NOINDEX – Page 279 – WDWNT Archive

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 4/19/16 (Tower of Terror Bar, Carrot Cake Cookie Goes Home, Star Wars, ETC.)

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen and myself both visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week and have some newsworthy photos compiled to share with you from our two separate visits:

Fantasmic! has replaced Lights, Motors, Action! on the road entrance signage, while the Frozen sign has seen better days…

Reel Vogue now has a large selection of MARVEL merchandise leading up to Civil War

The projection towers and control booth for Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular are currently being constructed

The stores are trying something different, mixing pins in with displays for certain characters

Thought this new glass slipper pin was pretty cool

Spotted one of the new Star Wars attraction poster pins as well

There was no visible work on the Tower of Terror bar, which had me scared that maybe we were misinformed…

But then I found this behind the counter confirming that the desk had been cleared out so work could begin!

Even though Sunset Showcase is closed, a sign tells guests to check times guides…

New drawstring bag at Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

A new tank top as well

Another look at the projection towers going up in the center of the park

The second tower had not gone up yet

For some reason, all of the Star Wars banners around the park got a new look…

I found the rest of the Star Wars attraction poster pins at Tatooine Traders

For some reason, they closed the gate by the exit of Muppet Vision 3-D

One of the planet lights is now down at Pizza Planet, the last few pieces of the old theme should be gone shortly

New DHS luggage tag

Also, a new fleece throw

You can still walk through the gate, but it is closed, probably to push guests towards the gift shop

Hard to see, but Writer’s Stop lounge has pastries again, as well as the carrot cake cookie!

A few temporary tables rolled in now…

Work continues on the new meet and greet homes for Mickey, Minnie, and Olaf

The queue for the Great Movie Ride gets pretty long these days, so the line usually enter here

So they very shoddily covered the Stand-By entrance sign up here

With queue work happening now, Toy Story Mania has setup quite the extended queue

Launch Bay not only has the new Star Wars 3″ Vinylmation on sale, but also the recently released limited edition set

Spotted some new Star Wars phone cases that could be made at Launch Bay as well

Also, 3 new MagicBand designs

PHOTOS: The Haunted Mansion Debuts New Interactive Hitchhiking Ghost Scene

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Recently, we showed you how guest’s names were being showcased at both “it’s a small world” and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith using MagicBand technology. Well now, the Hitchhiking Ghosts of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom are getting into the act:

Along with a series of new animated sequences, the Hitchhiking Ghosts at the end of the attraction may now leave a tombstone with a guest’s name on it lying behind or even remark that they are following the guest home to the home-state (like in the photo above).

A bit blurry, but you get the idea…

A tombstone left behind after Gus hits guests with a portrait that captures their faces

Photos courtesy @Schmoofy on Twitter.

VIDEO: “Behind The Walls” Look at Epcot’s New Frozen Ride and Meet & Greet

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

We’ve been waiting seemingly forever to see behind the work walls at Epcot’s Norway pavilion, well, “For the First Time in Forever” we’re getting a look today.

Starting this Summer, Anna and Elsa will greet guests in the new Royal Sommerhus next door to the existing Norway pavilion, modeled after a traditional Norwegian cabin. Disney today released a video looking behind the walls at the new meet and greet experience, which definitely has more of a World Showcase look to it than that of an animated film:

Of course, Anna, Elsa and their latest-generation Audio-Animatronics co-stars will also welcome guests aboard the new Frozen Ever After boat ride replacing Maelstrom in the Norway pavilion. Passengers on their way to Arendelle’s Winter in Summer Celebration for Queen Elsa will visit the ice palace and hear beloved film tunes plus new lyrics by Oscar-winning “Let It Go” songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson. Bobby and Kristen were recently interviewed about the attraction during a visit to Epcot:

Frozen Ever After and the Royal Sommerhus will open at Epcot this Summer, but no exact date has been given yet.

VIDEO: Oscar Issac Chats With BB-8 Over The Newest “Star Wars: Force For Change” Campaign

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Today, Oscar Isaac, alongside BB-8, announced details for this week’s campaign sponsored by CrowdRise in support of Star Wars: Force for Change. Since April 5^th, Star Wars: Force for Change, an initiative that inspires people to make a positive impact on the world, has been matching the donations of Star Wars fans to four select charities up to $1,000,000!

