May 2014 – Page 3 – WDWNT Archive

Unlimited FastPass+ With Park-Hopping Begins 4/28/14

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Starting Monday April 28th, after guests have used their first three FastPass+ selections that they arranged before arriving, they will be able to select another one at one of the kiosks located in each of the WDW parks. When they’ve used that one, they’ll be able to select another, and so on. Guests will also be able to select and use their additional FastPass+ entitlements when they hop from park to park.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the rollout of MyMagic+ becomes available.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Anna & Elsa from Frozen Move to Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Starting Sunday, April 20, 2014, Anna and Elsa from Disney’s hit animated film Frozen began greeting guests at Princess Fairytale Hall at the Magic Kingdom. The pair was greeting guests in Norway at Epcot, with with the Summer months approaching and no interior queue for guests to keep cool, Disney decided it would be best to move the sisters to the fairly new Princess Fairytale Hall, which opened as part of New Fantasyland last year.

210 minutes will be a pretty average wait time to meet Anna and Elsa, we suggest booking FastPass+ as soon as you can for your trip if you want to see them

Anna and Elsa posing inside Princess Fairytale Hall

We also have a short video of the experience to share:

Many Turn Out to Compete in Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” Pitching Contest

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Many potential contenders turned out for the first qualifying round of Disney’s Milion Dollar Arm pitching contest Friday, April 25 at the Walt Disney World^®Resort in Florida and Disneyland^® Resort in California. There is still time for hopefuls to participate as the qualifying rounds continue April 26 at the Walt Disney World^®Resort in Florida, Disneyland^® Resort in California as well as in Tribeca at the ESPN Sports Day at the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City. All participants received tickets for themselves and a guest to see an advanced screening of the film.

Three-time MLB All Star and World Series Champion Tom “Flash” Gordon attended the contest in Orlando and 7-foot center for the Orlando Magic, Nikola Vucevic, who was a first round draft pick out of USC actually participated in the contest.

The top three eligible pitchers from each qualifying round will be flown with a guest to compete for the $1 million in the final contest, which will take place at the world premiere of Million Dollar Arm on May 6 in Hollywood.

Million Dollar Arm opens on May 16, 2014.

Park 5 Photoshoot

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

It has been a while since we released a Park series photoshoot. I found these Park 5 photos I had yet to publish. While most of these were taken by me around WDW, a few were taken by Zoe at Disneyland for us.I especially enjoy the Carousel of Progress photos. And the Haunted Mansion clock was special because a Cast Member allowed us inside the Servants Quarters to take some extra special photos.

Brandon and Melissa Share Latest Customs

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Brandon and Melissa are a pair of Visual Arts Teachers Millennium Middle School in Sanford, FL. We recently shared their student’s work, now it is time to see what they have created for their latest custom Vinylmation.

What subject did you choose and why?
Brandon: I chose King Hippo and Little Mac. I love vintage video games and was a big fan of the original Mike Tyson’s PunchOut!!

Melissa: My favorite Disney character is Mr. Smee, so I really wanted to do him. Then Villians 2 came out and I really liked the Smee in that set. I considered one of the Lost Boys first, but when we decided to make it a 9” and 3” set, I knew Michael with Teddy was the way to go.

What have you learned from your first customs to now?
Brandon: I actually think I learned the most from my first 9’ custom. King Hippo was good practice to reacquaint myself with painting a three dimensional surface before tackling my 3” custom of Little Mac.

Melissa: I was a big believer in not taking the Vinylmation apart- I was so afraid I would break and arm or things wouldn’t look right, but it is so much easier if you do. Michael was also the first Vinylmation I ever painted on a “Custom” mold (we usually spray paint commons), and although I really like the surface, I felt like I had to do more layers (but the stars in his ear glow, so it was worth it)

And then there were a pair of customs you did that were chosen by your students?
Melissa: Yes, we also did 3” customs in which we let the kids decide our subject…they chose Sherlock Holmes for Brandon & Dr. Watson for me.

Aladdin Junior Series 10 Explained

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Aladdin Junior Series 10 Explained

Release Date: January 10
Where: Disney Stores, Online, D-Streets
$9.95 per blind box
18 figure set

This Junior series based on the 1992 Disney animated feature film is the first Junior series designed by Disney Store artists.

