The Blue Sky Cellar Is Here For Good

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

From Erin Glover the Disney Parks Blog:

Many Disney Parks Blog readers already know that Blue Sky Cellar is the place to get a behind-the-scenes peek at what’s coming to Disney California Adventure park. The space is periodically updated with new photos, videos and models – the latest refresh, which was installed in September, focuses on Buena Vista Street which will be completed next year. The video below, from Walt Disney Imagineering, takes you inside Blue Sky Cellar for a look at the latest updates. If you haven’t been yet, check it out!

 

Most of the info in this post we already knew being that this exhibit has been open for close to two months now. Though at the end of the movie, show producer Sarah Farmer Earll mentions that WDI does intend to keep the Blue Sky Cellar open after the DCA expansion is competed next year. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as we will report any changes in the Blue Sky Cellar.

Vinylmation Speculation with Mike Boon: Muppets 4.1 Gonzo the Great

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

Mike Boon is back again with another series of potential Muppet vinylmation. Continuing where we left off, we’ll showcase one design every day from Mike’s Muppet Series 4. Please let him (and us) know what you think of the designs. As we start the second Muppet series of speculation from Mike, we’d just like to thank him again for his hard work and his great designs! Thanks Mike!
THE GREAT GONZO
The Muppet Show (1976)
Originally performed by: Dave Goelz

The oddest character in the core Muppet cast, Gonzo has a tendency for horrible and wildly misguided acts that he believes are pure genius, not to mention a fondness for chickens. We’ve already seen Gonzo in his purple tux as a 9” vinyl, but here he is as the daredevil performance artist “The Great Gonzo.”

“Thank you! We need a 3″ Gonzo. Love the strands of hair in the left ear.”-M.C.

Mike Boon joins us every day this month with speculation of a future Muppet Series vinylmation. For past posts click here. You can also check Mike out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com

One of a Kind Holiday Experience Coming To the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Hey Disneyland Resort fans – an interesting opportunity has come across my desk, and I wanted to share it with you. It is a limited-capacity event that combines some rare Disney Parks experiences, and is unlike anything we’ve ever offered – especially here on the Disney Parks Blog. Take a look below.

                       Over-the-Top, Dream-Come-True Holiday Experience at the Disneyland Resort Over-the-Top, Dream-Come-True Holiday Experience at the Disneyland Resort Over-the-Top, Dream-Come-True Holiday Experience at the Disneyland Resort Over-the-Top, Dream-Come-True Holiday Experience at the Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Candlelight Experience

December 4–5, 2011, $1,250* per person based on double occupancy, includes:

  • One-night stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011; valet parking for one vehicle included.
  • An evening of holiday elegance beginning with a private reception and dinner at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
  • Reserved seating for the 8 p.m. performance of Candlelight on December 4.
  • Exclusive 2011 Candlelight mementos.
  • A sunrise breakfast at The Plaza Inn, one of Walt Disney’s favorite dining locations, on his 110th birthday, December 5. Breakfast will be followed by a pre-opening walk through Disneyland park.
  • A visit to several locations in the park with Disney Legends and Creative Staff as they share their stories about Walt Disney, Disneyland park and the magic of the holiday season. Guest speakers currently scheduled include Dave Smith, Bob Gurr, Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, and David Caranci. Speakers are subject to change.
  • A visit to Walt Disney’s private apartment above the firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Reserved viewing of “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade.
  • Theme park entrance for both days.

To reserve this special opportunity, call 866-309-9683. Full payment is required at time of booking, and bookings must be made by November 25, 2011. You must be at least 18 years old to RSVP for this event, but your guests may be younger. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.

*Package rate shown is based on double occupancy and standard accommodations. Single occupancy, standard room rate is $1,500. For groups of three (3) to five (5), a charge of $1,000 per person applies for each additional guest occupying the same room, with a maximum of five (5) occupants within the same room. Excludes applicable taxes and fees.

Offer is limited and restrictions apply. May not be combined with other offers, packages or discounts. No items in this package may be redeemed for cash, and all items (and portions thereof) are non-refundable and non-transferable. No credit or compensation will be given for unused portions of this package and such unused elements will be forfeited if not used in conjunction with the Candlelight Experience. No substitutions, refunds or credit for any package element that is canceled for any reason including, but not limited to, inclement weather. Please do not bring any items to be signed by the guest speakers. Walt Disney Travel Company CST: 1022229-50.

