Disney Announces Biggest Presentations for D23 Expo 2015, from Parks & Resorts, to Marvel, Star Wars, & Animation

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

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BURBANK, Calif., May 7, 2015 – D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announces the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 EXPO 2015, August 14–16. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will kick off the Expo on Friday, August 14. Later that same day, The Walt Disney Studios will give fans a sneak peek at all the latest from Disney Animation and Pixar. On Saturday morning, The Walt Disney Studios will preview the coming slate of live-action films from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Then on Saturday afternoon, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during a presentation hosted by Parks Chairman Bob Chapek.

To showcase these Expo favorites, Disney is creating “Hall D23,” a new 7,500-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center, so that more guests than ever can see the presentations live and in person.

The Schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations includes the following (times and additional announcements forthcoming; all events subject to change):

The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, August 14. The ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will once again honor those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. The creativity and innovation of these visionaries and artists have earned them a place among such names as Dame Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, and Robin Williams. At the D23 EXPO in 2013, Tony Baxter, Collin Campbell, Dick Clark, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Jobs, Glen Keane, and Ed Wynn were inducted.

In two separate Hall D23 sessions, The Walt Disney Studios will unveil an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming film slate. At Friday’s session, fans will go in-depth with the talented filmmakers at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios to get a sneak peek at films such as Zootopia and Finding Dory. On Saturday, live-action titles such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Jungle Book and films from Marvel and Lucasfilm, along with some very special guests, take center stage.

On the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, join Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the magical experiences and entertainment coming to Disney’s parks and resorts around the world.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Until June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

5/7/15 Marvel News Mash-Up (Civil War Cast Announced, Spider-Man Joins Avengers, New Ant-Man Poster, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

Marvel Begins Production On “Captain America: Civil War” ; Cast Announced; First Production Art Leaked

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Marvel has just announced the cast of “Captain America: Civil War” and the biggest surprise to me is that William Hurt will reprise his role as General Ross from “The Incredible Hulk” movie. There was also no mention of Spider-Man in the cast, but expect an announcement soon.

Marvel’s Official Announcement For “Captain America: Civil War”:

Marvel Studios has commenced principal photography at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on “Captain America: Civil War,” the third installment of its Super Hero franchise. The production will shoot on location in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves as the base for the film’s production, as well as locations in Germany, Puerto Rico and Iceland.

Set for release in the United States on May 6, 2016, “Captain America: Civil War” is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Community”) from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (“Captain America: The Winter Solider,” Marvel’s “Captain America: The First Avenger”). The film returns Chris Evans (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron”) as the iconic Super Hero character Steve Rogers/Captain America along with Robert Downey Jr. (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “Iron Man 3”) as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Scarlett Johansson (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”) as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Sebastian Stan (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”) as Sam Wilson/Falcon, Paul Bettany (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Iron Man 3”) as The Vision, Jeremy Renner (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “The Avengers”) as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Don Cheadle (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Iron Man 3”) as Jim Rhodes/War Machine and Elizabeth Olsen (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Godzilla”) as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch.

After his debut in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” on July 17, 2015, Paul Rudd (“Ant-Man,” ”Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”) will make his first appearance alongside the Avengers as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in “Captain America: Civil War.”

The film also includes outstanding additional cast, including Chadwick Boseman (“42,” “Get on Up”) as T’Challa/Black Panther, Emily VanCamp (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Revenge”) as Sharon Carter/Agent 13, Daniel Brühl (“Inglourious Basterds,” “Bourne Ultimatum”), Frank Grillo (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Warrior”) as Brock Rumlow/Crossbones, William Hurt (“A History of Violence,” Marvel’s “The Incredible Hulk”) as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross and Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”).  

“Captain America: Civil War” picks up where “Avengers: Age of Ultron” left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.

“Captain America: Civil War” will open on May 6th, 2016.

New Poster For Marvel’s “Ant-Man” Released

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Marvel recently released a brand new poster for the upcoming movie, “Ant-Man.”

Marvel’s “Ant-Man”, one of the original members of the Avengers, makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut this summer following the global critical and box office success of Avengers: Age of Ultron. 

“Ant-Man” stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas and is in theaters on July 17, 2015.

Rumor: The New Spider-Man Movie Will Be Called “Spider-Man: The New Avenger”

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The author of this rumor says to take this with a grain of salt and he is right. Recently there was a rumor that the next Spider-Man movie would be called “The Spectacular Spider-Man” but now it is being reported that the next Spider-Man movie will be called “Spider-Man: The New Avenger.” I like Spectacular better but since the ultimate goal for Sony is to make Spider-Man more profitable it makes sense to throw in “The New Avenger” in the title.

