March 2016 – Page 8 – WDWNT Archive

BREAKING: Disney Parks Switch to Tiered Seasonal Ticket Pricing Imminent

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

We have talked about this for a long time, but expect a formal announcement from Disney that Disneyland ticket pricing will be switching to a new tiered system very, very soon.

Rumors of Disney Parks going towards this kind of pricing system have been rumored for years, so much so that some of the competition has researched such pricing, and some other parks have even rolled it out already (namely Universal Studios Hollywood):

Universal Hollywood is already trying a similar system for ticket pricing

Under tiered seasonal ticket pricing, ticket prices can be higher or lower based on when you are visiting. Peak seasons like the summer and the Christmas season would be most expensive, while “off-season” months like January or September would be the least expensive. We have not yet received any pricing charts or information, but we expect a formal announcement from Disney soon.

UPDATE: Walt Disney World is expected to make similar changes to the ticket pricing structure over the weekend. We expect a Disney announcement soon.

We have since found out more information on this new ticketing structure which you can read here.

“WDWNT: Nerd Alert Podcast” Season Two, Episode One Tonight @ 8PM; Available For Download

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

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The Nerd Alert crew is back for Season Two! In this weeks episode the gang talk about:

“Star Wars: Episode VIII” Begins Production
“Star Wars Land” Reveal On “The Wonderful World Of Disney”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Crosses $2 Billion
“Star Wars Rebels: Season 2” Season Pass Controversy
“Deadpool’s” Success And How It Will Affect Other Comic Book Movies
Preview Of The 2016 Comic Book Movies

Join Joe Hogarty, Patrick Hackett, Ron D’Anna and newest cast member, Jack McCarthy!

This episode is now available for download through WDW News Today: Original Programing and iTunes!

VIDEO, PHOTOS: Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Opens March 7th in Cars Land

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will open at Disney California Adventure on March 7th, 2016!

In this all-new attraction, Luigi will turn the tire storage yard behind his Casa Della Tires into a dance floor. Cars Land guests will be able to ride along with Luigi’s cousins as they move and spin to upbeat Italian music, performing the traditional dances of their hometown village.

Each dancing car will have its own high-spirited personality and signature dance moves, with 18 different ride profiles and the ability of each car to switch between several of the different ride profiles during each and every song. The attraction marks a major milestone for the Disneyland Resort as it is their very first trackless ride system.

Check out this video of the attraction in action as Imagineering talks more about what this new ride is capable of:

The PIXAR Party Comes to Walt Disney World August 26-27, 2016

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Disney has finally announced the registration and event dates for the PIXAR Party, the highly anticipated 2016 Trading Event at Epcot:

You’re invited to a party! But not just any party, a Pixar Party Trading Event, August 26-27, 2016 at World ShowPlace in Epcot at Walt Disney World. Join us as we celebrate 30 years of Pixar Animation Studios magic from theatrical film releases, beloved shorts, cherished stories from the Vault, and more. No doubt it’s going to be a rootin’ tootin’ time. Race you there!

Registration for this year’s pin trading event will take place on April 28, 2016.

We are committed to providing a great experience for all our attendees. Please read below for details.

Things to Know Before You Register

Introduced at last year’s event to ensure that all attendees have equal access to the trading boards, we will again provide each Pixar Party Trading Event attendee with vouchers to use for the trading board experience. Guests will have the opportunity to trade at the boards a designated number of times during the two-day event.

As a reminder, it is also important to note that Walt Disney World Resort has updated park rules regarding items that may be brought into the theme parks. Guests should be aware of the restrictions on bags (including suitcases, backpacks, trailers, wagons) and folding chairs. Please carefully review the list of prohibited items and other park rules at. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/.

You are welcome to bring Vinylmation™ figures to trade with other Guests, however we will not sell Vinylmation™ figures nor offer Vinylmation™ trading activities at the event.

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 2/25/16 (Maelstrom Facade Removed, Flower & Garden Prep, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

I stopped into Epcot for the evening on Monday and took some photos around the park, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting around Future World and World Showcase:

Welcome to Epcot

What we believe to be OSHA-demanded exit stairways being installed all around the Epcot monorail station

Spiral staircase coming in on this side

Epcot is getting ready for the Flower and Garden Festival, which of course begins on Wednesday

Soarin’ is still closed

I’m more inclined to think Circle of Life will return based on what the entrance looks like now, but expect some changes to the film at the very least

I guess we’ll use the stairs…

The lower floor men’s restroom being fixed up during these closures

The butterfly garden has a long way to go

The new musical playground is massive

A lot to do in a week

It was a slow roll-out, but all of the character topiraries have the updated look now

Tic Toc Croc got new eyes and eyebrows

LOOK OUT!

