Walt Disney World Bus Wait Times Test Occurring Now; Guests Will Know When Their Bus is Coming

Over the past few months, select resort hotel bus stops around Walt Disney World have had LCD displays installed that should tell them the estimated wait until a particular bus is going to show up. While not fully functional as of yet, Disney is now testing recently-installed long range readers to see how long it takes for buses to travel between two points, in order to give accurate bus wait times to resort guests.

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The readers are tracking guests’ MagicBands, at least reading when the guest leaves the bus station at one point and then arrives at the next point.

The test is currently taking place between Disney’s Port Orleans Resort and the Magic Kingdom. Should the test be successful, a widespread roll-out of the system will take place, giving guests resort-wide accurate bus wait times.

Be Our Guest Restaurant Opening Lunch Reservations To All Guests, Food Pre-Ordering Available, Breakfast Coming Soon

So, for the past several months, guests who wanted to eat lunch at Be Our Guest restaurant in New Fantasyland either needed to be a resort guests with a FastPass reservation or arrive at the restaurant pretty early in the day to get a return time to eat at the establishment. Needless to say, the test was pretty disastrous, leading Disney to implement a new system starting next month.

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Much like a table service restaurant, Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR) will be available for the Be Our Guest Restaurant lunch by phone or through MyDisneyExperience starting February 25th. We assume this will be utilizing the established 180 day window for advanced reservations, but that has not been confirmed as of yet.

Guests will also be able to pre-order their food and drinks anywhere from 30 days to within 5 minutes of their arrival at the restaurant once they have a reservation, again via MyDisneyExperience. Pre-ordering isn’t necessary, you can still order at the restaurant as well.

Disney has confirmed breakfast will be added to Be Our Guest Restaurant as well sometime this year, but details on the counter service offering will be provided at a later date.

VIDEO: ‘Tomorrowland’ Superbowl Trailer

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Here is the new trailer for ‘Tomorrowland’ that appeared during Superbowl XLIX.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksax9gbhIhE]

Official synopsis: From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

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‘Tomorrowland’ is scheduled to hit theaters on May 22nd, 2015.

PHOTOS: Trolley Car Cafe Starbucks Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tom Corless was at the Trolley Car Cafe soft opening today and took a ton of great pictures! On the corner of Hollywood and Sunset at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the location officially opens on Tuesday, but today guests are able to enter by obtaining a voucher. Entry is via the patio on Hollywood Blvd., with the exit through the side door onto Sunset Blvd.

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The menu is a standard Starbucks menu.

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The interior theming is spectacular!

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The utensil dispensers even have a Trolley Car Cafe logo.

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Not only does the interior look great, the food does too!

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These are the vouchers you need to get in for the soft opening.  They are handing them out at random on Hollywood Blvd.

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The Trolley Car Cafe has several different logos, all of which seem well done.

No Vinylmation Day at 2015 WDW Trading Event GenEARation D np

Each year in September, Walt Disney World holds a weekend long, ticketed trading and merchandise event at the Epcot World Showplace. For years, it was pins only. Then, in 2010, they added Vinylmation to the the event. The following year, Vinylmation took over Sunday and was turned into its own ticked day. There will be no such day at the 2015 event titled GenEARation D.

GenEARationD_logoAccording to an official post on Disney’s Merchandise Blog:

The GenEARation D event will focus primarily on Disney Pin Trading. While you are welcome to bring Vinylmation figures to trade with other Guests, we will not be offering Vinylmation trading activities or selling Vinylmation figures at the event.

This is a huge and disturbing shift in the hobby. While many will rush to judgement and put the nail in the Vinylmation coffin, I’m not sure that death is eminent. This is however, very disappointing. With the lack of free trade nights at the parks, this was the one time of year, a large group of collectors, could really look forward to getting together and trading face to face. I will also miss the Vinylmation Talk that provided previews and months of content to discuss among the community. Many will miss the merchandise. I will not miss the trading with Cast Members at this particular event. I have said all along, that Vinylmation trading does not work the same way as pins, and that trade format for Vinylmation is just not as effective… as shown in the disinterest in standing in the lines for many attendees.

