SPOILER: Under the Big Top’s Crazy Chaser(s)???

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

SPOILER ALERT

Over at Vinylmation Kingdom they posted this picture taken by Jennay Gooney (Click on image to reveal). They are saying that it’s the chaser from Under the Big Top.
We got this better picture from The Playwright. Check it out.

Well, both of them are! And a neck piece! This is just crazy!

So if there is a Jr coupled with the chaser, what does this mean? Well, for one thing, those collectors with a good feel will be able to easily pluck this much heavier blind box. I don’t think that should be a deterrent from Disney Artist incorporating this idea, because I do enjoy the creativity. To accompany a Jr with a 3″ inside a blind box opens up many realms of possibilities. As for the design of the figure itself, this is now the second figure we see use the neck extension in this way. Vampire Goofy in Spooky Series 1 also has an open mouth so his jaw and chin extend down onto the neck piece. Until now, the neck has always just been used to represent a long neck or body. I’m not 100% sure I’m on board with the execution of these two figures yet, but I love the idea of it.

CONFIRMED: President Obama Coming to Walt Disney World!

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Something HUGE is going to happen at Walt Disney World this week and in response Disney is preparing with some major entertainment changes. The following information was sent to cast members today:

Due to an event this week, please ensure Cast Members are aware of the information attached regarding updated operating information for this week. Note that updated Guest collateral will be delivered to operational areas beginning Tuesday evening, Jan. 17. In addition, an in-room letter is being placed in occupied Disney Resort Guest rooms starting tomorrow morning. Channel 19 (on in-room TVs) will be updated daily to reflect these changes.

The changes are for Thursday, January 19th and they are pretty significant. First off, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be running a fireworks show since Fantasmic! is not currently performing. The show is being called “Rock the Night! Fireworks Spectacular” and will perform at 7PM that evening. Three parks are also offering Extra Magic Hours that day: Animal Kingdom from 8-9 AM, Epcot from 9PM-12AM, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from 7-10PM.

UPDATE: The Magic Kingdom’s Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade will also be moved to 3:30PM that day.

While we can not confirm it at this time, rumors are circulating of a special guest visiting the parks on that day. This news article may shed some light on the subject.

So, is President Obama heading to Walt Disney World with the family? It certainly is an interesting rumor since he admitted to having never visited when recording his lines for the Hall of Presidents back in 2009. We’ll let you know more as it becomes available…

1/17/12 UPDATE: It has been confirmed that President Barack Obama will visit Walt Disney World to “unveil a strategy that will significantly help boost tourism and travel.” Walt Disney World was chosen because it welcomes over 45 million guests a year, possible the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Disney Funko Pop! Vinyl Series 4

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

The forth installment of the Disney Funko Pop! line is due for a July 2012 release. After seeing some previews at Comic Con, this is another can’t miss for myself. The line up is incredible. We get the traditional mix of Pixar, classic Villains, 1000 Acre Woods and a pop culture icon.

Besides Carl and Ellie from Up, this is Pixar’s cutest couple. Wall-E and Eve are paired up for Series 4. I really enjoy how Funko gives us pairs from movies in each series. Wall-E looks perfect, all scared with the droopy eyes.

Although these two never actually meet, they are from the same animated classic… Fantasia. So while the pair up isn’t traditional, I think putting one of the most revered Villains with perhaps the most beloved form of Mickey is fantastic. Chernabog looks menacing even in Funko’s traditionally cute form. Sorcerer Mickey has nicely sculpted robes, a hat with a touch of character and a classic look to his face.

We already have Jack and Sally, now we have two more inhabitants of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas world. Brilliant job by giving the Mayor two faces. Oogie Boogie looks spectacular with some definition to his sack body and dice in hand.

Jack Sparrow is the first POTC character in the Funko series. Looks like they got a bunch of clothing detail in there.

We already have Snow White, so Funko decided to pair up two other characters from Disney’s most storied classic. Grumpy looks… well, grumpy. The Evil Queen looks as good as Series One’s Maleficent. Her over sized crown is a nice touch and you can’t forget the apple.

Cinderella is our princess for this set.

Tigger hops in to give us another Winnie the Pooh figure.

And it took four series, but Goofy finally makes the cut. His eyes look absolutely awful. I know they could not go with the traditional Funko black eyes because his whole body is black, but at least give him black pupils, come on.

Hall of Presidents Who Visited Walt Disney World

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

With Barack Obama set to visit Walt Disney World later today, Disney was nice enough to provide some historical video of former presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., and Gerald Ford during their visits to the Vacation Kingdom:

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Zach

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Today, we feature the work of a newcomer to the custom artist scene, Zach from Radnor, PA.

Destination Vinylmation: How long have you been customizing Vinylmation?
Zach: I have been customizing for 2 months.

DV: How did you get into creating customs?
Z: There were some vinylmations that Disney hasn’t created yet, or characters I felt I could change and make better that I really wanted to see on the Vinylmation mold. So I decided to start painting them as customs myself.

