Jeff Lukas’ 5/5/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Welcome

We’re still letting the memories begin…

Work continues on the Main Street Bakery facade

Tangled characters meeting in Town Square until a new home in Fantasyland is ready

Pillow pets everywhere!

Still funny

Something for the ladies

That’s… different…

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is looking great following the refurbishment

Everything looks brand new inside

The Tangled meet and greet is being turned into the home for Merida from Brave

More steel rises for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster

What appears to be a large weathervane appeared on the roof of Maurice’s Cottage, Enchanted Tales with Belle

We just keep moving ours…

The second tent is Storybook Circus is slowly being covered

No more steel frames to see at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is coming along nicely

Just a peek over the walls and we can see Casey in all his glory! This looks fantastic for being just a water play area.

RFID FASTPASS scanner outside the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The crane, the crane!

Most of the framework for the Castle Walls is standing now

“I wonder what they are building…”

Stroller parking now happening outside of Village Haus

It’s been quite a shuffle the last few years

Some facade work happening on “it’s a small world”

Work continues on the former plot of the Fantasyland Skyway Station

Work is wrapping up on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment

Everything out in the queue looks good

Bigger changes are expected for the indoor queue, at the very leas most of it has been rebuilt

I know it’s blurry, but you can see that the railroad ties are back

The new track should be a nice adjustment

Oooooooo….

Booooooooo….

The Robo-News man in Tomorrowland returned to service recently

He looks brand new!

Some new shirts at Philharmagic, I LOVE both of them

This shirt has been around, but still cool!

Center Street looks great as does all of Main Street following the 3 years of facade work that has been going on

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Project Sidekickz Artist Aaralyn

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

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. It will be released on October 6th. Each day leading up to the release, we will spotlight a different artist from the series. Today we spotlight custom artist Aaralyn

Hometown: 
Lafayette, LA

Website: 
www.artworksbyaaralyn.com

What Disney Sidekick did you choose? 
Rajah from Aladdin

Why did you choose that sidekick? 
Rajah is a very loyal sidekick to Jasmine throughout the movie and I love his character design. My favorite scene from the movie is where Jafar transforms Rajah into a cub. He has an adorable confused expression that I wanted to capture in my custom. In addition, I have always been a fan of cats.

Favorite Disney Movie? 
I think this is the hardest question I’ve ever been asked. Growing up, I was always a fan of Beauty and the Beast. While now I can’t pick a favorite, some of my other favorites include Tangled, Mulan, Princess and the Frog, Brave, Up, and Monsters Inc.

Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction? 
While I love the People Mover at Magic Kingdom, my favorite ride is Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios. The ride is so much fun, even though my score could use improving.

Favorite aspect of working on the Mickey shaped canvas? 
In addition to loving the challenge of creating art on a 3D mold, I love that every piece I design is shaped like the mouse that started it all. While I enjoy the other molds Disney has created, the Mickey mold will always be my favorite.

More info on the Custom Artist Project:


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.

Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips at the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Michelle Harker on Disney Parks Blog:

 

Happy Holidays, Disney fans!

It’s been another great year filled with events, releases, promotions and so much more. Thank you for sharing the ride with me.

For those who have things “wrapped” or buttoned up for the holidays, I commend you. You would think as the shopping queen out here, I’d be a little further ahead but that’s not the case. So for all of you doing last-minute shopping like me, here are a few things you may want to consider.

Vintage Buena Vista Street Holiday Merchandise – Here’s a look at the art which appears on a variety of items including tees, fleece, ornaments, mugs, greeting cards, tapestry throws and more. Find them at Elias & Co. and Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure park.

Disney California Adventure Park Artwork Available for the Holidays
A few weeks ago I shared some of our holiday gear for Cars Land. If you haven’t made a pit stop at Radiator Springs Curios, don’t wait much longer – folks are racing for it.

