An Aerial Look at New Fantasyland – March 2012

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

Courtesy of Scott Keating and scottkeating.net, we once again have some fantastic aerial photos of Fantasyland to share with you:

The base of the old Dumbo is still lingering, guess it isn’t that easy to completely remove…

A lot going on here: The bridge that will serve as the entrance to the Be Our Guest Restaurant is nearing completion, the Mermaid queue entrance is out from behind scaffolding and appears mostly complete with the exception of pavement, and we can now make out a distinguishable footprint for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train

Another angle shows that Gaston’s Tavern is far behind the other buildings in the village

We can now see where the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is going in Storybook Circus, but what lies beyond it in the tents is mostly a mystery…

Getting away from Fantasyland, the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment rolls on with most of the queue being rebuilt, all track being replaced, and a visible fresh coat of paint being applied to the entire mountain

Work continues on the DVC wing of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Fun Facts About Halloween at Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:

Halloween Time is here at the Disneyland Resort and spooky spectres have been spotted all around! This is a favorite time of year for many Disneyland park regulars but whether this is your first Halloween visit or your fifteenth, there may be a few things you don’t know about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, such as:

  • There are more than 300 sculpted pumpkins on Main Street, U.S.A., and no two are alike.
  • Props and set décor used in window displays along Main Street, U.S.A., are reproductions of original turn-of-the-century Halloween décor.
  • This year’s Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread confection, “Jack’s House,” stands 9 feet tall – making it the tallest gingerbread house ever presented in the attraction.
  • Sandy Claws covers the Haunted Mansion Holiday graveyard scene with more tha 7,500 square feet of ghostly white snow.
  • In the attic of Haunted Mansion Holiday, a snake devours a holiday list featuring the names of many of the cast members who helped create the attraction.

Will you be celebrating Halloween Time with us at the Disneyland Resort?

Wreck-It Ralph Characters Coming To Disneyland This November

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Shawn Slater on the Disney Parks Blog:

I’m excited to tell you Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz, two of the main characters from Disney’s newest animated adventure comedy “Wreck-It Ralph,” will soon be making their debut at Disney Parks.

Ralph Runs Into Feisty Misfit Vanellope VonSchweetz From “Sugar Rush”
My family and I can’t wait to see “Wreck-It Ralph.” In the movie, video game “bad guy” Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the “good guy” star of their game who always gets to save the day. Ralph takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on an adventure across the arcade, with potentially disastrous results! Along the way, he runs into feisty misfit Vanellope VonSchweetz from the candy-coated cart racing game, “Sugar Rush,” and the unlikely duo must team up to try and save the day.

Ralph Helps Out A Few 'Forgotten' Friends At Game Central Station
“Wreck-It Ralph” is going to be great, and meeting Ralph and Vanellope in the parks will be just as fun. At The Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll step through Game Central Station, catching glimpses of the various game worlds from the film on your way to “Sugar Rush,” where Vanellope and Ralph are waiting to meet you at the finish line.

Meet Ralph and Vanellope at the 'Sugar Rush' Portal in the Tomorrowland Starcade
At Disneyland park, the arcade world of “Wreck-It Ralph” comes to life within the Tomorrowland Starcade. When Ralph and Vanellope are there, you’ll have an opportunity to meet them at the portal to “Sugar Rush” and can even play a round on the classic arcade game “Fix-It Felix, Jr.”

Look for each of these experiences to open this November, and be sure to catch “Wreck-It Ralph” in theaters November 2 in 3D!

Mickey’s Circus Day 1: HQ Photo Recap

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

First some pictures of the atmosphere. It wasn’t quite as cool as last years retro Walt Disney World theme, but there were some neat little treats around the room.

Now, here are some of the Vinylmation previews from Day 1:

Released online via Disney Vinylmation Facebook Store today. September 21 parks release

Haunted Mansion – September 21 (WDW), 22 (DLR)

Pixar – September 28

Classic Collection – November 21

Mechanical Kingdom – October 5

2013 Vinylmation of the Month series. 1 LE figure released each month. 13 figure set

Mad T Party – DCA Only Release

Junior 7: Space – January 2013 Release

Jeff Lukas’ 3/25/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

We welcome Jeff Lukas to the WDWNT team with his first photo report, taking us to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Work continues on the Bakery facade

Dapper Dans

Fantasyland Woodwind Society

The roof on Prince Eric’s Castle is almost complete

More scaffolding came down at Be Our Guest Restaurant

The Fantasyland Skyway station is completely gone

The queue building at Big Thunder Mountain has been rebuilt for the most part

Work continues on the track

Site looks completely cleared for the Grand Floridian DVC

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

On to Epcot

Story Time is still occupying the former Velcro exhibit in Innoventions

Still closed…

Work continues on the VISION House

Welcome to the Wonders of Flower and Garden Festival Stages and Shopping

Kind of cute…

Still cool

Welcome aboard Jeff!

Tim Alcoser’s 9/14/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

Tim gives us a detailed look at the Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup, the Halloween decorations in Disneyland, plus a look at the changed windows down Buena Vista Street.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Construction of an outdoor patio/dining area.

Earl of Sandwich construction

Halloween Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch

Ghost Galaxy is back for the holiday

Pumpkins are everywhere to decorate Main Street

The iconic & popular photo spot during Halloween

City Hall still under wraps

Half Staff for Ambassador Stevens.

Half Staff for Ambassador Stevens over @ DCA

Entrance to Turtle Talk with Crush next to the restrooms in between Off the Page and Disney JR on Stage.

Entrance to Turtle Talk with Crush next to the restrooms in between Off the Page and Disney JR on Stage.

The merchandise which has been added to the Buena Vista Street’s artistically designed windows. It’s disappointing to see Imagineer’s hard work covered up by generic merchandise.

Thanks for reading!

MARVEL’s Avengers Take To the Highway in the Sky for the “Avengerail”!

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Hi everyone, we have exciting news to share today – our partners at Marvel Studios are bringing Marvel’s “The Avengers” to Walt Disney World Resort this spring!

In Marvel’s “The Avengers,” super heroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.

Similar to the “Tron”-themed wrap, one of our Magic Kingdom Park Monorails is currently undergoing a Marvel’s “The Avengers”-themed changeover to celebrate the May 4 opening of the film, which stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

Here’s a sneak peek, with more details to come.