Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop Opening 6/7/12

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:

Last week, we told you about the unveiling of Carthay Circle Theatre and the fountain in Carthay Circle. And today, just around the corner, the new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop has emerged in the Pacific Wharf area at Disney California Adventure park. In the photos above by Paul Hiffmeyer, you can see the new location – but you’ll have to wait until the shop opens on June 7 to taste the delicious chocolates and sundaes that will be served here!

Disney and GM Announce Long-Rumored Test Track Overhaul for 2012

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012 – Disney and General Motors have renewed their long-term business relationship with a new multi-year corporate alliance.

As part of the new alliance, GM will be actively involved with Walt Disney Imagineering in the development of a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience. The refurbished Test Track will be presented by one of GM’s most famous brands, Chevrolet. As Chevrolet marks its 100th anniversary, the new alliance agreement enables General Motors to tell its story in new and exciting ways to millions of Guests from around the world and continue as the official vehicle sponsor of Walt Disney World Resort.

“We are excited to renew our long-term alliance with General Motors,” said George Aguel, Senior Vice President, Corporate Alliances for the Walt Disney Company. “This unique agreement extends collaboration between two of the most recognized brands in the world, a relationship that spans over 30 years. The re-imagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will continue our shared goal of providing unique and innovative experiences that engage Disney guests in exciting and interactive ways.” ”

“As a global brand, Chevrolet is looking forward to welcoming Guests from around the world to the re-imagined Test Track,” said Joel Ewanick, Global Chief Marketing Officer for General Motors. “The best of Disney and the best of Chevrolet will come together to bring Guests an immersive experience in the design process of the vehicles they see on the road today and will see in the future.”

Plans call for closing the current GM Test Track in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012.

As part of the re-imagining, the Future World attraction will feature a sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot” immersing Guests in the fascinating world of automotive design. Amid upbeat music, engaging media, dramatic lighting and a collection of Chevrolet concept cars and model vehicles, guests themselves will become automotive designers – and peer into the future of personal transportation in the process.

At interactive design and styling workstations, Guests will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. The adventure will then shift into high gear as Guests buckle into their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle and put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit.

Their performance testing complete, Guests will move into a post-show area filled with special effects and be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did. And of course, Guests will be able see the very latest Chevrolet vehicles in an all-new state-of-the-art showroom.

Stranger Tides Figures Rise Up

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Thanks to Vinylmation Kingdom and Vinylmation Exchange, we see those Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides vinyls we have been waiting for. These were on display at Comic Con.

Two words… Peg Leg! Jack looks great. Lots of pirate hats.
Several people have mentioned this is Pirates Series 2. As far as we know, this was the four piece set that we saw last year (before we saw the John Carter set) and was going to be released as a Open Box series. The artwork for this set looked like this…
We talked more about it in September in this post:
Pirates Movie Vinylmation On Deck

Under the Big Top Explained

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Under the Big Top Explained
Release Date: July 21 at Costa Mesa Disney Store. July 23 Nationwide Disney Stores
Price: TBA
Details: 12 figure mystery box set based on circus figures. There is an artist signing with Gerald Mendez at the Costa Mesa Disney Store on July 21 from 10:30 – 1:30. There will also be special events and activities at the event. Some interesting fine print for the event. If you purchase a full tray of this set, then you get a gold ticket, good for up to 7 signatures. If you buy 3-8 boxes, then you get a silver ticket, which gets you up to 3 signatures. While supplies last.

 Bearded Lady

A cross between a nice lady and a werewolf, this lucky gal has a crazy cool face follicles.
Gymnast

Similar to the Philharmagic Donald, the vinyl is upside. The hair in the feet doesn’t work quite as well as similar designs in the past, but it’s still fun and creative.

Mime

Not much use of the ears, but a great expression on his face. Although I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pudgy one.

Scary Clown

If you follow the podcast you’ll know that lots of people are scared of clowns. This one is not going to help that. Perfect for those of us who might be getting a little too much sleep at night.
Snake Charmer

Not really a North America type, I do like the accessory flute! And I like that the feet are actually the basket the cobra is coming out of.
Strong Man

Check out that accessory. It’s gotta be the heaviest one yet! The sweat is a nice added touch.
Tattooed Man

At first I thought this was a Hairy Man, but that didn’t really seem all that special. On second look, he’s covered with tattoos. Let’s hope for some easter eggs.
Fire Eater

Love the accessory (I always do). Looks great.
Ring Master

Great mustache. And Hat.
Monkey

Reminds me of Abu. Another nice accessory!

Fortune Teller

Great us of artist technique to show the table and crystal ball in front of the vinyl.
Mystery Chaser

Click on image to reveal chaser.

More Star Wars 2!!

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

The Star Wars 2 Set of 11! Thanks to Evilos for the pic.

Evilos tweeted this pictures he found on Facebook fromthe San Diego Comic Con. Check out the Star Wars 2 series! I see an X-Wing pilot. What can you see?

Oh, and then the specially boxed Help Me Obi-wan Hologram Leia. Awesome!!!

History of: Art of Animation, Disneyland

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

The Art of Animation opened at Disneyland on May 28, 1960 and lasted until September 5, 1966. It sat in the building to the right of the entrance into the Circarama theater. Before the Art of Animation moved in, this building was home to the Satellite View of America. But by the end of the ’50s, the novelty of looking at Earth from space had worn off and audiences had all but disappeared.

