September 2014 – Page 2

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: STAR WARS

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

This is part of a series of articles spotlighting the Vinylmation that were previewed at this year’s annual Walt Disney World Pin and Vinylmation trading and merchandise event, “The Imagination Gala.” The event was held at Epcot’s World Showplace from September 5-9, 2014. Today we look at the Star Wars themed releases we will see over the coming months.

Destination Vinylmation’s Ben Levitt breaks it all down and predicts what figures should be in Star Wars Series 5…

One of the biggest highlights for me during the Vinylmation previews announced on Sunday at the Imagination Gala were the multiple announcements adding on to the rapidly growing Star Wars series. As a life long Star Wars fan, naturally series 1 was my first exposure to the Vinylmation brand on a trip for Star Wars weekends back in 2011. From the limited edition packs, creative variants and 9 inches, the Disney artists have found unique ways to expand and make the Star Wars line one of the most exciting and sought after Vinylmations.

Star Wars Series 5

Release Date: 2015
Artists: Casey Jones and Maria Clapsis

First, we were given a tease for the upcoming Star Wars series 5 blind box series. I know Brendt and Nick were discussing in the podcast that this should have been the time to go into prequel territory and I have to disagree. First off, I’m with you guys, I am not a prequel hater and there are plenty of characters from the prequel films that I would like to see translated to the mold. However, since The Empire Strikes Back got a second series, I think it’s totally fair that A New Hope and potentially even Return of the Jedi get the same treatment. This may mean we are digging a little deeper character wise but I say bring it on, it never stopped the action figure collectors, so why should it stop Vinylmation collectors. So since with this series we were only given the box art featuring the TIE fighter pilot (which looks excellent by the way), lets do some speculating on whom we could see in this series.

Biggs Darklighter

Luke’s best friend on Tattooine. In the original theatrical release, Biggs was mentioned and only seen in the cockpit of his X-wing. For the Special Edition release in 1997, a newly added scene showed Luke and Bigg’s meeting in the hanger on Yavin IV before the Death Star assault. The 2012 blu-ray releases took it a step further and finally revealed the deleted scenes of Luke and Bigg’s friendship on Tattoine at the beginning of the film. I would love to see an X-Wing fighter Bigg’s as the common, and then icing on the cake, a deleted scene Tattoine Bigg’s as a variant., with that cape.

Jek Porkins

One of the cult favorite characters during the assault on the death star is Jek Porkins. Even though the design might be similar to the previous X-Wing pilots, I think a lot of fans would be pleased to have this guy represented here.

Admiral Motti

We got Grand Moff Tarkin in Series 2, why not add another Imperial officer by putting Admiral Motti in this set. He’s the guy that famously got choked out by Vader, so it would be great if they could incorporate that on the design somehow.

Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru

I expect to see an Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru in this set as well. I know we like to see some continuity with the ears for these sets, but it would be neat to incorporate the moisture farm for these characters. If they do not incorporate blue milk into Aunt Beru’s design; I quit.

Dr. Evazan

In the last series to cover A New Hope, we got Ponda Baba, the cantina patron who gets his arm cut off by Obi-Wan. The man that really starts the whole thing is Doctor Evazan, he’s got the death sentence on 12 systems. I think he will look great next to his alien buddy; I say he’s a must for Series 5.

Sandtrooper

Even though we are getting one in the upcoming Junior troopers set, I would bet we get a 3’ Sandtrooper to go with the other 3’ troopers we currently have.

Dewback

To go along with our Sandtrooper, it’s possible they attempt to put a Dewback on a 3’ platform. It might just come off looking like a dinosaur, but we will see, could be interesting. Maybe throw a sandtrooper in it’s ear to make it look like he’s riding it.

Bantha

If they are going with creatures, then we probably end up seeing a Bantha as well. Do the same thing in the ear by making it look like a tusken raider is riding it. It also could look nice with our Tusken Raider from Star Wars 2.

Luke and Han disguised as Stormtroopers

I know a lot of people were doing this in the first series, but if they make new designs with the faces, it might be pretty cool to get a Luke and Han disguised as Stormptroopers in this set.

