WDWNT: The Job Fair (We’re Hiring)

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

The WDWNT Network has over 60 volunteer employees that make up our entire group of websites and podcasts, but we are always looking for more help to keep our finger on the pulse of the Disney Parks and the fans of these amazing places. Here are the positions we are currently looking for:

WDW News Today

Photographer- Taking pictures on a regular basis at the Walt Disney World Resort

Videographer- Video recording attractions, entertainment, and special events at the Walt Disney World Resort

Disneyland News Today

Photographer- Taking pictures on a regular basis at the Walt Disney World Resort

Videographer- Video recording attractions, entertainment, and special events at the Disneyland Resort

Podcaster – Participate in discussions on the Disneyland News Today Podcast
Requirements: Vast knowledge of current events and the history of the Disneyland Resort. Quality microphone and high speed internet connection. Must be available for recording sessions.

WDWNTunes

Original Programming – Producing an original audio program.
Note: Existing podcasts or other audio shows are invited to apply, WDWNT will review your program before deciding to add it to the lineup on WDWNTunes.com

WDWNTube

Video Editing – Helping with the editing of videos, should have

Original Programming – Producing an original video program
Note: Existing podcasts or other audio shows are invited to apply, WDWNT will review your program before deciding to add it to the lineup on WDWNTunes.com

The Vinylmation Station

Editor – Editing the podcast on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.

If you are interested in any of these positions, please email us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com

Mascots Photoshoot

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

All excited about the Olympics, Disney’s #1 fans wanted to take in some games at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. As always, there was plenty going on. But just in case there was some down time, they brought along the Sports series to play some games of their own.

Donald Duck
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Goofy
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Mickey Mouse
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Pluto
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The Mascots
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The Mascots
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Mickey Mouse
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Baseball
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Basketball
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Cheerleading
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Football
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Golf
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Soccer
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Tennis
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Volleyball
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Austin lines up his kick for the game winning goal!

In-Depth Look: The Matterhorn Bobsleds

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

The Matterhorn Bobsleds for the past 6 months underwent an extensive refurbishment to replace much of the aging rock work and ride track. Along with the refurbishment came the long rumored new ride vehicles. The new 3 seat sleds change the ride quite more than you would think. If you would like to hear our review of the new bobsleds, you can listen to this weeks DLNT Podcast where we talk in-depth about the new Matterhorn Bobsleds. Big thanks to Tim Alcoser for the photos.

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A look at the new bobsleds

Smile for the camera of a random stranger!

Everything looking fresh around the mountain

3 seats per car, no lap sitting

Into the abyss.

Now a photo ride through the mountain

That's a nice, steep little drop.

I haven’t seen this waterfall work in years, good to see it flowing again.

Glad the logo was kept on the bobsleds

And now a video from the very first day it soft-opened, enjoy.

Collector’s Corner: Brandon “TheVinylGuy” Balasco

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

 

Name: Brandon “TheVinylGuy” Balasco (Age 14)

Hometown: Originally from Rhode Island but I live in Tampa, FL

Collection Count: 550

3″ = 497

9″ = 31

Jrs = 6

Park Starz = 16

Customs = 6

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How long have you been collecting?

I’ve been collecting since the day before D-Street Florida opened (April 15,2010)

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What is your favorite figure that you own?

There’s too many to choose from! I can’t really pick! But I do LOVE the Park line! I hate Urban lol besides select few!

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What is your favorite figure that you don’t own? 

I really love the 9″/3″ Test Track, the 9″/3″ Watching You (Haunted Mansion Wallpaper), and Urban 1 Oopsy!

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Which of these is the best feeling: Pulling a figure you want… from a blind box you just purchased, from a great trade with another collector, from a mystery trading box at the park or from a clear trading box?

Best Feeling- when i finally get a certain design that I’ve always wanted!

Now this display case is not your ordinary display case! It Rotates, lights up and has a lock so know one can steal them! My dad and I found this at a Flea Market for 15.00$. It was originally a Lorus Watch Display Case, but I restored it myself and made it a Vinylmation Display!

