Siemens AG, who has been a Disney Parks corporate sponsor since 2007, has chosen to not renew their deal.
Siemens sponsored Spaceship Earth and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot, as well as “it’s a small world’ at Disneyland Park. In the past, they also sponsored the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (as Sylvania, a company they own) and their technology was used to create the Radiator Springs Racers attraction at Disney California Adventure and used elsewhere in the parks.
The end of the sponsorship comes amidst rumors that Siemens offered Walt Disney World a new monorail fleet for free so long as they were company branded, but Disney reportedly declined.
In the midst of a rather large overhaul of Epcot, this change does make the future of Spaceship Earth a lot more interesting. It was already assumed that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth would be going away, but this change makes the end of that show all the more likely.
Tonight on WDW News Tonight, WDWNT: The Pyramid is back, we celebrate 5 years of Cars Land, and we begin our journey to WDWNT’s 10th anniversary celebration…
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 and announcer Michelle Wargo.
Coming up on this week’s show:
A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
An In-Depth Discussion of Cars Land, it’s impact, and if single-IP themed lands are a fad or an evolution of the theme park industry
The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
“WDWNT: The Pyramid – Cars Edition” for prizes provided by WDWNT: The App
Who Hates Tom Now?
And more!
We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for a very special episode of WDW News Tonight!
If you missed last week’s show, be sure to watch it:
Disney has finally announce the reopening dates for “Fantasmic!,” the Rivers of America attractions and the Disneyland Railroad.
Fantasmic! will return on July 17th – in celebration of the park’s 62nd anniversary – bringing new magic to this beloved nighttime spectacular. The treasured Disneyland park experience guests have loved for years, complete with its original fanfare and theme song, will be taken to brilliant new heights. New mist screens will combine with innovative, state-of-the-art projection technology for brighter and more vibrant visuals than ever before, and the show will feature new scenes inspired by Disney animated classics such as “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.”
Also this summer, the classic Rivers of America attractions will reopen, starting with Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island this Friday, June 16, followed by Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes on July 29. For decades, guests have traveled the landscapes inspired by four of America’s majestic rivers: the Mississippi, the Columbia, the Missouri and the Rio Grande; each carefully recreated, complete with indigenous rock formations, natural forests and wildlife. The return of these watercraft will bring even more breathtaking views for guests to discover, including an enhanced adventure featuring the new Columbia Gorge section, highlighted by five picturesque waterfalls.
This new waterfront will also include several elevated trestles over which the Disneyland Railroad will travel when it reopens along with the Rivers of America attractions on July 29. This classic experience will also feature new and enhanced adventures! For the very first time, the Disneyland Railroad will make a left-hand turn to continue around Disneyland park, and Walt Disney’s legendary dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World have been carefully restored to their original splendor, with a bit of new magic added to both.
Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have a look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over on the west coast. We hope to make this a weekly column in collaboration with them, and hope you will enjoy watching the project come together, week by week and piece by piece.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
From inside of the park, guests can see work wrapping up on the new north edge of the Rivers of America, complete with a new path for the Disneyland Railroad. No re-opening date for these attractions has been given yet other than Summer 2017.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
The train rolling above the river should offer some spectacular views.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
As you can see, even though the Summer tourist season has begun, a lot of work remains to be completed.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
New themed pavement makes us giddy…
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
A lot of painting still to be done.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Heading up to the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, we now look at Star Wars Land from behind.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Walls and steel continue to rise.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
We’ve seen a lot of construction over the last ten years, but nothing quite like this show building for the “battle” attraction. It is already being billed as the largest, most complex E-Ticket ever constructed.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
We can see the new tressle for the Disneyland Railroad in the distance.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Fresh Baked Disney also has a video of the construction that you should check out:
Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have another weekly look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over at Disneyland Park. Here is a look at the project as of June 3rd, 2017:
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
The two structures towards the back, which we assume to be part of the Millennium Falcon ride, are now apparently attached to each other.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
The AT-AT walkers are now pretty hard to see through all of the steel, but they are still there.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
The multi-level show building for the “Battle with the First Order” (we’re still waiting on a real name) ride just looks like a mess of steel at the moment.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
It is quite the behemoth. The two steel sections at the top will likely support themed elements on the roof of the building, parts of the facade basically.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Work continues on the new waterfront for the Rivers of America, hopefully still opening sometime this Summer.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Dirt.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Things are starting to look more like structures, which is good. Maybe soon we’ll be able to figure out what some of this other stuff around the major attractions is.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Lots of steel framework.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
I’m not even going to pretend to know what is going on in this picture…
As always, Fresh Baked Disney also has a video of the construction that you should check out:
We have yet another limited release t-shirt for you, and this one will ship just in time for July 4th, 2017…
Click here to purchase
Available for only the next 9 days, “Make America Sing Again” celebrates the classic Disneyland attraction America Sings. This show was created by legendary Disney Imagineer Marc Davis and ran in the Carousel Theater in Tomorrowland from 1974 until 1988. Most of the animatronics from the show were recycled into Star Tours and Splash Mountain at Disneyland Park.
