Starbucks Comes to Walt Disney World in 2013 with Magic Kingdom and Epcot Locations

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

As we speculated, the Main Street Bakery at the Magic Kingdom and Fountain View at Epcot will become Starbucks locations in 2013.

The Main Street Bakery will close in January and re-open as a Starbucks location in early-summer 2013. Fountain View will close in March and re-open midsummer.

Both locations will be themed to the existing environment. At Main Street bakery, cast members will wear a costume consistent with the early 20th century look and feel of Main Street U.S.A. At Fountain View in Epcot, the new Starbucks location and cast member costumes will be designed to match the park’s futuristic theme.

The two locations will both offer the full complement of Starbucks signature beverages, artisan breakfast sandwiches and a wide selection of baked goods, including muffins, scones and specialty treats.

Stay tuned for more on this story as it becomes available.

“Celebrate the Magic” Castle Projection Show Debuts Tonight!

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

The new Cinderella Castle projection show entitled “Celebrate The Magic” finally debuts tonight at the Magic Kingdom! The Disney Parks Blog provided more information today:

As the show begins, Tinker Bell appears to fly around Cinderella Castle, weaving in and out of the turrets. She splashes pixie dust on the castle, transforming it into a spectacular piece of living art. As the pixie dust subsides, we are taken back to the beginnings of pencil animation, and we see Walt Disney, the original magic maker, drawing Mickey Mouse. With a little magic from Tinker Bell, Walt’s paintbrush flies off the page and comes to life, creating imagery that carries us away on a fantastic journey.

We travel down the rabbit hole with Alice, soar high above the Big Top with Dumbo and visit the African savanna with Simba. Our adventure takes us into the worlds of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Brave,” and at one point, Cinderella Castle is even reimagined as the 8-bit video game home of the Nicelanders in Disney’s newest smash, “Wreck-It Ralph.” The whole show comes full circle for a magical finale filled with wonder and emotion.

“’Celebrate the Magic’ draws its inspiration from the love we all share for Disney’s memorable characters, their stories and the imagination that brought them to life,” says Show Director Katy Harris. “The team has been able to combine advances in technology with spectacular imagery and a stirring musical score to create a stunning and immersive way of storytelling. ‘Celebrate the Magic’ takes us on a journey full of wonderful moments our guests will never forget.”

As a special treat, “Celebrate the Magic” debuts with a segment of the show created just for the holiday season, featuring the return of the gingerbread castle seen during our original projection show, “The Magic, The Memories and You!”

Fans of the seasonal updates to that show will also be pleased to learn the tradition will continue with “Celebrate the Magic.” Look for the arrival of favorite Disney couples in January, a trip to the beach with “Lilo & Stitch” and“The Little Mermaid” during the summer months, and an influx of Disney villains in time for next Halloween.

Adam Roth’s 11/11/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a bunch of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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Habit Heroes – still closed

The exterior of Test Track is making quick progress as we race towards soft openings

Signage about to go up

They finally painted the exit

A look over the walls

Epcot Christmas tree

Food and Wine is now over, but at least we have the memories…

The temporary Epcot Character Spot is in the old Epcot 25th Anniversary exhibit space

The backdrop is retro-tastic…

Some remnants of the exhibit remain

The actual Character Spot in down for a lengthy refurbishment

Looks like it is going to be a while

Still using the same entrance

Walls still up near Electric Umbrella

The Epcot 30th window display is still up at Art of Disney

FastPass Plus at Spaceship Earth

The podium was uncovered

BYE!

It’s Christmas at the Magic Kingdom

Some tarps up on the Adventureland Veranda

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin refurbishment is done

The old steel drum bandstand is behind tarps, probably related to the upcoming Pirates interactive game being installed in Adventureland

Work continues on the new Fantasyland restrooms

Let’s check-in on New Fantasyland

The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

New tarps are up on Princess Fairytale Hall

Looks like these 5 princesses will be greeting guests when it opens in late-2013

Mesh for the rock-work going up on Mine Train

Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are back

The exit test is back in use

Goodnight Magic Kingdom!

