Matt Paul has provided us with more pictures from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s see what happening at the world:
Guest Relations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is decked out for the season
Since I always get yelled at by High School Musical fans for a lack of coverage…
we will fill our annual quota in two pictures
From the Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder website:
Greetings, Disneyland® Resort Annual Passholders! I am Dr. Bunsen Honeydew from Muppet Labs, where tomorrow is the future.
We at Muppet Labs are all atwitter about our fantastic new invention — The Muppet Labs Time Rewinder™! Thanks to this amazing scientific breakthrough, we will soon be able to send you back in time!
As a Disneyland® Resort Annual Passholder, you have been specially selected to be some of our first test subjects. If you are interested in time travel or simply have some time on your hands, please visit our website and fill out our volunteer questionnaire! Registration is limited, so please sign up soon! We’ll be selecting our lucky team in just a few days.
Thank you, and see you in the near future, or the recent past… oh my it’s so hard to keep track.
Scientifically yours,
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
The Walt Disney World website has updated it’s January calendar with an interesting note about Epcot operating hours. It appears Epcot will be closing at 8:00 PM on Fridays from January 9th to April 3rd to non-Disney resort guests. This will make Illuminations: Reflections of Earth perform at 8:00 PM on those select evenings, with Extra Magic Hours for Resort guests following until 11:00 PM. To the best of my knowledge, that is the earliest the park has closed since 1999 and the earliest that firework show has ever performed. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this change becomes available.
The interior of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, long closed to guests, will “reawaken” in time for Thanksgiving. A vibrant new version of the classic walkthrough attraction features colorful scenes of Aurora, her gallant prince, the evil Maleficent and other characters from the beloved fairy tale film.
This revived Sleeping Beauty Castle “show” differs from the window-display dioramas which could be seen in the castle during the 1980s and ’90s. It takes its inspiration from the unique style of the original Disneyland castle walkthrough attraction of 1957, co-designed by animation art director and color stylist Eyvind Earle, who was credited with giving the motion picture “Sleeping Beauty” its distinctive and colorful look of storybook illustrations in medieval style.
Enhanced with new scenes and special-effects magic, the re-Imagineered attraction employs technology not available in the 1950s to tell the story of Sleeping Beauty, including the magic of good fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, and the more sinister spells of the evil Maleficent.
For the first time, guests who are unable to climb stairs or navigate the passageways of the Castle will be able to experience the walkthrough “virtually” in a special room on the ground floor of the Castle.
The attraction is scheduled to open at 5 p.m. Wednesday, kicking off the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
WDWNT Photographer Matt Paul has provided us with his first photo report from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. To start off this series, here is his first report from Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
The tree outside the park along with a large film reel
Some new decorations for Hollywood Blvd. since Block Party Bash floats are way too tall to allow the old decorations
I think these fit the theming a little better
Usual decorations replace the long standing Year of a Million Dreams banners on Sunset Blvd.
More decorations
Even more decorations
Green Army Men appearing in Pixar Place
Decorations outside what will now be known as Muppetvision 3-D (they have permanently dropped the “Jim Henson’s” from the name)
Nativity scene at the Studios
Woody and the Toy Story sign have been removed from the top of Pizza Planet, expect something new here in 2009
As we reported before, the screen outside the American Idol Experience is now operating
With the walls down, there is much more performance space outside the theater for Block Party Bash
What used to be the Monsters Inc. meet and greet
It is the stage entrance, where those performing in the show will be entering
To end the report, here is the lovely disclaimer you’ll be met with when you get in line for the American Idol Experience beginning in January when the attraction opens
As we head in to this holiday week, here are a few interesting happenings going on around the Disneyland Resort:
Join me, Tom Corless, and a cast including Justin Heyman, Jason Diffendal, Kyle Duffield, Matt Paul, Kelly Russo, Brian Martsolf, Mike Remy, and Jose Castillo for a show that Bridges the Gaps Between You and the World. I hope you enjoy all of the Walt Disney World information and fun we have to offer on this “Holiday Season Kickoff” edition of the WDW News Today Podcast.
