RUMOR: Maelstrom at Epcot Closing September 28th for FROZEN Attraction?

WDWNT on August 7, 2014

Maelstrom may be the most beloved “cult” attraction in Walt Disney World, but it may also be weeks away from closing forever…

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Cheesy dialogue, a poor representation of Norwegian culture, and a post-show film that people avoid like the plague pretty much sums up Epcot’s Norway pavilion boat ride. The pavilion ended up being funded by Disney almost since it opened in 1988 and Disney has tried on several occasions to find some sponsor to breathe life into the attraction for the most part of the last 25 years. It has seemed for many years as though Maelstrom would survive forever based on the inability to find funding or anything that made sense for that attraction space. Then Frozen was released in theaters…

In the last 8 months, Frozen has taken over Walt Disney World, being hastily rushed into parades, providing the longest meet and greet wait times ever posted, and selling merchandise faster than any property ever has at the Disney Parks. Needless to say, rumors have been swirling that Frozen attractions are in the works for the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resorts and are fast-tracked to be constructed and open as quickly as possible (albeit with a high-quality standard you’d expect based on more recent Disney World and Disneyland additions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train & Radiator Springs Racers). Here’s where Maelstrom comes in.

Frozen is based on Norwegian culture and folklore, arguably a better representation of it than the horn-blowing bearded Viking and awkward standing polar bear that currently inhabit the second floor of the Maelstrom show building. Giving the Norway pavilion a Frozen ride would be a big boost to Epcot, a park that hasn’t seen a dramatic attendance rise from a  new attraction since the late-1990’s. Hopefully, a new Frozen attraction would simply take over the space of Maelstrom and not simply be an overlay of the existing ride.

All of this is pure speculation at this point, but rumors indicate Maelstrom may close forever on September 28th, 2014 as no FastPass + booking for the attraction is available from that date forward. This could just be a glitch, but more likely it’s the end of the fan favorite, Maelstrom.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this story.

‘Frozen’ Pre-Parade Debuting at Disneyland this Summer

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

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This summer, Olaf will finally find out what its like to enjoy summer in a new pre-parade float coming to Disneyland Park. Debuting in mid-June, guests will be able to enjoy a new ‘Frozen’ themed pre-parade float ahead of Mickey’s Soundsational Parade featuring Olaf, Anna, and Elsa. The float designed by Queen Elsa, will allow her friend Olaf to finally see what its like to be a snowman in summer.

The pre-parade debuts in mid-June at Disneyland Park.

First-Ever Interactive Nighttime Show Coming to Hong Kong, Is Disneyland Park Next?

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

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Disney is reportedly about to unveil its very first truly interactive nighttime show in Hong Kong according to newspaper reports. The long-rumored “Disney Paint the Night” parade will reportedly debut in October and give guests the opportunity to control light colors on floats when they purchase a special device…

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Think of it as taking the Glow with the Show technology to the next step by instead letting the guests control lights on the floats. The technology is already being tested at Disney California Adventure where guests who win the nightly Mickey’s Fun Wheel Challenge are granted a short window to control the lighting on Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

Rumors indicate a similar parade is being designed for Disneyland in California and may debut sometime in 2015 as part of the park’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend Announced at Disneyland in 2015

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

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runDisney has just announced that it has teamed up with the Sierra Nevada Corporation to host a new event next year themed to Star Wars. May the Force be with you during the all-new Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland Resort. It’s a weekend journey to a galaxy far, far away featuring various runs, special events, Disney entertainment, your favorite Star Wars and Disney characters to cheer you along the course, and much, much more!

Choose your Destiny! There’s a run for Jedi Knights and Padawans of every age and skill level including the Star Wars Half Marathon, Star Wars 10K and Star Wars 5K, and the runDisney Kid Races. Put yourself to the ultimate test and join the Star Wars Rebel Challenge combining the Star Wars 10K and Half Marathon for an out-of-this-world running adventure. As Jedi Master Yoda says, “Do or do not. There is no try!” So DO be a part of the inaugural 2015 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend, January 15-18, 2015.

Registration for the Inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend opens at Noon EDT on June 10, 2014 over at runDisney.com.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” Preview Coming to Disneyland, Walt Disney World

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

Starting July 4, “Guardians of the Galaxy” is coming to Disney Parks with an exclusive sneak peek, offering guests an extended look at the film before it opens in theaters.

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At Disneyland park in California, you can catch this limited time intergalactic preview in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Magic Eye Theater in Tomorrowland, where Captain EO is typically shown. Captain EO is expected to return in August.

For those visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you’ll be able to experience the cosmic adventure of “Guardians of the Galaxy” at the ABC Sound Studio at Disney’s Hollywood Studios presented in RealD 3D. This will be replacing the current Maleficent sneak peek attraction in that space.

It’s no accident that there is no Marvel logo in the image Disney is using for this preview, the logo and all mention of the company will be missing at Walt Disney World thanks to the existing theme park rights deal Universal has in place with Marvel.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” finds space adventurer Peter Quill the object of a bounty hunt after stealing an orb coveted by a treacherous villain, but when Quill discovers the power it holds, he must find a way to rally the quartet of ragtag rivals hot on his trail to save the universe.

“Guardians of the Galaxy,” releases in U.S. theaters on August 1, 2014.

VIDEO: #1 Criminal Steals Scenes from #1 Pre-Show at Muppetvision 3-D

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

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In promotion for Muppets Most Wanted, some changes were made to the beloved pre-show film at Muppetvision 3-D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure. Constantine, the villain from the new film, has been added in some snippets that interrupt the existing pre-show several times before leading to a lengthy interlude with the world’s number 1 criminal mastermind. to make room for this, some beloved segments have been removed, including Gonzo dancing with a potted plant on his head. Hopefully these missing sequences will return soon, but until then, here is what guests will see:

Club 33 Logo Drastically Changes In Preparation for Re-Opening in July at Disneyland

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

As you are probably well aware, the very exclusive Club 33 at Disneyland closed back in January for a massive overhaul that will expand the private club far beyond its original borders. Club 33 will be expanding in size as well as adding a “jazz lounge” area across the street from the original location, having guests attending the venue use a new elevated walkway to cross the street just above guests in New Orleans Square. Members will also no longer enter at 33 Royal Street, but rather through the former Court of Angels area towards the very back of the land. In addition, the original logo for the club is undergoing a drastic overhaul…

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As you can see by the new tickets that members of Club 33 will receive, there is an entirely new logo. This is the first time the logo has been altered since the club opened in 1967.

For those who may be unfamiliar, here is a photo of the original logo:

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Club 33 at Disneyland is set to re-open on July 18, 2014.

Easter Egg Hunt Returns to Disney Parks April 10-20, “Egg”sclusive Merchandise Produced for 2014

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Starting April 10th and running through April 20th, guests at Epcot, Disney California Adventure, and Disneyland Park can once again embark on an Easter egg hunt with the promise of a prize.

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Have fun exploring the parks hunting for ‘eggs’ that portray Disney characters!  Record your discoveries by placing the corresponding sticker on the specially themed Egg-stravaganza map to represent that location.  Maps and stickers can be purchased for $4.95, plus tax at the following parks and locations:

  • Disney California Adventure park – Elias & Co., Oswald’s, Radiator Springs Curios, Rushin’ River Outfitters, Studio Store and Treasures in Paradise.
  • Disneyland park – Disney Showcase, Fairy Tale Treasures, Gag Factory, Pieces of Eight and Pooh Corner
  • Epcot – Heritage Manor (American Adventure Pavilion), Disney Traders, International Gateway, Pin Central and Port of Entry

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Opposed to last year, whether you finish finding all of the eggs or not, there will be a chance to obtain a prize made “egg-sclusively” for the event:

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You will receive one of these egg prizes when you return your map to a redemption location: Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park; Disney Showcase in Disneyland park or Disney Traders in Epcot and participate in an ‘egg-scramble’ to pick up your surprise.

VIDEO: Little Mermaid Ride at DCA Undergoes Overhaul, Is Magic Kingdom Next?

