AJ P’s 2/12 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT reader AJ P. was nice enough to offer us some newsworthy photos they took on their recent trip to Walt Disney World, so let’s take a look around all 4 parks and Downtown Disney:

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Land clearing continues for the Grand Floridian DVC wing

the rain left some large puddles

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

Chamber of Commerce behind tarps

The Bakery as well

On to New Fantasyland

Work being done on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Large walls popping up on the site of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Supports and such for the Mine Train in the foreground, Storybook Circus tents in the background

A green and red wall will separate the forest from Storybook Circus

A look across to Belle’s Village

The remains of Dumbo right in front of an expanding Castle Wall

Dumbo is coming along quickly

The backside isn’t themed in any way, but it faces the Speedway, so it will match nicely…

The Barnstormer tower

Circus tents

Walls still up near the Haunted Mansion

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is still behind tarps

Tarps still up at Pecos Bill’s

The planters have been repaired in Tomorrowland, but they have temporary covers until plants are placed

On to Downtown Disney, work continues on Splitsville

Doesn’t look like much has happened inside yet

Rainforest Cafe is open while work is done on the exterior

Concept art shows the new exterior and the new Lava Lounge

Stitch is gone from the World of Disney sign

Work being done on the pavement outside the store

Moving over to Epcot

Flower and Garden Festival preperation

Work continues on the entrances to the Seas with Nemo and Friends

The water play areas in Future World are being fixed-up

Tutto Italia is finally being remodeled after 5 years in the former Alfredo’s building

The exterior is being ripped apart

The old waiting area is gone…

The horror… THE HORROR!

I hope they are fixing the menu here as well, because Via Napoli makes this place look silly

The other water play area behind walls

Modifications being made to the Spaceship Earth queue in preparation for the eventual roll-out of Xpass…

We’re going to animal Kingdom!

For one piece of news… they are still repairing the rock-work in the Oasis

Music and Food Festival

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Over at the DisneyStore.com they are having a Buy One Get One sale of So Tasty and Tunes vinylmation. Just pick up 2 and the second one will be free. The sale lasts from now until August 26th at 11:59 PM PST. For all the details see the image from the website below.

I understand the sale on Tunes, they have been around a while. But So Tasty feels like it just came out, especially on the heels of the Comic Con Exclusives. Maybe that experience has left a bad taste in their mouths. Will you be picking any up with this sale?

Tim Alcoser’s 4th Of July Disneyland Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

DLNT Reporter Tim Alcoser was at the Disneyland Resort for the 4th of July and grabbed some photos of the special festivities as well as the huge crowds that came to the resort on Independence Day. Take a look…

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This sign has Sam the Eagle and Ollie Owl from America Sings on it. Neat.

A new gallery has opened up on Main Street, replacing the Disneyland Railroad gallery.

The new exhibit Crowning Achievements has opened in the Disney Galley.

Packed crowds hours before the fireworks.

Busy day on Main Street

The All American College Band starts off the festivities before the parade.

The All-Star American College Band out before the parade

The 3rd Division Marine Aircraft Wing Band makes it's way down Main Street USA.

A Gunnery-Sergeant leads the team.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band marching down Main Street

Even cast members pause a moment to cheer on the band.

The Marine Band played at the Big Thunder Jamboree.

More crowds than Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree has ever seen.

The Marine on the far left is not wearing a white belt because he is an officer, and they wear different belts.

Two female Marines play the

We will have video up tomorrow of the performance

I take a brief pause from the hustle and bustle of The Hub.

One of the busiest days of the year for Disneyland.

Crowds waiting for Celebrate America

Everyone is crammed in tight. But being a single viewer, I am able to just barely squeeze in a small spot.

I duck into the Main Street Theater to escape the crowds. Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading

Josh Siegel’s 2/23/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Josh Siegel visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The Bakery is still behind tarps

A tarp came down in the bad weather

Some lighted effects added to another Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom window

A line building for some of the windows

A new poster inside the Fire Station

A decent amount of guests waiting

The Chapeau is still behind tarps

Some new, smaller trees planted in Town Square

Chamber of commerce (package pick-up) is also still behind tarps

A temporary wheelchair ramp installed while work is being done

Another look at the new trees everyone seems to hate

I don’t see what all of the commotion is about… they’re trees…

Another look at the Chapeau/Confectionary

They fixed the fallen tarp on Center Street

Some of the facades came out from behind the tarps and look great

The Bakery tarps in the daytime

Plaza Ice Cream is still closed

Work continues on the Main Street bridge

The Dumbo building is coming along nicely

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid coming along nicely

One of the large tents has already been covered

Some kind of wall rising, possibly for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train

The new rock-work at the edge of the Mermaid facade taking shape

Belle’s Village

The crane! The crane!

