Change of Plans and Parades

WDWNT on March 6, 2008

It appears that the final performance of the Stars and Motorcars Parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be Saturday March 8, 2008, not March 9th as originally reported. The reason for the change seems to be that the new Block Party Bash parade is ready ahead of schedule and will make it’s first “soft” performance at 3pm on Sunday March 9, 2008. WDW News Today will have coverage of both of these parades throughout the weekend into Monday, be sure to stay tuned for more details on these two major events.

25 Years of Purple Dragons and Bearded Men in Top Hats

WDWNT on March 5, 2008

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Figment, Dreamfinder, and the beloved Journey Into Imagination attraction, we here at WDW News Today will be celebrating with some very special commemorative events. You probably noticed our bright orange and purple colors we have adopted for this festive occasion (inspired by a certain dragon), but we will also have a bunch of special content prepared for this week’s edition of the WDW News Today podcast, episode 33. So stay tuned for special Imagination themed content over the next two weeks here on the WDW News Today website and podcast!!!

The Hall of…ZzZzZ

WDWNT on March 4, 2008

Our friend Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media is reporting about some changes that may be coming to the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents attraction in the next year. According to Jim’s report, whoever the new president of the United States may be, they will not be receiving a speaking part in this latest addition. Instead, Disney may be going for a much shorter show that would cut the current president’s speech from it’s lineup and add the reading of the Gettysburg address by Abraham Lincoln. This would allow the attraction to run three shows an hour and shorten the length of what many say is the most boring attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort. To read the entire report, go HERE.

News & Rumors in Disneyland Park

WDWNT on March 4, 2008

Here’s a few pieces of news & rumors from the latest Monday in the Parks article on MiceAge:

  • Disney recently raised the height requirement for the front seat in Splash Mountain from 40″ to 60″. This was due to, during the drops, kids putting their heads down under the seat, & then bumping their head when reaching the bottom of the drops. Well, they’re going to be installing a new safety feature by the beginning of June, which should lower the height requirement back down to 40″.
  • Due to all of the things that Disney want to do in It’s a Small World, they’re seriously considering pushing the opening from November to January. That means that they won’t have to worry about then re-installing the holiday overlay, & can just have everything ready for January. Please do note though, that this is only a rumor.
  • Even though it looked like the re-opening of Carnation Cafe from it’s short refurbishment was pushed back, it has now re-opened with a brand new brick-looking concrete pattern.

Podcast Episode 32 Now Available for Download

WDWNT on March 4, 2008

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

Join me, Tom Corless, and a cast including John Corigliano, Jason Diffendal, Justin Heyman, Luke Manning and Adam Roth for a show that Bridges the Gaps Between you and the World. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the Walt Disney World news, information, and fun we have to offer on this episode of WDWNT.

To kick off episode 32, John Corigliano, Jason Diffendal, and Justin Heyman join me in discussing the Walt Disney World news and rumors. This week, we discuss an upcoming Jungle Cruise refurbishment, updates happening at the new wing of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and the possibility of a new ticketing system coming to the theme parks.

To end this week’s show,we have the first REAL edition of Disney Don’t Forget the Lyrics, as listener Chris Nolin faces off with champion Luke Manning for a fantastic prize package. Who will win this epic showdown, tune in to find out!!! We are still looking for more participants in this fun-filled game show, so please contact us if you would like to know more about being a part of Disney Don’t Forget the Lyrics.

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

“But I Want To Sit Inside!!!”

WDWNT on March 3, 2008

The currently under rennovation Wolfgang Puck express location at Downtown Disney’s Marketplace is nearing it’s re-opening on March 6 and appears to be almost complete. While the interior changes remain a mystery, it is now clear that the building now envelopes what was the outdoor seating area. This may be nice during bad weather, but a problem this particular restaurant has always faced is a small number of seating. This place can become quite busy and sometimes even expands into the generic Downtown Disney seating area across the way. My only hope is that this refurbishment has added seating to what is one of my favorite places to grab a quick bite at Walt Disney World.

WDW News Today Podcast Updates

WDWNT on March 3, 2008

Due to some technical difficulties, we have had to delay the release this week’s edition of the WDW News Today Podcast until early tomorrow morning. We also regret to say that there will not be an enhanced version of episode 32. The reasons for these changes are mostly  we are preparing for the release of two new podcasts to our News Today family, The Disney Pincast and WDW HD.

-The Disney Pincast will be an extension of the weekly pin trading segments we have tested for a few weeks on the WDWNT podcast. This show will expand on the concept to include Disney pin trading news and information from around the globe. The Disney Pincast will debut on March 12, 2008 and will be released weekly on Wednesdays starting on that date.

-WDW HD will provide high definition videos of the Walt Disney World Resort. We are hoping to release this new venture sometime around the end of this month.

We thank you for your continuing support and viewership of our site and podcasts and hope that we will make up for this week’s shortcomings with our upcoming expansion.

A Bent Situation!

WDWNT on March 3, 2008

I’m sure you’ve all been wondering why exactly King Arthur’s Carousel unexpectedly shut down, & is closed for so long. Well, we now finally have an answer for you. A cast member started it up without unlocking it, thus bending the super-structure.

The Carousel should re-open on April 5th, 2008!

Weekend Update

WDWNT on March 2, 2008

Here are some Disney news updates to brighten your weekend:

-A correction on news we reported yesterday: the tarps surrounding the Animation Courtyard archway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have indeed been removed, but a temporary sign saying ESPN the Weekend has been put over where the new park logo will be placed.

-At 9am on April 22, 2008, there will be a re-dedication of Disney’s Animal Kingdom for it’s tenth anniversary celebration. Of course, the same group that brought you Epcot’s famous Celebration 25 in October will be putting on “A Wild Decade”, a commemorative event featuring one of a kind fan opportunities at celebrating this special occasion. For more information on this event, head on over to WDWCelebrations today.

-I made my way over to a meet for the Central Jersey Disney Pin Traders today and have to say I had a great time trading and talking with all of the attendees. Our co-host of the upcoming Disney Pincast, John Rick, is the founder of the group and once again put on a great Disney pin trading meet. Next month, the CJDPT will be hosting its huge “Trade till’ You Fade” event from April 11-13. For more information on this upcoming opportunity to trade with hundreds of Disney pin traders and take part in numerous Disney activities at this event, head on over to www.cjdpt.com. A special note, I will be attending this event along with staff members Jason Diffendal and John Rick and we will be recording a special edition of the Disney Pincast.

New Autopia Costumes aren’t just for Autopia!

WDWNT on March 1, 2008

It turns out those new Autopia costumes aren’t just for Autopia cast members! Those same costumes (shirt & jacket) are now being used at Space Mountain, Astro Oribitor, & maybe Star Tours. Honey I Shrunk the Audience also got new costumes, but they are different from the other ones. We’ll have pictures up of these new costumes in use sometime later tonight or tomorrow.

Updated: February 29th – 10:11PM – PST