DV: Do you work on any other types of canvases? 
Z: I have painted on regular canvases, but Vinylmations were my first 3D mold.

DV: Why did you choose the Toy Story Alien as the subject of one of your pieces?
Z: I chose the Toy Story Alien because he is one of my favorite Disney characters of all time, and I felt Disney didn’t properly represent him in Park 2 with the lack of certain features, such as the antenna.

DV: What was the biggest obstacle in creating the Merida figure?
Z: The biggest obstacle in creating the Merida figure was trying to make her face look right without the hair, and trying to figure out how the hair should appear.

DV: What part are you most proud of?
Z: I am most proud of the Toy Story Alien because I feel he turned out true to e character, and had some of the features Disney didn’t.

DV: You seem to favor Pixar movies… what are your favorites?
Z: My favorite Pixar movies are Toy Story, Brave, and Finding Nemo.

DV: Do you have a site where people can view your work?
Z: I have a Facebook page called Customs By Zach where people are able to view all my customs.

New Details on the Casey Jr. Roundhouse in Storybook Circus

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

While the new Disney Vacation Planning DVD didn’t offer much new information on New Fantasyland, there was one interesting piece of concept art and a new description for one of the smaller additions:

“The Casey Jr. water play area will feature water squirting from playful monkeys, elephants, and camels as Casey lets off billows of nice, cool steam.”

From the look of the concept art provided, guests will get to pose for photos with Casey Jr. in the midst of a wild water play area. While it may not be an E-ticket, the attention to character detail shown in the concept art has us pretty excited for this little corner of Storybook Circus.

 

 

 

Happy 57th Birthday Disneyland

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

As Disneyland celebrates its 57th anniversary, I remember back fondly to my one and only trip to the original Disney theme park. Although my heart belongs to Walt Disney World, I am not afraid to admit that my one day at Disneyland was one of the best I ever had. Here are a few of my highlights…

I love the Disney Character additions to It’s a Small World

Fantasyland sure had it’s picturesque views

I got to revisit some old friends

Nemo Submarine was surprisingly one of the most fun adventures I had.

People always ask me which park’s attractions are better. Overall, my answer is neither. Jungle Cruise, Small World, Big Thunder… to me they all have their own high points. The exception by far is Pirates of the Caribbean. I fell in love with Disneyland’s version and went on it 3 times. WDW’s pales in comparison. 

At the end of the day, it was just nice to sit back and enjoy the history and beauty of this park and what it means to us Disney fans.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Open In Pacific Wharf

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

ANAHEIM, Calif. – June 7, 2012 – Disneyland Resort today welcomed a new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop to Disney California Adventure park. The new location – the first to open inside a theme park – features Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and decadent chocolate products, and represents another milestone in the expansion of Disney California Adventure.

 

 

“As we celebrate the culmination of our resort expansion, we are thrilled to welcome Ghirardelli, and to make this unique chocolate experience available to our park guests,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Disneyland Resort. “Ghirardelli is a perfect fit for our newly reimagined Disney California Adventure, as we both share a rich California heritage.”

The new soda fountain and chocolate shop is located in Pacific Wharf, the San Francisco-inspired area of Disney California Adventure. Guests can visit the location to enjoy treats including sundaes, shakes, and floats,  plus a delicious assortment of chocolates and beautifully wrapped gifts. Each guest can enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli Squares® chocolate.

“We are excited to partner with the Disneyland Resort to open our Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney California Adventure,” said Martin Thompson, President and CEO of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “Consumers associate our premium brand with high quality, delicious chocolate and now they will have the opportunity to enjoy both our intense, slow melting chocolate and our decadent ice cream treats inside the park. Our rich heritage began in California 160 years ago this year and opening this store in Disney California Adventure is a perfect way to celebrate.”

Park Starz Yeti Rides Expedition Everest

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Austin and I had the rare chance to tag along with the great and mysterious Yeti as he visited Animal Kingdom to ride Expedition Everest.

Yeti arrives at Animal Kingdom on a beautiful summer day.
It didn’t take him long to find Asia
Like most tourists, the Yeti could not resist a photo in front the fabled mountain range.
First he made sure he fit in the ride vehicle. Plenty of arm room. You know how those Yetis like to move their arms!
Then, with a 90 minute wait, it was wise to grab a Fast Pass. A nimble creature the Yeti is.
Respect the Yeti you will.
While waiting, he shopped at the Serka Zong Bazaar. “How dare they make me look cute!”
“Arrrg! Now I’m a Yeti!” He said it should shrink in the wash.
Now it was time! The anticipation grew! Let’s get in line, our time has come!
“Sorry sir, you must be one Yeti foot tall to ride Expedition Everest.” What!!! Grrrr! What does that even mean!? I AM a Yeti!
A very angry Yeti then spent the rest of the afternoon swatting at guests as they swooped off the mountain side. He didn’t hit much, but it made him feel better.