VIDEO: Moat Drained Around Cinderella Castle in Preperation for Hub Overhaul

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

The very first step in remodeling the hub in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom is draining the moat…

Interestingly enough, some sections of the drained moat still have the remnants of track from the Plaza Swan Boats, an attraction that closed in the early 1980’s. As you can see in the video, the former loading dock for that attraction is already behind walls and should be demolished shortly.

The hub remodeling is slated to be finished in early 2014.

Thanks to John Corigliano for the video.

New “Maleficent” Poster Released

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

The Walt Disney Studios released a new poster for Maleficent today, along with debuting a new Twitter handle for the live-action film, starring Angeline Jolie, that releases May 30, 2014.

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Fans of the upcoming film can also follow @Maleficent on Twitter where we are told more details will be revealed.

WDWNT will be your source for all Maleficent news and info up until and through the film’s release on May 30, 2014.

PHOTOS: An In-Depth Look at the Festival of Fantasy Parade Debut at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporters Joe Hogarty, Dirk Wallen, and Nick LoCicero were all on the scene for the debut of Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom yesterday and have nearly 300 photos of the parade to share with us of this new daily spectacle:

Needless to say, the parade was stunning. We’ll have a full review of the parade on this week’s WDW News Today Podcast and talk all about it in depth, including the cool details you should look for when you see it.

Full parade video will be shared this afternoon once we get it uploaded.

VIDEO: New “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” TV Spot Available

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

A new, 60-second TV spot for Marvel’s upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier, entitled “Defend”, has just been made available.The new film releases on April 4, 2014.

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Check it out below:

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1941, Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp and Hayley Atwell, with Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier releases on April 4, 2014

Disney Previews Home Goods for Fans Featuring Orange Bird, Tiki Room & More, Arriving Soon at the Marketplace Co-Op

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

One of the six boutiques inside the Marketplace Co-Op coming to Walt Disney World this summer is Centerpiece, a home goods store with some unique Disney Parks flavor. We already previewed a few select pieces this store will be carrying in a post a few weeks back, but today Disney gave us a look at much, much more of the merchandise we will be able to find there:

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Among the items will be these pillows, featuring the Little Orange Bird, Adventureland, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and some Magic Kingdom icons:

MCO994413LARGEAlso, a number of Adventureland and Jungle Cruise themed items!!!

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Here are some mugs, bowls, plates and such inspired by the Polynesian Resort, Tiki Room, and Adventureland in general:

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There is an entire line of attraction poster glassware as well, but my personal favorite is the Splash Mountain plate…

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Also, assorted land plates and glasses, a very cue Mr. Toad holding a serving tray, Mad Tea Party salt and pepper shakers, and what appear to be Sleeping Beauty Castle cookie jars:

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After many years of complaining it seems like not only will Downtown Disney once again have a home store, but fans will be able to find the type of merchandise they would love to fill their homes with. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on the Marketplace Co-Op.

So, what do you think of this upcoming merchandise? Is it exactly what you were hoping for?

PHOTOS: A Look at the Star Wars Weekends Rebel Rendezvous Merchandise Catalog

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Registration for Rebel Rendezvous, a Star Wars themed merchandise event, opened up earlier today. The event will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursday, May 15th, the day before Star Wars Weekends 2014 begins and the ticket price is $250. Some of the merchandise is included with the ticket, some is exclusive to the event and some is available for pre-purchase before it becomes available at Star Wars Weekends. This should be interesting even to those not going to the event but going to Star Wars Weekends as it shows much of what will be available to all attendees. Here’s a look at what to expect:

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Disney’s “Frozen” Earns More Than $1 Billion Worldwide

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Hot on the heels of its Academy Award® wins for Best Animated Feature and Original Song (Let It Go), the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 53rd feature film, Frozen, surpassed the $1 billion worldwide box office mark. Frozen is now the biggest non-sequel animated film ever released and the second biggest animated film of all time globally.

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To date, Frozen has earned an estimated $388.8 million domestically and $611.5 million internationally for a global title of $1,000.3 million. It is Disney’s 7th release to reach the $1 billion mark. Previously, Marvel’s The Avengers and Iron Man 3, Disney’s second and fourth installments of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3, and Disney’s Alice in Wonderland had reached the $1 billion box office receipt level.

“With Frozen, we knew we had something truly special on our hands, and it has connected with fans and filmgoers around the world in a way we only dreamed was possible,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “Animation is the cornerstone of our company, and thanks to the vision, dedication, and talent of our tremendous cast and filmmaking team, Disney Animation has come roaring back with a new classic for fans of all ages.”

Embraced by audiences and critics alike, Frozen is the first animated feature Oscar® win for Walt Disney Animation Studios in the category’s 13-year history. Frozen has also won Golden Globe®, BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and Producers Guild of America awards for best animated film, five Annie Awards, and four Visual Effects Society Awards, among many other honors. The film is directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee.

Frozen opened wide domestically on November 27, 2013, following a five-day exclusive engagement at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. It became the #1 all-time Thanksgiving debut with a $93.6 million five-day gross. It was Walt Disney Animation Studios’ biggest opening ever and has remained in the top 10 films at the domestic box office for all 14 weeks of its wide release, the longest run by any film in four years.

Internationally, Frozen is the biggest animated film released by The Walt Disney Studios in more than 25 territories, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ biggest release in over 50 territories.

Frozen’s soundtrack has performed just as spectacularly as the film has. The Platinum-certified soundtrack, featuring songs by Tony Award® winner Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and a score by Christophe Beck, returned to the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart last week for a fifth time, the first soundtrack to do so since 1998. It entered the chart’s top five in early January and has been #1 or #2 for eight consecutive weeks. It also hit #1 on iTunes’ Overall Album Chart in 31 countries including the U.S. The Oscar®-winning song “Let It Go,” performed by Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa in the film, is also certified Platinum and last week reached #18 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Frozen is still available in theaters in 2D, 3D and Sing-A-Long and is now available on Digital HD & 3D. It will be released on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & On Demand on March 18.