I would like to officially welcome Hayley Nance to DLNT as a staff photographer, and Hayley already has a report for us today. Photos include Cars Land, Mickey’s Halloween Party, and much more…
The little props along the Mickey & Friends tram route have returned for this Halloween season
Read More about Hayley Nance’s 10/14/11 – 10/15/11 DLR Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Josh Siegel visited Epcot on Saturday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:
Kim Possible is now on the english maps and a separate kiosk has Food & Wine Festival Guides
From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:
As work continues to bring the epic fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks, filmmaker James Cameron and his Lightstorm Entertainment producing partner Jon Landau explored Disney’s Animal Kingdom yesterday with Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Imagineer Joe Rohde.
“Getting the chance to roll up my sleeves and explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom from the inside out was a phenomenal experience,” said James Cameron. “As I walked through the park, I kept imagining Pandora coming to life all around me and found my mind racing with all the possibilities of what we will be able to create in the years ahead. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is truly a remarkable place and I can’t think of a better home for our first AVATAR experience.”
Cameron and Landau are touring the Walt Disney World Resort this week as part of the creative partnership announced in September between Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Fox Filmed Entertainment and Lightstorm Entertainment. Construction of the first AVATAR-themed land is expected to begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by 2013.
“We do a significant amount of work at the beginning of our projects to ensure that the final experience has the attention to detail, theme and uniqueness for which Disney is known,” said Tom Staggs. “Today’s visit is an important step in the creative process and we are excited about getting started on what will be a spectacular addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”
Along with their team at Lightstorm Entertainment, Cameron and Landau are serving as creative consultants on the project, working side-by-side with Imagineers to dream up groundbreaking experiences that will take guests deep into the worlds of AVATAR like never imagined.
“AVATAR and Disney’s Animal Kingdom share a common bond in that they both focus on adventures that will radically change your perspective. They call you to take action on behalf of nature wherever it may be found,” said Joe Rohde, who led the creative team that designed the park. “This is a rare opportunity to collaborate with Jim, who has an incredible eye for detail and a passion for doing things that haven’t been done before.”
DLNT Podcaster Jamie Nakagiri attended last weeks Soundsational Annual Passholder Party and was nice enough to grab some pictures from that event.
Checking in…
Read More about Jamie Nakagiri’s 10/12/11 “Soundsational Party” Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom on Friday and took a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us (Including New Fantasyland progress), so let’s take a look:
Some work being done to center street
Read More about Zach Larson’s 10/14/11 Magic Kingdom Photo Report
Zoe visited Vault 28 on Saturday for the release of the new Noah Villains collection. There was plenty of artwork, special tees and even some apples for picking… beware, I think they were poisoned.
Release Date: October 21
Where: D-Streets (online in November)
Price: $18.95
Artist: Thomas Scott, Casey Jones and Lin Shih
Details: 12 figure blind tin set
Update: 10/12/11 Picture of Chaser added below. Signing at D-Street WDW on October 21 from 5p-7p with Thomas Scott and Casey Jones. Also announced, Park Starz will have “variants” but not in the blind tins. They will be sold as separate LE figures in 2012. One clue to one such variant is “he will be copper in color.” Hmmm, Partners statue is the first guess that comes to my mind. What about your guesses?
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Lincoln Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln 1964-PresentFirst debut at the World’s Fair.  |
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Robot Butler Horizons EPCOT 1983-1999Horizons took guests through a vision of tomorrow. Robot Butler has his duster in hand.  |
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Ice Gator Blizzard Beach Mascot 1995-PresentI love the look on this guy’s face. He has so much fun enjoying Disney’s finest water park. His counterpart, Lagoona Gator from Typhoon Lagoon will be in Park 9.  |
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Big Al Country Bears Jamboree Magic Kingdom 1971-PresentBig Al steals the show at this Frontierland musical treat.  |
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Giant Squid 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Magic Kingdom 1971-1994This ride always scared me as a kid. I always thought the squid was going to cause a leak in my sub. |
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Figment Journey Into Imagination EPCOT 1983-PresentFigment is one of the most beloved characters in all of Disney theme park history. |
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Yeti Expedition Everest Animal Kingdom 2006-PresentThe giant yeti chases your vehicle through the mountain. At the end, he swipes (or is supposed to) down at your passing car. |
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Skeleton Pirate Pirates of the Caribbean Disneyland 1967-PresentThe skeleton Pirates await guests aboard the underground caverns about the Pirates ride. |
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Bride Haunted Mansion 1971-PresentThis ghostly blue bride has a viel and is holding an axe. Appartly she is finished with her groom. |
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Jose Enchanted Tiki Room 1963-PresentThis green bird is your host for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. |
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Boy and Goat It’s a Small World 1966-Present This tin gives you a “2 for 2″. Both pieces are counted as 1 figure. Great color and design on the goat.