This week, the first four people to donate or raise at least $500 will have the chance to win a Star Wars prize pack including a BB-8 powered by Sphero, signed by J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy. Additionally, the top fundraiser this week has the chance to win a tour of Lucasfilm in San Francisco, with a screening of any Star Wars movie of their choice while there.

This month-long campaign will lead up to “Star Wars Day” on May the 4^th. The four select charities include the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Make-A-Wish®.

Over the course of the four-week period, which culminates at 11:59pm (PST) on May 4^th, fans will be able to donate through CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange to these four charities and have their donations matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000,000. All participants who enter will also have a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Ireland, including Skellig Michael along the Wild Atlantic Way, the location of the dramatic final scene from The Force Awakens.

Show your Force and visit CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange now for more details.

VIDEO: Prince William And Prince Harry Visit The Cast And Set Of “Star Wars: Episode VIII”

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Prince William And Prince Harry paid a visit to Pinewood Studios to meet Rey, Finn, Luke, Chewbacca and BB-8 and get a special behind the scenes tour of “Star Wars: Episode VIII.”

Prince Harry reveals to us that they are bringing back A-Wings to “Episode VIII” as Mark Hamill looks on.

Prince William gets a big Wookiee hug from Chewbacca as John Boyega and BB-8 have a laugh.

Prince Harry also receives a big hug from everyone’s favorite Wookiee.

Prince Harry and John Boyega converse with Chewbacca.

Prince Harry and Prince William battle it out with some familiar lightsabers. Why does Harry have Kylo Ren’s lightsaber?

Mark Hamill, Rian Johnson, Prince Harry, Prince Willian, John Boyega, Chewbacca and Daisy Ridley. (Don’t know who that guy is next to Chewie. LOL)

Kathleen Kennedy and BB-8 join the gang for the group shot.

Daisy Riddle shows Prince William and Prince Harry a familiar likeness.

Prince William and Prince Harry get a closeup look at Rey and Maz Kanata’s costumes.

Source: The Mirror, ABC News, Making Star Wars

VIDEO: Fly to China and Australia in Soarin’ Around the World Preview

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Disney today previewed the Soarin’ Around the World attraction, which will of course open this summer at both Disney California Adventure and Epcot. The following video showcases short clips of the China and Australia segments of the attraction that guests may be flying over:

At Epcot, the attraction will be presented in a digital film format with crystal clear imagery for the very first time, and the addition of a third theater for the attraction should shorten wait times for guests. The attraction will open to guests June 17th at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, the same day it opens at Shanghai Disney Resort.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (4/20/16): Rivers of Light, Star Wars, Toy Story, AVATAR, & More!

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we play Disney Parks Pursuit (with a Wild twist), Tom makes a big and highly anticiapted announcement, we cover all of the exciting news about this summer at Walt Disney World, and we celebrate 18 years of Disney’s Animal Kingdom…

WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, former hosts of WDW News Today: The Radio Show, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.

The show will also be available for streaming and download the very next day at WDWNewsTonight.com. While this won’t offer the interactive features and excitement of listening live, it offers those who can’t catch the show on Wednesday night a chance be a part of the fun.

Coming up on this week’s show:

A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist) including all of the big news about “Awaken Summer” at Walt Disney World
Tom makes a BIG announcement
An in-depth discussion about Disney’s Animal Kingdom thus far and all of the new offerings for Summer 2016
The Disney Parks Pursuit game – Wild Edition, featuring prizes from Theme Park Connection
And much more!

We hope that you will tune in this Wednesday at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, you can watch it here:

“Zootopia” Roars At The Box Office With A $73 Million Opening Weekend

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

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Disney’s “Zootopia” far exceeded expectations this weekend with a three day estimated domestic gross of $73.7 million.

“Zootopia” also continues to do well overseas bringing in a cumulative overseas total of $159 million, bringing it’s worldwide gross to $233 million.

With spring break just beginning and the movie not having yet opened in Brazil, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Ukraine and The United Kingdom and no real competition for several weeks, expect to see “Zootopia’s”‘ worldwide gross grow more and more each week.

