Staff Changes at the WDWNT Network

WDWNT on August 16, 2009

Over the last few weeks here at the WDWNT Network, we have been preparing for a few important staff position changes that have officially gone into effect today:

-WDWNT Technical Director Jose Castillo has stepped away from his position to focus on his long-running web hosting company and a plethora of personal projects. Jose has been a vital part of our family since joining the team in January 2008 and has been responsible for the creation of our enhanced podcasts, Disneyland News Today, the WDWNTube Disney Parks video site, the WDWNTunes online radio station, and much, much more. Jose was such a vital part of our team that he was inducted into our WDWNT Network Hall of Fame in June 2009. While Jose will be stepping away for a while, he will be first finishing up some work on the “WDWNT: The Weekend” website and will continue to pop-in every now and then for a side project. We would like to thank Jose for all his hard work here at WDWNT and wish him the best in his many endeavors. WDW News Today editor in chief and podcast team member Justin Heyman will be taking over our technical services department effective immediately.

-Luke Manning has stepped down as the host of the Disneyland News Today Podcast and as the lead reporter for the DLNT website. Luke has a tremendous amount of work ahead of him the next few weeks and was simply not able to balance everything all at once. Luke will be continuing on as a photographer and videographer for Disneyland News Today and will also continue to appear on the podcast every week. While we are interviewing for a new host for the podcast, I will be filling in as host for as long as is necessary. Taking over as a temporary lead reporter for the website will be Anthony Yacullo, who already works on the WDW News Today Podcast team. The Disneyland News Today twitter account will now also be in my hands, and I’ll do my best to keep the updates flowing as they have in the past.

We hope the transition period for these positions is a smooth one and apologize for any inconviences these changes might cause over the next few weeks. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Tom Corless
Owner of the WDWNT Network

Disney Canoe Race Winners Announced

WDWNT on August 14, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

In a tradition that dates back to Walt Disney’s days, Disney employees raced in the Disneyland’s river this week. The 46th annual Cast Member Canoe Races concluded this morning.

Here are the winners:
Men’s team, below: DC Last of the Rowhicans, 4:07:24

Women’s team: DC Bandits, 4:35:84

The women’s team is in this shot below, along with the men’s and coed teams.

Coed team, below: DC United, The PB&J Edition, 4:18:08

Chuck Canzoneri and The Muppets Invade Disneyland

WDWNT on August 13, 2009

Chuck Canzoneri reports to us with something very interesting that went on yesterday at Disneyland:

Filming was happening at Disneyland

Do my eyes deceive me, or is that the Muppets coming down Main Street in the Fire Engine?

Why yes it is! There’s Sweetums next to the driver

Other characters I can spot in the vehicle include Kermit, Gonzo, Pepe, Ms Piggy, Animal, Fozzy, and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (sorry if I missed any)

Sweetums looks a little grumpier than usual 😉

Read More about Chuck Canzoneri and The Muppets Invade Disneyland

The Haunted Mansion Celebrates 40 Years of Happy Haunts!

WDWNT on August 11, 2009

Its been 40 years since the Grim Grinning Ghosts first opened their doors and invited guests into the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Take a look back to the beginning with Walt and the Imagineers who created the beloved attraction. From stretching rooms to hitch hiking ghosts the 999 Happy Haunts never disappoint and always invite guests to hurry back!

Extinct Attractions Return to WDW in 2010

WDWNT on August 11, 2009

Some exciting merchandise news released today by the What’s HapPINing Blog:

As promised, here is a first look at a new Pin of the Month collection coming to the Walt Disney World® Resort in 2010. Titled “Then and Now,” each pin in this collection will salute a current Disney attraction and its predecessor. This collection will be released starting in January 2010, and each pin will have an edition size of 1000.

The artwork for this collection was created by Disney Design Group Artist Mike Sullivan. We love the design of this pin – like we are looking into the “ThenandNow-O-Matic 3000.” For some reason, the spinner design reminds us a machine that could have been found in a Penny Arcade.

Other attractions in this collection will include:

  • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor – The Timekeeper
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – if you had wings
  • Test Track – World of Motion

We’ve always wanted to take the time to do anything with our wings in a world where it is fun to be free.

For more details on this exciting new pin series as it becomes available, be sure to tune in to the Disney Pincast. If you haven’t started collecting pins yet, 2010 may be a good time to start 🙂

Disney Cast Member Passes Away Monday From Thursday Fall

WDWNT on August 11, 2009

Some unfortunate news coming from the Orlando Sentinel:

A performer at Walt Disney World died Monday, days after he was injured during a show at the Magic Kingdom.

