Star Tours Closing Dates Announced

WDWNT on May 13, 2010

We have confirmation on the closing dates for Star Tours at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From the Disney Parks Blog:

A first look at a new droid, R2-MK, with Jedi Mickey can only mean that “Star Wars Weekends” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is around the corner. But today, were looking even further ahead in the galaxy to the “reimagining” of Star Tours at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. Scheduled to open in 2011, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney once again will combine to create an all-new Star Tours. When it reopens, it’ll feature a new 3-D, immersive experience that’ll take guests to familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy. To prepare for the reopening, Star Tours will close at Disneyland Park on July 27 and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 8.

If you’d you like to take a last daily express ride to Endor, make your plans to visit the parks before the closing dates. And as we announced last week, there will be a special “Last Tour to Endor” party on August 14 during “Star Wars Celebration V” in Orlando. For more information about “Star Wars Celebration V” and to purchase tickets, check out www.starwarscelebration.com.

R2-MK and Star Tours Closing Dates Confirmed

WDWNT on May 13, 2010

R2-MK is coming to the parks as we reported, but we also have confirmation on the closing dates for Star Tours at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From the Disney Parks Blog:

A first look at a new droid, R2-MK, with Jedi Mickey can only mean that “Star Wars Weekends” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is around the corner. But today, were looking even further ahead in the galaxy to the “reimagining” of Star Tours at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. Scheduled to open in 2011, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney once again will combine to create an all-new Star Tours. When it reopens, it’ll feature a new 3-D, immersive experience that’ll take guests to familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy. To prepare for the reopening, Star Tours will close at Disneyland Park on July 27 and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 8.

If you’d you like to take a last daily express ride to Endor, make your plans to visit the parks before the closing dates. And as we announced last week, there will be a special “Last Tour to Endor” party on August 14 during “Star Wars Celebration V” in Orlando. For more information about “Star Wars Celebration V” and to purchase tickets, check out www.starwarscelebration.com.

Star Wars Weekends 2010 Merchandise

WDWNT on May 12, 2010

Here’s a look at the Star Wars Weekends exclusive merchandise that will be available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning May 21st:

As usual, a collection of Star Wars Weekends inspired pins will be released as well. You can view the entire collection here or listen to in-depth coverage of the pin line-up on episode 111 of The Disney Pincast

“Summer Nightastic!” Debuts Early!

WDWNT on May 8, 2010

According to park schedules released by Disney, “The Main Street Electrical Parade” and the “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular” should be debuting early. The parade and fireworks are set to begin one night earlier than expected on Saturday, June 5th, with Electrical Parade at 9PM and the Fireworks Spectacular at 10PM. For those who wish to catch Spectromagic and Wishes! one more time before they “glow” away for the Summer, you can see them on June 4th at 9PM and 10PM respectively.

A strange note: the only night of “Summer Nightastic!” that is not scheduled to feature a Main Street Electrical Parade performance is Wednesday, June 9th. Other than that, the parade is set to perform every night through August 14th at 9PM (except 4th of July weekend where it will perform at 10:30PM).

For anyone who were afraid that Spectromagic or Wishes! might not return on time, fear not. Both are scheduled to return right on time August 15th. As usual, all of these dates and times are subject to change, but this is what Disney is saying at the moment.

Marvel Merchandise Invades

WDWNT on May 7, 2010

From the OC Register

The Disneyland Resort is adding Marvel merchandise to its shelves — the first time that Marvel has appeared at the Anaheim property since Disney bought the comic-book powerhouse late last year.

The merchandise additions come as “Iron Man 2″ is set to open in theaters Friday (today), marking the first major Marvel movie release since the $4.3 billion acquisition was finalized Dec. 31.

For now, Disney is only selling the Marvel merchandise at D Street, a Downtown Disney store that offers edgier Disney products and other brands, including movie and rock-band T-shirts. The Marvel shirts are from the Junk Food label, which specializes in vintage and pop-culture designs. So, the D Street location is a “great place” to feature these kinds of products, said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

Disneyland officials have yet to determine if Marvel products will be sold elsewhere, including within the theme parks, Sanchez said.

One theme-park expert — David Cobb, the creative director at Thinkwell Design and Production in Burbank — predicted that merchandise would be among the first Marvel additions to the theme parks when Disney announced the purchase plans in August. Read the full story about Marvel and Disney theme parks HERE.

D Street displays Marvel T-shirts, with designs including Iron Man, Spider-Man and superheroes, as well as action figures, according to the Disney merchandise website.

Disney is expected to profit between $200 million to $300 million from the release of “Iron Man 2,” according to Reuters.

