December 2012 – Page 21

WDW News Today Turns 5 Years Old! – July 8th, 2012

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

Every year this Network grows older, we reflect upon the accomplishments, impact, and incredible growth of WDWNT. It has now been 5 years since WDW News Today launched on July 8th, 2007. What was founded on the website you see before you and built on the back of daily news and information about Walt Disney World is now a vibrant collection of websites, podcasts, electronic publications, online radio stations, & more. The last year in particular has been a memorable one, from the ongoing project of moving our expansive video library to Youtube, to “See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless making it’s successful debut on iTunes. We even set new records in traffic for our websites and podcasts this year, as well as brought you the best live coverage of events such as the D23 Expo back in August.

In the world of Disney, our sites have covered huge stories such as the announcement of an AVATAR-themed land at Animal Kingdom, the completion of the Disney California Adventure expansion with the opening of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, the grand opening of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and the continuing progress on the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. We even celebrated the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World along with WDWCelebrations and have continued to present a fascinating series of WDWNT: The Magazine articles and podcast segments celebrating four decades of the Magic Kingdom.

Tonight, we will continue our annual tradition of presenting a special anniversary edition of WDWNT Live! show on WDWNTunes.com. The show begins at 9PM EST and will last until 12AM EST. We hope you will join us for that, but also what we have coming up this week…

We’ll also be presenting a series of live programming coming to you from our event in the NY/NJ area including the recording of the 25oth episode of the WDW News Today Podcast on 7/13 at 8PM EST, WDWNTunes Around the Hub on 7/13 at 12PM EST, and a live video edition of “See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless on 7/14 at 11PM EST. All of these programs will be available on WDWNTunes.com at those times, but will also be released for download at some point afterward. As well, if you’d like to attend the festivities in person, last-minute registration is still open for our event at WDWNT.com.

On a personal note, the 5 year journey of this website, the podcast, and the entire family of shows and websites that make up WDWNT has been the greatest experience of my life. I’d like to thank the incredible volunteer staff of over 50 people that has worked tirelessly to get us where we are today and the loyal readers & listeners who are to thank for our great success. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in just 5 short years, and look forward to many more of “Bridging the Gaps Between You and the World”.

Tom Corless
CEO & Founder of the WDWNT Network

3″ Annual Passholder Balloons LE not OE

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

In Disney’s funny little way of not wanting us to have all the info up front, we found out another little tidbit about these new 3″ Annual Passholder Exclusive Balloons… they have a limited edition size of 3,000. That is according to the Disney Vinylmation Blog. The Events page still calls them “open edition.” There was no LE placed on the first two Passholder figures, Mr. Toad and Orange Bird. The were open edition and in fact, are still available today to my knowledge. I will say, the LE of 3,000 on this figure is quite large and should be around for some time to come. Disney also released official pictures of both versions…

The balloon figures for each coast are different and retail for $14.95 and are now available at the D-Streets. I like the Disneyland one much better. Just appears to be a more classic and clean design.

Christmas Time Is Here Again…

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

After Friday’s WDW Trade Night I visited Downtown Disney were the Christmas lights were strung and classic holiday tunes burst out from the speakers. At Target this morning the Christmas displays merrily greeted the shoppers. And as I sit here, writing this post, I sip from my red Starbucks cup filled to the brim with Gingerbread goodness. Oh, Christmas time is upon us once again, so let’s take a look at Disney’s Christmas themed Vinylmation offerings for 2012.

They are really pushing this Agent P Christmas design across all merchandise platforms this year. I did purchase the pin because of the extra elements on it such as the wire, but I will pass on this design. Not because it doesn’t look well done, but because I already have the original version. You can pick Agent P up at D-Streets on November 16th and at the Disney Store Online on November 30th for $12.95. They have everything from plush to antenna toppers with this design at the parks, but I found some extra fun things online.

I’m pretty sure I’ll be making this 3-D ornament. You can find the template here at DisneyFamily.com. I also know some friends who would be happy to receive a Christmas card that looks like this…

Again, the template can be found on Disney Family website here. Moving on from Phineas and Ferb to Prep and Landing.

This combo pack came out on November 2 at D-Streets and Disney Store Online for $26.95. It is an Open Edition set. Then we come to the classic Mickey Mouse…

…dressed as Santa Clause. This appears to be the Christmas release this year meaning we may not be getting a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Osborne or Holidays Around the World figure. I believe we have gotten at least one of the above in each of the last three seasons. I’m glad they went with a classic pie eyed Mickey here. He looks wonderful in person. The classic look of his face is what turned me from a no to a yes on this one. He even has mistletoe in one ear. If I had one complaint, it would be the hat looks a bit too ridged, but otherwise, a solid figure. Santa Mickey can be had on November 9 at D-Streets and Online for $16.95.

And there you have it, the Christmas Vinylmation lineup for 2012. Would you want to see more Disney Parks Christmas event Vinylmation? What other Christmas vinyls do you want? I’m still waiting for a Mickey’s Christmas Carol set. Would be great as an open window series or event a 6 figure LE box set.

