“Disney 24” Now All But Official

WDWNT on December 25, 2011

Earlier today during the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, the very first ad for “One More Disney Day” aired and the hosts were sure to mention that the Disney Parks will announce something they have never done before on December 31st during Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. Shortly after the parade was over, Disney Parks tweeted the following:

Watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Dec. 31 for a special announcement by @DisneyParks http://t.co/mfAnnf7J #Disney24

The hashtag “Disney 24” just about confirms our report that there will be 24 hours of Disney Parks to enjoy on Leap Day 2012, February 29th. Disney also posted the teaser video on youtube, so I figured I would share it just in case you haven’t seen it:

So, it will be official in about a week… who’s going?

“One More Disney Day” Could Mean 24 Hours of Disney Parks on 2/29/12!

WDWNT on December 23, 2011

The Walt Disney World website was already calling the 2012 leap year “The Year of More Magic”, it now appears Disney Parks will be giving us “One More Disney Day” with an announcement during Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. The rumor floating around is that the Disney Parks in the U.S. will be open from the beginning to the end of Leap Day, February 29, 2012. If this is the case, this will be the first time in the history of the parks that they operated for over a day without closing. Again, this is just a rumor at this time, but we fully expect this to be the announcement made on December 31, 2011. Stay tuned as more information becomes available.

On a side note, the official site confirms the end of “Let the Memories Begin” on December 31, 2011.

Romantic Treats Chaser is Out of This World!

WDWNT on December 23, 2011

According to the Japan Disney Store website, the Japan Romantic Treats series that was released on December 23 has 2 chasers. Here is one of them…

It’s Buzz Lightyear! I love it! Thanks to eBay seller hawaiian_seaside for the picture. Check out the full Romantic Treats set here. Also on eBay, from seller seanb9109, is a picture of the second chaser from this set. 

He calls it Unibearsity. I can see the A+ in the ear, but I haven’t figured out what character it is yet. Any ideas?


Update: 2/23/11 Our friend Ryan just texted me that UniBEARsity is a Japanese bear product line wiht several bears with dessert names. It is also associated with everyone’s favorite Duffy! Here is a screen shot from the Japan Disney Store Online:


Furry Friends Artist Signing

WDWNT on December 23, 2011


If you want to get your furry friends early, or just want to meet the artists responsible for the series, there will be a chance. On January 7th, from 10:30 – 1:30, the South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa, CA) Disney Store will host an early-release event with artist signings. On hand will be Jim Valeri, Gerald Mendez, Enrique Pita, Quincy Sutton, Enrique Pita and Matthew Chittavanichprapa, all of whom were part of the artists who created the latest Disney Store vinylmation set: Furry Friends. The only artist not able to make it is Oskar Mendez.

So if you’re a fan of Vinylmation, and live near Costa Mesa, drop by and let the artists know how big a fan you are! (They like to hear that kinda thing).

Robots on Sale at Disney Store Online

WDWNT on December 22, 2011

More prices slashed at Disney Store Online! Check out these cool prices on Robots. $150 for a case and $25 a piece for the 9″. If you’ve waiting to buy them, now seems to be the time.

Adam Roth’s 12/20/11 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 22, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot on Tuesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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The steam is on at Everest

Pretty…

No bird 🙁

He’s there…

Apparently it’s catching on…

Primeval Whirl re-opened from a LONG refurbishment back in October

While we may not like this “off the shelf” ride, it does look refreshed

You can only refresh it so much…

LOVE the christmas decorations in Dinoland

Moving on to Epcot

The RFID turnstiles are completely gone

They’ll probably be back soon…

Hey, let’s try Katsura Grill in Japan!

It’s a little crowded

The Tonosama Combo

The Okanami Yaki. Adam didn’t think either was very good…

YAY! It’s the holidays!

Have fun in line everybody!

This is enough to scare anyone away…

AMAZING!

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“If you would like one, they are available in the gift shop”

“If you are made uncomfortable by Gary Sinease…”

I see you re-decorated Test Track car!

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And one final destination…

“Hello!”

“Seat, seatbelt, carry-on items, safety strap, fear of flying, keep your hands and arms inside at all times… anything else? Oh yeah, have a nice flight.”

