Magic Kingdom Area Roadways To Undergo Massive Overhaul and Expansion

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

On the heels of today’s news about a new vehicle entrance for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, permits have also been filed for a major revamp of the Magic Kingdom vehicle entrance area.

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The plan would see the addition of roads that will go over the toll plaza area in both directions, bypassing them for easier access to and from the Magic Kingdom area resort hotels and backstage areas. The new road returning guests to World Drive going south would also help alleviate Seven Seas Drive traffic and provide a better traffic flow for some area cast members going home in the evening. Traffic on Vista Boulevard would also have easier access to World Drive in both directions.

Road work to alleviate traffic behind the park where Magic Kingdom cast members park is already ongoing and will be completed by the end of this Summer.

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There is no word yet on when construction might begin, but this is expected to be the beginning of many changes to the Magic Kingdom vehicle entry plaza and parking area.

BREAKING: New Entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios To Be Built To Accomodate Star Wars Land

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

With demolition beginning in earnest at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars land construction, plans are now underway to replace the World Drive vehicle entrance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios with an entirely new entrance guests can utilize off of Osceola Parkway.

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According to permits recently filed with the South Florida Water Management District, the intersection between Wide World of Sports and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will soon be home to exit ramps that will guide guests into the park while making room for the southern edge of Star Wars land at the very boundaries of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sections of Osceola Parkway will also be widened to handle the expanded traffic expected.

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The World Drive entrance did not open with the park, but has been a staple since the early 1990’s for the iconic film strip design

There is now word yet on if the Buena Vista Drive park entrance would close (or remain open just to buses) once this new entrance was complete, but it appears at the very least the World Drive entrance should be shuttered.

Disney has made no official announcement on the project as of yet.

Latest Issue of Disney Twenty Three Unlocks The Gates To Shanghai Disney Resort!

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

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THROUGH SPECTACULAR PHOTOGRAPHY AND IN-DEPTH ARTICLES, DISNEY FANS WILL GET AN ADVANCE LOOK AT THE ONE-OF-A-KIND THEME PARK THAT IS AUTHENTICALLY DISNEY AND DISTINCTLY CHINESE

 PLUS, D23’S SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW FEATURES EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH FINDING DORY’S ELLEN DEGENERES, PETE’S DRAGON’S BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD, AND THE BFG DIRECTOR STEVEN SPIELBERG

 On June 16, Disney will officially open Shanghai Disney Resort, and Disney twenty-three is giving fans an advance peek at this breathtaking one-of-a-kind destination. From its opening pages, with a welcome from Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger, to the back cover, featuring a map of the park—in Chinese—the issue is packed with exciting details about this new resort that celebrates everything guests love about Disney, while honoring China’s distinct cultural heritage.

The issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, provides a detailed look at how Shanghai Disney Resort was built from concept to concrete, including fascinating insights into the partnership between Walt Disney Imagineers and the incredibly talented artisans of mainland China. Readers will be able to explore all the exclusive attractions opening at the park including Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, which recreates moments from beloved Disney animated films as riders travel by boat through, around, and under the Enchanted Storybook Castle—the largest castle in any Disney park. The thrilling adrenaline rush of TRON Lightcycle Power Run puts guests in the driver’s seat of a high-tech race, and the high seas adventures of Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure boasts some of the most advanced technologies of any Disney attraction.

More than 30 pages of exclusive interviews and vibrant photography come together to highlight this jewel in the Disney Parks crown, from all-new shows, experiences, merchandise, and dining options to a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the creation of the resort.

Plus, Disney twenty-three turns up the heat with its annual summer movie preview. Highlights include exclusive interviews with Ellen DeGeneres discussing the upcoming Finding Dory as well as her first trip to Disneyland, Bryce Dallas Howard talking about the reimagining of Pete’s Dragon, and Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg revealing details about his Disney directorial debut, The BFG.

Also included in the summer issue of Disney twenty-three is a look at how The Reluctant Dragon, celebrating its 75th anniversary, gave audiences a peek at the making of Disney animated films, while paving the way for the Disney Studio’s respected documentary films.

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in late May.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (5/11/16) – The Cast of “The Animatronicans”, Cornac the Magnificent, More Dining Arguments, ETC.