Nick mentioned it in the podcast, and I think it would be a cool idea to see medal ceremony versions of Luke and Leia. Gold suit Luke would be awesome. Honestly I don’t need a Han one because his outfit isn’t any different. Potentially they could do a hair accessory for Leia, similar to what it looks like they are doing with blue dress Cinderella. Have to have the temple of Yavin in the ears; perhaps even R2-D2 and C-3PO in the ears would be a great touch.

Diogana

My idea for a chaser would be the Diogana, or more commonly known as the creature that attacks Luke in the garbage pit. The body should be the garbage pit, with the eyeball coming out into the head. It would be awesome to see Luke getting attacked in one of the ears.

Jr’s Series 13: Troopers

12 figure blind box series
Release Date: December 2014
Artist: John Henselmeire

A few Juniors Series ago, we got a Star Wars set and they went with droids. Some designs in that set worked, overall I felt that other than the fact that they are droids and are small, the idea sort of fell short. Here however, I think they knocked it out of the park. These troopers look so cool in this junior form. There is something about the designs, that just really make them pop on this platform. Taking away the key chain element is also a huge plus, especially for these. I think lining them all up together on a shelf is going to look great.

Now, there have been a lot of rumors that Stormptroopers will be in the upcoming Episode 7 film. It would be pretty awesome if the official reveal of the new look for Stormtroopers came in the form of the chaser for this series.

Star Wars Eachez

I wasn’t too fond of the first Star Wars Eachez release from Star Wars weekends this year. The R2-MK was fine, good design, and he makes a good presense during the event at the park. The problem was, we already had an R2-D2, so why would I want to keep bloxing until I got it. With these two releases they really have made it worthwhile to want to grab that variant.

Yoda

January 2015
$16.95
Yoda 9/10 odds (LE 2250)
Ghost Yoda 1/10 odds (LE 250)

First, we have a Yoda, with a Ghost Yoda variant. The yoda looks fantastic, the most detailed yoda by far. Love that they have continued putting the planet locations in the ears. The ghost version of Yoda, while going to be tough to find, if you can grab it, will look amazing with the Ghost Obi-Wan, if you have it. Maybe eventually we can re-create that final scene from Return of the Jedi (not the DVD version though)

The second one they revealed however, is the real homerun. We have two completly different Luke designs. To me, this is what Eachez should be all about. Not a subtle change for the variant that doesn’t really make much difference, but something that really makes you want to grab that variant. Here you have Luke in his Tattoine poncho as the common.

Luke

January 2015
$16.95
Maria Clapsis
Luke 9/10 odds (LE 2250)
Face Shield Variant 1/10 odds (LE 250)

The design looks great. The facial expression is well designed, certainly less cartoony then the series 2 version. The goggles painted on are a nice touch. The only gripe I have is, do he really need a lightsaber here? We know Luke doesn’t have a lightsaber during the scene in the film, I say it’s not needed. Now the variant here is perfect.

Luke’s first training as a Jedi occurs on the Millenium Falcon with a little training droid, and that entire scene is perfectly portrayed on this canvas. You have the interior of the Falcon in one ear, and the droid in the other. The painted on blast shield was an incredible touch. Overall this Eachez is perfect.

Star Wars Open Window

The Inquisiter
LE 2500
May 2015
Thomas Scott

First we have the Inquisitor, the villain from the upcoming series Star Wars Rebels that will premiere on October 3rd. This design is pretty straightforward, he looks just like all of the preview photos and video we have seen from the series. The Imperial logo in the left ear is a nice touch. This is the first time a new character from the Star Wars universe has been translated to Vinylmation, but my guess is it certainly will not be the last.

Next, the Star Wars Holiday special, which aired in 1978, was a big deal at the time. It was the first new material of the rapidly growing phenomenon that was Star Wars. Unfortunately the quality of the special is not what audiences were hoping for, and over the years it has become the laughing stock of Star Wars history. However there is one highlight in the special and that is the animated segment, mainly for it being the first official appearance of bounty hunter Boba Fett.

This I think was a genius idea to put him in vinyl form. This is the origin of a fan favorite character, and the design is perfect. The color pallet matches the animation style perfectly. At Star Wars Weekends we got a vinyl of the prototype suit from original screen tests, and these will pair perfectly together.

