PHOTOS: New Disney Pins Celebrate 1 Year of Shanghai Disneyland

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

As a part of Shanghai’s Pin Trading Fun Day, Shanghai Disneyland has released over 20 new pins for guests to trade and collect.

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First up we have the Chinese Zodiac series which is featured above. These pins are based off of the Chinese Zodiac (as well as the characters from the Garden of the Twelve Friends at the Shanghai Disney Resort). Each features the characters with a hidden Mickey symbol.

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Lastly, we have the Pin Trading Fun Day 2017 designs. These designs feature Toy Story, the Lion King, Mickey Mouse and many more classic Disney characters. There is also a unique mystery box set that will give you a surprise pin of the Pin Trading Fun Day 2017 designs.

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Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer Returns for 2017 with Major Changes for Moderate Resort Stays

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

The annual Walt Disney World Resort “free dining package” offering will return in 2017, but not quite as it existed in 2016.

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The special package has been quite popular since it was introduced several years ago, but continues to become less and less of a value compared to many special room-only rates guests can find for Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

In 2017, guests booking a Moderate resort stay will now only be receiving free Quick Service Dining, rather than the Disney Dining Plan which includes table service meals. The table service plan will only be “free” to those booking a Deluxe resort.

In order to get the deal, guests must book a minimum 3-night-stay with 2 days of Park Hopper or Park Hopper+ tickets. Booking for the package will not open until tomorrow, Monday, April 24th, 2017. Available travel dates will be between August 21st (beginning August 13th for Disney Visa Cardholders and Canadian guests) and September 30th, 2017, as well as select dates between November 14th through December 23rd.

To book a stay with Free Dining, contact our friends at Magical Travel at 1-866-207-8387 or MagicalTravel.com and tell them you are a reader of WDWNT.

This Week in Disney History: April 24th-April 30th

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

In this week’s edition of This Week in Disney History, we will explore some of the milestones from April 24th-April 30th that helped shape and form the Walt Disney Company as it exists today.

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NEW YORK – MARCH 12: Founder of the Torante Company Michael Eisner speaks on stage during the Nickelodeon Upfront Presentation at the Hammerstein Ballroom on March 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)

This Week in Disney History: April 24th-April 30th

  • On April 24th, 2009, Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar, wrote a letter saying he would step down from being an imagineer on July 17, 2009. Marty first became a cast member 61 years ago.
  • On April 25th, 2003, the 10th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival kicked off at Epcot.
  • On April 26th, 2009, Michael Eisner made the top CEO on Forbes’ list of worst CEOS in America.
  • On April 27th, 2002, Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway kicked off their national tour by performing in Denver, Colorado.
  • On April 28th, 1997, the restaurant inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom was officially renamed Cinderella’s Royal Table. Previously, it had been called King Stefan’s Banquet Hall, a fascinating fact is that King Stefan was actually the father of Sleeping Beauty.
  • On April 29th, 2007, Disney Channel was officially launched in Turkey. The channel is on the DIGITURK platform.
  • Lastly on April 30th, 1952, the very first toy ever to be advertised on national television was portrayed to kids all across America. What was that toy? Well, it was the one and only Mr. Potato Head. Mr. Potato head was invented by George Lerner in 1949 but later the rights were sold to Henry and Merrill Hassenfeld in 1951 to produce and ship across the nation. Interesting fact about Henry and Merrill is that they themselves actually founded and created the toy company Hasbro which was founded in 1923.

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s edition of This Week in Disney History. If you have enjoyed this, stay tuned for next week’s edition.

