Episode 029 Monkey

WDWNT on July 11, 2011

Ep. 029 Monkey
Loads of great information in this show. We start out by selecting our Vinyl All Star 9 from the first half of the year. Then we discuss the recent releases of the DLR AP exclusives and the Steam Park set. We wrap up the WDW Trading Event with info on: Park 7, Holiday 3, Astrology and the Florida Project. We discuss the EPCOT banner with some interesting figures on it. And of course, open up the Mystery Mail Bag to answer your questions and discuss your comments.
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Take a Closer Look “Under the Sea”

WDWNT on July 11, 2011

Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog has posted an in-depth look at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. Notice that we get a first look at the model of the exterior, a piece of concept art from the queue area, and the official attraction logo:

I love sharing New Fantasyland updates with our readers, and this one is no exception. Our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) recently created a behind-the-scenes video on the creation of New Fantasyland to feature within the One Man’s Dream exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (This attraction showcases Disney milestone projects of the past, and now includes a preview area of exciting projects WDI is currently working on atMagic Kingdom Park).

WDI also shared the following teaser video with us, which focuses on one of these exciting new projects: the Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction. The expanded video will debut at One Man’s Dream this week.

In the video, Imagineer Chris Beatty gives us a sneak peek at the making of Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid through some never-before-seen sketches, artist renderings, attraction maps and more, and shares some details on Prince Eric’s castle and the attraction’s creative queue. Imagineer Eric Miller also takes us onsite to see the current state of the attraction’s progress.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid is one of many attractions planned as a part of the Fantasyland expansion currently taking place at Magic Kingdom Park. The new Fantasyland is set to open in phases beginning in late 2012.

What Time is the 3:00 Parade? 12:00 & 3:30…

WDWNT on July 9, 2011

In a rather strange turn of events, the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade will be operating a bit off-schedule from July 18th-July 31st. You can catch the parade twice a day at the Magic Kingdom during this period at 12:00PM & 3:30PM.

As for the reasoning behind this, we have heard several different things. First, the Magic Kingdom is looking to see the impact this has on wait times for attractions around the park. If it distributes guests in a pleasant way, then we may never see a parade at 3:00PM again. Either twice a day performances or these new times may become the norm for parades.

Other rumors persist that this is in preparation for changes connected with a new parade coming in early 2012. Some Magic Kingdom cast members have been informed that the current parade will get another overlay/music change before the year is over and will then be finally replaced next year. Again, this should all be taken as a rumor for now.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this breaking story.

UPDATE: The entertainment schedule for a few other Magic Kingdom offerings will also be affected during this period –

On normal operating days, the Main Street Trolley Show will be presented at 9:15AM, 10:45AM, 1:05PM, & 2:20PM. On EMH morning days (Tuesday & Thursdays), a Trolley Show is added at 8:20AM.

The “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party” will be performing on a new schedule as well, with performances at 10:00AM, 5:30PM, & 7:00PM. Again, these changes are only in effect for July 18-31, 2011.

New Vinylmation on Display at WDW

WDWNT on July 9, 2011

I was like a kid in a candy store last night at the Vinylmation/Pin Trade show at Walt Disney World. The candy store was the Fantasia Ballroom in the Contemporary Resort. The candy was the amazing looking upcoming Vinylmation from Park 7, Holiday 3, Urban 7, Astrology and The Florida Project. First up, lets flash back to the year 2000. Remember this:

This figure will be in Park 7 and is scheduled for an early fall 2011 release. It’s the EPCOT ball as it looked in 2000 when they added the Mickey hand, wand and stars. I am in a minority, but I liked this look a lot. Not as a permanent feature, and the 7 years it was there was a bit too long, but I was a fan. And I’m a HUGE fan of this figure. With the ball in the body, using the right arm as sorcerer Mickey’s arm (note the red sleeve), and the accessory wand with star!!! With the clear blue head and stars in the ears, this figure looks amazing in person. Also from Park 7…

Beautiful colors on this Kali River Rapids figure. Kali of course is a place to get very, very wet at the Animal Kingdom. Depending on what third of the raft you sit on, you either stay rather dry, get a little wet or couldn’t be more wet if you just jumped into the river. One more Park 7 was there. Check out the Hollywood Studios Earful tower.

The tower perfectly fits the Vinylmation mold and looks great. But what’s that red, white and blue figure in the bottom corner?

