VIDEO: Germany Pavilion at Epcot Finally Debuts New Band at Outdoor Stage

While the stage was constructed back in March, it has been a mystery to most why there was a stage built just outside of the Germany pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. Well, with little to no fanfare, a show debuted on the small stage this week: Margret Almer & The Bavarian Band.

The show is performed six times a daily 5 days a week. They are performing on a 3-month trial basis and may be extended based on guest demand.

Video by Mike Gaspar

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 7/29/16 (Gator Signs Removed, Mansion Refurb, New Pirates Merchandise, ETC.)

What’s new and exciting at the Magic Kingdom? let’s find out in our latest photo report:

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The Swiss Family Treehouse is down for its once every 5 years refurbishment

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Gator warning signs remain, but a few were removed around the Rivers of America

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This new Haunted Mansion book is available in Memento Mori

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Tarps remain up on the exterior of the Haunted Mansion

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If you use the FastPass queue, you will merge at the beginning of the interactive queue, so it is mostly useless right now

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Carousel of Progress’ new paint job looks fantastic at night

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City Hall Restrooms are back

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I would have taken pics, but there were people inside…

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The front section of Uptown Jewelers is closed

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Some new Toy Story merchandise was released at the parks recently

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Enchanted Tales with Belle is open, but it is also tarped

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There is no smoking area behind Space Mountain, so Disney is stressing this with signage now

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New Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise featuring new style Mickey and friends is slowly rolling out

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Antenna topper

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Not sure how long this has been here, but in the queue at Big Thunder, there is an S.E.A. reference, which is the Society of Explorers and Adventurers featured heavily in the Skipper Canteen

Disney Pin Quest is Now Coming to Disneyland Park

Disneyland park will be the next location to roll out a “Disney PinQuest.” A few weeks ago, the first of these experiences was rolled out at the Magic Kingdom, so if you want all the details on how these Pin Quests work, be sure to read our extensive review.

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Guests at the Happiest Place on Earth can enjoy this new Disney pin adventure beginning August 4, 2016.

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The participating locations at Disneyland Park include:

  • Frontierland – Westward Ho Trading Co.
  • Main Street, U.S.A. – 20th Century Music Company
  • Fantasyland – “it’s a small world” Toy Shop
  • Critter Country – Pooh Corner
  • Tomorrowland – Little Green Men Store Command
  • New Orleans Square – The Pieces of Eight Shop

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At those locations, guests who have completed the entire Disneyland PinQuest are eligible to purchase a QuestEAR pin completer pin (shown above).

 

PHOTOS: Tomorrowland Entrance at Magic Kingdom Getting a New Look

While just a few rocks are sporting the new look so far, the Tomorrowland entrance at Magic Kingdom will be getting a refreshed look:

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There is a tent in my lace storing all of the painting materials.

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While just one small section has been completed so far, all of the rock-work in front of the land should change to this paint scheme over the next few weeks.

PHOTOS: “Lights, Motors, Action!” Now Being Demolished at Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Land

Over the weekend, work began on removing the viewing area for the former “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in preperation for the new Toy Story and Star Wars themed land being added to the park.

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Lights, Motors, Action! performed for the very last time over 4 months ago, and while the staging for the show was removed some time ago, the 5,000 seat viewing area is just beginning to be torn down.

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Disney has not provided a timetable for when demolition in the backlot area of the park will be completed, nor when either the Toy Story or Star Wars themed lands will open.

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Photos by Jose Castillo

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 8/1/16 (Figment’s Footprints Erased, Finding Dory, New Merchandise, ETC.)

Let’s see what’s new and exciting around Epcot in our very latest photo report:

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The banner in the Frozen Ever After queue was getting beaten up pretty bad, so they put a metal plate inside of it to make it sturdier…

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Plenty of Soarin’ Around the World merchandise available in The Land

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The Mills Stage in Canada is currently home to Les Parfaits Inconnus, which you can watch below if you haven’t sen it yet:

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The bar inside the Canada pavilion was quietly removed recently

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All gone

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MouseGear is selling a number of “reversible” plush right now

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The Mater one makes no sense…

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Taste Track (when open) now sells ice cream

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Extensive work is once again being done to the interior of MouseGear

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A lot of items were moved around again as well

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Elena of Avalor has her own section in the shop

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Some new oped edition pins released recently

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The foam Star Wars weaponry has finally made its way to the east coast

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Some new magnets

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This register is somehow open during the work above it…

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Another reversible plush

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Finding Dory merchandise has taken the spotlight away from Star Wars… for now…

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Found this giant EPCOT Center log inside what’s left of Innoventions West

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Figment’s footprints at the exit of Journey Into Imagination, leading to the ImageWorks, were erased recently

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Turtle Talk has new signage to promote the additions to the show

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After 9 years, the Epcot 25th anniversary timeline was removed from the hallway near Club Cool

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 This awesome Crush souvenir cup is popping up at various locations around Walt Disney World, but here it was at the Beach Club.

BREAKING: Original World of Color Show to Return September to Disney California Adventure

While it seems likely that Disneyland will de downgrading their nightly fireworks come September, a beloved show will be returning across the Esplanade…

'WORLD OF COLOR' -- Lights, water, music, fire and animation come together like never before in ÒWorld of ColorÓ at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif. The show combines nearly 1,200 powerful fountains with heights that range from 30 feet to 200 feet in the air, dazzling colors and a kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, including both classic and new animation projected on one of the worldÕs largest projected water screens Ñ a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet . Presented on Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure park, ÒWorld of ColorÓ is a major milestone in the multi-year expansion of the park. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)

Disney today confirmed that the original World of Color (albeit the last version of the show) will return to California Adventure beginning September 6th, 2016. Wold of Color – Celebrate will have its final performance on September 5th.

