“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” To Premier in New Orleans Square May 7th

WDWNT on April 6, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Disneyland Park to Host the World Premiere of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'

“Psst…Ye come seekin’ adventure with salty old pirates, eh? Sure you’ve come to the proper place.”

Pirates fans are in for a double treat this morning. First, a big announcement, then a special video that takes you back to where it all began.

First, the big news…

Disneyland park will make history on May 7 when we host the first-ever 3D outdoor film premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All of the film’s stars are expected to attend along with many more Hollywood celebrities.

The Walt Disney Company is hosting the gala event and funds raised from ticket sales will go directly to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Individual tickets for the premiere event are priced at $1,000 and are now available for purchase at www.piratespremiere.com.

While only invited guests with the proper credentials may attend the film premiere, a limited number of Disneyland park guests may be able to view the “Red Carpet Arrivals” (the carpet is actually going to be black this time!) on Main Street, U.S.A., although, again, viewing capacity will be very limited.

Disneyland Resort park hours have been adjusted on May 7 for this very special event. Disneyland park will open at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Disney California Adventure park will open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.

Now, as a special treat, in this swashbuckling video exclusive, Barbossa takes you on a journey from Pirates’ beginnings at Disneyland park, to behind the scenes “on stranger tides.” It’s clear that the attraction that started it all is never far from the filmmakers’ minds.

Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” opens in theaters May 20, 2011, in Disney Digital 3D™ – and for those of you who simply cannot wait, remember, you can “join Jack’s crew” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through May 30, and seven nights a week from April 15 through May 1, exclusively at Disneyland park!

Cast Suits-Up for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

WDWNT on April 5, 2011

While this isn’t huge news, the orange suits that have been a staple of Star Tours cast members for many years are history. Instead, Disney has developed some new costumes to better fit “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”:

Blue and gold is most certainly the new colors of the Star Tours company, but not terribly different from the colors used in the last attraction. Here’s a look at what Cast Members will be wearing at the retail location Tatooine Traders:

You may also want to take note that the artwork indicates the Starspeeder in the queue is still there, just repainted to be the Starspeeder 1000. As always, stay tuned for more information on Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.

Episode 016 Graffitti

WDWNT on April 5, 2011

Ep. 016 Graffitti
Lots of stuff this episode. Nick and MC review Park 6 and the combo topper. They talk about the latest custom’s articles; Evilos, Celeste, and Cassie. Then they talk about the upcoming releases including Muppets 2 and of course take a questions of the Mystery Mailbag
Listen Now:
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WDW Haunted Mansion Debuts New, Cutting-Edge Hitchhiking Ghost Scene

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

While this isn’t exactly Disneyland related news, I think it is very important that we take a look at what was revealed today over in Orlando. For the past few months, the hitchhiking ghost scene in the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom has had temporary projections in place of the mirrors. Today, the “new” mirrors were revealed. Phineas, Ezra, and Gus are now executing some ghostly gags through the use of new infrared technology. Guests are now seeing their heads “vanish” before their very eyes and ghosts not only sitting in the vehicle with them, but also on top of their Doombuggy. The technology also recognizes if there is one, two, or even no one in the Doombuggy and gives different effects accordingly as you’ll see in the provided video. The Disneyland Haunted Mansion still has the original mirror scene but, the rumor is that this is just the first version of this scene to be tested while Imagineering works out the kinks with the system. Once this test and adjust period is through, expect to see the effect improved through some simple software updates and then rolled out to the Haunted Mansion here in Anaheim and around the world.

Ariel Audio-Animatronic For The “Undersea Adventure” Revealed

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

From the Disney Park Blog:

We are just a couple of months away from the official opening of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure park. Walt Disney Imagineers are working hard to make sure you feel transported into Ariel’s world through every detail – the water, the fish, the hair….yes, the hair! Ariel’s hair posed a particular challenge for Imagineers, one they hadn’t encountered before – how do you make hair that’s technically out of the water look like it’s floating underwater? Take a look at their progress.

More to Celebrate! More Jrs revealed.

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

Thanks to our twend @milkyjoe75 we have a look a a few more Jrs for the Celebrations Series that comes out this Friday, April 8th! Here the a few that we hadn’t seen before! (We have already seen Baby Bottle, 2nd Place Ribbon, Chinese Thank You, and Money from our French friend Aranya.)

Baby Rattle Jr.