BOOM! This fireworks figure from Holiday 3, Fall 2011, is explosive. (sorry) We saw the pin from Sci Fi academy pics, and as expected, it comes with the cone cap.

In this side view, you can see the fuse. You can also peak at the side of Earful Tower where Mickey Mouse is painted on. But that’s not all! Astrology was on hand. And check this out:

Ya, Sagittarious has a bow. It seems to be the only accessory in the set. Astrology, designed by the talented combo of Lisa Badeen and Maria Clapsis, with art direction by Thomas Scott, has designs that are very well thought out. Here’s a look at the whole set:

I’m not a big fan of this set in theory, and am still not sure what ones, if any I’ll be buying, but I can’t deny the set is looks great and is well designed with the constellations mapped out onto the figures with perfect placement of the designs.

The packaging is an open window design with 6 figures pictured on one side and 6 on the other. They list the dates corresponding to the astrology signs so you can pick your figures out very easily.

Up to now, we have only seen a 2D version the 9″ Park 6 Davy Crockett. When we saw the 3″ version for the D23 Expo, Davy had a coon skin hat with a tail. It looks great, and lead us to hope for the same for the 9″ version. From the picture, we knew he would have the hat… but the tail?

Oh yeah! The King of the Wild Frontier, due out mid-August, is going to look great exploring the wilderness of my Vinylmation cabinet. Now we have seen all of Urban 7 before, but last night, one of life’s great mysteries would be answered. When we first saw Mike Sullivan’s, what we first called, “a Bob Ross painting like figure”…

we had no real clue what it represented. But what we DID know for sure, is the back would hold all the answers and let us know exac…

Oh. Ok, maybe it didn’t. Let’s move on to The Florida Project…

Dumbo from The Florida Project
Pooh from The Florida Project
I wasn’t sure about the Empress Lilly figure, but the design looks spectacular in person. The printing, the colors and the quality are really special on this Florida Project Vinylmation. The packaging was also on full display for the first time.
Speaking of The Florida Project, they also had many of the pins for the September event on display. I visited those boards many times. I can’t wait for this event. I’m a huge retro Disney fan, and these products are right up my ally. Darn you Vinylmation for being my gateway drug to pins! Well, I had fun seeing everyone there last night. Did you make some good trades? What do you think of the Vinylmation on display?

Empress Lily Box

WDWNT on July 8, 2011

Picture Copyright Disney

Today vinylmation.com released real shots of The Florida Project vinylmation. You can check them all out at the site, but the most interesting, and freshest part of the announcement was a picture of the box the Empress Lily will come it. I love the colors of The Florida Project!

WDW News Today Celebrates 4 Years Online!

WDWNT on July 8, 2011

Every year this Network grows older, we reflect upon the accomplishments, impact, and incredible growth of WDWNT. It has now been 4 years since WDW News Today launched on July 8th, 2007. What was founded on the website you see before you and built on the back of daily news and information about Walt Disney World is now a vibrant collection of websites, podcasts, electronic publications, online radio stations, & more. The last year in particular has been a memorable one, from hosting our first fan events (WDWNT: The Weekend in Florida & “Hangin’ 10” in California) to the launch of WDWNT: The Magazine. In the world of Disney, our sites have covered huge stories such as the opening of Star Tours, the continuing expansion of Disney California Adventure, and progress on the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland Expansion.

Speaking of the Fantasyland Expansion, we will be unveiling our latest project this evening. It’s called WDWFantasyland.com and to explain it in just a few words, it’s essentially a Disney family photo album for the Fantasyland expansion, something that will be compiled to be a permanent reference for Disney fans on the biggest project in the history of the world’s most visited theme park. I’ll be talking more in-depth about this later tonight and in the coming weeks.

Speaking of tonight, we will continue our annual tradition of presenting a special anniversary edition of WDWNT Live! show on WDWNTunes.com. The show begins at 9PM ET, here is the current schedule:

  • 9:00-10:00PM ET – Live Interactive Chat
  • 10:00PM ET – A Live, Interactive Walt Disney World Resort News and Rumor Report
  • 11:00PM ET – The 40 Biggest Moments in the History of Walt Disney World: Moments #17-15
  • 11:45PM ET – Introducing WDWFantasyland.com

We hope you will join us for tonight’s show and that you’ll enjoy our latest project.

On a personal note, the 4 year journey of this website, the podcast, and the entire family of shows and websites that make up WDWNT has been the greatest experience of my life. I’d like to thank the incredible volunteer staff of over 40 people that has worked tirelessly to get us where we are today and the loyal readers & listeners who are to thank for our great success. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in just 4 short years, and look forward to many more of “Bridging the Gaps Between You and the World”.

