Cinnamon Rolls and Apple Freeze Fill-Up Guests at Gaston’s Tavern

If you enjoyed Red’s Apple Freeze from Cars Land at Disney california Adventure, you’ll be happy to know that the signiature beverage of Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland is the same: “a no-sugar added frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow, topped with all-natural passion fruit-mango foam”. The new drink will be called LeFou’s Brew, named after Gaston’s bumbling sidekick. The drink will also be available in a souvenir stein or goblet as seen above.

If the drink isn’t your thing, Gaston’s will also specialize in fresh cinnamon buns which will be served all day long.

So, are you excited for Gaston’s Tavern?

The Truth is Out There

A wonderful Vinylmation set designed by Annemarie caught my eye recently. It is based on one of my all-time favorite TV shows, The X-Files.

The set is made up of a 9 inch “I want to believe” poster with a junior grey alien with a three inch Mulder and three inch Scully. Annemarie auctioned this set off for charity.

She even gave Mulder some sunflower seeds on the inside of his left hand. After all  what would he do without them. Annemarie also posted a photo of a 3 inch “Partridge in a Pear Tree” for the Christmas season.

Any ideas for a 10 Lords a Leaping figure? Follow her work by going to Facebook and liking her page, Vinylmation by Annemarie.

WDWNT: The Magazine Issue 17 Released

 

We are pleased to announce that Issue 17 of WDWNT: The Magazine is now released.  In this issue, we look back at 5 years of WDWNT.  We also consider diverse topics such as Disney voice actors, Ray Bradbury, the songs of Main Street, Disney and the teen-age experience, a profile of Richard Terpstra, and the newest installment of our Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fiction series.

It’s all available for free at http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com.

We hope that you will find the articles within both entertaining and educational.  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.

As a reminder, the magazine is available in digital form from our website (http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com) or in printed form from MagCloud (http://www.magcloud.com).  If you like what you read here, please share it with your friends.

Tom Corless’ 8/23-8/29/12 WDW Photo Report

I visited the Walt Disney World Resort last week covering all four of the theme parks and I have plenty of newsworthy pictures to share, so let’s take a look at what’s happening around the Vacation Kingdom:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The Rainforest Cafe sign inside Animal Kingdom is still missing

Beastly Bazaar is closed to become a character meet and greet experience this Fall

Wreck-It Ralph has taken over the display at the exit of the Magic of Disney Animation show

Vannelope is voiced by Sarah Silverman

That cake looks so real…

The game Fix-It Felix is inspired by games such as Rampage and Donkey Kong

Ralph even started as a monster just like one you would find in Rampage

Niceland is the city in the game

Ralph and Felix

Hero’s Duty might end up being the darkest looking scenes in any Disney animated film ever…

Hero’s Duty is inspired by games such as Gears of War and Halo

Voiced by Jane Lynch

Sugar Rush is inspired by games such as Mario Kart

Looks like a possible villain to me…

They were painting the next Ink and Paint Cell to be released while I was there

A Hatbox Ghost big figure has been released

There’s also a new Stitch figure

For the first time in ages, the decorations in The Studio Store do not represent a single new film!

Nice to see the original intended decorations back for once

Banners for Finding Nemo 3D up

The LEgend of Jack Sparrow building was painted blue

Walls are now up near the front of the building

The menu has been drastically changed at Backlot Express

BUFFALO CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS! AHHHHHHH!

Next-Gen FASTPASS preparations already made at American Idol

Moving over to Epcot, work continues on the new Disney Vacation Club booth near Canada

A strange wall has popped up in the queue for Journey Into Imagination

Possibly FASTPASS related?

The Kim Possible sign-up areas in Innoventions have been completely removed

While passing by on the monorail we could see that the new parking lot for the Grand Floridian DVC wing is almost complete

Moving on to the Magic Kingdom, the park is ready for Halloween

There is a new banner at the beginning of Celebrate a Dream Come True

I’m not sure when it happened, but Mickey and Minnie are in normal clothing on their float

The Junioe Jungle Boats outside of the Jungle Cruise have reportedly been closed permanently

Next-gen FASTPASS ready to go at the Jungle Cruise

Same at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Meanwhile, some rather drastic queue modifications have been made at Pirates of the Caribbean

There is now a point where the two queues meet

Work continues on the former Fantasyland Skyway site, soon to be home to a new walkway and restrooms

Thought this was an interesting shot as it gives you an idea of where the Mine Train will be as you walk into Fantasyland

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

The Castle Walls are nearing completion

Some work being done on the roof of Mickey’s Philharmagic

Most of the Snow White facade is now gone in preparation for Princess Fairytale Hall

Grass continues to be installed on the roof of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The signage has been installed on Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus

I LOVE the popcorn lights…

FOOD!

