Coolness Cubed

WDWNT on November 19, 2010

People can no longer complain that we are just collecting little figures that take up shelf space… Vinylmation are now functional. Want a cool drink? Vinylmation is there. Want a yummy chocolate treat for your next Disney party? Yep, Vinylmation can help you with that now too. It was announced today that those mysterious Vinylmation Ice Cube Trays I told you about a few weeks back, will be officially released on December 3rd! Here was my first look at the Ice Cube Tray and 3″ figure that comes with it:

In the clip I released a couple days ago, Disney’s Steven Miller explained how the Ice Cube Trays were mistakenly released at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. That clip is part of a larger interview about Vinylmation we will include in Destination Vinylmation Podcast Episode 3 to be released Sunday.
You can see Disney’s Vinylmation Blog Announcement Here:
http://eventservices.disney.go.com/static/vinylmation/blog.html

New “World of Color” Prix Fixe Lunch Menu at Wine Country Trattoria

WDWNT on November 19, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

'World of Color'

Beginning Nov. 26, Wine Country Trattoria will offer a “World of Color” prix fixe menu for lunch, which also includes reserved viewing for Disney’s “World of Color.” Reservations may be made by calling 714-781-DINE.

Take a look at the menu below. It looks fantastic to me!

Starters

  • Salad: Arugula, Fennel, Red Onion, Spiced Walnuts, and Goat Cheese with a Fig-Balsamic Dressing OR
  • Chef’s Soup Selection


Entrees

  • Tuscan Salad with Grilled Shrimp or Chicken – Blend of Romaine and Radicchio, Red and Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Celery, Green Beans, Cannellini Beans and Roasted Peppers tossed in Creamy Italian Dressing
  • Lasagna Rustica – Served with House-Made Bolognese
  • Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Herbed Chicken Breast, Arugula, Caramelized Onions, Provolone, and Walnut-Porcini Aioli on Toasted Ciabatta with a Green Salad
  • Broccolini Aglio Olio – Campanelle Pasta lightly tossed with Spinach, Arugula, Tomatoes, Garlic, Chili Flakes, and Olive Oil

Desserts

  • Trattoria Tiramisu
  • Mini Fruit Crostada
  • Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Fresh Fruit
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse with Lemon Cream

The price for the prix fixe lunch is $29.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3 to 9.

You can also get more details about our other dining options for “World of Color,” including picnic boxes and prix fixe dinners in our earlier post. We’ve updated the post with the latest information.

More Details on Hyperion Wharf

WDWNT on November 18, 2010

We have a few updates of the Hyperion Wharf project replacing Pleasure Island. First, a few new pieces of concept art floating around the web:

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As well, Orlando Attraction Magazine has gathered the following information:

• More than 1,500 new restaurant seats will expand dining options by more than 25 percent.
• The new design makes the waterfront the focal point.
• In the next 30 days, AMC Theater guests will be able to purchase unique, upscale snacks and drinks from interactive, self-service food stations similar to a food court.
• The AMC Fork & Screen Theater will offer restaurant-style dining with seat-side service beginning in spring 2011.
• The projects are expected to create an estimated 600 construction jobs, 500 restaurant, retail and entertainment jobs, and support 100 vendor and supplier jobs.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on Hyperion Wharf becomes available.

Goodbye Pleasure Island, Hello Hyperion Wharf!

WDWNT on November 18, 2010

Huge announcement from the Disney Parks Blog today:

How about that? New dining, shopping and entertainment experiences are in the works for Downtown Disneyand today we’re sharing a first look at what to expect in the future for the 120-acre complex. Look closely and you’ll see that Pleasure Island will evolve into a vibrant waterfront district called “Hyperion Wharf.”

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The district will come to life with a nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier. By day, stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants will draw you in and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.

Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district will also feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. And its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

Along with the new wharf district, other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including:

  • An extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square-feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies.
  • Enhancements at AMC Theatres that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a Concession Stand of the Future and Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater; and…
  • Numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.

Construction on the district begins immediately and it’s scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Pretty exciting, huh?

How a Vinylmation is Born

WDWNT on November 18, 2010

In today’s clip, Steven talks about the design stages of Vinylmation.
Special thank you to Steven Miller and Disney.
Steven Miller is the Project Manager Disney Trading. He works in Disney Merchandise and heads up trading of Pins and Vinylmation as well as some of the Disney social media sites such as the Disney Vinylmation Blog and the Vinylmation Facebook page.

My User has some information you may be interested in

WDWNT on November 17, 2010

The first pictures of the upcoming Tron Vinylmation were released to day on the Disney Parks blog. It was announced Tron will be an open window 8 figure set to be released in 2011! Check out the Disney Parks blog article at http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/11/vinylmation-tron-legacy/

Merry Christmas!

WDWNT on November 17, 2010

Vinylmation fans can pick up an early Christmas present at the Disney Store Online. The Holiday 2 Series 9″ Snowglobe Figure with 3″ Snowman was released today.

Interesting to note is the price point of this 9″, 3″ combo is only $44.95! That comes as a surprise when previous Vinylmation 9″, 3″ combos were priced at $74.95. Is Disney giving us an early Christmas present after raising the prices on Park and Urban 5? Also note the FREE SHIPPING offer if you spend $75 or more. Promo code is SHIPTODAY.

Here are screenshots from the Disney Store Online website with a first look at the back of this impressing David Mitchell designed figure set.

This limited edition (1000) figure will only be available online. The figure is limited to 2 per customer.

Update: This set is already sold out! (in less than 12 hours!)

There Snow one like Family…

WDWNT on November 17, 2010

The Disney blog announced that the online store will begin selling the 9″ and 3″ Snowman set on November 17th. That’s TOMORROW folks! This set was designed by David Mitchell who also designed the Prancer 9″ which will be released this Friday at D-Streets on both coasts. (There are only 1000 Prancers being made)

Original info at: http://eventservices.disney.go.com/static/vinylmation/blog.html

World of Color Wins Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement-Nighttime Spectacular

WDWNT on November 17, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Today, the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announced that this year’s Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement-Nighttime Spectacular goes to “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure park. “World of Color” is recognized by TEA as “a visual and technical marvel,” that combines stunning Disney and Pixar animation with music, lights, fog, lasers, fire and nearly 1,200 programmable fountains spanning an area that is bigger than a football field. Please join me in congratulating the hundreds of talented people from around the world who worked on this project for the past five years!

'World of Color'

And that’s not all. Longtime Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine was recognized for a lifetime of distinguished achievements with The Buzz Price Award. Kim began her career at Walt Disney Imagineering in 1970, where she worked alongside many of the Walt Disney Imagineering legends such as John Hench, Mary Blair, Marc Davis and Claude Coats. She worked on many attractions for both Magic Kingdom and Epcot at Walt Disney World before joining Imagineering’s Disneyland Design Studio team in 1980.

Longtime Walt Disney Imagineer, Kim Irvine

Kim has long been the Art Director for Disneyland park and was responsible for projects such as Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration, including a new look for the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. Recent projects include adding ‘new magic’ to classic attractions such as ‘it’s a small world’ and in locations like the Rivers of America. Kim also created designs for the new Disney Gallery and interiors for the new The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction on Main Street, U.S.A.

TEA announced the 17th Annual Thea Award recipients during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attraction’s (IAAPA) annual conference. The Thea Awards recognize achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. To date, Walt Disney Imagineering has received a total of 34 awards throughout the Thea Awards’ 17-year history.