PHOTOS & VIDEO: Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid Ride at Magic Kingdom Re-Opens with Significant Changes

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

After being closed for a little over a month now, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid at the Magic Kingdom re-opened yesterday with all of the changes we reported would be on the way several months ago:

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 A lot of black light is used in the ride now, and static fish figures have been added in some places

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The Under the Sea sequence uses a lot of black light now, used to hide the lighting rigs and such above

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 There are also some static fish figures hanging in this section of the ride now

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The human figures in the later scenes also received “real” flowing hair, opposed to the old rubber hair they once sported

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Here’s our video of the ride with the changes in place:

BREAKING: Disney Confirms Expansion of Soarin’ and Toy Story Midway Mania at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

Walt Disney World is expanding two of its most popular attraction in an effort to lower guest wait times.

As rumored, the Stage 1 building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be home to a third ride track for Toy Story Midway Mania. Disney has still not confirmed any rumors about a Toy Story Land for the park, but this may be the first step in the expansion.

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Not only will Soarin’ at Epcot add a third theater, but the attraction will also complete the digital conversion currently being installed at Disneyland, possibly in preparation for a new version of the ride coming in the next few years.

Disney has stated both projects will be completed by late 2016.

D23 Expo 2015 Holding 2 Contests Celebrating The Fan’s Creativity

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

To highlight the creativity and passion fans have for all things Disney, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is holding two remarkable contests in celebration of D23 EXPO 2015, which takes place August 14­–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

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Mousequerade* invites participants to create their own Disney-inspired costumes and compete in the following categories: “Heroes Unmasked,” “Once Upon a Costume,” “The Wonderful Worlds of Disney,” “Best of Star Wars,” and “Weird, Wild, and Goofy!” The winner will receive a trip for two to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Anyone interested in participating must visit d23expo.com/mousequerade to complete an entry form and find out more about how to enter. The closing date for entry is April 30, 2015. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of creativity and originality, quality and craftsmanship of costume, and relationship of costume to the contest theme. The Live Contest will be held Friday, August 14 in Stage 23 at the Anaheim Convention Center and will be 90 minutes in length. The number of Finalists is limited to 15 contestants per category for a total of 75 contestants.

D23 Expo Design Challenge** will honor Disneyland’s Diamond Anniversary by encouraging artists young and old to depict Sleeping Beauty Castle. Twenty-three pieces of finalist artwork will be on display throughout the D23 EXPO weekend on the show floor, located in the Walt Disney Archives area. The winning artist will be chosen prior to the start of the D23 EXPO and will receive a cash prize of $2,300. Anyone interested in participating must visit d23expo.com/designchallenge to submit sketches of proposed artwork (and to find out more about other entry requirements) no later than April 30, 2015. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of creativity, originality, and artistic expression.

Finalists in both competitions will receive one (1) complimentary ticket (and one (1) for a guest) to attend D23 EXPO 2015. Contestants do not need to be members of D23 to enter either contest.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. From January 1–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.

 

Mousequerade Contest

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to persons who are, as of entry, eighteen (18) years of age or older or the age of majority in their  state of primary residence, whichever is older, and legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM (PT) on 4/30/15. Click here for Official Rules and full details on how to enter, judging and prize limitations. Finalists must travel to Anaheim, CA on 8/14/15 at their own expense.

D23 Expo Design Challenge

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to persons who are, as of entry, eighteen (18) years of age or older or the age of majority in their  state of primary residence, whichever is older, and legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM (PT) on 4/30/15.  Limit three (3) Submissions per person. Click here for Official Rules and further details on how to enter, judging and prize limitations. Prize does not include travel to or accommodations in Anaheim, CA.

Why You Need To See “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” At An IMAX Theater; First Description Of IMAX Scene

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

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The release of a new “Star Wars” film has always been more than just a movie release, it has been more of an “event” where you will see long lines of fans camping out in front of theaters for days. Without a doubt, “Star Wars” has always been one of those movies that you have to experience on the big screen. The next chapter in the “Star Wars” saga will be no different. On second thought, this time there will be a “big” difference.

On December 18th, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be released in theaters and the best possible way to experience it is at an IMAX theater. Last year Disney announced that certain segments of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” would be filmed using IMAX camera’s. They also released the following images showing exactly what we could expect from seeing the movie in an IMAX theater as apposed to your standard movie theater, which will display all scenes in the widescreen format.

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The clear advantage that the IMAX version has is that even though it may lose a small portion of the image horizontally, it more than makes up for it by what the image gains vertically. Keep in mind that not all of the movie was filmed using IMAX cameras, so there will be times you will experience shifting aspect ratios. Plus Disney has still not revealed exactly how may minutes will take advantage of IMAX footage.

