Disneyland Visitors to Meet and Greet With THOR This Fall

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

This year, Disneyland has given visitors an up-close look at the technology of Iron Man at Innoventions. Continuing with that precedent, the park announced this week that Thor from the upcoming Thor: The Dark World, which will be released November 8, will be visiting with guests in Asgard this fall.

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Where exactly Asgard might be at Disneyland Park is anyone’s guess, but we’re putting our money on Fantasyland in the “it’s a small world” area.

This meet-and-greet will mark the first appearance by a Marvel meet-and-greet character in a Disney theme park.

Stay tuned to WDWNT for more details when they are announced by Disney in September.

Germany Pavilion at Epcot Gets New Flavors & Major Menu Changes

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Most people think of knockwurst and sauerkraut at the mention of  “German food,”  but with a nod to healthier eating, Chef Wade Camerer at the Biergarten Restaurant has introduced  a few new flavors for this Autumn season. Starting September 1st, the Germany Pavilion will be featuring bright seasonal vegetables and fruits, soups and has added a few new dishes to the menu at both the Biergarten Restaurant and the quick-service restaurant, Sommerfest. Sommerfest will be introducing a new dish called currywurst, which is a tasty sliced sausage topped with a savory curry ketchup, served with a paprika potato chip.

sausage

In addition to the currywurst, Sommerfest will also be serving  a grilled leberkaese, or German meatloaf Reuben, served with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.

leberkase

Lastly, Sommerfest is catering to kids with the favorite,  Nudel Gratin, or mac and cheese. All of these new featured dishes at Sommerfest are on the Dining Plan.

mac and cheese

Chef Camerer says that Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmannn, a native of Germany, as well as sous chef Hans Groeger, have both been an inspiration and benchmarks for authenticity. They have made it their mission to serve original tastes of Germany. “Guests often think of German food as one style,” says Dahlmann. “We want to show the diversity of cuisine from Germany’s many regions.” In the Biergarten Restaurant, the buffet serves up many dishes from across the country. From Bavaria to Rhineland, the buffet offers samplings such as leberkäse (meatloaf) with sweet mustard and potato dumplings. Chef Camerer says that for the Autumn season, the veggies will switch to carrots, parsnips, Swiss chard, and he’s adding a cheese course with German cheeses and pretzel bread croutons. He’s also adding a selection of smoked meats to the buffet, including smoke hams and liverwurst. Chef Dahlmann also requested his childhood favorite, chicken fricassee, be added to the buffet lineup, a true comfort food with chicken, mushrooms and peas in a creamy sauce served over rice.

chicken fricasee

Using authentic ingredients in the dishes, like pickles imported from Germany, and serving freshly-made apple strudel, makes dining at the Biergarten Restaurant a genuine experience for their guests.

strudel

You will be needing to loosen your lederhosen after trying all of these new flavors at the new German Pavilion! Which new dish will you try?      

PHOTOS – Disney Infinity Girl Power Pack and Frozen Disc Sets

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Note: The Frozen Disc Set are not actual figures but just 2 disks. Disney will be making individual figures for Anna and Elsa but will not be including them in a playset.

Below are photos of 2 new sets coming in Series 2 of Disney Infinity figures which includes the Girl Power Pack and Frozen Disc Set. The Girl Power Pack features Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph, Violet from The Incredibles, and Rapunzel from Tangled. The Frozen Disc Set will feature Anna and Elsa from the upcoming Disney Animated movie.

Girl Power Pack featuring Vanellope, Violet, and Rapunzel

Girl Power Pack featuring Vanellope, Violet, and Rapunzel

Frozen Play Set containing Anna and Elsa

Frozen Disc Set containing Anna and Elsa

 

There is currently no release date for Series 2 but you don’t have to wait to long to get a hold of a new figure. GameStop has just announced pre-orders for the Jack Skellington figure from The Nightmare Before Christmas slated to be released on October 5th exclusively at GameStop. You can be one of the first to own it by pre-ordering right here.