Some new Space Mountain shirts are available

Moving back to Fantasyland, the lights were on inside the Castle Walls

Lights were on in the Beauty and the Beast area as well

They were testing lighting on the turrets of the Castle Walls as well

The Mickey-O-Lanterns are much brighter and actually flicker this year

VinylmationTraders.com to Provide Photos and News

Destination Vinylmation is happy to announce an agreement with VinylmationTraders.com! What does this mean for our readers and podcast listeners? In order to bring you the most comprehensive reports possible, they have agreed to share news and photos with our listeners and readers and in return, we ask that you check out VinylmationTraders.com to connect with fellow collectors when looking to trade Vinylmation.

 

Many of you are already aware of the wonderful service VMT provides. They are a trade only group dedicated to the fair, honest and fun trading of all things Vinylmation. Please visit their group to join and read over the site guidelines. I myself have made trades on Vinylmation Traders and I personally know many other people who have as well.
OC Vinyl Don, President and Founder of VinylmationTraders.com, is a fixture at Vinylmation events in California. Don and his staff do a remarkable job documenting and reporting the events that take place on the West Coast. With DV stationed on the East Coast, this agreement will provide you, our readers and listeners, invaluable coverage that was not possible before.We hope you enjoy the expanded coverage this agreement offers and hope you check out VinylmationTraders.com the next time you are looking to make a trade.

Kilimanjaro Safari Adds New Backstory Along with Zebras This Fall

So, I was visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park this past Sunday and took a ride on Kilimanjaro Safari for the first time since the original finale scene was ripped out. Not only was I surprised to see most work completed on the new Zebra habitat, but the safari driver was sharing the new backstory which explains why the zebras are there and why construction is going on at the moment:

So, what do you think of the new backstory?

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Jared Flores

Today’s artist sent us pictures of some of the most impressive Star Wars customs MC and I have ever seen. We are really excited to spotlight Jared Flores of Southern California for the first on DV… and we have a feeling there are many more to come.

Destination Vinylmation: Your Star Wars customs are amazing. How long have you been painting?
Jared Flores: I have been painting my whole life. I actually majored in painting. I primarily use oil on canvas, but Vinyl is a great way for me to take a break. Though I have only been painting Vinylmation for a few months, I am really excited about where my custom work is headed.

DV: What drew you to the Mickey shaped canvas? 
JF: I have been collecting Vinylmation for a few years now, but only recently have I been creating customs.

DV: Why did you choose Star Wars for a line of customs? 
JF: I have always been a Star Wars fan. I wanted to make some of the characters that don’t make it to licensed merchandise as frequently. I knew I wanted to see them, and was sure others would get a kick out of them as well.

DV: Which one are you most proud of?
JF: It’s hard to pick a favorite. They all have such realism. I think it has to be Lando in disguise. Just because of the unique costume choice and wonderful detail in the face. I think the shadows on his face really make it recess back. Jabba the Hut may be my favorite though, he is just such a creep.

DV: How long does it take you to design one 3″ Vinylmation? 
JF: I design as I go, and each one requires a unique amount of time that is usually equal to the amount of detail. I can say that I spend a lot of time hunched over my work table.

Sora and Riku from Kingdom Hearts

Where can people go to view more of your work?
My tumblr page is a great way to get my auction updates, buy new pieces, and commission work for your own. Everything I create is for sale!

http://jaredcircusbear.tumblr.com

New Pre-Parade Dance Party Added To Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom

Don’t worry, they aren’t getting rid of the classic Headless Horseman portion of Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, they are just adding some pre-parade entertainment:

While the dance party-type things aren’t always my favorite, I do enjoy when they actually provide entertainment while guests are waiting for something. So, what do you think of this new Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party offering?

Classic Collection Photoshoot

I was very excited to take the Classic Collection to Walt Disney World for a photoshoot… well before the set was even released. I had already decided the shoot would be in black and white, but I had not settled on a place to take them. I at first thought Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom would be the right spot. But in the end, I decided Hollywood Blvd at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would be more suitable. Then, when we went to take pictures, Austin and I were not in agreement on what type of photos to take. So we each set up our own photo for each figure (except Oswald) and we would like to share those with you now. (you can find more Classic Collection photos and follow all the Vinylmation news on our Facebook page)

CLARA CLUCK
Austin

 

Nick

 

CLARABELLE COW
Austin

 

Nick

 

DIPPY DAWG
Austin

 

Nick

 

DONALD DUCK
Austin

 

Nick

 

GIDEON GOAT
Austin

 

Nick

 

HORACE HORSECOLLAR
Austin

 

Nick

 

MICKEY MOUSE
Austin

 

Nick

 

MINNIE MOUSE
Austin

 

Nick

 

PEG LEG PETE
Austin

 

Nick

 

PIG
Austin

 

Nick

 

PLUTO
Austin

 

Nick
OSWALD