This was signed by Bella Thorne! If you don’t know what she is from, she is on the hit show on Disney Channel called !Shake It Up!

In-Depth Look: Luigi’s Flying Tires

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Luigi’s Flying Tires is the culmination of a five decade journey for the Disney Parks. After the Flying Saucers attraction closed in the 1960’s guests continued to ask when Disney would take another crack at a floating vehicle attraction. After 5 years of waiting, Luigi’s Flying Tires is open, and once you get the hang of it, you can fly across the “dance floor” with great accuracy. Let’s take a look:

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A test tire out front of the attraction allows Cast Members to point out that you make sure not to step on the tire, but rather over it

The indoor queue is divided into two areas, the first area you pass is the showroom

Here are the various brands of tires that Luigi sells

Fettucini brand!

The lift in the show room

The second room had display cases filled with personal mementos belonging to Guido and Luigi. Here are items from their home in Italy

Radiator Springs keepsakes

Lightning McQueen career items

Items from the World Grand Prix in Cars 2

Luigi’s office

A mirror, should you want to try on a tire

Moving on to the outdoor portion of the queue

3 simple rules. Balance..

Lean…

Don’t lean too far…

Now lets recap…

Pre-boarding area

And finally we have a video of the queue and ride. Enjoy!

Overall: Luigi’s Flying Tires is a ton of fun. The lines can be very long with the slow loading, but if you can catch a wait time under 30 minutes, it is most definitely worth you floating on over for a ride.

Entertainment Schedule for “One More Disney Day” Revealed

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

We are only 10 days away from “One More Disney Day”, a 24 hour celebration at the Magic Kingdom from 6AM on February 29th through 6AM on March 1st. With that being said, official information on this event has been scarce up until now, but finally we have a special entertainment schedule for the event:

Welcome Show – 5:50AM

Wishes! nighttime spectacular – 8PM

The Magic, The Memories, and You! – 7:45PM, 9PM, 11PM, & 5:30AM

Main Street Electrical Parade – 10PM, 12AM

Disney Fairies at Adventureland Veranda – 9:15AM-5:30AM

Aladdin Characters – 6:30AM-3:45PM

Tangled Meet & Greet – 9:15AM-5:30AM

Alice in Wonderland Characters – 6:15AM-12:15PM

Winne the Pooh Characters – 10:15AM-3:30AM

Frontierland Hoedown – 2:45AM, 3:30AM, 4:30AM

Woody and Jessie Meet and Greet – 9:30AM-4:30AM

Frontierland Character Meet and Greet – 6AM-2:35PM

Main Street Trolley Show – 6:15AM, 7:15AM, 8:15AM, 9:15AM, 10:10AM, 12PM

Disney Princesses at Town Square Theater – 9AM-5:30AM

Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater – 6AM-10PM

So, what is of interest on this schedule? Well the midnight performance of Electrical Parade and the 5:30AM showing of “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” are pretty special. There are also 3 performances of the Frontierland Hoedown (a personal favorite), all in the early morning hours on Thursday.

As far as character meet and greets are concerned, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Frontierland, and Mickey Mouse experiences are all pretty much opening with the park on Wednesday, while the Fairies, Tangled, Pooh, Toy Story, and Princess meet and greets are all running until the early morning hours on Thursday.

Anything not listed above is operating on a normal schedule. Some surprise meet and greet experiences are expected, including (but not limited to) Mickey and Minnie appearing in their pajamas in the early morning hours on Thursday.

It is important to note that most attractions will stay open throughout the 24 hours, but all attractions will be expected to close for a short period at some point so maintenance can be performed. This schedule has not been made available yet.

WDWNT will be on hand to cover all 24 hours of insanity at the Magic Kingdom, and if you’re in the area, you can join us during the day for “One Long Disney Day”. We’ll be meeting up throughout all 24 hours of the day and would love for you to join us! We even have a little gift for those who do…

Once Upon a Pin Podcast #008 – August 8, 2012

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Once Upon A Pin is a podcast all about Disney Pins. We deliver all the latest news, release dates and reviews with a fun Disney magic twist.


