New “Walk In Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Tour

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

If you love Disneyland history, I’ve got a tour for you. The “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Tour replaces the current “A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour beginning September 9, and is available to book right now. Traveling through Disneyland park, you will learn about the challenges, excitement, inspiration, and fun that went into creating Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom as well as the story of the life of Walt Disney himself.

The newly re-launched tour includes an exclusive look into Walt Disney’s private apartment, a peek into the lobby of the exclusive, members-only Club 33, a private lunch on Main Street U.S.A., two classic attraction experiences and a collectible pin.

Here are some things you should know about the “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Guided Tour:

  • The tour is approximately three hours long.
  • Theme park admission for Disneyland park is required to attend the tour.
  • The tour leaves from Disneyland Tour Gardens (left of City Hall) every day at 9:30 a.m.
  • Attractions and entertainment are subject to change without notice.

For pricing and booking information (and to find out about a special discount for Disney Rewards Visa and AAA card holders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disneyland Resort Annual Passport holders) call 714-781-TOUR (8687). Also, be sure to check out the other Disneyland Resort Guided Tours at Disneyland.com/Tours.

New Cast Costumes Send Guests Further into the Fantasy of New Fantasyland

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Some of the first areas of our New Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom Park will be opening by late March, featuring a re-imagined version of The Barnstormer and a relocated Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction. When they debut, cast members working in these areas will be wearing new costumes inspired by the “Big Top” setting of Storybook Circus.

The Creative Entertainment Costuming team worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to develop these designs to bring the environment of Storybook Circus to life. The bold colors evoke the spirit of the ringmaster or sideshow barker, while the tails and detailing provide a period look of the 1930s.

In this video, you’ll see how the partnership between Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment has produced an entire collection of unique costumes to be worn by cast members in each area of New Fantasyland, creating a rich sense of place and community.

Second Wave of Pairs 2

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

Update 08/28/12 For those of you in Disneyland looking for these because we reported they were on the shelves already… Disney has updated their calendar and changed the release date from August 24 to 31 to match WDW and Online. We are sorry for the misinformation in the podcast as well, but were going on what Disney gave us.

In one of Disney’s random unannounced releases they seem to love so much, a second wave of some Pairs 2 Juniors were released at Disneyland on August 24th and given an August 31st release date for Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Online.

Donald Duck, Goofy, Simba and Tinkerbell join the mix in this round. Each package is $12.95 and comes with the two juniors paired together as above. All in the same red, yellow, black and white style of the first release. As much as I personally didn’t care for the style, this round appeals to me a little more. I like the Donald and the Simba. Even the stylistic second figures look better to me. The stars on the Tink pair really fit well. The diamond pattern on the Donald pair is a nice design for the small canvas. The pair that comes with Goofy reminds me of the Thomas Scott Urban 8 figure.

Our First Pictures Inside Storybook Circus!

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

I’m sure you have heard by now, but Storybook Circus opened to the public this morning and WDWNT Reporter Melissa Weber was on the scene:

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We’re walking in!

Not much to see down here yet

Dumbo is back! And it looks glorious! There’s even circus trash-cans!

Circus ticket booths around the ride

Looks great!

The Barnstormer is also open

What an improvement!

This is the restrooms… yes, they are too nice to be restrooms…

A Casey Jr. weather vane at the top of the station

The last remnant of Toontown sits in the background

Fantasyland Train Station is open as well now

A neat detail: the train tracks in the ground turning into pavement

The lights and railing on the Tomorrowland path got painted and it is once again open!

Episode 086 Blocks

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

Ep. 086 Blocks

Recorded live at Star Wars Celebration VI this week’s episode features a review of Star Wars series 2 and the hologram Princess Leia. We also rundown the official Mickey’s Circus itinerary with more hints and tips. We read and listen to your Mystery Mail Bag Questions and Comments. And like always, we deliver the latest news and release dates.

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An In-Depth Look at New Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

While we wait for more pictures and video, I decided to post WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth’s twitter pictures of today’s Storybook Circus opening. Let’s take a closer look at the first piece of the New Fantasyland puzzle:

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Dumbo looks great in the new pastel colors!

The story scenes on the bottom of the carousel were a nice touch

Great attention to detail

The rest of Fantasyland has a long way to go…

PINK ELEPHANTS ON PARADE!

The other Dumbo spinner will take a while

Barnstormer signage

A look across the way

The back of the Barnstormer sign has a reference to Wiseacre Farm from Toontown Fair

This poster is up on the construction walls… including Humphrey the Bear eating a candy apple? Maybe he’ll be getting a food service location of some kind?

The Dumbo interactive queue isn’t open yet

Dumbo sign

Inside the queue

Lots of little popcorn lights on the queue

Dumbo looks great with the water feature!

Work continues on the tents

I can’t wait to see this at night

WATER!

Another new sign

Cool poster

I like that the flat people have now stepped into a three-dimensional scene…

Another cool poster

A magic feather!