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we play the infamous WDWNT: The Math Game, we interview the cast of the Animatronicans, we talk the best and worst dining at Walt Disney World, and Cornac the Magnificent drops by the studio…

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Tonight, Tom and Nick welcome Jeff Jones and James Keaton of The Animatronicans for a guest interview. The Animatronicans is a sitcom style show that follows the adventures of four theme park animatronic characters from WDW attractions of the past and present. Abraham Lincoln (Josh Siniscalco), Dreamfinder (Jeff Jones), Maelstrom’s Polar Bear (James Keaton) and John from Carousel of Progress (Doug Ba’aser) all live together in the same house when one day when a journalist (Janine Klein) knocks on their door and turns their lives upside down. Written by Jeff Jones and directed by Michael Wanzie The Animatronicans opens in the Yellow Venue at the Orlando Fringe Festival on May 18 with the following shows:
  • Wednesday, May 18th 10:30 PM
  • Saturday, May 21st 7:30 PM
  • Monday, May 23rd 8:15 PM
  • Thursday, May 26th 10:15 PM
  • Friday, May 27th 11:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 28th 10:15 PM
  • Sunday, May 29th 10:30 PM
Tickets: $11 (a $10 Fringe Button is also required). Tickets are available at www.orlandofringe.org

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)
  • Tom and Nick are Angry About Things
  • The WDW News Tonight debut of Cornac the Magnificent
  • Interview with Jeff Jones and James Keaton of The Animatronicans
  • A continuation of our in-depth discussion about the best and worst restaurants in all of Walt Disney World
  • Flashback to the Future – Remember When?: Star Wars Weekends
  • WDWNT: The Math Game, featuring prizes from Theme Park Connection
  • And much more!

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

If you missed last week’s show, you can watch it here:

UPDATED: Complete List of What’s Opening at Disney Springs on May 15th

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

Sunday, May 15th is a big day for Disney Springs with the Town Center area finally opening, along with the first phase of new restaurants and stores opening through the Summer of 2016. So what all is opening this Sunday? Let’s recap:

  • D-Luxe Burger: Grab a classic cheeseburger or go for something indulgent like the El Diablo Burger with chorizo, fried banana peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayo. There’s a veggie burger too. Plus gelato shakes, fresh-cut fries and more from the Disney chefs.
  • Amorette’s Patisserie: Classic and contemporary cakes and pastries are the stars in this high-end pastry shop where guests can watch pastry chefs decorate signature cakes in the on-stage finishing kitchen. From a classic macaron or crisp, light pavlova to the ultimate chocolate-chocolate chunk cookie, Amorette’s is a dessert lover’s dream come true.
  • The Daily Poutine: This kiosk brings the Canadian classic to guests with four varieties of toppings on hot, crispy French fries: Classic, with beef poutine gravy and Cheddar Cheese curds; Latin with fried yucca, black beans, pulled pork and queso fresco; Italian with bocconcino mozzarella and Bolognese sauce, and French with mushroom cream sauce and Gruyere cheese. Pair them with a lemonade, draft beer, sangria or fountain sodas.

  • B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co.: A kiosk with artisan sausages by Disney chefs – the Three Little Pigs with a Reuben dog, black bean salsa and chili cheese; Portuguese Sausage with pickled vegetable slaw and chili mustard; Sweet Hot Sausage with peppers, onions and marinara; Bavarian Sausage Sandwich with a mini-meterwurst, braised red cabbage and spicy brown mustard on a pretzel roll, and Italian Veggie Sausage with peppers, onions and marinara. Add a draft beer or fountain soda.

  • YeSake: At this kiosk, try a Sake Cosmo Freeze or Sake Bourbon Slush among other offerings. Global eats range from the Great Wall with Chinese-style pulled pork to a Sombrero with ground beef, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese and corn chips. Cold beer too.
  • Morimoto Asia Street Food: A new walk-up window on the patio offers sushi, donburi rice bowls and bao tacos, plus snacks: such as takoyaki (octopus, nori, okomiyaki sauce), Morimoto sticky ribs, curry rice croquettes, pork egg rolls and taiyaki (snapper-shaped pancake filled with sweet adzuki red bean paste). Also on the menu: popping boba tea and an assortment of Asian-influenced beers and beverages.
  • Sprinkles: Look for handcrafted cupcakes, slow-churned ice cream and homemade cookies at Sprinkles, dubbed the first cupcake bakery by the Food Network. Options include vegan, gluten free and sugar free, and seasonal flavors.

Moving to new spots — Wetzel’s Pretzel’s and Haagen Dazs ice cream will now be located across from Orlando Harley-Davidson on the West Side.

