2012 – Page 25 – WDWNT Archive

Nightmare Before Christmas Photoshoot

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

Halloween is almost upon us and for Disney fans, that means images of Jack, Sally and the rest of the Nightmare Before Christmas cast dance around in our heads. So we took NBC around the Haunted Mansion and Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom for a day to snap some photos and share them with you.

Jack and Sally look for a home

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Jack and Zero rest at a bench in the park

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Jacks tries on his Santa hat

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Sally tries a different hat

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Ooggie Boogie hides out

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Barrel suggests a new holiday for Jack to celebrate

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Lock pics a stocking

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Shock dives in

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Santa readies his sleigh

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Lock, Shock and Barrel

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We have so many days to prepare!

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The Mayor enjoys his mansion

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Until he finds out Jack is missing

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Sally and Dr. Finkelstein stop by the potions cart

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Zero hangs around Liberty Square

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Dr. Finkelstein looks for applicants to replace Sally

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Jack and Sally pose at the Mansion

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Zero pays his respects

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The Pumpkin King’s Christmas Card

Magic Kingdom “New Fantasyland” Construction Update – 6/6/12

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

What’s the latest on the New Fantasyland project at the Magic Kingdom? I took plenty of photos during my most recent trip of the progress, so let’s take a look:

Snow White’s Scary Adventures is closed….

Walls go down to Sir Mickey’s

The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine is still open

Speaking of the Seven Dwarfs’, here’s the progress on the Mine Train

The Dumbo marquee was finally installed and the Timothy figure from the old ride is back!

The back of the sign is pretty neat

Work continues on the former Tigger’s Bouncy Place

Rumor is that Winnie the Pooh and Tigger will be doing meet and greets in this new spot

The facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is looking great

More Mine Train

The second Dumbo spinner was testing all week, should be open any day now

Another look at Mermaid

Big Top Souvenirs still under construction

More Mermaid

The new Dumbo sign on a sunnier day…

The hose that the monkey uses to spray guests will go across the entire Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station

Guests have been ripping the handles off of the luggage near the train station

They aren’t doing too well

Some were completely ripped off

Hadn’t see this reference yet

The unlabeled structure next to Pete’s Silly Sideshow is coming along nicely

Pete’s Silly Sideshow progress

Another look at the mystery structure

Some new steel has appeared at the base of the Mine Train

Looks like one of the lower hills

A new stand-by wait sign up at the second dumbo spinner

An arrow was added to the construction walls so it is clearer to guests what is back in Storybook Circus

A day later and a primer coat of paint is going on the new covered area in the Pooh queue

The Castle Walls are coming along quickly

Walls also up near the Carousel

The old Skyway site is still pretty barren

Tarps up at “it’s a small world”

PHOTOS & VIDEO: First Look Inside Dumbo the Flying Elephant Interactive Queue

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

The interactive queue for Dumbo was one of the most interesting parts of the New Fantasyland announcement when it was made back in September 2009. Well, we’re finally getting a look inside:

Upon entering the queue, guests will get a pager (no different from waiting for a table at your local T.G.I.Friday’s) that looks like a Circus ticket. While waiting for their pager to go off and their turn to ride, parents can sit and relax in the air-conditioning while the kids play under the big-top in a themed playground seemingly straight out of the Dumbo film.

The Dumbo interactive queue opens along with the second Dumbo spinner and the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station in July.

VIDEO: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Re-Opens at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

After a few months down for refurbishment, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returned to service at the Magic Kingdom last week. Let’s start with the positive: the entire track was replaced, every square inch of the ride repainted, and many previously broken effects were repaired. The long broken geyser scene looks brand-new with every single opening blasting a tall pillar of water into the sky.

On the other side, the boulder scene during the final lift hill was completely shut down. In short, non-moving rocks were placed where moving boulders once stood. Also, a lot of effects are still missing, but we assume this was in a rush to open on time. As for the interactive queue…. it’s on the way. As you watch our video, you’ll notice large brown crates scattered through the queue along with some new walls and railings. The interactive queue is definitely coming soon, it just hasn’t been installed yet. Take a look for yourself:

Jose Castillo’s 5/29/12 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

Contrary to popular belief, there is some newsworthy stuff going on at Epcot right now. Our good friend Jose Castillo has some photos to share from our journey to the park on Tuesday:

Removal of Kim Possible has begun for the installation of Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

Habit Heroes is still closed

Test Track closed too, but not a surprise…

The Test Track All-Stars entertaining guests

Work continues on the exterior of Maelstrom in Norway

Brave sand artwork in progress at the time

So, one of the Universe of Energy ride vehicles got a new plastic body with a light and dark blue color scheme

It definitely wasn’t painted as it felt like brand new plastic

Not only is the Pizza truck gone, but the tables and props are gone too

Jose got a new camera, so he took some artsy shots…

Youy can clearly see the new automated door that will act as the Turtle Talk entrance

A new sign at the exit of the Seas with Nemo and Friends ride

We haven’t had this photo yet, but Chiquita has been sponsor for a few months now

Perry the Platypus ear hat!