Disney Takes Control of All Spas, New Spa Opens December 17th at Grand Floridian

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

From Michelle Baumann on the Disney Parks Blog:

A soothing escape into a world of pampering and relaxation is just steps away from Disney theme park fun at the newly re-imagined Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

The fully remodeled spa, now owned and operated by Disney, is set to open December 17.

I recently had a chance to duck in for a sneak peek and our Imagineers did a splendid job of blending Grand Floridian turn-of-the-century elegance with modern touches – plus a dash of Disney whimsy. Here are some of the highlights:

Spa-goers first walk through the new Victorian style entryway and indulge in a relax, renew, or imagine journey that’s determined by your treatment choice.

The centerpiece of the spa’s lobby is an original mural reflecting old Florida landscape and nature. Glass mosaic tiles in the Jacuzzi rooms further enhance the elegance and sophistication of the spa. All the senses are engaged in an ultimate relaxation experience – flavorful and soothing elixirs, color variations in lighting and orchestral music harmonize with the treatment selected.

Some 15 treatment rooms offer full-service pampering services such as watertherapy, sugar exfoliation body treatment, rejuvenating citrus facial, a restorative hand and foot ritual with Chinese Jasmine oils, plus a Magical Manicure or Princess Pedicure for youngsters. Lounges, whirlpools, and treatment rooms all provide rejuvenation through the healing nature of Florida citrus and botanicals.

The new menu of services also includes a signature 80-minute Grand Floridian treatment featuring a special aromatherapy massage.

Guests can book spa appointments at the new Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort beginning November 15, by calling 407-WDW-SPAS (407-939-7727) or learn more by visitingwww.disneyworld.com/spas.

Incidentally, all of our spas, salons and fitness centers will be owned and operated by Disney beginning January 16. On that same day, the spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort will temporarily close for renovation and reopen in the summer as Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. More to come on that soon.

Details on the 2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Revealed

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

The Fab Five are having a party, and everyone’s invited to join the fun during the 20th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 6-May 19, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort.  Colorful, whimsical topiaries of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck will welcome topiary Daisy to their Epcot front-entrance celebratory barbecue.  The 14-foot-tall topiary Goofy will bobble an anniversary cake while Donald and Daisy play badminton, Mickey fires up the grill, Pluto swipes a link of hot dogs and Minnie chills out on a colorful blanket of blossoms.

And that’s just the festival opener.  New topiaries, gardens, children’s play areas and interactive gardening seminars will set the stage for 75 days of festival fun as Disney’s horticulture team revs up for its 20th year of beautiful blooms and creative whimsy.

For the first year ever, Mike and Sully from Disney-Pixar “Monsters Inc.” will join the festivities with their DisneyŸPixar “Monsters University” topiary on the walkway from Future World to the park’s World Showcase.  A new Disney-Pixar “Cars” playground– Radiator Springs–brings favorite movie characters to life in topiary on the Test Track Walkway.  And 2013′s Fawn’s Butterfly House flits to life with hundreds of butterflies and eight fairy topiaries including Tinker Bell, Fawn, Vidia and Terrence.

The opening weekend Flower Power Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre will present fan favorite Micky Dolenz (“I’m a Believer”) March 8-10.  Other pop acts set to perform include Chubby Checker & the Wildcats, The Guess Who, Paul Revere & The Raiders and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone.

More than 100 topiaries, 240 floating mini-gardens, dozens of flower towers and sweeping beds of multi-colored blooms will add floral splendor to the park landscape.  Daily hands-on gardening seminars, HGTV celebrity presentations, and other Festival Center events will offer innovative ideas, design tips and gardening know-how to park guests.

UPDATE – Disney has since announced the presence of “Oz The Great and Powerful” at the Festival as well:

We’re happy to announce today that guests visiting the 2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival this spring can visit this Land of Oz in the form of an original interactive play area that will be one of the festival’s newest offerings. Here, guests can follow in the footsteps of Oz The Great and Powerful by playing carnival games in a circus-themed area. Here red-and-white tents will offer all kinds of midway games, plus fun photo opportunities.