So what does this mean? That is a question we will be pondering online and on the Destination Vinylmation podcast for weeks to come, I assure you that. In short, I think this solidifies vinyls shift from its attempt to be the next “Pins” to being a boutique like art/souvenir item at the parks. Please leave your comments here in this post and we will share them on the next podcast.

Pins have made some significant changes as well including vouchers designating your number of trades and guaranteed pins that used to randomly placed on the boards. Read the entire Disney announcement here.

 

For all your Vinylmation news, please check out DestinationVinylmation.com.

Tom Corless’ 1/30/15 Epcot Photo Report (Recalled Mug, Frozen, New Merchandise, ETC.)

I visited Epcot on Sunday afternoon and have some newsworthy photos from my trip to share with you today:

 

Welcome to Epcot

The now-pulled Epcot Starbucks mug was on shelves when I visited Sunday

And it was never seen again…

A mug with a different color monorail will eventually be made

If you look closely, you can see construction vehicles out behind The Land at Epcot, rumor has it additional Soarin’ theaters may be constructed

The “healthy” food cart between The Land and Imagination! recently got a new menu

In Canada, the Lumberjack show is making some modifications for a log rolling act

The seating area from Brazil at the Food and Wine Festival was kept as a nice spot for guests to relax

The new group in Morocco was out as I passed by

Some walls are up in the gardens in Japan

New Disney villains pins recently were released

Also, this really neat Dug pin

The front section of the Puffin’s Roost, which was once the Frozen meet and greet, is once again shop space

No visible progress on the Frozen attraction

The future site if the Frozen meet and greet building

Walls up outside of the Mexico pavilion for some reason

Several new shirts can be found at MouseGear

This Minnie Mouse shirt was in the men’s section, which might be a first

Kid’s shirts

Several new iPhone 6 cases were released, all in new, slimmer packaging

The old packaging can still be found

Figment iPhone 5 case

I’m not certain, but these princess pillows looked new

 

A new popcorn bucket featuring Test Track is now available

2/2/15 Marvel News Mash-Up (Grey Hulk, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars)

Will We See A ‘Grey Hulk’ In ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron?

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This first started when an image of the ‘Savage Grey Hulk’ Funco Pop vinyl figure was leaked online as a Hot Topic exclusive figure. What is interesting is the redness around his eyes is similar to the scene in the newest trailer suggesting that he is being controlled by Scarlet Witch.

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In the very first issue of the Incredible Hulk, The Hulk was grey and Stan Lee had always intended for him to be grey. But do to problems with the grey ink and how it did not blend properly with the rest of the colors in the comics, Marvel felt it was best to change his color to green.  This was explained by saying that the Grey Hulk persona and the Green Hulk persona are battling in  Bruce Banner’s sub-conscious. Due to his superior strength, Green Hulk aka Savage Hulk, won most of the time thus showing the Savage Hulk persona more often.

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So could this just be some exclusive figure for Hot Topic or did this image let the cat out of the bag? We wont know for sure until ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron’ comes out but I do think it is a possibility. Grey Hulk has Banner’s intellect and if at some point they decide to do a solo movie, maybe ‘Planet Hulk,’ they would need The Hulk not to revert back to Banner but also say more than just “Hulk Smash!”

People are saying that this very fast scene of the Hulk in the newest TV spot shows that he is grey. I kind of think it is just the lighting though.

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We’ll have to wait and see on this one.

New Images From ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron’

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Empire magazine’s most recent issues features some new images from ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron.’

Newsstand and Collector Edition Covers:collagedsdsd

Some of these photos have a (very) few Easter Eggs in them. I put togther a side by side comparision to show the ones that I was able to find.

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Captain America:

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Do you notice something similar? Captain America’s costume in Age Of Ultron is the exact same costume as his Winter Soldier costume except it is painted a different color. Look at the stripes and that expalins why the middle red stripe doesn’t go down lower like the other two.

