Trade City USA

WDWNT on June 30, 2009

Even though the 2009 pin celebration, The Museum of Pintiquities was just last weekend, Disney didn’t waste any time in announcing next year’s pin celebration, Trade City USA. From the What’s HapPINing blog on DisneyPins.com:

One of the highlights was the announcement of Disney Pin Celebration 2010. The theme next year is Trade City, U.S.A.. Steven invited all long time and new residents of “Trade City” to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the city. He also explained that Trade City is an eclectic city (a cross between Radiator Springs and Main Street, U.S.A.®). The city is nestled in Trading Valley and features some amazing sites to see such as the world’s largest Ear Hat, world’s largest backer card and the world’s longest lanyard. The whole city is themed around trading. While the event will take place during the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Disney Pin Trading, the pins will be a mixture of things not necessarily related to the 10th Anniversary. Below is the logo created by Alex Maher and Tyler Dumas from Disney Design Group.

Steven said they haven’t finalized the date yet for this event but they are seriously considering mid-August (after the seasonal Passholder block-out date expires). He said to keep watching DisneyPins.com in a few weeks for that official date. He also mentioned that in the coming months Guests should look for road/traffic sign icons buried on various places on DisneyPins.com. When you click on the image, it will unlock a behind-the-scenes look at this event (similar to the “Find The Keys” campaign that was done for Disney Pin Celebration 2009).

Be sure to tune in to the only podcast dedicated to Disney Pin Trading, The Disney Pincast, in the coming months for information on Trade City USA.

Disney Castles (and Presidents) Are Ready for the NBA Finals

WDWNT on June 6, 2009

Disney has released a press video featuring the friendly wager between the Walt Disney World and Disneyland presidents over the NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Magic:

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Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom was illuminated June 4, 2009 in Orlando Magic team colors to support the local NBA franchise’s appearance in the 2009 NBA Finals. In California, Disneyland park illuminated Sleeping Beauty Castle in Los Angeles Lakers colors to show support for its local team. (Preston Mack, photographer)

Disney Parks Merchandise Comes to the Disney Store Online

WDWNT on May 13, 2009

As of today, Disneystore.com (formerly Disneyshopping.com before a quick name change took place just a few days ago) is now offering a large assortment of merchandise from the U.S. Disney Parks:

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Mickey and the gang welcome you to “Bring the Magic Home with You” through the Disney Store website

Among the Walt Disney World and Disneyland merchandise available are Mickey Mouse ear hats, character autograph books, photo albums, toys (including the monorail playset and some of its accessories), apparel, snowglobes, big figures, small statues, home decor, and much more. You can start shopping right now at this link.

Official Details Ahoy!!!

WDWNT on May 5, 2009

The Walt Disney World Resort website now has a page dedicated to the upcoming Pirates League in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. Here is the info provided from Disneyworld.com:

Transform yerself from a land lubber into a true buccaneer! Captain Jack Sparrow is looking for pirates of all ages to join the crew of the Black Pearl. Starting June 29, 2009, visit their “secret” recruiting center in the Magic Kingdom Park. Jack’s crew has pillaged the East India Trading Company’s office in Adventureland, loading it up with plundered booty to create The Pirates League, where you can get yerself a whole new identity complete with name, look and pirate portrait!

It’s a Pirate’s Life for You!

Ahoy, mateys! Begin your piratical transformation when you receive your Official Pirate Name as recorded from the leather-bound captain’s log. Next, stop by the Muster Station and leave your old self behind as the Pirate Masters perform a marauder’s makeover. Hear the ways of the scurvy sea dogs as they apply yer buccaneer beard, scars, earrings and eye patches. Or even be ye a boney pirate and wear your skeleton on yer skin!

Once you have fully transformed, enter the Secret Room where your Pirate Portrait is taken for posterity and the Pirate Masters reveal their hidden treasure.

But the fun is just beginning. With your new pirate identity and map case folder, hoist yer colors and embark on a challenge in Adventureland that will shiver yer timbers!

Choose a Package

The Pirates League offers 3 packages—”The First Mate Package,” “The Empress Package” and “The Captain’s Package”. All packages include a sword and sheath, earring and eye patch, tattoo, exclusive pirate coin necklace, map case folder, and a personalized pirate oath!

The First Mate Package at $49.95 plus tax includes:

Bandana (reversible)
Choice of Facial Effect look: Cursed Pirate, Captain Hook or Captain Jack
Fake Teeth
One (1) 5×7 picture

Empress Package at $49.95 plus tax includes:

Bandana (reversible)
Shimmering Makeup Makeover
Face Gem
Nail Polish
One (1) 5×7 picture
Additional pirate costumes for this package are available for purchase at The Pirates League.

