PHOTOS, VIDEO: Canyon Fire 2 Smoke Creates Nightmarish Sky Over Disneyland

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

Due to the Canyon Fire 2 that broke out over in Anaheim Hills it looks like some unintentionally added Halloween theming has made its way to the Disneyland Resort, thanks to the smoke and ash from the fire.

The fire made its way throughout the surrounding area in the hours following the breakout. Guests in Disneyland and at Disney’s California Adventure took to social media to post pictures and videos of the effects of the smoke.

Not only did the sky turn orange and fill with smoke, but guests also reported that ash had been falling.

At this point there are no reports of any ride closures. It seems that the fire did not effect operations at either of the two parks.

Today Marks the End of the Siemens & Disney Parks Sponsorship, Attractions Left Sponsor-less

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

Today, the “strategic partnership” between Siemens and the Walt Disney Company comes to an end officially. Siemens has released a statement summarizing the twelve years of the deal coming to a conclusion today:

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When Siemens and Disney began to explore the mutual benefits and opportunities of forming one of the largest marketing alliances in the technology sector for the entertainment space, it was a natural fit. The two organizations have many share values such as Innovation, Service, and Quality as well as a worldwide brand presence. Since 2005, the opportunities to leverage this technology alliance extended across The Walt Disney Company including theme parks and resorts, studios, networks, publishing, and digital. On October 10, 2017, the Siemens-Disney Alliance reached a mutually agreed upon conclusion.

Sponsorship Activation Timeline:

  • October 2005 Siemens US and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Sign 12-year agreement
  • October 2005 ABC SuperSign at Times Square, presented by Siemens
  • October 2005 IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company [July 2013, presented by Siemens]
  • November 2005 Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney Hollywood Studios, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company [November 2013 – 15, presented by Siemens]
  • January 2006 – April 2010 Disney’s Electrical Parade at Disney California Adventure, presented by Sylvania, a Siemens Company
  • January 2006 – November 2008 Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams at Disneyland, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company
  • May 2007 Siemens VIP Center at Epcot Opens [private executive meeting and guest lounge]
  • February 2008 Spaceship Earth, presented by Siemens
  • March 2008 Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future at Epcot, presented by Siemens
  • April 2008 – March 2015 Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future at Disneyland Innoventions, presented by Siemens
  • November 2010 it’s a small world at Disneyland, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company [August 2013, presented by Siemens]

About Siemens USA

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 351,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $88.1 billion in fiscal 2016. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $23.7 billion, including $5.4 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Siemens technology was also used to create several new theme park attractions, including Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land.

PHOTOS: Disneyland Releases Mugs Featuring Blueprints of Classic Park Attractions

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

New at the Disneyland Resort, guests will find mugs featuring the blueprints of some of Disneyland Park’s most classic and beloved attractions.

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The four mugs include the Main Street Railroad Station, The Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

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The mug handles on each mug are shaped like the classic Disneyland “D” icon as well.

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The mugs retail for $15.99 each and are ceramic. They are available now at various locations at the Disneyland Resort.

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: Interactive Roaming Droid Character for Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge Unleashed on Disneyland, and Children Unleashed Onto It

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

We have seen two separate tests to date of “Jake” the droid by Disney, inside Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland and at the Parks and Resort pavilion at the D23 Expo 2017, but now the roaming character developed for the upcoming “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” is going through some outdoor testing in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.

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Guests will also encounter some signs pertaining to Jake as they roam around Tomorrowland. The test is occurring on most days, and Jake is being attended to by a undercover Imagineer who is watching over him.

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This is good, because by the looks of the video below, Jake is going to need some protection…

The droid takes quite a beating during the short period where we watched him, getting kicked and pushed around by some children who he meets. Luckily, Jake was designed to handle such events, but one has to wonder just how much such a complicated piece of machinery can take. Well, this is why he is being tested years before his debut in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019.

Disney has stated that multiple droids and alien creatures will be roaming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when it opens at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Introduces A New Way to Gift A Theme Park Vacation

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

Disney has recently launched the ability to purchase an entire family holiday as a gift, calling it “The Gift Of Disney Vacations“.

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Starting today, you will be able to purchase multiple options, from a $25 Disney gift card to a full vacation abroad with Adventures By Disney.

To introduce the service, you can now purchase a 6 night, 7 day Walt Disney World vacation staying at one of Disney’s All-Star Resorts for $96 per person, per night.

The offer is valid for 2018 and available until November 15th, 2017.

Find out more information here.

What do you think of the service? Let us know in the comments.

VIDEO: First Look Inside, Tickets Available Now for Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire VR Experience

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

Tickets are now available for the new hyper-reality experience, Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID, an offering that will debut at Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort December 16, and at Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort, January 5, 2018.

