TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (3/9/16): Flower & Garden Review, Josh of EasyWDW.com, & More

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

WDW News Tonight returns LIVE tonight with special guest Josh of EasyWDW.com! Also, we review the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2016 booth by booth and topiary by topiary!

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WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, former hosts of WDW News Today: The Radio Show, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • We play a new game with prizes from Theme Park Connection
  • “Tom and Nick are Angry About Things”
  • We talk to Josh of EasyWDW.com about recent food price increases and what you should be eating at Walt Disney World
  • “WDWNT Now!” Tip of the Week
  • An in-depth review of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2016
  • Flash Back to the Future – “Musical Interlude”, a listen to some unused Disney Parks parade music
  • And much more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

Also, don’t miss our last episode if you haven’t seen it yet:

Disney World Increases Price of Disney Dining Plan Effective Today

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

In what seems to be a reoccurring theme as of late, Walt Disney World is now raising prices of the Disney Dining Plan. The changes go into effect beginning today, March 9, bringing about roughly a 3% price increase.

Trattoria al Forno Brings the Italian Countryside to Disney's BoardWalk

The Quick Service Plan previously cost $42.84 for adults and $17.47 for children (ages 3-9), the new cost will be $44.13 for adults and $19.04 for children.

The Regular Dining Plan originally cost $61.84 for adults and $20.96 for children (ages 3-9); the new cost will be $63.70 for adults and $22.85 for children.

The Deluxe Dining Plan previously cost $111.73 for adults and $32.56 for children (ages 3-9); the new cost will be $115.08 for adults and $35.49 for children.

Disney World May Add $15 Nightly Resort Fee to Hotel Stays

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

A WDWNT reader sent the following tweet our way yesterday…

Apparently, Disney is surveying guests to see what they think of a nightly fee that would “cover” resort guest amenities such as MagicBands, Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, etc. Of course, these are all things that have always been complimentary with your resort stay, so it would be interesting to see Disney market these items as a $15 charge every night in addition to what you are being charged for your hotel room.

I personally doubt any guest surveyed was OK with this, but Disney is at least thinking about implementing this charge in the future.

Joy and Sadness from Inside Out Coming to Epcot Character Spot

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

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Starting April 3rd, Epcot Character Spot will provide direct access to Headquarters, where you can meet Joy and Sadness, two of the Emotions from the Disney•Pixar film “Inside Out.” On the way to Headquarters, you’ll journey through Riley’s long-term memory, catching a glimpse of her Islands of Personality before joining Joy and Sadness at the console. Joy and Sadness join Baymax in the newly expanded Epcot Character Spot, located in what was Innoventions West.

3/12/16 Marvel News Mash-Up (Breaking Down the Civil War Trailer)

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

Breaking Down The Newest “Captain America: Civil War” Trailer

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The newest “Captain America: Civil War” was released this week and this trailer gives us a better idea of the story than anything we have seen before. Lets take a look at the trailer first and then I will give my interpretation of what is going on.

Keep in mind that this is all speculation and opinion on my part based on what I am seeing and from what I have read from the Civil War comic book series. Also after viewing this trailer several times, the placement of these clips are not chronological and they are cut together in a way that may be intentionally deceptive. OK, here we go.

41The first shot we see is an island in a frozen wasteland. This appears to be holding someone dangerous, who ends up being….

Read More about 3/12/16 Marvel News Mash-Up (Breaking Down the Civil War Trailer)

Disneyland Expanding Star Wars Launch Bay, Closing MARVEL Super Hero HQ

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

Just ahead of the opening of “Captain America: Civil War,” the First Avenger will return to the Disneyland Resort. Captain America will begin making appearances next month at Disney California Adventure park. Also swinging in to join Cap on his latest mission in Hollywood Land will be everyone’s favorite web slinger, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

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With this move, Disney will shutter Super Hero HQ in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park on Saturday, April 2. The Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries and encounter with the Mighty Avenger Thor will both be closing and not returning.

The closure is expected to have something to do with an expansion of Star Wars Launch Bay, likely to include more character meet and greet experiences with Star Wars characters.

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 3/7/16 (Rivers of Light, AVATAR, Tiffins, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

I visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Saturday to see the latest progress on all of the construction projects around the park, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting in our latest photo report:

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Pandora as seen from outside of the park

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Some construction happening near the non-Disney bus stop in the parking lot

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A closer look at AVATAR construction

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Walls came down around the center of Discovery Island, out first unobstructed view in a long time

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The Haunted Mansion POP! Vinyls are back in stock

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Disney Outfitters is still closed

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But outside, the exterior and pavement work is complete

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Walls are up near the Isle of Java now

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The Boneyard is closed for a few weeks for refurbishment

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Tsum-Tsums are now available at Chester and Hester’s

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Rivers of Light getting ready for an April 22nd debut

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Decorative lanterns now being installed over the viewing area

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The control tower is almost complete and it looks gorgeous

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Scaffolding was coming down Saturday afternoon, it was all gone by park close

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It will be nice to lose these walls soon

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A new roof is being constructed for Flights of Wonder

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The waterfront behind the Tree of Life was completely cleared this week

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The drum popcorn bucket is now in stock again in Africa

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Never noticed this, but ads for the Harambe Theater can be found in the original Harambe area now

