Dirk Wallen’s 9/16/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen took a short trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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A look at the former Fantasyland Skyway site construction

Storybook Treats remains open during pathway work, but the Seven Dwarfs Mine shop is gone

Track is being installed on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train roller-coaster

The second level of Village Haus that has been closed for some time is now being refurbished

The former Crow’s Nest in Adventureland is still closed

Tinker Bell is now in her winter clothes in Adventureland

Her sister Periwinkle is now doing meet and greets

Halloween cups are now being used for drinks

Frankenweenie merchandise has hit stores

Light-up trick-or-treat baskets now available

Some neat seasonal treats available at the Confectionary

A Closer Look at New Fantasyland’s Princess Fairytale Hall Concept Art

Disney shared the concept art for Princess Fairytale Hall in New Fantasyland earlier today, one piece you probably have seen and one you probably haven’t:

The new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom, Princess Fairytale Hall will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows, a spacious gallery adorned with portraits of Disney princesses and elegantly finished rooms where guests can meet Aurora, Cinderella and other princesses. Set to open in 2013, Princess Fairytale Hall will be located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland. (Disney)

 The first is the previously seen concept art of the facade

The new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom, Princess Fairytale Hall will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows, a spacious gallery adorned with portraits of Disney princesses and elegantly finished rooms where guests can meet Aurora, Cinderella and other princesses. Set to open in 2013, Princess Fairytale Hall will be located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland. (Disney)

This new piece show what the interior may look like when the experience opens in Fall 2013. If it stays true to this artwork, we can expect to see each Princess below a portrait of themselves and in front of a stained-glass window that represents something from their respective films. If you look closely, you’ll also see statues representing characters from Cinderella, Princess and the Frog, and Sleeping Beauty.

New, Moved and Head Scratching Release Dates

This update, not going to lie, hurt my brain a little bit to process. Disney certainly does not make it easy for us. By the way, side note, and probably why I am in a bad mood while writing this… Did anyone else see that the WDW Premium Annual Passholder discounts will drop to 10% as of January 1, 2013? So as my discount gets cut in half, I can tell Disney that not only will they be getting less money from me at renewal, but I’ll be sure to purchase at least half as much merchandise as I normally do. Anyway, how about those release dates… They changed some days. Changed some locations. Added new dates and even duplicated some. Take a look.

The Disney Vacation Club Exclusive 3-inch figure (Open Edition / Retail: $14.95 ) was moved from a January 11th release date to February 15th in the parks only. It is still supposedly set for a January 11th online release. The design of this figure is not known at this time, but is presumed to be from this this concept art.

As I have been presuming for a few weeks, the January 10th release of the 3″ Run Disney figure (Commemorative / Retail: $12.95) and WDW Marathon Weekend Mini Medals (Open Edition /Retail: $1.95) will be at the Clubhouse Store at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the Expo that takes place before the races. How do I know these releases better than Disney itself? The odd part is, they kind of took away the part about it also being available at D-Street in Orlando. I say “kind of” because, well here is the exact wording: “ESPN Clubhouse Shop, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex t Downtown Disney West Side in Florida”. Um, ya, ESPN is not at Downtown Disney. However, there is a later posting on the Events page about the Mini Medal accessories being released at D-Street Orlando on January 22nd. But that still still leaves the 3″ figure. I presume it will also end up at D-Street, if not on the 10th, then by the weekend. The 3″ Run Disney figure remains on the release slate for January 10th at D-Street Anaheim  The January 13th signing with artist Maria Clapsis also remains in place for 5-7pm at D-Street Orlando.

On February 1st, the February 2013 Poster Art 3-inch figure by Patty Landing (Edition Size: 2,013 / Retail: $14.95) will be released at both D-Streets. In an exciting turn of events, the exact same figure is also listed for a February 11th release… but only in Anaheim  Sorry Orlandonians, you only get it once. Here is a look at the calendar art and Vinylmation figure.

On February 22nd, both D-Streets will receive a new 2013 Easter 3″ figure designed by Billy Davis (Commemorative / $14.95). No photos of this design as of yet.