Heimlich Maneuvers Into D-Streets 11/23

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

At the WDW Trade Night on Friday we had the chance to see the Pixar 1 Heimlich combo topper that will be released on November 23.

As hoped for, he will use the same elongated torso used for the John Carter alien figures. Heimlich will be attached to a Pixar 1 blind box with a retail price of $24.95.

In other Pixar 1 news, we have a December 14 release date for the Little Green Men three pack and a December 28 release date for Tuck and Roll. The entire first series will be in D-Streets Disney Store Online on November 16 with a retail price of $12.95.

Which figure of the known 11 is your favorite? Mine is Mr. Incredible.

Adam Roth’s 6/30/12 Animal Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

This photo report is a little late as we have been preparing for our fifth anniversary festivities here at WDW News Today, but better late than never. WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Animal Kingdom on June 30th to catch one of the last Sundowner Celebrations held at the park. The celebration only lasted a month but was a unique offering, almost like the food and wine festival at Epcot. Let’s take a look:

A truck is used as an information board at the front of the park

Things going on in 3 lands

It is Animal Kingdom after all…

Wow… not very crowded…

Some fairly new Animal Kingdom merchandise available

Cool ear hat

Carnotaurus knit cap

Russel and Dug from UP meeting in the old “It’s Tough to be a Bug” FASTPASS area

Work continues on some of the side paths near the Tree of Life after the branch falling of a few weeks back

You can still get plenty of good photos of this…

On to Camp Minnie-Mickey

The dragon waterfall is still there

Hey, Meeko is out and doesn’t have a line!

It’s pretty empty

Word is the greeting trails are going away and these characters are moving to the former Beastly Bazaar in a few weeks

It wouldn’t be a trip to Animal Kingdom if we didn’t stop at Pizzafari to visit the greatest mural ever…

Psycho lion and incredibly nervous Zebra!

On to Harambe

Temporary signs inform guests of the festivities

There’s a wine walk

Beer

There are also some cultural demonstrations

The Henna booth was about the only one that wasn’t free

All kinds of special treats available

Fruit salads available as well

Let’s take a walk to Asia

You can learn how to play this instrument

The carts leading to Asia had special menus for the event

You can learn how to make summer rolls

Ta-da!

You can take home a recipe card

The boneless chicken wings are back!

I guess you can just call this place Anandapur Wild Wings! GET IT?

Huh?

I think I’m gonna be sick…

Live music

What is your Asian language?

Plenty of specialty drinks

Learn how to make fried rice!

They had dancers teaching dance moves to guests as Bollywood style music played in the area

I love the DJ’s decorated computer

Dragon Hollow? Now you’re just rubbing it in…

The water play area in Asia is being refurbished

Another Henna booth

Adam got a drink and decided to hang out in a secluded spot

Let’s see what’s going on at Kilimanjaro Safaris

Wilson is still featured in the queue even though his narration and story is gone from the ride

“WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”

JUMPING GAZELLES!

Oh, it’s poachers…

It was…

Hiding, Hiding Hippos

“NOM-NOM-NOM”

Holy giraffes!

Here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the backside of giraffe!

No, the bridge doesn’t collapse right now

Hidden Mickey

Awwww, sleepy cheetahs…

That turtle was moving so fast Adam couldn’t get a picture of him

Blurry, but some work was being done on the bridge

Work on the new finale scenes is visible

This is where Little Red once stood, but soon it will be a home to Zebras

A natural barrier being dug-out

Back to Harambe

The dance party is in full swing

Unlike the hated dance parties at the Magic Kingdom, this band performs music from their culture and teaches you their dances, a much better fit for a Disney park

Here’s a video of the dance party:

There is podium where guests can find out more about Wild Africa Trek

Some people seem to believe this will be the new entrance to Festival of the Lion King once it is forced to move out of Camp Minnie-Mickey

Popcone?

It’s the Enchantment in the Jungle Dance!

Gotta love intricate details…

Let’s take a look at the Tree of Life trails

You can still get some great photos of the Tree of Life

Some work continues

The exit of It’s Tough to be a Bug

Over at Expedition Everest, they have been chopping down some of the bamboo

Beautiful

Still no bird…

Still no movement… and no, there are not two of them…

New Everest shirts

More chopped bamboo

This old map of Dinoland U.S.A. is still up. It still includes Dinosaur Jubilee… look it up kids…

No, you won’t…

It’s time to leave

Not sure if Disney did anything, but the water isn’t bright green anymore!

The Rainforest Cafe sign is missing!

Pixar Aliens & Tuck ‘n Roll Release Dates

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

Update: 11/06/12 We now have the official edition sizes and prices for these two combos. Aliens will be an LE 1000 and $44.95. Tuck and Roll is LE 1000 and $26.95.

On December 14, the Little Green Men three pack from Pixar 1 will be released at D-Streets.

Tuck and Roll will release on December 28 at D-Streets.

An In-Depth Look at Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

WDWNT on December 3, 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. Â The exhibit is scheduled to run through April 2013.