UPDATE: All of The Magic of Disney Animation Attraction to Close July 12th, 2015; Latest Details on Character Moves

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Now that things have become official, more details are spilling on the July 12th, 2015 closure of the Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • The entirety of the Magic of Disney Animation will close at the end of their operating hours on July 12th. This includes all of the meet and greets, the Mushu show, the interactive exhibits, and Animation Academy.
  • Minnie Mouse will once again join the other characters who meet in the central hub of the park, in front of the Chinese Theater.
  • Mickey Mouse will move to a new home across from the Studio Catering Company, exactly what the means is still to be determined, but we’re thinking the former AFI building.
  • The Animation Gallery store at the exit of the attraction will remain open until August.
  • It is still unclear if portions of the attraction will return or if there will be widespread demolition. This area of the park was not rumored for any major expansion as of yet, but plans may have shifted or changed recently.

Similar to Backlot tour, the future of this space remains unclear, but again, something BIG is up at Hollywood Studios and an announcement has to be close…

The Latest on Confirmed Closing of The Magic of Disney Animation: Meet and Greets Moving; Hiro and Baymax Leaving

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Last week, we told you about rumors that the Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios will be closing. This week, some more solid information has been released to cast members at the attraction.

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According to the cast, July 12th will be the final day to meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Hiro & Baymax (Big Hero 6) meet and greet experiences inside of the attraction. These meet and greet closing are confirmed, however, we are still not 100% certain on the exact date. We assume that the rest of the attractions inside including the “Mushu” show, interactive exhibits, and the Animation Academy will close the same day, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Mickey and Minnie will be moving to a new, yet-to-be-announced meet and greet location at Hollywood Studios, while Hiro and Baymax are leaving the park entirely with no new home in sight.

No other details are available at this time.

Disney Reveals List of Allowable Guest Camera Accessory Items for Impending Selfie Stick Ban

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

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Yes, starting tomorrow (June 30th, 2015), “selfie sticks” are banned from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort theme parks, but many have wondered what this means for other tripod or mono-pod type camera items. Well, Disney will still be allowing many of these items in, but there are some exceptions:

  • Tripods that can be folded and stored in a reasonable size bag are allowed. Large tripods are not.
  • Extendable camera monopods are allowed.
  • GoPro brand name body and head harnesses are allowed.
  • Short, brand name GoPro handles are allowed.
  • Brand name or similar style GRIP & SHOOT handles are also allowed.
  • GoPro 3-way or similar style extending handles are not allowed.
  • Selfie sticks of any kind are not allowed.

Essentially, any extending sticks for phones or GoPro cameras are now banned. The rules on tripods have always been as stated above, so there is no surprise there either.

Review: Marvel Collector Corps Box #2 (Ant-Man)

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

The first edition of the Marvel Collector Corps was a big hit for me. I enjoyed every piece of merchandise I received in my box, down to the variant comic book and 1-out-of 4 t-shirt designs I got. And while I am not the biggest Funko Pop! Fan, I did enjoy the Hulkbuster that came in the box. So Funko really had their work cut out for them with the second box, themed around Ant-Man. Let’s see how they did…

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First, just a quick recap, the Marvel Collector Corps is a bimonthly subscription service in the same style as Loot Crate. Except all of the merchandise that comes in the box is themed around Marvel, and is completely exclusive to the box, meaning that it’s the only place you’ll find this stuff. The second box in the series is Ant-Man, and right out of the gates I noticed the box was a little bit smaller than the Avengers series box. This is probably because the Hulkbuster was such a massive Pop! That they needed the XL sized box for it. I absolutely LOVE the Hank Pym style Ant-Man artwork on the outside of the box, and the inside has a similar comic strip pattern, this time themed all around Ant-Man and his glorious history. I love the way Funko is taking the time to really make the boxes that the product comes in really stand out.

The first items I noticed right away are a new patch and pin. Again, this is similar to what we got in the first box, but this time we have Ant-Man on the patch and pin instead of Ultron and Captain America, respectively. While some people might get angry at such similar items, I’m all for this. I love a nice series of patches and pins that I can easily show off either at a Disney park or a convention. Oh, and they also happen to look amazing!!

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The next item that caught my eye is the exclusive Pop! That came with this installment. It features an unmasked Scott Lang bobblehead, with a miniature Ant-Man bobble head that’s about the size of his leg. What a cool idea by Funko to include something like this. First, I’m a huge fan of unmasked super heroes like this, so right away the bobble head is a hit for me. But the miniature, which Funko claims is their “smallest bobblehead ever” is such a neat little edition. Bravo!

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Next up we have the other vinyl collectible that Funko promised in their box, in the form of blind boxed Ant-Man mystery minis. There are 4 such designs, with even odds of getting any of them.