To kick off episode 69, we have the third edition of our newest WDWNT game show, “Where in the World is Tom Corless?”. For this third episode, I have invited a number of staff members to play against two of our listeners and we’ll see if we can hand out our first fabulous Disney prize package on this show. Will a listener finally win on this show? Where am I? Listen in to find out!!!
After that, we have another great Walt Disney World based discussion that you voted for. In this week’s opinionated round-table, we’ll be discussing former Walt Disney World attractions that we would like to bring back from the dead. While the discussion features mostly opinions, we hope you find it entertaining.
Finally, Town Square Talk is back this week, highlighting the hottest topics around our WDWNT Network of websites. First up, Matt Paul is here to highlight our video download site, the WDWNTube, featuring tons of great Disney Parks videos. Be sure to check that out at www.wdwntube.com. I’m also making some Town Square Talk this week, with news on how you can determine upcoming segments for this show, including our countdown of the 20 greatest moments in Disney’s Hollywood Studios history.
To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on Itunes, go to this link. If you do not have Itunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows
This episode is also available in an enhanced version. An enhanced podcast is a podcast with added features that standard podcasts don’t have. Enhanced podcasts include many features like Chapter listings, this lets you skip through chapters or see what is in store for this weeks show. Enhanced podcasts also have images to let you differ the chapters by. Enhanced podcasts have one negative feature, you can not play them on most MP3 players. The file format for this is a .m4a which can play on Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s Zune. You will also need iTunes or Windows Media Player to be able to skip through chapters. If you need or would like the standard edition, download the normal edition listed below this file both on Itunes and in our podcast directory.
Disneyland is going to be holding a big event for the 40th anniversary of The Haunted Mansion on 9/9/09. Here are some of the products being released, & some info on the events:
Date: 09-09-09
Location: Disneyland® ResortThe Plot Thickens. . . After five husbands and five untimely deaths, the Black Widow Bride of the Haunted Mansion will wed once more. Has she found her soul mate? Or will another groom meet his doom? Join us, Foolish Mortals, and we’ll dig up the answers at our ghostly celebration that everyone’s dying to attend.
Event packages are as follows:
Grinning Ghosts – $TBD Foolish Mortals – $TBD Dearly Departed – $250 Hitchhikers – $85 Early Demise Offer:
Guests that register through February 28th only, will receive an “early demise” pin.
* Reservations for the Grinning Ghosts and Foolish Mortals packages will be accepted only via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time). * Reservations for the Dearly Departed and Hitchhikers packages will be accepted only via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time).
There will also be an event & merchandise release with the artist SHAG to be held on August 9th
SHAG Haunted Mansion Product Release & Signing
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2009
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Purchasing Location: Disneyana Shop, Disneyland® park
Signing Location: Main Street Cinema, Disneyland® park
Product & Event Information:
Artist, SHAG will be on hand for a special meet & greet and signing opportunity as we celebrate the release of his “Haunted Mansion” inspired artwork created in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland® park. Represented in the artwork are some of the attraction’s most beloved scenes, including the Stretching Portraits, the Ballroom, the Seance Room, the Attic, Graveyard, among others. This unique collection is a must have for any SHAG and Haunted Mansion enthusiast. To view the Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary inspired artwork by SHAG, please click here. Please continue to watch for a complete list of merchandise that will be offered in conjunction with the cocktail reception and product release events.
Please Note: Guests attending SHAG’s Spirited Cocktail Reception on August 8, 2009 will have the first opportunity to purchase this product. Remaining quantities will be released as part of the product release on August 9, 2009).
SHAG “Spirited” Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009
Time: 8 PM – 11 PM
Location: Crystal Cove, Disney’s Paradise Pier® HotelIt’s sure to be a spirited and swingin’ party tonight! With the hippest artist in town attending, groove with ghouls and spirits of all kinds as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion in style.