Update: 02/04/14 Based on the officially released imaged by Disney and the leaked photo of the side of the case of Aladdin vinyls, it appears Disney has released images of the chasers early. They did not officially announce them as chaser, but if the box is not a misprint, than they certainly are. They do not seem to be variants of any other figure. The two figures assumed to be the chaser are the last two photos on this page (in case you do not want to see them) Also, Disney seemed to not release images of 4 of the common figures: Abu, Jasmine in red dress, Aladdin and Jafar as old man in prison.

image from Vinylmation Exchange Facebook page

Presumed Chaser

Don’t Miss out on WDWCelebrations’ Studio 25 Event, May 1st-4th!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

There are just a few days left to secure your ticket for the ultimate Disney fan event of the year! This year WDW Celebrations is hosting Studio 25 in celebration of Disney’s Hollywood Studios silver anniversary on May 1st, 2014. Studio 25 is a four day event packed with activities all around the Walt Disney World resort.

Just to name a few highlights from the Studio 25 schedule, a scavenger hunt, group rides (yes they really do cram a group of 100+ people into line for an attraction), a trivia challenge and a new game to be unveiled! Did I also mention those games and challenges include prizes? Because they do, so brush up on your Hollywood Studios facts! Those are just a few of the event offerings, for a look at the full schedule please visit their website here. Please note the event schedule is always subject to change for various reason such as inclement weather (and let’s face it in Florida that’s not unusual!) If you plan on attending the event, I recommend staying up to date throughout the event with Event Alert Service.

The events hosted by WDW Celebrations are always a great complement to the official events hosted by Disney. This year Disney is hosting several events throughout the day at Hollywood Studios including, a rededication of the park, a special motorcade — “Stars of the Studios,” and lastly a dance party will precede a special firework show at 9:30 p.m.

Personally I must say the highlight of all the WDW Celebrations events I have attended in the past has been getting to celebrate with fellow fans. You will get to spend time with old friend as well as make new friends!

So don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate, sign up before it’s too late! Tickets are available for purchase until Sunday April 29, 2014. Tickets can be purchased here for just $10 for adults and $6 for children. Don’t forget this event also gives back, a portion of all the proceeds will be going to the charity Give Kids the World!

As the WDWNT Network is an official partner with WDW Celebrations many staff members will be in attendance at the event! We hope to see you all there and please feel free to come up and say hi!

Attendees of Annecy International Animated Film Festival Among First to View “Feast”

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

On June 10, attendees of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France will be able to screen Disney Animation Studios’ new short Feast making its world premiere at the event.

Directed by first-time director Patrick Osborne, Feast is the story of one man’s love life as seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed through the meals they share. The short will open in theaters in front of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new action-packed, big-screen adventure Big Hero 6 on November 7, 2014.

Disney Announces Official Festivities for 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

On May 1st, 2014, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will mark its 25th anniversary with some special events in the park:

At 10 a.m., Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will take the stage with Disney’s Hollywood Studios Vice President Dan Cockerell to start the celebration day, honoring some of the 25-year cast members during a short rededication ceremony.
A special motorcade — “Stars of the Studios” — will make its way down Hollywood Blvd. beginning at 7 p.m. and feature many of the famous characters showcased throughout the park. Mickey and Minnie will be joined by television and film stars including Captain Jack Sparrow, Darth Vader, Doc McStuffins, Wreck-It Ralph, Venellope, Sofia the First and more.
Following the motorcade, the area in front of the park’s Sorcerer Hat Stage will become a dance party before a fireworks show ends the day in grand fashion at 9:30 p.m. The pyrotechnics show, which will be high in the sky above the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, will pay tribute to 25 years of show business stories that have been told throughout the park.
And finally, a taste-tempting treat — a 25th Anniversary Chocolate Nutella Cupcake — will be sold at many of the park’s quick service dining locations during the day.

As we posted last week, special merchandise to mark the occasion will also be available.

WDWNT will be there to cover all of the festivities for those who can’t make it (as well as Studios 25), so stay tuned!

Dirk Wallen’s 4/22/14 WDW Photo Report (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s animal Kingdom yesterday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: