D23 Expo App Now Available for Download

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Great news if you are planning to head out to the D23 Expo this August, Disney has released an app to help Expo attendees stay organized:

Guests attending the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event are now able to download the free D23 Expo app from the iTunes and Google Play stores. This multi-layered application will serve as a useful tool for those guests attending the event, which takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center August 9–11, 2013.

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The app is packed with features including: schedules, panel information, event calendar, last-minute alerts and fun features like trivia, videos, D23 photo booth and more! Not only does the app have a helpful schedule where you can save panels to your phone’s calendar but it also includes a fun section where you can find the trivia and scavenger hunt. I am looking forward to the scavenger hunt which is comprised of hunting down nine QR code with the given hints. The trivia game starts with the Expo on August 9th and Dave Smith will be asking attendees to answer some of his most interesting questions he has ever been asked. You can download the app here.

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Getting in the Holiday Spirit with New Merchandise at Disney Parks

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

In conjunction with the Limited Time Magic’s “Christmas in July” celebration last week at Walt Disney World, let’s check out some of the new Holiday Merchandise being offered this upcoming holiday season:

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Pins are such a huge collectible at the Disney Parks, and the same holds true for holiday-themed pins. The holiday light bulb with Mouse ears featured above will be available everywhere, while the Hawaiian-themed “Mele Kalikimaka” pin will have an limited-edition size of only 2,000.

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Who wants another loud holiday sweater with a reindeer on it? No one! Why not choose one of these holiday t-shirts instead? Mike Wazowski  from “Monsters University” adorns the youth shirt, while Grumpy from Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” impersonated Santa Claus on the adult shirt. Both shirts will be released at the Walt Disney World  Resort and the Disneyland Resort.

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While Grumpy may not be Santa Claus, you’ll wish Santa leaves this limited edition Ear Hat ornament set under the tree for you; this set contains a Snow White ornament, and seven dwarf hat ornaments. This ornament set will have a limited-edition size of only 600, and will have a price tag of $175 + tax. You’ll find these in select locations starting in August.

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Along with Grumpy, Duffy the Disney bear will also get a holiday-themed makeover. Duffy will get an elf costume!  Pictured above, the 17-inch bear will include the elf outfit and the smaller Mickey Mouse plush.

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Finally, for those Vinylmation fans this holiday season, you’ll find ice-skating Mickey and Minnie figures, designed by Maria Clapsis.

What’s on your holiday wish list?

ABC Network to Present Exclusive Screenings and Q&As on New Fall Shows at D23 Expo

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Attendees at the D23 Expo August 9-11 in Anaheim will be among the first to view some of ABC’s highly anticipated fall series and animated specials, while at the same time learning how they were made.

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At “ABC’s Once Upon A Time: Behind the Fairytale” panel on Saturday, August 10, Executive Producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz will discuss season three’s exciting developments of Once Upon A Time, as well as their new fall series Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, set in Alice’s Victorian England and the new land on the other side of the rabbit hole. D23’s Jeffrey Epstein will be the Q&A’s moderator.

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As a guest of the D23 Expo, board the Jolly Roger, Once Upon A Time‘s famous pirate ship and feast your eyes on original props from the set. Every swash-buckling pirate who boards the ship will get to visit the Evil Queen’s vault, where a surprise awaits those who unlock a box from Regina’s wall of hearts. In true pirate form, buccaneers won’t leave without some booty!

Guests will also have the opportunity to get a close look at some of the elaborate costumes from Once Upon A Time inside the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit on the second floor of the convention center.

Stay tuned to WDWNT for coverage of the D23 Expo August 9-11, 2013!

New Star Wars Attractions, AVATAR Land, and Disney Springs To Be Previewed at D23 Expo 2013

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

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This week’s Disney Insider had an interesting tidbit about the parks and resorts area the the 2013 D23 Expo:

We’re also going to be doing sneak peeks at upcoming projects – including Disney Springs, the reimagining of Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort. There will be teasers for new attractions based on Avatar and Star Wars that we’re working on now for the Disney Parks. We’ll have a play test for a project called Adventure Trading Company, and there will be an outlet of Mickey’s of Glendale, the Imagineering Cast Member store, because like all great attractions we end with a gift shop!

So it doesn’t seem there will be any major announcements, but there at least will be some sort of preview of AVATAR Land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom and possibly a reveal of some new Star Wars attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At the very least, we will have more solid details on the Disney Springs project to talk about.

WDWNT Will be there on the scene at the D23 Expo, so stay tuned for coverage coming August 9th-11th, 2013.

VIDEO: Another Exclusive Planes Digital Short Launched By “Takeoff Tuesdays”

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

This past Tuesday, July 23, Disney.com released another digital short as part of its “Takeoff Tuesdays” series to promote the August 9, 3D release of Planes.

This week’s offering gives us a profile of Ripslinger, a racing legend who was made, not born 10 years ago.

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This world-renowned role model and beloved champion is on a quest for the answer to life’s greatest mystery – Is there an Awesome beyond Awesome, or is Awesome the most Awesome he will ever be? Head over to Disney.com to check out Ripslinger’s video!


Next week’s featured character: Dusty.

