Disney CEO Bob Iger to Open D23 Expo 2013; John Lasseter to Host Presentation

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

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BOB IGER

As many of you know, the D23 Expo, the Ultimate Event for Disney Fans, is happening this August 9-11, 2013, in Anaheim, California. It’s always exciting to hear all the special things they will have in store for those in attendance, and some exciting news has just been released!

The grand opening celebration of the Expo on August 9th will feature a Welcome by none other than Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, officially kicking off the amazing three day event.

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Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios: A presentation hosted by Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter will follow the Opening Welcome, and promises to be filled with surprises and sneak peaks on upcoming animated features, a new film short, surprise celebrities and filmmakers, major announcements in movies, and a live musical performance. This will be held  in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

Let the Adventures Begin: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios: On August 10th in the Arena, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn will present all the exciting new live-action releases coming up, including Thor: The Dark World, Tomorrowland, and Saving Mr. Banks. There will be behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive clips, and many other surprises in store!

Both these amazing presentations will be held in the Arena, which holds 4,000 fans, but in case you’re worried you still won’t get in, this year features an additional 2,000 seats in the new overflow theatre, where guests can watch all the excitement through a live-feed!

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For those of you who cannot make the D23 Expo, we’ve got you covered! WDW News Today will be there providing you with up-to-the-minute exclusive coverage of all the weekend’s events. So stay tuned to WDWNT.com.

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Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company

VIDEO: “Takeoff Tuesdays” Launches Another Exclusive Planes Digital Short

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Today, Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Disney released another digital short as part of its “Takeoff Tuesdays” series to promote the August 9 3D release of Planes.

This week’s offering gives us a profile of Ishani, a female, rear-propeller racer in a world a male plane racers.

This reigning Pan-Asian champion from India boasts more than a billion loyal fans. Ishani is exotic and mysterious, but always has her eyes on the prize.

Next week’s featured character: Ripslinger.

Joe Hogarty’s 7/15/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday to see the start of Long Lost Friends Week as part of Limited Time Magic and he took a number of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look:

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It’s Long Lost Friends Week again as part of Limited Time Magic!

Chicken Little and Abby Mallard somehow made the cut…

The Robin Hood gang is back again

Always awesome

Dr. Facilier and Louis from the Princess and the Frog are new this time around

My personal favorite is the Brers!

Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Bear

We keep expecting to see some progress on Princess Fairytale Hall since the tarps were taken down, but nothing

More turnstile conversions happening in the front of the park

Only a few of the old turnstiles remain

Rock-work is slowly but surely covering the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Triton’s Treasures looks like it will open very soon

Workers on the site

One side of the store is not so finished…

Tarps still up at the old Peter Pan restrooms

The work on Sleepy Hollow Refreshments has wrapped up

It looks great!

Christmas in July! Epcot’s 2013 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages Now Booking

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

It’s difficult to be thinking about the Holiday Season now, during the heat of the Summer, but the Walt Disney World Resorts are now booking Epcot’s Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages for 11/29/13 – 12/30/13!

The Candlelight Processional show is a stunning reading of the Christmas story, presented by a Celebrity Narrator, accompanied by a choir and a 50-piece orchestra.

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These Dinner Packages enable guests to enjoy a meal at a select Epcot restaurant, and then enjoy hassle-free, reserved seating at the Candlelight Processional show and pre-arranged Illuminations fireworks seating.

Participating restaurants for the Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages include: Biergarten Restaurant, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Garden Grill Restaurant, La Hacienda de San Angel, Nine Dragons Restaurant, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, San Angel Inn, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia, and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria.

Included in the Dinner Package: an appetizer, an entrée, a dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Or a full buffet, where applicable.

After dinner, guests get Reserved seating behind the VIP section at the America Gardens Theater. Seating in this Reserved section is on a “first-come, first serve basis,” so guests will still need to plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the show time.

This year, celebrity readers for the Candlelight Processional include: Ashley Judd, Whoopi Goldberg, Edward James Olmos, Trace Adkins, Blair Underwood, and Amy Grant, to name a few. More celebrity names will be added at a later date.

