NOINDEX – Page 494 – WDWNT Archive

Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips at the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Michelle Harker on Disney Parks Blog:

Happy Holidays, Disney fans!

It’s been another great year filled with events, releases, promotions and so much more. Thank you for sharing the ride with me.

For those who have things “wrapped” or buttoned up for the holidays, I commend you. You would think as the shopping queen out here, I’d be a little further ahead but that’s not the case. So for all of you doing last-minute shopping like me, here are a few things you may want to consider.

Vintage Buena Vista Street Holiday Merchandise – Here’s a look at the art which appears on a variety of items including tees, fleece, ornaments, mugs, greeting cards, tapestry throws and more. Find them at Elias & Co. and Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure park.

A few weeks ago I shared some of our holiday gear for Cars Land. If you haven’t made a pit stop at Radiator Springs Curios, don’t wait much longer – folks are racing for it.

New for the season from our friends at HARVEYS is the Minnie & Mickey in Love seatbeltbag collection. Buckle up and head over to Disney Vault 28 and the Fortuosity Shop and get ready for a great ride.

Next on the list… A sweet Holiday treat, maybe? Then you’re in luck. Candy Palace, Marceline’s Confectioneryand of course, Trolley Treats are filled with goodies for anyone with a sweet tooth. Holiday cupcakes, apples, peppermint break up and fudge are high on the list, but the true hidden gem this season is the gourmet marshmallows, flavored to peppermint and egg nog. Take this from a girl who isn’t typically a fan of egg nog … It’s incredible! Now, we can’t forget the famous candy canes made by our talented team of candy makers, that alone is a true holiday treat to watch.

Fellow Disney Parks Blog author Steven Miller recently shared some of this year’s best holiday deals and stocking stuffers tips. If you haven’t had the time to check out his post yet, be sure to set some time aside.

Wondering how you can find out more about other “must have” holiday gifts and deals? Well those currently following @Disneyland, @WaltDisneyWorld and @DisneyParks on Twitter know the trick, because we are right in the middle of our 25 Days of Tweets which offers a different gift item or holiday idea each day. How do you find these tweets? Simply look for #GiftDisney.

So get shopping, get wrapping, watch movies, sing carols, bake cookies and just enjoy the holiday time with your loved ones. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Have a safe and happy holiday and I’ll see you here next year with a lot more exciting merchandise news to share!

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on the holiday season at Disney Parks, and join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #DisneyHolidays.

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Project Sidekickz Artist Aaralyn

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

The Custom Artist Project is a group of 11 of the best custom Vinylmation artists in the world who have come together to make their own blind box series. Series 1 is called “Sidekickz” and is a mix of different Disney sidekicks from films or TV. It will be released on October 6th. Each day leading up to the release, we will spotlight a different artist from the series. Today we spotlight custom artist Aaralyn

Hometown:
Lafayette, LA

Website:
www.artworksbyaaralyn.com

What Disney Sidekick did you choose?
Rajah from Aladdin

Why did you choose that sidekick?
Rajah is a very loyal sidekick to Jasmine throughout the movie and I love his character design. My favorite scene from the movie is where Jafar transforms Rajah into a cub. He has an adorable confused expression that I wanted to capture in my custom. In addition, I have always been a fan of cats.

Favorite Disney Movie?
I think this is the hardest question I’ve ever been asked. Growing up, I was always a fan of Beauty and the Beast. While now I can’t pick a favorite, some of my other favorites include Tangled, Mulan, Princess and the Frog, Brave, Up, and Monsters Inc.

Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction?
While I love the People Mover at Magic Kingdom, my favorite ride is Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios. The ride is so much fun, even though my score could use improving.

Favorite aspect of working on the Mickey shaped canvas?
In addition to loving the challenge of creating art on a 3D mold, I love that every piece I design is shaped like the mouse that started it all. While I enjoy the other molds Disney has created, the Mickey mold will always be my favorite.

More info on the Custom Artist Project:

Website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistProject/

How to purchase: The price of one blind box is $65, including shipping within the US. We’re looking into international shipping right now, but it will probably be another $5-10 if it works out.Paypal is going to be the accepted payment. It is limited to one household per blind box.

What you get: You will get one blind box (yes, I’m actually making boxes) with one of 24 different figures. Some figures come with accessories. You will also get 11 different cards, 1 from each artist.

Jeff Lukas’ 5/5/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Welcome

We’re still letting the memories begin…

Work continues on the Main Street Bakery facade

Tangled characters meeting in Town Square until a new home in Fantasyland is ready

Pillow pets everywhere!

Still funny

Something for the ladies

That’s… different…

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is looking great following the refurbishment

Everything looks brand new inside

The Tangled meet and greet is being turned into the home for Merida from Brave

More steel rises for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster

What appears to be a large weathervane appeared on the roof of Maurice’s Cottage, Enchanted Tales with Belle

We just keep moving ours…

The second tent is Storybook Circus is slowly being covered

No more steel frames to see at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is coming along nicely

Just a peek over the walls and we can see Casey in all his glory! This looks fantastic for being just a water play area.

RFID FASTPASS scanner outside the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The crane, the crane!

Most of the framework for the Castle Walls is standing now

“I wonder what they are building…”

Stroller parking now happening outside of Village Haus

It’s been quite a shuffle the last few years

Some facade work happening on “it’s a small world”

Work continues on the former plot of the Fantasyland Skyway Station

Work is wrapping up on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment

Everything out in the queue looks good

Bigger changes are expected for the indoor queue, at the very leas most of it has been rebuilt

I know it’s blurry, but you can see that the railroad ties are back

The new track should be a nice adjustment

Oooooooo….

Booooooooo….

