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Dirk Wallen’s 9/10/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen was on the scene at the Magic Kingdom earlier this morning and has some newsworthy photos to share from his trip:

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

Lampposts installed in the new parking lot

If you closely, you can see the new children’s water play area themed to Alice In Wonderland that is being installed

There is a new Fall trolley show running every morning at the Magic Kingdom. We have a short video clip:

Everyone likes to point out budget-cuts and declines in show, but offering seasonal new shows like this prove Disney still cares despite what you may read elsewhere

Speaking of declines though… the bears are gone from the Brave meet and greet

This is a permanent change as Merida may not have much longer at the Magic Kingdom anyway

No one wants to color?

The new Fantasyland restroom facility project keeps chugging along

A new walkway through the Castle Walls has been set up to accommodate pavement work and other minor things

New directional signs on the walls

Work continues very slowly on finally installing the Storybook Circus entrance. Looks like we won’t be getting the ticket booth in the concept art as there just isn’t enough path space…

Finally, Furry Friends 2

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

After a long time of speculation and no comments by Disney, a photo of a tray of the second series of Furry Friends was leaked onto the Facebook site Vinylmation Exchange.

There is one change, the name. Series 2 will be called Whiskers & Tails. Vinylmation Kingdom reports that Disney Store Cast Members are pointing to January 21 as the release date. Now let’s see what we can gather from the box art. First, it looks like the figures will follow in their predecessor’s wake with specially crafted arms that look like paws. I’m sure all the custom artists have been looking for these for a while and will be happy to know they are back (I know I have been looking for over a year for a personal present). Other sites are also reporting that because of the size of the tray, we can expect the cool packaging from Furry Friends 1 (a 2012 DeeVee nominee for Best Packaging.)

Based on the box art we also know the 11 non mystery figures:

Lucky, from 101 Dalmations. Soon we will have all 101 represented!

Lucifer, from Cinderella. Looks pure evil.

Lambert, the sheepish lion. “Yes! Finally. There was a pin of him at Mickey’s Circus that I really wanted and now there’s a Vinylmation! I will be coming for that one, you bet ya.” – M.C.

Bolt, from Bolt. We already had a 9″ version but it’s great to see a 3″.

Figaro, from Pinocchio. Perfect. Many people felt this was one of the most obviously absent figure from Furry Friends.

Nana, from Peter Pan. It also looks like Nana’s long face will be spread over the head and the top of the body. Well done the artist.

Lady, from Lady and the Tramp. This is a great pairing for those who managed to get a Tramp from Furry Friends.

Flower, from Bambi. Another good choice. Although we’ve already seen one as part of Animation 2. When do we get a Thumper?

Dinah, from Alice in Wonderland. There was already one as the chaser from the Alice series, but I think this one looks better and the paws are always an added bonus.

Hen Wen, from Black Cauldron. He is the magical pet pig of Taran and Dallben in Disney’s 1985 feature film The Black Cauldron.

Tito, from Oliver and Company. Nice movie choice with a cool hair accessory.

There will also be a chaser of course. Any wishes for character selection?

No look at Whiskers & Tails would be complete without comparing them to Annemarie’s Furry Friends 2 from earlier this year.

Lady, Figaro, and Nana were all part of her custom 12 figure set. As for Figaro and Lady, they look almost exactly the same. With Nana, I actually think I prefer Annemarie’s better. The Disney one looks less energetic then hers. Also worth noting is that Annemarie included a set of the Fox and the Hound in her 12 piece series. This set will be part of the upcoming LE from the Animation 3 line.

Photo Tour of The Little Mermaid Wing at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen headed over to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort after hearing that the construction walls were down at The Little Mermaid wing, the final phase of the resort scheduled to open on September 15th. He took plenty of photos for us to enjoy:

Ursula with Flotsam and Jetsam

Ariel and Flounder

The conga line fish are everywhere

Guests being surveyed on their experience

King Triton

Many of Ariel’s belongings are scattered around

I love the lampposts

How many older guests will climb this to get a picture of them smoking it?

