An Early Halloween Treat

WDWNT on August 26, 2011

Disney has shown off its 2011 Halloween Vinylmation Release.

Copyright Disney

This Trick or Treat inspired Vinylmaiton was designed by Eric Caszatt and will be released all over Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort. D-Streets and many resort stores that carry Disney Halloween merchandise will also sell this Limited Release figure for $14.95. How does this figure compare to past Halloween Vinylmation Releases?

Cars 2 Combo Release at D-Streets and England

WDWNT on August 26, 2011

The Lightning and Mater Vinylmation Combo set was released at D-Streets today. The Disney Store on Oxford Street in England also released this Cars two-figure set today. And, it should also be available as of today via DisneyStore.co.uk. US Disney Store Online gets it on September 2 and brick and mortar Disney Stores will see Cars 2 Vinylmation on September 19.

Aloha New DVC Resort Vinylmation!

WDWNT on August 26, 2011

On August 29 a new DVC resort opens in Hawaii, Aulani. To commemorate this resort, Disney will release an open window 3″ Vinylmation.

It will only be available at Kelepa’s store at the Aulani resort and will retail for $14.95.
There was no official word, but with no word on LE and now markings on the box about an LE, we assume this is a limited released. Meaning it should be on shelves for a good time to come. There is also no specific word that you have to show your DVC member card to purchase this figure.
Copyright Disney
Disney calls this figure Menehune-inspired. Menehune are said to be a people, sometimes described as dwarfs in size, who live in the deep forests and hidden valleys of the Hawaiian Islands. I like the style of this figure and the facial expression is cool, but I would have also liked an Aulani logo on the back. What are your thoughts on this newest member of the Vinylmation family?

Radiator Springs Racers Ready To Hit The Road

WDWNT on August 26, 2011

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Radiator Springs Ride Vehicle at the 2011 D23 Expo

In the normal development process of any ride-based attraction at Disney Parks, Imagineers spend weeks and even months testing the ride vehicles. Many of you may have seen one of the first ride vehicles, which was on display at the D23 Expo in Anaheim this past weekend in the Parks & Resorts Pavilion. While it might be a while before you see this or any of the other ride vehicles racing around Ornament Valley, keep checking back with the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates.

The Great Destini Amazes at the 2011 D23 Expo!

WDWNT on August 25, 2011

While living characters in the Disney Parks is not necessarily a new thing, The Great Destini is an amazing, autonomous audio-animatronic living character that was first tested at Innoventions at Disneyland a few months ago. Destini was brought out again for the D23 Expo last weekend and we got a pretty good look at him. It is time to be amazed by a marvel of Walt Disney Imagineering, The Great Destini!

The Great Destini Amazes at the 2011 D23 Expo

WDWNT on August 25, 2011

While living characters in the Disney Parks is not necessarily a new thing, The Great Destini is an amazing, autonomous audioo-animatronic living character that was first tested at Innoventions at Disneyland a few months ago. Destini was brought out again for the D23 Expo last weekend and we got a pretty good look at him. It is time to be amazed by a marvel of Walt Disney Imagineering, The Great Destini!

Arnold Palmer Golf Management Takes Over WDW Golf Courses

WDWNT on August 24, 2011

From Darrell Fry on the Disney Parks Blog:

The golf courses here at Walt Disney World Resort have long been favorites among guests and industry experts. Now the golf experience here is about to get even better.

We announced today that we are pairing up with one of the biggest names in golf – Arnold Palmer. Arnold Palmer Golf Management is going to operate, manage, maintain and help promote Disney’s five golf courses – the Magnolia, the Palm, Oak Trail, Osprey Ridge and Lake Buena Vista starting Sept. 25.

In a nutshell, this is going to be a stroke of golf genius for anyone who comes to Disney to play golf. That’s because the Palmer name is known for innovative course designs and elements created personally by Palmer, some of which are visible amid its portfolio of renowned courses that stretches from Hawaii to Connecticut. And when you blend that with Disney Park’s already family-friendly environment and its rich golf heritage, what you’ll get is a mixture that further enhances Disney Golf’s stature as a unique golf destination experience that appeals to golfers of all levels.

The creative brainstorming will begin soon, but Palmer has already said he’s “looking forward to the opportunity’’ to work with Disney. And he said he plans to designate the Palm course as one of his signature courses with elements designed by him.

Just think…Arnie and Disney? That has to be a pairing that finishes at the top of the leaderboard.

Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel has some more details:

  • Roughly 330 Disney employees will be impacted by the move. Disney said each will be offered other jobs, at comparable pay, elsewhere at the resort.
  • As part of the deal, Palmer will personally oversee a redesign of Disney’s Palm course. The renovation isn’t likely to be complete until at least 2013.
  • Disney began scaling back its golf operations several years ago when it opted to close a sixth course, Eagle Pines, and use the land for a new subdivision of multimillion-dollar homes. That project, dubbed “Golden Oak,” is currently under construction.
  • Disney also has a deal to sell its Osprey Ridge course to Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, which plans to build one of its luxury hotels at Disney World. That project has been delayed until at least 2014 and Arnold Palmer Golf Management will operate the course until the Four Seasons is built.

You can read the entire article online at the Orlando Sentinel.