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 🙂

The Princess and The Parks

WDWNT on August 7, 2009

Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (left), who provides the voice of Disney’s newest princess, Tiana, in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film “The Princess and the Frog,” poses with the new Princess Tiana character (right) as she will soon appear at the Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  Princess Tiana, made her very first public appearance Aug. 6, 2009 at the 2009 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention in Tampa, Fla. This fall, Disneyland guests will see Tiana in a colorful, jazz-filled live show, “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee,” November 6 through January 3, 2010, in New Orleans Square at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. “The Princess and the Frog” will premiere in theaters nationwide Dec. 11, 2009.

DLR Photo Report – 7/29/09-8/5/09

WDWNT on August 6, 2009

I have returned from a near record setting 8 days at the wonderful Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. This trip was mainly to spend time with members of the WDWNT staff, which for some was their first visit, and for others was their 100th visit! Let’s get into the first photo report of what will be many from this past week:

On our first day, we enjoyed a meal at the recently opened Celebration Roundup and Barbecue. Left to right here you can see Matt Paul, Tom Corless, Chris Lastrapes, and Jose Castillo

Space Mountain was a favorite among everyone

The White Rabbit statue outside the restrooms near Alice in Wonderland finally has its clock-face back

The freaky looking Mickey Monsters plush have started hitting store shelves through-out the Disneyland Resort

The “What Will You Celebrate?” Disneyland Resort Harbor Blvd. entrance

Read More about DLR Photo Report – 7/29/09-8/5/09

Living Without The Land

WDWNT on August 6, 2009

An un-announced refurbishment of the Living with the Land attraction at Epcot has begun and will have the attraction closed through October 31, 2009. WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve was at Epcot a few days ago and has a few pictures to share:

610307719_Powh9-XL

To see more, we must head inside…

Read More about Living Without The Land

Myrna Litt’s 7/27/09 El Capitan Photo Report

WDWNT on July 28, 2009

Our very own Myrna Litt attended the D23 member-only preview of the upcoming Disney film “Ponyo” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. She shares some “Ponyo” related photos as well as general happenings at the El Capitan:

“Ponyo” is a Japanese film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film will be released with an English dub nation-wide on August 14th, 2009

D23 announced and made tickets available for this event on July 17th, 2009. Only 50 member spots were available

Celebrities at the event included John Lasseter, Hayao Miyazaki, the Jonas Brothers, and as seen above, Cloris Leachman

The Soda Fountain and Studio Store’s popular Mickey awards

Read More about Myrna Litt’s 7/27/09 El Capitan Photo Report

Kitson Kids Now Open at Downtown Disney

WDWNT on July 23, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

Kitson Kids, a store brand that caters to celebrities, opened its first Orange County store at Downtown Disney over the weekend.

The store is the child-product version of Kitson, where starlets are often spotted shopping in Los Angeles. The Downtown Disney store isn’t shy about touting the celebrity appeal by hanging photos of its frequent shoppers toting Kitson bags — Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Ashley Tisdale and others. The Web site even says “home of celebrity shopping.”

Kitson Kids took over the former Starbilla store, which sold autographed pictures and other celebrity collectibles before it closed down.

The store, which opened Saturday, carries an array of children’s stuff from puzzles and finger puppets to trendy T-shirts and Snow White-style dresses.

I looked around to see if there was anything affordable for my 1-year-old son. Some of the items were in the acceptable range, including a board book for $9.95 and a Little Uglys doll for $11.95. Some practical baby sunblock was available for tourists. But there were some outrageous items, especially the Size 2 True Religion jeans for $150. That’s Size 2 as in toddler, not adult.

54 Years of Imagination on the 54th Anniversary of Disneyland

WDWNT on July 18, 2009

ANAHEIM, Callif., July 17, 2009 – Marty Sklar, Executive Vice President and Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador, spent a lifetime making magic for the Walt Disney Company. After 54 years of service, he was honored with a tribute window at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, July 17. The celebration coincided with the 54th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland, the place where Sklar began his Disney career.

The tradition of dedicating a second-story window along Main Street, U.S.A., was begun by Walt Disney as a way to pay tribute to the men and women who were instrumental in the creation and operation of Disneyland. Sklar’s window, unveiled on July 17, can be seen above City Hall at Town Square in Disneyland.

Sklar began his Disney career in June 1955 as editor of “The Disneyland News,” just one month before Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. Sklar also worked personally with Walt Disney on several major projects, including the creation of landmark Disney attractions for the 1964 World’s Fair and leading the design of Walt Disney’s final vision, Epcot.

Sklar holds great memories of all 11 Disney parks around the world, but he has a particular fondness for Disneyland.

“Disneyland will always be a special place for me because it’s the only park that Walt Disney walked in,” Sklar said. “For me, retiring on this date is significant, having been here with Walt for the opening of the original Disney park.”