PHOTOS: A look Inside the “Rebel Hangar” at Star Wars Weekends 2015

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

The “Rebel Hangar” lounge at Hollywood Studios may not open until Friday night, but the area is already decked out and looks just about ready to serve the excited Star Wars fans flocking to the park for the annual “Star Wars Weekends” event:

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Signage outside

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Half of the indoor seating at Backlot Express has been converted to the new lounge

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While not yet the finished product , the space has been nicely decorated

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The bar area

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We will be dining at the Rebel Hangar tomorrow evening as it is the first night of Star Wars Weekends 2015, so follow us on twitter for an instant review and stay tuned for a full review here on the site!

BREAKING: Hangar in Disney Springs is an Indiana Jones Themed Restaurant, “Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar” Opens This Fall

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

We were already excited about the hangar themed restaurant coming to Disney Springs in The Landing, but that excitement has just been taken to new heights…

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Original concept art from Disney

The bar and restaurant opening Fall 2015 is going to be called “Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar”, named for the pilot friend who comes to Indiana Jones’ rescue in the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The aviation themed lounge located between Paradiso 37 and the Boathouse will feature 150 seats, including a bar area located on a boat that seems to be hanging off the side of the main building. The theme will be expressed through propeller themed ceiling fans, vintage travel posters, and correspondence between Jock and Indy.

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Jock in his plane in Raiders of the Lost Ark

The location will feature small plates and themed beverages and include special effects similar to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

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Construction photo from a few weeks back showing the boat bar “hanging” on the side of the restaurant

UPDATE: Disney has now officially confirmed our story and given a few more details:

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With a prime location along Lake Buena Vista and seating for 150, the venue will feature unique cocktails – such as the “Hovito Mojito” with Barsol Quebranta Pisco, fresh lime juice and simple syrup – and small plates such as “Air Pirates Everything Pretzels” with house-made mustard and beer cheese fondue.

The design team has gone to great lengths to ensure that every element – from the propeller-based ceiling fans and diving bell “booth” to the “Rolling Boulder Meatballs” on the menu – fits within the storyline.

And just what is that story? Ardent fans of the “Indiana Jones” films may recognize Jock Lindsey as Indy’s frequent pilot; he’s also the owner of a pet snake named Reggie – an important detail, trust me on this! In the main room, guests will discover an expansive bar, aviation decor filling the room, vintage travel posters covering the walls and correspondence between Jock, Indy and their fellow adventurers on display. Guests can eat, drink and be merry outside as well, in Jocks’ old steamboat, now in permanent dry dock and aptly named “Reggie;” and in nearby seating on the adjacent deck.

“Disneyland: The Exhibit” To Celebrate 60 Years of the Happiest Place on Earth at the D23 Expo 2015

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

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THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES RETURNS TO D23 EXPO WITH “DISNEYLAND: THE EXHIBIT”

More Than 300 Classic and Contemporary Objects Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Walt’s First Theme Park Will Be on Display

BURBANK, Calif. – May 12, 2015 – The Walt Disney Archives today announced it will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Disneyland at D23 EXPO 2015 with an exhibit of more than 300 pieces from the park’s incredible history. “Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit” will be the largest display the Disney Archives has ever showcased at D23 EXPO. The event, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will take place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

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The 12,000-square-foot exhibit, which will be located on the Expo show floor for the first time, will include themed areas that honor the park’s history, attractions, parades, and entertainment over the past six decades, including the construction of Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey Mouse Club at Disneyland, Club 33, and collectible merchandise, as well as the park’s iconic lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, and Critter Country/Bear Country. Each area will contain items from Disneyland’s past, including attraction vehicles, costumes, props, and even Audio-Animatronics® figures.

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Among the more-than-300 items on exhibit, guests will be able to see Ticket No. 1, purchased by Roy O. Disney on July 18, 1955, the first day the park was open to the general public. Guests will see many pieces shown by the Archives for the first time, including early surveying equipment from the 1950s used in the construction of Disneyland, a prototype vehicle for the belovedAlice in Wonderland attraction, dancing­monkey costumes used in the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!, an early Autopia car, original artwork from Mickey Mouse Club Circus, the Abominable Snowman from the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which was replaced during the attraction’s recent enhancement, and an original pitch book full of colorful artwork that was used to sell Disneyland to prospective sponsors on the East Coast.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Tom Corless’ 5/29/15 WDW Photo Report (Indy Merchandise, Jungle Cruise Restaurant, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

It has been a good while since our last photo report, so I thought I would share some recent pictures I took at Walt Disney World:

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You can now own a Darth Vader polo shirt…

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The parks are slowly “rolling out” some new Indiana Jones merchandise, here you see the updated pin below the old one

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New hoodie

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Kid’s shirt

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New messenger bag

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Another kid’s shirt

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Sweatshirt

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t-shirt

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Two new vintage-style t-shirts were released not long ago

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There’s also this new, adorable Dumbo shirt

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At the Magic Kingdom, the Main Street bypass gates have been given signage. The bicycle ad returned, but there is also a new ad!