All elements of the event and the package are subject to change and cancellation without notice.

2012 D23 Events Announced, Including 2012 Destination D At The Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

In 2012, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will take the show on the road as it kicks off a year-long celebration for D23 members with a bold lineup of fantastic events.

Throughout the year, D23 will delight Disney fans from Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Palm Springs to Orlando, Burbank and even Marceline, Missouri — Walt Disney’s boyhood hometown — with the thrill and excitement of uniquely magical Disney experiences.

“To help D23 celebrate its third ‘fanniversary,’ we developed the most exciting lineup yet of special events to bring our members truly one-of-a-kind Disney experiences,” said Steven Clark, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. “We’re excited to visit our fans all around the country, and to create events we hope will surprise and delight them.”

Starting the year are two new extraordinary experiences: D23’s JOURNEY TO MARCELINE and D23 PRESENTS THE SMOKE TREE RANCH ROUNDUP.

For the first time ever, a special tour of Walt’s boyhood hometown — Marceline, Missouri — will take place for D23 members on March 14. Led by Disney archivists, the daylong Journey to Marcelineexplores this small town (pop. 2,221) in ways that will have special resonance for Disney fans.

In his later life, Walt found unique inspiration at Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, and during the incredible, three-day Smoke Tree Ranch Roundup (January 23-25), D23 Members can experience this exclusive retreat in a completely unique way. In another first-of-its-kind, immersive experience, Disney fans will get to see what Walt called “my own laughing place,” taking part in screenings, presentations, activities and delectable meals, all while staying in a Smoke Tree Ranch cottage.

In the spring, D23 takes the party on the road with the D23 ‘FANNIVERSARY’ CELEBRATION. It commemorates more than 40 unforgettable Disney magical milestones, each celebrating an anniversary in2012. Hosted by Disney archivists, D23 Fanniversary Celebration events will be held in Orlando, New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles and revisits some of the most beloved Disney theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, TV series and more from 85 years of Disney history.Fanniversary events will be open to the public, with special admission and surprises created especially for D23 Members in attendance.

In the summer, D23 will offer an all-new “Destination D” event – DESTINATION D: 75 YEARS OF DISNEY ANIMATION, held over two days at the Disneyland Resort in California (August 11-12). As Disney marks the 75th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, D23 marks the occasion by gathering many renowned Disney animation legends along with topDisney animators, voice talent (past and present) and composers — plus interesting demonstrations, fascinating presentations, autograph sessions and the chance to see entertaining animation rarities from the Disney vaults —all in celebration of 75 years of Disney feature animation.

Throughout the year, D23 will continue its popular series of movie screenings at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. With a new series, FROM THE VAULTS, D23 will bring favorite live-action films back to the big screen, including special 20th anniversary screenings of Newsies (February 25) and Sister Act (May 26), plus the classic Disney adaptation of Treasure Island (September 22). D23’s 50 AND FABULOUS series also returns in 2012, with In Search of the Castaways (June 23).

The year also includes four special weekends of member-only tours of the Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives in Burbank, which are planned for February 11-12, April 28-29, September 8-9 and November 10-11 — doubling the capacity of these consistently sold-out D23 events.

In the fall, during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, D23’s popular Sip & Stroll event get a Halloween twist and becomesSIP & SCREAM (October 2012). And during the holiday season D23 will again hold back-to-back presentations of its popular holiday offerings — DISNEY AND DICKENS (in Burbank in December) and MAGIC & MERRIMENT (at Walt Disney World Resort, tentative dates: December 7-8 and 9-10), doubling your Disney holiday fun.

Look for more D23 events to be announced throughout the year including details on an Epcot 30th anniversary celebration and a fun-filled D23 third anniversary party at the Disneyland Resort. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2012 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at http://www.Disney.com/D23. All events and dates are subject to change.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch To Become The Planet Pandora?

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

Since the announcement of the AVATAR-land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there has been speculation as to where the it would go. Would Camp Minnie-Mickey finally be bulldozed, making use of the land once meant for Beastly Kingdom? Was the expansion plot behind Asia where the Nav’i would call home? We may finally have an answer…

The area marked in blue is what is now being rumored as the plot for the AVATAR-land expansion. If you know Animal Kingdom well, you will realize that a now-open guest area is included in the zone: Rafiki’s Planet Watch. It was recently announced that Jiminy Cricket and Pocohontas will no longer be conducting meet-and-greets in this location by December and it is being rumored that the entirety of Rafiki’s Planet Watch (Conservation Station, Affection Section, Habitat Habit!, and the Wildlife Express Train) will be closed  in January 2012.

