Use the Disney Theme Parks as Epic Pac-Man Levels!

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There’s a few more happy haunts around the Haunted Mansion thanks to an early April Fool’s Day stunt by Google. For a limited time, any Google Map can be turned into a playable level of Pac-Man- the 80’s arcade classic. Of course, since the paths of Disney Parks are laid out as streets in Google Maps, you can run Pac-Man down Main Street and around the hub of the Magic Kingdom! Have Pac-Man eat his way around World Showcase, just like you do at Food & Wine!

To get started, head on over to Google Maps and click on the Pac-Man button in the bottom-right. Remember, this is presumably only for April Fool’s Day, so don’t miss out on playing Pac-Man all over The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Jose Castillo’s 4/1/15 Hollywood Studios Photo Report (Toy Story Midway Mania, Doc McStuffins,

WDWNT Reporter Jose Castillo visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios this past weekend and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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What will eventually be a new photo-op outside of the Great Movie Ride is for now just stroller parking

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Meanwhile, Disney Junior’s exisiting queue is being turned into more meet and greet space for Doc McStuffins and possibly Sheriff Callie

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Work continues at Stage 1 to expand Toy Story Midway Mania

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You can see that they have started to rip off the old facade now

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New WDWNT Now! Text Messaging Service Available

Have you ever been at Walt Disney World and wondered “When does ‘Festival of the Lion King’ start next?” or “I wonder what the wait is currently for Space Mountain?”. Maybe you’ve thought “Should I bring a poncho tomorrow? What’s the forecast?”

Well now you can find out quickly using WDWNT Now!’s new service – Quick Queries!

Before we begin – a few notes:

  • Note: Message and data rates may apply. WDWNT is not responsible for SMS/text messaging charges incurred.
  • This system is in beta mode currently. If you don’t get a response, want us to add a short code for an attraction, entertainment, or restaurant, or have other comments, please send an email to now@wdwnt.com

Alright, let’s go. It’s super simple – just send a text message with a valid “short code” to 1-407-917-4007 and get a reply back.

Some examples:

  • #plans – returns your next 3 “My Disney Experience” itinerary items (note: you must have registered an account at now.wdwnt.com)
  • #status yeti space pirates – returns today’s hours for Yak & Yeti and wait times for Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean (there are code words for each attraction or establishment)
  • #status fotlk – returns the next showing of Festival of the Lion King
  • #weather – returns the current WDW weather and tomorrow’s forecast
  • #epta – returns wait times for top Epcot attractions
  • #dlrhours – returns today’s Disneyland park hours

For more information and a complete list of short codes, visit the help page for the service.

We have more codes in the works so stay tuned, remember that it’s in beta mode, and enjoy!

WDW News Today teams up with TDRExplorer.com to bring you Tokyo Disney Resort news and content

 

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We’re always looking at new ways to expand our Disney coverage and today we’re thrilled to share with you a new partnership that will bring Tokyo Disney Resort content here to WDWNT. Please welcome Chris from TDRExplorer.com! Below are a few words from Chris introducing himself and explaining what he does:

Konnichiwa! I’m Chris, the creator and Chief Content Editor of TDRExplorer.com. We are the one of few English language websites and podcasts dedicated solely to news and information about Tokyo Disney Resort. All our team members either currently live or have lived in Japan, so you know you are getting the best and latest information.

Our goal with TDRExplorer (and our podcast TDRNow) is to provide one easy source to turn to when you need to plan your trip to one of the best Disney Resorts on the planet! From news to advice, you can find it on TDRExplorer.com.

I am originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Moved to Tokyo, Japan in 2013 to pursue a new challenge. During the day, I am a web and mobile app developer for multi-national companies. In the evenings and on the weekends, you can bet that I am doing “research” at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

Tokyo Disney Resort is truly a magical theme park that every Disney fan needs to experience. I am excited to be contributing to WDWNT, bringing the best of Tokyo Disney Resort to the rest of the world.

Beginning today, you’ll be able to find content from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea right here on WDWNT additionally we encourage you to visit and follow TDRExplorer along on Twitter.

WDWNT’s Extinct Attraction Tournament Concludes Tonight (04/02/15) on WDW News Today: The Radio Show

This week, on WDWNT: The Radio show, MARCH MADNESS: EXTINCT ATTRACTIONS continues!