Each Candlelight Processional Show lasts for approximately 45 minutes. There are three show per night: 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. Dinner reservations still need to be made at the participating restaurants ahead of time, even with purchased Dinner Packages, so be sure to call early for seating times.

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Here’s a video with previous narrator’s reflections on the Candlelight Processional:

To book your Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, you can call 1(407) WDW-DINE, or  go online at www.disney.com to purchase your package and make your dinner reservations.

Have you purchased the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package before?  Share impressions below!

Ready for Your Close-Up? New T-Shirts Arriving at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

The Walt Disney World Resort is rolling out a new line of t-shirts late this Summer!

The new artwork, due to arrive in the coming months, will feature several t-shirts for boys and adults. The t-shirts for boys will showcase close-up images of Mickey Mouse and Buzz Lightyear.

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The adult shirts will include close-up images of Goofy, Mr. Potato Head, Grumpy, and classic Mickey Mouse.

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The Disney Design Group introduced the close-up t-shirts last year with an image Walt Disney, which was extremely popular.

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Doug Strayer, Creative Manager at the Disney Design Group, created the new artwork for this summer’s shirts; they will arrive in select locations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland locations soon!

What do you think of the new line of t-shirts? What character would you like to see grace the new “close-up image” t-shirts?

Dirk Wallen’s 7/10-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot last week and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian as we approach the opening in October

Things are still a bit of a mess right now

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the post for the Hall of Champions sign is walled

Cinderella’s fountain is still roped off from guests… we think some Brazilian tourists tried to bathe in it…

Still nothing to see over at Princess Fairytale Hall

FastPass+ has been testing a lot at the Magic Kingdom

A look at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

A look at the backside along with Triton’s Treasures

This portion where the track makes a wide turn and dives underground looks exciting!

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater

The walls now have some themed signage

You can see the crane from various places in Africa

On Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Addax are still in place…

But they are still trying to re-introduce the Zebras

So the Zebras may make a full-time return soon… or not

Work has been completed on the FastPass+ queue at Finding Nemo: the Musical

Heading over to Epcot, another round of turnstile conversions has begun

FountainView is still preparing to be the next Starbucks location in the fall

Walls are still up around what should have been a new food cart months ago…

The FastPAss+ signage is up and running at Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Signs also went up at the Seas with Nemo and Friends

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

We can see construction going vertical now

Green Builder Media Giving Away WDW Vacation in Celebration of Epcot’s VISION House

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Vision House

In the heart of the Innoventions at Epcot at Walt Disney World, Green Builder Media has collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineers to present the VISION House, an experimental exhibit that showcases the best in green living. This hands-on exhibit enables Epcot guests, adults and children alike, to gain a better understanding of green design, technology, and products by allowing them to explore concepts such as energy efficiency, water conservation, security and durability.

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Vision House

Vision House

Visitors will learn about sustainable living ideas that they can use at home after their vacation!

If you haven’t seen the VISION House before, you can check out our video of it here:

Green Builder Media is now kicking off its “Made in America” campaign. This campaign celebrates products made in the U.S., as well as manufacturers that support the American economy and keep their operations “green.”

In conjunction with the Made in America campaign, Green Builder Media is giving away a 3-night, 4 day trip to the Walt Disney World Resort to a family of four to visit the Green Builder VISION House at Epcot. This giveaway will enable this lucky family to experience the latest eco-friendly products for themselves!

To enter the Made in America sweepstakes, go to www.greenbuildermag.com/MadeInAmericaGiveaway

VIDEO: Upcoming “Saving Mr. Banks” Gets Behind the Disney Magic

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

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The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA was the setting for the premiere of the movie “Mary Poppins” in 1964, as seen in this exclusive image. Though almost 50 years ago, the magic of Mary Poppins still lives in me today, as it’s one of my most beloved films. I’m sure many of you feel the same way, and this December, we’ll get to experience the behind-the-scenes magic that Walt needed to be able to create this timeless movie!

In 1934, P.L. (Pamela Lyndon) Travers released her first in a series of books about Mary Poppins … magical nanny stories that Walt Disney would read to his children … and they begged him to make a movie about the books they loved so much. Little did Walt know it would not be very easy to make their dreams come true. In the upcoming new film, “Saving Mr. Banks”, Walt (Tom Hanks) takes Travers (Emma Thompson) to Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth, hoping the magic will sweep her away.

