Epcot’s 30th Pins Preview

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Epcot turns the big three-oh later this fall and I can not wait to see how Disney plans to celebrate. Well, we all know how they plan to celebrate… MERCHANDISE! Maybe we will have a commemorative vinyl? What we do know is there will be pins. Over at Once Upon a Pin you can see the latest previews from last Friday’s WDW Trade Night. There was a ton of buzz surrounding the Epcot stuff.

First and foremost, this retro lanyard. There will also be a 10 pin mystery box series featuring Figment.

See the entire preview at OnceUponAPin.com and hear all about it later this week on the Once Upon a Pin podcast.

Toy Story Photoshoot

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

We can’t believe it took them this long, but the Toy Story figures finally asked for a field trip to ride Toy Story Midway Mania. Austin and I were happy to oblige, and even took a short detour to the All-Star Movie Resort for a look around the Toy Story buildings. I hope you enjoy this photoshoot. Austin provided some captions. I also included some pictures of Buzz and Woody’s trip to Pixar Weekend last spring. As always, more photos on our Facebook page. (also, check out our story on the history of TS Midway Mania and the Park 9 LE figure)

Little Green Man
All Star Movies Resort
“Before they were in Pizza Planet they lived in space.”
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Big Baby
Toy Story Midway Mania
“Be careful because one false moves makes em all fall.”
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Bo Peep
All Star Movies Resort
“We found her sheep!!!”
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Bullseye
Toy Story Midway Mania
“Somebody got into the crayons again.”
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Buttercup
Toy Story Midway Mania
“Where’s the barrel?”
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Buzz Lightyear
All Star Movies Resort
“Is this what all the Buzz is about?”
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Evil Dr. Porkchop
Toy Story Midway Mania
“That’s MR. Evil Doctor Pork Chop to you.”
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Evil Dr. Porkchop
Toy Story Midway Mania
“He’s up to no good.”
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Jessie and Evil Dr. Porkchop
Toy Story Midway Mania
“I knew he’d get caught.”
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Hamm
All Star Movies Resort
“Hope he doesn’t become road bacon.”
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Lotso
Toy Story Midway Mania
“Tomorrowland is that way.”
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Rex
All Star Movies Resort
“He’s hiding because he doesn’t like confrontation.”
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Toy Soldiers
All Star Movies Resort
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Toy Soldiers
All Star Movies Resort
“One of them escaped.”
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Wheezy
Toy Story Midway Mania
“He found some old forgotten toys.”
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Woody
All Star Movies Resort
“Howdy! Howdy! Howdy! I’m Woody!”
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Woody
All Star Movies Resort
“Wonder if we have Andy written on the bottom of OUR feet?”
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Woody and Buzz
All Star Movies Resort
“It is Buzz! Woody was telling the truth!”
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Zurg
All Star Movies Resort
“Look what we found in Andy’s Room.”
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Buzz meets Buzz at Pixar Weekends 2011
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Buzz and Woody at Pixar Weekends 2011
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Tim Alcoser’s 5/22/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Lots of cool stuff happening at the Resort today. We start with Carsland. I was able to catch a live commercial recording of the upcoming Carsland Commercial that will be hitting a local TV station near you soon! I wonder if they were all background actors? They watered down the roadway to make it look more dark for the cameras. There was everything from toddlers in strollers to old couples strolling Route 66. There are also new updates to the Mad T Party. I have to admit, it is looking fairly decent, and Disney has some creative people working on the sets. Moving over to Disneyland, you will see even more Memorial Day decorations, especially on Main Street USA. I take a stroll by Disney-Pixar’s Brave Merida Meet and Greet. Although Merida had packed up and went home for the night, you can see the entire set. They were also testing the new bobsled cars on the Mattehorn today. Also, there are some new pictures of the Monorail and a few extra pics of Pixie Hollow and The Teacups. Enjoy:

Take a good look. This scene is coming to a Disney Resort Carsland Commercial on a TV Station Channel near you!

Take a good look. This scene is coming to a Disney Resort Carsland Commercial on a TV Station Channel near you!

A few remaining columns from Epcot’s World of Motion in the backlot

Interesting...plastic?...uhh...furniture?

Interesting…plastic? Ummm… furniture?

I hope the lanterns are lit up bright.

I hope the lanterns are lit up bright

The inside of one of the lanterns.

The inside of one of the lanterns.

The teacup seems to simply be another space for a band member.

The teacup seems to simply be another space for a band member.

Is this where Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (the bouncers) are going to stand?

Is this where Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (the bouncers) are going to stand?

A scrim was placed over Carnation Cafe as it nears completion

The Brave meet and greet with Merida opened up

The area has been decorated quite a bit

Can you spot the new Matterhorn Coaster cars?

Can you spot the new Matterhorn boblseds?

A shot of the new Monorail updates! Can you guess what the name of this one is?

A shot of one of the new Cars monorails! Can you guess what the name of this one is?

The waterfalls now are basked in a brilliant blue light!

The waterfalls now are basked in a brilliant blue LED light!

Thanks for reading!

Episode 080 Tomorrowland Space Suit

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Ep. 080 Tomorrowland Space Suit

In this episode we review all the news brought to us at the WDW Trade Night. Pixar, Park Starz, Comic Con, Park 9 and Popcorns all make headlines. We also have Annemarie stop by to give her two cents on the topics and talk about her latest custom. And of course we dive into your comments in the Mystery Mail Bag.