The Art of Animation, was a B-ticket exhibit promoting Disney’s own movies. Inside the room, the perimeter was lined with displays showing how animated movies were made. Adjacent to the exhibit were bins of cels… everything from “Alice In Wonderland” to “Peter Pan”, “Sleeping Beauty”, numerous TV programs and shorts, etc…. that guest could purchase for just a few dollars each.

The 9″ Park 9 Vinylmation has a replica of the poster that promoted this exhibit.

It’s a perfect representation with Mickey drawn on the center front, Thumper on the ear and Bongo on the back.

Overall it seems like a relatively simply (but spot on) nod to a seemingly forgetful Disneyland attraction. But maybe this place inspired future animators and designers? In that case we do owe it a bit of gratitude? Do you have a special memory of the this short lived attraction?

The 9″ Park 9 Art of Animation Poster figure will be released on July 13 as an LE 550 for $44.95.

Sources
http://disneygeeek.tumblr.com/
http://blackwingdiaries.blogspot.com

Comic Con Boy & Girl Online Now

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Purchase the Comic Con Boy and Girl combo no superpowers (or Comic Con ticket) needed. Just stop by the Disney Store where they unexpectedly popped up for purchase.

We were told non-attendees would have to wait at least a day, but that does not seem to be the case. Just a couple quick notes… The set is designed by Eric Caszatt. The LE on Disney Store says “LE 1000”, the VM Events page says “LE 2000”. Not sure which is correct or if this means only 1000 are available at Disney Store Online and 1000 via QR code at Comic Con. Also, you need to type in “Comic Con” into the search at the Disney Store website. A “Vinylmation” search did not show this set.

Max Guggenheim 5/26/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Max gets some shots of the progress on Matterhorn, Buena Vista Street, and Cars Land. We also get to see the new Mad T Party Merchandise, stunning shots of Carthay Circle Theatre & the new fountain. As we near DCA’s summer openings things are wrapping up.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Still working on the Blue Ribbon Bakery.

The Penny Arcade is looking beautiful.

Loving the Americana decorations along Main Street!

The Shooting Gallery has reopened.

Amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do.

Weathervane atop Village Haus.

More Fantasyland weathervanes.

Above Peter Pan’s Flight.

Will they be taking the turnstiles out for good? Or are these a new set coming in???

Bright colors on the ride vehicles.

New LED menus at Tomorrowland Terrace

Work has begun in Carnation Gardens

Some of the progress on Buena Vista Street.

Oswald’s Gas Station

The front of Five & Dime coming along nicely.

Looking down Buena Vista Street towards the Carthay Circle Theatre.

The bridge looks great!

Loving the tile benches.

The walls around the Carthay Circle Theater and around the Carthay Circle Fountain recently came down

The front of the Fiddler, Fifer, and Pratical Cafe

The Carthay Circle Theatre is finally open and it looks amazing! Plus the fountain adds a bit of old Hollywoodland charm.

Side of FFP and Clarabell’s

Looking a little more right

No statue yet

This is beautiful tile.

Opening is just around the corner, looks like there is still plenty of work to do.

Hard to believe there was ever an elephant atop those red pillars.

Mad T Party merchandise.

The Mad T Party “soft opened” last Saturday

Um… psychedelic furniture?

All the change in the back here yet the Bountiful Valley Farms truck remains

Let’s head back down the street

Detail in Hollywoodland.

Beautiful tile on the Carthay Circle

A merchandise cart with a whole bunch of new DCA goodies

Junkyard Jamboree is testing daily now with cast members

Looks done

Soon, these postcards will be gone

Side of Cars Land facing Pacific Wharf

Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory opens on June 5th

Trees planted on the pathway from Pacific Wharf to Cars Land

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree!

One more look at Buena Vista Street

LaBrea Bakery fresh new look is open for business.

Thanks for reading!

Frankenweenie Vinyl(mation?) at Comic Con

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Has Tim Burton changed the face of Vinylmation? At Comic Con, guests will be able to purchase an LE 1000 Disney vinyl collectible for $40 based on his upcoming movie Frankenweenie.

Represented is Sparky-Saurus, Victor’s dog in the movie. The interesting thing about this is by all accounts, they are calling this a “Vinylmation.” Most articles and press releases use the word Vinylmation either in the title of what this is or the article/description itself. Sure we have seen a ton of different molds by now, but this would be a complete departure… a figure that comes on a vinyl display stand and background. We contacted Disney and I guess time will tell (once we see the packaging) if this is a true Vinylmation and therefore a sign of things to come. I wouldn’t mind seeing “sets” packaged as Vinylmation. Such as a Park Starz 3 pack with a vinyl ride vehicle. How about Brer Bear, Fox and Rabbit with a model of Splash Mountain to place behind them?

McQueen & Mater visit Cars Land

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Paul Hiffmeyer of Disney Parks Blog:

Continuing my Cars Land road trip with Lightning and Mater, I caught up with them over by Radiator Springs Racers. This stretch of road has one of the best views of Ornament Valley – and it’s a great place to set a spell and watch some racing.

Then I caught up with Mater outside Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree where I think he had hoped to find a hidden Mickey, but apparently he never saw one. Oh well. Keep looking, Mater.