Boba Fett Holida Special

LE 1500
November 2014
$16.95
Casey Jones

How do you guys feel about all these upcoming releases, what is your favorite, and which are must haves?

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: The Designer Series

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

from DestinationVinylmation.com

MC and I saw this coming years ago. A series of mass produced Vinylmation designed by a famous artist that also produces one-of-a-kind customs for events and occasions. A few years ago, we saw this person as being Noah. He was the primary professional artist in the spotlight with customs at all the events. While he is still very visible, Miss Mindy sure has carved her niche in the hobby as well. She has really become a fan favorite over the past two years and has created some incredible pieces of art that have wowed the community.

At the Imagination Gala, Thomas Scott brought Miss Mindy up on stage to announce the new Designer Series. Coming in 2015, we will be treated to a blind box set designed by Miss Mindy. Then, future Designer Series will be designed by other professional, non-Disney Design Group artists that presumably have a strong connection to the custom Vinylmation community.

Miss Mindy’s style really shines through on the box art sneak peek we saw at the event. This is a wonderful idea for the Vinylmation brand that will now trickle into the more mainstream art community exposing the brand to a whole new audience. It almost legitimizes the brand outside of Disney. Also, Miss Mindy was very well received by the audience at the Imagination Gala making her a great choice to connect various audiences. No exact release date given on Designer Series 1, but we will keep an eye, or a monocle?, out for it.

Here is a look at some of Miss Mindy’s custom Vinylmation over the years:

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: Movie Based Mystery Sets

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

from DestinationVinylmation.com

This is part of a series of articles spotlighting the Vinylmation that were previewed at this year’s annual Walt Disney World Pin and Vinylmation trading and merchandise event, “The Imagination Gala.” The event was held at Epcot’s World Showplace from September 5-9, 2014. Today we look at the movie based mystery sets we will see over the coming months.

Disney Design Group artist Thomas Scott said on Sunday that the blind box mystery series is still the foundation of the hobby. At the Imagination Gala, he announced a few new blind box mystery sets based on both classic and brand new Disney films. Let’s take a look.

Peter Pan

8 Figure blind box set
Release Date: June 2015

We did not get to see much, but the artwork of half of Peter Pan’s face peeking over the side of the box is enough to hook me. (get it? hook me…) Also, knowing this series is in the hands of Caley Hicks and DDG’s best character artist Ron Cohee, I think we will be in Neverland with this set.

There are a few things I need from this series. First, a really amazing Captain Hook… WITH A HOOK ACCESSORY. I also want mermaids. Caley should be able to give us some really good ones. There are a few ways to go. I’d love a scene of Mermaid Lagoon. But a single mermaid with variants works too. Wendy, Michael and Peter are practically a given. Then there is one thing I do not want, a 3″ Tinker Bell. Not needed.

Cinderella

8 figure blind box set
Release Date: January 2015

This set wins the award for the most unnecessary one previewed at the event. We already have a great Storybook combo set of all the main characters, complete with a wonderful prince and Cinderella and perhaps one of the finest accessories of all time… a glass slipper. That said, Enrique Pita drew up some fine artwork for this Disney Store series.

I’m biased, because this film is way down on my personal favorite’s list, but if you have been collecting Vinylmation for a while, you probably have most of these figures already. Fairy Godmother may look odd with a turned head. I will say Lady Tremaine is better than the Villains version. Lucifer is spot on to his Whiskers and Tales counterpart. Then we have a Bruno who is a nice addition. Then we get to the three cindy’s. Can anyone say EACHEZ?! This is what Eachez was made for! No need for another Cinderella set. The art is cool on the Cinderellas, but it would make an amazing Eachez.

101 Dalmatians

8 figure blind box set
Release Date: December 2014

What are you thinking Enrique!? Another Disney Store release will be 101 Dalmatians. Again, not speaking to the artwork, but this is just boring. If you want to do these characters, trickle them into the Animation series.

Cruella looks great. Maybe our finest one yet. Nice artwork on Roger and Anita. But I don’t need to by blind boxes and get another Dalmatian. I have some already and I’m not good enough to tell them apart.

