Tom Wolber Assumes Leadership at Disneyland Paris

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

Euro Disney S.C.A. announced on September 15 that Tom Wolber has started in his role as Président of the various management companies that operate Disneyland Resort Paris.

On his first day in his new role, Mr. Wolber said “I am pleased to return to Europe and especially to Disneyland Paris, where I was in  1992 for its opening, to pursue the development of the leading European vacation destination”.

Tom is German and speaks 4 languages: French, Dutch, English and German. He returns to Disneyland Paris and brings more than 20 years of wide-ranging operations experience including leadership positions at Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris. He most recently served as the head of Walt Disney World Resort and Transportation Operations, overseeing all of the 28 resort hotels and the property’s extensive transportation network. He has also overseen a number of complex expansion projects, including the successful launch of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy and was instrumental in the Disney Springs master plan and the continued growth of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ sports business.

VIDEO: Astro Orbiter Takes New Color-Scheme Out for a Spin at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

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The Astro Orbiter has been undergoing a major refurbishment over the last several weeks and is now finally starting to take its very first test spins after being completely ripped down and reassembled. With testing now in full swing, we can get a look at now only the shiny new planets and rings, but also the new teal and red color scheme on the rockets:

These new colors compliment the new color scheme we saw debut at the Peoplemover loading area a few weeks ago when that attraction returned to service.

Here’s what the Astro Orbiter looked like before:

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What do you think? A positive change?

9/16/14 Walt Disney World Photo Report (Rivers of Light Construction, AVATAR, Polynesian DVC, Magic Kingdom, ETC.)

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

WDWNT Reporters Joe Hogarty and Dirk Wallen have been busy visiting the parks this week and have some great photos from Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Disney Vacation Club wing at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

A look at the current progress on the bungalows

Work is also continuing on the hub project at the Magic Kingdom

The Halloween statues are finally in the hub for this year

Meanwhile, the permanent hub statues have been removed for future construction, but should return next year

Olaf? Kind of looks like Dilbert…

The crane is up behind Cinderella Castle installing Elsa’s magic…

They finally installed a permanent sign telling guests they can see Anna and Elsa in the parade if they don’t want to wait forever

The former Seven Dwarfs Mine shop is still behind walls

The Astro Orbiter wraps up its refurbishment on September 27th

The Disney Vacation Club booth in Tomorrowland is behind walls, hopefully for some fresh paint since bulldozing this would see the removal of the last former ticket booth left inside of the park

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Joe Hogarty visited Animal Kingdom to check out all of the construction happening there

Discovery Island is still quite a mess as they build a new breezeway for easier exiting from the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light

You can see workers out fixing the Tree of Life during the park’s operating hours as they race to meet deadlines

Some of the walls will be up for a few months, so Disney has done their best to make them a good photo-op in some areas

“it’s tough to be a bug” is still closed until September 27th

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Walls up by Flame Tree Barbecue

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Another look at the work on the Tree of Life

Construction has begun on Rivers of Light, the new nighttime show for the park

A large viewing area will be constructed along the section of the Discovery River that separates Dinoland and Asia

It will be at least a good 18 months until you can get those glamor shots of Everest again thanks to the construction walls

But, there’s quality photo-ops like this one…

No Dream Builders signs being used here, “Disney’s animal Kingdom is about to show a whole new side”

There are a lot of walls…

These walls appear along the Theater in the Wild stroller parking path in Dinoland

Another look at the home to Rivers of Light

Shall we peek into AVATAR-land?

Nothing too exciting yet…

New One-Sheet For “Into The Woods” Released

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

A new one-sheet for Disney’s upcoming feature film Into The Woods has been released.

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Into The Woods is a modern twist on several of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.

Rob Marshall, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the Academy Award®-winning musical Chicago and Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, directs the film, which is based on the Tony®-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics.

Into The Woods will be released in theaters Dec. 25, 2014.

La Nouba Dinner & Show Package To Be Offered 9/30-11/22/14

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

The package includes category 1 or 2 tickets to Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba 6 Pm performances and dining at Splitsville, Wolfgang Puck, or Planet Hollywood on dates ranging from 9/30 through 11/22, 2014. Category 1 tickets are $119 + tax for adults and $109 + tax for children, while category 2 tickets are $99 + tax per adult and $89 + tax per child.

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Dinner includes one entrée, 1 non-alcoholic beverage, and 1 dessert per person and gratuity is not included. Dining can be before or after the show, with before needing to be seated prior to 4:30Pm and after seating beginning at 8PM.