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In Frontierland, the cast were getting into the Avengers spirit and created Captain Hamerica for guests to trade pins with

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I had never had a waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow, so I decided to stop there for breakfast

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The omelet sandwich was easily my favorite breakfast item I have ever had anywhere on this earth in all of my life…

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New Thomas Kincade art of Cinderella Castle has been released

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The Tomorrowland Speedway sign which had been missing for weeks has returned

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Turkey legs can now be found at the Cooling Station and not in Liberty Square

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Work continues on the Jungle Cruise restaurant in Adventureland

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The upcoming Liberty Tree Tavern closure is to accommodate a kitchen remodel since it is shared with the Jungle Cruise establishment

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A lot of work happening outside of the building as well

Disney Animation’s “Zootopia” Voice Cast Revealed

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

Walt Disney Animation Studios has revealed that Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are set to star in Disney’s Zootopia, a 2016 animated feature set in a modern mammal metropolis. Goodwin (ABC’s Once Upon a Time) will lend her voice to an optimistic bunny named Judy Hopps who’s new to Zootopia’s police department. Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses 2, This is Where I Leave You) voices the scamming fox, Nick Wilde, who Judy reluctantly teams up with to crack her first case.

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“We knew that Zootopia would only succeed if we found the perfect actors to play our main characters,” said director Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt). “This rabbit- and fox-duo are in practically every scene in the film together. After meeting Ginnifer, we knew she embodied Hopps, the ultimate pure-of-heart, idealist bunny. You fall in love with her character instantly. And for Nick Wilde, our cynical con-artist fox, we only ever had one actor in mind, the incomparable Jason Bateman. Jason has a way of saying the most hilarious sarcastic things while always staying completely charming. We feel so fortunate to be working with both of them.”

In the animated feature, which opens March 4, 2016, the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything.

But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia, a comedy-adventure is directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and co-directed by Jared Bush.

Zootopia opens nationwide March 4, 2016.

PHOTOS: New Pirates of the Caribbean Merchandise Line “Washes Ashore” at Disney Parks

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

Even though the line has not formally been launced yet, the new Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise has already started to arrive at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Here’s what is out so far:

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New pirate ear hat

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Sweatshirt

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The back of the hoodie

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The front featuring Pegleg Pete

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Skull cap

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Long sleeve t-shirt

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Tin sign

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New t-shirts

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There’s also a line of strange Mermaid items

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Striped socks reminiscent of those in the cast costume

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More mermaid stuff

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There are now foam swords with the logo

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New kid’s shirt

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Playing cards

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Mystery pin set

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Open edition pins

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Two-sided lanyard

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Baseball

VIDEO: The Hatbox Ghost Returns to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

HE’S BACK! Video courtesy of Disney Hipsters on Instagram:

Using projection mapping technology, Disney has successfully brought the Hatbox Ghost back to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland starting today. The original effect installed in 1969 never quite worked properly and was removed a few weeks later. 45 years later, he has returned just in time for the Diamond Celebration at Disneyland.

PHOTOS: Disneyland Releasing Special Souvenir Food & Drink Items for 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

An inside source has sent us some internal images promoting the special food and beverage souvenir items coming to Disneyland Resort when the Diamond Celebration kicks off later this month:

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Diamond glow cubes that will be available with select beverages

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32oz sipper artwork, available only on 5/22

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Artwork for souvenir mugs

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Specialty popcorn buckets

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Plastic stein, Dinoco cup for Cars Land, and popcorn bucket art

Which ones do you NEED to own?

REGISTER NOW to play Match Game Tonight (05/07/15) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

radio_show_post_logoTonight, on WDWNT: The Radio show, we will discuss the latest park news, Star Wars, Marvel, pet apparel and more. We will also ponder what the Universal deal with Nintendo means for theme parks.

You can also win some great prizes from Theme Park Connection by playing The Match Game. Match your answers with those of our WDWNT staff panel to score points. We are giving you the chance to pre-register now to have a chance to play live on tonight’s radio show. Here are some of the rules:

  • Send an email to Contactnickl@gmail.com with your Name, Address and Phone number with the Subject “Match Game Entry”.
  • Sending an email does not guarantee entry into the game. We will randomly select contestants as needed, giving preference to those who have not won a prize in the past 30 days.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older or have parents permission to enter.
  • Must be available to play anytime tonight, April 23, between 8-10pm EST.
  • We will call you at the number you provide when it is time to play.

Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, the live radio talk show on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando focuses on the latest news and current trending topics at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. WDW News Today: The Radio Show can also be streamed live at www.1520wbzw.com. WDW News Today the Radio Show debuted in August of 2013 as a 1 hour broadcast on Saturday evenings and has grown into a 2-hour program by popular demand.

To interact with the hosts during the show, listeners can call in at (407) 774-8255, tweet @WDWNT using #WDWNTRadio, or use the new LIVE chat that will be available at Radio.WDWNT.com.

The show begins at 8PM EST every Thursday night, don’t miss it!