Big Hero 6

8 figure blind box set
Release Date: Fall 2014

This series is based on the upcoming Disney Studios animated film based on the Marvel Comics property, Big Hero 6. The movie will be released on November 7, 2014, so expect a set release date around that time. I am warming up to this film the more I see trailers, and the artwork on these figures is like nothing we have in Vinlymation. It is in an anime style and seems spot on to the comic.

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: Marvel

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

from DestinationVinylmation.com

This is part of a series of articles spotlighting the Vinylmation that were previewed at this year’s annual Walt Disney World Pin and Vinylmation trading and merchandise event, “The Imagination Gala.” The event was held at Epcot’s World Showplace from September 5-9, 2014. Today we look at the Marvel themed releases we will see over the coming months.

The “Next Marvel Series”

When announcing this series, Disney Design Group artist Thomas Scott was very careful with the words he chose. He said that this is series is NOT Marvel Series #3, but is in fact a “smaller set” of figures that will be based on the upcoming Age of Ultron movie. This means that this is going to be the first series that is not based on comic books, and will instead focus on the Marvel Cinematic Universe vision of these characters. While this is a really cool idea, with the immense history and an insane roster of characters that Marvel boasts, this feels like a lost opportunity to me. We have already gotten almost every figure that this series can have in the first Marvel series that came out. Having said that, I really do like the idea of getting these versions of the characters on the platform. Let’s take a look at who might make the cut for this series:

Tony Stark / Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.)

This one is already a given, since he is insanely popular (and not to mention, is on the box). But with how much Iron Man is more Tony Stark than he is the suit, I think were going to need Robert Downey, Jr. to make an appearance somewhere, either as an unmasked variant or as a chaser.

Steve Rogers / Captain America (Chris Evans)

Marvel Studios keeps making this character look cooler in every movie, and a large part of that is the continued updates they keep bringing to his suit. I’d love to see what details Thomas Scott would put into this character in this set.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth)

Like Captain America, Thor continues to have amazing costume enhancements with each Marvel iteration that is released. Would love to see his lightning powers reflected in the figure, as they didn’t really have a place in the first figure we got.

Bruce Banner / Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)

As awesome as the Hulk is, I think I would actually prefer a Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner vinyl more.

Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)

As the veteran female of the group, you think she HAS to pop up somewhere in this set. Would love to see her electric bracelets somehow utilized.

Clint Barton / Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)

While I’m not the biggest Hawkeye fan, Thomas Scott loves this character, so chances are he’ll be making an appearance in this set.

Pietro Maximoff / Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) (and by default The Vision (Paul Bettany)

Two newcomers to the MCU are Quicksilver and The Vision, who happen to cameos in this picture. While I would LOVE to see Quicksilver represented in this set, since we have never had him, I think Thomas Scott already made about as perfect a Vision as you can with the variant from the first series, and would hate to see this cool character get overkilled.

Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)

The twin sister of Quicksilver, I would also really like to see her make an appearance in this series, since she was a character we didn’t get in the first set. I think she has the potential to look really cool.

Ultron (James Spader)

The chaser from series 1, and the major villain in the upcoming movie. He would look absolutely bananas if done right.

Of course we could also get Nick Fury, Maria Hill, etc. But with being deemed a “smaller set” and so many design choices for the characters listed above, I think its safe to say these will be the majority. Can’t wait to see what Thomas Scott has in store for us with this series!!

Iron Patriot / War Machine Limited Edition Two Pack

December 2014
LE 1500
$29.95

Wow, I cannot wait to get my hands on this two-pack. This is a release that makes complete sense, and looks absolutely fantastic. Both of these characters are featured in the Iron Man movies, with Don Cheadle getting behind the armor to represent them. However, in the comics (which is what these look to be based off of), Norman Osborn was the original Iron Patriot, so if you get your hands on the Green Goblin variant from the Spider-Man series, you can recreate this menacing character.

I must say, I absolutely LOVE the detail on these two. I think they blow the Iron Man from series 1 out of the water. Thomas Scott really outdid himself with this two-pack.