The Captains Package at $124.95 plus tax includes:

Choice of pirate costume
Choice of Facial Effect look: Cursed Pirate, Captain Hook or Captain Jack
Fake Teeth
Three (3) 5″ x 7″ pictures
Make Your Reservations

For ages 3 and up. Starting May 11, 2009, The Pirates League is accepting reservations when you call (407) WDW-CREW (939-2739). Theme park admission required. Open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Join the crew—it’s a pirate’s life for you!

Mickey Monsters Inc.

WDWNT on April 24, 2009

From the What’s HapPINing blog on Disneypins.com:

In other news, we mentioned we would be discussing Mickey Monsters this week. Guests who attended Disney Pin Trading Night last Friday at Walt Disney World® Resort had a first look at these new plush. We recently spoke with Denise Edelmaier, Product Developer for Dolls and Plush, and Wei Liu from the Development Team about these new creatures.

Mickey Monsters Logo

“The basic story is that the Mickey Monsters are visiting the Disney Parks,” said Denise. “They try to blend in by disguising themselves as Mickey and a host of other characters that they encounter on their visit.”

Series 1 will have six different Mickey Monsters, each with their own name, personality and story (which will be told on each hang tag). Each plush will retail for $12.95.

Wei shared with us some awesome photos of these new monsters.

Cheeky Bubbles
Cheeky Bubbles loves to ride rides. The faster the better! Most of all he likes to ride with his best friend Ralf, because everything is always better with your best friend.

Ralf
Ralf doesn’t talk very much. He leaves all the talking to his best friend Cheeky Bubbles. That gives Ralf more time to eat. If you like to eat, Ralf will be your best friend too.

Murff
Murff likes hot chocolate. If you give Murff hot chocolate he will be your best friend – at least until the mug is empty. Then he will throw a fit. Don’t forget to add marshmallows. Murff loves them.

Eeku
Eeku loves ninja movies. He also loves to have his picture taken. When he sees a fun family having their photo taken, he uses his stealth to find his way into the picture.

Ogg
Ogg likes to visit the parks. He loves to go on rides. Ogg also likes to eat hot dogs and ice cream – together! But after he goes on the rides – not before.”

Keeti
Keeti likes to dress up. She is always trying to fit in. Sometimes it works – sometimes not. If you play dress up with Keeti she will love you forever. Her sash says, “I’m beautiful.”

The Mickey Monsters were designed by Disney Design Group Artists. We spoke with Monty Maldovan from Disney Design Group about them.

“We wanted to created something that everyone, especially kids, could enjoy,” said Monty. “These Mickey Monsters are fun and allow us to showcase our storytelling abilities. After all, Disney is known for fun and great storytelling.”

Monty designed Cheeky Bubbles and Ralf while Tyler Dumas designed Keeti and Murf.

These plush will be coming to select locations at the Disneyland® Resort in July 2009. The plush will arrive at Walt Disney World® in August 2009.

By this point you may be wondering why new plush are appearing on DisneyPins.com. Anyone care to guess if you’ll see these new characters as Disney pins? We asked Julie Young, Product Developer for Open Edition pins and Accessories.

“I love Mickey Monsters,” exclaimed Julie! “They are going to make phenomenal pins. Look for them in November 2009. Each Mickey Monster pin will be on a custom backer card that carries forth the story found on the plush.”

We can’t wait, too!

More Details on the Pirates League

WDWNT on April 23, 2009

Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel has more details on the “Pirates League” coming to Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom this summer, including pricing, an opening date, and when you can start making reservations:

The new Pirates League will try to do for buccaneers what the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has done for little princesses at Disney World.

The attraction, which will open at Magic Kingdom theme park June 29, will perform swashbuckling makeovers. Participants will receive pirate names before receiving a variety of accessories, including beards, eye patches, scarves, scars, earrings and gold teeth. These will be applied by a “veteran pirate” with sea-sailing tales.

After taking a sacred oath and an official portrait, guests will be part of Jack Sparrow’s gang.

There will be three pirate packages.

+ First Mate Package ($49.95): bandana, choice of facial effects, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, 5×7 photo and a “personalized pirate oath.”

+ Empress Package ($49.95): bandana, “shimmering” makeup, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, 5×7 photo and a “personalized pirate oath.”

+ Captains Package ($124.95): choice of costume, facial effects, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, three 5×7 photos and the personalized oath.

The League will be located in the area between the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and the Pirates Merchandise shop. (Disney says this is currently backstage territory.)

But hang tight, mateys: Reservations cannot be made until May 11.