We are about the size of Sebastian at this wing

The plants will eventually grow in and block the supports at the bottom

A look inside the rooms

While the exterior is very similar to all of the other value resorts, I still think the rooms are much nicer than any at All-Star or Pop Century. What guests wouldn’t rather stay in a room based on a Disney animated film over a sport or a decade?

Your Epcot 30th Anniversary Shopping Guide!

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

For those going to Epcot’s 30th Anniversary festivities on October 1st, you’re probably still wondering how much money you are going to need to leave with all of the retro goodies that will be for sale. Well, we here at WDWNT are going to try to help you out with that before we arrive at the park on October 1st. The following information has been released through several official Disney websites and publications, as well as at the annual Pin Celebration at Epcot held a few weeks ago. We will continue to update this post as more info becomes available. Enjoy:

Spaceship Earth Limited Edition of 500 Boxed Pin Set, $69.95 Retail, October 1st Release Date

Annual Passholder Exclusive Pin – Retail TBA, October 1st Release Date

30th Anniversary Medal and Pin – $18.95, September 28th Release Date

Figment Pin and Button Set – $13.95, September 28th Release Date

Annual Passholder 3-Tier Pin – $9.95, September 28th Release Date

Open Edition Epcot 30th Mystery Set – $13.95 for two randomly selected pins, September 28th Release Date

Epcot 30th Anniversary Pin – $11.95, September 28th Release Date

Epcot 30th Anniversary Reversible Deluxe Lanyard – $10.95, September 28th Release Date

Epcot 30th Anniversary Super Jumbo Limited Edition of 250 Pin -Â Retail $125.00, October 1st Release Date

Assortment of Limited Edition & Annual Passholder pins, October 1st Release Date

“I Was There” Limited Edition of 3000 – $13.95

Epcot 30th Limited Edition of 2500 Pin and Patch Set – Retail TBA

8-Bit Figment Limited Edition of 2500 Pin – Retail TBA

Special pin available through cast member trade beginning October 1st

Commemorative Shirts – $31.95 (Women), $27.95 (Men), $24.95 (Kids), September 28th Release Date

Available online September 28th through October 4th

Epcot 30th Baseball Caps – $24.95, September 28th Release Date

Assorted Other Epcot 30th Anniversary Shirts – Retail TBA, September 28th Release Date

Epcot Pavilion Logo “Toothpick Holders” – Retail $24.95, September 28th Release Date

Removable Spaceship Earth ear hat cover – $9.95, September 28th Release Date

11 World Showcase Retro Shirts – $24.95 each, September 28th Release Date

Available online September 28th through October 4th

12-Inch Epcot 30th Duffy the Disney Bear – $30, September 28th Release Date

D-Tech iPhone 4/4S Cases – Four Different Retro Designs, $36.95 each, October 1st Release date

Commemorative framed coin set – retail TBA, October 1st Release Date

Noah artwork available as Giclee, framed print, or custom Vinylmation – Retail TBA, October 1st release date

Various custom Vinylmation figures – retail TBA, October 1st release date

Myths and Legends Photos Surface

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

Vinylmation Kingdom had recently posted some photos of the Disney Store’s upcoming Myths and Legends series. It is rumored to be out on January 7th with no announcement by Disney as of this posting. What are your thoughts?

To me, it is another excellent set of designs, but continues the Disney Store’s recent trend of non-Disney character themed sets. That is beating an old drum, but if the sets were spread out and not the last 5 releases, it would be a different story. They also seem like great designs to spread through an Urban themed series.

2013 Poster Series Signing with Dave Keefer

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

On January 4th at D Street in Orlando Disney Design Group Artist, Dave Keefer will hold a signing from 5 to 7pm. On that same day, the first 2013 Poster Art inspired Disney Pin and Vinylmation figure will be released. Dave will be available to sign the Vinylmation, pin and Poster Art Calendar. The Vinylmation is LE 2013 and will retail for $14.95. The pin is LE 2000, costs $19.95 and comes with a display easel. The calendar includes some amazing artwork and has perforated pages to make it easy to remove the posters. It retails for $19.95.

Each month, a new Vinylmation and Pin (as well as other merchandise including iPhone cases) will be released based on artwork from the 2013 Poster Art Calendar. This previous article took a look at the entire Vinylmation set and the calendar pages.

