VIDEO: Disney Testing New Interactive Droid Characters in Preparation for Star Wars Land

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

Even though we are at least 2 years away from the Star Wars themed lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park, that doesn’t mean we will have to wait that long to see what Disney has in store for us in what they promise will be the most immersive theme park experience offered to date. Since all matter of droids will be roaming through the streets and markets of the remote outpost planet, we know Disney Imagineers will have to create impressive new interactive characters to fill those roles. Well, it seems the very first one is already roaming around Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland, perhaps as an early test of what’s to come…

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The following video was taken by DAPs Magic and shared on YouTube:

The droid is known as Jake, and if you watch the video closely, you’ll notice he can interact with the environment inside of Launch Bay, turning on and off nearby items around him. Pretty impressive, huh?

If this is just a small sample of what is on the way in the Star Wars themed lands, I think we are in for something pretty special with this project…

Again, credit goes to DAPs Magic for the awesome find.

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 6/9/16 (Finding Dory, Grand Floridian, New Tiki Room Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen and myself recently visited the Magic Kingdom and the nearby resort hotels and have some newsworthy photos to share in our latest photo report, so let’s take a look:

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They recently started selling a lot of Little Golden Book style merchandise, including these notepads

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Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

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The City Hall Restrooms are still closed for refurbishment

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Coke bottles at the Disney Parks currently have Disney song lyrics on them

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Heritage House is still behind tarps

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Fairly new Star Wars C-3P0 and R2-D2 MagicBand

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Finding Dory merchandise can now be found all around the resort

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Chip and Dale have moved to Tomorrowland, while Woody and Jessie have taken their old spot

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Last year’s March Magic desgins are now being sold as a mystery pin set

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You can get 5 in a pouch for $27.99

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You’ll be happy to know I finished my set 😉

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More and more Disneyland Diamond Celebration merchandise is finding its way to WDW

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Gaston’s Tavern menu seems set now, mostly pastries and LeFou’s Brew

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And that monstrosity

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New Happy Birthday pin that comes in a box

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With the Castle stage show not performing, the Main Street Vehicles are getting more time to appear daily

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The fun ends June 17th when Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire debuts

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The upper level of Carousel of Progress has gone from orange to blue

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Painters were out during operating hours painting the stage

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Some new lighting installed in the stage

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There is now variant version of Haunted Mansion issue #3, so Disney Parks have the regular version

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Frontierland Trading Post had quite the shakeup last week, everything was moved around

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The left side of the shop is now pins

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The right side is all MagicBands and assorted band accessories

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I was happy to see Frontierland and Splash Mountain merchandise is now being carried in the Briar Patch shop

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New Huggies signage is being installed at changing tables all around WDW

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We already have an entire post about the new Carousel of Progress paint scheme…

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A new Tiki Room snowglobe available in Adventureland

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The Grand Floridian has a fair amount of new logo merchandise available in M. Mouse Mercantile 
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Meanwhile, work continues on enhancements to Wilderness Lodge in preparation for the Copper Creek Villas

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VIDEO: Preview More Destinations for Soarin’ Around the World, Including the Matterhorn

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

In this video, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio creative executive Tom Fitzgerald tells us more about the development of this new experience, including the attraction’s incredible international itinerary. You might even notice we’re visiting a couple of landmarks which provided inspiration for some beloved Disneyland Resort attractions.

Flights on Soarin’ Around the World depart beginning June 17 from both Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort, and Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort, one day after Soaring Over the Horizon debuts at the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland on June 16. Don’t miss your last chance to experience the original Soarin’, now through June 15 at DCA and through June 16th at Epcot.

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 6/8/16 (Frozen Ever After, Margaritas Return, Frozen Coke with Alcohol, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

I took a quick trip to Epcot last night to see what was new around the park, so mlet’s see what I found in our latest photo report:

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New Epcot kid’s shirt

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Pluto recently took Daisy’s place in World Showcase

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Rose and Crown in the U.K. has more merchandise than most Walt Disney World attractions…

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These pamphlets are currently being handed out at The Seas

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This cool lithograph was for sale in the Seas gift shop

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The Promenade transitioned out of Flower and Garden with a Chili Hot Dog

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With the Margarita booth closed, Mexico is keeping the Flower and Garden booth around to sell Margaritas and a few small bites

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The closed booth

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The Royal Sommerhus is looking good, opens officially on the 29th

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Frozen Ever After is coming along nicely as well

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The last store in the chain of Norway shops is now all Frozen merchandise

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New walls separate it from the attraction exit for now

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The former changing room is walled off

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The Refreshment Outpost axed the frozen yogurt it has had for over 2 years now in favor of ice cream…

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Liberty Inn is now serving a Frozen Coke with a float of whiskey

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The World Traveler store in International Gateway is selling bottles of wine and glasses now

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Just in case you want wine on the way in or out of the park I guess…

BREAKING: Typhoon Lagoon Expansion Planned with New Family Raft Ride

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

According to permits filed by Disney with the South Florida Water Management District, there is a 2 acre expansion of Typhoon Lagoon water park on the way…

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According to the document, the plans include “construction of new guest areas, including a water feature. Sidewalks and landscaped areas will be provided for guest access.” The main attraction in the new area is highlighted as “a new family raft ride that is to be located west of the Crush N Gusher ride.” The ride would take place in an elevated flume/track. The graphic below shows the ride area in green overlaid on an aerial view of Typhoon Lagoon.  The ride itself will be located to the west of Crush N Gusher, and a lot of the associated walkways will occupy the current sandy area near the exit pool from Crush N Gusher.