Joe Hogarty’s 7/25/13 Disney Springs Construction Photo Report

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty headed to Downtown Disney to check out the latest progress on the Disney Springs project and found quite a bit going on, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Heading into what is now still Pleasure Island

We expect concept art to go on these walls soon, but for now it is just Downtown Disney artwork

The Comedy Warehouse is now currently being demolished

Reminds me of DCA during the overhaul

Plenty of construction materials out on the Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Clob/Motion plot

Walls up around what was Curl and Apricot Lane

The Mannequins building will remain

Walls up on the back of the building

Not much to see yet

The Adventurer’s Club building will remain as part of The Landing

A look across at what was Comedy Warehouse

They are also working on the shoreline on the West Side right now

There might be a new bridge coming…

A look at the wreckage of Comedy Warehouse

Goodbye…

They may keep the large building back there, but it is unknown at this time

World of Color: Winter Dreams Show for the Holiday Season Officially Announced

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

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Beginning November 15th, 2013 at Disney California Adventure is an entirely new version of World of Color called Winter Dreams. The show will feature characters from Bambi, Frozen, Fantasia and Toy Story among many others. Here is the video announcement from Imagineer Steve Davison:

The show will be hosted by Olaf the snowman, from the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature “Frozen”. The show will include new special effects and present some new methods for utilizing the massive “stage” of water, color and light on which “World of Color” is presented.

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So what do you think of World of Color: Winter Dreams?

Disney Releases ‘Sugar Rush’ Game on New Leap Motion Platform

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

SugarRush4Disney Interactive has launched the game Sugar Rush, which is based on the movie Wreck-It Ralph, on the new Leap Motion platform.

Leap Motion is a new technology which allows users to interact with their computer in a real and natural way without a mouse or keyboard.

The way Leap Motion works is with the use of a small 3” controller that connects to your computer (Mac/Windows) using USB. Once connected, you wave your hands around the area above the controller and it will be detected on your computer allowing you to do practically anything. The controller senses how you move your hands the way you naturally move them. So you can just point, wave, reach, and grab. Leap Motion will recognize all these gestures instantly without having to learn any new gestures.

Cool, huh? Well, Disney thought so and released their very first game for the platform based on the movie Wreck-It Ralph. Sugar Rush allows players to create your own “sugar-filled” candy kart and race through 4 challenging speedways. Similar to Mario Kart, you’ll have “objects” that can be used against your challengers like sweet seekers, cherry bombs, and sticky slicks.

Leap Motion is available for purchase now for just $79.99 and Sugar Rush is available through the Airspace Store for just $1.99.

Originally posted on the AWPA Network

The AWPA Network is a community of websites and shows that focus on gaming, technology, comics, and entertainment. Our mission at the AWPA Network is to create a fun community for the fans to interact, have fun, take part, and enjoy all from the comfort of our easy-to-use websites and applications.

VIDEO: Calling All Recruits – The Club Penguin Star Wars Takeover Event is Here!

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

The highly anticipated Club Penguin Star Wars Takeover Event is here, and the galaxy needs you! Now through August 13th, fans will get to participate in the biggest takeover in Club Penguin history.

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Says Chris Heatherly, Vice President and General Manager of Disney Interactive Worlds:

“The Force is strong with the Club Penguin community, and Star Wars is by far the most requested event we have ever seen from our fans. This is the biggest takeover in Club Penguin history with an epic size and scope!”

Members can dress their penguins in costumes from many of their favorite Star Wars characters, such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, C-3PO, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader. Then enlist in the Rebel Alliance and travel to Tatooine for training, to earn points and unique items while dueling with other Jedi hopefuls. Collect Lightsabers, cloaks, robes, and more. Relax and have fun in Star Wars themed party rooms such as the Cantina, Sandcrawler, Mos Eisley, and Lars Homestead.

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And an exclusive costume can be won only in the My Penguin app.
Following training, penguins travel to the Death Star, fight TIE Fighters, and try to defeat Darth Herbert and destroy the Death Star. Successful players will score an award medal of galactic importance, the Rebellion’s highest honor.

Three exciting Star Wars mini-games give penguins the chance to fly X-wing fighters, solve puzzles, and take out Stormtroopers. Members can decorate their space stations with things such as Death Star Archways, Droid Cleaning Stations, and Emperor’s Chairs.

Watch this urgent message now, as you may be their only hope!

Beware, Darth Hebert will try to convince you to join the dark side. So head on over to ClubPenguin.com and prepare to save the galaxy. Your fellow Jedi knights need you!

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Video and Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company 

John Williams Will Score Star Wars Episode VII

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

I called it back in April during the Star Trek: Into Darkness Press Conference but now it’s official that John Williams will return to score the soundtracks for Star Wars Episode VII, VIII, and IX.

Williams, whose career spans over six decades, has won five Academy Awards and has scored some of the most popular and critically acclaimed films of all time, including Jaws, the Indiana Jones series, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Lincoln, and countless others.

The composer joins a growing list of all-star creators including director J.J. Abrams, screenwriter Michael Arndt, and consultants Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg, who are shaping Star Wars: Episode VII, now set for a 2015 release.

Watch StarWars.com’s new interview with Williams below, where he discusses composing the music for Star Wars: Episode VII, working with Kathleen Kennedy and J.J. Abrams, and why he’s excited about returning to a galaxy far, far away.