Tom Corless
CEO & Founder of the WDWNT Network

Fairies Flying Back to the Magic Kingdom July 28th

WDWNT on July 8, 2011

Rumors have been persistent that a new tree backdrop was being built in the Adventureland Veranda at the Magic Kingdom since the Princesses moved out, looks like those rumors are true. From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

I have an update today for all of you Disney Fairies fans.

Disney Fairies Return to Magic Kingdom Park July 28

Tinker Bell and the rest of the Disney Fairies will return to Magic Kingdom Park for meet-and-greets beginning July 28. The Pixie Hollow gang will be stationed at the Adventureland Veranda in the Adventureland area of the park.

Until that time, the fairies will continue greeting families at Epcot.

Tip: For the most updated information on meet-and-greet locations for any Disney character, pick up a Times Guide at any Disney theme park.

Disneyland Passholders Wait for Ariel and Goofy

WDWNT on July 8, 2011

Today is the day. Disneyland Passholders can purchase Ariel and Goofy passholder exclusive Vinylmation. Cynthia sent us a picture of the line:

“Was in line at 4:45 am. Everyone so far has a wristband. Good times.”

Arena Presentation Schedule Announced for 2011 D23 Expo

WDWNT on July 8, 2011

ARENA SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR THE D23 EXPO: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY
FAN EVENT AUGUST 19 – 21 AT THE ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER

Star-Studded Presentations Include Regis Philbin, the Cast of Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up,” Disney Princesses and Countless Surprise Appearances

ANAHEIM, Calif. – July 7, 2011 – The D23 Expo 2011 is proud to announce the Arena schedule for The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. From August 19 – 21, Expo guests will have exclusive access to presentations from The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Disney Channel and Marvel Comics – plus they will be able to experience the 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony. In addition to the spotlight arena presentations, this year’s Expo will feature screenings, celebrity panels and autograph signings, eye-popping pavilions, exclusive insights into TV shows, theme parks, animation, Disney history and more, to be announced in the coming weeks. Arena presentations will include:

Friday, August 19, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony – Hosted by Tom Bergeron. Honorees Regis Philbin; Jim Henson; Disney Princesses Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Linda Larkin and Anika Noni Rose; Bo Boyd; Jack and Bonita Wrather; Guy Williams and Ray Watson will be inducted as Disney Legends for their contribution to the creative legacy of The Walt Disney Company in a special presentation exclusively for D23 Expo guests.

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – Join Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, as he gives D23 guests a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into some of the exciting projects currently underway at Disney’s parks and resorts around the world.

Saturday, August 20, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – The Walt Disney Studios – A fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse at the exciting roster of projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios. From exclusive video clips and live performances to filmmaker discussions and star appearances, this session will be hosted by Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios; Sean Bailey, President of Production, The Walt Disney Studios; John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; and Kevin Feige, President of Production, Marvel Studios.

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – The Lion King 3D Exclusive D23 Screening – Disney fans will have access to an exclusive advance screening of The Lion King in Disney Digital 3D™, ahead of the film’s highly anticipated theatrical and home entertainment releases. “The Circle of Life” takes on a new dimension as Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa grace the screen once again, this time in breathtaking 3D.

Sunday, August 21, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Marvel Comics – An exclusive and unprecedented experience that will take you through the evolution of Marvel from its first comic book in 1939 to its current position as one of the most important creative forces in the world. During this presentation, which will include interactive Q&A segments, you will not only get an inside glimpse of the history of Marvel and its iconic Super Heroes but also discover why Marvel truly is the House of Ideas. This session will be hosted by Joe Quesada, Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer and one of the most respected and sought after writers and artists in the entertainment industry.

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Disney Channel – Fans are invited to experience the excitement of a spectacular live performance, featuring stars of Disney Channel’s hit series Shake It Up. From meeting the cast of television’s first dance-driven sitcom and learning moves from a Disney Channel dance master to a special panel, autograph session and more, this unforgettable experience awaits Disney fans of all ages.

These presentations add to the already robust schedule of experiences, presentations and pavilions that will make up the D23 Expo 2011, including the Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament presented by Hasbro’s Trivial Pursuit, the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit – including the Fan Art Gallery, the D23 Expo Live Auction and the D23 Expo Dream Store. Additional schedule, pavilion and talent announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.