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In an interview with Time Magazine, Emma Thompson talks about the challenge of playing the role of the famous author:

“She was a woman of quite eye-watering complexity and contradiction. Often I play people who are controlled by some very clear guiding moral principles. Like Margaret Schlegel [in Howards End], guided by the early principles of feminism and equal rights, and Elinor Dashwood [in Sense and Sensibility], guided by the principles of decency and honor. There are very clear moral prisms these women pour life through, and I understand that very well. And [Travers] was not like that at all. She was far more chaotic and confused and morally various.”

 

 

So what is “Saving Mr. Banks” really about? I dare you to say you did not have goose bumps after watching this!


The film is due to be released into theatres on December 20, 2013, with an early release in select theatres on December 13th, according to the IndieWire Network.  Directed by John Lee Hancock (of “The Blind Side” fame), filming is taking place at the Disneyland Resort, on the studio lot in Burbank, CA, and various other locations in and around Los Angeles. Additional cast members include: Ruth Wilson, Colin Farrell, Rachel Griffiths, Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, B.J. Novak, Kathy Baker, Jason Schwartzman, and featuring newcomer Annie Buckley as the young Travers.

Do you think this movie will measure up? I feel quite certain that it will be practically perfect in every way!

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Images and video courtesy of the Walt Disney Company.

Disney & Old Navy Celebrate Mickey’s 85th Anniversary with Vintage Tee Collection

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

On July 8, 2013, Old Navy celebrated Mickey’s 85th anniversary by debuting a new clothing line featuring the never-aging mouse along with some of his friends in a collection of retro tees for the whole family. The collection features some rarely-seen art from the Disney archives, exploring how Mickey and other beloved characters have evolved through the years. This very unique collection of summer tees literally takes center stage at Old Navy stores across the country.

Old Navy Mickey Collection

The “Mickey Through the Decades” collection is available online at www.OldNavy.com/mickeystyle and at Old Navy stores. Prices are $12.94 and $14.94 for women’s and men’s tees respectively, kid’s tees will be priced from $12.94 with toddler tees being priced from $14.94.

“By combining Disney storytelling with Old Navy’s relaxed, playful styles we’ve achieved a product line that truly celebrates our classic characters,” said Jodi Rosenblatt, director of sales, Disney Consumer Products. “Mickey continues to capture the imagination of fans worldwide, and this vintage collection reminds us of Mickey’s timeless qualities and fun-loving personality.”

While visiting Old Navy’s website for the collection, visitors can download exclusive Disney digital freebies and register for a chance to win a custom Disney tour in L.A., worth $10,000.

“We are thrilled to feature Disney’s beloved Mickey Mouse in this new fashion collection, and to provide a glimpse into the history of this enduring character,” said Nick Grover, director of licensing, Old Navy. “Developing a Disney collection has given us another opportunity to take our licensing business to the next level while continuing to offer our customers exactly what they love at a price point they can’t find anywhere else.”

Be sure to visit www.OldNavy.com/mickeystyle to see the selection of shirts and to register for the $10,000 Disney Tour in L.A. sweepstakes.

Long Lost Friends Week Returns to the Magic Kingdom July 15th-21st

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Recently, the Disney Parks Blog conducted a poll to see which long-lost characters their readers would like to see make an appearance at the Magic Kingdom. The results are in, and the readers chose:

  • From “Robin Hood” — Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Prince John

Robin Hood and Friends

  • From “Chicken Little” — Chicken Little and Abby Mallard

Chicken Little

  • From “Songs of the South” — Brer Bear and Brer Fox

Long Lost Friends week will be held July 15th – July 21st, and is part of the ongoing Limited Time Magic celebration for 2013.  Other Long Lost Friends may make an appearance during this special engagement; be sure to bring your cameras, just in case you catch a glimpse of a long-lost Disney friend!

Last February, Disney enthusiasts were able to visit with Robin Hood and friends, Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket, and Clarabelle Cow, to name a few. Check out our video of the Long Lost Friends Week from February 2013:

What do you think of the characters for this edition of Long Lost Friends Week?