WDWNT – Page 638 – WDWNT Archive

Vinylmation Speculation with Mike Boon: Muppets 4.10 Sal Minella

WDWNT on December 3, 2011

SAL MINELLA
Muppets Tonight (1996)
Originally performed by: Brian Henson

Sal is the loud-mouthed and hot-tempered bodyguard of Johnny Fiama, who first appeared on Muppets Tonight before making his way to other productions like Muppets From Space and The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz. Sal seems to think his primary purpose is to try to keep all of the attention on Johnny.

“Of the pair, I think Sal showed up in the Muppets, but Johnny did not. It’s a shame not to have them together, but Sal is still amusing by himself.”-MC

Mike Boon joins us every day this month with speculation of a future Muppet Series vinylmation. For past posts click here. You can also check Mike out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com

Jamie Nakagiri’s 11/18/11 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on December 3, 2011

I apologize for the lack of posts few days as I have had some internet problems. Catching up on news, I have a photo report from a few days ago from DLNT Podcaster Jamie Nakagiri…

Holiday billboard and Mickey and Friends

Pirates has already reopened form its refurbishment

Holiday season maps

Holiday cookies!!!!!

Disneyland invites radio stations every year to broadcast from the park for the holidays

Ornaments galore

Into DCA

The new locker and restroom building facade

Duffy’s Holiday Meet and Greet

Not Bad…

Wowza. Looking good

Elias and Company Department Store

The World of Color holiday pre-show premiered a few days back

Will have more photos and video soon

And to finish off the report some picture of the always beautiful Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Coming To Pacific Wharf

WDWNT on December 2, 2011

Some exciting news from Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

I’m so excited to let you know that there will soon be a new place to satisfy your sweet tooth at the Disneyland Resort. In late spring 2012, a new Ghirardelli location will open at the Pacific Wharf area, inside Disney California Adventure park!

The soda fountain and chocolate shop, similar to the location at Downtown Disney in the Walt Disney World Resort – which has been a must-do for me (and many of you, I’m sure) for 13 years – will feature Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and chocolate products. And each guest will be able to receive complimentary samples of their signature Ghirardelli Squares chocolate!

You can find out more about Ghirardelli – their chocolate treats, products and gifts – by checking out their Facebook page.

I know I’ll be counting down the days until I can get my Ghirardelli hot fudge sundae! Who’s with me?

Massive Beauty and the Beast Statue Going to New Fantasyland?

WDWNT on December 2, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and (for some reason) decided to take a trip on the Backlot Studio Tour. Boy, are we glad he did, because he came across this “beauty” in the prop shop:

Taking a wild guess, I would imagine this still unfinished statue is going to New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, seeing as this is the same building where the mural for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid was created. Where exactly in the expansion will this statue end up? Possibly the Be Our Guest Restaurant, but it’s still too early to tell. Just another little preview of Fantasyland to wet your appetite for 2012…

On a side note, where is that table in the background from? Another piece of New Fantasyland, or maybe we’re just over-thinking this…

Hong Kong New Year 2012 Vinylmation

WDWNT on December 2, 2011

The Hong Kong Facebook page has release pictures of some New Year 2012 Vinylmation that were released on December 1 at Hong Kong Disneyland.

The page said they will retail for $95 HKD and $110 HKD. That converts to about $12.23 USD and $14.16 USD. No differentiation between them as to which are more, but I would assume the 2 with the added Mickey Ear Hat would cost the extra two dollars. I personally like the black design with all the characters and I don’t like the Mickey Ear Hat topper. But I do wonder if they pull off to reveal any design underneath? Will you ring in the new year with some Hong Kong 2012s?

“VISION House” Coming to Innoventions at Epcot

WDWNT on December 1, 2011

Green Builder® Media Announces

VISION House® in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®

Exhibit focuses on helping homeowners reduce their environmental impact

Seattle, WA, November 30, 2011– Green Builder Media, North America’s leading media company focused on sustainable living, recently announced its plans to construct the VISION House, a green home exhibit in INNOVENTIONS located in the heart of Epcot®.

Inspired by Green Builder Media’s VISION House demonstration home series, the experiential exhibit will highlight the major themes of whole-home automation, energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environment quality, security, multi-generational design, and durability. Visitors will learn that each house is a set of interactive systems, and that proper management of those systems will maximize comfort and minimize operational costs.

“We founded Green Builder Media to create positive change in the world,” says Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Disney to demonstrate to homeowners that small behavioral modifications can make big differences in their environmental impact. Our goal with the VISION House in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® is to deliver a powerful and inspiring message that makes sustainability personal—to help families ‘bring green home,’ literally and
figuratively.”