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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After a couple weeks of refurbishment, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction at Disney California Adventure quietly reopened a few days ago with several major changes and additions. This isn’t the first time the attraction has undergone changes since opening in 2011; in 2012 new hand-drawn animation sequences were added to the ride as a copy of the attraction was prepared for Walt Disney World. Now, as Shanghai Disneyland prepares to open their version of the Mermaid attraction, Walt Disney Imagineering has once again decided to make changes to what they felt were problem areas in this new-age dark ride:

For those unfamiliar with the attraction here’s what’s new:

  • A number of static fish figures were added surrounding the first screen with Ariel and as well in the tunnel heading towards the Under the Sea sequence.
  • A picture of King Triton’s Castle now adorns the small ocean scrim before the Under the Sea sequence.
  • The Under the Sea sequence received the most major changes as it now relies heavily on black light like a traditional Disney dark ride (for example, like Peter Pan’s Flight). This was done to make the scene darker and to hide the very visible lighting rigs that more frequent park visitors have complained about.
  • Several other scenes are now relying on black light as well, though it isn’t as noticeable as in Under the Sea. Again, this was to hide infrastructure visible to guests during the ride.

For those of you more interested with Walt Disney World happenings, we fully expect these changes to be made to Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid at the Magic Kingdom. When those changes might happen, well, we don’t know just yet…

RUMORS: What May or May Not Be Announced for Disney Parks at the 2015 D23 Expo

WDWNT on April 3, 2014

In 2009, we saw Disney unveil plans for a New Fantasyland and a new Star Tours, but since then, the Parks and Resorts presentations at the D23 Expo have been almost barren of major announcements. However, 2015 is expected to be a year where Disney uses the event to reveal something big, perhaps simply based on the sheer amount of rumored, yet unconfirmed park projects that seem to be going on. Here’s a list of what’s currently going around the rumor mill and what are the most likely items we will hear something about during the 2015 D23 Expo, taking place August 14th through the 16th:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Where do you even begin with this one? We are fully expecting the major reveal of the overhaul of this park at the D23 Expo, and if we don’t get one, there may just be a full scale riot at the Anaheim Convention Center that is simulcasted throughout social media. A name change for the park, a massive Star Wars themed land, and new PIXAR attractions are expected to be announced, but there may be even more. Speculation points to a revamped Fantasmic!, the arrival of the Red Car Trolley, a new indoor stage venue on Sunset Boulevard, as well as new parking entrances and multi-level structures also possibly being a part of the makeover plans.

Star Wars Land

While we aren’t expecting a ton of details, Star Wars Land will likely be announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park. While not much solid information is available , all we know is that the land will be HUGE, encompassing one entire side of DHS and taking up land from Critter Country to Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland.

New Nighttime Spectaculars

With Rivers of Light debuting at Animal Kingdom in 2016, rumors indicate that new nighttime entertainment is on the way to the other three Walt Disney World parks as well. We already mentioned upgrades to Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios, but an IllumiNations replacement seems very likely for Summer 2016. What could be further off is a clone of the Paint the Night Parade for the Magic Kingdom, as well as a new fireworks show in the skies above Cinderella Castle, but these are also things that could be announced in 2 weeks time.

Star Wars Launch Bay

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Announced for Shanghai Disneyland, the Star Wars Launch Bay is “A kind of meet-and-greet mixed with a museum, promising immersion into a state-of-the-art cinematic experience.” This attraction is expected to land inside Innoventions at Disneyland just in time for the holidays and should be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the not-too-distant future as well.

The MARVEL Universe

“The Marvel Universe is a similar experience, with a chance to meet the famous superheroes, as well as being briefed on a “multimedia mission,” while you can also learn to draw some of the characters.” Also announced for Shanghai, this experience is rumored for the second floor of Innoventions at Disneyland Park. More substansuial

Soarin’ Over the Horizon

It has been filmed and the digital conversion of Soarin’ theaters is completed in California and will be by next year in Orlando. It would be surprising if this updated version of Soarin’ did not debut in the U.S. between 2016-2017.

More About Disney Springs

There are some really interesting shopping and dining concepts rumored for Disney Springs that have yet to be announced.

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Disneyland Resort may never see a MagicBand, but a digital FastPass service and RFID ticket media will be coming to the west coast soon. The D23 Expo seems like a likely place for this announcement to be made, especially since some FastPass+ testing will be taking place in Anaheim soon.

So… which announcements would you like to see happen? Which ones do you actually think will happen?