PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Echo Lake Christmas Decorations Debut at Hollywood Studios, Santa Gertie & More

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

Halloween may have been last night, but Christmas arrived today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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Echo Lake is still refilling this morning, but guests have gotten their first look at the new decorations for 2017, including the new home of the park Christmas tree in the center of the lake.

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These giant ornaments will float on the lake once it has filled.

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My personal favorite is Santa Gertie the Dinosaur, wearing a festive hat and holding a large ornament.

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A number of 1930’s style decorations surround Echo Lake.

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Some large, vintage-style reindeer statues sit near 50’s Prime Time Cafe.

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Even the umbrellas have gotten in the spirit.

For a better look at all of the new decorations, check out our video overview:

Cars Land Attractions Getting Christmas Overlays for the First Time in 2017

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

With the success of Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, it seems that Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will be transforming for Christmas now.

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If rumors are true, beginning November 10th, guests will find Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree overlays of the popular Cars Land attractions.

While Cars Land has been decorated for Christmas before, this will mark the first time that the attractions are receiving Christmas soundtracks.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort begins November 10th, 2017.

Disney Hosting Online Hiring Event & Two Job Fairs for Positions All Around Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for Disney in the parks?

Disney is currently looking to hire for positions all around the Disneyland Resort. Full and part time jobs are currently available at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney District, and the three Disneyland Resort hotels. More information on these positions, as well as applications, can be found at Disneyland.jobs/jobfair.

In November, Disney will host two role-specific job fairs that will be open to the general public. The main roles Disney is seeking during these events are culinary and housekeeping. Qualified candidates will be able to apply for positions and receive offers on-site during the job fairs.

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The job fair for those interested in housekeeping will be held on Tuesday, November 7, from 11am to 5pm at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. The job fair event for those interested in culinary positions will be held on Saturday, November 18, from 10am to 5pm at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Registration and additional information can be found at the aforementioned Disneyland.jobs/jobfair.

Good luck!

 

 

Mickey Mouse Celebrates Birthday With Surprise Visits Around The World, Including Parks

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

SURPRISE VISITS FROM MICKEY MOUSE TO DELIGHT HIS BIGGEST FANS AROUND THE WORLD 

TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY, DISNEY’S BRIGHTEST STAR WILL VISIT FANS IN ENGLAND, CHINA, JAPAN AND OTHER DESTINATIONS, CULMINATING WITH AN APPEARANCE ON “GOOD MORNING AMERICA.”

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BURBANK, Calif., November 1, 2017 — To celebrate his upcoming birthday, Mickey Mouse is surprising some of his biggest fans in eight locations around the globe. Leading up to the big day—November 18—Mickey will take off to such exciting destinations as Japan, Chile, Canada, China, England and the United States. These magical moments will be captured and shared on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Facebook and Instagram pages. Mickey will bring a few more surprises when he visits the Good Morning America studios in New York City on November 15. Fans are encouraged to join the fun on social media using #HappyBirthdayMickey.

Disney Stores and shopDisney.com

In honor of the occasion, Disney’s e-commerce site shopDisney.com will feature special Mickey birthday merchandise from November 16–23, and on November 18, all Disney Stores in the U.S. will host celebrations throughout the day with entertainment and activities.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

On Mickey’s birthday, the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as Disney Stores in the United States, will be distributing commemorative “Happy Birthday, Mickey!” buttons.

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Disneyland Park in Anaheim will host a special cavalcade featuring some of Mickey’s friends along with the Disneyland Band; and at Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, FL, characters and performers will dance in a special birthday-themed song during Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! There will also be commemorative merchandise, treats and photo locations throughout both resorts. Celebrations will also take place at all of Disney’s international theme parks including Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort.

Disney Channel and Disney Junior

Special marathons of Mickey and the Roadster Racers and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse will air throughout the weekend of November 17 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, and a new Mickey Mouse-themed Disney Junior Music Nursery Rhymes short entitled “Happy Birthday” debuts November 17 on Disney Junior YouTube. On November 18, Disney Channel will air Mickey Mouse shorts every half hour throughout the day, starting with the premiere of “The Birthday Song,” a new short in which Minnie Mouse loses the notes to Mickey’s birthday song and needs to recover them to save the festivities.

Disney’s Digital Worlds

In addition, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, Oh My Disney, Babble and other Disney sites will be posting Mickey-related videos, galleries, stories, crafts, recipes and shareables leading up to and on his birthday. And a selection of Disney games and apps will feature special Mickey-themed content and giveaways, including Disney Magic Kingdoms, Kingdom Hearts Union Cross, Disney Tsum Tsum, Disney Magical Dice, Disney Story Central, Disney Jigsaw Puzzles! and Color by Disney.

Mickey’s birthday is celebrated in honor of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City. Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series and on Disney Junior in Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

Long Delayed Choza de Margarita to Open Soon at Mexico Pavilion in Epcot

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

Disney confirmed today that the long-delayed Choza de Margarita counter service location will be opening soon. Originally slated to open in early 2017, Disney officially said that “walls would be coming down shortly”. Located outside of the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot, this walk-up window will feature “authentic Mexican beverages and street fare”.

The beverage menu will feature three kinds of hand-crafted margaritas, frozen margaritas, and Mexican beer. In addition to the 9 alcoholic beverage options, there will be a non-alcoholic fruit punch made with orange, pineapple, and grapefruit juices and grenadine.

