VIDEO: WDWNT The Dating Game, Re-Naming DHS, Refillable Shampoo and More on WDW News Tonight

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

This week on WDW News Tonight…

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Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Tonight is a live, weekly, audio and video program presented on 105.5 FM, 660 AM, and AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, Florida, as well as online at WDWNewsTonight.com every Wednesday from 9-11pm EST. The show covers the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney news. The show combines the latest headlines, comedy, trending vacation topics, call in games, and in-depth discussions to bring Disney fans a one-of-a-kind 2-hour program covering the Disney Parks. While the show is being live-streamed in both audio and video, listeners and viewers also interact via a live chat online. The show is also available on demand as an audio download, online audio stream and can be watched live or recorded on YouTube.

The Lion King Leaving Shanghai Disney for Beauty and the Beast Musical

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

A tale as old as time is coming to the Walt Disney Grand Theatre stage at Shanghai Disney Resort next year, and the award-winning hit Broadway musical will be performed in Mandarin.

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Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has been produced in 37 countries and enjoyed by more than 35 million people since its premiere in 1994.

One of the longest-running and highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will come to life with talented performers from across China, as the resort continues its commitment to showcase local music theater talent and deliver spectacular world-class live entertainment that is authentically Disney and also distinctly Chinese.

Shanghai Disney Resort will collaborate with Disney Theatrical Productions to bring this story to the stage, following the incredible success of THE LION KING Mandarin production which will play its final performance next month.

Echo Lake, Dinosaur Gertie, and Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner To Undergo Refurbishment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

Beginning September 6th, Echo Lake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be undergoing a refurbishment.

A photo of Gertie back when most of the park existed...

A photo of Gertie back when most of the park existed…

Now don’t worry, nothing is being removed. During this time, the entire lake will be drained and repainted. Dinosaur Gertie and Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner will also be repainted and adjustments in the landscaping around the area will be made. This work will continue through October 2017.

During the painting, with Min and Bill’s and Dinosaur Gertie will continue to operate as normal.

Hurricane Irma to Possibly Affect Walt Disney World Operations, What to Know If You’re Visiting WDW

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

Hurricane Irma, a dangerous Category 5 hurricane, could impact Central Florida and operations at Walt Disney World in the coming days.

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While it is still too soon to narrow down specifics on the exact path of Irma’s center and eyewall, there is an increasing chance of a major hurricane strike on at least part of South Florida, including the Florida Keys, this weekend. According to the latest NHC forecast, the center of Irma may be very close to South Florida by Saturday night, with conditions going downhill already during the day on Saturday.

While the event is still too far out for projections to be absolutely correct, there is a possibility of impact to the Walt Disney World Resort.

In preparation for the storm, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 Florida counties ahead of Hurricane Irma.

The number one question we received last year as Hurricane Matthew threatened Orlando was in regards to Walt Disney World’s cancellation and refund policies during these types of events. For this unfamiliar with Walt Disney World’s hurricane policy:

If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way vacation package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.

If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.

This policy also applies to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in the event a hurricane warning is issued for those destinations.

If you have questions or you wish to reschedule your vacation due to a hurricane warning, please call (407) 939-7675. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Of course, WDWNT.com will continue to provide updates as we get closer to the storm and its projected arrival.

SOURCE: Weather.com

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BREAKING: Colin Treverrow Is No Longer Directing “Star Wars: Episode IX”

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

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Disney has just announced that Colin Trevorrow will no longer be directing “Star Wars: Episode IX”.

This comes as not much of a surprise after Lucasfilm recently fired Phil Lord and Christopher Miller from the “Han Solo” movie over creative differences. Lucasfilm also had issues with Gareth Edwards’ direction of “Rogue One” resulting in re-shoots that did not include Edwards’ participation. A few years ago, Josh Trank was also fired as director of the “Boba Fett” spin off movie.

Lucasfilm is very protective of the Star Wars franchise and I can’t blame them with being overly concerned with Treverrow’s participation. This is the final chapter of the current Star Wars trilogy and you dont want it in the hands of someone with questionable experience. Treverrow did have blockbuster success due to his direction of “Jurassic World” but prior to that, he was virtually unknown and his latest movie, “The Book Of Henry” was a critical and box office flop.

From The Wrap:

Colin Trevorrow is stepping down as the director of “Star Wars: Episode IX,” Disney announced on Tuesday.

“Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on ‘Star Wars: Episode IX,’” Disney said in a statement. “Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ. We wish Colin the best and will be sharing more information about the film soon.”

Trevorrow was announced to direct “Episode IX” in 2015, set for release in 2019. The film will conclude the third trilogy of “Star Wars” movies that began with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” last year. Rian Johnson is directing “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”

Trevorrow directed the 2015 box office hit “Jurassic World” and has a writing credit on its upcoming sequel, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” His recent film, “The Book of Henry,” was a critical and commercial flop.

Source: The Wrap

PHOTO: New Marquee Sign Revealed for Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is currently in transition to become Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Today, the new marquee for the attraction was revealed.

The sign, in a way, confirms that the One Man’s Dream film will continue to play when there is not a movie preview to be shown. The sign also advertises the meet and greet experience inside, which will continue to rotate with new movie releases.

Walt Disney Presents will showcase models from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, as well as art and more from Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway beginning September 8th.

Disney Sets Several Release Dates for Epcot 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Pins

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

Over the course of the next few weeks, Disney is releasing several limited edition pins to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Epcot.

