Several 2015 Orlando Events Announced by D23

WDWNT on April 13, 2015

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has announced additional special member events in the Orlando area, adding even more exclusive experiences for fans in Central Florida. Hot on the heels of a D23 Member-exclusive screening of Walt Disney Studios’ live-action Cinderella, the fan club is slated to bring more magic to the Walt Disney World Resort area throughout the rest of 2015, including—for the first time—intimate events celebrating classic Disney films similar to what members enjoy at The Walt Disney Studios lot with guest speakers, screenings, and other surprises.

D23_Logo_Stack-Lg

WAKING UP WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY: On the morning of Saturday, April 18, D23 Gold and Silver Members will be able to enjoy this animated classic on the big screen. Special guest, animator and Walt Disney World Creative Designer Lon Smart, will explore the film’s numerous landmark achievements including its unique artistic style and groundbreaking visual effects. Plus, all members will receive a special journal designed to look like the ornate storybook at the beginning of the film.

LET’S GET TOGETHER WITH THE PARENT TRAP: Celebrate this beloved film—starring Hayley Mills in dual roles—with D23 as we present the 1961 hit on the big screen Saturday, June 6. D23’s Steven Vagnini will present a look at the making of the movie with rarely seen photographs and imagery. All attendees will receive a special gift. Plus, guests who attend the screening will receive priority admission on that day to D23’s shopping event with Mickey’s of Glendale.

MICKEY’S OF GLENDALE ORLANDO SHOPPING EVENTS: The Walt Disney Imagineering store is opening up a pop-up shop for D23 Gold and Silver Members. On Saturday, June 6, guests will be able to peruse and purchase signature items from the store’s unique collection. And on Saturday, November 14, members will be able to pick up some key holiday gift items for the Disney fans in their lives—and for themselves.

SIP AND STROLL: D23 brings a new twist to a fan favorite, as members gather in celebration of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival on Saturday, October 3. Attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, guest speakers, and an insider look at this annual event, now in its 20th year, before sipping and strolling around World Showcase—with some delectable surprises.

 

Calendar (all events and dates are subject to change):

  • April 18: Waking Up with Sleeping Beauty—AMC Downtown Disney 24, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
  • June 6: Let’s Get Together With The Parent Trap—AMC Downtown Disney 24, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
  • June 6: Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event—Location TBA, Walt Disney World Resort
  • October 3: Sip and Stroll—Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Fla.
  • November 14: Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event—Location TBA, Walt Disney World Resort

New Disney Parks Collection PANDORA Jewelry Coming in March 2015

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

Some new charms items from the Disney Parks Collection | PANDORA, will launch in multiple merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts on March 12. The new charms will join the previously released jewelry collection that features hand-finished .925 sterling silver and 14K gold charms inspired by some of Disney’s most beloved characters and icons. Here’s a preview of some new items created especially for Disney Parks.

cidcid386411-613x519

Two charms will be released that were inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park and Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. These sterling silver dangle charms, which make great keepsakes, feature the resort destination name on the bottom of each castle.

cidcid360992-613x580

This spring collection will also include a sterling silver and teal enamel charm featuring Mickey’s Fun Wheel from Disney California Adventure park. A popular charm, however, is a sleek sterling silver geometric sphere that resembles Spaceship Earth with a monorail from Epcot.

cidcid736993-613x406

Guests should also look for a Minnie Mouse charm that is similar to the “Mickey Mania” charm released last fall. The sterling silver openwork “Minnie Mania” charm has colorful red, light yellow, black and white enamel details.

cidcid589224-613x613

Black and red enamel Mickey and Minnie Mouse icons are also pictured on a sterling silver safety chain with enamel hearts. For those who may not be familiar with a safety chain, it’s a stylish and practical way to keep your charms secure on your PANDORA bracelet. To use, simply thread one end on the bracelet first, add your charms and then thread the other side of the safety chain on the end of the bracelet to secure.

cidcid653965

The best places at Disney Parks to find PANDORA jewelry are at La Mascarade d’Orleans in New Orleans Square in Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort, and at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests will also find an additional jewelry charm designs from the spring 2015 Disney | PANDORA Jewelry Collection at select Disney Parks merchandise locations and at PANDORA stores throughout North America.

Select charms will also be offered on the Disney Parks online store at http://www.DisneyStore.com/PANDORA.

New Cinderella Coach Popcorn Bucket Coming to Disney Parks

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

Just in time for the release of Disney’s live-action film Cinderella in March, a new premium popcorn bucket in the shape of Cinderella’s royal coach is coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

CPCB7502741-613x345

This specialty souvenir will also be available at the Disneyland Resort later this spring.

