Downtown Stage Construction
WDWNT Photographer Steve Wieczorek provides us with construction pictures of the new stage at the Downtown Disney Marketplace:
10 Years of the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
Jose Eber has sent us a few great photos of the Gingerbread House inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort which is just about ready for the rush of customers who will be buying treats from inside it this year:
Donald Duck is opening a present above this window
Hard to believe it has been ten years since it was first constructed
Jose Eber’s 11/15/08 WDW Photo Report
Here is another fantastic photo (and video) report by WDWNT Photographer Jose Eber from his latest trip to the world:
Refurbishments on the Fantasyland facades has now moved on to Pinnocchio’s Village Haus
Work is now 100% complete on the new Liberty Square Bridge, no more work in the waterways
Christmas has now taken over Main Street U.S.A.
Tinker Bell movie merchandise has taken over some of the windows
This window that was full of Year of a Million Dreams merchandise has been changed, the first piece of the celebration to disappear with just about a month and a half left in it.
Fresh paint going on another facade on Main Street
Moving over to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Contempo Cafe is now open
Here’s a video of the Cafe (boy is it loud on that floor now)
The Holiday napkins have arrived
New promotion, similar bag… 🙁
Continuing construction on the Bay Lake Tower addition
An arial view of the bridge
The lesser seen side of the Bay Lake Tower
Click the above image for a larger version
Here’s a video of the construction on the Bay Lake Tower Jose has taken
Chocolate Advent character with some awesome artwork
Same can be said for these holiday cards
We’ll end this report by looking at this cool recordable gift card holder, again featuring that artwork we love so much
Thanks for the update Jose!!!
BREAKING NEWS: Disney Inks Huge Deal with Verizon Wireless
This just in from the Walt Disney World Resort:
November 12, 2008 – Marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Verizon are teaming up for a multi-year relationship designed to enhance the guest experience – before, during and after guests arrive at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. This alignment allows guests to have a personal tour guide right in their wireless phones along with reliable new services at the parks. Early next year guests will also use Verizon Wireless’ technology when experiencing Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction coming to Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort.
“With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Imagine receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom.”
Beginning next year, guests will be able to access an array of features on their Verizon Wireless phones while at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort to help them make the most of their Disney experiences. Planned services include an exclusive mobile application that will give guests with Verizon Wireless service the ability to easily locate shows, restaurants and the Disney characters anywhere inside the Parks; get real-time attraction availability information; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more. Verizon Wireless is also continuing to invest in its wireless network from coast to coast, and the relationship with Disney means the wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the Parks.
John Harrobin, senior vice president of digital media and marketing for Verizon, said, “All of our efforts focus on one goal: making the Disney experience even better for our customers. There are few life experiences that are more memorable than visiting a Disney Park, and now guests with Verizon Wireless service will unlock even more magic from their visit – by navigating the Parks easier and faster with instant access to key information such as ‘Where’s Mickey now?’ and other special features – even when they travel home and share their experiences with family and friends.”
In addition, guests visiting Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort in early 2009 will be among the first to experience Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. An ultra-interactive attraction, Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites guests of all ages to team up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions. Armed with an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator,” guests will use these handheld devices to help maneuver through the mission. The interactive wireless theme park game was inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy® Award-winning animated series, “Kim Possible.”
While Verizon Wireless customers will have exclusive access to an array of enhanced features, Disney and Verizon are also working to ensure that some mobile information such as dining locations, show times and locations will be available to all Parks visitors, regardless of their wireless company.
Additional details will be available next year as the companies expect to add a suite of services and functionalities to help guests at Disney Parks have the most magical experience. For more information about Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, visit www.disney.com. For more information about Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.
Disney Parks and Resorts – Taking Guests to New Frontiers
The agreement between Disney and Verizon is another step in a series of new initiatives that highlight the latest technologies from Disney Parks and Resorts with a continued focus on improving guest experience and providing immersive entertainment. Disney Parks and Resorts continue to exemplify how technologies can be used to build new connections and redefine how guests plan and enjoy their vacations. From the time guests begin planning their vacation using Walt Disney World Resort in 3D on Google Earth or tuning into Disney Travel on Demand, the experience is designed to make their lives easier. Guests can take their vacation experience to a new level with Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an interactive wireless theme park game for families, and by personalizing and sharing their Disney experiences when they return home, using DisneyLink, a desktop application.