Walmart has also put up an exclusive figure, Woody from Toy Story can be yours starting on October 1st by pre-ordering it on the Walmart website by going right here.

Source: A Wild Podcast Appears

WDW News Today: The Radio Show Debuts Saturday, August 24th!

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

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As we announced back on our 6th anniversary in July, WDW News Today is about to make waves (radio waves that is) with a brand new show! Starting on Saturday, August 24th, you can catch an entirely new 60-minute program from WDWNT on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando every Saturday. This show will combine popular elements from several past and present WDWNT programs including news, games, comedy, and interactive discussions, but will also include some new concepts we’ve never tried before.

Hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Today: The Radio debuts Saturday August 24th, 2013 at 7PM EST. If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZO at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the station can be heard at www.1520wbzw.com via computer or mobile device. At show time, you can call in to take part in the action at (407) 774-8255.

We hope that you will tune in this Saturday for the very first episode of WDW News Today: The Radio Show!

Disney Infinity Unboxing and Quick Review

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ9ZI1NAfX0

 

Fellow fan of the site, Da Endgame sent us a quick review and unboxing of the newly released Disney Infinity game. In the video, he quickly discusses how he was hesitant to buy the game but someone (cough, cough) persuaded him to buy it. Of course like any true collector, one does not simple buy the game. No, you go all out and buy them all.

Da Endgame goes on with his unboxing sharing the best deals you can currently get when buying Disney Infinity. You can check out these deals below to help you save a lot when buying all the Play Sets and Individual Characters. Da Endgame concludes his video with much better expectations about Disney Infinity then when he originally heard about it.

Check out the video above and don’t forget to subscribe to his YouTube page and follow him on Twitter.

Source: A Wild Podcast Appears

VIDEO: Celebrate Earth Day 2014 with Disneynature “Bears”

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

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The fifth theatrical release for Disneynature, “Bears” captures all the excitement and true life adventure and suspense of life in the Alaskan wilderness. You will find this story breathtaking, as you follow a year in the life of a bear family, with two young cubs learning the most important lessons in life. From hybernation, bitter cold, the threat of avalanches, and foraging for food, all while trying to keep a safe distance from savage predators, “Bears” will have you on the edge of your seat, rooting for their survival.

Watch the heartwarming official trailer here:

Disneynature has thus far produced four of the top five highest grossing feature-length nature films of all time, and joins Walt Disney’s 13 True Life Adventure motion pictures, which earned him eight Academy Awards®.  “Bears” is directed by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, and will arrive in US theaters on April 18, 2014, in celebration of Earth Day. If you choose to see “Bears” during its opening week (April 18-24, 2014), Disneynature, via the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to protect wildlife and wild places across America’s national park system.

Video and Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company.

VIDEO: Full “The Magic of Mystic Manor” Presentation from the D23 Expo

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Since opening earlier this year, Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland has garnered rave reviews from guests and has been deemed an “instant classic” Disney attraction. At the 2013 D23 Expo, Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Mark Schirmer pulled back the curtain on this amazing new Disney attraction with a presentation. Discussing the innovative ride system, the mysterious music box, and a mischievous monkey named Albert, this panel goes in-depth on every aspect of the ride from start to finish.

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Here, in full, is the “Mayhem, Mischief, and Monkeys: The Magic of Mystic Manor” presentation from the D23 Expo recorded August 9, 2013:

D23 Expo – Disney Interactive showcases Fantasia: Music Evolved and Disney Infinity

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

During the 2013 D23 Expo, Disney hosted the first ever Disney Interactive presentation to showcase what games they’re working on. Included in this presentation was Fantasia: Music Evolved and the announcement of new characters coming to Disney Infinity.

At D23, Disney publicly showcased for one of the first times how the game will actually work and how it will use Kinect to make the experience unbelievable and surreal. During D23, Harmonix and Disney showed us a look at how the game was developed and Harmonix released the latest trailer for their upcoming motion game Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved. “The Evolution of Disney Fantasia,” gives us a glimpse at the history behind the animated classic, as well as a fresh look at the new game in action.