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Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will transport guests deep into the Star Wars universe, walking freely and untethered throughout the multisensory experience with friends and family. In groups of four, teams will go undercover as stormtroopers to capture Imperial intelligence vital to the budding rebellion’s survival.

Check out the video above for a first look inside the Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire experience.

Tickets are $30 per person and appointments are available in 15 minute intervals. Find ticket information and more for Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire now at www.thevoid.com.

RUMOR: The Jingle Cruise Holiday Overlay Will Not Return to Magic Kingdom, Disneyland

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

For whatever reason, it appears that the Jingle Cruise, the holiday overlay of the Jungle Cruise attraction at Disneyland Park and the Magic Kingdom, will not return in 2017.

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Introduced in 2013, the Jingle Cruise would run from November to January at both parks. The Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions were similar concepts, but were actually quite different visually.

Disney has yet to confirm the end of the seasonal attraction, but it is not in any marketing materials for this holiday season on either coast.

UPDATE: Disney Confirms Jingle Cruise for Walt Disney World, Still Unknown for Disneyland 2017

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

A few days ago, we told you that it was being rumored that the Jingle Cruise seasonal overly of the Jungle Cruise would not return to either coast this year. Well, we now know it will at least be at one resort.

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Disney has informed us that the Jingle Cruise WILL return to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for the 2017 holiday season. However, it remains unknown if it will return to Disneyland Park, but it at least sounds like, as of right now, that it will not be in Anaheim this year.

Despite not being promoted with all of the other seasonal offerings for this year, Magic Kingdom will add the holiday delight from November 2017 through January 2018. For whatever reason, California is looking to cut the offering, at least for this year. This is somewhat surprising as the Disneyland Resort relies on a mostly local audience who return every season for such overlays, as opposed to Walt Disney World where many guests are either first-timers or only return every few years.

REVIEW: Cozy Cone Motel Snacks & More for Cars Land’s Haul-O-Ween Celebration

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

As part of Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, the Cozy Cone has a bevy of ghoulish-cious treats that will be offered only until October 31st, 2017. We tried them all (of course), and here are our thoughts on these seasonal offerings:

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Halloween Churro – $4.50 (Cone 1)

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How is it? Well, I’m not the biggest fan of pumpkin flavored snacks nor churros, so I was surprised and delighted when I enjoyed this one. The pumpkin flavor wasn’t overpowering and the churros tasted like it was fresh out of the oven.

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“Slow Burnin’ Mac and Cheese Cone” – $8.99 (Cone 3)

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“Pasta with spicy red pepper cheese sauce, topped with chili-cheese puffs, served in black cauldron cone”

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I wish this would stay all year long, because it is fantastic. A spicy version of the solid Disneyland counter service mac and cheese with a lot more flavor from red pepper cheese sauce. The bread cone wasn’t bad either.

“Spoke-y Cone Macaron” (Cone 4)

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A macaron filled with marshmallow buttercream and candy corn.

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This is super sweet, but I really enjoyed it, especially when I would find a hidden piece of candy corn in a bite. The marshmallow cream is rather pleasant between the two soft pastry pieces. Personally, this is a must order for me.

Popcone with “Junkyard JamBOOree Mix” – $5.49 (Cone 5)

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An optional add-on of M&M’s, candy corn, chocolate covered pretzels, boston baked beans, and ghost quins to any flavor of Popcone offered.

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I’m not sure there are many flavors here that would go good with the mix, but butter should be fine. We went for white cheddar, which I also thought was enjoyable.

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I really love snack mix and this one was absolutely delightful and a HUGE portion for the price. The Cozy Cone already offers a decent serving of popcorn, but it being mixed with all of these other items makes it much heavier, certainly enough for any family to share. The candy corn was the only item that doesn’t really mix well in a bite with popcorn, but otherwise, everything went together nicely. Again, I wish I could have this all year long.

16 ($10.99) or 32oz. ($12.99) Traffic Cone Sipper with Halloween Sticker (All Cones)

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It’s kind of disappointing that they just offer a sticker pack with the cone cups for you to customize it, but the cone cups also haven’t been available to guests since May 2015, so its a good time to pick them up if you don’t have them.

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I’m not going to lie, I did put some thought into buying 5 of these and decorating these like the actual Cozy Cones…

PHOTOS: New Starbucks “You Are Here” Paradise Pier Mug Released at Disney California Adventure

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

Not to be outdone by Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort also now has a new Starbucks “You Are Here” mug for sale at the Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Cafe on Buena Vista Street.

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The new mug does away with other park icons, now focusing on just Paradise Pier attractions.

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