Update on Artist Howie Green

WDWNT on June 1, 2013

When we last spotlighted Boston artist Howie Green, he was getting ready to begin his “Golf Balls on Parade” project. He has been busy in 2013. Let’s take a look…

– Completed a slew of custom vinyl toys

Mr. Ghost Rider…. going up on Howie’s Ebay store today.

– Designed CD album cover for Terrell Bowers first album

– Finished up the design for my second production figure for Trail of the Painted Ponies scheduled for release this Fall but which is still top secret since it involves an infamous TV actress/celebrity.

– Completed two large mural painting projects with several hundred volunteers from the Boston Red Sox Foundation (including players, coaching staff, and managers John Farrell and Ben Cherington) at the Washington Irving School and Dimock Center in Boston, MA – even had a visit from the Sox official Mascot, Wally the Green Monster.

– Painted the 3 in a series of 4 giant golf balls in Rochester, NY for the upcoming Golf Balls on Parade event at the PGA Tournament at Oak Hill Country Club this Summer. I’m returning to Rochester soon to paint the remaining 1.

– Published a book of over 300 of my album cover paintings

As always thanks for your support and I’ll keep you posted.

Howie Green
www.hgd.com
www.etsy.com/shop/howiegreen
stores.ebay.com/Howie-Green-Gallery

Spotlight On: Stephanie’s Delicious Ghirardelli Custom

WDWNT on June 1, 2013

Stephanie Cassata sent over her latest custom she would like to share. (we thought she was sharing an actual sundae too) Take a look. And if you start to drool, that’s okay. You can always stop by her Etsy store to purchase one.

This one is my Ghirardelli custom, inspired by the delicious ice cream and chocolate shop located at Downtown Disney. My favorite chocolate ever, it was fun to take different elements from the shop and create a little character out of it. She has whipped cream hair topped with a cherry and a chocolate square, and even has a touch of Ghirardelli blue as part of her design. The sweetness and happiness I experience every time I go there really came through in this custom. How can you not love chocolate?

Visit Stephanie’s Etsy shop to see more of her work.

Noah and The Beast

WDWNT on June 1, 2013

Update 03/20/13 We now have a full photo of Noah’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival creation as well as some news on his appearances. From the Disney Merchandise Blog:

Noah will be creating a limited number of Custom Vinylmation to celebrate Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival.  These pieces will be available on a first come, first served basis on the morning of Sunday, April 7th.  Guests wishing to purchase a Custom Vinylmation will need to obtain a wristband at the Disney Artist tent, located on the promenade.  A wristband will allow the Guest to purchase one Custom Vinylmation.

Noah’s “The Beast and the Rose” Vinylmation

No world on the exact number of the Beast Vinylmation. There will also be special appearances by artists all weekend, including Noah again on April 6th:

Take part in a special artist showcase throughout the weekend of April 5 – 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., each day, along the promenade in Epcot, as we celebrate some of the newest releases inspired by the 2013 International Flower and Garden Festival.

Noah’s “Beauty Blooms from Within” painting

Yesterday, Noah sent out a teaser photo of a new Vinylmation creation via Instagram.

It is titled “Beast and Rose” and will be released at the 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. On the post he does mention a signing and we do know he will be at the event on April 6th-7th. No further details, such as edition size or price is known at this time. Just a quick look at this preview, and you can see this is something special from Noah. I never question Noah’s talent, and art is subjective, but the airbrushed vinyl doesn’t always peak my interest. However, when he adds the “extras” that make up the whole piece of art, that is where the designs excel. This one has an accessory rose and a “grassy” base. Also, instead of sitting atop his usual stand, it is housed inside what looks to be a lantern or glass case of some kind. I can not wait to check this one out in person.

Monsters University Monorail Coming to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

Disney announced today that it will unveil a Monsters University themed monorail before the film’s release on June 21st, 2013 (click for larger image):

mum590823LARGEb

We expect this monorail to run mostly on the Epcot monorail line.

So, what do you think about this “Monsterail” coming to Walt Disney World?

VIDEO: Full Play-Test of “A Pirates Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas”

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

Earlier today, the Magic Kingdom opened “A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas” for a few hours to guests as part of a very early play-test. The attraction does not currently have an opening date, but we were informed today that what we would see during the course of this test is a very early version of the attraction, so please keep in mind that things may change a lot before this attraction actually opens.

IMG_1530

Guests are recruited at the former Crow’s Nest in Adventureland and are given a map and magic talisman to go off on one of five pirate raids through Adventureland. Only two of these raids were available today. The raids are similar to Sorcerers in the Magic Kingdom as guests are sent station to station following a map to complete assignments. The actions in this particular attraction are a lot more automated, but all of the effects involve physical effects instead of screens much like Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.

Here is video of one of the raids:

UPDATE: We also have video of the second raid that was play-tested today at the Magic Kingdom:


For older guests who know the park well, a raid should take no more than 7-10 minutes. For younger or inexperienced guests, Disney expects it to take somewhere between 15-20 minutes. The attraction is intended for children ages 8-10, so don’t expect to have the time of your life if you are an older guest. That being said, I felt the physical props better fit the park than the screens used in Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.

Stay tuned for more coverage of A Pirate’s Adventure as we get closer to the official opening of this attraction.

So, what do you think of A Pirate’s Adventure so far?

Dirk Wallen’s 4/17/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so lets take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Work continues on a third bus loop for the Magic Kingdom

The Grand Floridian Villas off in the distance

There is still a ton of construction equipment put in the Polynesian Resort parking lot

Some work being done to the planter in front of the train station

Beautifully Disney products now available in the Emporium

The Swiss Family Treehouse s being fixed up while it is open

The Adventureland Veranda facade is still being worked on

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is still behind tarps

The exterior refurbishment of Columbia Harbour House rolls on

Tarps now up on this end of the building

On the Fantasyland side, the Peter Pan restrooms have been closed and are behind tarps

No visible progress on Princess Fairytale Hall

Mad Tea Party refurbishment ongoing

The first real details of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train attraction are beginning to emerge

Joe Hogarty’s 4/11/13 Hollywood Studios Photo Report

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty also visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursday and has some newsworthy photos from around the park to share with us:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The exterior refurbishment at Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster is completed

The guitar now has a shiny finish

Looks nice

Did you know Superman’s cape is in the AFI exhibit?

Near PIXAR Place, one billboard now advertises The Lone Ranger

The other is a cute billboard for Monsters University

Since the parades in the park are gone, characters are staying out later by the Sorcerer’s Hat

While Britto isn’t a new item, the Art of Disney stores are now carrying a lot more of them

I think they are really strange

Disneyland Position Openings for WDWNT.com

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

We are currently looking to fill the following Disneyland related positions for WDWNT.com:

Lead Editor – We are looking for a new editor for the Disneyland News Today Podcast. Duties would include editing and publishing the DLNT podcast on a weekly basis. Audio editing experience is preferred but not required, you must be a mac user.

Podcast Staff – We are looking for a few individuals to add to the Disneyland News Today Podcast. Duties include participating in the weekly recording of the show. You must have a decent internet connection and a microphone. Must have general knowledge of all aspects of the parks.

Disneyland Lead Reporter – We are also looking for someone to write and post Disneyland related news on a daily basis on WDWNT.com. For more information about this position, please email us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com

If you are interested in any of these positions, please email us as soon as possible at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com