The way everything is shaping up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man will make has MCU debut in “Civil War”, so I wouldn’t be surprised if at the end of the movie he is asked to join the Avengers and then “Spider-Man: The New Avenger” continues Spider-Man’s story from where “Civil War” left off. Spider-Man will be making his “Avengers” movie debut in “Avengers: Infinity War” Part 1.” Even though this is a rumor, it does kind of make sense if they went this route.

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Source: umbertogonzale via Intagram

WDWNT: Nerd Alert Episode 4 Airs Thursday Night

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Our fourth episode of “WDWNT: Nerd Alert” will air this Thursday night at 10:05 PM, which can be heard on WDWNT: On The Air. Nerd Alert will immediately follow “WDWNT: The Radio Show,” which airs from 8-10 PM.

This week will be a special roundtable episode where we discuss just what we thought of “Avengers: Age Of Ultron!”

Link: WDWNT: On The Air

Sideshow Collectible Corner

“Avengers: Age Of Ultron” Collectible Set Of Three

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Sideshow Collectible has just released it latest exclusive collectible set which show cases Iron Man, The Hulkbuster and The Hulk.

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We are delighted to continue the line and officially present the Avengers: Age of Ultron Cosbaby Series 1.5 which features the Hukkbuster and Hulk. A special box set of 3 is also available which exclusively includes the Mark XLIII (Battle Damaged Version)!

The Hulkbuster and the Hulk both stand approximately 14cm tall and the Mark XLIII (Battle Damaged Version) is approximately 9.5cm tall. A special feature for the Hulkbuster is that the helmet can be opened up to put in a Mark XLIII or Mark XLIII (Battle Damaged Version) Cosbaby!

“Avengers: Age Of Ultron” Collectible Set Of Three is exclusively sold through Sideshow Collectibles and is avaiable for preorder for $94.99 and will ship in the third quarter of 2105.

Source: Sideshow Collectibles

That’s it for this week!

REGISTER NOW to play Match Game Tonight (05/07/15) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

radio_show_post_logoTonight, on WDWNT: The Radio show, we will discuss the latest park news, Star Wars, Marvel, pet apparel and more. We will also ponder what the Universal deal with Nintendo means for theme parks.

You can also win some great prizes from Theme Park Connection by playing The Match Game. Match your answers with those of our WDWNT staff panel to score points. We are giving you the chance to pre-register now to have a chance to play live on tonight’s radio show. Here are some of the rules:

  • Send an email to Contactnickl@gmail.com with your Name, Address and Phone number with the Subject “Match Game Entry”.
  • Sending an email does not guarantee entry into the game. We will randomly select contestants as needed, giving preference to those who have not won a prize in the past 30 days.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older or have parents permission to enter.
  • Must be available to play anytime tonight, April 23, between 8-10pm EST.
  • We will call you at the number you provide when it is time to play.

Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, the live radio talk show on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando focuses on the latest news and current trending topics at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. WDW News Today: The Radio Show can also be streamed live at www.1520wbzw.com. WDW News Today the Radio Show debuted in August of 2013 as a 1 hour broadcast on Saturday evenings and has grown into a 2-hour program by popular demand.

To interact with the hosts during the show, listeners can call in at (407) 774-8255, tweet @WDWNT using #WDWNTRadio, or use the new LIVE chat that will be available at Radio.WDWNT.com.

The show begins at 8PM EST every Thursday night, don’t miss it!

PHOTOS: Disneyland Releasing Special Souvenir Food & Drink Items for 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

An inside source has sent us some internal images promoting the special food and beverage souvenir items coming to Disneyland Resort when the Diamond Celebration kicks off later this month:

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Diamond glow cubes that will be available with select beverages

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32oz sipper artwork, available only on 5/22

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Artwork for souvenir mugs

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Specialty popcorn buckets

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Plastic stein, Dinoco cup for Cars Land, and popcorn bucket art

Which ones do you NEED to own?

VIDEO: The Hatbox Ghost Returns to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

HE’S BACK! Video courtesy of Disney Hipsters on Instagram:

Using projection mapping technology, Disney has successfully brought the Hatbox Ghost back to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland starting today. The original effect installed in 1969 never quite worked properly and was removed a few weeks later. 45 years later, he has returned just in time for the Diamond Celebration at Disneyland.