Minnie & Mickey in Love Seatbeltbag from HARVEYS, Available at Disneyland Resort
New for the season from our friends at HARVEYS is the Minnie & Mickey in Love seatbeltbag collection. Buckle up and head over to Disney Vault 28 and the Fortuosity Shop and get ready for a great ride.
Sweet Holiday Treats Available at Disneyland Resort
Sweet Holiday Treats Available at Disneyland Resort
 

Next on the list… A sweet Holiday treat, maybe? Then you’re in luck. Candy Palace, Marceline’s Confectioneryand of course, Trolley Treats are filled with goodies for anyone with a sweet tooth. Holiday cupcakes, apples, peppermint break up and fudge are high on the list, but the true hidden gem this season is the gourmet marshmallows, flavored to peppermint and egg nog. Take this from a girl who isn’t typically a fan of egg nog … It’s incredible! Now, we can’t forget the famous candy canes made by our talented team of candy makers, that alone is a true holiday treat to watch.

Fellow Disney Parks Blog author Steven Miller recently shared some of this year’s best holiday deals and stocking stuffers tips. If you haven’t had the time to check out his post yet, be sure to set some time aside.

Wondering how you can find out more about other “must have” holiday gifts and deals? Well those currently following @Disneyland, @WaltDisneyWorld and @DisneyParks on Twitter know the trick, because we are right in the middle of our 25 Days of Tweets which offers a different gift item or holiday idea each day. How do you find these tweets? Simply look for #GiftDisney.

So get shopping, get wrapping, watch movies, sing carols, bake cookies and just enjoy the holiday time with your loved ones. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Have a safe and happy holiday and I’ll see you here next year with a lot more exciting merchandise news to share!

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on the holiday season at Disney Parks, and join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #DisneyHolidays.

Mouse Gears Photoshoot

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

Not many seem to like the Urban series Mouse Gears (or Gear Bears). But we think they are just misunderstood and needed to get out of the box to play. So we took them to, where else? Mousegears at Epcot. So on this 30th anniversary of the great Disney theme park, we would like to share these pictures with you!

Episode 091 Super Mouse

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

Ep. 091 Super Mouse

This week we discuss the releases of the Nursery Rhymes and Popcorns series. We review the new Tony Food and Wine figure. We give you the first details about the 2012 Dee Vee Award nominations. And we have an interview with artist Rust this World who is heading up the Custom Artist Project and the upcoming release of the blind box Sidekickz series.

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Spotlight On: Custom Artist Project Sidekickz Artist Josh Edwards

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

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. It will be released on October 6th. Each day leading up to the release, we will spotlight a different artist from the series. Today we spotlight custom artist Josh Edwards.

Hometown:
Chatham, IL

Website:
You can visit me on my facebook page: Crazy4Vinyls Customs

What Disney Sidekick did you choose?
I chose Iago as my Disney sidekick.

Why did you choose that sidekick?
I chose him because I know he is a popular character from Aladdin and there is already and Aladdin and Jafar vinylmation so I thought he would fit in great.

Favorite Disney Movie?
Favorite Disney movie, such a hard decision.  I am a big fan of all of the Pixar movies but my favorite would have to be Finding Nemo.

Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction?
Favorite attraction, another hard question.  There are so many. Can I pick one per park?  Magic Kingdom Space Mountain.  Epcot Soarin’ Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest   Disney Studios Toy Story Mania

Favorite aspect of working on the Mickey shaped canvas?
My favorite part of working on the mickey canvas is really the whole process from beginning to end. I love watching an idea come to life as I am creating it. The best part is almost toward the end as the final touches are being added and the piece seems to come to life!

More info on the Custom Artist Project:


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.

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Project Sidekickz Artist Brian Shapiro

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

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. It will be released on October 6th. Each day leading up to the release, we will spotlight a different artist from the series. Today we spotlight custom artist Brian Shapiro.

Hometown:  
Philadelphia, PA

Website:
Http://www.Facebook.com/BRInylmation
Http://www.BRInylmation.com

What Disney Sidekick did you choose?
I chose Creeper from Disney’s movie, The Black Cauldron, which was released in 1985.