Disney Gallery Celebrates Disneyland’s 55th Anniversary

WDWNT on May 5, 2010

From Art of Disney Parks:


DAY ONE DISNEYLAND

Original Inspirations for “The Happiest Place on Earth”

Art Exhibit Opens – May 22, 2010

Join us as we unveil the new 55th Anniversary themed exhibit at The Disney Gallery which will showcase original inspirations for The Happiest Place on Earth. This new exhibit will capture your imagination while it takes you on a visual journey back in time.

The Disney Gallery will also offer a selection of
55th Anniversary inspired original art, giclees and deluxe prints by Walt Disney Imagineers and Disney inspired artists as Steve Adams, Charles Boyer, Jim Crouch, Jeremy Fulton, Larry
Nikolai, Noah, Maggie Parr, Jimmy Pickering, George Scribner, Mark Seppala
and Yakovetic.  Please continue to watch for more information
regarding a special product release & signing with these artists on
from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in The Disney Gallery.


Steve Adams

Main Street, U.S.A. Horse-Drawn
Streetcars

Original –Acrylic/Colored Pencils – $3,600

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $tbd

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Tink Over Castle with Fireworks

Original –Acrylic/Colored Pencil – $3,100

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $
tbd
Deluxe Print – Open Edition –
$35

Charles Boyer & Bruce Boyer


Disneyland park, 55th Anniversary


Original – Oil Paint – $19,500

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $495

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35


Jim Crouch


Image will be available shortly


Title TBD


Original – Oils – $TBD

Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD


Find out more about Jim Crouch


Jeremy Fulton

Fantasyland

Original – Ink & Paint- $2,000

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
Jeremy Fulton

Main Street, U.S.A.

Original – Ink & Paint – $2,000

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Jeremy
Fulton


Larry Nikolai


Welcome to Fantasyland


Original – Acrylic on Masonite Board – $5,850

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $400

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Larry Nikolai


Noah


Image Will Be Available Shortly


Title TBD


Original – Acrylic on Linen and Board – $TBD

Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD

Find out more about Noah


Maggie Parr

Dare to Dream

Original – Oil on Canvas – $5,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $650
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
Maggie Parr

Welcome Aboard

Original – Oil on Canvas – $4,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $795
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Maggie Parr


Jimmy Pickering


Disneyland 55

Original – $2,800
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Jimmy Pickering


George Scribner


6 pm Stage, Disneyland park 1955

Original – Oil on Canvas – $5,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $375
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Horse Drawn Wonder

Original – Oil – $1,500
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $300
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
George Scribner

Follow Me

Original – Oil – $1,500
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $300
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
George Scribner


Mark Seppala


Fantasyland Grape Juice Bar Mural

Original -Acrylic – $TBD
Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD


Yakovetic

Opening Day

Original – Oil on Wood Panel – $7,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Yakovetic

Jingles

Original – Oil on Wood Panel – $8,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Yakovetic

*****************************************

Merchandise available while supplies last. Information subject to change without notice.  Separate
admission is required to enter Disneyland Resort theme parks.

You’ll Be Looking for Droids at Star Wars Weekends

WDWNT on May 3, 2010

We were quite excited to tell you that Jedi Mickey Mouse would get his own astromech droid companion in the form of toys, pins, and more a few weeks ago, but R2-MK may be doing a bit more at Star Wars Weekends 2010. He may actually be appearing. Rumors indicate that a “walk-around” living character of R2-MK will be making appearances with Jedi Mickey at Star Wars Weekends this year. While this is just a rumor at this point, we have been hearing rumblings that the character is backstage at Walt Disney World and should appear when Star Wars Weekends begin at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 21st. Star Wars Weekends events then run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Studios until June 13th.

“Lots” More Changes to California Adventure

WDWNT on April 29, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

More big news to share today…a new game with new faces is being added to Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of the celebration of the soon-to-be-released Disney*Pixar film, “Toy Story 3.” We’re also introducing a new character that you’ll have a chance to see and greet at both locations –- and it’s all happening in May.

The new Toy Story Mania! game, called “Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts,” will involve shooting virtual darts at all new balloon targets in a primeval world filled with volcanoes and lava balloons. You’ll be cheered on by Rex (the nervous Tyrannosaurus rex) and his new friend Trixie (a blue Triceratops, one of the toy characters from the new film) beginning in late May. Walt Disney Imagineering has also added some hidden surprises to the game that will be replacing “Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop.”

And starting May 9, you’ll also get a chance to see “Lotso” (short for Lots-O’-Huggin Bear) at both parks. He’ll be greeting Guests in the meet-and-greet area inside The Magic of Disney Animation and be part of the “Block Party Bash” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new character will also join “Disney’s Pixar Play Parade” at Disney’s California Adventure and guests will be able to pose alongside the “Toy Story” gang inside a life-sized “blister pack” as if they themselves are toys.