PHOTOS: A Walk Around the 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Epcot this week and took a few hundred photos of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Next-Gen “Memory Maker” To Help Guests Make Video Memories While They Wait In Line
While we have heard plenty about MyMagic+ offerings like MagicBand, FastPass+, and MyDisneyExperience, there is still another piece of the puzzle that remains somewhat a mystery…
While we don’t have a lot of details on exactly what Memory Maker (or My Memory Maker) will encompass, it seems that guests will be able to interact with certain props in queues for attractions and create video memories that they can see on their phones or when they return home. A prop recently installed at MuppetVision 3-D may give us some clues to how Memory Maker works:
If what we have heard is correct, guests could walk up to this mirror and prompt an interactive moment with The Muppets that will be video recorded by stationary hidden cameras. The guest’s MagicBand would be read and the system would connect the guest with their account on MyDisneyExperience, sending their video right into their app on their phone. Guests without the app should receive an email with the video.
The idea behind this is guests are often so busy doing attractions and sticking to a schedule to get everything done in a given day that they forget to take out their cameras and record moments from their vacation. This offering would be an interactive and fun way to save guest’s the hassle and make sure they have some video from their vacation when they return home. Also, what guest won’t want to interact with some of their favorite characters while they wait in line?
We will share more information on this story as it becomes available.
So, what do you think of Memory Maker? Good idea? Bad idea?
A Look at the Past and Future of WDW Offered to Passholders Updating to RFID Tickets
Annual Passholders upgrading their tickets at the Odyssey Center at Epcot received a pleasant surprise when they showed up… (Thanks to Jose Castillo and Dirk Wallen for the photos)
The set-up is a little nicer than we expected
Kudos to Disney for putting the effort in to make the exchange process pleasant
The tickets… you actually get to pick what character you get!
Signage talks about what the new pass can do and will do
BUT WHEN?
The MagicBands and the box they will be delivered in was on display. The black MagicBand now appears to be grey…
One of the original Figment animatronics on display
A Kitchen Kabaret character as well
Walt Disney World tickets through the years on display
Some recent innovations
Tom Morrow 2.0 from Innoventions
Cast name tags through the years
Pegleg Pete is back at Disney World! He was recently spotted at Disneyland
The history of audio-animtronics discussed
After they get their new pass, Passholders can test it out on some of the new entrance touch points
Zebras Removed Permanently After 4 Months from Kilimanjaro Safaris
As big of a deal as Disney made about the new finale including Zebras on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom, the Zebras were quietly removed from the attraction recently. Disney has sited “acclimation” issues for the animals, deciding that thew new home just wasn’t working out. Some insider reports claim that the zebras were troublesome and would constantly block the vehicle path or bite each-other and attack vehicles filled with guests. Whatever the reason, they were removed and will be replaced with Addax:
Here’s video of the Zebras from when they debuted in “Zebra Glen” back in November:
Merchandise Revealed for Star Wars Weekends 2013
When Star Wars Weekends lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 17th, there will be an armada of new, exclusive merchandise for guests to purchase:
The title scroll from the films play a big role this year
We heard there wouldn’t be many more 9″ Vinylmation, but one of the last will be Jabba the Hutt with a Salacious Crumb 1.5″ junior
Some logo merchandise… notice the green customizable name-tag for this year
New action figures featuring Disney and Muppets characters playing… well, I guess they are now playing Disney characters…
A poster calendar, carbonite Vinylmation, and a annual passholder exclusive black name tag among other items
Jumbo pin
The Star Wars Weekends logo characters in plush form
Salacious Crumb collectible
The long-awaited series of Cars/Star Wars die-cast vehicles is coming
Jedi Mickey and R2-MK in Mickey’s Starfighter toy
Thermal Detonator hot potato game
Star Wars Vinylmation Series #3
Star Wars Droids Vinylmation Jr. series
At Star Wars Celebration VI in 2012, we got a closer look at some of the collectibles being released this year at Star Wars Weekends. We have video of the presentation where most of these items were announced for you to enjoy:
So what do you think? Will you be picking up any of these items?
Dirk Wallen’s 3/25/13 Epcot Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot on Monday and has some newsworthy photos from his trip to share with us:
BUTTERFLIES!!!
Who wants generic Easter crap?
The KODAK picture spots are still up around the parks
The Future World Easter Egg Hunt is in full swing
Bunny Ring Toss
Nothing stranger than the Epcot font on an egg…
Tarps are still up on the Mission: Space facade
Some filming being done, BE SURE TO PUSH THE DUFFYS!!!
MORE BUTTERFLIES!!!
PHOTOS: Monorail Black Has Become the “Iron Man-O-Rail”
While the latest installment of the “Iron Man” films doesn’t hit theaters for a few more weeks, an “Iron Man 3”-themed monorail train began rolling around the Walt Disney World Resort Seven Seas Lagoon last weekend.
The WDI project team – Jim Armagost, Jay Aquilanti, Brian Crosby, Anna Colaizzi and Rick Faber – tackled the challenge of designing for this unique canvas. The Monorail Black exterior has been completely transformed to feature graphic depictions of Tony Stark as Iron Man.
“It was important to us at Imagineering that the end result celebrates the movie and remains true to the vision of the monorail,” Creative Designer Brian Crosby said. “So, when designing the graphics, I thought to myself ‘if I was Tony Stark and designing for the monorail, how do I celebrate me [Tony Stark]?’”
With that in mind, the art prominently features the superhero’s colors of red and gold, and looks like an armored vehicle that Tony Stark would invent. Two Iron Man characters are depicted flying alongside the monorail train.