Now I can’t say we haven’t discussed some of these ideas for a while, but we weren’t always expecting Disney to align with Verizon for this content. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on this breaking news.
Disney’s Pin Celebration Will Be Out For Summer
In a shocking turn, the 2009 “Disney’s Pin Celebration – The Museum of Pin-tiquities” event will be held at Epcot from June 26th through the 28th. This is a departure from the usual time the event is held, which has been every September since 2002. The only time this event was held in a different month was back in 2001, the event was held in August that year. While we are not sure why this very sudden decision was made, be sure to stay tuned to our Disney pin-focused podcast, The Disney Pincast, for more information on this event as it becomes available.
Thanks to Pincast listener Jon Pleszewski for sending in the news!!!
World of Disney New York Moving in 2010
Some Disney related news coming out of New York today, the Walt Disney World Company owned World of Disney Store in New York City may be on its way off of Fifth Avenue:
Walt Disney Co. announced Friday that it will not renew its lease for its World of Disney store at 711 Fifth Ave. when it expires in 2010 because of hefty rent increases.
The entertainment conglomerate notified its 220 store employees, called “cast members,” Thursday and Friday that it will be leaving its current 36,000-square-foot space, Disney’s only Manhattan location.
“The Disney Stores are going to be reviewing other potential locations in the Manhattan retail market,” said spokesperson John Nicoletti.
Speculation abounds for the company’s Big Apple relocation. Some in the real estate industry expect Disney to move to an even more tourist-laden area like SoHo or Times Square. The company formerly operated a retail store on 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, a space which has since become a Champs store.
5/9/08 Walt Disney World Update
WDWNT was at the Walt Disney World Resort the weekend of May 9th, & as usual, we snapped some lovely pictures. Here are a few of them:
Here’s the Build Your Own Lightsaber stand at the Once Upon a Toy store in Downtown Disney.
A look inside the newly refurbished Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney.
A look at the track layout for Toy Story Midway Mania.
Taking Pin Traders to School
Registration for the 2008 Disney Pin Celebration at Epcot will open promptly at 2pm EST on May 7, 2008 through Disneypins.com. This year’s event is called “Pin Trading University” with a large catalogue of pins themed to school classes, clubs, and more. There is even a discount for those who register on May 7, where attendees would pay $100.00, rather than the regular price of $115.00, Here are all the details:
Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 – Pin Trading University
September 5-7, 2008
Epcot® – World ShowPlace————————————————–
*Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 is a private, hard-ticket event that will be held in Epcot® during regular park hours. Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of event admission, but is required for attendance. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, dates, times, artwork, release dates, edition sizes and retail prices.
*Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 is a private, hard-ticket event that will be held in Epcot® during regular park hours. Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of event admission, but is required for attendance. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, dates, times, artwork, release dates, edition sizes and retail prices.
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Graduate with highest trading honors at Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 – Pin Trading University. This three-day, Disney Pin event will be held September 5-7, 2008 at Epcot® – World ShowPlace.
Recall your school days with a “superlative” collection of Disney pins created especially for this event. Students will also enjoy games and activities, plenty of pin trading opportunities and “A Live Auction” presented by the drama club. Don’t forget to bring your No. 2 pins as Trading Class 101 begins at 9:30 sharp!
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CLASS REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 7, 2008 (2:00 p.m. Eastern)
Event admission is $115.00 per Guest
**See below for special early booking discount**
(Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of
event admission, but is required for attendance)EVENT ADMISSION INCLUDES:
- Opportunity to pre-purchase limited edition pins designed especially for this event.
- “Purchase with Purchase” pin promotion for event Guests only featuring exclusive pins.
- Trading activities and games at World ShowPlace located at Epcot®.
- Limited edition commemorative gifts.
- Live and silent auctions of pre-production pins, artist proof pins and more.
- “First Trading Opportunity” to collect brand new Hidden Mickey pins.
- Opportunity to meet Disney Pin Partners from The Walt Disney Company.
- Two (2) $15 Gift Cards redeemable at Epcot® Food and Beverage locations.
- Plus extra special surprises throughout the event.