Event Packages Include:
Swingin’ Spirits – $TBD (please continue to check back)
- ONE (1) Night Accommodation at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel (night of 8/08/09)*
- Spirited Cocktail Reception
- Photo Opportunity
- Opportunity to purchase SHAG “Haunted Mansion” inspired merchandise via Random Selection Process (Merchandise purchased via RSP will be pre-signed)
- Opportunity to purchase remaining themed event merchandise in event stor
- Artist Meet & Greet
- TWO (2) Commemorative Gifts
Groovy Ghouls – $185
- Spirited Cocktail Reception
- Photo Opportunity
- Opportunity to purchase SHAG “Haunted Mansion” inspired merchandise via Random Selection Process (Merchandise purchased via RSP will be pre-signed)
- Opportunity to purchase remaining themed event merchandise in event store
- Artist Meet & Greet
- ONE (1) Commemorative Gift
* Reservations for the SHAG “Spirited” Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception will be accepted only via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time).
* Please note: We are now required to have only one (1) Guest per reservation. It will be necessary for each Guest to register individually. Thank you!
I thought I would take this time to address a few short subjects in one post just to make sure everyone is caught up on what’s going on with WDW and WDWNT right now:
-We have opened our fantastic poll allowing you to choose what you think are the 20 biggest moments in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Just go HERE, pick 20 moments, and hit submit. The 20 biggest moments as voted by you will then be counted down every week on the WDW News Today Podcast until the anniversary on May 1, 2009. Voting closes on December 4 at midnight, so don’t miss out!!!
-Disney has released a picture of the completed facade of the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (we should have our own pictures of the completed building very soon, until then check out THIS photo report on the WDW News Today Community Forums):
IT’S SHOWTIME!: Disney’s Hollywood Studios raises the curtain on the newest showbiz-themed attraction, “The American Idol Experience.” All the excitement of the popular “American Idol” TV show comes to life in a first-of-its-kind attraction where Walt Disney World guests can vote on their favorite performance, or audition with the chance to perform on stage. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
-Ellen’s Energy Adventure at Epcot will be closed for a lengthy refurbishment from January 5 through March 22, 2009. During this time, some general maintenance will occur. It is also rumored that Imagineering will use this a a time to look around the attraction for possible changes.
-Reported on the WDW News Today Community Forums:
Beginning December 1st, anyone booked for lunch at Tusker House (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom) between 1:00pm and 1:40pm will receive a ticket for reserved seating at the Finding Nemo (The Musical) 3:15pm show. If you are already booked during that time frame you will qualify for the reserved seating ticket. Only reservations between 1:00pm and 1:40pm qualify. One ticker per person dining.
-Also Reported on the WDW News Today Community Forums, Disney launching an online check-in service for resort guests:
Disney’s Online Check-In service enables Guests to simplify their arrival by allowing them to go online and provide information related to their upcoming stay. On a Guest’s scheduled arrival date, since check-in information will have been provided previously online by the Guest, they may experience a streamlined check-in at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels or Disney Vacation Club resorts. A welcome folder with their Key to the World Card will be waiting at a designated Disney’s Online Check-In area in the resort hotel lobby. Guests will need to present valid photo ID to pick up the folder and complete check-in. Guests may check-in online beginning 10 days prior to their arrival date. Web site addresses for Disney’s Online Check-In service will vary based on the original method of booking. As Guests are completing Disney’s Online Check-In service, select Guests will have an opportunity to apply for the Disney Rewards® Visa Card® that could be used during their stay. This service launches in January, 2009.
A lot to process, but hopefully we have everyone caught up on current Walt Disney World and WDW News Today events before the big holiday week begins.
Here are a collection of some of Myrna’s favorite nighttime shots from around the Disneyland Resort from her trip on Wednesday:
It’s a Small World Holiday continues its holiday light-up tradition this year. Absolutely stunning!
The full castle lighting ceremony will debut tonight.
A look up Main Street towards Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.
The LED lighting effects on the Main Street Christmas tree should also debut tonight too.
