Little Mermaid Construction Starting This Fall?

WDWNT on July 3, 2008

From Screamscape:

Late 2010 or Early 2011 – Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Confirmed – (7/3/08) According to the latest rumors Little Mermaid may have been pushed up a bit to either open in mid to late 2010 now. Meanwhile full construction on The Little Mermaid ride is now expected to begin sometime this fall if all goes well.

If all this goes according to plan, they’ll most likely transfer Golden Dreams over to Golden Screams for one last time this Halloween, & then begin construction on Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Changes Coming to the Esplanade

WDWNT on July 3, 2008

From Laughing Place:

Disneyland have approached Rick Caruso of Caruso Affiliated – the developers of the Grove at Farmer’s Market and Americana at Brand in Glendale about developing a new esplanade between Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park that will also bring the WET Design-conceived fountains from Americana to the Disneyland Resort.

Leg Traders

WDWNT on July 3, 2008

From KABC:

ANAHEIM (KABC) — The Anaheim Fire Department responded to Tomorrowland in Disneyland at 7:21 a.m. after reports that a worker fell from a ladder onto a roof.

Officials said the worker fell while working on the roof of a gift shop near the Space Mountain ride.

Rescuers were able to get the worker off the roof using a crane, and he was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

“A roofing consultant lost his balance and fell approximately 5 feet resulting in a minor shoulder injury. He was transported to western medical center for evaluation,” said Disneyland spokeswoman Betsy Sanchez in a statement.

Authorities said worker is in his 70s and suffered minor injures.

The park was not open at the time of the accident.

Problems, Problems, Problems!

WDWNT on July 3, 2008

We’ve been experiencing a few problems with the site today (what’s new?), meaning that the site had to be re-installed in some aspects. We’ve managed to get the site back to a functioning order, & should hopefully have it completely back to normal tomorrow!

Sorry for any inconvenience this may of caused you, & keep reading!

WDW-Tube??? Sounds Familiar….

WDWNT on July 2, 2008

The Disney Parks have now launched their own Youtube channel, and are already running a contest to promote the new venture:

Who: Walt Disney Parks & Resorts just launched The Disney Parks Channel on YouTube.

What: The “My Favorite Disney Parks Memory Contest” kicks-off the channel’s launch, giving families a chance to win a once in a lifetime Disney dream vacation, including a night in the exclusive Disneyland Dream Suite. To enter the contest, guests simply submit a creative video that captures their all-time favorite memory of visiting Disney Parks.

Ten finalists will be chosen by Disney, and then YouTube visitors will vote on the Grand Prize Winner of the Disney dream vacation. The remaining nine finalists will receive an annual pass to the Disney Park of their choice.


When: The Disney Parks Channel on YouTube launches on June 25, 2008, with official Disney videos and the “My Favorite Disney Parks Memory Contest.”

Mark your calendar with these key contest dates:

  • Contest Submissions: June 25, 2008 – August 5, 2008

  • Disney Judging: August 6, 2008 – August 12, 2008

  • YouTube Voting: August 13, 2008 – September 9, 2008

  • Grand Prize Winner Announced on or around September 20, 2008

Where: The Disney Parks Channel and contest rules are available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/disneyparks

Why: Disney is always looking for ways to spread the magic of Disney and to connect fans. Now passionate guests have a chance to share their most cherished Disney Parks memory with other fans around the world and to win a dream vacation for the entire family.

Mickey’s Fun Wheel Is On Its Way!

WDWNT on July 2, 2008

We’ve just been informed that the Sun Wheel’s re-theme/refurbishment will start on September 11th, 2008. The re-theme will include the new 1930’s style Mickey Mouse face, re-working of the queue, a re-paint, & the new name, Mickey’s Fun Wheel!

Also planned to take place during this time is the re-theming of the Games of the Boardwalk & California Screamin’s queue, but we don’t have any solid information on that just yet.

Innoventions Dream Home Now Open to the Public

WDWNT on July 2, 2008

From the OC Register:

The Innoventions Dream Home is open to the public starting today, according to Disney Spokesman John McClintock.

On June 17 Disney pulled back the curtain on the new Innoventions Dream Home, but the attraction was only open for limited hours and only to annual passholders. McClintock said the home was open to regular guests for some time over the weekend as a soft opening.

Last week the attraction was only open for limited hours as Disney workers made sure all the home’s technology worked properly.

No More in “Water Parks and More”

WDWNT on July 1, 2008

Disney will be changing some of the rules that apply to the Water Parks and More option on Walt Disney World tickets in response to the closing of the Pleasure Island clubs on September 27:

Beginning September 28, 2008, the Water Park Fun & More ticket option will no longer include admission to Pleasure Island nightclubs.

Guests who purchased or will purchase the Water Park Fun & More Option will still receive a certain number of visits to their choice of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park or Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex. Beginning June 28, 2008, your Clients can also choose to use a visit to play a round of golf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, a nine-hole walking course designed for the entire family. Tee times are required and subject to availability. For tee times, call (407) WDW-GOLF ( 407-939-4653 ) or visit disneyworldgolf.com.

Excludes activities/events separately priced. Water Park Fun & More visits must be used within 14 days of first use of ticket. Water Parks subject to closures for rehab and seasonal and weather closures.

“How To” Help Guests

WDWNT on July 1, 2008

In case the WDW News Today Podcast hasn’t helped you prepare for your Walt Disney World vacation over the last year it has existed (doubtful), Disney might be able to help you now:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Families planning a vacation to Walt Disney World Resort now have access to a new online resource at disneyworldmoms.com: Moms Panel “How-To” videos.

The Walt Disney World Moms Panelists share quick, step-by-step visual tips about everything from planning a girlfriends getaway without the kids to figuring out how Disney’s Magical Express really works.

 
“How-To” Videos Preview:

  • “Packing for the Park” – Heather Roberts-Nault, Louisville, Ky., with a little help from her daughter, shares tips and personal favorites on what to pack when headed to a Disney theme park for the day, especially with little ones in tow.
     
  • “Fast Pass” – Bret Caldwell, Evanston, Ill., takes the guest inside Walt Disney World Resort to uncover the magic of FASTPASS, including where to find FASTPASS, how to get one and the best ways to use it.
  • “Make Flying Fun” – Beth Choisez, Floral Park, N.Y., shares her ‘secret to sanity’ when traveling by plane – Beth provides tactics for dealing with the luggage, strollers, diaper bags, and the kids, so that everyone stays calm and happy.
  • “Disney for All Ages” – Laura Spencer, Boston, Mass., and her girlfriends, Julie, Dot and Carolyn, provide some ideas for enjoying Disney without the kids – suggestions include a visit to the Art of Disney in Epcot concluded by a champagne toast in France.
  • “Make the Switch” – Michelle May, Lebanon, N.J., and her husband take on an attraction using the Rider Switch Pass – specifically, how families with young children can experience the rides without having to stand in line twice.

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel experts conceived the “How-To” videos as a fun way to provide original and innovative content designed to help alleviate the pressure of planning a memorable Disney vacation – so families can focus more on making memories of a lifetime. 

To view the Walt Disney World Moms Panel “How-To” videos or find additional vacation planning tips from experts, visit disneyworldmoms.com.