Disneyland Resort – Page 49

AT&T Becomes Official Mobile Provider For Domestic Disney Parks

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Lets take a step back for a second though, back in 2009 Disney partnered with Verizon Wireless to bring us the “Mobile Magic” app which allowed us to see Wait Times, FASTPASS return times, and information on where to meet and greet with characters. This was an exclusive service for Verizon customers only leaving out everyone else. In early 2012 Disney released Mobile Magic for iOS users on AT&T and Verizon. Even though the app was still branded for Verizon, you could use it with AT&T as well. In mid 2012, Disney launched “My Disney Experience” which wasn’t branded to any carrier and could be used on any iOS/Android device. Today, Disney announced a new partnership with AT&T.

Disney Parks has just signed an exclusive contract with AT&T to make them the official mobile provider for U.S. Disney Parks. With this new agreement, AT&T will have the opportunity to sponsor Disney-created soccer and runDisney events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at The Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to this, Disney will join AT&T to educate Cast Members and guests about the “It Can Wait” campaign to educate consumers about the dangers of texting while driving.

AT&T and Disney will also collaborate to enhance the experience for the growing number of Disney guests using smartphones and tablets during their visit. Furthermore, Cast Members will use new mobile devices on AT&T’s network to help deliver Disney’s legendary guest service. President of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France had this to say about the new partnership “This alliance joins two companies that share a commitment to providing quality experiences, and we look forward to the collaboration as we continue to leverage technology to enhance the experience for our guests.”

Included in this new partnership is the ability to enhance a variety of AT&T technologies in use at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. More than 25 new antenna systems will be installed to increase the wireless capacity in areas with high mobile traffic (i.e. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot), more than 350 small cells will be installed to extend network connectivity throughout, and more than 40 repeaters to further enhance the mobile experience for both guests and Cast Members.

As someone who has AT&T and visits Walt Disney World often, I can speak with experience that LTE service is really terrible at most of the theme parks and at times completely absent. If all the above is true, then I’m beyond excited to have excellent service while at the parks to continue to offer new updates, photos, and videos in the moment. With Disney now focusing so much on the MyMagic+ experience which relies so much of your smart phone, AT&T users will be able to experience it better with the new antennas.

World of Color: Winter Dreams Show for the Holiday Season Officially Announced

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Beginning November 15th, 2013 at Disney California Adventure is an entirely new version of World of Color called Winter Dreams. The show will feature characters from Bambi, Frozen, Fantasia and Toy Story among many others. Here is the video announcement from Imagineer Steve Davison:

The show will be hosted by Olaf the snowman, from the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature “Frozen”. The show will include new special effects and present some new methods for utilizing the massive “stage” of water, color and light on which “World of Color” is presented.

So what do you think of World of Color: Winter Dreams?

Tim Alcoser’s 7/27/2013 Disneyland Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Disneyland News Today Reporter Tim Alcoser was at the Disneyland Resort on Saturday, July 27th and snapped a few shots around the parks. Not too much happening at the Disneyland Resort in terms of news at the moment, but Anaheim will be abuzz in less than 2 weeks with D23. In any case work on Big Thunder appears to be on the downhill and Disney’s Planes merchandise has shown up at resort merchandise locations:

The Flying Carpet has been back for several weeks to the surprise of both new and old guests at Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular

On this photo report, I thought i’d take you for a spin on California Screamin’ for those who never been…or don’t want to

From the main lift hill you can see the Matterhorn and it’s bigger brother, Mt. Baldy far off.

Back over at Disneyland, we have Mickey’s Soundsational Parade in progress

A cast member tells Burt he will have to go on without Mary Poppin’s since her horse has broke down. What will he do?

Laugh.

The parade must go on. They escort the horse out and continue the floats.

No need to worry. Mary Poppins rode on the main float instead.

Just a few snapshots of the All-American College Band

Big Thunder Trail has been closed again, but most of the scaffolding has been taken down at Big Thunder Mountain

New sign posted instructing guests how to reach some favorite destinations

Here is some of the new Disney Planes merchandise you’ll find at Big Top Toys on Buena Vista Street. You’ll also find them at Sarge’s Surplus Hut and the Emporium

This is an Antenna topper

Thanks for reading! Stay with WDW News Today as we bring you complete coverage of all the exciting news out of D23 next month!

