Release Day: Friday, July 27, 2012

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Roger Rabbit and The Land 9″ figures are both online and at D-Street

Last night, the links to purchase these figures went live at Midnight PST, but were hidden from searches for a good half hour. People also had issues checking out to purchase Roger Rabbit, but there seemed to plenty of quantity of the 1200 total available online as it is still available today. Or at least we all think this morning? I, along with many others got our confirmation emails… but past experience makes us hold our breath until the package arrives.

The Park 9 Combo Topper is also out today, only at D-Streets.

Villains 3 Attempt DHS Takeover

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Villains 1 set up a stronghold at the Swiss Family Treehouse, but ultimately could not conquer the Magic Kingdom.Villains 2 harnessed the powers of Epcot to destroy Walt Disney World, but fell short at the poisoned well. I thought they had learned their lesson until a scorching hot summer day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Austin and I were just minding our own business, going on our favorite rides when out of no where the attack began. Villains 3 thought that by capturing the power of the movies and sabotaging the rides, they could rule Walt Disney World.

Judge Frolo wasn’t pleased the US park stole this car stunt show idea from Disneyland Paris. So his devious plan was to take it out, flooding the rest of the park with overflow crowds!
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He also decided to conquer New York City while he was here.
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The Coachman hijacked some prop cars around the studio to take guests to Pleasure Island (in Downtown Disney) where they were forced to watch the human statue show for hours and hours on end.
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Gaston was on his way to take over the Beauty and the Beast theater, but then he caught his reflection in the water fountain and began thinking “wow, you’re ridiculously good looking, maybe you could do that for a career.”
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Oh how Gideon wanted so much to be a famous actor. And fame would bring him power. And with power he could help the Villains rule WDW! So he planted his memorabilia inside Sid Cahuenga’s where people would see it and think he was famous. Sure, it’s a long term plan, but he’s just not that devious.
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The Queen of Hearts became ruler of the movies. Only the best films would now be made or else… You guessed it… Off with their heads!
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Chernabog made an appearance in Fantasmic to let loose his evil spirits onto the crowd.
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Look who we found hiding in a corner inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Ratigan was lurking around, chewing on the elevator cables.
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Smee wanted to enlist only the best pirates for his crew. Where better to find pirates than… The American Idol Experience! Why? Everyone knows the best Pirates also love to sing! “Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!”
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Tick Tock was lurking in the swamps.
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Madame Medusa used this magic film strip to steal the fortunes of all the Disney film characters.
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Mortimer Mouse was seen sneaking around the Disney Animation building.
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His plan was to have himself drawn into every Mickey Mouse cartoon ever made. Replacing Mickey with himself and therefore changing history and becoming the most powerful cartoon on earth!
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The great Disney animators were too smart for this trick, and Mickey remained the #1 mouse. But a pair of Villains have still been unaccounted for…
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Si and Am wanted nothing more than to share their golden voices with people world wide. They were spotted sneaking around back stage.
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There, they found the secret Cast Members Only recording studio.
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The plan was to hypnotize everyone with their spooky chants.
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But then they got distracted. A back stage pass!
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And a chance meeting with the legend himself. The excitement made the sinister cat duo forget all about their evil plans… for now.

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

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Thursday andf has plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was testing

Inside the Fire Station

The patches have returned

And you were worried they wouldn’t come back…

Guests are prepared for the adventure while waiting in line

Cards! Oh, they’re on the screen…

The screens are very well hidden

Off we go!

We got cards!

The portal under the train station

Some nice lighting set up

I love when they use backdrops of the land they are in

PONGO!

Cruella

Horace and Jasper

Hades disguised, as usual

An awesome rendering of Main Street

Turns sinister looking

We’re on the move again

I can’t wait to see someone try to buy this painting…

Portal opening

The cameras are really well hidden

This one is pretty well hidden too

Main Street facade work continues

Where are the portals?

Could one be here?

There it is!