Imagineers worked closely with Walt Disney World Resort, Walt Disney Studios and Marvel Entertainment representatives throughout the design process.
“It is a great collaboration among the four groups,” Brian said. “Everyone brings a unique perspective to the process.”
What do you think of the Iron Man monorail wrap? Good? Bad?
New “Iron Man 3” Exhibit Coming To Innoventions at Disneyland
From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:
Attention Iron Man fans! To celebrate the upcoming release of “Iron Man 3,” opening in theaters May 3, an exciting new exhibit is coming to Innoventions at Disneyland park in California – featuring actual set pieces from the film!
Beginning April 13, Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries will give Disneyland park guests the chance to see Tony Stark’s Hall of Armor, featuring Iron Man suits Mark I-VII – the same suits featured in “Iron Man 3.” And you will even be able to virtually “suit up,” yourself! Through simulation technology, guests will be able to see what it’s like to operate the latest pieces of the Mark 42 Iron Man armor, even getting the chance to test out its infamous repulsor blasts.
Come experience Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries when it opens at Innoventions in Disneyland park April 13 – and then check out “Iron Man 3” in theaters May 3.
We also uncovered some additional information through a document released internally to Disneyland cast members:
- The exhibit will run through September
- Innoventions will not be closing for installation of the new Iron Man Exhibit
- The Iron Man experience will not be replacing any existing exhibit in the building. (This makes us believe it will take up the space where Honda usually displays their vehicles whenever they are hosting a promotion at the parks.)
So, what do you think of this first installation of Marvel at Disneyland?
How Early Can You Make FastPass+ Selections? New Details Emerge on MyMagic+
When Disney updated the MyDisneyExperience app last night, they also updated the terms of service that guests using the app must agree to. Some details we have either speculated about or not been informed of to this point were discussed within those terms, so we have decided to highlight the more important new facts about MyMagic+:
Friends
There are two types of friends you can have within MyDisneyExperience: managed friends or connected friends. Managed friends are guests with profiles you create and manage on their behalf. Connected friends are friends who’s profiles you do not create or manage. By sending or accepting an invitation to become connected friends with someone, you authorize those connected friends to plan and modify activities for you including FastPass+ selections. Disney states is not liable for changes, so if your friends mess up your reservations, well, you’re out of luck.
Notifications
Once available, you may choose to receive special email and text alerts during your visit such as itinerary updates, notice of photo availability, and personalized on-site tips and offers. Push notifications will also be an option.
FastPass+
Disney FastPass+ service allows you to select an arrival window to experience certain park attractions, character meet and greets, and quick-service restaurants, and to arrange a viewing location for certain entertainment such as fireworks, parades and shows. You can modify FastPass+ selections for yourself, Managed Friends, and Connected Friends.
You can make FastPass+ selections for one park per day. You may only select and use a FastPass+ selection for a particular attraction, entertainment or restaurant experience once a day. When you initially make FastPass+ selections for a particular park, you will choose a FastPass+ experience set. If your plans change, you may modify the entire FastPass+ experience set until the first FastPass+ experience is used or the first unused experience expires. You may also modify any unused individual FastPass+ experience any time prior to the end of the day.
Magic Your Way ticket holders and Annual Passholders may make FastPass+ selections beginning 60 days prior to use. Selection window will vary for other tickets.
Disney reserves the right to re-assign or reschedule a FastPass+ selection due to an unplanned attraction or entertainment down time or change in operating hours. This will be useful is guiding guests away from attractions when they are down.
Registration Now Open for WDWCelebrations’ “Flora, Fauna, & Fantasy” Event, “Studio 25” Coming in 2014
WDWCelebrations plans to commemorate “Flora, Fauna & Fantasy” in April 2013 and a Celebration of the Historic 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May 2014
Mark your calendars for our latest Commemorative and Signature Events set to bring like-minded Disney fans back to the Walt Disney World Resort® to celebrate the magic of the past, present and future together again!
The WDWCelebrations Team is excited to announce two new events at the Walt Disney World® Resort for 2013 and 2014. Following up on five years of successful events including their most recent offering, Celebration 30, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Epcot®, the not-for-profit organization has developed two unique events for Disney fans to celebrate together.
WDWCelebrations is going wild with excitement over their most immediate effort, with “Flora, Fauna & Fantasy” set to take place in April 2013. The three-day event, set for April 20 – April 22, 2013, will showcase the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, the recent debut of New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom Park and the fifteenth anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. The first ever Signature Commemorative Event, this triple-bill celebration will combine WDWCelebrations signature offerings such as interactive games, scavenger hunts, group rides, group meals, and, of course, a few very special surprises, all intended to celebrate the wildest new offerings at the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Looking forward to 2014, May 1st marks the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As with our previous events, this celebration will include our own signature offerings to complement any official activities offered by the Walt Disney Company.
Jason Diffendal, co-founder of WDWCelebrations, explains, “In May 2009 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and it was clear that the park struck many a chord with our guests. With a quarter century under its belt we are happy to be back to celebrate the park’s latest milestone achievement with new activities as well as returning favorites that will surely please the park’s many fans.”
As part of our Charity Initiative, a portion of the registration fee will be earmarked for our donation presentation. The registration fee for adults is $8, of which $2 will go toward the charity donation. The registration fee for children is $3, of which $2 will go toward the charity donation.
Registration for “Flora, Fauna & Fantasy is now open. Registration for Studio 25 will open in June 2013. More information about these events will be released in the coming months via the WDWCelebrations.com website and newsletter as well as the WDWCelebrations official fan page on Facebook and the @WDWCelebrations Twitter feed.
WDW News Today is a proud partner of WDWCelebrations.com