New Details on “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” Revealed in Press Release

WDWNT on April 19, 2011

Disney has issued an updated press release with new details on “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”, opening May 20th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The power of the Force and the magic of Disney have combined to create “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue,” a new 3-D attraction set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on May 20, 2011. The attraction also will open at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., on June 3, 2011.

Based on the Star Wars films, Star Tours will take Walt Disney World Resort guests to multiple Star Wars destinations where they will interact with characters from throughout the Saga. And it will all be in 3-D.

With eye-popping 3-D digital filming, a dramatic musical score and motion simulator-based technology, guests will be immersed in the Star Wars galaxy like never before on a theme park attraction. Walt Disney Imagineering worked with Lucasfilm, Ltd. and Industrial Light & Magic – the groundbreaking visual effects division of Lucasfilm – to bring the out-of-this-world attraction to life.

Star Tours, which had thrilled Disney Parks guests since the 1980s, was “powered down” at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2010 so Imagineers could begin work on the new attraction.

And in a new twist, guests may be able to enjoy the attraction multiple times without ever experiencing the same adventure. More than 50 story combinations are possible for guests to experience aboard Star Tours.

Just as the Star Wars films immerse movie-goers in storylines that keep them on the edge of their seats, Star Tours will feature multiple stories and scenarios that will hurtle park guests throughout the Star Wars galaxy. And all of the storyline’s twists and turns will be random, affording guests the chance to ride the attraction multiple times.

Whether it’s a battle with Darth Vader and his legion of stormtroopers or a plea from Princess Leia to help her save the Rebellion, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action – literally – in the 3-D, multi-sensory attraction.

Entering the attraction queue area, Star Tours guests walk into a bustling spaceport. The famed Star Wars droid duo, C-3PO and R2-D2, greet them as the Starspeeder 1000 is prepped for service. Anthony Daniels, the voice of C-3PO and the only actor to appear in every theatrical chapter of the Star Wars Saga, reprises his role as the golden protocol droid. Daniels worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to record new dialogue for the attraction. Guests also are introduced to AC-38, a hotshot droid pilot known simply as “Ace,” and Aly San San (voiced by actress Allison Janney), the “spokesbot” for the spaceport.

After winding through the spaceport, guests board the Starspeeder 1000 spacecraft and prepare for Star Tours Flight #1401. Through a series of mishaps, however, C-3PO finds himself in the pilot’s seat instead of Ace, and it’s up to him and R2-D2 to navigate their passengers through the galaxy. However, the tyrannical Empire is out to stop the Starspeeder at all costs. C-3PO and R2-D2 take the controls and try to outwit and outrun the Imperial forces and a galactic bounty hunter hired to pursue the spaceship and its passengers.

Utilizing the 50+ random story combinations, the Starspeeder then embarks on a wild trip through the galaxy, visiting several planets made famous in the Star Wars films. Among the locations that might provide haven from the Empire’s pursuit are the icy planet of Hoth, the lush jungles of Kashyyyk and the underwater Gungan world of Naboo. And along the way guests may encounter Star Wars characters that offer to help (or hinder) their journey, including Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader and Boba Fett. “Skytroopers,” a legion of stormtroopers created just for the Star Tours attraction story, might even join in the chase.

In fact, with multiple ways to experience each flight, guests will never know where the Force will take them.

At Walt Disney World Resort, Star Tours opens May 20, 2011, the same day the annual Star Wars Weekends event begins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Star Tours and Star Wars Weekends event activities are included in regular admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.

Bad, Bad Luck

WDWNT on April 19, 2011

Update: 4/18/11 It looks like everything has been fixed over at the Disney Store Online. They have SINGLE blind boxes of Jr 3’s for $8.95. Get them while you can!

Update: 11 AM One of our listeners sent us his receipt for several cases of Jr 3’s for $8.95 a piece. The order was made at 3:30 AM PST. This means that the price did actually go live early this morning. (We thought it might have been just a placeholder.) Check out the at the bottom.



Over at the Disney Store Online today, the Jrs 3 series is up… and sold out. That was super quick. Well until you look at the price. Something is up with Disney, because they have the tray of 36 listed at the price of $8.95, instead of individual boxes for that price. We expect that to be sorted out. (I’m surprised to see a set added on a Wednesday instead of a Friday.)