Again, great details

You can see the train tracks that will come from the Roundhouse, where the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station will be

These restrooms are amazing…

Plenty of luggage outside the Fantasyland Station exit

Animal prints in the pavement

Carolwood Park… I don’t have to tell you what an awesome Walt reference this is…

Booth at the entrance to Barnstormer

New signage for the train

Casey Jr. weathervane

Nice LED lighting

Even though the path to Tomorrowland is open, work still to be done

Some old train tracks

Tracks run all over the place in this section

Goofy crashed

This could have just been a cutout, but they even put a fringe where Goofy went through…

A Main Street cart out to handle guest demands for spring break

Work continues on more Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid facade

NEW GARBAGE CANS

This will eventually be the FASTPASS/xPASS collection point

Love the costumes

Speakers and cameras themed nicely

I see you old Dumbo…

There are peanuts in the pavement… wow…

FASTPASS/xPASS queue ready for The Barnstormer as well

See you real soon Storybook Circus, we’ll be back for more pictures and video!

VIDEO: The Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth brings us the first on-ride video of The Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini. The track is still the same, but there are two new props for guests to “crash” though and a very different atmosphere with the Storybook Circus all around:

Even More Photos of the Opening of Storybook Circus

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth took a ton of photos of today’s opening of Storybook Circus at the Magic Kingdom. As if we didn’t have enough coverage today, here’s a whole lot more:

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The entrance to Circus is still a mess of walls

Fantastic artwork up on the walls

Humphrey the Bear with a candy apple… I smell a new counter service loaction

Temporary carts from Main Street fill the walkway

There’s something weird about these outside of the area

Extended queue out for Dumbo

The Dumbo building is pretty awesome

Walls where the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak is going soon

The tents are far from finished

The Barnstormer queue uses targets to cover guests

A Rocketeer reference? Or just a coincidence?

I see Imagineer hats…

Hidden Wiseacre Farm reference

Lit fuse

A lot of extended queue

WORLD’S COOLEST RESTROOMS

They look happy in their new costumes 🙂

Peanuts in the pavement…

Walls still up along the Speedway

Taking some publicity shots

A lot of work left to go on the tents

Dumbo is on the map now

Not only is Storybook Circus on the map, but the Castle Wall and the new Pooh facade made it as well

Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is coming soon

Duffy the Disney Bear Photoshoot

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

I couldn’t wait to take the Duffy Vinylmation over to Epcot to see all the Duffy goodness!

First he wanted to read the story of how he came to be.
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He was excited to learn all about the Duffy adventures.
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He posed next to his story book with the Epcot ball in the background.
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Oh my! This is the Epcot home of Duffy the Disney Bear!
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Welcome Duffy indeed!
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He couldn’t pass up a photo next to Mickey.
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And of course, the big bear himself.
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Sailor Duffy loves to travel the globe.
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I’m seeing double Duffy!
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I’m seeing lots of Duffy!
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Duffy overload!
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Duffy mixes it up with some pals.

Annual Passholder’s: RegisterTo Be One Of The First To Glow With The Show At Fantasmic

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

On Friday, we told you that the popular “Glow With the Show” Ears would soon light up audiences during “Fantasmic!” at Disneyland park, and today we’ve got some exciting news just for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders! Registration is open right now for a special opportunity for Annual Passholders to “Glow With the Show” at a private viewing of “Fantasmic!” on August 28.

‘Glow With the Show’ Ears
Bring your “Glow with the Show” Ears and be among the first to see this magical new experience! That’s right – the premiere showing of this special technology during “Fantasmic!” will be a private viewing exclusively for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders. Register now to attend, because space is limited and based on availability!

Here are the details:

  • One night only – Tuesday, August 28
  • 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
  • Private viewing of “Fantasmic!” will begin at 11:30 p.m.
  • Select attractions, shops and food offerings will be open for event guests until 12 a.m.
  • Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own “Glow with the Show” Ears. Hats are not required for event attendance, but strongly encouraged for optimal viewing experience.

And here’s how you register:

  • Registration applies to Annual Passholder and up to 3 Annual Passholder guests
  • Visit any open ticket booth in the Disneyland Resort Main Entrance Esplanade
  • Present your active Annual Passport and a valid, government-issued photo I.D., as verification of your eligibility to register for the event
  • Based on availability, cast member will complete your registration and give you a voucher, required for admission to the event. Limit one (1) voucher per eligible Annual Passholder; multiple vouchers will not be honored

Important additional information:

  • Annual Passholders must be at least 18 years old to RSVP for this event, but their guests (up to 3 additional Annual Passholders) may be younger than 18.
  • Registration will close at 10 p.m. (PDT) on Thursday, August 23, 2012, or as soon as capacity for the event is reached.
  • Registration must occur in person at a Disneyland Resort Main Entrance Ticket Booth.
  • Each eligible Annual Passholder is limited to one (1) registration voucher, and voucher does not guarantee admission.
  • Registered Passholders and each of their guests must be valid Annual Passholders on the day of the event and must use their Passports for park entry.
  • Valid Photo I.D. may be required at check-in.
  • “Glow with the Show” Ears are not provided for event participation.
  • The event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.