VIDEO: Go Behind The Scenes With “The Making Of The Jungle Book”

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

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Go behind the scenes with director Jon Favreau and see how The Jungle Book was brought to life with this new tech featurette.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkNArCG80Bg&feature=youtu.be

Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the  way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world.

“The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub raised in the jungle by a family of wolves, who embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery when he’s forced to abandon the only home he’s ever known.

Notes:

  • Neel Sethi, now 12, was selected from thousands of candidates following a worldwide search for the perfect man-cub.
  • The all-star voice cast includes Oscar®-winners Ben Kingsley (“Learning to Drive,” “The Walk”), Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) and Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”), as well as Bill Murray (“Lost in Translation”), Idris Elba (“Star Trek Beyond”), Scarlett Johansson (“Avengers: Age of Ultron”) and Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad’).
  • Rudyard Kipling penned the collection of short stories, “The Jungle Book,” in the early 1890s from his home in Vermont.

VIDEO: Autopia to Feature Honda Vehicles, More Enhancements Coming

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

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Are you ready to get behind the wheel again at Autopia? When the classic Disneyland park attraction returns tomorrow, April 29, it will be presented by Honda. This alliance brings a whole new look to this longtime guest favorite, with freshly painted cars, losing the “color changing” paint scheme. Check out the video below as we go behind-the-scenes to see how the cars have gotten a new look for their big return to the road.

Disney promises that more changes to the attraction will be rolled out later this year, but they did not say what those are as of yet.

PHOTOS: New Details of “Pandora: The World of AVATAR” Shared

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Disney today shared new pictures showcasing the incredible details of Pandora – The World of AVATAR, which will come to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017.

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Imagineer Joe Rohde and Lightstorm Entertainment film producer Jon Landau shared a quick hint at what to expect in the new 12-acre land inspired by James Cameron’s film “AVATAR” during a special presentation at the Walt Disney World Resort recently.

They showed how the land will take on new life at night with bioluminescent flora and special nighttime immersive programming that’ll add a magical touch.

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And how you’ll be transported to the world of Pandora – alive with amazing creatures and “glowing” ground beneath your feet.

You’ll also notice realistic details during your adventures, including special Na’vi artifacts seen throughout the land.

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“We want the world of Pandora to be believable,” Jon said. “When visitors come to Pandora they’ll experience and they’ll believe — and they’ll look at the world a little bit differently.”

Pandora – The World of AVATAR, including the “floating mountains” and attractions coming to the land: AVATAR Flight of Passage and the Na’vi River Journey, will open in 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 4/29/16 (Circle of Life, Ample Hills Creamery, DVC Lounge, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

This weekend, I made a quick visit to Epcot and the nearby resorts to see what’s new and exciting, so let’s take a look:

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The Circle of Life is back

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AMD SO IS THE WALL CARPET!!!!

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So, after being closed for two months, nothing was visibly changed. Some have claimed there was a new handicap access ramp installed, but I couldn’t find it. Regardless, nothing that would have taken over two months to complete was actually done.

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Work continues on the new DVC lounge at Imagination, they are now painting

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In MouseGear, there’s a PIXAR display filled with non-PIXAR merchandise

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A Figment MagicBand was released recently

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Took a cruise on a friendship boat

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Over at the Boardwalk, the new Ample Hills Creamery is nearing completion

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Beach Club has some great resort specific merchandise

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PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 4/27/16 (New Dessert Party, New Menus, New Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

I visited the Magic Kingdom this past weekend (as well as some of the surrounding resorts), so let’s see what’s new and exciting in our latest photo report:

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Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

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Tarps up on the facade of the Hall of Presidents

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Heritage House is completely closed now

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A new “same day” dessert party option is available at the Magic Kingdom which gives guests viewing of the show from one of the former FastPass + viewing areas.

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Guests enjoy their food and drinks up here on the second level and then are walked over to the viewing area. This new party is $59 for adults and $35 for children (including tax).

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This is where you can sign up for the same-day dessert party on the day desired.

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Found a new Alice Through the Looking Glass phone case in the Emporium

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Restrooms near City Hall are closed for refurbishment

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Found the variant cover for Haunted Mansion issue #2 at the Contemporary, but they were also at Memento Mori at one point

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We rented a Sea Raycer one day this past weekend and drove past the Wildnerness Lodge DVC expansion construction

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Even though the park wasn’t busy on Sunday, the Main Street Bypass was open during the Festival of Fantasy Parade

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I’m not sure if this is helping in any way, but there are numbers on the ground before you get on the ramp at Peter Pan to help keep parties separated and ready to board…

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The yodeler is missing from “it’s a small world” again, but his audio is playing. I call this the “Phantom Yodeler” effect.

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The personalized goodbye is working on a consistent basis now

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Thankfully, the menu at Diamond Horseshoe has been changed. I will have to go back to see if this is an improvement at all.

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Also found Alice Through the Looking Glass prints on sale at the Art of Disney

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There is a seasonal Donald’s Butt cupcake on sale at the Bakery… it’s a vanilla cupcake

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Some great vintage style albums were recently released at the parks and resorts, found these at Contemporary

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Disney After Hours Event Now Discounted for Annual Passholders and DVC Members

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Disney After Hours, the controversial hard-ticket event at the Magic Kingdom we broke the story on a few weeks ago, doesn’t seem to be doing quite as well as Walt Disney World would have hoped. In an effort to increase sales for the event, Disney is now offering 50% off tickets for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.

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Disney After Hours takes place on the following dates:

  • Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
  • Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
  • Sunday, May 8, 2016 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
  • Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
  • Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM

Discounted tickets are $75.00 (plus tax). For tickets, call (407) 827-7185 or stop by a ticketing window at Walt Disney World.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (4/27/16) – A Celebration of Hollywood Studios, A New Game, Saving Money at WDW, & More!

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we play the “Choose-Your-Own” Hollywood Adventure Game, we interview an author on how to save money at Disney World, and we celebrate 27 years of Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

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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)
  • Tom and Nick are Angry About Things
  • PROVE ME WRONG! with Tom Corless
  • Interview with Kevin Barry, Author of “The Ultimate Guide to an Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation”
  • An in-depth discussion about Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Flashback to the Future – It Never Happened: The Disney Decade at the Disney-MGM Studios
  • The “Choose-Your-Own” Hollywood Adventure 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:

Tokyo Disneyland Adding Beauty and the Beast & Big Hero 6 Rides; DisneySea To Add Soarin’

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Oriental Land Company has announced their plans for their fiscal year 2020. Both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will be getting new attractions. In addition, Tokyo Disneyland will be receiving a new themed area (Beauty and the Beast), restaurants, and shops. More details can be found on TDRExplorer.com and the English press release.

Tokyo Disneyland

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A new land themed after Beauty and the Beast which will have a new attraction, restaurant, and shop. Which will be located where the Grand Circuit Raceway is currently located in Tomorrowland. The new attraction will be inside the Beast’s Castle. The expected completion date is Spring 2020.

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Along with the new themed area a Big Hero 6 attraction and live action theater are also being build in the same area. Over in Toontown a new character greeting facility for Minnie Mouse will also open.

Tokyo DisneySea

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Soarin’ will finally come to Tokyo DisneySea in the Mediterranean Harbor. Expected to open in 2019.

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 4/26/16 (Safaris, New Merchandise, Tiffins, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

I made a quick stop at Disney’s Animal Kingdom earlier this week, so let’s see what’s new and exciting around the now 18-year-old park:

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Welcome

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The FastPass+ entrance for Kilimanjaro Safaris is back in the original location, so this sign now points the way

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Let’s take a ride, shall we?

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Work continues on Tiffins which will officially open on the 27th of May

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Pandora: The World of AVATAR will take slightly longer…

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This new Animal Kingdom mug is pretty great

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These new baby outfits are pretty adorable

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Select TAG merchandise can now be found around the parks, this was in Riverside Depot

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Another new luggage tag

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New plastic photo frames

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A new Animal Kingdom fleece throw for sale

REVIEW: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Introduces Amazing Alcoholic Milkshakes

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

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Beaches and Cream is already one of the most popular dining establishments at Walt Disney World, but something tells me it is about to become even more popular with the addition of new hard floats and milkshakes!

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There are now 5 Hard Floats & Milkshakes guests will find on the menu foe either dining in or take out. On a side note, a member of our party had a tree nut and peanut allergy and could still have any of these. Beaches and Cream is really good with dealing with allergies, so don’t be afraid to stop by and order even if you think you might have an issue. Chances are they will be ready to serve you safely.

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We ended up ordering three of these drinks for “review purposes”. Here’s what we thought:

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The Grasshopper Float combines mint chocolate chip ice cream with Guinness. I will warn you that you probably need to already enjoy mint ice cream and Guinness to like this one, but if you do, you’re in for a real treat.

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The Root Beer Float is excellent. Tasted exactly like I expected: like a hard root beer perfectly mixed with vanilla ice cream.

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My favorite, by far, was the S’mores Shake. It was really smooth and had just the right hint of alcohol flavor added to the blend of spectacular sweets. I probably could have had at least 2-3 of these if no one had stopped me (or if the line wasn’t 30-45 minutes long at the counter…

I already love Beaches and Cream, but these hard drinks are really well done and give you another reason to visit if you happen to want an adult beverage and dessert all rolled up into one. I will be back again real soon to try the other flavors… or maybe to just get another S’mores Shake…