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On September 14th, 2017, a Kitchen Kabaret pin will be released, followed by a larger assortment on September 29th. Of course, a few pins will also be released on October 1st, 2017, the actual anniversary date. All of the pins will certainly be released at Epcot, but it is unclear if any will be available outside of the park.

A collection of other items will also be released sometime this month, as well as “I Was There” items on October 1st, 2017.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (9/6/17) – Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2017 Booth by Booth Review, The Price is Right, Josh from EasyWDW

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, the Price is Right returns, we review the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2017, and then we probably make fun of Nick some more…

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the last week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • A booth by booth review of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2017 with Josh of EasyWDW.com
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “Who Hates Tom Now?”
  • “WDWNT: The Price is Right” for presented by WDWNT: The App
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed our last show, be sure to watch it:

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Production Has Begun On Guy Ritchie’s Live Action Adaption Of “Aladdin”

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

CASTING IN PLACE FOR “ALADDIN,” THE

LIVE-ACTION ADAPTATION DIRECTED BY GUY RITCHIE

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Check out this Selfie of “Aladdin” Cast Members: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott and Marwan Kenzari

Casting for “Aladdin,” the live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic, is complete and production is currently underway at Longcross Studios outside London.

The “Aladdin” cast includes: Two-time Oscar® nominee Will Smith (“Ali,” “Men in Black”) as the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes to whoever possesses his magic lamp; Mena Massoud (Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”) as Aladdin, the hapless but lovable street rat who is smitten with the Sultan’s daughter; Naomi Scott (“Power Rangers”) as Princess Jasmine, the Sultan’s beautiful daughter who wants to have a say in how she lives her life; Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express”) as Jafar, an evil sorcerer who devises a nefarious plot to unseat the Sultan and rule Agrabah himself; Navid Negahban (“Homeland”) as the Sultan, the ruler of Agrabah who is eager to find a proper husband for his daughter, Jasmine; Nasim Pedrad (“Saturday Night Live”) as Dalia, Princess Jasmine’s hand maiden and confidante; Billy Magnussen (“Into the Woods”) as Prince Anders, a suitor from Skanland and potential husband for Princess Jasmine; and Numan Acar (“Homeland”) as Hakim, Jafar’s right-hand man and head of the palace guards.

“Aladdin” is directed by Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”) from a screenplay by John August (“Dark Shadows,” “Big Fish”) based on the 1992 animated film “Aladdin” and stories from “One Thousand and One Nights.” The producer is Dan Lin (“The LEGO Movie”) with Golden Globe® winner Marc Platt (“La La Land”), Jonathan Eirich (“Deathnote“) and Kevin De La Noy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) serving as executive producers. Eight-time Academy Award®-winning composer Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid”) provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Oscar®-winning lyricists Howard Ashman (“Little Shop of Horrors”) and Tim Rice (“The Lion King”) as well as two new songs written by  Menken and Oscar® and Tony Award®-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “Dear Evan Hansen”).

Star Wars Galactic Nights Returns December 2017, Including Panel on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge & More!

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Holster your lightsabers and get in your X-Wings – Star Wars: Galactic Nights is returning! Held after park hours from 7 p.m.-midnight with a Hollywood-style launch party, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will welcome Star Wars fans to celebrate the entire Star Wars Saga on December 16th, 2017.

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Among many thrills in store, Guests can expect to enjoy Star Wars entertainment, special photo opportunities, event-exclusive merchandise and food & beverage, character greetings, a look at the ongoing Star Wars expansion coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and much more.

In addition to returning favorites like a Hollywood red carpet welcome, encounters with characters like Darth Vader and immersive photo backdrops of locations around the Star Wars galaxy, there are several thrilling new offerings for Guests to explore.

Event offerings include:

  • Star Wars Entertainment – Both Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks and the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show will be enhanced with special saga elements.
  • Sneak Peeks at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Epic Theater will play host to a special one-night-only panel discussion about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the 14-acre Star Wars expansion that’s set to open in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • Special Photo Ops – Throughout the park, Guests can step into immersive and iconic scenes from their favorite Star Wars films in a series of incredibly detailed photo locations, including new backdrops inspired by Star Wars Rebels and other scenes from the saga.
  • Character Encounters – Be on the lookout for Star Wars characters like Ewoks, AWR Troopers and roaming droids; Jedi Knights teaching younglings in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple; rocketing to the stars aboard Star Tours – The Adventures Continue; and more.
  • Exclusive F&B and Merchandise – Even more specialty Star Wars-themed food and beverage and merchandise will be available.
  • Enjoy park attractions – Select attractions will be open to all guests. At embarkation points to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Guests may come face-to-face with Stormtroopers on the lookout for a Rebel spy.

Also new for this event, several premium offerings will be available to add on to the Star Wars Galactic Nights experience. Intergalactic foodies can nosh on Star Wars-inspired food and beverage with a Galactic Tasting Sampler, and intrepid, Force-sensitive Younglings can explore their abilities with a Jedi Recruitment package.

Tickets are priced at $129 adults, $124 ages 3-9, with discounts available for Annual Passholders & DVC Members. Guests are able to book now for this out-of-the-galaxy event by calling 407-W-DISNEY or visiting DisneyWorld.com.

You can check out a ton of video from the last Star Wars – Galactic Nights event in our post from April.

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