LED Lighting Enhancements Added to Journey Into Imagination with Figment

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

So, while we have been tweeting a lot over the last 10 days or so, Disney’s wonderful wifi at their resorts (Pop Century and Art of Animation) have kept us from posting some news. Apologies for the long gap without stories, but there is about to be a flood of news coming you way over the next week or so starting with this interesting tidbit.

If you thought that Epcot may soon replace the Journey Into Imagination with Figment attraction (just now celebrating its tenth anniversary), you may be in for a surprise. Another significant investment in the ride has just been made, this time in the attraction lighting. A few months ago we showed you the installation of new screens and projectors through the ride, but now two scenes have added dramatic LED lighting and effects.

The smell lab scene now changes between two colors before blasting you with an unpleasant odor, while the finale scene becomes a rainbow of rotating colors. I hate to say this, but this makes a dramatic difference. Not only does the finale actually stay completely hidden until the walls explode, but the reveal is actually a “wow” moment. So while no replacement is on the way yet, it’s nice to see time and effort spent on a forgotten attraction. Here’s video of the changes:

So, what do you think?

New November Vinylmation Release Dates

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

Lots of news today about release dates. Here is all the NEW info from the events page.

At D-Streets:
On October 19th
Park 11 and the Park 11 Combo topper will be released.

On October 26th
Park 11 9″ Grizzly Peak ($44.95) will be released
“Disney-Pixar Toy Story 2” Buzz, Little Green Men, Jessie, and Woody ($12.95 each). I think this is the Japanese Andy’s Drawings ones.

On November 2nd
Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passholder Series #3 ($14.95)
Villians Series #3 ($12.95 each)
Disney’s Prep & Landing ($26.95)

On November 16th
Disney-Pixar Series #1 ($12.95 each)
Phineas & Ferb Series, Agent P (we assume the Christmas Tree variant) ($12.95)
In WDW, artist signing with Maria Clapsis, Ron Cohee, and Thomas Scott from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at D-Street.

On November 23rd
Disney-Pixar Series #1, Heimlich Combo Pack ($24.95) (Is this a combo topper?)

At the Disney Stores:
On November 9th
2012 Santa Mickey Mouse ($16.95)

On November 16th
Disney-Pixar Series #1 ($12.95 each)
Fantasia Series #2 – Unicorn and Faun (LE 2,000 $24.95)

On November 23rd
Disney-Pixar Series #1, Heimlich Combo Pack ($24.95)

On November 30th
Phineas & Ferb Series, Agent P ($12.95)
Fantasia Series #2 – Unicorn and Faun (LE 1,500 $24.95)

So first, it looks like there are two possible dates for the 2nd Fantasia Combo Pack, but it is ONLY online. (I’d try the 16th because it’s got the right edition size). Which of these sets are you picking up? Remember that the Classics set also comes out this month. Any one’s wallets feeling a bit thin yet?

Festival of the Masters 37 Announced

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

It’s that time of the year again, Festival of the Masters (the 37th!) will be at Downtown Disney Orlando the weekend of November 9th thru the 11th. There’s always lots of artists, lots of LEGO, and more importantly lots of Vinylmation teases and custom artists. We’ll be there to report, but it’s free so if you get a chance, you should drop by!

A “Brave” New Attraction Comes to Epcot This Summer

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

From June 1-July 8, Epcot will be home to a special offering called “Brave – The Highland Games Tournament”. Being billed as a “kid-focused offering”, guests will get to play games like Mini Caber Toss, Cake Toss, Haggis Flip and archery. Also included is a small playground and a little something for the parents… FREE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS!

The event will take place on the Rose Walk (right where Future World blends into World Showcase), from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., daily.

Adam Roth’s 5/19-20/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom this past weekend, so let’s take a look at his photos, including an in-depth look at the Fantasyland model now on display at Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream:

Darth Vader cupcake

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Adam had himself frozen in carbonite in the ABC sound Studio, former home of Sounds Dangerous

Pretty neat for $120

Star Wars Weekends merchandise is in the tent behind Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster again, Darth’s Mall

The huge Fantasyland model has moved in at One Man’s Dream

super cool

Princess Fairytale Hall won’t change the exterior of Snow White too much according to the model

A sign explains the model to guests

Some stuff isn’t labeled, like Triton’s Treasures, Ariel’s Grotto, and some minor facilities like restrooms, food stands, etc.

Some interesting points to note from this artwork:

Pete’s Silly Sideshow is the entire second tent towards the back and it appears it will remain a meet and greet experience only. We know Goofy should be there, but no other characters have been announced yet.
The unlabeled building next to Pete’s Silly Sideshow is probably the Humphrey the Bear counter service location that has been rumored, but again, we have no further confirmation.
You can make out the train lines that lead to the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station if you look closely at Storybook Circus.
Triton’s Treasures (the Little Mermaid gift shop) does not appear behind the Mine Train anymore, so it may be gone from the plans altogether.
The unlabeled building between Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour Village Gifts is a restroom facility.
You can see the track layout of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, including when it goes through the show building with the dark-ride type scenes.