This week MakingStarWars.com received their first description of one of the scenes that was filmed using IMAX cameras. Be warned, some “minor” SPOILERS ahead:

Later on in the film after Rey and Finn take their flight in the Falcon is where we get the IMAX sequences. The Falcon is chased by TIE Fighters and we apparently move by some familiar landmarks in the film’s one-sun desert setting. This is the big chase and action sequence which dominates the film’s first act. TIEs are in hot pursuit of the Falcon as it rockets away from the salvage station. Rey and BB-8 pilot the ship. Finn gets on the Falcon’s turret. There’s a lot of banter between the two and to an extent they don’t seem to really know what they’re doing. But most of all, Finn is rather inept. As TIEs shoot at the Falcon, Rey has to ask Finn if he plans on “answering back.” Its a situation he can’t talk himself out of and he has figure out how to use the turret and actually hit one. To save their skins, Rey pilots them into the insides of the giant crashed Star Destroyer she was scavenging from during her introduction sequence. The Falcon and the TIEs “slalom” around debris and the insides of the downed ship, eventually losing their persuers.

Presumably they give us a moment to catch our breath, the IMAX sequence ends and then the Falcon end up being swallowed by another huge ship in space. Monomyth fans are going to have a fun time with those “belly of the whale” analogies. It appears the IMAX sequence is going to seriously rock as its the flight of the Falcon being chased by TIE Fighters into Star Destroyer wreckage.

I think that scene says it all. IMAX, here I come!

PHOTOS & VIDEO: A Look at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2015

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

The 2015 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival has begun and we have some coverage of this year’s event to share with you today!

First up, WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty shares hundreds of his photos of the character topiary figures, playgrounds, and more:

We also have two videos to share with you, the first showing off some of the topiary characters at this year’s festival:

Second, there is a garden celebrating the upcoming PIXAR film Inside Out:

Reviews of all of the kiosks and a full rundown of the event can be found on an upcoming episode of the WDW News Today Podcast. More videos will be uploaded over the course of the next week as well, so stay tuned!

Did Tony Baxter Confirm A New “Star Wars” Attraction For 2016?

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

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This story just came out from the guys over at FuriousFanboys, so a very special than you to Jeremy Conrad and FuriousFanboys.

Everyone knows that Disney is working on new Star Wars attractions for all of their theme parks. But I don’t think anyone expected to see something as soon as next year.

At the Indiana Jones Adventure 20th Anniversary panel that was recently held for Annual Passholders, Tony Baxter mentioned he always liked Indy more than Han. When no one applauded at that, he said:

“You’ll look forward to next year’s treat”

As he was obviously talking about Star Wars, he could have just confirmed that they do have some kind of theme park plans for Star Wars next year. 2015 is the 60th Anniversary of Disneyland, and as they don’t want construction walls all over the place this year, the most realistic thing would be new destinations on Star Tours featuring Episode VII planets. Adding new planets to that ride doesn’t require any major downtime, so it could be a quick addition.

You can watch Tony Baxter’s presentation here via Skywalking Through Neverland the comments start at 5:11:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT6NuGKWrV4]

Original Source: FuriousFanboys.com

Disneyland Park’s Innoventions to Close March 31st; Marvel or Star Wars on the Way?

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

On February 28, when the Disneyland Fire Department quickly extinguished a backstage spot fire on the side of the its a small world show building after a fireworks display, it was really no big deal. More sparks have flown among the fan community over the quiet Friday announcement of the shuttering of Innoventions on March 31st.

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Not that folks loved the exhibition style attraction, the smaller sister of the sprawling Epcot overhaul of 1982’s Communicore. The show space has been gradually diminished, even its 1998 debut with an Audio-Animatric host, contemporary computers, gaming opportunities and other slightly forward looking oddities. The space lurched forward in later years, mainly operating as a meet and greet area for characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“As part of our continuing efforts to offer our guests new magic, we regularly make modifications and enhancements throughout the Disneyland Resort, said park spokesman John McClintock on Friday. “We have nothing further to announce at this time.”

Fans meanwhile are agog at the possibilities for Innoventions’ replacement.

Busting the idea that the “paperboy” can’t land the internet on your porch, the Orange County Register laced its Saturday Innoventions closure article with blog-esque Star Wars attraction speculation. The Disney Parks have also fed this brand of breathless speculation through the legions of U.S. park enthusiasts, by sitting silently on an abundance of popular franchises, Star Wars and Marvel among them. Under agreements Marvel struck before its acquisition by Disney in 2009, it is barred from creating U.S. attractions “east of the Mississippi.” This has focused intense interest on the Disneyland Resort and on Disney off-shore parks, particularly those in Asia, as sites for high-end Marvel attractions.

