Video: An In-Depth Look at Radiator Springs Racers

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

 

Cars Land last night held its grand opening ceremony for media and invited guests and all the attractions and food locations were open. We will have videos of all new attractions and locations in Cars Land up within the next few days. First video we have is a full ride through of Radiator Springs Racers including a full walk through of the queue, the two variations of the car “alteration” scene, and two angles of the thrilling race to the finish line.

 

Adam Roth’s 2/2/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Thursday andf has plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was testing

Inside the Fire Station

The patches have returned

And you were worried they wouldn’t come back…

Guests are prepared for the adventure while waiting in line

Cards! Oh, they’re on the screen…

The screens are very well hidden

Off we go!

We got cards!

The portal under the train station

Some nice lighting set up

I love when they use backdrops of the land they are in

PONGO!

Cruella

Horace and Jasper

Hades disguised, as usual

An awesome rendering of Main Street

Turns sinister looking

We’re on the move again

I can’t wait to see someone try to buy this painting…

Portal opening

The cameras are really well hidden

This one is pretty well hidden too

Main Street facade work continues

Where are the portals?

Could one be here?

There it is!

Pretty funny

Don’t drink and drive

WE’LL CONTINUE

A crane visible over the park

Some of the displays from the pin station are missing while bridge work continues

Sorcerers can also sign up in Liberty Square

Pavement being worked on in Frontierland

More and more permanent markers showing up

I really love these windows with the opening curtains

More new pavement

Lawrence from Princess and the Frog

Louis the alligator

You have to free Tiana from a snake

Merlin on the Jungle Cruise

The Lion King story

Again, some funny moments to be found

Fighting a hyena

They have been here fo a while, but plenty of Pirates movie references can be found in Tortuga Tavern

More movie details

The color changing fireplace is pretty neat

Sunshine Tree Terrace now has a window

The lighting on the upper portion is pretty nice

Work continues on the new path between Fantasyland and Liberty Square

Less and less trees and shrubs

Some rumors claim that a Tangled play area and a rest area where guests can re-charage electronics is being added in addition to the new restrooms

Work continues on queue changes at Peter Pan’s Flight as they prepare for the new interactive queue

HUGE crane up in New Fantasyland

Work continues on the Castle Walls

Work continues on the new Dumbo queue as Goofy crashes through a tower…

Storybook Circus may very well soft-open by the end of the month

The train station and roundhouse looks great!

More rock-work appearing on Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The archways extending from the castle look almost finished

Work continues on Belle’s Village

Signage about to go up, either for the restrooms or Ariel’s Grotto meet and greet

Another look at the train station

The new color schemes on the Dumbo uses a lot of pastels for more of a circus feel

Workers up on the station

AWESOME…

Time to battle Maleficent

Still just a sticker in Fantasyland

Here’s a detailed marker

On to the Mermaid story

Pretty funny

Flotsam and Jetsam

The shark from The Little Mermaid

I LOVE Merlin’s window

A new cart has appeared in Tomorrowland, and I must say, I really like the look of it

R2-D2 popcorn bucket available far away from Star Tours

Goofy’s new tower at the Barnstormer

Crane at dusk… I’m sure you want this as a wallpaper

The long murals on the Fantasyland construction walls are back

A far away look at the Skyway area construction

You can clearly see The Haunted Mansion

A lot of dirt on the move

Big Thunder closed for refurbishment

I love this sign

The workers are done for the day

Fantasyland Station

Yummmm

I’m getting hungry…

And for all you Alien Encounter fans…

Enjoy!

Villains 3 Attempt DHS Takeover

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Villains 1 set up a stronghold at the Swiss Family Treehouse, but ultimately could not conquer the Magic Kingdom.Villains 2 harnessed the powers of Epcot to destroy Walt Disney World, but fell short at the poisoned well. I thought they had learned their lesson until a scorching hot summer day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Austin and I were just minding our own business, going on our favorite rides when out of no where the attack began. Villains 3 thought that by capturing the power of the movies and sabotaging the rides, they could rule Walt Disney World.