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This is a cool idea to make sure everyone gets a little something different in their boxes (last month it was a ¼ t-shirt design). While I am not the biggest mystery mini fan, I did get the one figure I really wanted (unmasked Scott Lang), and I also got Yellowjacket. I’ll definitely be trying to hunt down the other two. It is curious, however, that Funko did not put a Collector Corps exclusivity sticker on these, like they did for the Pop! That came in the box. Hopefully these don’t show up on the shelves of Hot Topic at some point. We’ll have to wait and see…

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Also included in every box is an exclusive t-shirt. This is an all black shirt, which features the red Ant-Man logo and a little drawing of Ant-Man that says “actual size”. While the shirt design is a little plain, I definitely like the humor on it and will for sure be wearing this when I see Ant-Man in theaters in a few weeks.

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Finally, we come to the last item, which is an exclusive variant cover. The issue they chose to use this month is issue #5 of the brand new ongoing Ant-Man series. This is a huge bonus for me because I’ve been collecting variant covers from this series, and this new cover will fit in very nicely with my collection.

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So, overall I’d score this box a 9/10. I really enjoyed all of the Ant-Man themed merchandise. My only complaint is that Collector Corps still isn’t protecting the comics they’re sending in the boxes, despite subscriber outcry. While my comic wasn’t damaged this month, the comic I got in the last box was bent and slightly torn. They really need to do something about this. Also, I am reserving judgment about the minis until it is confirmed they are exclusive. Otherwise, this was another fantastic edition of the Collector Corps, and I can’t wait to see what comes in August! To subscribe, check out www.collectorcorps.com.

The Destination Vinylmation Podcast Celebrates 200 Episodes

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

If you are a Vinylmation collector, I invite you to check out the 200th episode of the Destination Vinylmation podcast. For almost 5 years, we have been following the course of Disney’s Vinylmation collectible. On this special edition, I am joined by my original co-host MC for a look at the past, present and future of Vinylmation. We also review the latest Star Wars Vinylmation and look ahead to the Peter Pan series and D23 Expo vinyls.

Download the MP3

You can subscribe on iTunes, follow us on Facebook, and visit DestinationVinylmation.com for the latest info.

Proposed $1 Billion Disneyland Resort Expansion May Hinge On Admission Tax Halt; D23 Expo May Be Light on Announcements

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

The Orange County Register reported today that a proposed Disneyland Resort expansion may be contingent on the city of Anaheim not imposing an admission tax on tickets to the two theme parks.

According to the article Disney has stated that “expansion of the parks is contingent on the approval of the ticket-tax exemption. The company also said they don’t know potential rides, themed areas or other details yet, but that construction would begin no later than 2017. It is also not clear if the expansion would involve Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, or both. Disney signaled that a new park, or “third gate” is not in the offing at this time.

The idea of an admission tax on the Anaheim Disney attractions has a long history, but such a tax, while advocated by the city at several junctures, has never been levied. The current tax agreement dates to the development of Disney California Adventure. To facilitate the construction of that park and the Downtown Disney district, Anaheim agreed not to levy an admission tax for 20 years. The city also agreed to build the Mickey & Friends parking structure on Disney property and made infrastructure improvements in the resort district.

No Disney park in the world currently has an admission’s tax.

No News Is Not Good News

The revelation that new development at the Disneyland Resort is far from “ready for prime time” casts a little pall on the upcoming D23 Expo, where many Park faithful believed that “all would be revealed.” While plans for some modest attractions for the California parks could be divulged at the biennial gathering, it is thought that news of new projects for the parks at Walt Disney World is more likely, but certainly not certain.

You Can Fly! (Again!)

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Two months past its projected reopening, Disneyland’s Peter Pan’s Flight is expected to reopen by the Park’s 60th Anniversary on July 17th.

The attraction, which opened with the Park in 1955, is getting a sprucing up, reportedly similar to the upgrades at the Alice In Wonderland ride, where high-tech video effects were added over the long standing practical elements to great acclaim. The two remaining Fantasyland dark-rides are also expected to be upgraded in the years to come.

D23 Expo 2015: Pixar Animation Announces Schedule of Events

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

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Pixar Animation Studios today announced that it will debut it’s first-ever D23 EXPO booth, plus provocative panels and a one-of-a-kind John Lasseter Hawaiian-shirt exhibit.

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Buzz Lightyear will welcome visitors to D23 EXPO 2015 as Pixar Animation Studios celebrates the 20-year anniversary of Toy Story, among a host of exciting presentations, demonstrations and panels that pay homage to Pixar’s past while looking ahead to its roster of exciting new films. The fearless space ranger, who appeared in Pixar’s groundbreaking CG-animated feature-film debut Toy Story in 1995, as well as Toy Story 2 (1999) and Toy Story 3 (2010), has taken flight in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® six times as a giant character helium balloon, measuring 67.7-feet long, 39.9-feet wide and 34.3-feet tall. This summer, the Disney•Pixar Buzz Lightyear balloon travels to the West Coast for the first time ever, welcoming guests to D23 EXPO 2015 as it soars outside the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. D23 EXPO 2015 takes place through August 16.

CALENDAR OF KEY PRESENTATIONS/ PANELS/ EVENTS:

Every Story Is a Journey: The Upcoming Films of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios
Friday, August 14, 3:00 pm – Hall D23
After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, presents “Every Story is a Journey.” Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Disney Animation’s Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out
Friday, August 14, 2015, 11:30 am – Stage 28
Get the inside story on the making of Pixar’s latest summer release Inside Out. Hear from Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up) as they reminisce and share their personal stories of creating a world that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen.

Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!
Saturday, August 15, 2015, 3:00 pm – Stage 28
Ever wonder where your favorite Pixar stories began? Hear the stories you don’t know about the classic films that you love. Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman hosts this experience, welcoming the storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films, including Darla K. Anderson (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave), Ronnie del Carmen (Up, Inside Out) and Dan Scanlon (Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University), as they talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative and share some of the crazy story ideas that didn’t make the final cut.

Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back
Saturday, August 15, 2015, 4:30 pm – Stage 23
From flipbooks to feature films, animation has taken audiences to fantastical new worlds, far beyond the limits of any real-world setting. Pixar Animation Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, blurring the line between art and technology and bringing beloved characters to life with heart and humor. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1995’s Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, join members of the original crew, including filmmakers John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley and Bill Reeves as they share their stories and the challenges they faced along the way.
ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

Animation – Show Floor Exhibition
For the first time ever, Pixar Animation Studios is creating a show-floor experience at D23 EXPO. Pixar teams up with Walt Disney Animation Studios for an unforgettable adventure that showcases magic from both animation studios, featuring live demonstrations, presentations and autograph signings with top filmmakers, free giveaways and interactive displays. With highlights from films like Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory and Moana, animation fans will get the inside scoop on their favorite films and characters.

Say Aloha to John Lasseter’s Film-Themed Hawaiian Shirts
Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter takes Disney and Pixar animation to heart—literally. For nearly every film—from Finding Nemo and Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen and Inside Out, Lasseter has commissioned an exclusive movie-themed Hawaiian shirt. And those who know the Oscar®-winning storyteller know that he loves his Hawaiian shirts—and dons one for almost every occasion. Animation fans will see their favorite film characters “materialize” before their eyes in this colorful collection, which will be exhibited on the show floor.

Fans can take home their own shirt, thanks to Disney Store at D23 EXPO. This D23-exclusive Reyn Spooner-design features characters from all the feature films produced under the creative guidance of Lasseter. The simple, appealing collage joins many of Disney’s and Pixar’s most beloved recent characters on one wearable canvas. The shirt will retail for $99.95.
Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

New Episode of The Jedi, Hero & Princess Podcast; Tonight @ 10PM

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

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Hosted by Nick, Brendt and Zoe, The Jedi, Hero and Princess Podcast brings together the best of the Disney universe.

On tonight’s show, we review the new Disney Pixar movie Inside Out and talk about the merchandise and park presence of the film. We also make a fuss about the removal of cheese sauce pumps from WDW and the big change on the horizon for pressed pennies. There is an update on what awaits guests at this year’s D23 Expo. And as always, we have some of our favorite Star Wars, Marvel, Vinylmation and Pin headlines and “Most Embarrassing Thing You Did Since the Last Show.”

Catch The Jedi, Hero & Princess Podcast streaming live tonight at 10pm Eastern, directly following an all new WDWNT: The Radio Show and then every other Thursday night via WDWNT: On the Air at listen.wdwnt.com.

You can also subscribe to this and other WDWNT Original Programming via the iTunes feed WDWNT: On the Air.

And remember, if you want the un-cut extended edition of the show, with much more content, subscribe via iTunes to the Jedi, Hero & Princess Podcast feed.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for headlines, show updates and discussions.

ALL NEW WDWNT: The Radio Show Tonight (06/25/15)

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

radio_show_post_logoTonight, on WDWNT: The Radio show, Tom returns to the studio and we have many pressing issues to get to like selfie sticks, pennies, cheese sauce and edible animal poop. You can also win some great prizes from Theme Park Connection by playing 5 things! Joins us LIVE.

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!

BREAKING: Selfie Sticks To Be Completely Banned from Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Not Just On Theme Park Attractions

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

The ongoing war on selfie sticks at Walt Disney World has taken a more drastic turn. You may remember when we told you that the sticks were not allowed to be taken out on any rides or attractions a few months ago, well, now selfie sticks won’t even be allowed through security…

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Guests using selfie sticks or similar devices on the former Luigi’s Flying Tires ride at California Adventure

By July 2015, guests will not be permitted to even bring these items into any of the Walt Disney World theme parks due to safety concerns imposed by the items being brought onto rides (and the rather careless ways some guests use them when not on attractions). Guest relations cast members will be assigned to the security screening areas in front of all of the parks to assist the security cast in dealing with guests trying to bring their “selfie sticks” in. If found, guests can opt to take the stick with them and leave, or they can check it with the guest relations cast member who will have the item stored, give the guest a ticket, and request that they retrieve the item upon leaving the park later that day.

We don’t have an exact date for when this policy will be going into effect, but it should be sometime very soon, before July 2015 in fact.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

UPDATE: Disney has confirmed that selfie sticks have indeed been banned from the Walt Disney World theme parks effective June 30th, 2015. Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Resort Paris will also be following suit.