Since it looks like Fairy Godmother has turned a popcorn scoop into Cinderella’s carriage, you’ll never have to worry about being late to the ball, because now you can take your royal coach with you.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!

PHOTOS: Star Wars Weekends Merchandise Event Announced, First Items Previewed

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

9317459f1p0 Cover

Similar to last year’s Rebel Rendezvous event, Disney will be holiding a special merchandise event on the day before Star Wars Weekends 2015 kicks off at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The “Galactic Gathering” is happening on May 14th, 2015 from 10AM until 3PM, costs $250 for registration, and includes:

  • ‘Rebel’ or ‘Empire’ retail MagicBand (Guests can choose their side when registering online)*
  • Commemorative trading pin*
  • Darth’s Mall Light Speed Pass which gives expedited entry into Darth’s Mall for all five weekends.*
  • First opportunity to pre-purchase select merchandise including personalized Aurebesh nametags, D-Tech phone cases, Dooney & Bourke handbags, Galactic Gathering Disney Gift card, retail MagicBands, limited edition pins and Vinylmation.
  • First opportunity to purchase the new designs of Star Wars-themed Disney Gift Cards.
  • Han Solo-inspired popcorn bucket with popcorn.

Registration will begin on March 4 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on http://www.DisneyParksMerchandise.com.

The only item exclusive to attendees (provided items do not sell out at this event before general public gets toshop the next day) is a pin with the event logo. Everything, including the Han solo popcorn bucket, will be available starting on the 15th at Darth’s Mall.

Here’s a look at the 2015 merchandise previewed today:

SWGG740162

2015 Event Pins

SWGG740163

Event pin mystery set

SWGG740164

Vinylmation, toys, and Galactic Gathering event exclusive pin

SWGG740165

New Star Wars Disney character medium figs

Disney also confirmed that there will be new D-Tech Me offerings including a Jedi Knight and a TIE Fighter Pilot.

Disney Reveals 32 Attraction T-Shirts for March Magic

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

MM_Ghouls

Disney has given us our first look at the official logos for the teams that are competing in “The March Magic Tournament.” Each of these team logos will be represented on their own t-shirt and you will be able to purchase them at DisneyStore.com beginning Monday, March 16th.

Once again, Disney Parks is letting you vote on your favorite attraction! Here are the tourney deets: starting Monday, March 16, fans will have the chance to choose their favorite teams inspired by Disney Parks attractions. Voting and results for this winner-takes-all competition will be displayed on the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Facebook pages. In the end, the final two teams (one from each coast) will battle to determine the ultimate attraction all-star. The field is set, here are the contenders:

March-Magic-Bracket

The best part? Disney Parks will be making t-shirt versions of each of the attraction logos allowing you to really show off your Disney Spirit Side! You can only buy the shirts if the matching attraction is still in the running, so this week is the only chance to buy all 32! (They will be available at DisneyStore.com starting Monday, March 16.)

Source: Disney.com

MM_Bellhops MM_Blast MM_BoomMM_Cannon MM_Dino MM_Dragons MM_Dream MM_Drive MM_Electricity MM_Elephant MM_Galleons MM_Ghouls MM_Headhunters MM_Maestros MM_Maniacs MM_Mayhem MM_Rockers MM_Rumble MM_Sailors MM_Scream MM_Seven MM_Skygliders MM_Snowmen MM_Spectrum MM_Splash MM_Stars MM_Teacups MM_Temples MM_Tiki MM_TrooperMM_Velocity MM_Yeti

Tom Corless’ 1/30/15 Epcot Photo Report (Recalled Mug, Frozen, New Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

I visited Epcot on Sunday afternoon and have some newsworthy photos from my trip to share with you today:

 

Welcome to Epcot

The now-pulled Epcot Starbucks mug was on shelves when I visited Sunday

And it was never seen again…

A mug with a different color monorail will eventually be made

If you look closely, you can see construction vehicles out behind The Land at Epcot, rumor has it additional Soarin’ theaters may be constructed

The “healthy” food cart between The Land and Imagination! recently got a new menu

In Canada, the Lumberjack show is making some modifications for a log rolling act

The seating area from Brazil at the Food and Wine Festival was kept as a nice spot for guests to relax

The new group in Morocco was out as I passed by

Some walls are up in the gardens in Japan

New Disney villains pins recently were released

Also, this really neat Dug pin

The front section of the Puffin’s Roost, which was once the Frozen meet and greet, is once again shop space

No visible progress on the Frozen attraction

The future site if the Frozen meet and greet building

Walls up outside of the Mexico pavilion for some reason

Several new shirts can be found at MouseGear

This Minnie Mouse shirt was in the men’s section, which might be a first

Kid’s shirts

Several new iPhone 6 cases were released, all in new, slimmer packaging

The old packaging can still be found

Figment iPhone 5 case

I’m not certain, but these princess pillows looked new

 

A new popcorn bucket featuring Test Track is now available

No Vinylmation Day at 2015 WDW Trading Event GenEARation D np

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

Each year in September, Walt Disney World holds a weekend long, ticketed trading and merchandise event at the Epcot World Showplace. For years, it was pins only. Then, in 2010, they added Vinylmation to the the event. The following year, Vinylmation took over Sunday and was turned into its own ticked day. There will be no such day at the 2015 event titled GenEARation D.