Pretty funny

Don’t drink and drive

WE’LL CONTINUE

A crane visible over the park

Some of the displays from the pin station are missing while bridge work continues

Sorcerers can also sign up in Liberty Square

Pavement being worked on in Frontierland

More and more permanent markers showing up

I really love these windows with the opening curtains

More new pavement

Lawrence from Princess and the Frog

Louis the alligator

You have to free Tiana from a snake

Merlin on the Jungle Cruise

The Lion King story

Again, some funny moments to be found

Fighting a hyena

They have been here fo a while, but plenty of Pirates movie references can be found in Tortuga Tavern

More movie details

The color changing fireplace is pretty neat

Sunshine Tree Terrace now has a window

The lighting on the upper portion is pretty nice

Work continues on the new path between Fantasyland and Liberty Square

Less and less trees and shrubs

Some rumors claim that a Tangled play area and a rest area where guests can re-charage electronics is being added in addition to the new restrooms

Work continues on queue changes at Peter Pan’s Flight as they prepare for the new interactive queue

HUGE crane up in New Fantasyland

Work continues on the Castle Walls

Work continues on the new Dumbo queue as Goofy crashes through a tower…

Storybook Circus may very well soft-open by the end of the month

The train station and roundhouse looks great!

More rock-work appearing on Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The archways extending from the castle look almost finished

Work continues on Belle’s Village

Signage about to go up, either for the restrooms or Ariel’s Grotto meet and greet

Another look at the train station

The new color schemes on the Dumbo uses a lot of pastels for more of a circus feel

Workers up on the station

AWESOME…

Time to battle Maleficent

Still just a sticker in Fantasyland

Here’s a detailed marker

On to the Mermaid story

Pretty funny

Flotsam and Jetsam

The shark from The Little Mermaid

I LOVE Merlin’s window

A new cart has appeared in Tomorrowland, and I must say, I really like the look of it

R2-D2 popcorn bucket available far away from Star Tours

Goofy’s new tower at the Barnstormer

Crane at dusk… I’m sure you want this as a wallpaper

The long murals on the Fantasyland construction walls are back

A far away look at the Skyway area construction

You can clearly see The Haunted Mansion

A lot of dirt on the move

Big Thunder closed for refurbishment

I love this sign

The workers are done for the day

Fantasyland Station

Yummmm

I’m getting hungry…

And for all you Alien Encounter fans…

Enjoy!

Video: An In-Depth Look at Radiator Springs Racers

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

 

Cars Land last night held its grand opening ceremony for media and invited guests and all the attractions and food locations were open. We will have videos of all new attractions and locations in Cars Land up within the next few days. First video we have is a full ride through of Radiator Springs Racers including a full walk through of the queue, the two variations of the car “alteration” scene, and two angles of the thrilling race to the finish line.

 

Grand Opening DCA Hours of Operations

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

Since Disney Parks Blog readers are among the most loyal Disney Parks fans, we wanted to give you this special heads-up. If you are planning to join us at Disney California Adventure park when it reopens on Friday, June 15, please remember the following:

  • Disney California Adventure park opens at 9 a.m. on June 15; Disneyland park opens at 8 a.m. on June 15.
  • The early arrival queue will open to guests on Disneyland Resort property at 11 p.m. on June 14.
  • Parking will be available in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, and standard parking rates will apply.
  • A select amount of wristbands will be distributed to guests who are waiting in line to maintain the order of arrival. All guests in line will be able to leave the line to use the restroom, purchase food or beverages, and return or retrieve items from their vehicles/hotel rooms until 6 a.m. on June 15.
  • Portions of the early arrival queue will be located beyond the guest screening checkpoints, beyond which certain items will not be permitted. Be sure to check the list of prohibited items here.
  • Restrooms and ticket booths will be available to guests in the queue.
  • The following Downtown Disney District locations will offer extended operating hours on June 14-15:

Tune in to the Disney Parks Blog tonight, Wednesday, June 13, at 8 p.m. PT for a LIVE webcast of the Cars Land Media Event! And keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney California Adventure park on Facebook, and follow @Disneyland on Twitter for complete coverage of all events this week at Disney California Adventure park! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtags #CarsLand, #BuenaVistaStreet, #MadTParty and #JustGotHappier.

Press Release Gives a Few Fun Facts About Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 30, 2012 – Inspiration meets innovation when Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom opens to Walt Disney World Guests in late February of this year. This immersive, role-playing game features unprecedented interaction with Disney characters who come to life in previously hidden areas throughout Magic Kingdom park.