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We have narrowed 64 Extinct Walt Disney World Attractions down to 32 and will crown a winner tonight! Join us for some heated debate, and if you pre-registered last week, make sure you tune in to root for you team and cast your call-in vote. Some great prizes from Theme Park Connection are on the line as you and our panel decide the greatest extinct attraction in Walt Disney World history!

Here is a refresher on some of the rules you will need to know for tonight if you are a registered contestant:

  • You will need to tune-in to WDWNT: The Radio Show  on April 2nd  from 8-10PM ET for the conclusion of the tournament in order to win. ALL CONTESTANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO CALL INTO THE SHOW ON APRIL 2ND IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED AS A WINNER. ONLY THOSE CONTESTANTS LISTENING, AND WHO CALL IN TO CLAIM THEIR PRIZE, WILL BE AWARDED A PRIZE. (winner does not have to go on air if they wish not to.)
  • The four attractions you will be assigned can win points for each victory they gain in the tournament rounds. The point distribution is as follows:
    • 1st Round Win – 1 Point
    • 2nd Round Win – 2 Points
    • “Swell Sixteen” Round Win – 3 Points
    • “Exciting Eight” Round Win – 4 Points
    • “Fantasmic Four” Round Win – 5 Points
    • Championship Round Win – 6 Points
  • The winner of each match is decided by the illustrious panel on the Radio Show. Each panelist counts for a single vote for an attraction. Majority rules on the 7 person panel and decides the winning attraction by vote count.
  • However, listeners who register to play along can change the outcome by calling in. A listener who is registered and playing in our contest may call in once during the run of the tournament and place a vote for an attraction that is worth 2 votes, more than any single panelist. The phone number is 407-774-8255. To allow time for any listening delays, we will count any phone vote cast that comes in before the next round’s voting has begun.
  • The top 8 players in terms of points amassed throughout the tournament will receive prizes from Theme Park Connection! The top player will receive a grand prize package and be declared the WDWNT March Madness Extinct Attraction 2015 champion.
  • Contestants must be 13 years of age or older to enter. You must get parent’s permission if you are under 18.

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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 or on your TuneIn and iHeartRadio apps, just search for WBZW. 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 Listen.WDWNT.com.

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

ALSO: Directly following WDWNT: The Radio Show, don’t miss the very first episode of Nerd Alert!

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It’s finally here! We have been working on this for a while, but now we have our first episode of “WDWNT: Nerd Alert” in the can and it will air this Thursday night at 10 PM which can be heard on WDWNT: On The Air. Our first episode will immediately follow “WDWNT: The Radio Show,” which will air from 8-10 PM.

I will host the show along with Patrick Hackett and Ron D’Anna. With Disney purchasing Marvel Entertainment in 2009, and then purchasing Star Wars and Lucasfilm in 2013, we realized that without a doubt we have a ton of subjects to talk about regarding those two franchises. Marvel and Star Wars will be our main focus but we also mention any important news made by DC/Warner Brothers and other comic book and sci-fi related production companies.

In our first episode, we will discuss in our news segment:

  • The latest “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” TV spot.
  • The Russo Brothers signing on to direct “Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2.
  • Star Wars Battlefront coming to next gen platforms and leaving old gen behind.

Our first Topic Of The Week will be “Our Top Ten Superhero Movies Of All Time.”

Finally our last segment will consist of us reading and answering listener emails.

Patrick, Ron and I hope you will join us this Thursday for the very first episode of “WDWNT: Nerd Alert!”

Link: WDWNT: On The Air

Star Wars Weekends 2015 Celebrity Line-Up Announced, Frank Oz & Ian McDiarmid Will Appear

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Walt Disney World announced the celebrity line-up for Star Wars Weekends 2015 today:

Weekend I (May 15 – 17)

  • Ian McDiarmid: Senator/Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
  • Amy Allen: Aayla Secura (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
  • Tiya Sircar: Sabine Wren (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend II (May 22 – 24)

  • Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
  • Silas Carson: Ki-Adi-Mundi, Nute Gunray (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones;Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
  • Vanessa Marshall: Hera Syndulla (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend III (May 29 – 31)

  • Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
  • Daniel Logan: Boba Fett (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones)
  • Steve Blum: Zeb Orrelios (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend IV (June 5 – 7)

  • Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
  • Jeremy Bulloch: Boba Fett (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
  • Ashley Eckstein: Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars: The Clone Wars; Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend V (June 12 – 14)

  • Frank Oz: Yoda (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi; Star Wars Rebels)
  • Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
  • Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith; Star Wars: A New Hope; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
  • Taylor Gray: Ezra Bridger (Star Wars Rebels)

The event will also hold a new show called “Star Wars: Rebels” hosted by James Arnold Taylor, and the autograph opportunities are moving inside to a location on Commissary Lane which we assume to be the former audition space for the American Idol Experience.