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Disney has not announced this project yet, but filing these permits is the first step in the construction process.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (6/8/16) – Haunting Attractions, New Restaurants, & “Disney Springs or Orlando Outlets?”

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we go “Ghostbusting” through Walt Disney World, we review some new restaurants, and we play “Disney Springs or Orlando Premium Outlets?”…

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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)
  • A review of Tiffins, Noma md Lounge, and STK Lunch
  • Tom and Nick are Angry About Things
  • Flash Back to the Future –
  • “Disney Springs or Orlando Premium Outlets?”, featuring prizes from Theme Park Connection
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • Ghosts of Walt Disney World – A Discussion on Extinct Attractions That Still Haunt Walt Disney World
  • And who knows what else, since Tom is away this week!

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

If you missed the last show, you can watch it here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69P5E5oYloU]

BREAKING: Disneyland Resort to Add New Flagship Four-Diamond Luxury Hotel

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

The Walt Disney Company has submitted plans to the City of Anaheim to add a new luxury resort hotel to the Disneyland Resort. According to the OC Register, the hotel would be 700 rooms and be rated Four Diamonds by AAA. The proposed hotel will have a rooftop restaurant with a view of the fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle, as seen in this concept art.

Concept art of the rooftop restaurant at the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. //// ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Concept art of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. - Date of photo: 06/06/16 - disney.newhotel -- Photo by: COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the rooftop restaurant at the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA “Four-Diamond” hotel.
Photo COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the lobby for the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. //// ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Concept art of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. - Date of photo: 06/06/16 - disney.newhotel -- Photo by: COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the lobby for the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA “Four-Diamond” hotel.
Photo COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the swimming pool area of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. //// ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Concept art of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. - Date of photo: 06/06/16 - disney.newhotel -- Photo by: COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the swimming pool area of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA “Four-Diamond” hotel.
Photo COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

The hotel would be located at the northern end of the Downtown Disney parking lot, essentially behind the Rainforest Cafe and ESPN Zone, on the corner of Disneyland Drive and Magic Way. The footprint of the project will occupy ten acres of the Downtown Disney parking lot, but it will include a parking structure which will service the hotel and Downtown Disney. On the map below, the red rectangle represents approximately ten acres, the size of the entire project.  We’ve also identified several key locations to help you orient yourself.  The new hotel will be northeast of the current Disneyland Hotel (Fantasy Tower identified on map), and south of the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, of which just a sliver appears on the map. Theme park views from the hotel will overlook the show buildings of Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.  Parts of the currently-under-construction Star Wars Land should also be visible, as it will be completed by the time the hotel opens in 2021.

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No theme has been announced for the hotel, but it will be designed by WDI.  Currently, the city of Anaheim has only two Four Diamond hotels – the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.  Anaheim City Council last year adopted a plan to provide tax incentives for developers to build luxury hotels to attract higher-end visitors.  Since then, a number of new luxury hotels have been proposed, including two at GardenWalk, one at the site of the Anabella Hotel, and one at the site of the Anaheim Plaza Hotel and Suites.

A “Splash” Remake Is In On The Way

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

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CNBC recently spoke with producer Brian Glazer during an evolution of Hollywood segment and was asked about one of his first movies, “Splash,” and Glazer dropped a bomb.

CNBC: “(Let’s say) you’re casting “Splash” today, who plays Tom Hanks’ role?”

Glazer: “I’m actually going to do “Splash” today and I can’t say.”

CNBC: “Wait, wait, what?”

Glazer: “I’m actually going to do it from the point of you of a….I can’t say anything about it except there is a movie star involved but I haven’t announced it.”

CNBC: “In your book you say that the original take on it was called “Wet” and it was written from the point of view of the mermaid.”

Glazer: “Yes! And that is what we are going to do. A version of that. But I cant tell you the twist.”

OK, so Glazer has confirmed that they are working on a remake of “Splash”, “possibly” called “Wet”, it will be told from the point of view of the mermaid, there is a Hollywood star involved and there is a twist. Any ideas of who could be starring as Madison, the mermaid in “Splash” originally played by Daryl Hannah, and what the twist could be? Some actresses names that come to mind for me are Emma Stone and Margot Robbie. As for the twist, maybe Madison stays instead of returning to the sea?

The original movie “Splash” brought about a few “firsts”. When it was released in 1984, it was Disney’s first movie under the Touchtone Pictures banner, which was also Disney’s first adult romantic comedy. It was also Tom Hanks first theatrical movie.  The movie was directed by Ron Howard and starred Tom Hanks as a man who as a child was rescued by a young mermaid from drowning. He is later reunited with her many years later and a romance is developed and soon Madison(Daryl Hannah) must make a choice to either stay with the man she loves or return to her her life at sea as a mermaid.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

 

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant to Offer NEW Electrical Parade Dining Package

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Starting tomorrow, reservations can be made for a three-course lunch at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant which will include reserved viewing for the Main Street Electrical Parade, right in front of the flagpole on Main Street U.S.A.

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The dining package includes your choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and a beverage.

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Cost is $45 for adults, $17 for children plus tax and gratuity, or is one table-service entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan. Reservations open June 7, and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or calling 407-WDW-Dine.