The first of the 9″ Muppets 2 will be released on June 24th in both D-Streets. Disney specifically said they would not be released online. The piece is by Monty Maldovan. There will be only 1500 of these and will retail for $44.95.
For more info on the rest of the 9″ Muppets 2 series check out the post
From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:
Details will continue to unfold between now and the start of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, themed “Passport to a World of Flavors,” but here are the early highlights for the 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
From Sept. 30-Nov. 13, Epcot World Showcase Promenade features a panoply of delicious tastes, wine and cocktail pairings and other drinks, live entertainment and special culinary fun. More than 25 international marketplaces feature tapas-sized portions ($3 to $8) paired with beer, wine and cocktails.
What’s hot this year? Here are the headlines:
- Hawaii, the Caribbean islands and Portugal all debut Marketplaces – look for Kailua pork sliders in Hawaii, ropa vieja in the Caribbean and calamari salad in Portugal.
- The new Odyssey Lounge opens, where guests can check in with friends and family back home, play games and surf the web while enjoying a specialty cocktail or a glass of wine or beer. There’s even a charging station for mobile phones and other electronic devices.
- Celeb chefs are back – top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio and more. All told, more than 270 chefs participate.
- There’s always fun stuff at the Festival Welcome Center, from a wine bar to tasting seminars and free sessions with cookbook authors.
- Eat to the Beat! Concert Series is back at America Gardens Theatre with first timers the Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Taylor Dayne kicks it off opening weekend.
- Also back are First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29 (one time only); Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar, and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery. And of course the grand Party for the Senses!
- A new Cranberry Bog display by Craisons tells the story behind the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs (Aug. 16 is the date you can start booking). Festival details are available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.
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Ep. 025 Festival of the Lion King
In this episode we discuss the release of Goof Troop and the change in who buys vinylmation. We also review the Cutesters Like You series. As always, we also discuss news from the week, upcoming vinylmation events, and answer a few Mystery Mailbag questions.
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Twitter follower @lindols has received some interesting rumors.
She says that someone she knows from Paris says they will be getting the Cars 2 set in August. She also says they will be getting the Alice in Wonderland set (including a 9″ and 9″ combo) in September.
Her source also said that on a more “rumor”y side of things, that the Animation 2 set will be coming by the end of the year and the there might be a whole Pinocchio set coming out (similar to Alice in Wonderland).
What do you think? I hope the 9” combo is all Alice. Imagine a 9″/3″/Jr set with all three sizes of Alice! I’m also excited for Animation 2. What would you like to see as part of that?
WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom back on Wednesday, today we share some newsworthy photos from his latest trip:
The construction walls at the Enchanted Tiki Room now stretch beyond the entrance
Read More about Robert Ashburn’s 6/8/11 Magic Kingdom Photo Report
A piece of concept art was shown in this weeks D23’s Disney Geek showing an updated look at the new attraction coming to Cars Land, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
This updated art shows the attraction and queue layout. Guests will enter under the marquee on the bottom right where after a few switchback they will end up in the first covered building. Under the first building, guests will either go straight into the queue for the right side or go left down a path to the left side. Guests will then exit our to the top of the image and exit around the rear back out to the street. The building at the top is really a mystery, but in front looks to be a giant Juke Box of sorts, and also should mention that Mater is not in this art. With 11 vehicles on each side, we estimated that with a 90 second ride time that this attraction will average 1,300 people per hour.
That’s right, the Adventurer’s Club and the BET Soundstage buildings are about to come down at the former Pleasure Island. But what will be replacing them? For now, just grass:
“Seed & Mulch”, the same that can currently be found on the plots that were Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club and Motion. Now a new patch of grass will appear temporarily at the other side of the island. Fans of Comedy Warehouse will be happy to know that the building will remain in-tact and is labeled as a “Future Entertainment Parcel”.
You may recognize the photo above as the plaza and small elevated stage between Portobello and Fulton’s. Thankfully, this area is getting a new look as well:
A good portion of this project has already been completed (namely, the new bridge to Marketplace), but there is still a bit to go.