We All Scream for Limited Time Magic Monstrous Sundaes at WDW & DLR

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Starting July 28th through August 4th, the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort are offering up some monstrously-sweet treats for part of their “Limited Time Magic.”

With two scoops of delicious mint chip ice cream, gooey hot fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles, candy eyeball and horns in a crunchy waffle cup, the Disneyland sundae will be sure to scare up some yummy fun. This colossal treat at be found at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Disneyland Park and Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream at Disney California Adventure. ($6.99 plus tax)

At the Plaza Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, you can try a parfait-glass sundae that comes in either mint chocolate chip or vanilla-strawberry ($6.99 plus tax). For a smaller appetite, you can try a mini version of these sundaes at the Plaza Ice Cream Shop ($5.29 plus tax).

Now instead of using spoons to dig tunnels under the city, you can use the spoons to try out these cool sundaes!

Will you be trying these monstrously-delicious sundaes at the Parks this week?

New Disneyland Official Album Arrives August 20th!

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Finally announced, a new Disneyland Resort official album is on the way to shopping locations around property on August 20th. Here is the track listing with the 13 new additions to the album in bold italics:

Disc 1

All Aboard!
Married Life (Main Street U.S.A. Loop)
The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Tarzan Medley
Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me)
Grim Grinning Ghosts
Splash Mountain Medley
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Pecos Bill (Frontierland)
Touch the Sky (Brave Meet and Greet)
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (Carousel?)
The Fantasyland Dark Ride Suite
It’s a Small World Clock Parade
It’s a Small World
Steamboat Willie
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

Disc 2

Submarine Voyage
The Throne Room (Star Tours)
Buzz Lightyear’s Astro-Blasters
Space Mountain
Suitcase and a Dream (Red Car News Boys)
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf (Carthay Circle Theater)
Mike and Sulley to the Rescue
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Theme
Soarin’
The Bakery Theme
A Bug’s Life Suite
It’s Tough To Be a Bug
The Little Mermaid Medley (Ariel’s Undersea Adventure)
Midway Mania (Toy Story Mania)
The Cleaner (Toy Story Mania)
California Screamin’
Welcome to Radiator Springs (Cars Land)
Funiculi Funicula (Cars Land)
Radiator Springs Racers (Cars Land)

For the first time ever, you will also be able to find them as digital downloads at the Disney Music Store.

Are you excited for the new Disneyland official album?

The Pirates League is Back for a Limited Time Only at the Disneyland Resort!

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

For the ultimate pirate fan in your family, the Disneyland Resort has announced that the popular Pirates League will be returning for a limited time during the Halloween season. From the Disney Parks blog:

Yes, you read the subject line right! For those of you who made The Pirates League part of your Halloween Time experience at the Disneyland Resort last year, good news – it’s back! For a limited time beginning September 13, The Pirates League will come ashore taking over part of Festival Arena in Frontierland at Disneyland park.

At The Pirates League, landlubbers will be transformed into the most swashbuckling of pirates, receive a sea-worthy name, train with some of the League’s most veteran Pirate Masters, take the official Pirates League Oath and learn the ways of the scurvy sea dogs as they apply yer buccaneer beard, scars, earrings and eye patches.

Experiences will be as follows:

Jake and the Never Land Pirates
Includes Jake and the Never Land Pirates bandana with faux hair, Jake facial effect, sword and sheath, The Pirates League bag and a unique pirate coin necklace.

The First Mate
Includes choice of facial effect (Options: Black Beard, Black Eyed Jack, Captain Hook and Ghosted Pirate), Reversible bandana, earring and eye patch, sword and sheath, The Pirates League bag, temporary tattoo, unique pirate coin necklace, personalized pirate oath and an official pirate name.