EARLY REGISTRATION PIN:
Guests that register for this event by June 7, 2008 will received one (1) limited edition early registration pin. The edition size of this pin will be determined once early registration has been completed on June 7, 2008.EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT:
Guests that register for this event by July 7, 2008 will receive an early booking discount. The early booking admission for this event will be $100.00 per Guest. After July 7, 2008, the event admission will be $115.00 per Guest. Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of event admission, but is required for attendance.————————————————–
SPECIALLY DESIGNED DISNEY PINS:
Four specially designed limited edition pin collections have been created for Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008.
- “Most Likely To…” – Pin Trading University is home to a diverse group of students, each with their own talents and interests.
- Clubs – Students attending Pin Trading University find time to involve themselves in social clubs of varying interests.
- Role Call – PTU’s student body ranges from mice to monsters, princesses to aliens. It is through this diversity that Pin Trading University achieves its success.
- Class Schedule – Pin Trading University’s curriculum stands among the best in the world of academics.
To see all of the pins being released at the event, go HERE.
Haunted Mansion Pin Releases This Friday
Quickly becoming a worthy news headline is the release of 8 Haunted Mansion pins on Friday April 18, 2008 that will be available individually, in a packaged collectors set, and in a framed set. While these pins were initially released and caused a buzz among Disney Pin Traders a few months ago, the release location and information for these pins have changed three times in the last month. After the release of a single Haunted Mansion pin in January (limited edition of 500 pin featuring a skeletal Master Gracey reaching from the grave) caused quite a ruckus at the Magic Kingdom, it seems Disney is re-evaluating how to handle these larger releases of pins pertaining to the Haunted Mansion. If you’re wondering why this is, well, it’s because any pin featuring The Haunted Mansion attraction is extremely desirable by most pin traders. Anyway, getting back to the realease this Friday; Disney has now changed the release and wristband distribution location for this collection to Downtown Disney’s Pin Traders store. Here is the new release information disneypins.com had today:
 We have some important information to share regarding the upcoming pin release for The Haunted Mansion® on April 18. Based on Guest feedback and to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all Guests, we have moved the release location for this collection to Disney’s Pin Traders located at the Downtown Disney® Marketplace.
Here are the revised wristband distribution guidelines for this release:
Wristbands will be distributed entitling bearers to the opportunity to purchase limited edition pins released in association with The Haunted Mansion® Pin release. Wristbands for pins will be distributed at the entrance to Disney’s Pin Traders near the Pin Trading Table area starting at 9:00 a.m. Disney’s Pin Traders will open at 9:30 a.m. Wristbands will be distributed while supplies last.Holding a place in line for others in your party will not be allowed. Guests who wish to obtain a wristband to purchase a pin must be present when the line forms or they will be escorted to the back of the line. The queue for Guests will start at 6:00 a.m. at the entrance to Disney’s Pin Traders near the Pin Trading Table area. We kindly ask that Guests do not queue in that area prior to 6:00 a.m. Overnight queues will not be permitted.
Wristbands will be valid for the purchase of the pins at Disney’s Pin Traders until 12:00 p.m. on the day of distribution. Wristbands are limited. At 12:00 p.m., any remaining pins will be available for purchase at Disney’s Pin Traders location by persons who have not previously purchased the pin(s) on the day of release. Lost, stolen or damaged wristbands will not be replaced. Wristbands have no cash value. Restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice.
While those of you either new to or could care less about Disney Pin Trading, you may be a little shocked at this process and the fact that a number of people will be sitting outside this store at 6am. Well, “consider this dismaying observation”, this was actually a regular occurrence in the early days of pin trading at both the Disney Parks and Disney Stores. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we hope to provide coverage of what we hope will be a smooth pin release this Friday at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Pin Trading News
For those of you interested in Disney Pin Trading, there may soon be a lot less to collect. It appears that the same pins are now being made for both WDW and Disneyland. This process started with open edition pins recently, with all of the same Valentine’s day, Chip and Dale, Soarin’, etc. pins being released at both resorts. This method even includes many upcoming Limited Edition pins commemorating Walt Disney Day, National Hug Day, Groundhog Day, Peter Pan’s 55th anniversary, Chinese New Year  and Marti Gras. This is perhaps another step in singular branding for Disney Parks, or it may just be signs of less creativity is Disney merchandising.