According to Box Office Mojo:

Zootopia took in an estimated $73.7 million this weekend from 3,827 theaters ($19,258 PTA), which tops the previous March animated opening record set by The Lorax ($70.2m) and makes it the ninth largest animated opening ever. It also gives Disney four of the top three slots on the March chart, a worthy achievement though all three remain a long way from the $152.5 million opening of The Hunger Games back in 2012. In IMAX the film brought in $5.2 million from 366 screens, the second best animated IMAX opening behind only Toy Story 3’s $8.4 million.

To go along with Zootopia’s opening, the film maintains a 98% score on RottenTomatoes and received an “A” CinemaScore from opening day audiences. All of which bodes very well for its hold over the coming weeks as the next wide release animated feature isn’t until Ratchet & Clank on April 29.

Source: Box Office Mojo

VIDEO: Quite Possibly The Best “Star Wars” Fan Made Film You Will Ever See

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

If you are a fan of “Star Wars”, and if you are especially a fan of Darth Maul, you have to watch this fan made video called “DARTH MAUL: Apprentice – A Star Wars Fan-Film”. If you want to see an 18 minute film of mostly Darth Maul battling a group of Jedi, just stop reading and click on this video below:

I thought this was so well done and can not believe that this is a fan made film. The acting, directing, editing, action, special effects, sound, cinematography, editing and score are nothing less than great.

This took two years to complete and I am really glad that they spent so much time getting this right. I was never a fan of The Prequels but I loved the lightsaber battle between Darth Maul, Qui Gon and Obi Wan. I really hope Lucasfilm viewed this movie and hope that we see something like this when we Lucasfilm takes on the Star Wars spin off movies. Dont know if they call them Anthologies or just A Star Wars Story anymore.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of this excellent fan made Star Wars film!

Here is a complete list of the cast and crew:

written, produced, directed & edited by
SHAWN BU https://www.instagram.com/shawn_bu

Action Director, Action Design and Choreography by
VI-DAN TRAN https://www.instagram.com/vi_dan

Costumes, Special Make & Up & Stunts by
DEFCON UNLIMITED https://on.fb.me/1ThkrWH

Music by
Vincent Lee https://bit.ly/1jLAZ5J

Starring:
Maul Cosplay (Ben Schamma) https://on.fb.me/1OW9K3W
Mathis Landwehr https://on.fb.me/1Thk3Yh
Svenja Jung https://on.fb.me/21NrATy
Eskindir Tesfay https://on.fb.me/1LHCB17
Maja Felicitas https://on.fb.me/1MKBmZt
Paul Cless https://on.fb.me/1QZGYqU
Sefa Demirbas https://on.fb.me/1U1Snp7
Dirk Chwialkowsky https://on.fb.me/1M081uy
Stina Amedick https://www.instagram.com/st__na/
Khoa Huyhn https://www.instagram.com/koahuynh/
Lee Hua https://www.instagram.com/leehuachang

Directors of Photography
MAX TSUI https://on.fb.me/1UHYPSW
VADIM SCHULZ https://on.fb.me/1L8ihWL
VI-DAN TRAN https://on.fb.me/1QyaX6Y

Executive Producers
VI-DAN TRAN https://on.fb.me/1QyaX6Y
EYYÜPHAN DUY https://on.fb.me/1QUUIwN
JANNIK SIEBERT https://on.fb.me/21QD6dm
JULIEN BAM https://www.youtube.com/user/JulienBam

Additional Costumes
LENORA GEWANDUNGEN https://on.fb.me/1Q87N5v

Choreo, Fight Previsualisation & Stunts
TEAMBAY https://on.fb.me/1prI8zc

Props and Additional costumes by
HYDRA FORGE https://on.fb.me/1oYcfxE

Disclaimer: This is a non-profit unofficial fan-film that is not intended for commercial use. It was made solely for fun. Characters are owned by Lucasfilm/Disney and this fan-film is not connected in any way to said companies.

Shawn Bu on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/shawn_bu
Vi-Dan on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vidantran

https://www.facebook.com/T7production

Shot on RED Dragon, RED Epic, Blackmagic 4K, Blackmagic URSA & DJI Phatom 3

Source: T7Pro

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 3/7/16 (Rivers of Light, AVATAR, Tiffins, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2016

I visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Saturday to see the latest progress on all of the construction projects around the park, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting in our latest photo report: