Aladdin Junior Series 10 Explained

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Aladdin Junior Series 10 Explained

Release Date: January 10
Where: Disney Stores, Online, D-Streets
$9.95 per blind box
18 figure set

This Junior series based on the 1992 Disney animated feature film is the first Junior series designed by Disney Store artists.

Update: 02/04/14 Based on the officially released imaged by Disney and the leaked photo of the side of the case of Aladdin vinyls, it appears Disney has released images of the chasers early. They did not officially announce them as chaser, but if the box is not a misprint, than they certainly are. They do not seem to be variants of any other figure. The two figures assumed to be the chaser are the last two photos on this page (in case you do not want to see them) Also, Disney seemed to not release images of 4 of the common figures: Abu, Jasmine in red dress, Aladdin and Jafar as old man in prison.

image from Vinylmation Exchange Facebook page

Presumed Chaser

Presumed Chaser

Don’t Miss out on WDWCelebrations’ Studio 25 Event, May 1st-4th!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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There are just a few days left to secure your ticket for the ultimate Disney fan event of the year! This year WDW Celebrations is hosting Studio 25 in celebration of Disney’s Hollywood Studios silver anniversary on May 1st, 2014. Studio 25 is a four day event packed with activities all around the Walt Disney World resort.

Just to name a few highlights from the Studio 25 schedule, a scavenger hunt, group rides (yes they really do cram a group of 100+ people into line for an attraction), a trivia challenge and a new game to be unveiled! Did I also mention those games and challenges include prizes? Because they do, so brush up on your Hollywood Studios facts! Those are just a few of the event offerings, for a look at the full schedule please visit their website here. Please note the event schedule is always subject to change for various reason such as inclement weather (and let’s face it in Florida that’s not unusual!) If you plan on attending the event, I recommend staying up to date throughout the event with Event Alert Service.

The events hosted by WDW Celebrations are always a great complement to the official events hosted by Disney. This year Disney is hosting several events throughout the day at Hollywood Studios including, a rededication of the park, a special motorcade — “Stars of the Studios,” and lastly a dance party will precede a special firework show at 9:30 p.m. 

Personally I must say the highlight of all the WDW Celebrations events I have attended in the past has been getting to celebrate with fellow fans. You will get to spend time with old friend as well as make new friends!

So don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate, sign up before it’s too late! Tickets are available for purchase until Sunday April 29, 2014. Tickets can be purchased here for just $10 for adults and $6 for children. Don’t forget this event also gives back, a portion of all the proceeds will be going to the charity Give Kids the World!

As the WDWNT Network is an official partner with WDW Celebrations many staff members will be in attendance at the event! We hope to see you all there and please feel free to come up and say hi!

 

Attendees of Annecy International Animated Film Festival Among First to View “Feast”

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

On June 10, attendees of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France will be able to screen Disney Animation Studios’ new short Feast making its world premiere at the event.

Feast Logo

Directed by first-time director Patrick Osborne, Feast is the story of one man’s love life as seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed through the meals they share. The short will open in theaters in front of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new action-packed, big-screen adventure Big Hero 6 on November 7, 2014.

Feast Image

Disney Announces Official Festivities for 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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On May 1st, 2014, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will mark its 25th anniversary with some special events in the park:

  • At 10 a.m., Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will take the stage with Disney’s Hollywood Studios Vice President Dan Cockerell to start the celebration day, honoring some of the 25-year cast members during a short rededication ceremony.
  • A special motorcade — “Stars of the Studios” — will make its way down Hollywood Blvd. beginning at 7 p.m. and feature many of the famous characters showcased throughout the park. Mickey and Minnie will be joined by television and film stars including Captain Jack Sparrow, Darth Vader, Doc McStuffins, Wreck-It Ralph, Venellope, Sofia the First and more.
  • Following the motorcade, the area in front of the park’s Sorcerer Hat Stage will become a dance party before a fireworks show ends the day in grand fashion at 9:30 p.m. The pyrotechnics show, which will be high in the sky above the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, will pay tribute to 25 years of show business stories that have been told throughout the park.
  •  And finally, a taste-tempting treat — a 25th Anniversary Chocolate Nutella Cupcake — will be sold at many of the park’s quick service dining locations during the day.

As we posted last week, special merchandise to mark the occasion will also be available.

WDWNT will be there to cover all of the festivities for those who can’t make it (as well as Studios 25), so stay tuned!

