Tom Corless’ 1/30/15 Epcot Photo Report (Recalled Mug, Frozen, New Merchandise, ETC.)

I visited Epcot on Sunday afternoon and have some newsworthy photos from my trip to share with you today:

 

Welcome to Epcot

The now-pulled Epcot Starbucks mug was on shelves when I visited Sunday

And it was never seen again…

A mug with a different color monorail will eventually be made

If you look closely, you can see construction vehicles out behind The Land at Epcot, rumor has it additional Soarin’ theaters may be constructed

The “healthy” food cart between The Land and Imagination! recently got a new menu

In Canada, the Lumberjack show is making some modifications for a log rolling act

The seating area from Brazil at the Food and Wine Festival was kept as a nice spot for guests to relax

The new group in Morocco was out as I passed by

Some walls are up in the gardens in Japan

New Disney villains pins recently were released

Also, this really neat Dug pin

The front section of the Puffin’s Roost, which was once the Frozen meet and greet, is once again shop space

No visible progress on the Frozen attraction

The future site if the Frozen meet and greet building

Walls up outside of the Mexico pavilion for some reason

Several new shirts can be found at MouseGear

This Minnie Mouse shirt was in the men’s section, which might be a first

Kid’s shirts

Several new iPhone 6 cases were released, all in new, slimmer packaging

The old packaging can still be found

Figment iPhone 5 case

I’m not certain, but these princess pillows looked new

 

A new popcorn bucket featuring Test Track is now available

2/2/15 Marvel News Mash-Up (Grey Hulk, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars)

Will We See A ‘Grey Hulk’ In ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron?

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This first started when an image of the ‘Savage Grey Hulk’ Funco Pop vinyl figure was leaked online as a Hot Topic exclusive figure. What is interesting is the redness around his eyes is similar to the scene in the newest trailer suggesting that he is being controlled by Scarlet Witch.

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In the very first issue of the Incredible Hulk, The Hulk was grey and Stan Lee had always intended for him to be grey. But do to problems with the grey ink and how it did not blend properly with the rest of the colors in the comics, Marvel felt it was best to change his color to green.  This was explained by saying that the Grey Hulk persona and the Green Hulk persona are battling in  Bruce Banner’s sub-conscious. Due to his superior strength, Green Hulk aka Savage Hulk, won most of the time thus showing the Savage Hulk persona more often.

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So could this just be some exclusive figure for Hot Topic or did this image let the cat out of the bag? We wont know for sure until ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron’ comes out but I do think it is a possibility. Grey Hulk has Banner’s intellect and if at some point they decide to do a solo movie, maybe ‘Planet Hulk,’ they would need The Hulk not to revert back to Banner but also say more than just “Hulk Smash!”

People are saying that this very fast scene of the Hulk in the newest TV spot shows that he is grey. I kind of think it is just the lighting though.

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We’ll have to wait and see on this one.

New Images From ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron’

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Empire magazine’s most recent issues features some new images from ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron.’

Newsstand and Collector Edition Covers:collagedsdsd

Some of these photos have a (very) few Easter Eggs in them. I put togther a side by side comparision to show the ones that I was able to find.

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Captain America:

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Do you notice something similar? Captain America’s costume in Age Of Ultron is the exact same costume as his Winter Soldier costume except it is painted a different color. Look at the stripes and that expalins why the middle red stripe doesn’t go down lower like the other two.

Bruce Banner/The Hulk:

collagetrrtrtIt appears that now when Banner transforms into the Hulk his eyes start to turn green. This has to be a homage to the original TV Series, The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby.

Thor:

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Tony Stark/Iron Man:

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Black Widow:

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Hawkeye with director Joss Whedon:

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Scarlet Witch:

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Source: Empireonline.com

Chris Evans And Chris Pratt Battle Over A Superbowl Winner

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After it was determined that the New England Patriots were to face the Seattle Seahawks in this year’s Superbowl, Chris Evans, a long time Patriots fan, sent out the following tweet to his friend, Chris Pratt, a long time Seahawks fan:

“Well, well, well @prattprattpratt, looks like our teams are going into battle. For the next 2 weeks, you are not my friend, you are my enemy,” Evans, 33, wrote.

Pratt responded with ‘@chrisevans OK. Seahawks win you fly yourself to Seattle, visit @seatllechildren hospital as Captain America, waving the 12th man flag.’

Evans responded with ‘@prattprattpratt I accept. And when the Patriots humiliate your seachickens, I expect Star-Lord to arrive at @chris_haven in a Brady jersey.’

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Even with the outcome last night, both men will be visiting both locations. These guys are some real life heroes for sure

Preview Of Marvel Comics’ ‘Star Wars #2’

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Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader for the first time in the newest issue of ‘Star Wars #2’

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Source: CBR.com

Sideshow Collectibles Corner

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Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron will begin hitting the theatres worldwide shortly! In the epic sequel, Earth’s mightiest heroes come together again to defend the world from the menacing Ultron! Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys are excited to continue the Avengers: Age of Ultron series and officially present the new sixth scale Captain America Collectible Figure! This figure is available exclusively at Sideshow Collectibles for $224.49 and expected to ship in the last quarter of 2015.

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That’s it for this time!

Play Along as WDWNT March Madness Begins Tonight (01/29/15) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

radio_show_post_logoTonight, on WDWNT: The Radio show, look ahead to 2015 at the Disney Parks. We will discuss what we know is coming to Walt Disney World as well as all our speculations… and invite yours as well. We also have all the latest breaking news about the Disneyland 60th Anniversary celebration that will be taking place this year.

Also, we have the debut of a brand new game show! Join us for Disney Parks Pursuit and win some great prizes from Theme Park Connection. We are looking for some contestants to play. Here are the details:

  • This is a pre-show sign-up for Tonight’s (Thursday 01/29/15) game show contestants.
  • Send an email to contactnickl@gmail.com with your name, hometown and phone number you can be reached at.
  • The game is played entirely over the phone. We will call you when it is time to play.
  • You need to be available on Thursday, December 29 from 9-10 EST. You need to be available the whole time although we will not have you on the phone the entire time.
  • You need to be a Disney fan who wants some great prizes from our wonderful sponsor, Theme Park Connection!
  • Contestants will be chosen randomly from all entries received. Not everyone who sends an email will appear on the show, but everyone who does appear on the show will win a prize from Theme Park Connection. And the better you perform, the more you win.

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 or on your TuneIn and iHeartRadio apps, just search for WBZW. 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 Listen.WDWNT.com.

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

Top Annie Awards Go To “Dragon 2,” Disney Animation Receives Most Overall

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Dean DeBlois picked up directing honors for “How To Train Your Dragon 2” at Saturday’s “Annies” presented by ASIFA-Hollywood. Dragon 2 also received the Best Feature Animation prize. Images courtesy of ASIFA-Hollywood and DreamWorks Animation.

DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2” took Best Animated Feature honors at the 42nd Annual Annie Awards, presented by ASIFA-Hollywood, as some of feature and television animation’s brightest stars assembled at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, January 31.

The Best Feature, and the directorial award to the film’s Dean DeBois, are timely for artists and technicians the creative staff of the financially beleaguered studio, especially since the Annie Awards are considered something of a bellwether of the Academy Awards which will be held on February 22. The firm also picked up awards for feature character design (Fabio Lignini), for storyboarding (Truong “Tron” Son Mai) and for music (John Power, Jonsi).

Various Disney animation units picked up the most awards, including nine for Disney Television Animation alone and 11 in total. Disney Television Animation’s “Gravity Falls” won for television/broadcast production for a children’s audience. “Disney Mickey Mouse” picked up the most individual Annies, including direction in a TV/broadcast production (Aaron Springer), writing (Darrick Bachman), editorial (Illya Owens), music (Christopher Willis) and voice acting (Bill Farmer.) “Wander Over Yonder” also took awards in character animation (Justin Nichols), character design (Benjamin Balistreri), and “Mickey Shorts”  also won for production design (Narina Skolova).

Leslie Iwerks and Richard Sherman present The Walt Disney Family Museum at the 42nd Annie Awards™ with a Special Achievement Award for its unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation. Ron Miller, Walt Disney’s son-in-law and the president of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Board of Directors  attended the ceremony to receive the honor. Images courtesy of ASIFA-Hollywood.

Leslie Iwerks and Richard Sherman present The Walt Disney Family Museum at the 42nd Annie Awards™ with a Special Achievement Award for its unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation. Ron Miller, Walt Disney’s son-in-law and the president of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Board of Directors attended the ceremony to receive the honor. Images courtesy of ASIFA-Hollywood.