New retailers: Two new kiosk locations for Disney Springs guests in The Landing:

  • Savannah Bee Company will feature a variety of specialty and everyday honey as well as all-natural body care products ranging from body wash and lotion to lip balm and body butter. The company’s mission is to provide pure, delicious honey and luxurious honeybee products to consumers while educating them about the wonders of the hive. When it opens on May 15th, it will be the only Savannah Bee retail location in the state of Florida.
  • Filthy Rich, also opening May 15, will showcase celebrity-inspired jewelry at far-less-than-Beverly-Hills prices. The location specializes in authentic replicas of iconic jewelry and accessories worn by past legends of the silver screen and current celebrity style icons.

Other store opening on Sunday include:

  • Alex and Ani
  • American Threads
  • Edward Beiner
  • Everything But Water
  • francesca’s
  • kate spade new york
  • Kipling
  • L’Occitane en Provence
  • Lucky Brand
  • MAC Cosmetics
  • Melissa Shoes
  • Na Hoku
  • PANDORA
  • Sephora
  • Sperry
  • Tommy Bahama
  • UGG
  • Under Armour Brand House
  • UNOde50
  • Vera Bradley
  • Volcom
  • Zara

In addition, the Lime parking garage behind the World of Disney store will be opening, along with the Welcome Center that will greet guests as they arrive from the brand new bus loop in the very center of Disney Springs.

Of course, you can follow @WDWNT on twitter all-day Sunday for coverage, as well as stay tuned for plenty of posts here on the blog covering all of the new shopping and dining coming to Disney Springs.

VIDEO: Take a 90 Minute Tour of Shanghai Disneyland Park, Including First Look at Soarin’ Around the World

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

So, are you ready to see Shanghai Disneyland?

Well, someone has put together a 90-minute video tour of the park that really is a must-see if you just can’t wait any longer to see the newest Disney theme park. The most interesting thing for those of us stateside has to be the first video of Soaring Over the Horizon, which of course is an ever-so-slightly altered version of Soarin’ Around the World which will debut next month at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. Also in the video you’ll see many more attractions from the park including Honey Pot Spin, Journey to the Crystal Grotto, and more. Enjoy:

Star Wars Battlefront 2 Arriving Next Year

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

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EA has confirmed that a Star Wars Battlefront sequel is currently in the works and is set to release next year. The new game is said to have “bigger and better worlds” thanks to having “the new movies to work off of.” This is exciting news seeing as the first entry only contained worlds from the original trilogy as well as one DLC level from The Force Awakens. With Rogue One releasing this year and Episode VIII coming in 2017, Battlefront 2 should have plenty of new and exciting settings for players to visit.

A sequel comes as no surprise after EA announced that Star Wars Battlefront has already shipped over 14 million copies. EA now has plans for three Star Wars games, with this Battlefront sequel coming next year, while Respawn Entertainment and Visceral Games work on two additional Star Wars titles.

BREAKING: Disney Has Cancelled “Disney Infinity”

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

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In what is surely to be shocking to many, Disney has announced that it is cancelling Disney Infinity.

Disney reported it’s quarterly earnings today and in the report Disney announced that it is cancelling it’s Disney Infinity game line which will result in a $147 million charge. Going forward, Disney will liscense it’s characters to to third party gaming production companies.

From CNBC:

The company added that “lower results” for Infinity contributed to operating income in its consumer products and interactive media segment falling 8 percent year over year to $357 million.

From John Blackburn, Senior Vice President and GM of Disney Interactive:

By now you may have heard the news that we have made the difficult decision to discontinue production of Disney Infinity. From the beginning, Disney Infinity was built for you—our fans—and I wanted to take a moment to thank you not just for your support over the years, but for creating a community that made Disney Infinity more than just a game.

Our goal for Disney Infinity was to bring the best of Disney storytelling to life in homes around the world, and with your support we accomplished that. We hope you had as much fun playing the game as we had making it.

So what’s next for Disney Infinity? We have two final retail releases coming, including three new characters from Alice Through the Looking Glass later this month, and the Finding Dory Play Set launching in June.

And as we turn to the next chapter in our story, I want to thank everyone who helped bring Disney Infinity to life, particularly Disney’s Glendale-based production and publishing teams, our external development partners, and of course the incredible Avalanche team for their tireless dedication to this project.

But most of all, I want to again thank you for making Disney Infinity a part of your lives—and for adding to the Disney legacy by being a part of this community.

Source: Disney Interactive, CNBC