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Mystery Chaser Highlight below to read, click figure to the left to seeThis figure represents the icon of Pleasure Island at WDW’s Downtown Disney in the 80’s. A really great representation of an extremely obscure figure. Take a look if you wold like to see him. |
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on Tuesday and took a number of newsworthy photos to share with us , so let’s take a look:
The Mater and Lightning McQueen topiaries from the Flower and Garden Festival are now outside of Studio to promote the home video release of Cars 2
Release Date: October 24
Where: Disney Stores
Price: TBA
Villains 2 is a follow up to the poplar Disney Store release of Villains 1 in early 2011. We had fun with that release and this second series looks to have a strong line up of bad guys. The style is top notch. I enjoy the fact that they did not feel the need to fit the entire Villain inside Mickey body part for body part. These larger than life characters are painted on to the mold large and bold. There are also many hat accessories… bad guys love hats don’t they?
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Bowler Hat Guy Meet the Robinsons (2007) Voiced by: Stephen John Anderson Artist: Kyle Jensen Yeah!!!! I knew if I said his name on enough podcasts he would show up in a set. From one of the most underrated Disney movies of our time, this villain tugs at your heartstrings by the movie’s end. Thank you so much for giving us the bowler hat instead of painting it on. |
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Honest John Worthington Foulfellow Pinocchio (1940) Voiced by: Walter Catlett Artist: Gerald Mendez Oh, the look of pure evil. Love it! Nice detail on the hat has well. Another case were I enjoy just the head and partial body. |
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Captain Hook Peter Pan (1953) Voiced by: Hans Conried Artist: Oskar Mendez A classic bad guy. I enjoy the way this set is designed with some character’s head taking up the entire Vinylmation. It’s a good choice that really makes these villains come right at you. 
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Dr Facilier Princess and the Frog (2009) Voiced by: Keith David Artist: Gerald Mendez This movie ushered hand drawn animation back into Disney movies. It was a beautifully drawn movie and this baddie stole the show… as many villains do. As much as I like the head shot close ups, this one deserves a fully body look. There is a lot going on with this character and so many movie references that could have gone into his ears. …looks like they put that detail on the back:  |
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Evil Queen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) Voiced by: Lucille La Verne Artist: Gerald Mendez On the flip side to Dr. Facilier, this “bust-like” version looks phenomenal. I don’t mind no crown accessory, this painting is great. The vinyl losses a couple points for not using the ears. Again, give us movie references there. |
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Hades Hercules (1997) Voiced by: James Woods Artist: Kyle Jensen I think I like this one… a lot. But I want to see it in person.  |
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Big Bad Wolf Three Little Pigs (1933) Voiced by: Billy Bletcher Artist: Enrique Pita What a great character to include in this set! I think his face looks perfectly drawn. Look at the claws on the feet and the ears peaking out from the awesome hat.  |
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Lady Tremaine Cinderella (1950) Voiced by: Eleanor Audley Artist: Oskar Mendez I am blown away by how good her face looks painted onto this figure. The wicked stepmother’s bad hair due fills much of head and ears with the silver streak on the forehead. Her face is outlined in an evil fiery glow. |
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Runaway Brain Mickey Runaway Brain (1995) Voiced by: Wayne Allwine Artist: Enrique Pita Another one? (Park 6 combo topper) Although I don’t want another so soon, this one beats the original hands down. I love the way that tongue hits the feat with a “splash.” And the brain on the back is amazing!  |
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Shere Khan Jungle Book (1967) Voiced by: George Sanders Artist: Kyle Jensen A personal favorite bad guy. His voice is etched in my mind. This is done well. Very cartoonish looking and in the style of the lions on the lion king set. Also, great use of ears putting some jungle leaves in there. No tail accessory, but it’s nicely drawn on.  |
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Yzma Emperor’s New Groove (2000) Voiced by: Ertha Kitt Artist: Oskar Mendez One of those movies you forget is Disney. This gives me much hope for a Kuzco, Pacha, Kronk and llama. This character has to be hard to capture on a vinyl and Oskar did a great job with her face, but it just misses. We don’t get the full feel of her giant head piece and collar. |
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Mystery Chaser Last chaser was a popular villain from a recent classic. Go ahead, toss out a guess or two in the comments below. Mine? Gaston or the Horned King. Click image to see chaser! |
There will also be at least one 9″ / Jr Combo:
Genie Jafar and small genie Genie. It is designed by Enrique Pita, is LE 700 and retails for $59.95.
WDWNT Reporter Josh Siegel visited Epcot on Monday to experience the Food & Wine Festival and captured a plethora of newsworthy photos while he was there, so let’s take a look:
