Hollywood Studios 25th Anniversary – We need your help!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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With the anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios just around the corner, we would like some help from you, our fans!

Over the past 25 years we’re sure you’ve made some memories or had something amazing happen at the Studios. We’d like for you to record yourself or write a paragraph describing a favorite memory or moment you’ve had at the Studios for us to play on WDWNTunes in celebration of this momentous occasion. If you submit a write-up of your memory, someone from WDWNT will record it for you.

Please include your name, where you’re from, and try to keep it to 2-3 minutes in length if you can. We’ll add some background audio and things of that sort for you. Please send all submissions to dhs25@wdwnt.com.

Thanks so much!

Disney Reveals 25th Anniversary Merchandise for Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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On May 1st, 2014, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will celebrate its historic 25th anniversary in style with a plethora of exclusive commemorative merchandise items. Soundstage 1 between the Studio Backlot tour and Toy Story Midway Mania will be turned into a special merchandise location for the day and all of the following will be available:

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Here are the men’s, women’s, and children’s shirts (including a polo shirt)

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Keychain, pre-dressed Duffy the Disney Bear, messenger bag, logo pin, and “I Was There” pin

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An assortment of other pins and pin accessories including an annual passholder pin and some open edition pins that will be available throughout 2014

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A mystery pin collection featuring Disney characters

The Disney Parks online store will also carry the four shirts pictured in this story from May 1-5, 2014. The shirts will ship in 6-8 weeks once orders are completed (express shipping is not available). To order the shirts starting May 1, visit http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents.

WDWNT will be covering all of the festivities for the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1st, so stay tuned!

Do You Have A “Million Dollar Arm”? New Contest Offers A Chance To Win $1 Million Prize

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Amateur pitchers everywhere will have a chance to prove they have the fastball skills to win a $1 million prize in a competition to celebrate the opening of Disney’s Million Dollar Arm which releases  May 16, 2014.

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Million Dollar Arm is an incredible true story about two young men who went from never throwing a baseball to getting a Major League tryout.

Contestants will be able to test their skills at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida or the Tribeca Family Festival in New York on April 25 & 26 from 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. The three contestants from each location who throw the fastest pitches will advance to the finals and have a chance to compete for a $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s Million Dollar Arm in Hollywood on May 6.

Official contest rules are available on Disney.com’s Million Dollar Arm website located at http://disney.com/PitchingContest

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Based on a true story, Million Dollar Arm is the story of how sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a desperate effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.” With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint (Alan Arkin), he discovers Dinesh (played by Madhur Mittal from Slumdog Millionaire) and Rinku (played by Suraj Sharma from Life of Pi), two 18-year-old boys who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make some fast money, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India, the boys, who have never left their rural villages, are likewise challenged when they come to the States. As the boys learn the finer points of baseball, JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda (Lake Bell), learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.

Directed by Craig Gillespie, Disney’s Million Dollar Arm stars Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Suraj Sharma, Lake Bell and Alan Arkin. Disney’s Million Dollar Arm will be released in the United States on May 16, 2014.

 

PHOTOS: Epcot Tests Strange Paint Scheme on Innoventions Buildings

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

If you’ve been to Epcot over the last few days, you probably couldn’t help seeing this…

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When this strange pattern started to appear on the exteriors of the Innoventions buildings, we assumed they were testing paint schemes they might be interested in. It seems this may actually be the desired result…




It’s definitely on the odd side, but I don’t think it looks terrible. It will certainly be interesting to see what the final product looks like…

What do you think?

VIDEO: New “Maleficent” Featurette Released

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

The Walt Disney Studios has released a new featurette from the upcoming live-action film Maleficent, which releases May 30, 2014.

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Check out the featurette, titled “The Legacy” that explores the filmmaker’s and Angelina Jolie’s approach to creating the back story of Maleficent:

Maleficent stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville and is directed by Robert Stromberg,

Disney’s “Best Moment Ever” Sweepstakes Now Open For Entries

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Running now through May 14, 2014, Disney’s Best Moment Ever sweepstakes is now accepting entries from fans competing to win a trip for 4 to The Walt Disney World Resort. All they have to do is share a photo and a caption of one of their favorite moments.

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Every Disney Princess has had their best moment ever. Merida was able to change her fate, Tiana realized her dream of opening her own restaurant, and Rapunzel finally made it to see the sky lanterns. Now, you can share your best moment ever for a chance to win a Walt Disney World Resort vacation and participate in the Disney Royal Family 5K.

To enter, submit a photo that portrays a moment of achievement in any activity (recreational, educational or a significant moment in time). Along with your photo, submit a caption that best describes your moment in less than 140 characters. You can check out examples in the Best Moment Ever Photo Gallery and for more detailed instructions, visit Disney.com/BestMomentEver and read the official rules.

Entrants will have a chance to win 1 of 5 prizes:

     1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive a 4 days/3 nights Disney Parks Vacation for 4 to The Walt Disney World® Resort:

  •          Roundtrip coach Airfare (If winner resides more than 250 miles from Orlando International Airport)
  •          2 Nights at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel
  •          1 Night at the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney Worldc Resort
  •          4 Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper® Option
  •         4 Tickets to the runDisney “Royal Family 5K” as part of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World® Resort on February 20, 2015

     1 FIRST PRIZE WINNER will receive a $1,000 Disney Store shop card

     3 SECOND PRIZE WINNERS will receive a $100 Disney Store shop card

Go to Disney.com/BestMomentEver to submit your entry today.

VIDEO: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Testing Gives Guests First Views of Swinging, Swaying Vehicles

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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While visiting the Magic Kingdom yesterday, WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty couldn’t help but notice that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was being tested with trains full of weights. With more of the construction walls coming down yesterday, we can get a clear look at the trains running through most of the outdoor portion of the ride and see how they will swing and sway with guests inside:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is scheduled to open in May 2014, but no exact date has been given yet. The attraction will be the final component to open in the New Fantasyland project which was announced almost 5 years ago and has been under construction for 4 years.

Dirk Wallen’s 4/22/14 WDW Photo Report (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s animal Kingdom yesterday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The lobby lives on…

Still no visible progress at the old Wyland Gallery

The temporary Captain Cook’s is what is usually where Cast Members eat at the resort

The Disney Vacation Club bungalows are progressing nicely

Not hard to believe these will open by next year, they have progressed quickly

Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the Hub

Some temporary popcorn and ice cream carts have been added as they demolish the old locations in the hub

Tarps up on some of the buildings in the Agrabah section of Adventureland

Tarps came down, but walls are still up outside of the Tiki Room

Walls still up across from the Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland, related to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction

The DVC kiosk got a name…

Most of the walls around Seven Dwarfs Mine Train have come down

Some remain near the entrance

The sign for the attraction is now up

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, work continues on the Harambe Theatre, new home to Festival of the Lion King

Walls still up near the stroller parking in Africa

Walls are also up along the Wildlife Express Train route, not sure if the two are related

Disney Announces Official Festivities for 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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On May 1st, 2014, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will mark its 25th anniversary with some special events in the park:

  • At 10 a.m., Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will take the stage with Disney’s Hollywood Studios Vice President Dan Cockerell to start the celebration day, honoring some of the 25-year cast members during a short rededication ceremony.
  • A special motorcade — “Stars of the Studios” — will make its way down Hollywood Blvd. beginning at 7 p.m. and feature many of the famous characters showcased throughout the park. Mickey and Minnie will be joined by television and film stars including Captain Jack Sparrow, Darth Vader, Doc McStuffins, Wreck-It Ralph, Venellope, Sofia the First and more.
  • Following the motorcade, the area in front of the park’s Sorcerer Hat Stage will become a dance party before a fireworks show ends the day in grand fashion at 9:30 p.m. The pyrotechnics show, which will be high in the sky above the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, will pay tribute to 25 years of show business stories that have been told throughout the park.
  •  And finally, a taste-tempting treat — a 25th Anniversary Chocolate Nutella Cupcake — will be sold at many of the park’s quick service dining locations during the day.

As we posted last week, special merchandise to mark the occasion will also be available.

WDWNT will be there to cover all of the festivities for those who can’t make it (as well as Studios 25), so stay tuned!

Attendees of Annecy International Animated Film Festival Among First to View “Feast”

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

On June 10, attendees of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France will be able to screen Disney Animation Studios’ new short Feast making its world premiere at the event.

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Directed by first-time director Patrick Osborne, Feast is the story of one man’s love life as seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed through the meals they share. The short will open in theaters in front of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new action-packed, big-screen adventure Big Hero 6 on November 7, 2014.

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