INNOVENTIONS cast members will lead guests at VISION House through a guided tour, featuring building science fundamentals, integrated design elements, green products, and intelligent systems that enhance the home’s sustainability. Then, visitors will be directed into a post-show area, which will contain interactive kiosks that contain further information about sustainable living.

Throughout the exhibit, visitors will be encouraged to consider how they can reduce their personal impact on the planet, as well as changes they can implement in their own
homes to make them more sustainable, healthier, safer, and more durable. As guests tour the home, they will be educated on the latest in advanced products and technologies, including:

• Electronic vehicle charging station by SIEMENS (NYSE: SI)

• Chevy Volt electric vehicle by GM (NYSE: GM)

• High efficiency heating and cooling systems and controls by Trane and innovative whole-home automation system and door hardware by Schlage, both brands of Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR)

• Durable and environmentally friendly exterior systems, including smogeating tile roofs, cultured stone, bricks, permeable pavers, and trim by Boral

• Ventilation solutions to improve indoor air quality by Panasonic (NYSE: PC)

• Water-conserving fixtures, faucets, showerheads, and home standby generators

by KOHLER

• ENERGY STAR certified home appliances by Bosch

• LED lighting solutions by SYLVANIA

In addition to the onsite exhibit, Green Builder Media will launch a comprehensive technology platform that will integrate advanced online, mobile, digital, and social media solutions to compliment and expand the onsite experience.

About Green Builder Media

Green Builder® Media, LLC is the leading media company in North America focused on green building and sustainable living. With a comprehensive suite of print and digital media solutions, demonstration projects, case studies, online training, and live events, Green Builder Media assists building professionals in preparing themselves for the new green economy and helps homeowners understand how to live more sustainably.

About INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®

INNOVENTIONS is located in the heart of Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Creativity and imagination abound as guests celebrate inspiration and the innovations that improve their lives and expand their horizons. Hands-on, interactive exhibits allow children and adults to be immersed into ideas that inform, entertain and inspire. For more information about INNOVENTIONS, visit www.innoventions.disney.com.

Health and Wellness Rooms Nixed for Disney’s Contemporary Resort

WDWNT on December 1, 2011

From Jason Garcia at the Orlando Sentinel:

Walt Disney World has dropped plans to convert a floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort into “health and wellness” suites that would have included amenities such as in-room exercise equipment and massage tables, a project company officials once hoped to use to tap into a growing market for healthy-lifestyle travel.

The suites, which Disney announced in April, were initially supposed to open last month.

A Disney spokesman said the resort still plans to renovate the 14th floor of the 40-year-old Contemporary, one of Disney World’s original hotels. But the improvements will be “in line” with conventional “high-end suite standards” at Disney’s other deluxe-priced hotels.

The renovations are now scheduled to begin in early 2013 to coincide with a planned rehab of the Contemporary’s roof. The roof-top California Grille is expected to undergo renovations at the same time. The refurbished suites are likely to reopen by the start of the summer.

Disney would not say why it decided to abandon the health-and-wellness theme. Resort executives had previously said they viewed the Contemporary project as a test that could be a precursor to more themed renovations in other deluxe hotel suites.

“We look at new ideas and concepts all of the time. It’s not unusual for changes to be made on major construction projects such as” the Contemporary suite renovations, said Disney World spokesman Bryan Malenius.

The health-and-wellness concept emerged from a broader initiative within Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to carve out more “specialty room” concepts appealing to targeted demographics. Disney World, which has approximately 22,000 hotel rooms, has already converted 384 rooms at the moderately priced Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort into pirate-themed rooms and is in the midst of remaking 512 rooms at the moderately priced Disney’s Port Orleans Resort into princess-themed “Royal Rooms.”

Disney said some of the design features from early renderings of the health suites, such as bamboo floors and low-allergen mattresses, are likely to remain a part of the 2013 renovations. But other touches, such as the in-room cardio equipment and a private yoga studio, will be jettisoned.

The original announcement of these rooms was made back in April 2011.

Vinylmation Speculation with Mike Boon: Muppets 4.9 Johnny Fiama

WDWNT on December 1, 2011

JOHNNY FIAMA
Muppets Tonight (1996)
Originally performed by: Bill Barretta

Johnny was the resident crooner on Muppets Tonight, a lounge singer in the vein of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and his idol Tony Bennett (with whom he once shared a duet). He later appeared in It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie and The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.

“I really liked his version of Stuck in the Middle with You. Perfectly captured in this figure.”-MC

Mike Boon joins us every day this month with speculation of a future Muppet Series vinylmation. For past posts click here. You can also check Mike out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com

First Video of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom in Action

WDWNT on November 30, 2011

It’s short and the quality isn’t great, but someone has posted video of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom in action from way back on November 10th. The video looks to be the introduction to the Adventureland game being given by Kuzco and pertaining to Yzma trying to become empress of Adventureland. It’s not much, but it’s something…