Judge Frolo wasn’t pleased the US park stole this car stunt show idea from Disneyland Paris. So his devious plan was to take it out, flooding the rest of the park with overflow crowds!
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He also decided to conquer New York City while he was here.
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The Coachman hijacked some prop cars around the studio to take guests to Pleasure Island (in Downtown Disney) where they were forced to watch the human statue show for hours and hours on end.
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Gaston was on his way to take over the Beauty and the Beast theater, but then he caught his reflection in the water fountain and began thinking “wow, you’re ridiculously good looking, maybe you could do that for a career.”
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Oh how Gideon wanted so much to be a famous actor. And fame would bring him power. And with power he could help the Villains rule WDW! So he planted his memorabilia inside Sid Cahuenga’s where people would see it and think he was famous. Sure, it’s a long term plan, but he’s just not that devious.
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The Queen of Hearts became ruler of the movies. Only the best films would now be made or else… You guessed it… Off with their heads!
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Chernabog made an appearance in Fantasmic to let loose his evil spirits onto the crowd.
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Look who we found hiding in a corner inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Ratigan was lurking around, chewing on the elevator cables.
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Smee wanted to enlist only the best pirates for his crew. Where better to find pirates than… The American Idol Experience! Why? Everyone knows the best Pirates also love to sing! “Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!”
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Tick Tock was lurking in the swamps.
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Madame Medusa used this magic film strip to steal the fortunes of all the Disney film characters.
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Mortimer Mouse was seen sneaking around the Disney Animation building.
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His plan was to have himself drawn into every Mickey Mouse cartoon ever made. Replacing Mickey with himself and therefore changing history and becoming the most powerful cartoon on earth!
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The great Disney animators were too smart for this trick, and Mickey remained the #1 mouse. But a pair of Villains have still been unaccounted for…
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Si and Am wanted nothing more than to share their golden voices with people world wide. They were spotted sneaking around back stage.
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There, they found the secret Cast Members Only recording studio.
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The plan was to hypnotize everyone with their spooky chants.
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But then they got distracted. A back stage pass!
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And a chance meeting with the legend himself. The excitement made the sinister cat duo forget all about their evil plans… for now.

Release Day: Friday, July 27, 2012

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Roger Rabbit and The Land 9″ figures are both online and at D-Street

Last night, the links to purchase these figures went live at Midnight PST, but were hidden from searches for a good half hour. People also had issues checking out to purchase Roger Rabbit, but there seemed to plenty of quantity of the 1200 total available online as it is still available today. Or at least we all think this morning? I, along with many others got our confirmation emails… but past experience makes us hold our breath until the package arrives.

The Park 9 Combo Topper is also out today, only at D-Streets.

WDWNT: The Magazine Issue 11 Released

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Issue 11 Cover

We are happy to announce the release of issue 11 of WDWNT: The Magazine.  A new year is upon us, and as usual when the calendar turns over, it’s a good time to look back at 2011 and look forward to 2012.  Certainly 2012 looks to be a big year for Disney parks, and WDWNT: The Magazine is looking forward to sharing those moments with you.  To get us started, this issue features a look back at the top 11 stories of 2011. (At WDWNT, we just can’t stop making lists.)  In addition, this issue of WDWNT: The Magazine contains the continuation of our article on the fascinating panel at IAAPA featuring Marty Sklar and Jack Lindquist.   We also have articles on runDisney’s Goofy challenge, Disney trip planning 101, and a look into the world of Disney video games.

We also have a few of our reoccurring columns in this issue as Eating WDW gets a sweet tooth to examine the cupcakes of the vacation kingdom, an appreciative look at Vinylmation, and Magical Memorium looks back at the Fife and Drum in Liberty Square.  This issue also has the return of The Time I, which provides a record of spending New Year’s Eve in the Disneyland Resort.  All this, along with monthly news highlights, a new Where in the World photo hunt, and much more await you in this issue of WDWNT: The Magazine.

We hope that you will find the articles within both entertaining and educational.  If you have any suggestions or feedback, we are always happy to hear from our readers.  Just send an email to WDWNTthemagazine@wdwnt.com and share your thoughts.

As a reminder, the magazine is available in digital form from our website (http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com) or in printed form from MagCloud (http://www.magcloud.com).

Disney North: Pook-A-Looz Vinyls?

