All Art of Animation Resort Opening Dates Announced

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

While we knew that the Finding Nemo wing of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort was opening May 31st, we really could only guess when the other wings might open. Well, we now have the official dates:

  • Finding Nemo (Grand opening) – Opens May 31
  • Cars – Opens June 18
  • Lion King – Opens August 10
  • Little Mermaid – Opens September 15

Guests can begin booking all of these tomorrow, March 23rd.

Disney also released a second preview video for the resort a few weeks ago, now seems like a good time to share that with you:

Halloween Carnival Coming to Big Thunder Ranch

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Shawn Slater of Disney Parks Blog:

There’s something new this Halloween Time at Disneyland park, and it’s happening over at the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree in Frontierland. That’s where you’ll find a magical Halloween Carnival filled with fun for the whole family, with favorite Disney characters in Halloween costumes, special Halloween entertainment, amazing pumpkin carvers, activities, holiday merchandise, yummy treats and even the Disney Villains!

You can make your own Halloween mask at the craft station, and then join Mickey Mouse and his pals in a “Mask-Parade.” Try your hand at carnival games, like tossing rings on a witch’s hat or spinning the Crystal Ball Fortune Wheel to seek your own happy Halloween fortune. Everyone’s favorite Frontierland musical group joins the fun, too, as Billy Hill and the “Haunted” Hillbillies take the stage six times a day for a round of appropriately spooky tunes, all done in their inimitable bluegrass style.

The highlight of the Halloween Carnival is sure to be the Magic Cauldron Sideshow. Dare to venture into this tented area, and you may be asked to help cast a magic spell, conjuring a Disney Villain from his or her realm to meet your group before returning to worlds beyond. Disney Villains fans will want to visit more than once, since you never know which Disney Villain might be summoned each time. Sounds like a real “scream!”

The Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree opens September 14 and continues most days through October 31. Please check the park Times Guide for daily operating schedules.

Park 10 Photoshoot

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

While we could not travel all the way to Disneyland Paris, we found many places around WDW to take pictures of the DLP themed Park 10 series.

Orbitron
Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
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Big Thunder Mountain Train
Magic Kingdom
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The Enchanted Passage
Aladdin’s Magic Flying Carpets, Magic Kingdom
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Phantom Manor Mayor
Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom
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Indiana Jones Adventure
Indiana Jones Stunt Show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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It’s a Small World
Walt’s One Man’s Dream, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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Green Army Men Parachute Drop
Pixar Place, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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Skull Rock
Magic Kingdom
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Disneyland Paris Space Mountain
Magic Kingdom
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Swiss Family Treehouse
Magic Kingdom
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Tower of Terror
Hollywood Tower Hotel, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tim Alcoser’s 9/5/2012 Disneyland Photo Report

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

Tim Alcoser was at the Disneyland Resort a few days ago and got some pictures of some newsworthy items around Disneyland Park.

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Welcome to Disneyland

Christmas decorations were temporarily up for filming.

City Hall can still be accessed while under refurbishment.
City Hall is all wrapped up for refurbishment. 


As can the restrooms near City Hall. But the firestation is closed.
So is the firehouse 


A mini sneak peak of Christmas decorations.
Holiday decorations are up for filming 




Indiana Jones closed until the end of the year. Good thing too, there was A LOT that needed to be refurbished and repaired.
Indiana Jones is closed through December 7th

The Bootstrappers play for thrilled guests.
Now for a peak in the Pirate’s League 

The Pirate's League crew did a little redecorating to the Court of Angels.










I think it is a nice use of the space 






Haunted Mansion is closed through the 13th for holiday install

Haunted Mansion Holiday decorations are moving along well. Less than a week before it's open.

Looks like all the exterior decorations are up on the mansion 



A more simple time...
Neat picture 

Casey Jr. and Storybook Land are closed for refurbishment and to install new “safety features.” 


Monstro is getting a much needed new coat of paint 



The new location for the Princess Meet and Greet is on the right side of the pathway to It's a Small World in Fantasyland.
The princess meet and greet in the Small World Mall


Guests still
You can still meet Merida 

Closed up.
The theater is being prepped for the new show coming next Spring 

Minnie's House under refurbishment. Mickey's is still open.
Over in Toontown, Minnie’s House is closed for refurb 


But you can still meet Minnie near Goofy's house.
Though Minnie is out and about around Toontown doing meet & greets 

Terribly sorry sir, I thought Fantasyland was this way...

One of these seagulls is real.

Pizza Port is down for refurbishment. Maybe they will fix the pizza too.
In tomorrowland, Redd Rocketts Pizza Port is closed through the 21st 




Tiki Room 50th Anniversary Merchandise Event June 28th – 30th, 2013

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Disney Theme Park Merchandise:

We invite you to Save the Date, June 28 – 30, 2013 as we celebrate the 50thAnniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.  This special merchandise event is set to include themed Tiki and Polynesian style merchandise as well as trading elements.    Please continue to watch the Disney Parks Blog and ArtofDisneyParks.com for more information in the near future.

VIDEO: First Look Around Art of Animation Lobby with Imagineers

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

This seems to be a big news day for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, with it opening in about 2 months from now. We happened to come across a rather poorly edited video from Disney that we haven’t seen anywhere else yet, giving us our first look around the main building of the hotel. This video features Gary Hoffmann, Walt Disney Imagineering senior project manager, and Kevin Myers, speaking in the nearly finished lobby, Animation Hall:

Oswald Merchandise Coming to Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Steve Miller of Disney Parks Blog:

As my fellow author Jennifer Fickley-Baker recently shared, this week marks the debut of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. At Disney Theme Park Merchandise, we’ve introduced a variety of Oswald merchandise this past year in honor of his 85th anniversary. Being a fan of Walt Disney Company history, I find it wonderful to see so many new items featuring this classic character. Here is a quick look at some of the Oswald merchandise.

One of the more celebrated (and highly desired) items created this year was an Oswald hat. The hat was created for our partners with Disney Interactive Studios to celebrate the upcoming release of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two on November 18. The hats were distributed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo and at San Diego Comic Con this past summer. I’m happy to report a Disney Parks version will be released in late October/early November. The hat features a different Oswald logo than the previous hat but is still just as awesome (I intend to wear it while playing the game).

This past summer also saw the opening of Oswald’s on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park. This new location contains a variety of “road trip essentials” including autograph books, hats, bag and more. During a recent visit to the park, I spotted the amazing vintage-inspired knitted Oswald plush. Denise Edelmaier, product developer for plush, said that the knitted plush was in development for about three years as they finally found a way to make the plush extra soft (early versions were too coarse).

Oswald also found his way onto a popular men’s tee-shirt and a collectible big figurine (or “big fig” as we sometimes call it) designed by Disney Design Group artist Randy Noble.

Disney pins started celebrating Oswald in January by releasing an 85th anniversary pin. We also released an open-edition pin, a limited-edition pin and a Hidden Mickey pin for Disneyland Resort. Look for another open-edition pin next spring.

But one of my favorite items (besides the hat) will be a new 3-inch Vinylmation figure from the Classic Collection series designed by Disney artist Eric Caszatt. Planned for release in early November, Oswald will be the mystery chaser figure. I know, it’s a spoiler but I couldn’t resist – the figure looks great!

Mickey’s Circus- DCA Mad T Party Combo

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

This Disneyland exclusive LE set is slated for a December release! The 3″ combo was designed by Maria Clapsis. It is based on the Mad T Party area at Disney’s California Adventure where people are dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland. Join the party, with DJ White Rabbit and Mad Hatter on vocals.