Families, friends and individuals can take on the animated Disney Villains by casting spell cards featuring Rafiki, Rapunzel, Woozles and more than 60 other characters. Individually created by Disney artists and trading card game experts, these beautiful, collectible cards will come in packages of five free to Guests ready to take on the villains.

“Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom gives our Guests a new way to become the hero of the Disney story, taking Disney innovation to a new level,” said Jonathan Ackley, Producer & Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It’s a great game of discovery and excitement that plays off our wonderful theme park and incredible family of Disney animated characters.”

Imagineers spent more than four years creating and perfecting this unique experience, which can be played in 15 to 20 minute segments throughout the Guests’ visit to the Magic Kingdom, or continuously for up to three to four hours. More than 95 minutes of original animation was created for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom – equal to a full-length animated film.

While trading card games are popular with about 60 million people in the US, this is the first time players can experience the challenge in such a complex environment. Guests of all ages will love the storytelling, the engagement with Disney characters and the discovery of hidden details of the Magic Kingdom.

One Last Pre-Packaged Look at Buena Vista Street & Radiator Springs Racers

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Before the all-out media blitz begins, including right here at Disneyland News Today, we have two new press videos to share with you. The first is a short look around Buena Vista Street:

Next, here is an up-close look at the incredible audio-animatronic cast of Radiator Springs Racers:

With those out of the way, we hope to see you at DisneylandNewsToday.com/DCAlive all week for continuing coverage of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, and the re-dedication of Disney California Adventure!

New Pictures and Press Release Offer a Look Inside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — To kick off the summer vacation season, Walt Disney World Resort will open the doors to its newest resort hotel with Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, a value property consisting primarily of family suites that immerse guests into the magical worlds of classic Disney and Disney•Pixar films.

Opening in phases, each of the four wings celebrates rich storytelling, spirited characters and playfulness with colorful icons and whimsical theming inspired by each beloved film depicted.  Three family suite wings will showcase Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King, with elaborate storytelling both inside and out. Standard guest rooms make up The Little Mermaid wing, the final phase to open.

The three-story resort will immediately put guests into the worlds of favorite Disney characters and animated films beginning at check-in as pixilated patterns and wavy ribbons of color decorate the resort’s exterior. Pencil drawings of Ariel, Lightning McQueen, Nemo and Simba adorn the entryway, and a cleverly created chandelier composed of animation storyboards enhance the lively and modern lobby.

“Our goal is to make guests feel like they have been immersed in the artistry and enchantment of Walt Disney and Disney•Pixar animated classics,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Frank Paris.

Giant sketchbooks filled with favorite characters seem to come to life as they pave the way to each storyline revealed. Scenic settings, icons—including a brightly-colored coral landscape, a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton, a towering Mufasa and more—immerse guests into the playful world of animation. At the Cars wing, a freshly paved road leads to the Cozy Cone Motel complete with a Cozy Cone pool and cone-shaped cabanas. It’s a journey through an African landscape in The Lion King complete with an elephant graveyard play area that invites youngsters to seek hakuna matatatime. Treasures from the human world fill Ariel’s grotto in an under the sea kingdom in Little Mermaid courtyard.

From linens and carpeting to fixtures and furniture, all details of the guestroom tie to the storyline. In Finding Nemo, there’s coral-shaped chairs and bubble ceiling lights; Zazu takes center stage on the headboards in The Lion King, while Pumbaa and Timon decorate the shower curtain.

Kids of all ages can make a splash at the “Big Blue” pool, the largest resort swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort measuring 11,859 square feet. Guests enter scenes from the animated world and can explore the colorful reef with a giant-sized Mr. Ray whose wings span 27 feet, pose for a picture with Crush or frolic with Squirt in the Righteous Reef, a children’s play area. An arcade and two additional pools round out the fun.

Dining options include a poolside snack bar and pizza delivery. The Landscape of Flavors food court will feature items such as fresh smoothies, hand-scooped gelato and Mongolian barbecue.  It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The whimsical property, situated adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, will open in phases beginning in late May 2012 with rates from $248 per night. The 1,120 family suites include two bathrooms, a kitchenette and three separate sleeping areas that can sleep up to six. Some 864 standard rooms sleep up to four. Rates as low as $94 include complimentary transportation, Extra Magic Hours and other benefits available to a Disney Resort guest.