Hayley Nance’s 12/16/11 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on December 22, 2011

DLNT photographer Hayley Nance was at the Disneyland Resort a few days ago and was able to grab some newsworthy photos to share including Jolly Holiday Bakery, Buena Vista Street, and much more…

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Jolly Holiday Bakery may be opening very soon

Over in DCA, Buena Vista Street progress

Imagineering checking things out

Clarabelle’s

You can see the shape of the Elias and Company facade

Carthay Circle Theater

Yup, this is still going

Neat shot of tower

Look down Route 66

Sarge’s

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

Cool gingerbread house in Storytellers Cafe

And a few more quick shots of Buena vista street, this time from the North

Very Windy Day…

Locker Complex Facade

Thanks for reading!

Tower of Terror Race Returns to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on December 21, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2011) – Reviving the scarily popular Twilight Zone Tower of Terror theme, runDisney unveiled its newest race today, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend, which debuts next year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.

The nighttime race, scheduled for Sept. 29, is the reincarnation of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K last held in 2009. The new event has a similar race course – through the set of “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” and past Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat – but featuresrunDisney’s first-ever 10-mile distance that finishes, appropriately enough, near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Runners will receive a finisher medal inspired by the Tower of Terror and then celebrate their achievement at a villainous post-race party with their family and friends, where they will enjoy live music, characters – including your favorite Disney villains – and have exclusive access to attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania.

“The 10-mile distance has emerged in popularity as beginning runners, who are fast becoming super fans of the sport, consider it the next big challenge after a 5k or 10k,” said veteran race director Jon Hughes, who will serve as race director for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror event.  “Take into account the unique night race combined with Disney’s Tower of Terror theme, and it’s ‘the must do’ event for 2012!”

The new The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror race is the sixth signature runDisney event and the second nighttime race at Walt Disney World along with the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, which shifts to Nov. 9-10 next year during the final weekend of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. As with all runDisney events, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror race weekend will involve a variety of events, including a 5K and Kids’ races, plus a Health and Fitness Expo, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney.

Race registration opens Feb. 14, 2012 at runDisney.com. For more information on runDisney events and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend, visit www.runDisney.com.

Something New Lighting Up ElecTRONica

WDWNT on December 21, 2011

Since ElecTRONica debuted last year, a few different dance group and different DJs have been in and out of the popular dance party. A new unique show is coming to ElecTRONica this Holiday season…

From Robin Trowbridge on the Disney Parks Blog:

TV audiences were blown away by the fame-turning appearance of iLuminate on “America’s Got Talent.”

Now see an exclusive, jaw-dropping performance with incredible lighting effects, eye-boggling illusions and amazing dancers – only at ElecTRONica!

Fifteen dates are scheduled to electrify your nights, including Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day!

  • December 20-23, 2011
  • December 25-27, 2011
  • December 29-31, 2011
  • January 1-2, 2012
  • January 6-8, 2012

Schedule subject to change

See the Exclusive, Jaw-dropping Dance Performance with Incredible Lighting Effects by iLuminate at ElecTRONica in Disney California Adventure Park

Whether you caught this sensational combination of explosive dancers and the hottest, newest entertainment technology on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” “The American Music Awards” or Disneyland Grad Nites, iLuminate is charged up to take you on a roller-coaster ride of dance, music and lights!

iLuminate will perform two sets a night on the Hollywood Pictures Backlot Stage as part of an already full night of entertainment inside the Grid. Brighten up your holiday season with iLuminate, only at ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure park!

A Few New Restaurants Join The Disney Dining Plan in 2012

WDWNT on December 20, 2011

For those of you who make use of the Disney Dining Plan, you’ll be happy to know that a few new restaurants (mostly at Downtown Disney) are joining the fray in 2012:

-Bongos Cuban Cafe Window
-Bongos Cuban Cafe
-Marketplace Snacks
-House of Blues
-Paridiso 37
-Portobello
-T-REX Cafe
-Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney Marketplace and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park

They are are all non-Disney owned restaurants. Is this an attempt to bring more guests to the struggling Downtown Disney, or just some long overdue additions to the Disney Dining Plan?