Scrooge McDuck Returns in Remastered “DuckTales” for Mobile Devices

Disney Interactive has brought back one of the most popular 8-bit games of all time with the mobile release of DuckTales: Remastered.

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Available for iOS, Android and Windows devices, DuckTales: Remastered lets players join Scrooge McDuck in an epic adventure across the world to discover the five Legendary Treasures.

In DuckTales: Remastered, players will embark on a journey to the Himalayas, Amazon, Transylvania, African mines and Moon using Scrooge’s secret map. The evil sorceress Magica De Spell and notorious Beagle Boys are on a quest to steal Scrooge’s fortune, which he may have to risk along the way to save his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie.

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DuckTales: Remastered retains the authenticity of its 8-bit predecessor and features an expanded storyline with all new, improved graphics. Additionally, the game features a digitally-enhanced soundtrack with modern amplified iterations of the classic melodies. DuckTales fans can relive the classic TV series through the game with the original voice-actors and over 90 pieces of production art from the original TV series’ archives.

DuckTales: Remastered is now available for $9.99 USD on the App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone and Windows Store.

Pressing Issues at the WDW Parks, The Price is Right and more Tonight (02/26/15) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

radio_show_post_logoTonight, on WDWNT: The Radio show, we discuss the pressing issues at Walt Disney World like AVATAR, the MK Hub and more items that are on the minds of guests and management alike.

You can also win some great prizes from Theme Park Connection by playing The Price is Right: Tower of Terror Edition Part 2!

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!

CONCEPT ART: Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs to Become An Observatory

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Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs is indeed stripping away its globe theme to become a turn-of-the-20th-century observatory, as has been rumored for some time. Planet Hollywood released the new artwork for the conversion this evening to media. The restaurant’s name is also changing to Planet Hollywood Observatory.

The restaurant will continue to feature movie and TV props, but the interior will be changed to a planetarium with stars and constellations on the ceiling above guests.

The remodel will be completed in 2016, but no word has given yet on when the work will commence.

Many establishments coming to Disney Springs are being modeled after shops and restaurants that would fill the space of abandoned businesses. Morimoto Asia will be in the Springs Bottling Co. building, while the Boathouse occupies a former waterside home (all in backstory of course, these are new or remodeled buildings from Downtown Disney).

New Disney Parks Collection PANDORA Jewelry Coming in March 2015

Some new charms items from the Disney Parks Collection | PANDORA, will launch in multiple merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts on March 12. The new charms will join the previously released jewelry collection that features hand-finished .925 sterling silver and 14K gold charms inspired by some of Disney’s most beloved characters and icons. Here’s a preview of some new items created especially for Disney Parks.

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Two charms will be released that were inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park and Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. These sterling silver dangle charms, which make great keepsakes, feature the resort destination name on the bottom of each castle.

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This spring collection will also include a sterling silver and teal enamel charm featuring Mickey’s Fun Wheel from Disney California Adventure park. A popular charm, however, is a sleek sterling silver geometric sphere that resembles Spaceship Earth with a monorail from Epcot.

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Guests should also look for a Minnie Mouse charm that is similar to the “Mickey Mania” charm released last fall. The sterling silver openwork “Minnie Mania” charm has colorful red, light yellow, black and white enamel details.

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Black and red enamel Mickey and Minnie Mouse icons are also pictured on a sterling silver safety chain with enamel hearts. For those who may not be familiar with a safety chain, it’s a stylish and practical way to keep your charms secure on your PANDORA bracelet. To use, simply thread one end on the bracelet first, add your charms and then thread the other side of the safety chain on the end of the bracelet to secure.

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The best places at Disney Parks to find PANDORA jewelry are at La Mascarade d’Orleans in New Orleans Square in Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort, and at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests will also find an additional jewelry charm designs from the spring 2015 Disney | PANDORA Jewelry Collection at select Disney Parks merchandise locations and at PANDORA stores throughout North America.

Select charms will also be offered on the Disney Parks online store at http://www.DisneyStore.com/PANDORA.