The Robo-News man in Tomorrowland returned to service recently

He looks brand new!

Some new shirts at Philharmagic, I LOVE both of them

This shirt has been around, but still cool!

Center Street looks great as does all of Main Street following the 3 years of facade work that has been going on

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Project Sidekickz Artist NRB Relic

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

Hometown:
Lake Arrowhead, CA

Website:
www.nrbrelic.com

What Disney Sidekick did you choose?
Flower

Why did you choose that sidekick?
He is just so cute! And also because he needed a tail it opened an opportunity to do some sculpting.

Favorite Disney Movie?
Mary Poppins

Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction?
Indiana Jones Adventure

Favorite aspect of working on the Mickey shaped canvas?
I have loved Mickey forever and to be able to paint anything I want and incorporate Mickey as part of the piece is just so awesome!

Cars Themed at Home Holiday Decorations

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

You may have decorated your house top to bottom by now, but what about your garage? If Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park is any indication, cars love to celebrate the holidays, too! David Caranci, Manager of Resort Enhancement at the Disneyland Resort, is back today to show us how to make easy, inexpensive, Cars Land-inspired holiday decorations at home.

—

Featured image by Haylay Nace.

WDW News Today Celebrates 5 Years Online, Right Where It All Began

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

The Avengers may be burning up the box office, but there is another Summer blockbuster on the way:

A little overdramatic? Sure, but if you’re looking for a few days of fun this Summer, the New York City area can offer it…

It was 5 years ago here in New York that it all began for WDW News Today. What began as a small blog dedicated to covering any and all news at the Walt Disney World Resort is now a network of popular websites and podcasts that are viewed by thousands of Disney fans each and every day. Before we move the entire operation to Orlando later this year, we plan to go out in style and celebrate the improbable 5th anniversary of the WDWNT Network right where it got started.

Over 4 days, we are planning excursions to some local amusement parks, to New York City to experience Newsies on Broadway during its limited engagement and the new Disney Store in Times Square, and to Flushing Meadows to see where it all began for the Florida Project, the site of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Here’s the schedule:

Thursday, July 12 (Optional Add-on Day):
Six Flags Great Adventure Group Outing (Park tickets required)

Friday, July 13:
10:00 AM – General Reception, Disney Pin & Vinylmation Trading
5:00 PM – Rainforest Cafe Group Dinner (Tickets required)
8:00 PM – Live recording of WDW News Today Podcast Episode 250

Saturday, July 14:
9:00 AM – Group trip to Times Square – Disney Store
2:00 PM – Newsies on Broadway (Tickets required)
11:00 PM – Live video recording of “See Ya Real Late with Tom Corless” talk show

Sunday, July 15:
8:00 AM – WDWNT: The Game Shows (Win prizes!)
1:00 PM – History Walk at site of 1964-65 World’s Fair
3:30 PM – Group trip to Luna Park, Coney Island

The base of operations for the weekend’s events will be the Hampton Inn in Somerset, NJ. All of the live programming and games away from the excursions will be held in the convention space in the hotel. We also have special hotel rates available when booking with Janis from Travel Dreams at 856-768-2511 or jltraveldreams@cs.com. Rooms with King or 2 Doubles are $79.00 a night and Suites are available for $90.00.

You do not need to book a room to attend any of the events, but you do need to register for the event. Registration is now open at WDWNT.com and only cost a nominal fee (this fee is sued to cover event credentials and other necessary items for your enjoyment at the event).

Space for Newsies on Broadway at the group ticket price is limited, so we advise that you act fast. Space is also limited for the Rainforest Cafe group meal and it is going fast. If you know you are attending, please act quickly. Tickets for both of these are available as add-ons during the registration process. Park tickets for Six Flags Great Adventure at the group price are not limited, but there is a time limit on this offer. This is a great deal as all tickets include free parking and the Wild Safari.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com. We hope to see you at the event!

New Stories Coming to Disney Junior- Live On Stage!

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Shawn Slater on The Disney Parks Blog:

As a father of twin boys, the Disney Junior – Live on Stage! show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure park is a favorite stop whenever we visit those parks. One of the best things about the show is that it’s regularly updated to feature new characters and stories from the Disney Junior line-up on TV. Well, I’m excited to tell you (and them), that Disney Junior – Live on Stage! is primed to get another update in early 2013, when new hits “Doc McStuffins” and “Sofia the First” join “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.”

The new version of Disney Junior – Live on Stage! debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in mid-February and comes to Disney California Adventure about a month later, in March 2013. And be sure to catch the premiere of the “Sofia the First” TV series Friday, Jan. 11 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Project Sidekickz Artist Heather Kattleman

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Website:
www.facebook.com/VinylmtioCustomations

What Disney Sidekick did you choose?
The Little Mermaid Flotsam & Jetsam

Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction?
Hands-Down, my favorite attraction is Fantasmic! It just never gets old, no matter how many times I’ve seen it – To me, the show brings the iconic “Disney Magic” to LIFE!

Favorite aspect of working on the Mickey shaped canvas?
Being able to see past Mickey and realize the design, then bring it to life is exciting! Although “Mickey Mouse” looks great on Vinylmation, it’s so fun to make it more than that.

Nighttime Holiday Magic at the Disneyland Resort!

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Valarie Sukovaty on The Disney Parks Blog:

I love to visit the Disneyland Resort during the holidays – where it snows, the Christmas trees glow and icicles hang in rows. You wouldn’t think I’d be describing a magical place in sunny Southern California, but that’s the power of Disney magic! Our talented teams transform the Disneyland Resort into a winter wonderland during the holidays. This video captures highlights of the holiday décor at night. It includes Disney California Adventurepark, where you can find snowflakes made of wrenches at the new Cars Land. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Enjoy!