Dirk Wallen’s 4/22/14 WDW Photo Report (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s animal Kingdom yesterday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The lobby lives on…

Still no visible progress at the old Wyland Gallery

The temporary Captain Cook’s is what is usually where Cast Members eat at the resort

The Disney Vacation Club bungalows are progressing nicely

Not hard to believe these will open by next year, they have progressed quickly

Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the Hub

Some temporary popcorn and ice cream carts have been added as they demolish the old locations in the hub

Tarps up on some of the buildings in the Agrabah section of Adventureland

Tarps came down, but walls are still up outside of the Tiki Room

Walls still up across from the Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland, related to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction

The DVC kiosk got a name…

Most of the walls around Seven Dwarfs Mine Train have come down

Some remain near the entrance

The sign for the attraction is now up

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, work continues on the Harambe Theatre, new home to Festival of the Lion King

Walls still up near the stroller parking in Africa

Walls are also up along the Wildlife Express Train route, not sure if the two are related

VIDEO: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Testing Gives Guests First Views of Swinging, Swaying Vehicles

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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While visiting the Magic Kingdom yesterday, WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty couldn’t help but notice that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was being tested with trains full of weights. With more of the construction walls coming down yesterday, we can get a clear look at the trains running through most of the outdoor portion of the ride and see how they will swing and sway with guests inside:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is scheduled to open in May 2014, but no exact date has been given yet. The attraction will be the final component to open in the New Fantasyland project which was announced almost 5 years ago and has been under construction for 4 years.

Disney’s “Best Moment Ever” Sweepstakes Now Open For Entries

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Running now through May 14, 2014, Disney’s Best Moment Ever sweepstakes is now accepting entries from fans competing to win a trip for 4 to The Walt Disney World Resort. All they have to do is share a photo and a caption of one of their favorite moments.

BestMomentEver

Every Disney Princess has had their best moment ever. Merida was able to change her fate, Tiana realized her dream of opening her own restaurant, and Rapunzel finally made it to see the sky lanterns. Now, you can share your best moment ever for a chance to win a Walt Disney World Resort vacation and participate in the Disney Royal Family 5K.

To enter, submit a photo that portrays a moment of achievement in any activity (recreational, educational or a significant moment in time). Along with your photo, submit a caption that best describes your moment in less than 140 characters. You can check out examples in the Best Moment Ever Photo Gallery and for more detailed instructions, visit Disney.com/BestMomentEver and read the official rules.

Entrants will have a chance to win 1 of 5 prizes:

     1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive a 4 days/3 nights Disney Parks Vacation for 4 to The Walt Disney World® Resort:

  •          Roundtrip coach Airfare (If winner resides more than 250 miles from Orlando International Airport)
  •          2 Nights at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel
  •          1 Night at the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney Worldc Resort
  •          4 Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper® Option
  •         4 Tickets to the runDisney “Royal Family 5K” as part of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World® Resort on February 20, 2015

     1 FIRST PRIZE WINNER will receive a $1,000 Disney Store shop card

     3 SECOND PRIZE WINNERS will receive a $100 Disney Store shop card

Go to Disney.com/BestMomentEver to submit your entry today.

VIDEO: New “Maleficent” Featurette Released

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

The Walt Disney Studios has released a new featurette from the upcoming live-action film Maleficent, which releases May 30, 2014.

Maleficent 1

Check out the featurette, titled “The Legacy” that explores the filmmaker’s and Angelina Jolie’s approach to creating the back story of Maleficent:

Maleficent stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville and is directed by Robert Stromberg,

PHOTOS: Epcot Tests Strange Paint Scheme on Innoventions Buildings

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

If you’ve been to Epcot over the last few days, you probably couldn’t help seeing this…

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When this strange pattern started to appear on the exteriors of the Innoventions buildings, we assumed they were testing paint schemes they might be interested in. It seems this may actually be the desired result…




It’s definitely on the odd side, but I don’t think it looks terrible. It will certainly be interesting to see what the final product looks like…

What do you think?

Do You Have A “Million Dollar Arm”? New Contest Offers A Chance To Win $1 Million Prize

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Amateur pitchers everywhere will have a chance to prove they have the fastball skills to win a $1 million prize in a competition to celebrate the opening of Disney’s Million Dollar Arm which releases  May 16, 2014.

Million Dollar Arm Logo

Million Dollar Arm is an incredible true story about two young men who went from never throwing a baseball to getting a Major League tryout.

Contestants will be able to test their skills at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida or the Tribeca Family Festival in New York on April 25 & 26 from 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. The three contestants from each location who throw the fastest pitches will advance to the finals and have a chance to compete for a $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s Million Dollar Arm in Hollywood on May 6.

Official contest rules are available on Disney.com’s Million Dollar Arm website located at http://disney.com/PitchingContest

MDA Image

Based on a true story, Million Dollar Arm is the story of how sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a desperate effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.” With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint (Alan Arkin), he discovers Dinesh (played by Madhur Mittal from Slumdog Millionaire) and Rinku (played by Suraj Sharma from Life of Pi), two 18-year-old boys who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make some fast money, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India, the boys, who have never left their rural villages, are likewise challenged when they come to the States. As the boys learn the finer points of baseball, JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda (Lake Bell), learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.

Directed by Craig Gillespie, Disney’s Million Dollar Arm stars Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Suraj Sharma, Lake Bell and Alan Arkin. Disney’s Million Dollar Arm will be released in the United States on May 16, 2014.