The left coast D-Street will also get a Mad T Party, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, 3-inch figure set (Edition Size: 1,500 / $24.95). No photos of this design as of yet either.

Photo from  Loren Javier’s flickr

Lastly, the Disney Vinylmation Facebook page store will get the Fantasia Series # 5, Baucchus & Donkey from The Pastoral Symphony, 3-inch figure set (Edition Size: 1,500 / $24.95). We did not know until this posting what characters were in sets 5 through 8. I wish they accompanied this release info with a photo, but they did not. So here they are from the movie itself.

Disney Announces Official Epcot 30th Events Taking Place on October 1st!

For all of those who thought Disney wasn’t going to mark the 30th anniversary of Epcot on October 1st, well, you’re in for a surprise…

The Disney Parks Blog announced today that there will be informative presentations, a “special moment” at the American Garden Theater, and even a special anniversary tag at the end of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth on October 1st, 2012.

The panels are expected to be the same as some panels being offered at the D23 event the day before, but these will be open to all Epcot guests with limited availability:

  • 1-2 p.m. – Designing the Future – Past and Present: A panel of Disney Imagineers remembers 30 years of building tomorrow!
  • 4:30–6 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar
  • 6:30–8 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar

An anniversary moment will be held at the American Garden Theater at 3PM EST featuring the Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and special Disney dignitaries as well.

At this time, we are not sure if the special tag at the end of the 9PM Illuminations: Reflections of earth will be the same as the one presented at Epcot’s 25th anniversary or something completely new.

There will also be special event commemorative merchandise available, but we will preview that in a later post.

If you’re going to be attending Epcot’s 30th anniversary, why not do it with some friends and fellow Disney fans? Registration is still open for WDWCelebrations’ Celebration 30 event. Just a helpful plug…

Stay tuned for more information on Epcot’s 30th anniversary as it becomes available.

Holiday 1 Photoshoot

Here are photos of the first Holiday series taken around Walt Disney World. Can you tell where they were each taken?

Artist Cesar Diaz Giveaway!

Before we get to the free stuff, Cesar wanted to share this custom with everyone.

It is Mr. Incredible and his car! People sure are doing amazing things with that Vinylmation 95 platform. OK, Giveaway time! This week Cesar is giving away a custom 3D pin of Stitch disguised as Mickey.

To win this little guy you have to do the following…

1. You must like his Facebook page to be eligible for the giveaway
2. You must leave a comment under the picture that says….
“I would like to win a Stitch 3D pin” (one comment per person please)

Giveaway starts now and will end next Saturday Jan 5th at 10am PST. Cesar will then use a random generator to pick one winner. Good luck everyone!

Wreck-It Ralph Characters Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November

You know the Winnie-The -Pooh meet and greet at The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Well, he’s “gonna wreck it!”

Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz will greet guests in the place Pooh now occupies starting in November. Oh, and based on his arm size, don’t expect Ralph to sign your autograph book…

Wreck-It Ralph is the 52nd feature length Disney animated film and hits theaters November 2nd, 2012.

“Alice in Wonderland” Water-Play Area Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth took a short trip over to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to see the progress on many construction projects, including the completion of the new children’s water-play area themed to Alice in Wonderland. Let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the main pool

The beach is sealed off now

The new kid’s water play area themed to Alice in Wonderland opened earlier this week

Looks cute

Very well done

I have to admit I wasn’t crazy about the idea at first, but it’s hard not to like this

The Mad Hatter’s hat fills with water and then… well, you’ll see…

A small water slide attached

The new DVC wing lurks in the background

Water pours down all of the tea cups

March Hare and Door Mouse

I guess they had help from an outside company…

The character portraits are cool

There goes the hat

Adam Roth’s 9/20/12 New Fantasyland Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth took a stroll through New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and has some newsworthy photos of the construction to share with us:

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Castle Walls are pretty much finished

You can see the track recently installed at Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Cute details on the Castle Wall

A closer look at the track

A look back

The Storybook Circus sign is nearing completion

The grass on the top of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is looking good

A closer look at the Storybook Circus sign

Lights were on in the third tent, which we now expect to have seating and FastPass distribution for Dumbo and Barnstormer

Signage up on Pete’s Silly Sideshow

WE WILL!