VIDEO: Banshees, Dancing Groots, Disney Parks Pursuit and More on WDW News Tonight

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

Last night 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.

REVIEW: Crazy Churro, Apple Pie, and Berry Explosion Ice Cream Sundaes Debut at Epcot’s Taste Track

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

Taste Track at Epcot, just steps away from Test Track in case the name didn’t give it away, has had a tumultuous history. Since it was constructed in 1998, it has more often than not been closed. In recent years, Disney has rotated through a few different menus at the location, including a short lived lineup of grilled cheese sandwiches. Well, the location is now open daily once again, but is now serving some crazy ice cream sundaes in addition to more traditional fare.

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If you know us here at WDWNT by now, then you know that we had to try all 3 of these new sundaes out. Let’s see if they live up to their menu pictures…

Berry Explosion Sundae ($6.50)

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Vanilla Ice Cream layered with Berries and Pound Cake, topped with Whipped Cream, Strawberry Pearls, and Cotton Candy

If you like strawberries and pound cake, do yourself a favor and get one of these. It is filled with generous chunks of strawberries and a nice piece of pound cake towards the bottom, which goes perfectly with everything in here. The cotton candy on top is probably unnecessary, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t just about the most photogenic dessert at Walt Disney World because of it.

Chocolaty Churro Sundae ($6.50)

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Chocolaty Churro Sundae ($6.50) at Taste Track, Epcot

Vanilla Ice Cream and Hot Fudge, topped with Whipped Cream, Chocolate Curls, and a Churro

I had such high expectations for this and it did not live up to them (and it wasn’t nearly as photogenic as the sundae above, nor the one pictured on the menu board). Don’t get me wrong, if you want ice cream on top of a churro, this is great, but it just isn’t very exciting. It’s just vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream. I would at least throw some caramel sauce in here to make it a little more interesting, but again, it’s not a bad option for a couple of dollars more, if not just to get some ice cream with a churro during these hot summer months.

Apple Pie Sundae ($6.50)

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Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce, topped with Whipped Cream, Caramel Popcorn, Salted Caramel Pearls, and Warm Apple Pie

Basically a caramel sundae with a McDonald’s Apple Pie broken in half and shoved in it, this is enjoyable, but nothing to write home about. The flavor is mostly just vanilla, similar to the Churro Sundae above. This isn’t a bad option if you want a caramel sundae with apple pie in it, but based on the menu photos, I think we just expected much more out of these and the Berry Explosion was sadly the only one that delivered. Save your ice cream money for Beaches and Cream or Ample Hills.

Disney & PIXAR Short Film Festival at Epcot Closing Next Week for Refurbishment

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival located in the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot will closed for a one week refurbishment next week.

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The attraction will be closed starting June 12th and will re-open on June 19, 2017. It is unclear if the films offered will be finally rotated out or if this is just a general refurbishment of the theater.

The films currently offered as part of the attraction include Get a Horse, La Luna, and For the Birds.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Enhanced Big Thunder Trail Opens at Disneyland, The Portal to Star Wars Land

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

Our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney have provided us with some photos of the newly reopened Big Thunder Trail at Disneyland Park, the first part of the park which was closed for the construction of Star Wars Land to return into service:

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What has been construction walls for the better part of a year and a half is now open again.

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While this bridge was here before, it now has some new lanterns on it.

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Work continues on the new edge of the Rivers of America, as well as the new train trestle for the Disneyland Railroad.

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Thankfully, the old cave from Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland survived.

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The trail looks fairly different now, with extensive rock work and props taking the place of the entrance to Big Thunder Ranch.

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The new elements are just as well themed as anything around it and look as if they have been here since the early days of Big Thunder Mountain.

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These new structures will block the guest view of Star Wars Land from Frontierland.

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The Big Thunder Ranch logo can be found on the lamp sitting on the rock in this picture, a nod to the past.

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The opposite side of the path is still pretty much as it was before.

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5 Magic Kingdom Restaurants Will Join Counter Service Mobile Ordering Program Next

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

Following the success of the Satuli Canteen and Pizzafari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 5 Magic Kingdom restaurants will launch the mobile ordering program starting in the next few days.

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Magic Kingdom locations joining the program include Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, and Columbia Harbour House.

The mobile ordering program allows guests to order at Disney counter service restaurants from their mobile devices and then pick-up the order when they are ready to eat. Check out our comprehensive review of the service to see how it works.

Additional locations will slowly be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Marvel Releases First Poster For “Black Panther”; Teaser Trailer Comes Out Tonight

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

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The king has taken his throne in the first official teaser poster for Marvel’s upcoming film, “Black Panther”. And tune into tonight during Game 4 of the NBA Finals to see the first teaser for “Black Panther”!

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Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.=

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.  Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” hits U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018.

VIDEO: Lightning McQueen Is Ready To “Take It To The Limit” One Last Time in Final Cars 3 Trailer

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

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I never thought I would ever hear a song from The Eagles in a Cars trailer but here it is! Only one more week until Cars 3 is out!

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“), produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short) and co-produced by Andrea Warren (“LAVA” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

Source: Disney Pixar

FIRST LOOK: 5 More Fantastic Items Being Released for EPCOT Center’s 35th Anniversary This Fall

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

A few months ago, we revealed to you the very first items in the line of Epcot 35th anniversary merchandise coming to the park this Fall. Now, we take a look at 5 more items that will be joining the retro merchandise collection  around the time the park celebrates its birthday on October 1st:

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First up is an open edition mystery pin collection featuring the classic Future World pavilion icons.

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The pins appear to have a metallic finish, which looks quite nice.

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Next up is a lanyard pouch featuring the icons, as well as a metal EPCOT Center icon.

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Paying homage to the vintage camera strap, a rainbow lanyard will be available as well. If you look closely, you can see the Epcot 35 logo through the top portion as it will be present around the neck area.

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An open edition Figment Epcot 35 pin will be available.

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Last but not least, there is an Epcot 35 vintage-style jersey tee.

All of this merchandise will be released around October 1st, 2017. No pricing or additional information on these products is available as of yet.

Disneyland Finally Remodeling Adventureland to Deal with Crowding Issues, Several Locations Closing or Moving

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

If you have ever walked through Adventureland at Disneyland, you no doubt know how crazy and congested the single, narrow pathway that makes up the land can get. Well, after all of these years, Disney is finally doing something about it.

The Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost, opened in 1995, will close on June 12th, 2017.

The Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost, opened in 1995, will close on June 12th, 2017.

On June 12, the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost and South Seas Traders stores will close permanently. On June 30, the adjacent Bengal Barbecue will reopen with an indoor seating area using space from these two stores. Merchandise from these two stores will be moved into the existing Adventureland Bazaar shop.

Meanwhile, the Tropical Imports fruit stand adjacent to the Jungle Cruise will be closed to become stroller parking for Adventureland, removing the strollers from the center of the pathway. Tropical Imports will open at a new location next door to Bengal Barbecue.

Tropical Imports will close to become stroller parking in Adventureland at Disneyland Park

Tropical Imports will close to become stroller parking in Adventureland at Disneyland Park

While the crowding in the land during the day is a big part of why all of this work is happening, the expected crowds entering and exiting through Adventureland for the upgraded Fantasmic show is the main reason the work is being done right now. This likely means that we still have a few weeks until the show returns to Disneyland.

VIDEO: Marvel Releases The First “Black Panther” Teaser Trailer

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

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The Black Panther is back! Get your first look at Wakanda’s greatest hero as he protects his country from intruders! And yes, he has a new costume!

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay. Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” hits U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018.

Source: Marvel Entertainment