Dirk Wallen’s 4/21-22/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

We welcome WDWNT Reporter to the team with his very first photo report, a quick look around the parks with some very newsworthy photos:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Work continues on the facade of the Main Street Bakery

The final eges of the rock-work on Under the sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid are rounded out

Work continues on what we assume will be a new Pooh meet and greet area in the former Tigger bounce area

The old/second Dumbo is taking a while to be installed

The rest of the land is taking shape, including more supports for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train

More of the Castle Wall frame has been erected

The basic shape is all there, so you can really get a feel for the layout of the land now

Over at Hollywood Studios, the queue at Disney Junior: Live on Stage is being repaired

The Splash fountain is back from refurbishment

Work continues on the new facade at the Downtown Disney Rainforest Cafe

I saved the Orange Bird for last… he’s back… and he has an attraction poster while not being an attraction

Yep, he’s on the sign…

A Few New Details Emerge for “Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure”, Opening June at Epcot

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

We now know that “Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure” will open in June at Epcot, replacing the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. The following video doesn’t reveal much, but there are some interesting sound-bites as an Imagineer gives the show creators and voice of Phineas a tour of World Showcase:

The video does confirm that not much will be changing with the attraction as far as physical props, except where it is absolutely necessary (like Doofensmirtz replacing the Kim Possible villain inside the Glockenspiel in Germany). The video portions at the recruitment centers and on the communicator devices will be all new, obviously.

Stay tuned to WDWNT as more information on this upcoming attraction becomes available.

Spotlight On: The Custom Artist Project

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

We were happy to get a preview of the custom figures that will make up Series 1 of the Custom Artist Project at Mickey’s Circus. We also now know more specifics about how and when this series will launch. In the coming weeks we will try to spotlight the individual artists and talk with the project’s creator Rust this World on an upcoming podcast. For now, I’ll now turn it over to Rust this World to give you some of the details:

The Custom Artist Project is a group of 11 of the best custom Vinylmation artists in the world who have come together to make their own blind box series. Series 1 is called “Sidekickz” and is a mix of different Disney sidekicks from films or TV. We aim to replicate a real Vinylmation case, so the entire series is 24 figures. There are two of each figure with the exception of one chaser and one variant.

Celeste Villanueva
Sidekick: Booster Munchaper (Buzz Lightyear of Star Command)
Christopher Avalos (Evilos)
Sidekick: Lefou (Beauty and the Beast)

Josh Edwards (Crazy 4 Vinyls)
Sidekick: Iago (Aladdin)
Are Jay
Sidekick: Diablo (Sleeping Beauty)
Mark J Hoffmann
Sidekick: Grumpy (Snow White)
Brian Shapiro
Sidekick: Creeper (The Black Cauldron)
Heather Kattelman (Vinylmation Customations By Heather)
Sidekicks: Flotsam and Jetsam (The Little Mermaid

Dylan Pommer (Rust This World)
Sidekick: Eeyore (Winnie The Pooh)

Aaralyn Montgomery
Sidekick: Rajah (Aladdin)
Nanette Simard Belgen (NRB Relic)
Sidekick: Flower (Bambi)
Dylan Pommer (Rust This World)
Sidekick (Chaser): Smart Ass Weasel (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Jenny Grinsell
Sidekick: Little John (Robin Hood)
Date of Launch : October 6th
Website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistProject/
How to purchase: The price of one blind box is $65, including shipping within the US. We’re looking into international shipping right now, but it will probably be another $5-10 if it works out.Paypal is going to be the accepted payment. It is limited to one household per blind box.
What you get: You will get one blind box (yes, I’m actually making boxes) with one of 24 different figures. Some figures come with accessories. You will also get 11 different cards, 1 from each artist.