Run Disney Figure with Mini Medals and Artist Signing

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

This is an absolutely brilliant idea. We finally have details on the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Vinylmation. Normally, there is a separate 3″ figure for each race, the Marathon, Half Marathon and Goofy Challenge. This year, they put an interesting twist on things. We knew about the 3″ Run Disney figure that will be released on January 10th at both D-Street Orlando and California. The Disney Collection (former Art of Disney) Blog had recently released a 360 photo of this figure.

It is Mickey, all ready to run. Just like previous years, it has a space on the back to write in your finishing time. It is an open edition figure and will retail for $12.95. The Disney Vinylmation Blog also mentioned something about “mini medals” for $1.95. We thought this may be some kind of error; just alluding to Vinylmation that replicate the medals. But NO, MUCH better!!!

The Mini Medals are actual accessories you can buy, then hang around your 3″ Run Disney Vinylmation’s neck! As a person who participates in these races and loves to have these keepsakes… I love it! Those will also be released on January 10th. I am speculating the race expo at Wide World of Sports or the Clubhouse store at the complex will carry these. D-Street will have them for sure.

Then, in an exciting twist, instead of holding an artist signing at the expo before the race, the signing with artist Maria Clapsis will be held on January 13th, after the WDW Marathon, at D-Street Orlando from 5-7pm. So show up proudly wearing your medal. I may ask her to write my time in as well!

Lastly, if you are interested in the WDW Marathon Weekend pins, there are a ton of them this year, including a boxed set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the marathon. You can hear all about them on the last episode of Once Upon a Pin and check them out at Disney’s official pins page.

Alcohol Comes to the Magic Kingdom Along with the Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

Walt Disney World not only previewed some of the delicious dishes for the Be Our Guest restaurant opening November 19th as part of New Fantasyland today, but they actually revealed that assorted wines and beers will be served as well. This will make Be Our Guest the first restaurant in the 41 year history of the Magic Kingdom to serve alcohol.

“More than ever, we’re using storytelling and creativity as we develop our menus,” says Maribeth Bisienere, vice president of Food & Beverage and Merchandise for The Walt Disney Company. “We’re continually creating magical experiences, and Be Our Guest Restaurant at New Fantasyland is the next step in the evolution.”

As guests dine amongst either the Ballroom, Rose Gallery, or the West Wing, here are some of the offerings they can choose from:

Mussels Provençal

Grilled Strip Steak with Garlic-Herb Butter and Pommes Frites

Layered Ratatouille

Mousse-Filled Cream Puffs

Gourmet Cupcakes

Pan-seared Salmon with Leek Fondue and Saffron Potatoes

Assorted Cured Meats and Sausages

Lunch, Dinner, and Drink (complete with prices) menus are currently available online through the Walt Disney world website.

I’m sure you would like an explanation as to why they are serving beer and wines with dinner, so here is what Disney provided:

“As part of the overall theming, we wanted to offer wine that enhances the guest experience and complements the French-inspired cuisine,” says Stuart McGuire, Beverage Director, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The wines focus primarily on France’s famous wine-growing regions, including Champagne, Alsace, Loire, Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

“We’ll also offer the leading French beer, Kronenbourg 1664,” says McGuire. “And, staying in the general region, we’ll also offer Belgian beers.”

So, what do you think of the menu and the bombshell announcement regarding alcohol in the Magic Kingdom?

Monorail Sightings Confirmed in Trade Boxes

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

A few Walt Disney World guests have been finding a surprise in some clear trading boxes around Downtown Disney.

As rumored last week, some of the unreleased Monorail Urban Vinylmation are being made available for trade in clear trading boxes. The photo above was found on Vinylmation Exchange. You can trade a Mickey shaped 3″ figure for the Monorail if you wish. No word on how or why these are being made available. A lot of unreleased Monorails from this series were sold via silent auction at Mickey’s Circus in September.

A number of questions do arise from this development. Is this how they decided to get rid of a certain amount of inventory from a series they decided not to sell? How many of these are sitting back there? Are these just production samples or actually from a larger quantity produced? Is this a test to see if further Monorail series will be produced? Send us your pictures of Monorails inside trade boxes or ones you pick up!