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The street fare options will include Tacos al Pastor with grilled pork on fresh homemade corn tortillas with green tomatillo sauce, onion, pineapple and cilantro; Empanadas de Barbacoa with beef, topped with chipotle sauce, Mexican cream, and queso fresco; and fresh guacamole with mango chutney, pumpkin and pomegranate seeds, served with fried flour chicharrones and salsa Valentina, an authentic Mexican hot sauce.

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The hand-crafted, on-the-rocks varieties include Acan Grapefruit (Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, grapefruit liqueur, elderflower cordial, lemon juice, cardamom bitters and ginger beer), Lime Cucumber (Avión Blanco Tequila, fresh cucumber, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave nectar), and Guava Pink Peppercorn (Zignum Mexcal Reposado, guava nectar, grapefruit liqueur, lime juice, Peychaud’s Bitters and pink peppercorns).

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On a hot Florida day, take your pick from one of the three frozen margaritas: Lime (tequila blanco, lime sweet & sour, orange liquor and agave nectar), Wild Strawberry (tequila blanco, strawberry and prickly pear puree, violet flower liquor and lime juice), or Passion Mango (tequila blanco, orange liqueur, wild passion fruit and mango puree).

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No official opening date was given, but the location should open before the holiday season begins at the parks.

PHOTOS: Classic House of Magic Facade Returns to Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

In a rather strange turn of events, the facade of the classic House of Magic shop on Main Street U.S.A. has returned.

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This classic store opened with the park in 1971 before closing in 1995.

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While the facade is back, the inside is still home to a section of the Emporium, but you will find the House of Magic shirt for sale here. The shirt was made to commemorate the return of this iconic building.

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The new window display even pays homage to the classic shop.

The new facade is permanent and will remain on Main Street.

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WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three – Episode 14 Is Now Available For Download

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

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In this week’s episode, the gang talk about:

  • Nothing But Trailers! The gang break down the most recent epic trailers released, what they spotted and how they felt.
    • The Justice League
    • Black Panther
    • Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Listener Email: When will we see the next Last Jedi trailer?

Join hosts Joe Hogarty, Jack McCarthy, Ron D’Anna, and Eric Lancy!

WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three Episode 14 is now available for download through WDW News Today: Original Programming and iTunes!

PHOTOS: 2017 Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghost Mug Released at Trader Sam’s

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

The 2017 version of the Hitchhiking Ghost mug created last year for Trader Sam’s was released today at Walt Disney World. It has red accents instead of blue.

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The bottom does not say second edition like other updated mugs from Trader Sam’s.

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The mug is available in limited quantities daily, so arrive a good amount of time before Sam’s opens at 4pm if you really want one (you’ll be given a wristband to indicate that you can buy one provided you were there in line early enough). It retails for $30, only available with a drink, the Fogcutter or any non-alcoholic beverage.

The Fogcutter is the worst drink ever concocted at Trader Sam’s, by the way…

Introducing The Muppets Minute Podcast: Minutes 1-5

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

We are very excited this week to launch Muppets Minute, the newest podcast in the WDWNT lineup! Muppets Minute is a podcast that explores the Muppets feature films Mahna by Mahna… I mean minute by minute. There is a whole community of podcasts in the Movies by Minutes format, and I thought it would be a fun idea to celebrate the Muppet Movies in such a manor. The concept… we start with the 1979 film, The Muppet Movie, and do a short podcast on each and every individual minute of the film. We will release a new episode daily, Monday through Friday, and have a varitey of guest hosts through the year. You will discover more about these movies than you ever thought you want to. Our goal is cover each Muppets feature film in order, minute by minute over the next few years.

We also wish to invite you to join the Muppets Minute Mayhem Club. As a member, you will have exclusive access to special content including show notes, photos, concept art and more. Basically all our research. You will also have exclusive access to any bonus content we create. In between films, we will produce episodes discussing other Muppet related media such as shorts, TV shows, commercials and of course MuppetVision 3D. In addition to the added content, you will have the opportunity to win original Muppet artwork created by my co-host Annie, and the chance to be a part of the show. You will also be helping us get toward our goal of more content, video companion episodes, live shows, extra giveaways and more.

If you are a Muppets fan, or even just a Disney fan, we think you will enjoy this entertaining, informative, funny and at times excentric podcast. You will be amazed at how much discussion each minute of film can generate. Please check out the first 5 minutes of Muppets Minute, subscribe to the feed and share it with you friends!

MuppetsMinute.com
@MuppetsMinute
Facebook.com/muppetsminute
iTunes
Stitcher
RSS

The Muppet Movie Minute 1: We See Our First Muppet

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We are taken to World Wide Studios for a screening of The Muppet Movie.

The Muppet Movie Minute 2: The Explosion

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Seats are torn up. Popcorn and chickens fly through the air. Things explode. Typical Muppets.

The Muppet Movie Minute 3: Take It or Leave It

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We find Lew Zealand tossing fish, Sam the Eagle questions the value of this movie and Kermit addresses a rowdy crowd.

The Muppet Movie Minute 4: These Are One Way Fish

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The film finally starts and we learn way too much about a guy named Sir Lew Grade.

The Muppet Movie Minute 5: The Outlaw Biker Film

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We learn about the duo behind the beloved movie soundtrack, the man who gave voice to the Muppets and the guy who directed them. But we also learn about the guy who edited Dumb and Dumber and the DP on a really, really, really strange genre mash-up film.