PHOTOS, VIDEO: Merchandise for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2016

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Today, Disney provided a sneak peek of the merchandise coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for 2016.

There is a limited edition retail MagicBand with an edition size of 3,000. It will be released at Emporium and Box Office Gifts on Main Street, U.S.A.

The limited release and limited edition pins will be released in Big Top Souvenirs in the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland. The pin assortment includes individual pins, a limited edition box set, a limited edition framed pin set, a limited release mystery pin set, and a limited release pin created especially for Annual Passholders. Guests may also find event apparel and holiday ornaments in this location.

Apparel may also be found in Mickey’s Star Trader in Tomorrowland, or at Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.

Additional items were previewed in a video on the Disney Parks Blog:

“Elena of Avalor” Royal Welcome Show to be Presented Daily for Limited Time at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Starting today and running through August 27th, 2016, the Elena of Avalor Royal Welcome will be presented daily at Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom.

Princess Elena of Avalor, the first Latin-inspired Disney princess, receives a royal welcome on Aug. 11, 2016 during her arrival at Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Princess ElenaÕs arrival at Walt Disney World follows the debut of the new Disney Channel animated series, ÒElena of Avalor.Ó The adventurous princess appears daily in ÒThe Royal Welcome of Princess ElenaÓ stage show at Magic Kingdom. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

The show will be presented at 9:05AM, 10:00AM, 12:20PM, and 1:35PM and will be very similar to the ceremony presented yesterday. A Princess Elena meet and greet is still slated to be added to the Magic Kingdom later this month, but no further details have been presented.

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 8/12/16 (Tomorrowland Overhaul, Big Thunder Mountain Closed, ETC.)

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Tomorrowland slowly gets a new look, Big Thunder Mountain scaffolding goes up, and the 45th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom grows closer in our latest photo report:

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This door to the Confectionery is closed while the Cotton Candy machine is repaired

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Painting of the rocks at the entrance to Tomorrowland continues

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A preview of the finished product can be found HERE

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A tent storing all of the paints is located in the Stitch extended queue and old second theater exit

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Some new Finding Dory D-Tech on Demand cases available at the Light and Power Co.

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A new MagicBand as well

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There is now a Pascal light-up squeeze toy lanyard… thing…

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The ham and cheese stuffed pretzel has made it on the menu board at Gaston’s Tavern, so I guess it is staying

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Enchanted Tales with Belle is open, but still behind tarps

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Tarps are still up at the Haunted Mansion as well

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There si now a Walt Disney World entrance ornament to match the 4 park ornaments, should they ever come back in stock

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Trashcan ornaments in full effect

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They are much smaller than the salt and pepper shakers

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The graduation ornament for this year features Mickey taking a selfie…

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Big Thunder Mountain is now closed through November for sprucing up and the possible addition  of the new finale scene

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The signage on the construction walls is pretty amazing

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The first piece of Walt Disney World 45th anniversary merchandise has hit stores, and it’s a pen

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The Dead Men Tell No Tales banner outside of Pirates of the Caribbean was removed after 10 years…

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I hadn’t seen this chalkboard magnet before

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We did finally find an open flip book notepad…

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REVIEW: New Dishes at Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort recently underwent some menu changes, so we decided to head on over last night and check it out for ourselves.

New Menu at Captain Cook’s

 

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Sandwiches and Grill Menu From Captain Cooks

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Polynesian Favorites Menu from Captain Cook’s

New, but not in this review is the seared chicken breast.

Flatbread, Salad and Soup Menu

Flatbread, Salad and Soup Menu

Fish Tacos ($9.29)

Fish Tacos ($9.29)

Fish Tacos ($9.29)

Before you even say anything, yes, we should have got the chips as a side but someone forgot to ask… anyway, these were surprisingly good. The two tacos are of a good size and heavily doused in the chipotle lime cream, which is a good thing. Everything about these was fresh and delicious, well, except for the awful Disney counter service fries which we should have not ordered.

Fish Tacos ($9.29)

Fish Tacos ($9.29)

Pork Fried Rice ($8.99)

Pork Fried Rice ($8.99)

Pork Fried Rice ($8.99)

A good price for a lot of food. The pork was very well prepared and very tender, the rice however was a little overdone but still tasted fine. This is a really good option, but I saw another reviewer call this their favorite quick service item at Walt Disney World, which to me seems like a bit much. It’s solid overall, not great though.

Pork Fried Rice ($8.99)

Pork Fried Rice ($8.99)

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Pan Asian Noodles and Vegetables with Shrimp ($10.99)

Pan Asian Noodles and Vegetables with Shrimp ($10.99)

If you enjoy the delicious noodles upstairs at Ohana, this may be a good substitute for when you can’t go there. You can chose to add shrimp or chicken for an added charge, we chose shrimp. Overall it was a very good and a nice sized portion.