But the idea that something substantial in scope will be announced or begin to be built in or on the site of the former Carousel Theatre in the short term seems unlikely, even though some persist that a 60th anniversary exhibit would fill the former Dream Home space downstairs.  A promotional space for the Tomorrowland theatrical film that opens May 22 – the same day that the Diamond Celebration entertainment premieres at the Disneyland Resort, also does not appear to be imminent (at least for this particular space).

No plans have been revealed for the future of the Marvel meet and greets that already exist in the Innoventions building. Grander announcements are far more likely during D23 Expo, August 14 -16th at the Anaheim Convention Center.

PHOTOS: Smokejumper’s Grill, First Piece of New Grizzly Peak Airfield, Opens in California Adventure

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

Hope springs eternal on the first day of spring at Disney California Adventure, where a tribute to daredevil airmen who flew planes to the edge of space gives way to a thematic accolade to those brave souls who choose to jump out.

Even though the rest of the area isn’t open yet, Smokejumpers Grill (which opened today) previews the backstory of the area, while serving up a steaming plate of real and created fire jumper lore, adding some Disney nature collateral to the menu… all along with burgers and fries.

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A fairly servicable quick service menu with kid meals, beer and wine

Today, the Disneyland Resort began to remedy old perceptions with the opening of the first phase of a re-imagined Grizzly Peak Airfield “land” at Disney California Adventure. The rest of the one-attraction-area is expected to reopen in May. Work going on in the Soarin’ Over California attraction in this area has been described as technical, part of a process to return the show to a state of the art presentation. There are no changes expected in the “Soarin'” attraction outside of crystal-clear digital projections. At least yet.

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Concept art depicting the reimagined area. © Disney

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A “letter” pinned to one of the bulletin boards serves up a back story for the Smokejumpers Grill.

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Two theatrical posters from Walt Disney True-Life Adventures hang in the new restaurant. Is Grizzly Peak the “King of the Wild Frontier” now?

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This area of the park will benefit the Park by offering some “plebeian food” in a location near its “hub.” While the upscale Carthay Circle Restaurant was added during the “Great Revision” in 2012, several other food opportunities were lost. Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream, Baker’s Field Bakery, and the Soup Opera Bistro all near the Park’s center, were stuttered before the grand re-design. The near-by Fiddler Fifer and Practical Cafe also dumped soup and sandwiches from its menu shortly after opening.

The change to Grizzly Peak Airfield will create a more cohesive “story” as guests figuratively leave “Los Angeles” and head for the hills rather than the dessert. But as tales of the high-desert daredevil airmen go the way of the flightless Dodo, we also say goodbye to an attempt to tell a real California story. The previous area theme, Condor Flats, nodded to the test pilots who chased, then broke the sound barrier in the nascent race to space. However, this homage to one of California’s great “reach for the stars” moments, didn’t prove to have the “Right Stuff” for the Theme Park’s guests.

Seemingly this now little known stop on the road to space was not fully understood by the general public, or perhaps it was the underwhelming utilitarian airfield setting that failed to stir park-goers imaginations. Regardless, Grizzly Peak Airfield is a welcome change of scenery for the park.
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PHOTOS: First Pedestrian Bridge Across Buena Vista Drive Being Installed as part of Disney Springs

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

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If you drove down Buena Vista Drive this past weekend, you surely noticed all of the work happening on both sides of the road, including the giant pieces of the first pedestrian bridge to be installed over the busy roads.

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The bridge will be installed on March 19th between 1AM and 7AM. Road detours will be occurring during those hours to accommodate for the work. The bridge should open a few weeks after that.

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This will be the fist of several pedestrian bridges being installed as part of the Disney Springs project, aiming to speed-up the flow of traffic in the area by removing several traffic lights and expanding lanes.

PHOTOS BY DIRK WALLEN

CONCEPT ART: Disney Reveals Plans for Grizzly Peak Expansion and Soarin’ Over California

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

Condor Flats in California Adventure closed back in January for a major overhaul and Disney is finally letting us know what will be happening to the area as it becomes Grizzly Peak Airfield over the coming weeks.

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The Smokejumpers Grill (formerly Taste Pilot’s Grill) will open to guests on March 20th. This new quick-service location takes inspiration from the brave men and women who fight wildfires in California forests. In addition to a whole new look, the location will feature an updated menu with items such as a Bacon Cheddar Burger, Grilled Chicken & Jack Sandwich and Chili Cheeseburger.

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This is just the beginning of the Grizzly Peak expansion, which will bring new building exteriors, landscape features and more to the former Condor Flats area. Lush pine trees will bring cool areas of shade, making guests feel they have been transported to California’s High Sierras.

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The existing Soarin’ Over California attraction is currently being converted to digital projection systems, but the facade will also be refreshed. Soarin’ is set to return to action in May 2015. No word yet on what is happening to the “Fly ‘N’ Buy” store, but the large restroom building from Condor Flats will return sporting the new green and brown color scheme very soon as well.

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