Empress
Includes reversible bandana, earring and eye patch, sword and sheath, The Pirates League bag, temporary tattoo, unique pirate coin necklace, personalized pirate oath, official pirate name. The Empress package also includes vibrant makeup, nail polish, lip gloss and face gem!

Packages at the Pirates League range from $29.95 to $34.95 plus tax.

Experiences and operating hours may vary. Reservations will be available beginning Aug 20 at 714-781-STYLE or 714-781-7895.

Don’t miss out on this limited time opportunity if you are at the resort around Halloween time.

Limited Time Magic Reversible Heroes & Villains “Cover Your Ears” Now at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

In celebration of the “Year of the Ear,” Walt Disney World is introducing some very cool Cover Your Ears reversible base wraps for Limited Time Magic. These wraps cover the base of the Mickey Ear hats, and this new release introduces a new hero and villain-theme.

This wrap slips right over your everyday Mickey Mouse black ear hat. The photo above shows the front and back of the reversible wrap.

The hero/villain Cover Your Ears base was designed by long-time Disney Design Group artist, Mark Seppala. “A few years ago my fellow artist Brian Blackmore and I worked on a project that featured heroes and villains,” explained Mark. “I pulled character elements from that project for this hat as I thought it would be a neat concept. I’m happy with the final version as the colors and printing really pop! I’m partial to the villain side and included as many characters as I possibly could. There are approximately 34 villains and 61 heroes represented on this base. Now that’s a hat with a lot of character!”

You can find these reversible wraps in Fantasyland’s Mad Hatter at the Disneyland park, at the Disneyland Resort, and at Chapeau Hat Shoppe in Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Because this is park of the Limited Time Magic celebrations, there are limited numbers of the reversible covers available, while supplies last.

What villain or hero would you like to see on your Cover Your Ears?

Sip a ‘Lone Ranger’ Slush at Disney Parks to Celebrate Film Release July 3

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

The Disneyland Resort (and the Magic Kingdom) has something tasty and refreshing planned to commemorate the launch of the Lone Ranger on July 3rd.

A root beer slush in a cool Lone Ranger souvenir boot is just a little reminder of the July 3 premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Lone Ranger” American action-adventure western comedy film.

Found only at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom Park for $8.99 (3.99 without the souvenir boot). However, if you are visiting Disneyland park, be sure to visit the Golden Horseshoe for a Root Beer Float in the Lone Ranger souvenir boot starting tomorrow.

The new movie stars actor Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp as Tonto, the proud American-Indian warrior. (We expect Depp’s version will have a dry sense of humor with Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.)

We’ll sip our root beer slush and patiently wait for July 3!

Special military performances coming to the Disneyland Resort for Independence Day!

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

In celebration of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, several groups will be making special guest visits to the Disneyland Resort including the 3rd Marine Air Wing Band from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Joining us on July 4th is the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Miramar, Calif., who will help retire the colors at Disneyland park during the flag retreat ceremony in Town Square at 5:30 p.m. They also will perform a full concert at 7:15 p.m. at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

On July 4th at Disney California Adventure park, the Concert Band of the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest will perform at 4 p.m. on the Palisades Stage (“World of Color” viewing area stage). This performance will mark the first military concert held at Disney California Adventure park on Independence Day.

Several acts from the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest also will perform throughout next week, as follows. Below is a complete schedule of the military acts and where and when they will be performing.

Monday, July 1

At Disneyland park, the Dixieland Tailgaters will perform on the French Market Stage in New Orleans Square at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

At Disney California Adventure park, rock out with Global Strike in Paradise Gardens at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2

At Disneyland park, the sax quintet Golden Tones will perform in Town Square at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

At Disney California Adventure park, enjoy Latin Salsa with Fuego Azule at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 4

At Disneyland park, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band will be part of the flag retreat ceremony in Town Square at 5:30 p.m. and perform at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree at 7:15 p.m.

At Disney California Adventure park, the Concert Band of the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest will perform at 4 p.m. on the Palisades Stage (World of Color viewing area stage).

Friday, July 5

At Disneyland park, the Jazz Ensemble of the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest will perform at 5:30 p.m. at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.