Why did you choose that sidekick?
Sadly, The Black Cauldron was not much of a hit for Disney, but I really enjoyed it as a kid.  It’s based on a great series of books by Lloyd Alexander.  Because the film is not as popular as some of Disney’s biggest hits, there is very little merchandising.  When there is merchandise, commonly pins, it usually features the visually striking villain, the Horned King, or the lovable heroic sidekick, Gurgi.  In fact, these two appeared together in a Vinylmation 9″/3″ combo set a few years ago for the movie’s 25th Anniversary.  That’s actually when I got the idea to do the Horned King’s sidekick, Creeper.  Creeper is a hilarious, goblin-like underling with a mix of Igor and Gollum in him.  He is horribly abused by his master, and you can’t help but sympathize for the guy, even though he’s evil.  I think he has the most humorous moment at the end of the movie (SPOILER ALERT) when he realizes the Horned King is gone forever.  At first he laments that his master is gone, and then realizes that hey, he is GONE, and starts laughing and celebrating!  Going back to the set released by Disney, I thought it was amazing, but I thought Creeper should have been in there with the Horned King.  When I was invited to participate in the Custom Artist Project, I immediately wanted to do Creeper as my Sidekick!  I also thought it would be cool to make a Black Cauldron accessory to accompany him!

Favorite Disney Movie?
That is tough!! My favorite animated film is Beauty and the Beast, and my favorite live action film has to be a tie between TRON and The Black Hole.

Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction?
The Haunted Mansion is my all time favorite.

Favorite aspect of working on the Mickey shaped canvas?
After three years of doing Vinylmation customs, I really have come to appreciate just how adaptable the Mickey shaped canvas is for creating just about any character.  If you design it right, you can make tall, short, thin, or chubby characters fit by playing with their wardrobe and accessories.  You can also give the illusion of flatter faces or snouts.  As for the ears, I used to find them the most perplexing part of the mold, but now, I consider them the best.  The ears can be used to place eyes, pointed ears, and antennae, or they can be used to set the scene by providing a sense of the background environment.

Thank you, as always, for your generous spotlight of my Vinylmation work!

More info on the Custom Artist Project:


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.

2012 Food and Wine Festival Tony Review

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

Today marks the release of the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival 3″ Tony (from Lady and the Tramp) figure.

The 3″ LE 2500 figure designed by Billy Davis is the second Food and Wine Vinylmation so far. You can find it for $16.95 at the Festival Shop located just past the entrance into the World Showcase (or by the beer kiosk if that helps). You can also find Tony a the Festival Shop near Morocco and at Mouse Gears.

I found him checking out the scenery. So how does Tony look? i find him to be an extraordinarily designed figure. The face looks great. As does the pile of spaghetti and meatballs in the ear. The issue I have is with inconsistent production value. Actually the only consistent factor was there seemed to be a small error on all of them.

 One of the most common errors was a blotch near the left shoulder as seen above.

The other common error was a string of paint falling off the pasta… almost like a strand of pasta hanging off the bowl, but this was not an intentional 3D effect. It was almost impossible to find one without this error. The other less common errors were lines around Tony’s mouth, lines on his shirt and specs of white in the tie that should be all black. These things distract partially from an otherwise perfect figure.

WDWNT: The Magazine Issue 14 Released

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

 

 

As we rapidly approach the 5th anniversary of the WDWNT Network this Summer, it’s hard not to get lost in the excitement happening at the Disney Parks right now. The Summer is theme park season, and there is that excitement in the air as out favorite special events return and some incredible new adventures prepare to unfold before us. WDWNT: The Magazine will be there for all the excitement starting next issue, so think of this issue as the “pre-show” to what will undoubtedly be a Summer to Remember.

For some, nothing means Summer more than just hanging out by the pool at your favorite Disney resort hotel, and Art of animation may very quickly be yours. We have a fantastic preview of the Finding Nemo wing of that resort for you to enjoy this month, just to wet your appetite. While we say hello to a new resort, we say goodbye to two beloved attractions as well this month: Test Track and Snow White’s Scary Adventures. In between, many of your favorite reoccurring articles and some other pieces for you to meander through abound.

We hope that this latest issue will get you ready for the blistering excitement of Summer 2012. If you have any suggestions or feedback, we are always happy to hear from our readers. Just send an email to WDWNTthemagazine@wdwnt.com and share your thoughts.