The facade of Enchanted Tales with Belle is finally getting some detail

A better look at the new covered tent

Tigger’s Bounce Area is still closed…

This may be made into a Pooh meet and greet area in the not too distant future

Plenty of trees planted in Storybook Circus

A billboard for The Barnstormer is now up, you can spot it over the Dumbo queue

Another look at Enchanted Tales with Belle

Another look towards Dumbo and Barnstormer

The days are numbered for this store

And we all know this closes May 31st now

The unveiled portion of Castle Wall looks nice

Guests being prevented from going upstairs at Pinocchio’s Village Haus

A portion of walls near the restrooms remains

This piece of wall was already revealed

A new wheelchair ramp has been installed at Peter Pan’s Flight in preparation for the new interactive queue addition once the new restrooms open

I hope we can spare a few shields to decorate this…

Work continues on the former Skyway plot

The Haunted Mansion is clearly visible

What a mess

Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

One new roof looks pretty much finished

MAdame Leota’s cart out in Liberty Square

40th anniversary shirts

I haven’t seen this out in a while, but now it’s at the cart

Some new pavement along the parade route

Some new pavement that looks like wooden planks

Work continues by the Vacation Club booth

Work was completed on the Frontierland Trading Post facade

I assume that the missing part of the sign will return soon

This facade looks brand new

Some pieces still being worked on

Sunshine Tree Terrace still behind tarps

Some signage was recently installed at the Sorcerers station in Liberty Square

Good luck Sorcerers!

Episode 084 Big Teeth

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Ep. 084 Big Teeth

This week we give an extensive Preview of the Mickey’s Circus Vinylmation and Pin event along with some tips for first time trading event attendees. We also have a ton of news about the Star Wars 2 releases and discuss all the comments and questions you sent into the Mystery Mail Bag.

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Tim Alcoser’s 6/30/12 Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

DLNT Reporter Tim Alcoser went to a media preview of D23′s Treasures Of The Walt Disney Archives exhibit at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley and captured tons of photos of all the displays and exhibits to share. The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, July 6, and is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  The exhibit is scheduled to run through April 2013.

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These Haunted Mansion props are from Walt Disney World

Maleficent dragon head from Disneyland’s Fantasmic!

Mickey Mouse Revue!

Thanks for reading!

 

Disneyland Paris learns the Force

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Over at the rarely used vinylmation.fr, there’s now word that Disneyland Paris will be seeing the release of Star Wars 2 on August 31st, 2012.

According to the site they will be available at the Pueblo Trading Post in Frontierland. That means France only has to wait a week to get them. Awesome.

Storybook Circus Opens Late March, Snow White Closes Late May

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Who’s ready for an update on New Fantasyland? I just heard that the first elements of Storybook Circus will open by late March, marking the first in a series of progressive openings for the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history.

Among the first experiences to open will be one carousel of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, a re-themed Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini and the Fantasyland Station of the Walt Disney World Railroad.

In designing Storybook Circus, Imagineers were inspired by Disney’s animated film, “Dumbo.” When complete later this year, the area will be filled with multicolored circus tents and other nods to the film. The section will also feature Casey Jr., the famous locomotive from the movie, who has rolled into town, bringing the circus with him.

Beyond Storybook Circus and as we mentioned in a previous post, the Disney Princesses will be getting a new home at the location where Snow White’s Scary Adventures is today. The last day of operation for this attraction will be Thursday, May 31.

We look forward to sharing more with you throughout the year as our work progresses.

A few interesting notes to be made:

-The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is not mentioned, so now will be opening sometime after March.

-Snow White’s Scary Adventures is not supposed to close until Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is ready to open, so it is very possible that the new attraction will open sometime around May 31, 2012.

-Soft openings for Dumbo, Barnstormer, and Fantasyland Station can happen at any point now as the project nears completion, mid-March is just the official opening date

The Sorcerers Series – Battling Dr. Facilier

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

We are happy to continue our series of videos walking you through all of the adventures you can experience at Walt Disney World’s latest attraction, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. We go on down the bayou to Liberty Square and Frontierland to battle Dr. Facilier and his friends on the other side this time:

Let’s Talk

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Here’s the deal… we are light on news from Disney these days. Sure, we have plenty of topics we can come up with to talk about in the world of Vinylmation, but we really want to hear from you. This week we will be reviewing Park 10, but we have plenty of time to open up the floor to all of you. Every week, we invite your comments and questions in the Mystery Mail Bag section, but this week, we want you to star the conversations. Pick a topic and get us started. Pick our brains and tell us what’s on yours. New collector? Ask us questions and get answers from us and the rest of our readers and listeners. Now, there are many ways to contact us, but the absolute very best is to leave a voice mail. I promise I will not let MC pick up the phone and try to talk to you.

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Program it into your cell. Call us when you see some news break in the parks, at an event or on the web. Call us when you want to make a comment, start a conversation or as a question. The other ways are less interactive, but effective none the less. We would love to get the voice mail to give our voices a break from reading, but if you must, you can leave a comment here in the this post or email us:
So there you go. Whatever you want to talk about. From the latest releases to random collecting questions or just to get to know your DV podcast hosts better. The floor is yours. Let’s get talking.