Ant-Man Eachez

December 2014
Hank Pym 9/10 odds (LE 2250)
Scott Lang 1/10 odds (LE 250)
$16.95

I love that we’re getting this as an Eachez release. It makes complete sense, and both designs look AMAZING. Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man, will be the common, while Scott Lang, who is the second Ant-Man (and the centerpiece for the upcoming movie, played by Paul Rudd). It’s interesting that Scott Lang was chosen to be the variant, since people will be more familiar with his version of Ant-Man once the movies come out. But I love that we’re getting two completely different characters with this eachez release. That alone is going to make me want to hunt down both of these. Plus, they will go great with the Yellowjacket / Wasp two-pack that we got with series 1. The mask on Hank Pym looks amazing too (tell me that that does not look drawn on). These figures are both based on the comic book versions, and here is a look at how well they have been represented:

And a preview from the upcoming movie:

Peter Parker Eachez

January 2015
Spider Sense 9/10 odds (LE 2250)
Peter Parker 1/10 odds (LE 250)
$16.95

The final preview we got for Marvel, and the one that I’m most excited about, is the Peter Parker eachez. A lot of people, including myself, were curious as to why Peter Parker was noticeably omitted from Marvel Series 2 that just came out. Well, it looks like we got our answer! The common version of this figure is Peter Parker looking considered while his “Spider Sense is tingling”. Throughout his run in the comics and animated TV shows, his face normally flashes to half his Spider-Man mask, while yellow rays encircle his head when this event happens. Thomas Scott did an amazing job bringing this to life on the platform.

The variant figure is the happy-go-lucky Peter Parker that we all know and love. The yellow flashes have been replaced with spider webs in his ears, and he is sporting a much less concerned look. If you have the Mary Jane Watson variant figure from series 2, this is a great opportunity to recreate their iconic first scene together:

The Amazing Spider-Man #42

Well, this wraps up all of the previews we got for Marvel from the Imagination Gala! Let us know what you think about these upcoming Marvel vinyls!

Disneyland’s Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Re-Surfaces

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

Finding Nemo Submarine “Scout” was the first to ferry Guests when the ride was re-commisioned.

Disneyland’s long closed Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage re-opened on Saturday, September 27 after an almost 10 month closure. Many fans of the attraction feared it would not return, as rumors of a wholesale demolition and remaking of that area of Disneyland Park have been rife since the filming of a new Star Wars film began recently overseas.

The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm, the creators of the Star Wars film franchise, in October of 2012 for $4 billion.

A wholesale change in the north Tomorrowland area could have been an expensive and disruptive undertaking for the park that will celebrate its 60th Anniversary next year. There were also questions about Monorail transportation to and from the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney District should that area of the Park have been scraped clean. Rumors are now focused on other areas of the Parks for addition of Star Wars and Marvel content. Disney has made no formal announcements.

Disney Park fans had some reason to fear that the closure might be permanent. In September of 1994, Walt Disney World’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride, a descendant of the original Submarine Voyage, closed without advance notice for what was termed a rehabilitation period. In 1996 that closure was made permanent.

The Disneyland submarines have been sailing (mostly) since June 14, 1959.

Disneyland’s Submarine Voyage closed for an extended period in September of 1998 before re-opening as a Disney-Pixar film based adventure on June 11, 2007. It was the first major Disneyland park project for Bob Iger, who became CEO of Disney in 2005, as well as the first major project for John Lasseter (chief creative officer of Pixar and Disney Animation, and executive producer of Finding Nemo) in his role as Principal Creative Advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering.

The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction received some very general refreshing during the project, with rumors implying that infrastructure for “Finding Dory”-related additions was also put into place to be rolled out closer to the release of that sequel to the original Finding Nemo.

So, how did Disneyland manage to fill the 5-million gallon lagoon the subs ply in the middle of an epic drought? When work began, the water was purified and returned to the aquifer that has existed since the land was an agricultural plot. The water was returned to the ride when work was nearly complete.

Bon Voyage!

Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Returns in 2014

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns for the fifth year to the Epcot Resort Area hotel October 31 – November 1, featuring more than 40 food and wine stations; 10 food and wine seminars and the opportunity to meet the masters behind the culinary magic.

Amidst a backdrop of live entertainment, celebratory surprises and even some spooky fun on Halloween night, guests will enjoy numerous opportunities to sip and savor all weekend as they stroll along the hotel’s causeway.