Bruce Banner/The Hulk:

collagetrrtrtIt appears that now when Banner transforms into the Hulk his eyes start to turn green. This has to be a homage to the original TV Series, The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby.

Thor:

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Tony Stark/Iron Man:

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Black Widow:

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Hawkeye with director Joss Whedon:

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Scarlet Witch:

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Source: Empireonline.com

Chris Evans And Chris Pratt Battle Over A Superbowl Winner

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After it was determined that the New England Patriots were to face the Seattle Seahawks in this year’s Superbowl, Chris Evans, a long time Patriots fan, sent out the following tweet to his friend, Chris Pratt, a long time Seahawks fan:

“Well, well, well @prattprattpratt, looks like our teams are going into battle. For the next 2 weeks, you are not my friend, you are my enemy,” Evans, 33, wrote.

Pratt responded with ‘@chrisevans OK. Seahawks win you fly yourself to Seattle, visit @seatllechildren hospital as Captain America, waving the 12th man flag.’

Evans responded with ‘@prattprattpratt I accept. And when the Patriots humiliate your seachickens, I expect Star-Lord to arrive at @chris_haven in a Brady jersey.’

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Even with the outcome last night, both men will be visiting both locations. These guys are some real life heroes for sure

Preview Of Marvel Comics’ ‘Star Wars #2’

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Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader for the first time in the newest issue of ‘Star Wars #2’

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Source: CBR.com

Sideshow Collectibles Corner

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Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron will begin hitting the theatres worldwide shortly! In the epic sequel, Earth’s mightiest heroes come together again to defend the world from the menacing Ultron! Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys are excited to continue the Avengers: Age of Ultron series and officially present the new sixth scale Captain America Collectible Figure! This figure is available exclusively at Sideshow Collectibles for $224.49 and expected to ship in the last quarter of 2015.

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That’s it for this time!

Play Along as WDWNT March Madness Begins Tonight (01/29/15) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

radio_show_post_logoTonight, on WDWNT: The Radio show, look ahead to 2015 at the Disney Parks. We will discuss what we know is coming to Walt Disney World as well as all our speculations… and invite yours as well. We also have all the latest breaking news about the Disneyland 60th Anniversary celebration that will be taking place this year.

Also, we have the debut of a brand new game show! Join us for Disney Parks Pursuit and win some great prizes from Theme Park Connection. We are looking for some contestants to play. Here are the details:

  • This is a pre-show sign-up for Tonight’s (Thursday 01/29/15) game show contestants.
  • Send an email to contactnickl@gmail.com with your name, hometown and phone number you can be reached at.
  • The game is played entirely over the phone. We will call you when it is time to play.
  • You need to be available on Thursday, December 29 from 9-10 EST. You need to be available the whole time although we will not have you on the phone the entire time.
  • You need to be a Disney fan who wants some great prizes from our wonderful sponsor, Theme Park Connection!
  • Contestants will be chosen randomly from all entries received. Not everyone who sends an email will appear on the show, but everyone who does appear on the show will win a prize from Theme Park Connection. And the better you perform, the more you win.

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 or on your TuneIn and iHeartRadio apps, just search for WBZW. 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 Listen.WDWNT.com.

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

Top Annie Awards Go To “Dragon 2,” Disney Animation Receives Most Overall

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Dean DeBlois picked up directing honors for “How To Train Your Dragon 2” at Saturday’s “Annies” presented by ASIFA-Hollywood. Dragon 2 also received the Best Feature Animation prize. Images courtesy of ASIFA-Hollywood and DreamWorks Animation.

DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2” took Best Animated Feature honors at the 42nd Annual Annie Awards, presented by ASIFA-Hollywood, as some of feature and television animation’s brightest stars assembled at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, January 31.

The Best Feature, and the directorial award to the film’s Dean DeBois, are timely for artists and technicians the creative staff of the financially beleaguered studio, especially since the Annie Awards are considered something of a bellwether of the Academy Awards which will be held on February 22. The firm also picked up awards for feature character design (Fabio Lignini), for storyboarding (Truong “Tron” Son Mai) and for music (John Power, Jonsi).