Wow that’s a good score. We wonder if Disney will honor this price. (Unlike with TailSpin, this is clearly a clerical error and we expect Disney to just cancel all the orders for this case at this price.)

Celebration Variants! Where was your first visit?

WDWNT on April 18, 2011

Update: 4/7/11 On a hunch, we contacted our friend @milkyjoe75 and asked him to take a picture of the back of his 1st Visit 3″. Look what he found! Hong Kong also gets it’s own variant. We assume that this means there is one for Disneyland Paris also, and have contacted our friend in France to try to find out. Stay tuned!

4/6/11 Well, the rumors are true, and it looks like there will be a variant in the Celebrations 3″ set. Based on the fact that their are two parks, it looks like there are two different backs to the 1st Visit 3″. The rumor is that each one will only be available in the park it has on it’s back. But will shall see! Check them out…

1st Visit
Disneyland
(back)		 1st Visit
Walt Disney World
(back)
1st Visit
Hong Kong
Disneyland
(back)		 1st Visit
Disneyland Paris
(back)


What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea?

ZoMG: Urban 7 and Animal Ear Hats

WDWNT on April 18, 2011

My mom and I were in the park today doing some trading and we stopped by the Mad Hatter shop on Main Street at Disneyland. Looking into the window I found some new and exciting things, such as 2 brand new Vinylmation Urban #7 Ear Hats! As well as one Muppets #2 Ear Hat!! I had to get all three so I could show everyone whats inside!

Milk and Cookies Ear Hat – Urban #7


First off we have the Milk and Cookies set which is my favorite! The hat looks like a milk carton on the top with the words Milk on the front with a little Vinylmation shape, and has chocolate chip cookies as the ears and the right ear has a bite taken out of it. On the sides it says ‘Vinylmation Dairy Products’ (too cute!)

The 3 inch is a chocolate milk carton! I love the details on this figure!! It has Vinylmation Farms on the top as where the milk is from and also a little Vinylmation shaped cup of chocolate milk on the front!
If you look at the back of this figure, it has the nutrition information, my favorite part is where it says, 100% Vinylmation!

The Jr. for this set is a chocolate chip cookie with a bite taken out of the ear! (like the ear hat)

This set is so well done! This is one of my favorite ear hat sets made so far! This set is by Maria Clapsis and Caley Hicks.
Please Stand By Ear Hat – Urban #7

The ear hat looks like a test pattern, with TV antenna on top! The left ear says, Please Stand By and the right ear looks like static.

The 3″ that comes with this set looks like a remote pointed at a TV set. The backside of this Vinylmation is the TV remote batteries with the TV on top. I love the way that they made this figure! The arms and ears are clear where there is no design so you can really see the artwork.

The Jr. for this set is a little battery!
This set looks great all together and the 3 Inch is so well done! This set is by Thomas Scott and Maria Clapsis.
Animal Ear Hat – Muppets #2

I love this!! This set is definitely the most stand out! Anyone that loves Animal and the Electric Mayhem will definitely need this for their collection! My boyfriend is a drummer and loves Animal so he will be very excited to see this set!

The ear hat for this set is Animal! I love the way that Monty designed this set! Animal’s ears says Rock and Roll and the entire hat is animals face! I love the addition of the hair and the nose!

The 3″ for this set is perfect! It represents Animal’s drum set! And his ears are cymbals! The backside of this figure has a star as well as the band logo of a tooth with wings!
The Jr. for this set is all black with a red mouth!

This is such a fun ear hat set! One of the brightest and most stand out that I have seen!
This set was done by Monty Maldovan!

I was so excited to get these hats today and I hope everyone is excited to see these new upcoming designs! This makes me even more excited for upcoming 9″ Muppets 2’s as well as a sneak peek at what we can expect in Urban #7!!