The next stop is the “Land of Oz Play Area”, where bubbles fill the air, and where you can find: play equipment adorned with giant flowers, The Great and Powerful Oz’s crashed hot-air balloon, and more! Guests can also wander through the “Oz Movie Garden,” which will feature lush, unusual plants inspired by the Land of Oz.

“Royal Majesty Makers” Coming to Fantasyland Next Week

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

Disney is adding several new entertainment groups to Fantasyland leading to the December 6th grand opening of New Fantasyland, the first of which was announced today. Meet the Royal Majesty Makers who will meet guests starting November 19th:

The Royal Majesty Makers engage boys and girls in random acts of “royaldom,” endowing them with the skills to become princes and princesses. These royal consultants, official ambassadors of Cinderella’s court, inspire and delight visiting villagers with magical moments throughout the land. Led by retired knight Sir Sterling and royal etiquette expert Lady Llewellyn, the Royal Majesty Makers also include squire extraordinaire Tobias and flirtatious lady-in-waiting Bridget. They may be found in the Castle Courtyard, conducting Knight School, delivering invitations to a royal ball, leading royal dances or even playing a game of “Sir Sterling Says.”

It sounds like this show will be a mix of Hollywood Studios streetmosphere and the short-lived “Let’s Have a Ball” show that was performed behind Cinderella Castle back in 2006. We’ll provide a look at this new entertainment group next week when they debut, so stay tuned.

Big Thunder Mountain Gets A Golden Backstory

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Last week, we shared an image of a portrait that’s a part of a new project our Walt Disney Imagineers are currently working on – and today we’re happy to reveal the identity of that man and share details on the role he’ll play in the enhanced storyline of a certain Magic Kingdom Park attraction, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Barnabas T. Bullion, Founder and President of Big Thunder Mining Company

The fellow’s name is Barnabas T. Bullion, and he’s the gold magnate who rules the Big Thunder Mining Company with a golden fist. Imagineers have already begun working overnight in the park on the attraction’s new interactive queue, where you’ll be able to see this portrait, as well as an additional landscape portrait of the mountain itself.

Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom Park

According to the enhanced backstory: “Barnabas T. Bullion is the founder and president of the Big Thunder Mining Company. The longtime mining magnate comes from a powerful East Coast family and considers gold to be his very birthright by virtue of his oddly appropriate name; in fact, he considers the ultimate gold strike to be his destiny. And that is why he is having so much trouble with Big Thunder Mountain. According to superstitious locals, Big Thunder Mountain is very protective of the gold it holds within, and the unfortunate soul who attempts to mine its riches is destined to fail. And so far that prophecy is coming to pass. The mine has been plagued by mysterious forces and natural disasters ever since. And yet the Big Thunder Mining Co. is still in operation. In fact, Bullion is discovering new veins of gold and digging new shafts every day, offering a closer look at the Big Thunder mining operation than ever before. But a word to the wise for anyone attempting to visit the mountain: watch out for runaway trains.”

Look for these new additions and a number of additional interactive elements in the coming months at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the wildest ride in the wilderness!

It sounds like the new interactive queue that we have been talking about for Big Thunder Mountain will be ready for guests soon with an extra dose of a certain Imagineer. As we all know the Big Thunder Queue is one of the worst queues anywhere on property so I think we are all anxiously awaiting this change. What do you think of the enhanced back story?

VIDEO: The Legend of Jack Sparrow Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

Despite being billed to open on December 6th, The Legend of Jack Sparrow has now soft-opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction is located on Mickey Avenue between Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream and Toy Story Midway Mania and is pretty hard to miss with its spiffy new facade:

The attraction begins with a short pre-show where guests are introduced to the narrator: a talking pirate skull that should be recognizable from the original attraction at Disneyland and from the film’s logo:

Guest then enter the main show room, a circular set where projection mapping (think Cinderella Castle during Celebrate the Magic) is used to bring scenes from the films to life for about 8 minutes. After recreating some famous scenes from the film series, guests finally get to see Captain Jack Sparrow via projection technology very similar to what brings talking fish to life in The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot. In my 3 experiences, I have seen differences in this portion of the show, meaning you will see a different Jack Sparrow introduction portion in the show from time to time (think Star Tours randomization).