“The Lego Movie” from Warner Bros. Animation received one award for writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Close watchers of the Annies might have possibly predicted the so-called snub from the slate of nominations. “How To Train Your Dragon 2” had 10 nominations, in comparison to 6 for “The Lego Movie.” “The Box Trolls” actually led the Best Feature nominations with 13.

“Dragon” will compete with “Big Hero 6,” “The Boxtrolls,” “Song of the Sea,” and “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.” It has already won the Golden Globe.

The Annies have a consistent history of matching the Academy Award winners every other year except 2006 when Happy Feat was the Oscar winner. The Annie that year went to “Cars.” Last year’s Annie winner, “Frozen,” went on to win the Oscar.

RUMOR: Disney Looking At Chris Pratt To Be The New ‘Indiana Jones’

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This rumor was originally started by fans after seeing Chris Pratt in ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy,’  but now it seems that Disney is actually listening to what the fans are saying. I admit that after seeing his performance in the opening scene where ‘Starlord’ retrieves the Infinity Stone, it reminded me of the opening scene in ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’ where ‘Indy’ retrieves the Idol. Pratt would make a great ‘Indian Jones,’ (see photos below). He just seems to have the confidence and believability to take on that role more than any other actor I could think of.

According to Deadline.com, Disney is starting to turn it’s attention to reviving the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise and that Chris Pratt is under serious consideration.

The signs have been there that Disney is about to do something with ‘Indiana Jones.’ When Disney first acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, ‘Star Wars’ was the big deal and ‘Indiana Jones’ was mentioned as a side note. Paramount still had partial ownership and I believe they were contracted to make two more Indy movies. But back in 2013, Disney and Paramount reached an agreement where Disney would retain full control of the ‘Indiana Jones‘ franchise which included future movies and home video distribution.

I also remember hearing that of the big three from the original cast of ‘Star Wars’, Harrison Ford was the holdout for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII.’ Ford apparently agreed to be in ‘Episode VII’ if Disney agreed to do 2 more ‘Indiana Jones’ movies with him in it. Ford was not happy with ‘Indiana Jones And The Chrystal Skull’ and wanted the character to go out on a high note. So I don’t know if that is still on the table or maybe it is possible for Harrison Ford to pass the reigns on to Chris Pratt. Shia Labeouf played Indy’s son in the ‘Chrystal Skull’ but Shia is now box office poison and has been bad news  for several years in the eyes of the press and movie fans. There is no reason why Pratt couldn’t take on the role as an older version of Labeouf’s character. They seriously have to lose the name of ‘Mutt’ though and called him ‘Indy’, well after the inevitable happens to Ford’s character.

Harrison Ford in ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’:harrison-ford-indiana-jones-idol__index

Chris Pratt in ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’:guardians-of-the-galaxy-chris-pratt3

Disneyland Diamond Celebration Begins 5/22, 3 New Nighttime Shows Announced

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Each of the Disneyland Resort’s iconic centerpieces will receive diamond studded overlays. Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.

Before an invitation only crowd at Disneyland Park tonight, Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was joined on stage by Steve Davidson, executive for parades and spectaculars with Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment, as they revealed the entertainment line up for the park’s 60th Diamond Celebration that will debut May 22.

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The “Disneyland Forever” pyrotechnic spectacular will seemingly surround viewers with incredible Disney motifs. Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.

A new fireworks spectacular “Disneyland Forever” will feature pyrotechnics, immersive projections, and other effects that will transform several areas of Disneyland Park. This new generation edition of traditional Disney nighttime entertainment boasts the largest installation of projection mapping technology in a Disney park and up-close special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and several other Disneyland Park locations become a “magical canvas” transporting guests into familiar Disney experiences, from flying above the London skyline from “Peter Pan” to a dance with King Louie in “The Jungle Book.”

“Disneyland Forever” also features two original songs, the theme “Live the Magic” and the inspiring closing song “Kiss Goodnight,” written by Disney Legend Richard Sherman.

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A couple of the Pixar units from Paint the Night. Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.

After a nearly a 20 year hiatus, Disneyland will host an evening parade with the U.S. premiere of Paint the Night. A modern alteration of the long departed, fan favorite Main Street Electric Parade, the new show will feature classic Disney and Pixar character scenes, magically realized with state of the art lighting technologies. Paint The Night is currently running at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort where it will continue indefinitely. A second copy of the show is being created for the Disneyland fete with a unit portraying a scene from Frozen.

Opening the same day is “World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney” – featuring Mickey Mouse on a fun-filled and inspirational journey through the unparalleled imagination of his creator, in a first-of-its-kind spectacular, presented on the magic canvas of “World of Color” with compelling animated imagery, live-action footage, fountains, lasers, special effects and a stirring musical score.

The “Frozen Fun” events that debuted earlier this month will continue through the celebration year. Other events and special enhancements are still rumored to join the party, so check-in often at WDWNT.com.

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Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.

 

42nd Annie Awards to be Streamed Live on Saturday

This Saturday the Hollywood branch of the Association Internationale du Film D’ Animation (ASIFA – Hollywood) will honor the best of 2014’s animated films at the 42nd Annie Awards held at UCLAs Royce Hall in Los Angeles. ASIFA-Hollywood, will also be honoring The Walt Disney Family Museum with a Special Achievement Award for its unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation. Ron Miller— Walt Disney’s son-in-law and the president of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Board of Directors – will be on hand to receive the honor.

Those animation enthusiasts not able to attend the Black-Tie event will be able to stream the awards show live at the ASIFA website.

The actual "Annie" is a golden zoetrope. Image courtesy of ASIFA - Hollywood.

The actual “Annie” is a golden zoetrope. Image courtesy of ASIFA – Hollywood.

The nominees for Best Animated Feature this year are:

  • Big Hero 6 – 
Walt Disney Animation Studios
  • Cheatin’ – Plymptoons Studio
  • How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
  • Song of the Sea – GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
  • The Book of Life – Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
  • The Boxtrolls – Focus Features/Laika
  • The LEGO Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures
  • The Tale of The Princess Kaguya – GKIDS/Studio Ghibli

This headliner category will be one to watch after the controversial omission of the popular LEGO Movie from the Oscar’s Best Animated Film category.

But as a professional organization, supporting all of the various crafts involved in the creation of animated film, the list of ASIFA – Hollywood’s individual Annie Award nominees is extensive.

The first Annie awards were presented in 1972, hosted by the legendary animator Grim Natwick. They honored animation pioneers Max and Dave Fleischer. ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film D’ Animation) was founded in 1957 in France, and chartered under UNESCO in 1960 as a membership organization devoted to the encouragement and dissemination of film animation as an art and communication form.

To stream the show, or learn more about the nominees, live visit annieawards.org/watch-it-live.

Disney Continues Installation of Monorail Automation Systems, Service Changes in February/March 2015

Monorail maintenance has been a fairly frequent thing the last few years as Walt Disney World has been testing and installing a possible automated system of running the Monorails. More infrastructure for the system will be installed over the next few months, leading to following Monorail service changes:

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From 11 AM to 7 PM on 2/3-5, 2/9-12, 2/23-26, and March 2-5, the resort Monorail beam will take guests between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and the Magic Kingdom. The express beam will offer a third stop on these days, stopping at Disney’s Contemporary Resort between the Transportation and Ticket Center. Busses to Epcot will be offered at all of the Monorail Resorts during this time.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror “Authentic” Merchandise Line Arrives February 13th at Disney Parks

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Friday, February 13th 2015 will be the official release date for the Hollywood Tower Hotel Authentic line of merchandise (celebrating the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) coming to the Disney Parks in Florida and California! The products will be available at the attraction’s exit shop at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure.

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With the release of the new merchandise, some of the Disney Design Group artists behind this collection will be appearing at Tower Hotel Gifts on Friday, February 13. This event will be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m and Disney Artists Tyler Dumas, Brian Blackmore, Richard Terpstra and Quynh Kimball are scheduled to attend.

Dirk Wallen’s 1/26/15 Disney Springs Photo Report (BOATHOUSE Construction, Signs Go Up, ETC.)

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney over the weekend and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Marketplace bridge

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Some new pins were released this week, including Mardi Gras…

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President’s Day…

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And Valentine’s Day

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Signs on the shops around the Landing have indeed started to go up, beginning with Chapel Hats

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Scaffolding has come down at the BOATHOUSE

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Work is wrapping up out by the dock for BOATHOUSE as well

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The “hangar” restaurant is still unannounced

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But we can see there is an outdoor seating area disguised as a suspended boat

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Work on the shores of the West Side continue, just across from Starbucks and Harley Davidson

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From upstairs at Planet Hollywood, we can get a good look at the work on the Town Center and the finishing touches for the Orange parking structure

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By 2016, the Town Center will be standing in this space