You can book this package by calling (407) WDW-SEAT, or by visiting the box office at Cirque Du Soleil at Downtown Disney.

iPhone 6 Cases Coming to D-Tech on Demand at Co-Op in Downtown Disney

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

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Do you smell that? That’s the smell of new technology in the morning! With the release of the new iPhone 6 imminent (tomorrow as of this writing), fans look for ways to showoff they’re love for Disney and Disney knows that. Announced on the Disney Parks Blog, D-Tech on Demand will begin selling iPhone 6 cases on September 20th at the Co-Op store in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Other locations at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland will be added in October. You’ll be able to pick from over 170 designs to customize your new iPhone 6 and Disney even gave us a preview of 3 new designs they’ll be introducing with the launch of the iPhone 6 cases.

For those of you who purchased an iPhone 6 Plus (like myself), we’ll have to hang on just a little longer as they launch of those cases won’t be until later in the Fall.

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Debuts Beautiful Waterfall Marquee to Welcome Guests

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

You may as well strike “Disney’s Polynesian Resort” from your vocabulary, because the name change is in full-effect now…

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The waterfall is just to the left of the main motor vehicle entrance for the resort and marks the first permanent signage at the resort to reflect the new name so far. To really appreciate how nice the sight is at night with the running water and lighting, we also have a video for you to enjoy:

The name change and cosmetic overhaul of the resort is in preparation for the opening of the Disney Vacation Club wing of the resort in early 2015.

J. J. Abrams Teases The Millennium Falcon, And Also Teases Zack Snyder

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

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Your move, Zack Snyder. Over the last few months J. J Abrams, director of Star Wars: Episode VII, and Zack Snyder, director of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, have been having a friendly little Twitter war concerning the two movies. Both are excited about seeing the other director’s movies, but they each stand firmly in their own camp.

This new video was released today by J. J. Abrams and it teases the Millennium Falcon, but as you can see at the end it is more of Abrams pushing Snyder’s buttons.

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Zack Snyder first started the war of the blockbusters back in July when he tweeted a picture of Henry Cavill, Superman, dressed as SuperJedi.

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Not to be outdone, Abrams tweeted a photo of John Boyega, cast in Episode VII, as Boyegaman:

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Snyder than tweeted a photo of Batman on Tatooine hanging out with his new sidekick, R2D2:

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Abrams retaliated with a version of C3PO as the Dark Knight overlooking Gotham City:

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Snyder’s last tweet showed a Stormtrooper being arrested by Gotham Police while also revealing an image of the new Batmobile:

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It appears the battle between the two of them is far from over and is bound to keep escalating. Definitely a battle that fans from both franchises can enjoy.

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice will be released on March 25, 2016. Star Wars: Episode VII will be released on December 18th, 2015.

Your Cruise and Travel Planning Questions Answered Tonight (9/18/14) on WDWNT: The Radio Show

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

radio_show_post_logoTonight on WDWNT: The Radio Show Marilee Terp, a Cruise and Tour Specialist from Vacation Travel Planners joins us to answer your travel     planning questions. Dreaming of a Disney Cruise? She will give you some tips for a magical voyage.

As always, we will be giving out some great prizes from Theme Park Connection as we play the game 5 Things.

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 1hour 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 EDT tonight, don’t miss it!

BYE-BYE BACKLOT TOUR! Hollywood Studios PIXAR Place Expansion Coming, Many Current Attractions Closing Soon?

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

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I know you’ve heard this one before, but it seems like the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is finally closing. A few days ago we told you that once Soundstage 1 at the park moves Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Frozen Funland out, work is set to begin on a third track for Toy Story Midway Mania inside of that building. Well, now it seems like the area surrounding Soundstage 1 will be used for the rest of a large-scale PIXAR Place expansion.

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Likely coming to the park are some of the small, flat-rides developed for Toy Story Playland at Disneyland Resort Paris and Toy Story Land at Hong Kong Disneyland including RC Racer, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, and the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop. The attractions possibly on the chopping block take up much more room than these small rides would, so chances are the remaining space would be used for Cars or Monsters Inc. attractions.

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Toy Story Land at Hong Kong Disneyland, also being built for Shanghai Disneyland and exists at Disneyland Resort Paris

Operating hours calendars released to cast members currently have only a few days of October hours for many of the offerings in that area, including the Monsters Inc. meet and greet, the Studio Backlot Tour, the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, the Coke Bottle food stand, Studio Catering Company, and High Octane Refreshments next door. All of these attractions have no dates posted past October 11th. So, in short, all of these offerings might be closing on October 11th, one week after the closure of Maelstrom at Epcot. All other attraction operating hours are listed through January, so you can see why it’s awfully suspicious that all of these items in one area are not listed after a date in mid-October.

These operating hours combined with rumblings among Disney employees all seem to point at a PIXAR Place expansion, but nothing is set in stone quite yet and some of this post is pure speculation based on what we have heard so far. We will certainly keep you posted as more develops in this story, but it truly seems like after 25 years that we will see the end of the Studio Backlot Tour.

What do you think? Are you excited for these possible changes?