Robert Ashburn’s 2/9/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

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A banner has been hung for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

It fits Main Street pretty well yet still sets the scene

This area in Fantasyland finally looks complete

It’s well lit at night

I know we showed this already this week, but here’s the screen menu boards at Cosmic Ray’s

Walls up inside the restaurant

The new Tomorrowland cart at night… we love this thing…

Take a close look for a Walt reference…

“Marty Called Wants Changes”

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CASTLE? CALL 911!

Oh, it’s just Dream Along with Mickey at night…

The romance segment in “The Magic, The Memories, and You!”

Apparently people like these gourmet hot dogs… not us…

Some recently released shirts

I like this new batch of generic logo merchandise not focusing on a year

“I know what we’re gonna do today!” Buy Phineas and Ferb merchandise

Mickey plush available in abundance after the great drought late last year where no Mickeys were available resort wide

Collector’s Corner: Peter and Leah

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Name: Peter and Leah

Hometown: Victoria BC, Canada

Collection Count:
3″ = 185
9″ = 2
Jrs = 0
Park Starz = 0
Customs = 2

How long have you been collecting?
We’ve been collecting for just over a year now, since May 2011. We are big fans of Toy Story and needed the Lotso vinyl. We were unaware of the world of Vinylmation, but by the end of our week in Disneyland we were coming home with 22 figures, including Lotso!

What is your favorite figure that you own?
That is a tough one! We only collect figures that we really love, and not just for the sake of having every one. Lotso will always hold a soft spot for us. Watermelon Mickey is one of my favorites – for my birthday Peter surprised me with a vinyl for the 10 days leading up to my actual birthday, and Watermelon was day 10! Romantic Treats are quickly becoming favorites too, we love the unique approach in their designs.

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What is your favorite figure that you don’t own?
That would probably be Super Mouse, we just haven’t been able to get that guy! Or the impossible Kermit from Muppets 1!

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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?
All of these are great feelings! It feels so great to make a trade with someone and know that they are thrilled with their new acquisition too and share the excitement. But the BEST feeling has to be a blind box.. 



We’ve had our share of disappointments (I’ve lost count of Cutester 2 kids..) but opening up the black phone  variant was so thrilling! With Villains 2 we wanted just one figure, and thought we’d just buy  a box. We just happened to get that Runaway Brain Mickey! Disney Magic!

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Tell us about those customs we see on the shelf.
The two customs we own are done by local comic book artist Gareth Gaudin. He does monthly comic books that he sells at his shop here in Victoria, with the characters Perogi Cat and Cute Elk. I’m a big fan of them and for Christmas last year, Peter got him to do a simple Perogi Cat and Cute Elk Vinylmation!


Imagineering Prepares to “Poach” Kilimanjaro Safaris Elephant Story To Add More Animals

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Jennifer-Fickley Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Today I’m happy to give you an update on one of my favorite attractions – Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

I’ve always loved Kilimanjaro Safaris because you see so many amazing animals, but even more so, I love hearing the reactions of the first-timers around me; guests who can’t believe they’re seeing so many beautiful animals together in one place!

Beginning this spring, the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction will undergo some changes to give guests an additional opportunity to see more of their favorite animals, specifically zebra. To do so, Walt Disney Imagineering will make some creative changes to the last scene in the attraction by removing the Audio-Animatronics “Little Red” elephant and related set pieces. This area will then be reconstructed as savannah space and feature a new watering hole for live animals.

This enhancement is scheduled to begin this spring, and be completed by fall 2012. And don’t worry, the attraction will remain operational during the adjustment.

I wish I could say this announcement is surprising, but the story-line at Kilimanjaro Safaris has been weak since changes were made just before the opening of the park in 1998. Early test audiences did not like to see the “dead body” of elephant Big Red that was to have been killed by the poachers and sent a very strong message to guests, so it was removed. The finale scene has never been too exciting and the payoff of seeing a fake baby elephant in a truck wasn’t nearly enough to justify it. Various characters and narration changes have also been made over the years as the attraction could never really find an identity after the poacher story collapsed.

Despite losing the original story, this is probably a positive. More animals to see and a more relaxed atmosphere through the entire ride sounds nice. Who needs something to go wrong in a park that already has killer dinosaurs, yetis, and bugs? Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we track this transformation into the Fall.

An In-Depth Look at Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Including the Hidden Music Track!

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Swing and sway with a herd of baby tractors in Mater’s Junkyard for a Cars Land Jamboree you aren’t soon going to forget. This particular ride video contains the rare “error” track where Mater forgets the lyrics to the song “Welcome to Radiator Springs”. The story behind this is that Imagineer Kevin Rafferty originally forgot the lyrics to one of the songs during a test recording session and John Lasseter thought it would be funny to include a track where Mater forgot the lyrics to the song. Listen for yourself:

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The sign adds a trailer to the famous Tow Mater sign… pretty clever

Those lighting pieces usually aren’t there, but there is a neat photo area for guests to get a pic with a baby tractor

The queue is filled with props from the Mater’s Tall Tales Cars Toons

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Awwww…

Guests having a great time

Overall, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a lot more fun that we expected. The randomized music tracks for the tractors to dance to add a lot to the ride, and it packs a surprising wallop on those turns. If you are looking for a reasonable wait in Cars Land and a minute-and-a-half of fun, then the Junkyard Jamboree is the place.

