Adam Roth’s 4/15/12 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot to say goodbye to Test Track on Sunday and while he was there, he took plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us:

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Habit Heroes – Still closed

Some portions of it are now behind a large curtain

I don’t think so

The original Test Track is now gone…

They wasted no time removing the infamous Test Track pizza truck

The Odyssey building is slowing getting a blue paint scheme

All of the water features in Canada were off

Shoes?

Still can’t get used to this weird sandy patch in front of the Seas with Nemo and Friends

You can see where the new pavement begins

No visible progress from here of the rumored new Turtle Talk entrance

You can squeeze past all this work into the ride

Ooooooooo

The Cool Wash remains… for now…

At the very least, they’ll have to change the look of this area at some point

Time to say goodbye

Time to shut the door

Goodbye Test Track as we know it…

Mickey’s Circus- Cutesters en Vogue

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

My first thought upon seeing this slide… Audrey Hepburn. Cutesters en Vogue is the 5th series in the Cutesters line and continues the trend of giving them a comprehensive theme. We found out the series was co-designed by Caley Hicks and Thomas Scott. Although this image is the only one we have of this upcoming series, we do know 2 very interesting and important pieces of information. First, this will be the first Disney Vinylmation blind box series to feature an 8 figure set instead of 12. That means there will be 16 boxes per case. This does not mean a total transition to an 8 figure blind box set for all series, only when it warrants. This is a welcome decision that will keep the strongest designs and cut down on the less desired figures that fill up the trading boxes.

The second innovation here is the introduction of the Minnie Mouse shaped platform. It obviously is similar to Mickey but for the bow, dress that angles out away from the body and high heel shoes. This platform gives a different feel for different sets that can utilize the girlish figures. Artist Thomas Scott said that with the extra contours and crevices, it does create and extra challenge for designers. I think the Minnie canvas used in conjunction with this new Cutesters theme can really rejuvenation a series that lost some steam. This fashion based theme can really hit closer to home with girls than beach or like you. I also think it has the potential to be a really high end design that will appeal to a wide range of collectors. As always, I welcome changes to the Vinylmation landscape and the Minnie shape is just another avenue for these talented Disney artists to express their ideas.

Jeff Lukas’ 4/15/12 Downtown Disney Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited Downtown Disney on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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They are pretty much rebuilding the entire top portion of the building

Concept art of what it will look like when completed

The conversion of this section to the Lava Lounge has begun

The signage around marketplace was freshened up not too long ago

I can’t believe this is still open…

The former trading area outside of Disney’s Pin Traders is now a Ridemakerz demonstration area

New shirts with the fab five…

It’s a bit strange that Goofy looks modern and the others have a more classic look

Some new tropical-themed shirts

Phineas and Ferb shirts

New Pirate shirts

I really like these 2012 shirts

Weird…

That’s funny…

Still cool…

Still closed…

KUNGABUSH!

One fo the few things open in Pleasure Island

This is scary…

I hope so…

Blink by Wet Seal opened recently

No visible changes to the Splitsville facade

PEOPLE!

Mickey’s Circus- 2013 Trading Event: Reflections of Evil 13

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

The Disney Villains want to overtake Walt Disney World. Their only portal to our world is through a mirror in which they shatter into 13 pieces. Our only hope rests in the power of our favorite Disney character friends to fight the evil. BEWARE! The Disney Villains are coming…

Next year, 2013, is the 13th anniversary of Disney’s pin trading event which is held in September. That very month will also contain a Friday the 13th. This makes the perfect opportunity for an event Disney is calling “Reflections of Evil 13.” The trading event will be held from September 13-15 with the first two days being dedicated to pins and Sunday the Vinylmation day.

Little is known about the event at this time beyond the Disney Villains theme. Also take note the “B” in Beware is made up of a one and a three. The crowd reacted overwhelmingly positive to this announcement. I know I am excited. We do know there will be Villains themed Pins and Vinylmation as well as other Disney characters tossed in as (seemingly) both heroes and dressed up as Villains. The pin collection has already technically launched with a 13 pin series being released one per month leading up to the event. No specific Vinylmation have been announced, however while taking to the Disney Design Group at Mickey’s Circus, we do know the artwork has already been done. We are so very excited to see the results and the theming. How about you?

Mickey’s Circus- Artist Signing, Customs, Games and Trading!

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

Disney artists Ron Cohee, Thomas Scott, Eric Caszatt, Gerald Mendez, Monty Maldovan, Caley Hicks and Maria Clapsis sign for fans.

Thomas Scott

Thomas Scott

Ron Cohee

Thomas Scott

Thomas Scott signs the event cast trader Clown from Dumbo

Eric Caszatt

Eric Caszatt

Gerald Mendez

Caley Hicks

Caley Hicks and Maria Clapsis

Customs by Aaralyn
We finally met this talented artist and recorded an interview with her at Mickey’s Circus. We will have that for you on the next podcast 

Customs by Heather Kattleman


Tim Alcoser’s 11/9/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

Tim Alcoser was at the Disneyland Resort this past weekend and got some pictures around the resort as the holidays begin at the parks.

The fire scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean during World of Color.
Color!



Carthay Circle with a large Wreath.
Holiday decorations have appeared on Buena Vista Street 

Here is the Christmas Tree on Buena Vista Street.
As well as a stunning tree

There is incredible detail to the tree if you get up close and look!