 This week we talk about the upcoming Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom pins, new Disney Soda Fountain and DLP pin releases announced and a sneak at the final few Attraction Poster and Piece of Disney Movie Pins of the year.

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The Sorcerers Series – Battling Scar in Adventureland

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

We are happy to begin a series of videos walking you through all of the adventures you can experience at Walt Disney World’s latest attraction, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. We begin our journey with Adventureland and the battle with Scar from The Lion King:

In-Depth Look: Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Disney California Adventure has a new icon and it’s the beautiful Carthay Circle Theater. While the real Carthay Circle Theater that housed the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is long gone, this new theater houses the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge. If you want to hear a full review of the menu for both, you can head on over to the latest Disneyland News Today Podcast, but for this report, we’ll just be taking a look inside and out of this gorgeous new building:

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The marquee

Inside the lounge

The wine list

The walls of all floors are covered with pictures of Walt and various other company celebrities

A cool display downstairs

Some cool displays in the lobby

Some actual pictures of the real theater

We won’t be seeing in there anytime soon…

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The transition from the rest of the park is still a little strange

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It is stunning at night

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Gorgeous… we also have a comprehensive video tour of the restaurant, looking at both the lounge and the second floor:

Adam Roth’s 2/13/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday to do some homework (if only we were so lucky) and he managed to take plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us in the process:

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Let’s grab a times guide

 The parade route is back to normal

Work continues on the bakery and center street facades

The bakery is open

Plaza Ice Cream still closed

Work continues on the supports in Tomorrowland

 

This side of the Dumbo queue is finally being painted

 

Scaffolding coming down on the circus tent queue area

 

The other Dumbo centrifuge is in place

 

They are working everyday to get the attraction up and running as soon as possible

 

 

Beast’s Castle

 

 

The Mermaid rock-work is being extended to hide the show building from view in Storybook Circus

 

Rooftops and patios are appearing on Prince Eric’s castle

 


A close-up of the castle

 

 

It looks great!

 

 

The artwork is back on the great wall of Fantasyland

 

The Castle Wall is finally showing some progress

 

The Seven Dwarves Mine shop lives out a stay of execution until the wall moves this direction

 

Walkways are still tight at the moment

 

This is the first time we’ve actually seen people working on the wall

 

We can see some detail at the top of the wall

 

The Fantasyland Skyway station is gones and now we have a giant pile of dirt

 

You can clearly see The Hauted Mansion, but this will change

 

Just a lot of dirt…

 

Work on the Peter Pan’s Flight queue continues

 

 

 

 

Walls up where the pathway will go next to the Haunted Mansion

 

Hard to believe this opened almost a year ago

It has grown in nicely

 

Some things were changed…

 

 

Some things were added as less-than-capable guests walked through…

 

 

Other things that were added

 

The pet cemetary is missing some pieces while the new path is worked on

 

Time for some Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

 

 

 

Pongo looks a little angry…

Love the cards

 

What’s the best part about Sorcerers? Inclusion of often ignored characters

 

The old Fife & Drum food service location closed for decades is back in use

 

This is a second location where you can begin your quest

This card has been changed to remove Slinky Dog from the background. Apprently, Disney doesn’t have the rights to use him…

 

Frontierland Trading Post still behind tarps

 

 

The tower that the Barnstormer will now crash through looks finished

 

The Big Thunder Mountain refurb rolls on

 

Lift hill replacemtn and roof repairs being done now

 

 

Some paint has also been applied to lower level rock-work

 

 

Progress is appearing rapidly

 

The backside of the Be Our Guest Restaurant

A look at Fantasyland Station

 

Lighting fixtures installed

 

Hi there

 

Still there…

 

Roof is covered

 

The Barnstormer is just about finished

 

 

 

A fair amount of landscaping left to complete

 

The backside of the Dumbo building