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Just a Little CYO

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Seems like Japan custom artists have a new toy…

It appears that Junior Create Your Own figures are on sale at Japan stores. Thank you to Cole for this picture. I know many artists just paint over already designed figures and can pick up cheap Jrs at the outlets. So let us know… are these needed in the hobby by artists?

Cars Land at Night

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Paul Hiffmeyer of Disney Parks Blog:

As construction wraps up in Cars Land, parts of the land gradually become “ready for their close-up.” And that’s when we can get to work on taking photos of what this amazing place will actually look like when it welcomes its first Disney California Adventure park guests on June 15.

Last month, I was able to share some of the first photos of Cars Land as it will be seen once the sun goes down, and today I’m pleased to be able to share a few more to help tell the whole story out in Radiator Springs.

So, cue the “Sh-Boom” song and let’s have a look!

Flo’s V8 Cafe is simply irresistible. And Ramone’s House of Body Art adds even more color to every shot. You won’t believe your eyes (or your lens!).

As pleased as I am with how these shots turned out, I have to tell you, nothing compares with actually standing on Route 66 surrounded by this beautiful neon with that incredible mountain range in the distance. And one piece of advice: Bring your camera!

New Retro Posters for Disney Parks

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Steven Miller of the Disney Parks Blog:

I recently visited California, where I had one of the most amazing experiences of my Disney career. Imagineer Vanessa Hunt gave me a tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library vault in Glendale. This place houses the original art of the most iconic images from Disney Parks’ history. Incredible! Vanessa shared that fellow Imagineer Danny Handke and she have written a book for Disney Editions called “Poster Art of the Disney Parks.” This hardcover book, with cover designed by Imagineer Glendon Lee, is coming to Disney Parks at the end of May. I asked Danny about the role that attraction posters have played.

“Attraction posters entice, excite and educate guests with a preview of the adventures and experiences inside the Disney Parks,” explained Danny.

“When Disneyland park opened in 1955, it was difficult for guests to understand what a ‘theme park’ was. The Disney Imagineers needed a solution to portray their attractions to a diverse audience. The idea to use posters at Disneyland’s Main Entrance was the perfect solution.”

The book was in development for four years! They conducted extensive research by interviewing close to 20 people, including current and former artists. Vanessa said that they put extra effort into making a beautiful book that all Disney fans could enjoy.

“We made an extra effort to ensure the posters in the book were printed as color accurate as possible,” continued Vanessa. “We even found a box containing several poster concepts that had never been published until now. The most challenge part was identifying artists. While many unidentified posters artists were later identified during our interviews, there are some that remain credited to ‘Unknown Artist.’”

I asked Danny about his favorite poster.

“I love the Tokyo DisneySea posters,” said Danny. “They are interesting because they reflect an overall cohesive design, but are stylistically individual to each land. Not many fans are familiar with the Tokyo DisneySea posters, so we hope everyone will appreciate this unique chapter in the book.”

Vanessa said her favorite poster comes from the Disneyland Resort.

“I love all of them, but the one that catches my eye every time I open the drawer is the Grand Canyon Diorama poster from Disneyland,” explained Vanessa. “The colors are absolutely beautiful and the train design is fantastic!”

Which is your favorite attraction poster? I vote Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room!

Disney Funko Pop! at Comic Con 2012

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

In addition to a few Disney Vinylmation releases, this year’s San Diego Comic Con will also see a ton of exclusive Disney licensed Funko Pop! vinyls for purchase. I enjoy the fun nature of the Pop! line and have collected all three sets so far released… along with a few of the event variants. This year’s SDCC lineup has some can’t miss and unique choices. Baltar over at Vinylmation Kingdom is to blame for showing me these and the resulting flow of money out of my wallet.

Ticket Prices Increasing at Disneyland

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

 

As we have done in the past, we wanted to give our loyal Disney Parks Blog readers a heads-up that ticket prices at the Disneyland Resort will be increasing, starting on May 20. This summer is one of the most anticipated times in the resort’s history, and a visit to the Disneyland Resort has never been a better value. In the past few years alone, we’ve added new world-class attractions, such as The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, “World of Color” and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Now, with the expansion of Disney California Adventure park, including the 12-acre Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and the Carthay Circle Restaurant, almost complete, there are even more reasons to visit.

And this summer, both parks will open each day at 8 a.m. and offer increased entertainment, giving you and your family more time to stay and play. At Disney California Adventure park, we’re adding an additional showing of “Aladdin – a Musical Spectacular” and Pixar Play Parade will be presented up to twice daily. At Disneyland park, you’ll find more shows and characters at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree and increased performances at the Tomorrowland Terrace every day of the week, and the singing sensation “Voices of Liberty” performing at the Main Street Opera House.

We’re sharing the details here on the ticket prices, which also include increases to Disneyland Resort Annual Passports. Annual Passholders recognize that their investment pays for itself after just a few visits. Our California-based Annual Passholders have the added benefit and flexibility of a monthly payment program. This year, we’ll continue to offer unique passholder-exclusive entertainment and experiences, along with 10-20% discounts on select food and merchandise. As an example, you already know that Annual Passholders were invited to special viewings to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Fantasmic!” And later this summer, Passholders also will have early access to the parks through a new Annual Passholder Early Entry program – just for them. Details on this program were announced earlier this week here.

There are other ways to save when you visit. The popular 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket gives guests access to both parks on the same day, or if you are planning on playing with us longer, multi-day tickets also offer a variety of options for you to save on your California vacation. All updated pricing can be found here. The information will also be available at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets on May 20.