First-Ever food Truck Takeover Happening This Weekend at Downtown Disney

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

During the first-ever “food truck takeover” January 16-18 at Exposition Park at Downtown Disney, visitors will experience a fun way to get a taste of the new Trattoria al Forno menu.

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Superstar Catering food truck, which usually features tastes of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will be the makeshift kitchen for the Trattoria chefs to serve three of the restaurant’s most popular dishes: an oversized beef and spinach meatball in a sourdough bread bowl (inspired by the restaurant’s Polpetta Gigante) with housemade “Sunday gravy” ($12.25); lasagna ($10.75), and tiramisu ($6). They’ll also be pouring Sogno d’Italia Chianti from Tuscany, representing the restaurant’s all-Italian wine list and a perfect pairing for the lasagna and meatball.

Exposition Park hours are noon-11 p.m., weather permitting. More Disney restaurants will showcase menu favorites with upcoming food truck takeovers.

If a taste at Exposition Park should leave you wanting more, Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s BoardWalk is open 7:30-11 a.m. for breakfast, 5-10 p.m. for dinner.

PHOTO: The Top of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Hollywood Studios Has Been Removed

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Overnight, the top of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was removed…

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They didn’t even have time to haul the tip of the hat off somewhere

 

We’ll keep you up to date on the progress of the removal of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios every step of the way, so stay tuned!

Upcoming Attractions from Around the World Added to Updated “One Man’s Dream” Exhibit Finale at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

When “The Legacy Continues” section of “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” debuted a few years ago, we were promised that the previews of upcoming attractions and such from the company would be updated regularly. Just last week, the boards representing each Disney resort around the world were updated:

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Completed projects and the upcoming Little Mermaid show at Tokyo DisneySea are showcased

Hong Kong Disneyland focuses on the last major addition, Mystic Manor

Disneyland Resort features some recent projects, but also the upcoming 60th anniversary

Shanghai has added artwork for the Garden of the Twelve Friends and the Pirate area of the park

Some recent additions for Disney Cruise Line

Walt Disney World’s section focuses only on Animal Kingdom

The boat ride is happening…

 

Lots of exciting things on the way!

Marvel Entertainment Releases New Trailer For “Avengers: Age Of Ultron”

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Marvel Entertainment just released a brand new trailer for the upcoming movie, “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” and it looks fantastic.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZoO8QVMxkk]

 

Here are some images that I captured from the trailer:

Cap’s battle scarred helmet:

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Captain America’s new uniform:

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 Bruce Banner and Black Widow:

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Thor in his slightly new costume:

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Nick Fury:

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The Twins, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch:

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Andy Serkis; it’s still unknown who he is playing, but he doesn’t look good:

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Who is this?

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The Hulk being calmed down by Black Widow:

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The Hulk losing his mind:

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Hulk-Buster!:

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Tony inside the Hulk-Buster:

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Hulk vs Hulk-Buster:

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Ultron:

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Marvel Studios presents “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk.  Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision. Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963. Get set for an action-packed thrill ride when The Avengers return in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015.

“Lando Calrissian” Will Appear On “Star Wars Rebels”

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

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Here is the first image of Lando Calrissian as he will appear in the upcoming “Star Wars Rebels” episode called “Idiot’s Array”. This episode will air on Monday, January 19th at 9 PM on Disney XD.

Billy Dee Williams will be providing his voice as the classic gambler, smuggler and baron administrator of Cloud City, also known as Lando Calrissian.

The official synopsis for the episode “Idiot’s Array” is ” The crew is forced into transporting some unusual cargo after an issue with a new acquaintance.” From some of the photos and the synopsis, it sounds like Zeb loses Chopper during a card game to Lando and Lando offers another alternative.

Here are some more images and a brief clip from “Idiot’s Array”:

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLinMMWXw_g]

PHOTOS: Demolition of the Sorcerer’s Hat Begins at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Demolition has begun for the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

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The gold spirals under the hat are the first piece to go…

 

On the walls around the hat, ads for the park’s attractions can be found

 

Also, the Earful Tower, which is now more visible with the trees in the center hub of the park coming down

 

It will be a few weeks until the hat is completely down, with work in the area wrapping up around April/May

 

This side is looking really bad, so probably best  that it comes down

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

 

Guests leaving the park in the evening will find the hat completely dark, but the Earful Tower is now in plain sight, and the Chinese Theater will follow once the hat comes down.

WDW News Today Celebrates 60 Years of Disney Parks in 2015 with 60-Hour Show, Exciting History Segments, & More!

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

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Orlando, FL – Coming hot off the heels of the most successful year in the website’s history, WDW News Today is proud to announce an ambitious slate of offerings for 2015, all marking the 60th anniversary of the opening of the very first Disney theme park, Disneyland. In the past, WDW News Today’s content has celebrated individual attraction and park milestones, but never before has there been a 12-month period of exciting entertainment and stories centered around the entire history of Disney Parks. From coast-to-coast and continent-to-continent, WDWNT will be taking you on a 60-year time and world traveling journey through every milestone (and even misstep) in the history of the places “where dreams come true”.

The WDW News Today Podcast

Beginning this week on the WDW News Today Podcast, you’ll find multiple segments that mark this important year, including:

  • The 60 Biggest Moments in the History of the Disneyland Resort – A countdown running for the next 6-months where we reveal and rank the 60 most important moments in the history of the Disneyland Resort, as voted by you!
  • The Top 10: Disneyland vs. Disney World – Our Top 10 countdowns go bi-coastal for the very first time, pitting Walt Disney World’s and Disneyland Resort’s very best against each other.
  • Back to the Future – WDWNT’s definitive history segment returns on 6 occasions in 2015 to go in-depth like never before on the stories of some of the most iconic and important attractions in theme park history: Disney’s Monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds (including proposed EPCOT Center version), The Indiana Jones Adventure, The Peoplemover, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and the Liquid Space Adventures (Submarine Voyage/20,000 Leagues Under the Sea).

WDW News Today: The Radio Show

Every week, WDW News Today: The Radio show will present segments and games celebrating 60 years of Disney Parks, including a new game called “Disney Parks Pursuit” which will test listeners knowledge of Disney Parks trivia, music, and much more for prizes provided by Theme Park Connection! WDW News Today: The Radio show can be heard weekly on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando and online on WDW News Today: On The Air Thursdays from 8-10PM EST (starting January 22nd).

A 60-Hour Celebration of 60 Years of Disney Parks – November 27-29, 2015

Annually, WDWNT has provided a somewhere between 24-30 hour broadcast to benefit the Toys for Tots Foundation on Thanksgiving Weekend. In 2015, we will kick things up a notch by presenting a 60-HOUR broadcast where we will attempt to raise at least $6000 for the charity organization. The event will cap off the year-long festivities with a 2.5 day journey through 6 decades of Disney Parks stories, history, and fun. Both on the air and in-person at the Disney Parks, this is sure to be the BIGGEST event in WDW News Today history!

AND MORE!

We are still working out the details, but special fan meets and other events at the Disney Parks (and 2015 D23 Expo) are planned, including some exciting things we have never done before (details coming soon).

The WDW News Today website will of course be covering all of the excitement of the parks today as we share Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, the 2015 D23 Expo, and much more with you this year, so stay tuned for all of the fun and excitement!

Live Action “Cinderella” Sneak-Peek & Photo-Op Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Beginning January 17th, guests can see a special sneak-peek of Disney’s live-action Cinderella film at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The preview will run through March 21st.

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The coach from the film,which has been appearing at the Magic Kingdom before the afternoon parade, will be moving to Hollywood Studios to provide a photo-op for guests from February 1st through April 11th, 2015.

2015 D23 Member Savings With Discounts and Offers From Disney and Beyond

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Whether headed to a Disney Park or staying close to home, members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can save on shopping, entertainment, and their next Disney adventure when they present a D23 Membership Card or use special member-only online codes.

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D23 Members can enjoy:

  • Savings of 20% on select Disney On Ice and Disney Live! touring productions
  • An exclusive 10% discount and a special portfolio of art when purchasing the entire Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection
  • A discount on tickets to see Cinderella opening weekend at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
  • Up to 53% off Disney magazines including the new Disney Frozen 

Plus, D23 will be featuring a “special offer of the month,” highlighting exclusive opportunities for members. For January, D23 Members can enjoy 15% off purchases of $75 or more at Disney Store or online at DisneyStore.com.

D23 is bringing back its most popular opportunities for savings on hotels, restaurants, and stores in and around Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, including:

  • Discounted rates at Howard Johnson Anaheim, Carousel Inn & Suites, and the Anabella Hotel located near Disneyland Resort; as well as at Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, B Resort & Spa, and Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, located near Walt Disney World Resort
  • 10% savings on activities at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre and on merchandise at CURL® by Sammy Duvall at Walt Disney World Resort
  • Savings on sweets at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, either online or in its two Disney Parks shops, as well as at the El Capitan Theatre
  • Discounts at all Mandara Spa locations—including Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts—across the United States, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean
  • Dining discounts in and around Disneyland Resort, including House of Blues Anaheim, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Catal, Uva Bar, Naples, Tortilla Joe’s, Earl of Sandwich, ESPN Zone, and Tangerine Grill

In addition, D23 Members can take advantage of a host of ongoing offers online and around the country developed exclusively for them, including savings on tickets to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco; a merchandise discount at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, Mo.; plus savings of 20% on specialty skin care products from H2O Plus and 10% off all purchases online and at all RIDEMAKERZ® locations.

Complete details on all D23 Member discounts and offers, as well as a full list of all the latest specials, can be found online at http://D23.com/Discounts.