Personally, I think the attraction is very well done. Guest interactions throughout thew show are a bit corny, but the projection technology that brings you into each scene is amazing. Bullets leave marks on walls, sails swing and sway, and the entire room even becomes submerged at one point, all simply through projections. The computer animation is spotless and the novelty of living envoronment around you is sure to entertain guests for years to come. I was ready to hate this attraction based on previous experence with various movie-set walkthroughs that have existed within this soundstage, but I have to say I really enjoy this one. It’s not just publicity for a movie, it’s actually a fun show with great modern technology that does its very best to leave guests smiling. It’s not going to be something you do every time you visit Hollywood Studios, but it is another worthwhile attraction in a park that probably needs some more.

This attraction is a bit of a challenge to film, but we have video of the entire attraction which may help you judge it a lot better. Regardless, you should see this next time you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

WDWNT’s Annual Tradition Is Bigger Than Ever with 30 Hour Live Show to Benefit Toys for Tots!

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

The holiday season is once again upon us and as usual, it’s a time where we should think about those who are less fortunate than we are and try to make a difference in their lives. Over 60 years ago, Walt Disney became one of the original sponsors of the Toys for Tots foundation, which ensures that every underprivileged child receives a toy during the holiday season. Walt and his animators personally designed the original Toys for Tots train logo that is still used today and the first poster created for Toys for Tots. In this spirit, WDW News Today, the WDWNT Network, and our many friends and partners are putting on a 30-hour live broadcast to raise money for Toys for Tots. That’s right, in honor of Epcot’s 30th anniversary, we are expanding from 24 to 30 hours of constant broadcasting!

We hope you will join us beginning at 6PM ET on November 23, 2012 when the broadcast begins and will help us by making a donation to this great cause. The broadcast is taking place at WDWNTunes.com stating at 6PM ET on the 23rd and running until 12AM ET on November 25th.
Throughout the 30 hours we will be presenting special segments, programs, and content in hopes of breaking last year’s donation total of $3000. Here is a list of scheduled events:

11/23 10PM EST – The WDW News Today Podcast presents our signature segment, Back to the Future covering the complete history of The Living Seas/Seas with Nemo and Friends
11/24 11AM EST – WDWNT: The Pyramid game show for prizes
11/24 1PM EST – Live chat with Ron Schneider, author of “From Dreamer to Dreamfinder”
11/24 3PM EST – WDWNT: The Match Game game show for prizes
11/24 6PM EST – The Disneyland News Today Podcast counts down the top 10 Disneyland attractions ever
11/24 9PM EST – Live recording of WDWNTunes Around the Hub
11/24 11PM EST – Live new episode of “See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless late-night talk show

We will be on the air for the entire 30 hours and even when there is nothing scheduled we will be chatting and interacting with you via the live chat. If the past three years have taught us anything, it is that you can expect the unexpected and you really won’t want to miss a minute of the action.

Donations for Toys for Tots will be accepted through the always safe and secure FirstGiving. You can donate directly through them at toys.wdwnt.com.

We thank you for taking the time out of your busy holiday weekend and hope you will help us make a difference for the 4th year in a row. We are so happy to use the blessings we have to make a difference in the world, and I know we can do it again with your help. We look forward to seeing you starting tomorrow night!

MR. SPELL WORKS! After 4 Years of Waiting, PIXAR Place Prop Finally Operates

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

Since Toy Story Midway Mania opened in May 2008, we have been staring at this particular prop waiting for it to do something. We always assumed that just like the real Mr. Spell toy, it would scroll text and speak at some point. Well, 4 years have gone by and finally, this has happened:

So, it’s not completely working yet, but there are signs of life at least. We can only hope that he’ll start speaking as well in the coming days… stay tuned.