This is just a rumor right now, but interestingly enough, this plan would save Camp Minnie-Mickey once again and make the AVATAR-land accessible only via Asia or Africa. It is possible that the track of the Wildlife Express Train will be recycled for some sort of transport into the world of AVATAR, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on that idea. While we wait for confirmation on this breaking story, it sure is fun to imagine the possibilities. Stay tuned…

Vinylmation Speculation with Mike Boon: Muppets 3 Wrapup

WDWNT on November 22, 2011

Well it’s been 12 days, and here is Mike’s complete set of 12 figures, including the Jim chaser. Starting tomorrow, Mike will be back with another set of 12 for his “series 4”. We hope you’ve enjoyed these pieces and continue to enjoy the work Mike does. Which were you favorites from series 3?
Mike Boon joins us every day this month with speculation of a future Muppet Series vinylmation. For past posts click here. You can also check Mike out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com

Ring in the Holidays on December 9th with Holiday 3 and more!

WDWNT on November 21, 2011

It looks like Disney sneaked another couple of release dates into their events page (We checked last night while doing the podcast and they weren’t there!).

On December 9th, 2011 both D-Streets will be releasing several new vinylmation.
First, the 12 piece Holiday 3 set will be released. Check out more info on that at “Holiday 3 Explained“. They should be $9.95 each.

Second, the first 9″ Urban 8 figure will be released. It is the Sock Monkey we saw back at The Florida Project. The piece is by Paola Gutierrez and is a LE of 800. It will cost $44.95. (This is an increase from the $39.95 price we were quoted at The Florida Project.)

Third, the site says, “Urban #8 – 9-inch plus 3-inch figure set by Caley Hicks (Edition Size: 1,000 / Retail: $74.95)”. We think this is a typo and may refer to the 9″/3″ Urban 7 Caley Hicks’ piece, OJ and Milk. Info at “Urban 7 9″ Explained“. But that piece was only going to be sold at the Online store, so maybe this is a new piece we haven’t seen….

First look at our Furry Friends

WDWNT on November 21, 2011

Today vinylmation.com released the first pictures of the Furry Friends series scheduled to be released in January 9th, 2012. Check out these two pictures.

Pics from Disney

Both are super adorable! And it looks like Anne Marie nailed this series on the head with her speculation! (Article here) Oliver and Pluto are on her list, as are several others who would look cute in this style.

The heads seem to be the new mold, but the arms seem like something new. And I find it interesting that we specifically can’t see the bodies or feet of either. Is there a bigger surprise down the road?

The site says this will be part of a limited release blind box series. It will retail for $10.95 a box.

Disney also said, “And in celebration of the release of the Vinylmation – Furry Friends series, the Disney Store will donate $60,000 to the ASPCA – $1 for every unit produced! To learn more about how you can help your Furry Friends, visit ASPCA.org today. ” So does that mean that there are 60,000 of these? And if that’s per box, then there are 2,500 cases! Talk about limited!

What do you think of this series? Will you be getting them?

Vinylmation Laptop Covers and Decals out – 11/25

WDWNT on November 21, 2011



Just in time, for a month from Christmas, the laptop vinylmation accessories we saw at the Florida Project will be out. They will come in 13 inch and 15 inch screen sizes, and they will cost $24.95 and $26.95. The decals will both cost $8.95. They will hit stores on Novemember 25th, 2011.

Here’s the break down:
This bag would be the one I get. I like the black background and the ordered and similar sized vinyl on the front. And then you can flip it inside out and get that cool gray scale vinylmation pattern.
For those of you who prefer color, he’s a bright green inside and a less ordered vinylmation pile on the front.
And finally, here’s the decals which are similar in design to the fronts of the two cases.

What do you think? Do these look cool to you?

He’s a Brick! Vinylmation. He’s Mighty Mighty.

WDWNT on November 21, 2011


We saw a hint of this at the trade show a few weeks back, but Disney is not officially offering the “Brick Pattern” 9″ figure for custom artists to work with. It will retail for $42.95.

Notice that it still retains the nose and the buttons from the “old mold” design.

What do you guys think? Is this cool, or just odd? Helpful? Will this be the first in a series of this type of create you own?? Let us know!