Comes with the Baby Girl 3″

Look at all those not so hidden mickey around the head! Very cute. Makes you wonder if any of the Baby Girl’s Jrs are just “pink” versions of a Baby Boy’s Jrs.

Ball and Chain

Comes with the Groom 3″

Love it! LOL. Great for all my married friends. And really well done too!

Birthday Balloon Jr
Comes with the Happy Birthday 3″

Reminds me of that elusive Park 1 chaser! Well done I think. Simple, but effective.

Confetti Jr

Comes with Party Time 3″

Pretty straight forward.

Fancy Lace Jr
Comes with the Bride 3″

Um, Joe couldn’t really identify this, and we can’t really either. So, just a pretty bride-y pattern. Enjoy.

Mickey Ice Cream Bar Jr

Comes with the 1st Visit 3″

Very similar to the Urban 2 Mickey Chocolate Bar 3″ figure. I like it. It makes me hungry!
All photos by @MilkyJoe75

Haunted Mansion Debuts New, Cutting-Edge Hitchhiking Ghost Scene

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

After months of speculation as to what was changing in the famous Hitchhiking Ghost scene at the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion, we don’t have to wonder any longer. Phineas, Ezra, and Gus are now executing some ghostly gags through the use of new infrared technology that was installed while the temporary curtains and projection ghosts (or Curtain Ghosts as we have been jokingly calling them) were displayed. Guests are now seeing their heads “vanish” before their very eyes and ghosts not only sitting in the vehicle with them, but also on top of their Doombuggy. The technology also recognizes if there is one, two, or even no one in the Doombuggy and gives different effects accordingly as you’ll see in the provided video. This is just the first version of this scene to be tested while Imagineering works out the kinks with the system. Once this test and adjust period is through, expect to see the effect improved through some simple software updates and then rolled out to the Haunted Mansion attractions around the world. Without any further ado, here’s a quick look at the new scene:

Phineas & Ferb, Pirates, Pooh, and Cars Characters Around the World

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

Here are a few character updates for Walt Disney World in the next few weeks:

-From the Disney Parks Blog:

Heads up pirate fans – we’re happy to break the news that a new scalawag will land at Magic Kingdom Park in time for the May 20 opening of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

The new pirate will be Angelica, who is portrayed by actress Penelope Cruz in the film. Angelica is the daughter of the legendary pirate captain, Blackbeard, and she’ll appear in Adventureland beginning April 15.

According to our partners in Entertainment, Angelica is “a world-famous pirate with a reputation for skill and cunning – rivaled only by that of Captain Jack. Fresh from her pursuit of the Fountain of Youth, Angelica, along with several loyal crewmen, will establish her headquarters adjacent to the Pirate’s League in search of willing pirates for future adventures.”

-In other news: Lightning McQueen will be replacing Herbie The Love Bug in “Lights, Motors Action! Extreme Stunt Show” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting in June to promote Cars 2. A remodeled meet and greet with Lightning and Mater should also debut around that time in the space next to the Premiere Theater where the current “Casa Della Tires” meet and greet resides.

-To promote “Winnie-the-Pooh”, Pooh is replacing Lotso inside the Magic of Disney Animation. The Lotso meet and greet will close towards the end of April.

-The Phineas and Ferb “play and greet” experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios previously announced will be debuting on May 16th. Guests will take part in the filming of a movie with the characters when the experience begins next month.

Pins Give Sneak Peak to Urban 7

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

Thanks to an email by Don that pointed us to the Disney Pin site, we have a sneak peak at two new Urban 7 designs. These two pack pin sets have held designs that represent the 9″ vinyl designs. So that seems like a good assumption here! Check them out:

Delightful Flowers Mean Old Dog

This pin set, LE 1000, will be released at Walt Disney World Resort on May 12th at a price of $44.95.

First Look at Ariel “Under The Sea”

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

Again, while we have to wait another year for Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid to open at the Magic Kingdom, the California Adventure attraction is opening June 3rd and the Disney Parks Blog is offering another look at some cutting-edge audio-animatronic technology:

We are just a couple of months away from the official opening of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure park. Walt Disney Imagineers are working hard to make sure you feel transported into Ariel’s world through every detail – the water, the fish, the hair….yes, the hair! Ariel’s hair posed a particular challenge for Imagineers, one they hadn’t encountered before – how do you make hair that’s technically out of the water look like it’s floating underwater? Take a look at their progress.