The two-night event offers an enticing array of culinary options from the hotel’s award-winning signature restaurants: Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Shula’s Steak House and Todd English’s bluezoo, as well as wine and spirits sampling from around the globe.

The food selections are as innovative as they are enticing, ranging from Italian arancini, marrying Carnaroli rice, Osso Buco and spicy tomato sauce, and the Asian-inspired grilled scallops with puffed rice, edamame and ponzu jelly; to barbeque handcrafted bacon, accented with sweet potato puree and caramelized onions. And, the hotel’s World Champion Pastry Chef, Laurent Branlard, provides intrigue on the sweeter side with finishing touches like a chocolate crunch Napoleon with hazelnut daquoise and chocolate whipped cream, and a lemon peel mousse dome with blueberry cream and lemon angel food cake at its center.

“We’re excited about the fifth annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic,” said the hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage, Tony Porcellini. “This year, we’ll present even more intriguing wine selections from around the globe; showcase our culinary creativity with exciting new dishes; expand on our seminar offerings, and introduce a beer garden! Our goal is to make this event bigger and better each year and have fun doing it!”

New to the event this year are:

A beer garden, featuring a variety of local and seasonal brews from around the world, alongside homemade bar snacks made by the hotel’s culinary experts. An upgraded ticket option provides guests access to the beer garden.
The Cheese Course seminar, which pays homage to fromage with a unique look at the art of wine and cheese pairing.
The Fine Art of Sushi and Sake seminar, which will teach guests how to identify quality sushi and sake flavor profiles and pair the two.
A hands-on Caipirinha seminar, where guests will learn both the traditional recipe and try some unique twists to this ever-popular Brazilian cocktail.
Tequila University, offering an in-depth look at tequila, its different styles, the artisans who make it and the secrets to making the perfect margarita.

Returning seminars include: pasta-making, Italian wines, modern mixology, beer, wine-blending and champagne. All seminars require separate tickets in addition to the causeway tickets, and space is limited.

To add to the event’s appeal, guests can enjoy a meet and greet with celebrity chef Todd English, the namesake of the hotel’s Todd English’s bluezoo restaurant. Guests can also meet and enjoy world-class desserts from the hotel’s very own executive pastry chef, Laurent Branlard, the world’s only two-time World Champion Pastry Chef. Barbeque fans shouldn’t miss the Cib’s Smoke House station for signature barbeque dishes from the hotel’s executive chef Robert Ciborowski.

With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel boasts more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages. The hotel’s restaurants are annual winners of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence including Shula’s Steak House, a three-time recipient of the exclusive Best of Award of Excellence.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

What:

Fifth Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Info:

The Fifth Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel returns October 31 – November 1, showcasing a vast array of food and beverage options along with informative seminars conducted by members of the hotel’s award-winning food and beverage team. Highlighting the event is the appearance of celebrity chef Todd English.

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic consists of 10 food and beverage seminars, live entertainment, a new beer garden and more than 40 food and beverage stations, featuring appetizing selections from the hotel’s signature restaurants: Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Todd English’s bluezoo, as well as wines, beers and cocktails from around the world.

When:

Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1

5:30–9 p.m. (for seminar schedule, check www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com)

Where:

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Causeway

1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd.

Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Ticket Information:

-One and two-night packages, including tickets to the outdoor festival for two and overnight accommodations, are available starting at $315 per night

– Advance purchase event-only tickets are available for $95 per person, including taxes and include unlimited food and beverage samples on the causeway

-Upgraded tickets that include the beer garden are $115 per person, including taxes

– Beverage seminars are $45 per person, per class including taxes

– Pasta making and pairing seminars are $60 per person including taxes

– For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500

Walt Disney World Testing MemoryMaker Sales with Park & Party Tickets Through 10/31

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

Currently, MemoryMaker at Walt Disney World can only be purchased at two price points, one for advance purchases and another for day-of purchases. Starting immediately, guests can be part of a test which allows them to buy 1-day park or Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets that include the MemoryMaker.