This layout shows the new park area on the waterfront between Paradiso 37 and the former Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club, as well as the new path that will allow guests to walk past the left side of Portobello directly into the heart of the island. Let’s take a closer look at the new park:
Expect to see much of this work begin very soon. The entire document with these plans can be found at this link. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we keep you updated on the transition from Pleasure Island to Hyperion Wharf!
Update: 6/13/11 Disney announced today that the Pirates set will be released on June 18th…. in Hong Kong Disneyland!
Update: 6/11/11 Pirates will be released in Orlando’s D-Street on July 1. D-Street will open at 10:30am with a “special release party”. Then, from 1 – 3, POTC series artist Casey Jones will be on hand signing figures for guests. At Disneyland, Pirates will be released on July 3. We also have turn-arounds for all 12 figures, yes, including the mystery chaser. The chaser is a bit of a surprise. Not what we, or many other people expected. And in my opinion doesn’t have that Wow! factor. If you want to see, click below for the chaser.
Update: 6/4/11 Updated post with some in person pictures of a couple Pirates figures.
Update: 4/26/11 Disney updated the Vault page with pictures of 10 of the 12 figures. They didn’t show us sketches of the chaser or Jack Sparrow (who we already know about).
Update: 4/20/11 Jack Sparrow will be included in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean set! A “beginning of July” release window was also announced.
Pirates of the Caribbean will be released as a 12 figure blind box set with 11 regular figures and one mystery chaser. Casey Jones designed this set based on the Pirates attraction at the Disney theme parks. This set is slated to be released at the beginning of July.
Artist: Casey Jones
Release Date: “Beginning of July”
Set Size: 11 with a Mystery Chaser
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Pirate Top Hat
Two! Top hats with this set. This time, this one has a Skull and Crossbones on it. Very interesting. |
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Dirty Pig
From the local town, a fun part of the attraction. |
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Pirate Crew Member | ||
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Beads Pirate | ||
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Hook Hand Pirate We have already seen this pirate in a blurry photo.
A hook for a hand!!! |
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Barrel Jack Sparrow
Probably the only Johnny Depp in the series. Also probably the only movie reference. |
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Patch
The Disney Imagineers had a very long day and this was the very last Pirate in the attraction they had to name. |
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Dirty Foot Pirate
I was always nervous to look up when passing under the bridge for fear that slime from his disgusting foot would drop down on me.  Scuba Owl though we should add this pic!
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POTC Man at Well This unfortunate man is awaiting his turn to be dunked in the well. Check out the detail of the ropes across his chest.  He is the middle guy on the right in yellow.
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Tiny Tiny is one of the girls being auctioned off on Isla Tesoro. She smiles because of the attention the Pirates are giving her. Nice detail with the cap on her head.  |
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Helmsman We have already seen a Pirate Helmsman in Park 5, but this one is much more detailed.  |
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of World of Color, seen it many times. To celebrate the shows first anniversary, I’m going to re-post some images, videos, and news stories covering the history of World of Color.
On the Spot at Paradise Pier – 12/31/08
One of our spy reporters was at Disney’s California Adventure yesterday & noticed 2 very interesting developments in Paradise Pier:
It’s kind of to make out, but the eyes & mouth of the sun face have been removed. We’ll have a closer up picture of this for you on Friday.
Seem that Laserman has a few more tricks to show us this summer. From the Disney Parks Blog:
Attention Programs! A “Disney Soundsational Summer” is underway at the Disneyland Resort and an all-new Laserman show is coming to ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure park! With new music, new lasers, and a few surprises, this exciting new show is set to captivate guests starting Friday, June 17.
Laserman has been a nightly “must see” ever since the portal to ElecTRONica opened. Inspired by the action-adventure film “TRON: Legacy,” his unique combination of talent and skill delivered breathtaking performances to audiences, night after night.
But be prepared to be blown away again! Laserman’s been hard at work, creating another visually stunning show to present an exciting battle between Man versus Technology.
So don’t miss the all-new Laserman show as he lights up the Grid of ElecTRONica nightly this summer, starting Friday, June 17.