So Tasty’s MK Photos

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

There is only one place you would expect to find So Tasty… the Main Street Confectionery. As if the place didn’t already smell good enough…

The Cheeseburgers are served!
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Grape Soda goes great with other sugary sweets.
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The Sugar Meter is off the charts with Frozen Lemonade.
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Donald and Goofy couldn’t even pop a more fine corn.
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Root Beer Float in a Magic Kingdom souvenir cup

First Look at the Ink and Paint Shop in Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

When Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opens this coming May, guests will find a colorful new merchandise location called the Ink & Paint Shop. For the past several months, Lyndsey Vincent, a recent intern on the Walt Disney World Professional Internship Program, has been diligently working on one important thing for the new shop. She has the unique job of designing the merchandise fixtures, and we recently spoke about her experience.

“I’ve grown up with Disney and visited Disneyland Resort every summer with my family,” said Lyndsey. “I graduated with an Interior Design degree last spring and moved from Idaho to work for Walt Disney World Resort. I didn’t know what to expect when I got here but the experience has been fun!”

Now a full-time member of the Global Retail Development team at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, Lyndsey worked closely with several departments “to put together the puzzle” that is a new location.

“Location planning was a key department that helped with the design process,” explained Lyndsey. “They provided me the number of ‘faceouts’ or areas that will carry merchandise. My job then was to design fixtures that would achieve their number while balancing other factors like traffic flow and shop design.”

Walt Disney Imagineering designed the wall spaces for the location which resemble oversized paint jars. Lyndsey explained that the fixtures will be clean and simple in form and will be neutral in color to complement the colorful palate that Imagineering used.

“We had several different versions of fixtures during the development process,” continued Lyndsey. “Ultimately, we chose clean, simple designs that remind me of an animator’s workspace. For this project, I wanted materials that had recycled content, had Greenguard certification for indoor air quality, and were manufactured in the US. The fixtures I am most excited about are the nested tables, which are made from a recycled concrete material.”

Lyndsey said she learned the importance of details from her Imagineering partners.

“Throughout this process, Imagineering taught me the importance of paying attention to the details,” remarked Lyndsey. “Guests don’t visit Disney and remark, ‘Wow – look at those amazing fixtures!’ Yet, they are an important part of any shop. When designed well, they create a great immersive shopping experience that is all Disney.”

You can see these fixtures and the location come to life when the resort begins opening in phases on May 31.

Zach Larson’s 2/6/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Super Bowl MVP parades to Animal Kingdom, WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson brings us around the world with him on a very busy photo report. Let’s take a look:

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Land clearing continues for the Grand Floridian DVC wing

overgrowth getting cleared away

Meanwhile, some brush is being cleared from this island in the Seven Seas Lagoon

The main street characters were out entertaining guests waiting for Eli Manning to parade down the street. I really don’t like the new one in the beige shorts…

They were offering free balloons with every audio guide purchased! 😉

Giants fans out in force

Here comes the Super Bowl MVP

Congratulations to our hometown champions, the New York Giants… even though I’m a Dolphins fan… stop laughing…

The Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment rolls on

I love this sign

The Pecos Bill’s facade is out from behind tarps and looks great

More of the facade still covered

The Frontierland Trading Post still behind tarps

Pathway work continues and Electrical Parade takes a break and Celebrate a Dream Come True stays on Main Street

Work continues on the old Fantasyland Skyway

Restrooms are coming, but rumors say to expect more

Rumors indicate that a Tangled play area and an area for guests to rest and recharge electronics is coming

Work continues on the Peter Pan’s Flight queue

Crane up in New Fantasyland

The new Tomorrowland/Fantasyland vending cart costume is a better fit for Tomorrowland in my opinion

Work continues on the castle walls

The crane! The crane!

Storybook Circus

The Dumbo queue is coming along

Beast’s Castle

They are finally topping Prince Eric’s Castle at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

A spire finally appears at the very edge of the castle! PROGRESS!

Fantasyland Station is looking great

The old Dumbo spinner is now sitting next to the completed new spinner

I really love the pastels

It’s hard to improve a simple spinner, but I think they have

Circus tents

Awww….

Bye balloons… sniff…

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Main Street bridge work continues

Center Street still behind tarps

Chamber of Commerce/Package Pick-Up behind tarps as well

Cosmic Ray’s installed these screen menu boards a while ago

I like this shot…

Lights were on in Space Mountain

Long line for the Peoplemover

Something is missing…

Oooooo…

Walls still up behind the shrunken pet cemetery

Ooooo….

Another new Haunted Mansion shirt

On to Epcot

Test Track on the map, get them while you can

Kind of empty…

The screen works!

This scene may be gone soon…

GM cars out in the loop

Punch it Chewie!

Plenty of blue Chevy labeled cars out

The VISION House is coming to Innoventions soon

Habit Heroes is testing

Some clever puns… good thing this isn’t DCA…

The Final Boss, He's defeated with exercise.

There were quite a few bugs and they weren’t allowing pics inside, so listen to next week’s podcast for a full review

Doors locked for some reason

MINE!

No, they are not putting FASTPASS machines in…

Nemo?

In case you don’t know how to play Simon…

Preparations have begun for the Flower and garden Festival

They keep adding more and more signs for Kim Possible

The new Future World directional signs

The Canada facade refurbishment is done and it looks brand new

Leave a Legacy being fixed up

Over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, work continues on one of the paths in the Oasis

Kali River Rapids is closed for refurbishment

These were added some time ago, but the seating area at the Yak and Yeti counter service now has covered sections

I miss these signs that don’t say dream builders…

The drink window was open