Test Track All-Stars Light-Up Crowds While Test Track is Dark

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

While Test Track at Epcot is closed for a lengthy refurbishment, Disney has lined up a new entertainment act called the Test Track All-Stars. The group consists of mostly performers you would also find over at the Voices of Liberty (which is probably why it is such a talented group) now dressed as Chevrolet employees who are on their lunch break and like to sing in an a cappella group. They perform car-themed tunes such as “At The Carwash”, “Ease on Down the Road”, “See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet”, and “Grease Lightning”. The show looks rather enjoyable and we have heard nothing but solid reviews from anyone we have talked to about it. Judge for yourself:

PhotoPass Introduces “Disney Attractions+” for On-Ride Photos

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

A lot has been changing in the world of Disney PhotoPass recently (including the new logo seen above), but the biggest change has to be the new offering of Disney Attractions+. Here is an official description of the new service directly from Disney:

 

One price… multiple thrills… take home all the memories!NEW! Disney Attractions+ now available at Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts.
With Attractions+ you can take home all your Attraction images, taken within a 14 day visit to the parks, for $44.95.
How does it work?

1. RIDE: Ride one of the participating Attractions2. ASSOCIATE: Present your Attractions+ card at the Attraction Imaging Sales Center within 24 hours of riding to associate your photo

3. CLAIM: Visit DisneyPhotoPass.com and enter the ID on the back of the card.

4. DOWNLOAD: Go to “My Downloads” to access your Attractions+ photo downloads.

Disneyland Participating Attractions: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, California Screamin, Radiator Springs Racers, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

I personally don’t use PhotoPass often, but I think this is a really great deal for those who love on-ride photos. What do you think?

Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment Announced January 7th – Fall 2013

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

The huge refurb that has been rumored for Big Thunder for months now has just been announced. From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Park
In the normal course of a Disney Parks attraction’s lifespan, there are periods of time when it is necessary to close for a major refurbishment. You may recall that this was the case last year with the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which now looks better than ever with its fresh snowfall. Up next at Disneyland park, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close January 7 for refurbishment, reopening in fall 2013.

Updates being made to the attraction will include:

  • New ride vehicles (but don’t worry – they’ll still look like the trains that you know and love!)
  • Track replacement (but the attraction will still follow its current course)
  • Repainting portions of the mountain itself (Walt Disney Imagineering has once again carefully studied Bryce Canyon for inspiration)

We’ll have more updates on these and other aspects of the refurbishment throughout the year, but if you’d like to experience the “wildest ride in the wilderness” one more time before it begins, head on over to Disneyland park by January 6 – its last day of operation until fall 2013.

Mickey’s Circus- Star Wars 3

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Star Wars Series 3 is coming in May 2013 to be released at Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This installment will have a Return of the Jedi Theme. They showed us a few figures.

3″ Gamorrean Guard

3″ Royal Guard

The following pictures are from Attractions Magazine at Star Wars Celebration VI

Even More Art of Animation Press Photos

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Disney has released even more press photos from inside the Finding Nemo wing of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort:

Nemo and Marlin in their home, an anemone

TThe giant Mr. Ray

Crush and Dory nearby

Squirt in the play area

Another look at Crush and Dory

WDWNT has a room booked to be amongst the first to stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and will be providing live coverage of the grand opening on May 31st, 2012, so stay tuned!

Mickey’s Circus- Movie Based Vinylmation

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Disney announced that they will make a better effort putting out the Vinylmation when the movie hits the theaters from now on.

There will be four total 3″/Jr. LE Combo sets released around the March 2013 launch of Oz The Great and Powerful. They are all designed by Ron Cohee. 

3″ Oz with Jr. Monkey LE Combo Set

3″ Glinda with Jr. China Doll Combo Set

Celebrating The Lone Ranger on the silver screen in the Summer of 2013 will be this 3″ LE Combo pack featuring Tonto and The Lone Ranger. They are designed by Eric Caszatt who took great care to give us an accessory crow on Tonto’s head instead of just painting it on. 

The release of Pixar’s Monsters University movie in June will have it’s own 12 figure blind box series dedicated to it. 

Mike and Sully, all ready for college, were shown off at Mickey’s Circus. Then we got to see the shining example of NOT being released with the movie hitting theaters… or Blu-Ray… POTC On Stranger Tides.