This was a meet and greet space in France, but Aurora has moved out

You still have a few days to see the Black History Month exhibits at the American Adventure

Walls up for festival offerings near Germany

Lots of tarps up in the China pavilion

Anna and Elsa in Norway

The tarps in Norway are now making it clearer that major facade changes are being made for Frozen Ever After

Here you can see the facade was actually stripped and a new one is being put on

Also, the hole in the rockwork is being sealed, so say goodbye to seeing the boats from outside

Work continues on the meet and greet experience next door

The Cars palyground returns in Future World

New Test Track antenna topper

Somehow missed this one released earlier in the month

All of the merchandise is MouseGear is being shuffled around again, but none of the existing signage is correct now

This is not home decor

Yes, this has toys, but also now all Princess items

Some Zootopia merchandise in stock, but something tells me it will not be enough come March 4th…

Epcot items moved half-way across the store

New Snow White and Jiminy Cricket shirts

Infinity and Playmation now make up an island in the middle of the store

The Gateway Gifts sign lives on…

Another staircase on the other side of the monorail station

PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 2/24/16 (Coca-Cola, The Town Center, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Myself and WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen both made trips to Disney Springs over the last week and have so me photos to share of the continuing construction projects in the area:

A look at the bus loop

Looking toward the Town Center

The new foliage on the parking garage was installed last week…

Someone already threw garbage in it…

While hard to see, the interior of Planet Hollywood has been gutted

Glass panels being installed on the face of the Coca-Cola location in Disney Springs

No visible progress on STK

Work slowly coming along on the Edison

Looking out towards the Town Center from The Landing

The new buildings near Marketplace are coming along quickly

This new building by the Village Causeway went up fast

A Marie Magicband was released recently

Movieland Series Vinylmation now available

As are Zootopia Vinylmation

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 2/24/16 (Interactive Game, Star Wars Land, Zootopia, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Our Disneyland Reporter, Tim Alcoser, recently visited the Disneyland Resort and has some photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

Land clearing for Star Wars land is well underway and quite visible from the top of the parking structure

Welcome to Disneyland

This week’s theme for AP Days is Fantasy and Fun

Work continues on Autopia as Honda is added as a sponsor

The Mark Twain sits on the dock, waiting to be explored

The Strawhtters have been performing on the boat, one nice thing about the ship being docked

Not much to see around the back of the river yet

A cast member polishes the engine

Dr. Facilier roaming around

Splash Mountain is closed for refurbishment

The Columbia sits and waits…

This strange prop showed up near Harbor Galley last week, rumor has it Disneyland may be installing their first interactive game attraction…

Jungle Cruise Skipper School continues while the attraction is closed

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Soundsational will be live streamed on the Disney Parks Blog this week, but we have some photos of the parade for you to enjoy

Moving over to California Adventure…

Zootopia posters have gone up outside of the Magic of Disney Animation

Still no exact opening date being given for the FROZEN musical

Soarin’ closed for the conversion to Soarin’ Around the World

Back to Disneyland for some AP Days fun

Buttons and more being given to guests

Some pieces from the Disney Archives on display

Over at the Disneyland Hotel, the pool is closed to be resurfaced

Goodnight Disneyland Resort!

Explore the History of the Matterhorn, including EPCOT & The Magic Kingdom!

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Have you heard this week’s WDW News Today Podcast? If you haven’t, here’s what you can expect:

Join Tom Corless for a variety show dedicated to the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Plenty of information and fun awaits you on this edition of the WDW News Today Podcast!

On this week’s show, we celebrate 350 episodes with our signature segment, Back to the Future. On this special edition, we take an over 2-hour journey through the history of the mighty Matterhorn, from the creation of the first peak at Disneyland, to the possible heights of EPCOT Center’s World Showcase and Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

To download or listen to the show on-site, go to our podcast download page. You can also download episodes of the show by subscribing to the Enhanced Episode and Standard Episode feeds on iTunes, or through Stitcher.

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 2/23/16 (Rivers of Light, AVATAR, New Food, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen and myself visited Animal Kingdom recently and has some newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting around the park:

The shop outside of Riverside Depot switched from pins to hats and plush

The Hipster Mickey 9″ Vinylmation is now available

It’s expensive…

These cute character plush were released recently

The weather at the parks has been really fantastic the last two weeks

Work continues on Rivers of Light, which should soft-open the last week in March

One entry area for the show is out from behind walls

Some of the seating areas at Flame Tree BBQ are now being repainted

Work continues on Tiffins and Nomad Lounge

Some of the booths around the Tree of Life have some pretty interesting menu items, like these cheese grits with pulled pork that Dirk enjoyed

He was not a big fan of the 3 cheese pasta bake though

From Everest, we see more of Pandora: The World of AVATAR taking shape

Work continues outside and inside of Disney Outfitters

A look at Rivers of Light from across the river

Flights of Wonder still closed for enhancements to the theater

CONCEPT ART: Disney Reveals New Art and Details of Star Wars Land

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

For the first time since the 2015 D23 Expo, Disney shared new details (as promised during the Disneyland 60th TV special) on the Star Wars themed-lands coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

I crudely took photos off of my television screen for now, we will share higher-res images as soon as we can:

A short video was shared of the Millennium Falcon ride, where guests will not only take the controls of the classic vessel, but control the guns as well. It will be fully interactive and guests will be in complete control.

A short video was also shared of the attraction where guests are racing against time in the midst of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

The special stated that guests will be transported to another world, where they can interact with roaming aliens and droids, peruse a huge marketplace, and even taste the local delicacies.