The Hollywood Tower Authentic merchandise line launched today at Tower Hotel Gifts at the exit of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror:
The artist appearance taking place today to celebrate the launch
Many of the displays in the store were updated as well
Tin sign
Magnet
Luggage tags
We’ll share more pictures of new items as they become available.
We’ve been watching construction for what seems like forever, but the Village Causeway, the bridge across the Marketplace section of what will be Disney Springs, opened to guests today with some small merchandise stands (Photos by WDWNT Reporter Jose Castillo):
Some really great details to be found on the bridge
Florida Both Co. sells specialty soaps
Kate and Leo doesn’t seem to be Titanic related…
They sell toys
Icon Jewelry
Flour and Sugar is operated by Basin
They have Florida inspired cookies
Different areas of Florida are represented, tying into the Disney Springs story
The store is pretty much operated on an iPad
Looking out from the Village Causeway
Some really nice views
The bridge itself is a nice architectural piece
You can now get from Rainforest Cafe to the LEGO Store in record time
The new marina is still being constructed
In a post today on the Disney Merchandise Blog, Disney has announced a new Trade Night to be held at Walt Disney World on February 27th. Just one catch… you need to pre-register and pay a $10 registration fee. This Trade Night is one that would have previously been free. We brought this possibility up a few weeks ago on the Destination Vinylmation podcast. This is Disney basically asking us, “how badly do you desire a monthly trade night?” Here are the details from Disney:
Disney Trading Night at the Walt Disney World® Resort
February 27
Vera Cruz A, Disney’s Coronado Springs® Resort
Add to Your CalendarWe have been listening to your feedback and this year, we plan to host several Disney-sponsored trading opportunities at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. These events, which will include a nominal registration fee, will give attendees plenty of opportunities to trade with other pin traders.
So if you are you looking to meet avid and novice traders, make friends, or share stories about your collections, then trading night is the place for you! Disney Trading Night will take place February 27, 2015 from 6 – 9 p.m. at Vera Cruz A in Disney’s Coronado Springs® Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Reservations for the Trading Event are $10, per person. Limited to availability. No discount will be offered in conjunction with this package).
Here is the link to the article and the registration site.
Are you willing to put up $10 to have a place to trade with fellow collectors at an official Disney Trade Night?
Tonight, on WDWNT: The Radio show, we discuss the coming ticket price increase at Walt Disney World. We also have news on the Be Our Guest restaurant, the Richard Petty Driving Experience and more.
You can also win some great prizes from Theme Park Connection by playing guessing the band in our Garden Rocks trivia!
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 1 hour 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 EST every Thursday night, don’t miss it!
Over the last week, I visited Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Magic Kingdom, and Epcot, so let’s see what’s new at the Walt Disney World Resort right now:
 Starting at the Polynesian, Moana Mercantile expanded into the sundries area which has been remodeled
They finally have digital park hour boards at the Polynesian
The new sundries section
The ATM moved upstairs
The controversial lobby…
New sigage up throughout the Great Ceremonial House
Signage for Trader Sam’s is covered up
A look at the future home of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Work continues on the pool area
A new kid’s slide being installed
A new building for boat rentals being constructed as well
The nearly-completed bungalows off in the distance
The DVC location has moved, now with a kiosk and a small meeting room
From the monorail platform, we can see work on the left side of the Great Ceremonial House exterior
Moving to the Magic Kingdom, scrims reveal that work inside Uptown Jewelers is related to Pandora moving in
Splash Mountain is open again, but the restrooms nearby have not
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is closed for modifications to the ride similar to California’s version
This picture was taken just a day before the Video Arcade sign came down
The Rockettower Plaza Stage is the latest victim of the new Tomorrowland color scheme
Work continues on the new Magic Kingdom hub area
Another planter around the Partners Statue has been removed
New, smaller planters are being installed
The old production booths are going to be coming down soon
Fountains will flank both sides of Main Street
Golden Oak Outpost was actually open, now with one less set of waffle fries to offer
The Sunglass Hut in Adventureland has giant pin trading sunglasses…
More hub construction
Valentine’s Day cupcakes at the Bakery
Moving over to Epcot, preparation is underway for the Flower and Garden Festival
Where the Test the Limits Labs once stood in Innoventions are now construction walls
Not sure if this is a clue to what is coming
TSUM TSUM PINS ARE OUT! Find them if you can!
Walt Disney World announced yesterday that the Richard Petty Driving Experience and Exotic Driving Experience will be closing in late-June 2015 for “future transportation improvements”. The Walt Disney World Speedway is expected to be demolished sometime after that.
It’s no secret that road improvements are coming to the area, as cast members already know of the expansion of Floridian Way and the moving of Cast Connection to allow backstage road improvements near Magic Kingdom. We can only speculate that changes will also be made to the Magic Kingdom toll plaza and parking exit to allow better traffic flow, and perhaps provide a separate vehicle entrance to the park from the road that takes guests to the monorail resorts nearby.
The Walt Disney Studios has released a new trailer for the spectacular new live-action film Cinderella.
A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.
Cinderella opens in theaters March 13, 2015.
Have a look at the new trailer:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erecP_j6aKE]
The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new Stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.
Soon, she is forced to become their servant, disrespected, covered in ashes and spitefully renamed Cinderella. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her, and she continues to remain positive, determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.”