Curried Seafood Stew ($13.99)

Curried Seafood Stew ($13.99)

Curried Seafood Stew ($13.99)

This was a weird dish, but I ended up eating all of it so I think I enjoyed it. There is a fair amount of seafood in here for a counter service dish, and the rice gets thoroughly soaked in the curry sauce which has a really good flavor to it which is not very spicy. While I would have enjoyed more spice, the dish was good as is and likely something I would order again.

Overall, these are great additions to the menu which are all solid options and fit the theme of the hotel nicely. Unique offerings are always a plus and these are very unique options for an already stellar counter service restaurant.

OVERALL SCORE FOR CAPTAIN COOK’S – 6.5 OUT OF 7

VOTE: Final Voting Round Now Open for the 45 Greatest Things EVER at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Over the last 9 years, WDWNT has hosted some of the most amazing historical Disney Parks countdowns, whether it was the greatest moments in the history of Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, or event the 60 year history of Disney theme parks. Well, now we’re taking it a whole lot further…

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We are on a quest to find the 45 greatest thing to EVER exist at Walt Disney World. From food to attractions, characters to restaurants, and everything in-between (like maybe the Dinosaur Jubilee, Pin Trading, or even parking trams), we need to know what 45 things are the absolute best things about the Vacation Kingdom of the World. Why 45? Well, because Walt Disney World is turning 45 this year!

This is where you come in… we need you to decide what makes the list! As you know, we opened the first round of voting yesterday, but now the final and most important round begins. What remains are the top 250 things from the 45 year history of Walt Disney World and you now must pick 45 of those and rank them as you wish. Voting is open now at THIS LINK.

The results will be distributed through original YouTube programming, as well as on the WDW News Today Podcast over the next several weeks.

So, what are you waiting for? GET VOTING!

Disney Offering Heavily Discounted 1-Day Park Hopper Tickets for Passholder Friends and Family

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

I don’t remember the last time Disney offered a deal quite this good on 1-day tickets, but friends and family of Annual Passholders can get 1-day park hopper tickets for just $79.00 each. These tickets usually cost about $135.00 for Florida residents.

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The offer is valid August 12th-September 30th, 2016. Annual Passholders must be present with a valid pass and the tickets can only be purchased at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows.

CONCEPT ART: Disneyland Unveils Eastern Gateway, Non-Disney Hotels Now Farther From the Magic

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

A few days ago, we told you about the official announcement Disney was making for the Eastern Gateway project, a plan that will add a new parking structure, bus loop, and pedestrian entrance to the Disneyland Resort on the Harbor Blvd. side of the property. Today, Disney has released detailed renderings and plans for the project.

If everything goes according to plan, the Disneyland Resort entrance on Harbor Blvd. would be come a thing of the past, making the once nearby Harbor hotels and motels a much further trek from the resort, as guests would now need to walk south to a new pedestrian portal that will pass the new parking structure, transportation hub, and a security gateway before crossing Harbor on an elevated walkway that leads into the esplanade of the Disneyland Resort.

The path of the Disneyland Monorail would also be altered according to plans.

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SOURCE – OC Register

While the project will relieve a lot of congestion around the resort area, it is worth noting that this may also be an attempt by Disney to entice guests to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, now that the once-close Harbor Blvd. hotels will be much further from the magic. Disney is also adding a 4th resort hotel to the Disneyland Resort in 2021.

The new parking structure is approved, yet the overall project has still not be formally approved, however it is expected to be in the next 30 days pending any unforeseen circumstances.

UPDATE: Paint the Night Parade to Remain at Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Following up the announcement that the Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Disneyland Park in early 2017, it was also announced that the Pain the Night Parade will perform on select evening during the holiday season somewhere at the Disneyland Resort.

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The announcement leaves Walt Disney World without a nighttime parade. It is possible that this move is to accommodate new nighttime entertainment at the Magic Kingdom coming sometime in the near future, whether that me a new parade or fireworks show.

CONFIRMED: Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade to Conclude At Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Today, Disney announced to entertainment cast members that the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom will officially conclude October 9th, 2016 as their contracts will not be renewed at this time.

The parade returned to Walt Disney World in 2010 and replaced its replacement SpectroMagic, which was supposed to return at then of the Summer that year. The Electrical Parade’s run was extended indefinitely and SpectroMagic was left outside to rot until it was realized that the parade was beyond repair. The Electrical Parade has run at the Magic Kingdom on most nights since that June 2010 return.

This announcement comes on the heels of news last week that the new Electrical Parade, “Paint the Night” at the Disneyland Resort, will conclude on September 5th. One would suspect that Paint the Night will be moving to the Magic Kingdom based on these announcements, but nothing has been confirmed at this time.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE: Disney has just announced that the Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Disneyland Resort for a limited engagement.