America Sings at Disneyland, 1974-1988
The shirt is available now and is guaranteed to arrive by July 4th, 2017 for all domestic purchases.
The D23 Expo 2017 will have entire pavilion dedicated to the Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Today, the creative minds behind the pavilion unveiled the amazing logo for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts: A Galaxy of Stories, exclusively at D23 Expo 2017.
In just a few short weeks, guests can catch a glimpse of the locations, starships, creatures and droids that will populate this remote village on the Outer Rim, and experience the world premiere of a detailed model showcasing the immersive 14-acre lands coming to Disney Parks in 2019. There will be plenty of artwork and media on display to show guests the creative process bringing the Star Wars, galaxy to life.
On Saturday of the D23 Expo, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Bob Chapek, will also take the stage for a special Hall D23 presentation on what’s new and what’s next for resorts around the globe. In addition, guests can sit in on three other unique Disney Parks panel presentations:
Friday, July 14
3:30 p.m. Pirates of the Caribbean: 50 Years of Swashbuckling Adventures in Disney Parks
Saturday, July 15
3:00 p.m. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – Bob Chapek
Sunday, July 16
12:15 p.m. Inspiring Women of Imagineering
2:30 p.m. Voices of Disney Parks
They’re also bringing back Mickey’s of Glendale, the Imagineer-exclusive merchandise store chock full of limited-edition collectibles and souvenirs. It’s all coming up at D23 Expo 2017 on July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, across the street from Disneyland Resort. Tickets and more information are available now at D23expo.com.
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:
What has been construction walls for the better part of a year and a half is now open again.
While this bridge was here before, it now has some new lanterns on it.
Work continues on the new edge of the Rivers of America, as well as the new train trestle for the Disneyland Railroad.
Thankfully, the old cave from Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland survived.
The trail looks fairly different now, with extensive rock work and props taking the place of the entrance to Big Thunder Ranch.
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.
These new structures will block the guest view of Star Wars Land from Frontierland.
The Big Thunder Ranch logo can be found on the lamp sitting on the rock in this picture, a nod to the past.
The opposite side of the path is still pretty much as it was before.
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.
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
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.
Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have another weekly look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over at Disneyland Park. Here is a look at the project as of June 10th, 2017:
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
The race is on to complete the new riverbank for the Rivers of America before the 4th of July crowds arrive.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Trees are being moved into place currently, a good sign as landscaping usually is one of the last phases of a project like this.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Looking at the Star Wars site, we can see that they are getting close to enclosing the strange circular room which may be part of the pre-show experience for the “Battle Escape” attraction.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Meanwhile, the show building for Disney’s most advanced attraction ever built continues to grow…
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Another look at this strange circular room which will present some special effect that will transport guests to the battle.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Back in Disneyland, the train trestle is getting painted.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
The riverfront looks to be nearing completion.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
A peek through a knothole reveals a pathway that will go along the shoreline and into Star Wars Land, passing under the train tracks.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017