Chris Pratt Gets His Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

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“Guardians Of The Galaxy” star Chris Pratt was joined by his family and friends as he joined Hollywood legends with his own star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: (L-R) Actor Anna Faris, Jack Pratt and actor Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Anna Faris; Jack Pratt; Chris Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Writer/director James Gunn (top L) and actor Anna Faris (L-R bottom) Jack Pratt, actor Chris Pratt and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Leron Gubler at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** James Gunn; Anna Faris; Jack Pratt; Chris Pratt; Leron Gubler

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: (L-R) Actor Chris Pratt, Kathy Pratt and guest at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Chris Pratt; Kathy Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: (L-R) Actors Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Jack Pratt and family at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Anna Faris; Chris Pratt; Jack Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Actors Anna Faris (L) and Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Anna Faris; Chris Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Actors Anna Faris (L) and Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Anna Faris; Chris Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Los Angeles Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (L) and actor Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Mitch O’Farrell; Chris Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Writer/director James Gunn (L) and actor Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** James Gunn; Chris Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: (L-R) Actors Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Pom Klementieff, Writer/director James Gunn and actor Dave Bautista at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Zoe Saldana; Chris Pratt; Michael Rooker; Pom Klementieff; James Gunn; Dave Bautista

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Actor Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Chris Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Actor Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Chris Pratt

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – APRIL 21: Actor Chris Pratt at the Chris Pratt Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony on April 21, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Chris Pratt

WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three Episode 6 Is Now Available For Download

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

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In this week’s episode, the gang talk about:

  • “Thor: Ragnarok” trailer. Thor is having a bad day, but he has a Hulk!
  • The “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” trailer is here! Do the Jedi have to end?
  • Joe Is Back From “Star Wars Celebration”!
    • “Star Wars Rebels: Season 4” – This is it! The last season of Rebels!
    • “Star Wars Battlefront II” – Thanks for listening Dice! This is the game we have been looking for!
    • “Star Wars In The Disney Parks” – Star Tours gets a new planet! New updates on Star Wars Land!

Join hosts Joe Hogarty, Jack McCarthy, Ron D’Anna and Taylor Katcher!

WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three Episode 6 is now available for download through WDW News Today: Original Programing  and iTunes!

VIDEO: Creating the New Musical Score for Happily Ever After

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

As the Magic Kingdom’s newest kiss goodnight is approaching and only 22 days away, Disney is trying to promote it as much as possible. Today, Disney has released yet another behind-the-scenes video on the musical score for Happily Ever After. This is a different behind-the-scenes video of the music than the one we previously had shown you. Here is the video below from the Disney Parks Blog.:

Happily Ever After begins May 12th at the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Composer Alan Menken Will Have a One-Man Show at D23 Expo 2017

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

Disney composer and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken will be having a special one-man show at D23 Expo this Summer in Anaheim, CA.

The show is being called A Whole New World of Alan Menken, and there will be two performances on July 16, one at 1:30 pm and the another at 5 pm. The Show will take place in Hall D23 of the Anaheim Convention Center. During the show, Menken will play songs from his legendary catalogue, as well as tell anecdotal stories from throughout his career.

Menken is most notable for his work on Disney classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, and Tangled. Menken has also produced musical numbers for many Broadway productions such as Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act, Newsies, and A Bronx Tale.

If you plan on going to D23 this Summer, this show seems like it would be a must. From “A Whole New World,” to “Colors of the Wind,” and “Go the Distance,” everyone has had at least one Menken composition stuck in their head at one point or another.

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The D23 Expo 2017 will take place from July 14-16 in Anaheim, California at the Anaheim Convention Center. For more details on the event such as pricing, you can follow the hyperlink to the official D23 Expo website.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Several Stunning Images and Video from Inside Pandora – The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

Along with a fairly interesting piece on the project, Bloomberg released 4 new images taken inside Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom earlier this week:

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Photographer: Stephen Wilkes for Bloomberg Businessweek

Disney also released some new b-roll footage from around the new theme park land this week:

Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens May 27th, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

VIDEO: World Drive Billboards Come Down, Magic Kingdom Resort Overpass Going Up as Road Work Continues

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

The massive road enhancement project just outside of the Magic Kingdom continues, making for a rather uninviting arrival for any guests driving to the Vacation Kingdom of the World. Well, at least it should be all worth it when the overpass to take guests past the toll plaza and straight to the Magic Kingdom area resorts is completed. For now, one section of steel gives a sign of what’s to come…

Noticeably, the famous Mission: Space and “it’s tough to be a bug” billboards were removed to accommodate this work. No completion date has been given for the project.