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Tree of Life Garden sign looking extra-mossy these days

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Work continues on Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge

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Another look at Pandora

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Walking around the now wide-open Discovery Island paths

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One of the Discovery Island food booths recently introduced some new menu items, including Smoky Cheddar Grits

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These were absolutely fantastic, I highly recommend trying them

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A look at Rivers of Light construction from Flame Tree Barbecue

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I realized as we left the park at closing time, it might be one of the last times I’m ever there for park close while it is still daylight

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Someday we can tell our children about Animal Kingdom and when it used to close at 5PM…

VIDEO: Quite Possibly The Best “Star Wars” Fan Made Film You Will Ever See

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

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If you are a fan of “Star Wars”, and if you are especially a fan of Darth Maul, you have to watch this fan made video called “DARTH MAUL: Apprentice – A Star Wars Fan-Film”. If you want to see an 18 minute film of mostly Darth Maul battling a group of Jedi, just stop reading and click on this video below:

I thought this was so well done and can not believe that this is a fan made film. The acting, directing, editing, action, special effects, sound, cinematography, editing and score are nothing less than great.

This took two years to complete and I am really glad that they spent so much time getting this right. I was never a fan of The Prequels but I loved the lightsaber battle between Darth Maul, Qui Gon and Obi Wan. I really hope Lucasfilm viewed this movie and hope that we see something like this when we Lucasfilm takes on the Star Wars spin off movies. Dont know if they call them Anthologies or just A Star Wars Story anymore.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of this excellent fan made Star Wars film!

Here is a complete list of the cast and crew:

written, produced, directed & edited by
SHAWN BU https://www.instagram.com/shawn_bu

Action Director, Action Design and Choreography by
VI-DAN TRAN https://www.instagram.com/vi_dan

Costumes, Special Make & Up & Stunts by
DEFCON UNLIMITED https://on.fb.me/1ThkrWH

Music by
Vincent Lee https://bit.ly/1jLAZ5J

Starring:
Maul Cosplay (Ben Schamma) https://on.fb.me/1OW9K3W
Mathis Landwehr https://on.fb.me/1Thk3Yh
Svenja Jung https://on.fb.me/21NrATy
Eskindir Tesfay https://on.fb.me/1LHCB17
Maja Felicitas https://on.fb.me/1MKBmZt
Paul Cless https://on.fb.me/1QZGYqU
Sefa Demirbas https://on.fb.me/1U1Snp7
Dirk Chwialkowsky https://on.fb.me/1M081uy
Stina Amedick https://www.instagram.com/st__na/
Khoa Huyhn https://www.instagram.com/koahuynh/
Lee Hua https://www.instagram.com/leehuachang

Directors of Photography
MAX TSUI https://on.fb.me/1UHYPSW
VADIM SCHULZ https://on.fb.me/1L8ihWL
VI-DAN TRAN https://on.fb.me/1QyaX6Y

Executive Producers
VI-DAN TRAN https://on.fb.me/1QyaX6Y
EYYÜPHAN DUY https://on.fb.me/1QUUIwN
JANNIK SIEBERT https://on.fb.me/21QD6dm
JULIEN BAM https://www.youtube.com/user/JulienBam

Additional Costumes
LENORA GEWANDUNGEN https://on.fb.me/1Q87N5v

Choreo, Fight Previsualisation & Stunts
TEAMBAY https://on.fb.me/1prI8zc

Props and Additional costumes by
HYDRA FORGE https://on.fb.me/1oYcfxE

Disclaimer: This is a non-profit unofficial fan-film that is not intended for commercial use. It was made solely for fun. Characters are owned by Lucasfilm/Disney and this fan-film is not connected in any way to said companies.

Shawn Bu on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/shawn_bu
Vi-Dan on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vidantran

https://www.facebook.com/T7production

Shot on RED Dragon, RED Epic, Blackmagic 4K, Blackmagic URSA & DJI Phatom 3

Source: T7Pro

“Zootopia” Roars At The Box Office With A $73 Million Opening Weekend

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

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Disney’s “Zootopia” far exceeded expectations this weekend with a three day estimated domestic gross of $73.7 million.

“Zootopia” also continues to do well overseas bringing in a cumulative overseas total of $159 million, bringing it’s worldwide gross to $233 million.

With spring break just beginning and the movie not having yet opened in Brazil, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Ukraine and The United Kingdom and no real competition for several weeks, expect to see “Zootopia’s”‘ worldwide gross grow more and more each week.

According to Box Office Mojo:

Zootopia took in an estimated $73.7 million this weekend from 3,827 theaters ($19,258 PTA), which tops the previous March animated opening record set by The Lorax ($70.2m) and makes it the ninth largest animated opening ever. It also gives Disney four of the top three slots on the March chart, a worthy achievement though all three remain a long way from the $152.5 million opening of The Hunger Games back in 2012. In IMAX the film brought in $5.2 million from 366 screens, the second best animated IMAX opening behind only Toy Story 3’s $8.4 million.

To go along with Zootopia’s opening, the film maintains a 98% score on RottenTomatoes and received an “A” CinemaScore from opening day audiences. All of which bodes very well for its hold over the coming weeks as the next wide release animated feature isn’t until Ratchet & Clank on April 29.

Source: Box Office Mojo