GenEARationD_logoAccording to an official post on Disney’s Merchandise Blog:

The GenEARation D event will focus primarily on Disney Pin Trading. While you are welcome to bring Vinylmation figures to trade with other Guests, we will not be offering Vinylmation trading activities or selling Vinylmation figures at the event.

This is a huge and disturbing shift in the hobby. While many will rush to judgement and put the nail in the Vinylmation coffin, I’m not sure that death is eminent. This is however, very disappointing. With the lack of free trade nights at the parks, this was the one time of year, a large group of collectors, could really look forward to getting together and trading face to face. I will also miss the Vinylmation Talk that provided previews and months of content to discuss among the community. Many will miss the merchandise. I will not miss the trading with Cast Members at this particular event. I have said all along, that Vinylmation trading does not work the same way as pins, and that trade format for Vinylmation is just not as effective… as shown in the disinterest in standing in the lines for many attendees.

So what does this mean? That is a question we will be pondering online and on the Destination Vinylmation podcast for weeks to come, I assure you that. In short, I think this solidifies vinyls shift from its attempt to be the next “Pins” to being a boutique like art/souvenir item at the parks. Please leave your comments here in this post and we will share them on the next podcast.

Pins have made some significant changes as well including vouchers designating your number of trades and guaranteed pins that used to randomly placed on the boards. Read the entire Disney announcement here.

 

For all your Vinylmation news, please check out DestinationVinylmation.com.

Disney Charging $10 For Previously ‘Free’ Trade Night

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

In a post today on the Disney Merchandise Blog, Disney has announced a new Trade Night to be held at Walt Disney World on February 27th. Just one catch… you need to pre-register and pay a $10 registration fee. This Trade Night is one that would have previously been free. We brought this possibility up a few weeks ago on the Destination Vinylmation podcast. This is Disney basically asking us, “how badly do you desire a monthly trade night?” Here are the details from Disney:

Disney Trading Night at the Walt Disney World® Resort
February 27
Vera Cruz A, Disney’s Coronado Springs® Resort
Add to Your Calendar

We have been listening to your feedback and this year, we plan to host several Disney-sponsored trading opportunities at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. These events, which will include a nominal registration fee, will give attendees plenty of opportunities to trade with other pin traders.

So if you are you looking to meet avid and novice traders, make friends, or share stories about your collections, then trading night is the place for you! Disney Trading Night will take place February 27, 2015 from 6 – 9 p.m. at Vera Cruz A in Disney’s Coronado Springs® Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Reservations for the Trading Event are $10, per person. Limited to availability. No discount will be offered in conjunction with this package).

Here is the link to the article and the registration site.

Are you willing to put up $10 to have a place to trade with fellow collectors at an official Disney Trade Night?

WonderGround Art Gallery to Expand in Marketplace Co-Op This March, The Sign Shop Being Added

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

Last summer, the Marketplace Co-Op opened at Downtown Disney Marketplace in Florida. This flexible space location serves as a testing ground for new retail shop concepts, products and guest experiences. Shortly after it opened in June 2014, a small fixture was added that featured products from the WonderGround Gallery at Downtown Disney District in California. The WonderGround Gallerysectio of the store will be expanding beginning in early March 2015, into the space that formerly belonged to Beautifully Disney.

wonderground_logo

To celebrate this newest addition, you’re invited to attend a grand opening event on March 6-7. A few artists will be making appearances both days including Jasmine Beckett Griffith, Robert Jimenez and Jerrod Maruyama.

WGGDTD8575925-613x613

Moving into WonderGround Gallery’s former space is The Sign Shop, which will carry an assortment of Disney Parks-inspired signs similar to ones offered at Disney Centerpiece and at select Art of Disney locations. Some new items will be released including a Hollywood Tower Hotel sign by Disney Design Group Artist Richard Terpstra, a mermaid image by Tony Harris, and some unique photography pieces by Michael Lewis Glover (he will also be attending the grand opening weekend).

WGGDTD8575926-613x613

Make it to the Grand Opening event on March 6-7 if you can!