Mark Priest was performing Thursday in a “Pirate Tutorial,” an interactive show in which actors lead guests through a series of “pirate skills” tests. Priest fell and broke his neck, according to colleagues, and he had been hospitalized since the accident.

Disney said it was not given any indication that the injuries Priest suffered in the initial accident were life-threatening. But the resort said it contacted both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after learning of his death.

“Today, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our fellow cast member,” Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. “Our hearts go out to his family and fellow cast members, and we are offering our support to them during this difficult time.”

A deputy sheriff is being sent to Disney this evening to take an initial report on the incident, spokeswoman Cpl. Susan Soto said.

Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the cast member.

Another Passholder Pixie Preview

WDWNT on August 10, 2009

Just as they did for the arrival of the first Tinker Bell movie last year, Walt Disney World will be holding a special advanced screening event just for annual passholders, this time for the second film in the Tinker Bell “direct-to-DVD/Blu-ray” film series: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure. Here is the event information:

At this exclusive event, Passholders can see Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure a month before it’s released on Disney DVD and Blu-Ray. The tale of Disney’s favorite fairy, Tinker Bell, continues in an all-new magical adventure beyond Pixie Hollow! Take off in a hot air balloon with Tinker Bell and her new friend Blaze on an enchanting secret journey to find a new moonstone, the source of the Pixie’s mystical dust.

Location:

Town Square Exposition Hall, Magic Kingdom® Park

Event Times:

Saturday, September 26, 2009, 10:00am, 2:00pm & 6:00pm
Sunday, September 27, 2009, 11:00am & 3:00pm

Official release date of the film on Disney DVD and Blu-Ray is October 27, 2009.

Additional Information
-Event is only for Passholders.
– Passholders need to bring along their confirmation slip, their valid Disney pass and a photo ID at the time of check-in.
– It is requested that Passholders that are booked for the event and cannot go for any reason should go to the website and cancel their reserved space to give opportunity to other Passholders to book the open space.
-Passholders should periodically check on the website, if space has opened up to reserve their preferred time.

Sign-ups for the event begin August 20th at 6:00 PM Eastern on the Walt Disney World Passholder website.

Little Sleep for a Sleepover at The Haunted Mansion

WDWNT on August 10, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

The Sutton family survived an overnight’s stay in the room with no windows or doors at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. But they didn’t get much sleep.

The mansion’s occupants simply wouldn’t let them: They stuffed the family with chocolate and soda. They groaned, screamed and cackled. Hitchhiking ghosts and a butler serenaded the visitors. A video camera was on the four family members all night.

And when the Suttons finally dozed off, the butler startled them awake.

But the family didn’t mind.

“Sleeping is for rookies,” said Jessica Sutton, 12.

The Sutton family of Santa Clarita won a night’s stay inside the classic attraction in a 95.5 KLOS radio station promotion for the Haunted Mansion’s 40th anniversary. (Read a story about the Haunted Mansion celebration HERE)

Daughters Jessica and Stephanie, 10, got the most votes among kids in a talent contest for singing “Happy Birthday” with a dog singing in the background.  The girls brought their parents, Tim and Cyndi Sutton.

The family moved in at midnight after the park closed Sunday and left at 6 a.m. this morning.

The parents prepared their youngest daughter, who can be frightened sometimes, for a scary experience by playing spooky sounds and turning out the lights before bedtime at home. On Sunday afternoon, the family took a two-and-a-half hour nap at the Disneyland Hotel.

Although they were tired this morning, the Suttons were still thrilled after admittedly one of the best night’s they’ve ever had.

The family, who visit Disneyland about once a month, started the night with a tour of the mansion while Disney employees set up three twin beds and a coffin in the chamber at the beginning of the ride. That’s the elevator that stretches as guests first enter.

After the tour, Disney treated the family to a dessert banquet, including tomb-shaped coffins, brains with raspberry sauce and cheesecake eyeballs.

“That was just to keep us up all night,” Jessica said.

Then the family was led into the suite, where they got visits from hitchhiking ghosts. A Web cam from KLOS was on them as viewers from around the world watched. Tim Sutton wrote on a specially created blog, disneyjoe.wordpress.com, which got messages from as far away as Singapore and Isreal. The family spent time playing cards, but their stay was frequently interrupted by creepy noises or warnings of critters on the loose.

Jessica chose the coffin for a bed. But both girls ended up in beds with their parents.

At the end of the night, each family member was given a key to return — in the afterlife.