Nothing signifies Christmas at the resort like crowds. Perhaps the busiest time of the entire year.
Over in Disneyland…

First showing of Believe...in Holiday Magic Fireworks.
Believe… In Holiday Magic had its first performance of the season last friday 

















Disneyland….

California Adventure. Awesome comparison shots 

Carsland is enjoying it's first Christmas!
Now for a look in Car Land for it Christmas decor 













You can meet Santa at Elias & Company.
Back on Buena Vista Street, the Santa meet & greet in Elias and Co.

Santa Mickey Hats.

Mickey in his Christmas Sweater. A little Halloween is also left over too.
Mickey in his holiday garb 
Now let's check out and ride through It's a Small World Holiday!
Joy to the small world 

Wrapping up the report with some picture of its a small world holiday 




























Up close of the Castle.


Thanks for reading

Concept Art Previews New Queue, Marquee, and Logo for Epcot’s Test Track

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

With GM Test Track closing at Epcot yesterday for a 5 month refurbishment, Walt Disney World wasted no time updating their website with concept art for Test Track presented by Chevrolet, schedule to open October 1, 2012:

The concept art shows the familiar blue vehicles we have seen appearing at the attraction for the last several months, but also shows the logo on the new marquee that will appear outside of the building. Upon closer inspection, you can see a rendering of guests using touch screens to create their own “SimCar” in the Chevrolet Design Studio, the planned queue/pre-show portion of the updated attraction. We assume that the lounge with concept cars in it seen in the upper left corner is the remodeled sponsor lounge in the top floor of the pavilion that looks into the attraction. The rendering in the upper right corner could be a show scene during the ride or the new post-show area where guests see how their “Sim Car” fared on the course, but it is too early to tell.

Whatever the case may be, stay tuned as more becomes available on Test Track presented by Chevrolet.

“Glow With The Snow” At Disneyland Park

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

From Shawn Slater on the Disney Parks Blog:

'Glow with the Snow' During the 'Believe ... In Holiday Magic' Fireworks at Disneyland Park with 'Glow with the Show' Ears

One of my favorite parts of the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort is wrapping up a day in the park with the“Believe … In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. And this year, the Creative Entertainment team has made that show even more special by incorporating the popular “Glow with the Show” Ears. Disneyland park guests will be able to become part of the performance, with visions of sugarplums literally dancing on their heads!

Just as they’ve done with “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!”, our designers and technicians have seamlessly integrated the magical, glowing Mickey Mouse ear hats into key moments of “Believe … In Holiday Magic.” From wildly changing patterns of red and green during the “Nutcracker Suite” to a bed of newly fallen snow leaving you dreaming of a “White Christmas,” the audience gets swept up in moments both up-tempo and serene.

And here’s a pro tip: If you’ve worn your “Glow with the Show” Ears a lot or just haven’t taken them to the park in a while, you may want to change the batteries (they take 3 AAAs). Fresh batteries will help your ears pick up the signal and glow along perfectly!

“Believe … In Holiday Magic” is scheduled to be presented nightly, November 12 – January 6.

Robert Ashburn’s 4/12-13/12 Epcot & Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom this weekend, and he took plenty of photos from both parks to share with us:

Test Track graces the maps during its final days

You still have a month to check out the Flower and Garden Festival

Habit Heroes and the soon-to-open VISION House on the signage inside Innoventions

Still closed…

The VISION House still behind walls

Opens April 22nd, but we’ll have media coverage beginning April 21st

Habit Heroes and VISION House are both not on the wall yet

The ImageWorks at Imagination! looks empty since the new company took over

Amazing Pictures is now in charge of this photo location

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Work continues on the facade of the Seas with Nemo and Friends

This seperate and elevated piece of pavement will take guests to a new queue area for Turtle Talk

A new whole in the facade will be the entrance for Turtle Talk

Inside the queue, a new enclosed area is visible, this will be the Turtle Talk queue

Today was the last day for the original Test Track, it closes tomorrow for refurbishment

MouseGear has an entire section of Phineas and Ferb merchandise

An interesting new shirt

Sorry Oswald, but I like the classic character shirt…

Pretty cool!

Some new shirts with a tropical theme

The “unfriend” shirt is pretty brilliant

A new EPCOT Center shirt

The Southwest Black Bean Flatbread is a fairly new offering

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Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the tarps on Center Street are gone

It looks great

Plaza Ice Cream is back after a lengthy refurbishment

The menu is pretty much unchanged, but the interior was spruced up

A short line for Sorcerers? Wow…

The new menu at Sunshine Tree Terrace

The torches were turned back on after years of just sitting there, which is a very good thing to see

The flash shows the great job they did repairing the facade

The Avengerail passing through the Contemporary

Mickey’s Circus- Once of a Kind Customs

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

Circus Monkey
by John Henselmeier
$850
–

Target Practice
by John Henselmeier
$700
–

Chip and Dale Clowns
by Adrianne Draude
$1,800
–

Neverland Mermaid
by Adrianne Draude
$1,200
–

Strong Man
by Quynh Kimball
$650.00
–

Timothy Mouse
by Maria Clapsis
$500
–

Circus Clown from Dumbo
by Alex Maher
$1,200
–

Bluey
by Miss Mindy
$1,600