PHOTOS: New Pirates of the Caribbean Merchandise Line “Washes Ashore” at Disney Parks

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

Even though the line has not formally been launced yet, the new Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise has already started to arrive at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Here’s what is out so far:

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New pirate ear hat

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Sweatshirt

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The back of the hoodie

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The front featuring Pegleg Pete

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Skull cap

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Long sleeve t-shirt

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Tin sign

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New t-shirts

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There’s also a line of strange Mermaid items

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Striped socks reminiscent of those in the cast costume

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More mermaid stuff

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There are now foam swords with the logo

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New kid’s shirt

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Playing cards

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Mystery pin set

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Open edition pins

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Two-sided lanyard

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Baseball

Disney Animation’s “Zootopia” Voice Cast Revealed

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

Walt Disney Animation Studios has revealed that Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are set to star in Disney’s Zootopia, a 2016 animated feature set in a modern mammal metropolis. Goodwin (ABC’s Once Upon a Time) will lend her voice to an optimistic bunny named Judy Hopps who’s new to Zootopia’s police department. Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses 2, This is Where I Leave You) voices the scamming fox, Nick Wilde, who Judy reluctantly teams up with to crack her first case.

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“We knew that Zootopia would only succeed if we found the perfect actors to play our main characters,” said director Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt). “This rabbit- and fox-duo are in practically every scene in the film together. After meeting Ginnifer, we knew she embodied Hopps, the ultimate pure-of-heart, idealist bunny. You fall in love with her character instantly. And for Nick Wilde, our cynical con-artist fox, we only ever had one actor in mind, the incomparable Jason Bateman. Jason has a way of saying the most hilarious sarcastic things while always staying completely charming. We feel so fortunate to be working with both of them.”

In the animated feature, which opens March 4, 2016, the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything.

But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia, a comedy-adventure is directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and co-directed by Jared Bush.

Zootopia opens nationwide March 4, 2016.

Tom Corless’ 5/29/15 WDW Photo Report (Indy Merchandise, Jungle Cruise Restaurant, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

It has been a good while since our last photo report, so I thought I would share some recent pictures I took at Walt Disney World:

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You can now own a Darth Vader polo shirt…

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The parks are slowly “rolling out” some new Indiana Jones merchandise, here you see the updated pin below the old one

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New hoodie

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Kid’s shirt

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New messenger bag

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Another kid’s shirt

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Sweatshirt

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t-shirt

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Two new vintage-style t-shirts were released not long ago

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There’s also this new, adorable Dumbo shirt

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At the Magic Kingdom, the Main Street bypass gates have been given signage. The bicycle ad returned, but there is also a new ad!

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In Frontierland, the cast were getting into the Avengers spirit and created Captain Hamerica for guests to trade pins with

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I had never had a waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow, so I decided to stop there for breakfast

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The omelet sandwich was easily my favorite breakfast item I have ever had anywhere on this earth in all of my life…

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New Thomas Kincade art of Cinderella Castle has been released

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The Tomorrowland Speedway sign which had been missing for weeks has returned

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Turkey legs can now be found at the Cooling Station and not in Liberty Square

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Work continues on the Jungle Cruise restaurant in Adventureland

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The upcoming Liberty Tree Tavern closure is to accommodate a kitchen remodel since it is shared with the Jungle Cruise establishment

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A lot of work happening outside of the building as well

“Disneyland: The Exhibit” To Celebrate 60 Years of the Happiest Place on Earth at the D23 Expo 2015

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

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THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES RETURNS TO D23 EXPO WITH “DISNEYLAND: THE EXHIBIT”

More Than 300 Classic and Contemporary Objects Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Walt’s First Theme Park Will Be on Display

BURBANK, Calif. – May 12, 2015 – The Walt Disney Archives today announced it will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Disneyland at D23 EXPO 2015 with an exhibit of more than 300 pieces from the park’s incredible history. “Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit” will be the largest display the Disney Archives has ever showcased at D23 EXPO. The event, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will take place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

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The 12,000-square-foot exhibit, which will be located on the Expo show floor for the first time, will include themed areas that honor the park’s history, attractions, parades, and entertainment over the past six decades, including the construction of Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey Mouse Club at Disneyland, Club 33, and collectible merchandise, as well as the park’s iconic lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, and Critter Country/Bear Country. Each area will contain items from Disneyland’s past, including attraction vehicles, costumes, props, and even Audio-Animatronics® figures.

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Among the more-than-300 items on exhibit, guests will be able to see Ticket No. 1, purchased by Roy O. Disney on July 18, 1955, the first day the park was open to the general public. Guests will see many pieces shown by the Archives for the first time, including early surveying equipment from the 1950s used in the construction of Disneyland, a prototype vehicle for the belovedAlice in Wonderland attraction, dancing­monkey costumes used in the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!, an early Autopia car, original artwork from Mickey Mouse Club Circus, the Abominable Snowman from the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which was replaced during the attraction’s recent enhancement, and an original pitch book full of colorful artwork that was used to sell Disneyland to prospective sponsors on the East Coast.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.