In addition, it’s been announced that award-winning composer Inon Zur will be contributing original music for the game. Zur, of course, has worked on numerous franchises including Dragon Age, Price of Persia, and many more. The game will also feature over 30 tracks from popular artists such as Bruno Mars, and Queen. Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved is currently scheduled for release in 2014, exclusively on Xbox One and Xbox 360 with Kinect.

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Following Fantasia, Disney showcased more about Disney Infinity and announced a huge lineup of new characters coming to the Infinity Universe in the next year. New characters coming to Disney Infinity include:

  • Jessie (Toy Story)
  • Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
  • Sheriff Woody (Toy Story)
  • Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
  • Wreck-It Ralph (Wreck-It Ralph)
  • Vanellope Von Schweetz (Wreck-It Ralph)
  • Phineas Flynn (Phineas and Ferb)
  • Perry the Platypus (Phineas and Ferb)
  • Rapunzel (Tangled)
  • Anna (Frozen)
  • Elsa (Frozen)
  • Sorcerer Mickey (Fantasia)

Jessie, Buzz, and Woody will be included in a “Toy Story Playset” while Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope will be in a “Wreck-It Ralph Playset” while Anna and Elsa will be in a “Frozen Playset”. The rest of the characters will be sold separately.

Fantasia: Music Evolved will be available in 2014 while Disney Infinity is available now.

Source: A Wild Podcast Appears

Dirk Wallen’s 8/11-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. With all the D23 Expo coverage we’ve been dealing with, it has taken a while to get to this report, but better late than never, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

No more Lone Ranger preview… it’s not really playing at many theaters anymore…

MuppetVision 3-D is closed for refurbishment

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Sofia the first debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently

She has a nice backdrop for her meet and greet

Disney Infinity billboards are up at the Backlot Tour

Also, the 1-2-3 Mickey Mouse has been decorated to celebrate Planes…

At Epcot, work continues on adding more of the new turnstiles

FastPass+ entrance at Spaceship Earth

This food cart behind Spaceship Earth has finally opened!

No more tarps up on Fountain View and signage has been installed

FastPass+ at Turtle Talk with Crush

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Halloween merchandise has been released across property

Haunted Mansion singing bust ornaments

The shirt is the same design from last year, but says 2013

Light-up popcorn bucket

During a recent refurbishment, new boats were installed at Pirates of the Caribbean

They look great and don’t bottom out, but they have been getting guests a lot more wet than the old boats and make a horrible squeaking noise when they bump into each other…

The Magic Kingdom now sells the most expensive fruit ever… let’s end with this…

Disney Infinity Problems for PlayStation 3 Gamers

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

fb_meta_logoDisney Infinity launched yesterday on all major consoles allowing games to connect to a number of Disney universes and even create your own using the Toy Box Mode. Except, there was a problem. Gamers who bought Disney Infinity for the PlayStation 3 were greeted with a number of problems that prevented them from actually playing the game on launch date. The biggest problem came when Disney released a 1.01 patch for the game which locked up the network preventing users from connecting successfully to the game servers and even saving their data. The outcome for PS3 users was catastrophic. Users who would try to load up their saved data would encounter an error saying their data was corrupt. Trying to load Toy Box Mode would freeze the game up completely, at times crashing the console.

But there is a light at the end of the Infinite tunnel. Last Sunday night, Disney admitted to a problem with the 1.01 launch day patch that was released and recommended users delete the patch and play the game disconnected from any network. This would allow the game to run smoothly and have no more problems. The good news here is that the issue is not a hardware issue or even a game issue, but more a network issue with the patch overloading the servers.

This seems to be a quick workaround for PlayStation 3 gamers who want to play the game instantly without losing their data and crashing the game when entering Toy Box Mode. Disney is currently working on a permanent patch that will fix this problem. Disney Infinity launched Aug. 18 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.

Source: A Wild Podcast Appears