These tickets that include MemoryMaker can only currently be purchased at the ticket sales locations at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Guests who purchase the 1-day park tickets and/or party tickets will receive a MagicBand as well. The testing period will last through October 31st. Ticket prices are as follows (all include tax):

1-day Magic Kingdom ticket with MemoryMaker: 146.97
1-day Park Hopper ticket with MemoryMaker: 184.25
1-day Water Parks Fun & More (Includes 2 “Fun” visits): 205.55
1-day Park Hopper Water Parks Fun & More (Includes 2 “Fun” visits): 233.24

The ticket with MemoryMaker is also being tested on all remaining Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party nights:

Party Ticket for 9/28/14: 107.57
October Party Tickets: 112.89 for nights priced at $67 normally, $117.15 for nights priced at $71 normally

PHOTOS: Chrome Trooper Revealed From Star Wars: Episode VII

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

Website IndieRevolver.com got their hands on a photo that appears to show a never before seen Chrome Trooper that will be seen in Star Wars: Episode VII. I have been following a lot of stories and rumors regarding Episode VII and although I have heard that there will be a large presence of Stormtroopers in the film, this is the first time I have heard of a Chrome Trooper. According to Indie Revolver, there have been rumors for months of Chromed Stormtroopers, who are private security guards for the film’s main villain. From what I have heard, this will not be your typical Star Wars story. One thing that I know is that it sounds like we are in for some surprises and with J. J. Abrams directing, you know there will be some mind-blowing twists that we never imagined coming.

Concept art of Chrome Trooper provided by IndieRevolver.com:

Star Wars: Episode VII is the first chapter of a new trilogy that takes place 30 years after Return Of The Jedi. The movie is being directed by J. J. Abrams and will reunite the original cast as well as new cast members to continue the Star Wars saga. Episode VII is currently being filmed in locations such as Abu Dhabi, Iceland and various locations in the UK. Star Wars Episode VII is scheduled to be released domestically on December 18th, 2015.

New Tralier Released For Big Hero 6 By Walt Disney Animation Studios

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

Walt Disney Animation Studios just released a brand new trailer for the upcoming movie Big Hero 6. This is the first time we get a look at Hiro’s brother, Tadashi, who is also creator of Hiro’s robot sidekick Baymax.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IdMPpKMdcc]

I took some screen caps of some new scenes from the trailer and posted them below. Hope you enjoy them.

Big Hero 6 is produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and is based on the Marvel comic where a young prodigy, Hiro Hamada, and his inflatable robot, Baymax, team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes. This will be Disney’s 54th animated film release. Big Hero 6 opens in theaters domestically on November 7th, 2014.

Full Epcot Food & Wine Festival Review and We Play The Price is Right, Tonight (9/25/14) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

Tonight on WDWNT: The Radio show, we have a full review of the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. We traveled around the World Showcase and taste tasted many of the new and returning dishes and drinks and have audio of our reviews recorded on-site at the event to share with you.

Also, the Studio Backlot Tour is closing in a few days… what does that mean for Disney’s Hollywood Studios? And as always, we will be giving out some great prizes from Theme Park Connection as we play WDWNT: The Price is Right!

Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, the live radio talk show on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando focuses on the latest news and current trending topics at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. WDW News Today: The Radio Show can also be streamed live at www.1520wbzw.com. WDW News Today the Radio Show debuted in August of 2013 as a 1hour broadcast on Saturday evenings and has grown into a 2-hour program by popular demand.

To interact with the hosts during the show, listeners can call in at (407) 774-8255, tweet @WDWNT using #WDWNTRadio, or use the new LIVE chat that will be available at Radio.WDWNT.com.

The show begins at 8PM EDT tonight, don’t miss it!

Month: September 2014

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: STAR WARS

Star Wars Series 5

Jr’s Series 13: Troopers

Star Wars Eachez

Star Wars Open Window

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: The Designer Series

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: Movie Based Mystery Sets

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: Marvel

Disneyland’s Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Re-Surfaces

Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Returns in 2014

Walt Disney World Testing MemoryMaker Sales with Park & Party Tickets Through 10/31

PHOTOS: Chrome Trooper Revealed From Star Wars: Episode VII

New Tralier Released For Big Hero 6 By Walt Disney Animation Studios

Full Epcot Food & Wine Festival Review and We Play The Price is Right, Tonight (9/25/14) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

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