U.S. Parks excited with the possibilities

He has no shortage of Mickey icons

Mickey’s Costume Party Calvacade

WDWNT on September 17, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Mickey’s Costume Party has been added as a fun, new exclusive experience at Mickey’s Halloween Party, the special, nighttime event at Disneyland park on Halloween night and Tuesdays and Fridays in October.

Mickey’s Costume Party is a new cavalcade featuring Disney characters and floats parading down Main Street, U.S.A. Today we’re giving you a first look at artwork for the opening of the cavalcade.

Mickey’s Costume Party Artwork
There are lots of treats in this cavalcade you won’t want to miss. Here are some highlights:

  • Disney Characters will be dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes.
  • There’s a purple Haunted Castle Float decorated by Mickey with bats, ghosts, spider webs, pumpkins and skulls.
  • The Costume Shop Float celebrates the fun of dressing up for Halloween.

I’ve also heard that the upbeat, spooky music will have you dancing, jumping, shaking and maybe even howling along as we celebrate the magic of make-believe and spooky Halloween fun.

Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party are now available and can be purchased at Disneyland.com/Halloween. Here’s an insider’s tip: if you purchase tickets in advance, you’ll get a great discount on select nights. There’s also a discount for annual passholders on select nights.

World of Color Getting a “TRONcore”?

WDWNT on September 16, 2010

Is a TRON: Legacy inspired encore coming to World of Color at Disney California Adventure? This video shows a very interesting test that might indicate TRON lightcycling its way into the show:

The Art of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

WDWNT on September 16, 2010

The page on DisneyWorld.com for the upcoming Art of Animation Resort has been created and features a new piece of concept art and some more concrete details on Walt Disney World’s newest resort hotel:

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Coming soon: a new Walt Disney World Resort! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort hotel, a Disney Value Resort hotel, will draw its inspiration from 4 classic Disney animated films: The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Disney·Pixar’s Finding Nemo and Cars.Booking dates for this family-friendly resort, scheduled to open Summer of 2012, have not been announced yet. Please continue to check back for more information and details.

Step into some of your favorite stories! Each one of the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort buildings are being designed to make you feel like you are part of one of 4 beloved animated films. Trace the movie’s theme, from the playful courtyards to the festive room interiors.

The 864 rooms planned within The Little Mermaid buildings will be sea-inspired with an eye towards value.

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings are planned to exclusively feature family suites which accommodate up to six guests. The concepts show a total of 1,120 family suites—all arranged for added space and comfort.

The concept for these family suites include:

  • 2 separate bathrooms
  • A master bedroom
  • 3 separate sleeping areas within the living space, which includes an “Inovabed”—an impressive piece of furniture that transforms from a generously sized dining or work table to a comfortable bed in seconds.

Kids and kids at heart will be able to romp through one of the 4 courtyards—one courtyard for each film—where there will be icons and sculptures to interact with and play around. Make a splash in the main pool—complete with a pool bar—or relax in one of the 2 quiet pool areas. Planned amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort include an animation-themed food court, arcade, retail location and interior airline check-in stations.

Location and General Information
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is scheduled to be located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It will be a smoke-free Resort; smoking will be permitted only in designated outdoor smoking locations.