When Ella meets a dashing stranger in the woods, unaware that he is really the Prince (Richard Madden) and not merely Kit, an apprentice at the palace, she believes she has finally found a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the King (Derek Jacobi) summons all maidens in the kingdom to attend a royal ball at the palace, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit. Alas, her Stepmother forbids her to attend and callously destroys her dress.
Meanwhile, the calculating Grand Duke (Stellan Skarsgård) devises a plan to thwart the Prince’s hopes of reuniting with Ella and enlists the support of the devious Stepmother. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand. Soon, a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin, a few mice and a magic wand, changes Cinderella’s life forever.
Cinderella opens in theaters March 13, 2015.
Principal photography on Pete’s Dragon commenced this week in New Zealand. A re-imagining of the 1977 Disney classic, Pete’s Dragon will blend live action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned boy, Pete, and his best friend, Elliott, who just happens to be a dragon.
The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott; 10-year-old Oakes Fegley as Pete; Wes Bentley as Jack, a local mill owner; New Zealand native Karl Urban as Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence as Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete; and Oscar® winner Robert Redford as Grace’s father.
Pete’s Dragon is directed by David Lowery and produced by Jim Whitaker, with Barrie Osborne serving as executive producer. The screenplay is by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. WETA Digital, the visual effects company founded by filmmaker Peter Jackson based in New Zealand, will utilize the latest in digital effects to bring the dragon, Elliott, to life. The film is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters in August, 2016.
“This is a story about how magic can enter one’s life and change the way they see the world. And I think David Lowery is the perfect director to bring this project to life,” says Whitaker.
The production begins shooting in and around Wellington before moving north to the Rotorua area, and will complete principal photography in the South Island communities of Tapanui and Invercargill.
Film New Zealand, the country’s national film office and sister agency Film Wellington assisted the Walt Disney Studios in assessing and confirming New Zealand for the production.
“New Zealand has long been a wonderful partner for film production. Wellington’s state-of-the-art facilities and filmmaker-friendly community, in particular, make it an ideal location to shoot and be based out of,” says Osborne.
Pete’s Dragon is set for theatrical release in August 2016.
It’s official! “Spider-Man” will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Disney/Marvel will co-produce future “Spider-Man” movies with Sony.
Under the agreement, the new “Spider-Man” will first appear for a film in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe and then Sony will release a new “Spider-Man” movie on July 28th, 2017 to be co-produced by Marvel’s Kevin Feige and Sony’s Amy Pascal.
Marvel and Sony Pictures are also exploring opportunities to integrate characters from the MCU into future Spider-Man films.
Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company said: “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s great characters, beloved around the world. We’re thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building.”
“We always want to collaborate with the best and most successful filmmakers to grow our franchises and develop our characters. Marvel, Kevin Feige and Amy, who helped orchestrate this deal, are the perfect team to help produce the next chapter of Spider-Man,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. “This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans.”
“Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker’s story into the future,” added Doug Belgrad, president, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.
“I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie,” said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. “Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved characters. Marvel’s involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years.”
Source: Marvel
Welcome home “Spider-Man!”
This is without a doubt the news that most Marvel fans have been waiting to hear. It is still uncertain if “Spider-Man” will make his debut in “Captain America: Civil War” or “Avengers: Infinity War Part 1.” I have a feeling that he will be a part of “Civil War” since the character of “Spider-Man” was a major participant in the comic book series. I had heard previously that Marvel was not going to use “Spider-Man” even if a deal between Marvel and Sony emerged because the script had been finalized and they were planning on going into production soon. “Black Panther” was expected to fill in for “Spider-Man’s” role. I am sure that Disney and Marvel were aware that an agreement was in play and it wouldn’t surprise me if they had written two scripts just in case. So I would expect “Spider-Man” to be the third major character in “Civil War.” I also would not be surprised if the title changes to just “Civil War” at some point.
It sounds as though Andrew Garfield will no longer be playing “Spider-Man” and that they will be casting a new “Spider-Man.” Marvel also mentioned that characters from “Spider-Man’s” Universe may appear in future Marvel movies. This is an added bonus because the Marvel Cinematic Universe is really lacking in “good” villains.
Now that a new “Spider-Man” movie will be released on July 28th, 2017, some of Marvel’s Phase 3 movies release dates are being shifted around. “Thor: Ragnarok” was scheduled to be released on July 28th, 2017 but will now be moved to November 3rd, 2017. The following year, Marvel’s “Black Panther” will make its way to theaters on July 6, 2018, and Marvel’s “Captain Marvel” on November 2, 2018. Finally, Marvel’s “Inhumans” will now debut in theaters July 12, 2019. The previously announced dates for Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War Part 1” and “Avengers: Infinity War Part 2” on May 4, 2018 and May 3, 2019, respectively, remain unchanged.
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will bring back many of its beloved events while adding a selection of new experiences for members in 2015.
The events scheduled for 2015 so far include:
D23 will also be bringing more events to members across the country in 2015:
Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year, including new, member special events in Orlando. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2015 special events can be found at www.D23.com/events. All events and dates are subject to change.
Current event calendar:
WDWNT.com will bring you more D23 news and updates as they become available.