Various Disney animation units picked up the most awards, including nine for Disney Television Animation alone and 11 in total. Disney Television Animation’s “Gravity Falls” won for television/broadcast production for a children’s audience. “Disney Mickey Mouse” picked up the most individual Annies, including direction in a TV/broadcast production (Aaron Springer), writing (Darrick Bachman), editorial (Illya Owens), music (Christopher Willis) and voice acting (Bill Farmer.) “Wander Over Yonder” also took awards in character animation (Justin Nichols), character design (Benjamin Balistreri), and “Mickey Shorts”  also won for production design (Narina Skolova).

Leslie Iwerks and Richard Sherman present The Walt Disney Family Museum at the 42nd Annie Awards™ with a Special Achievement Award for its unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation. Ron Miller, Walt Disney’s son-in-law and the president of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Board of Directors  attended the ceremony to receive the honor. Images courtesy of ASIFA-Hollywood.

Leslie Iwerks and Richard Sherman present The Walt Disney Family Museum at the 42nd Annie Awards™ with a Special Achievement Award for its unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation. Ron Miller, Walt Disney’s son-in-law and the president of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Board of Directors attended the ceremony to receive the honor. Images courtesy of ASIFA-Hollywood.

“The Lego Movie” from Warner Bros. Animation received one award for writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Close watchers of the Annies might have possibly predicted the so-called snub from the slate of nominations. “How To Train Your Dragon 2” had 10 nominations, in comparison to 6 for “The Lego Movie.” “The Box Trolls” actually led the Best Feature nominations with 13.

“Dragon” will compete with “Big Hero 6,” “The Boxtrolls,” “Song of the Sea,” and “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.” It has already won the Golden Globe.

The Annies have a consistent history of matching the Academy Award winners every other year except 2006 when Happy Feat was the Oscar winner. The Annie that year went to “Cars.” Last year’s Annie winner, “Frozen,” went on to win the Oscar.

RUMOR: Disney Looking At Chris Pratt To Be The New ‘Indiana Jones’

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This rumor was originally started by fans after seeing Chris Pratt in ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy,’  but now it seems that Disney is actually listening to what the fans are saying. I admit that after seeing his performance in the opening scene where ‘Starlord’ retrieves the Infinity Stone, it reminded me of the opening scene in ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’ where ‘Indy’ retrieves the Idol. Pratt would make a great ‘Indian Jones,’ (see photos below). He just seems to have the confidence and believability to take on that role more than any other actor I could think of.

According to Deadline.com, Disney is starting to turn it’s attention to reviving the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise and that Chris Pratt is under serious consideration.

The signs have been there that Disney is about to do something with ‘Indiana Jones.’ When Disney first acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, ‘Star Wars’ was the big deal and ‘Indiana Jones’ was mentioned as a side note. Paramount still had partial ownership and I believe they were contracted to make two more Indy movies. But back in 2013, Disney and Paramount reached an agreement where Disney would retain full control of the ‘Indiana Jones‘ franchise which included future movies and home video distribution.

I also remember hearing that of the big three from the original cast of ‘Star Wars’, Harrison Ford was the holdout for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII.’ Ford apparently agreed to be in ‘Episode VII’ if Disney agreed to do 2 more ‘Indiana Jones’ movies with him in it. Ford was not happy with ‘Indiana Jones And The Chrystal Skull’ and wanted the character to go out on a high note. So I don’t know if that is still on the table or maybe it is possible for Harrison Ford to pass the reigns on to Chris Pratt. Shia Labeouf played Indy’s son in the ‘Chrystal Skull’ but Shia is now box office poison and has been bad news  for several years in the eyes of the press and movie fans. There is no reason why Pratt couldn’t take on the role as an older version of Labeouf’s character. They seriously have to lose the name of ‘Mutt’ though and called him ‘Indy’, well after the inevitable happens to Ford’s character.

Harrison Ford in ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’:harrison-ford-indiana-jones-idol__index

Chris Pratt in ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’:guardians-of-the-galaxy-chris-pratt3