-Zoe

Animal Kingdom Tests “Truckosaurous” Dance Party

WDWNT on April 18, 2011

With the success of the Club 626 Dance Party in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney Imagineering has decided to test a similar concept at Animal Kingdom. The Truckosaurous dance party with DJ Dino-mite began its test run on Sunday and will continue daily through Thursday from 4-8PM in the Dinoland/Dino-Rama area accross from Primeval Whirl. We have video of the first test taken by WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee to share with you:

With the incredibly well-themed truck and the selection of songs from the DJ (including “Another Part of Me” from Captain EO and the Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater), I think this is a wonderful addition to a park that most complain does not offer enough to do. We’ll have to wait and see if the public agrees and if WDI will make this a permanent addition.

Retro Weekend: 04/17/11

WDWNT on April 18, 2011

This whole week has been crazy, but here are some of the articles we had this weekend that you may have missed because we were changing servers.
First up, Nick got an exclusive hands on with the new Mickey Vinylmation Mold. Check out his first reactions to the actual figure in real life.
Two great posts were written about the D-Street happenings on both coasts.

First, Nick discusses D-Street Florida’s one year birthday party and talks to each of the artists available to sign vinylmation.

D-Street Florida Artist Signing 4/15/11

We also got a great ZoMG article from our Californian reporter Zoe.

She went to the Muppets 2 release and got to talk to Muppets artist Monty Maldovan.

ZoMG: Monty Maldovan and Muppets 2

While we are the subject, Zoe also gave us some great pictures and a review of the Cutesters Too Ear Hat.

ZoMG: Cutesters Too Donut Ear Hat and Eclair
On Friday, Muppets 2 came out in both D-Streets and in Disney Stores across the nation. There was just one little difference…

Prices at D-Street and Disney Store

For those who like to be Spoiled, we revealed the Muppets 2 Chaser.
A quick talk with Nerds Rock! artist Doug Strayer revealed some big news, turning our April Fools joke into a joke on us!

Nerd Stitch, More then a Joke!

Disney announced the release date for the Sushi Set, April 29th.

Sushi Vinylmation Explained

There was even another release that Friday. The 9″ Holiday 2 Easter Basket. It sold out online.

A Tisket a Tasket, Easter Basket Online and Price

And, if you hadn’t noticed, we were running a contest with the help of custom artist Evilos. This post went up Friday and was the opportunity for readers to submit an entry.
Everyone left great comments, you should check them out.
Thanks again to Evilos for the wonderful giveaway.

Evil Kermit (The post you’ve been waiting for!)

The winner was announced this afternoon on…

Destination Vinylmation
Episode 018 Balloon Chaser

Nick and MC visited the Muppet Theater to record this podcast. Special Guest Stars: Vinylmation Product Developer Donald Ferro and the Electric Mayhem.

Episode 018 Balloon Chaser

WDWNT on April 18, 2011

Ep. 018 Balloon Chaser
In our first Mystery Chaser episode, we celebrate the release of Muppets 2 by recording live from The Muppets Theater. Kermit and the rest of the Muppets join in for this exciting event. Our special guest is Vinylmation Product Developer Donald Ferro. He talks about D-Street’s first birthday and the new Vinylmation mold. We update you on the latest release dates and review Muppets 2. In addition we announce the winner of our Evilos Comment Contest. There are also plenty of Muppet surprises in store for you. Enjoy the show!
Listen Now:
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DisneyNature’s African Cats Preview & Contest

WDWNT on April 17, 2011

DisneyNature’s 3rd film, African Cats, is poised to ponce into theaters on Earth Day 2011 (April 22nd for those unaware). To get you ready for the film, we have assembled a video offering a 10 minute glimpse into the film a little early. While we are not allowed to post a review of the film until Monday, this should give you a pretty good idea what to expect:

For more information on the film, you can always visit Disney.com/AfricanCats.

I’m also proud to announce that Disney has been nice enough to provide us with a pair of African Cats books to give away to one lucky reader. If you would like a chance to win the books, just send us an email at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com with your name, email, and home address by April 17th at Midnight ET with the answer to the following question:

Which of True-Life Adventures film shares it’s name with a former land at a Disney theme park?

The winner will be chosen out of all the emails submitted with the correct answer to the above question. The contest is open only to U.S. citizens, my apologies to our international readers. Again, the winner will receive both Sita the Cheetah & A Lion’s Pride books based on DisneyNature’s African cats film.