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

In my last post about Mindstyle’s Stitch figures, I alluded to another series of vinyls set to be released by Mindstyle. But first some history…

In the last few years you might have seen some different looking plush at Disney Parks and the Disney Store. These plush, known as Pook-A-Looz, were inspired by designer toy culture. The plush have the look of being hand sewn. Disney produced many characters in this style. Most of these characters were mass produced while some were rare and have become pretty hard to find. Disney also produced a wide range of accessories to go along with the plush, including shirts and handbags.

Pook-A-looz

Rare Figment Pook-A-Looz

I’ve not seen the plush available in Disney Stores anymore and I think there were only a few left at Disney Parks during my last trip to WDW in October 2011. There are some Muppets Pook-A-Looz still available on the FAO Schwartz website at a reduced costs.  It seems Disney has abandoned the entire series, in favor of Vinylmation. I guess Disney originally figured Pook-A-Looz would have the same success as our favorite vinyl toys.

Pook-A-Looz Handbag

How does Mindstyle work into this equation? In January of 2011, the company posted a string of blog posts teasing a release of equivalent vinyl figures. The designs are exactly like the plush. Very little information is given about the series. Since the line is a pretty much history, my guess is these will never be produced. Check out some of the pictures of the vinyls below.

I never purchased any of the plush but they did intrigue me. If the vinyls were produced, I no doubt, would have purchased them all. What do you think? Would you have collected the Pook-A-Looz figures?

Editor’s Note:
I couldn’t post this article from Disney North without giving my own opinion. I have to admit, I was a Pook-A-Looz collector.

It started with Buzz and Woody, but soon grew to a collection of about 15-20. They went on sale and could be picked up for only a few bucks. I agree with Disney North, they seemed to just not catch on as a collectible like Disney thought they would. 

Although Disney produced some special edition ones, like 40th anniversary Mickey and Minnie and Broadway Mary Poppins (only for purchase at the Broadway store or online), the product line fizzled out.

My personal favorite is the Toy Story Alien that was only released in Japan.
-Nick

Tim Alcoser Photo Report Cars Land Eve 6/13/12

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

We’ve waited years for this moment, and we finally have arrived. It’s the Eve of the rededication of Disney California Adventure and Carsland! There was a lot of hustle and bustle at the resorts today to prepare for the big Media Day and rededication ceremony. Most the walls have come down across both parks, with a mere rope holding us back to all the new sights and sounds that await. The Red Carpet is rolled out to Carsland from Carthay Circle Theatre, A Bug Life Theater has finished it’s new paint scheme, the walls to both Carsland and Buena Vista Street have come down for all to view, and likewise at the Matterhorn. The flag retreat ceremony is a great combo with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and Disney Spares no expense for top of the line advertising for June 15th, by recruiting the Good Year Blimp to fly around both parks for the majority of the day, with multiple LED messages.

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Bugs Land Theatre looking more beautiful than ever!

I must admit, Buena Vista Street was smaller than I thought.

I must admit, Buena Vista Street was smaller than I thought.

Rolling out the red carpet!

I have seen painters painting all day throughout the resorts for the past month. Must be making some great overtime!

I have seen painters painting all day throughout the resorts for the past month. Must be making some great overtime!

Carnation Cafe is open for your enjoyment.

Carnation Cafe is open for your enjoyment.

Just waitin' for guests.

More baby ducks!

More baby ducks!

If Duck's had an In N Out...it'd be here. I still say these are the luckiest ducks in the world.

If Duck’s had an In N Out…it’d be here. I still say these are the luckiest ducks in the world.

The Dapper Dan's singing patriotic songs.

The Dapper Dan’s singing patriotic songs.

Looks like the Disneyland Resort Advertising team got one heck of a budget!

Looks like the Disneyland Resort Advertising team got one heck of a budget!

The blimp featured LED messages of opening attractions on June 15th!

The blimp featured LED messages of opening attractions on June 15th!

Good Cast Members can really make or break your experience at the resort. This guy is explaining safety to guests right before Mickey's Soundsational Parade.

Good Cast Members can really make or break your experience at the resort. This guy is explaining safety to guests right before Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.

I found a Hidden Mickey most of you have never seen before.

I found a Hidden Mickey most of you have never seen before.

New signs at the Tram stop by Mickey and Friends.

New signs at the Tram stop by Mickey and Friends.

Thanks for reading!