The replacement show was never as well received as the original show, which has existed in a continuously modified form since 2010 before being completely replaced by Celebrate in 2015 for the Diamond Celebration.

Hostess with the Mostess – Top 5 Water Rides at Disney World

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Welcome back to WDWNT’s Hostess with the Mostess! Right here is where you can get your weekly Disney fix while talking and learning about our Disney favorites!  These past two weeks have been very hot where I live. In fact, it was so hot that it was time for a dip in the pool. My surroundings were perfect, humid weather and cool water. Naturally, I closed my eyes and started dreaming of Disney. The first thing that popped into my head was getting soaked on Kali River Rapids, next thing I know, I was on the Jungle Cruise enjoying a breezy and adventurous ride down the Amazon River. Then it hit me! My next post should be about water rides.

But before we begin, let me specify what I mean when I say water rides. These are all attractions from the four main parks. Sorry water parks! Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are amazing, but they are in a category of their own and will definitely be in a countdown in the future. These water rides are not only rides where you get wet, but attractions where you are on the water and a boat is your mode of transportation.

Now let’s check out my Top 5 Favorite Water Rides

5. Maelstrom/Frozen Ever After
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I know what you’re thinking, the Maelstrom is no longer with us so it shouldn’t really count right? But just hear me out. Maelstrom will forever hold a special place in my heart and it would have been in my top 5 if I did this countdown while it was still operating. The reason I kept it and combined it with Frozen Ever After is because I have not ridden Frozen yet. My first ride is next month, I cannot wait! Frozen looks really beautiful, detailed, and just a lot of fun. I am sure the pictures do not do it justice. From what I have seen, I know I will love it. Remembering the Maelstrom and not yet experiencing Frozen kind of puts me in the middle. So the obvious thing to do was to mesh them together because I know both the old and new will make my number 5. What do you think of Frozen Ever After?

 

Jungle-Cruise4. Jungle Cruise

“And now, we’re approaching the beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after that famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.” It never gets old! And that is why this exotic world-famous cruise hits number 4 on my list. With elephants forgetting to pack to their trunks, Skipper’s pointing out their favorite plant life, the back side of water, and Trader Sam getting “ahead” in sales … see what I did there? … there is never a dull moment. Every Skipper has a unique spin on the spiel and they all have different and fun personalities. I know that when I get on that boat I am going to laugh and have a great time. Jungle Cruise also receives some bonus points for their queue line. I love going through and finding all of the unique and funny jokes!

 

Pirates of the Caribbean3. Pirates of the Caribbean

Avast! Pirates of the Caribbean is my number 3 pick. Why you ask? Because it’s just plain awesome! From the minute you step into the building you are transported into a time when pirates and privateers ruled the seas. This swashbuckling adventure is an exciting combination of fun and danger! We start our journey off slow, moving through a cave with a cool ocean breeze and then the next thing you know you plunge right into the middle of a battle between pirate and land lover. Speaking of the plunge, has anyone else noticed that we get even more wet with the new boats? One of my favorite additions to the ride are the mermaids. You can hear them singing “My Jolly Sailor Bold” and see a glowing light in the water next to you. The effect isn’t always working, but when it is, it’s mysteriously fun! Every time I ride Pirates I see something new and I feel like I am really experiencing a pirate invasion!

 

Kali River Rapids2. Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids hits number 2! I really do not have a lot to say about this one other than it is a blast. Just like Everest, Kali’s line is very detailed, there is so much to look at and it can really help the time go by faster if you are waiting in line. Fun fact, some of the canoe paddles found in the queue have signatures of the attraction’s Imagineers. The ride itself is what wins it it’s place at number 2. It is thrilling, refreshing, and even a little educational. It is so much fun and with the summer heat, I wish I was riding it right now!

 

Splash Mountain1.Splash Mountain

“Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay. My, oh my, what a wonderful day!” I love Splash Mountain! This attraction has it all and that is why it is my number 1 pick. From the beginning we are completely immersed into the story with Brer Rabbit. The ride is amazingly long and takes us inside and outside, gives us multiple thrilling hills, Imagineering details everywhere, the cutest animatronics in the world, a repertoire of lovable and catchy songs, and of course water! To make it even better, there is nothing like riding it at night and on the last drop seeing the castle all lit up in colors in the distance … talk about magical! Do we have any daring hand raisers out there? I always put my hands up, it is the best way to ride.

My family has a fun tradition that started when I was little. There is a rabbit sitting on the front of the log boats, I’m sure you have seen him. If anyone in our family got the front seat, we had to pet the rabbit on the head. There was no reason behind it, just something my dad made up for us to have fun with. After all these years, it still stuck! I always look forward to sitting in the front row so I can carry on our tradition. Now I pass it to you. If you get the front seat, go ahead and give that adorable rabbit a big ol’ pat on the head!

Those are my Top 5 Favorite Water Rides! Now I want to hear from you. What is your favorite water ride and why? Go ahead and cast your vote below and remember, I love reading your comments and may share what you said on next weeks results.

Here is my Extra Magic Tip of the week: For those of you out there who do not want to get too wet on Splash Mountain, sit on the left side of the boat. The right side tends to attract more water.

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VIDEO: Star Wars Land Demolition Visible from World Drive Entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

While the inside of the park is like a war zone as demolition rages on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the World Drive entrance of the park isn’t faring much better. Even though the new exit from Osceola Parkway is complete, the World Drive entrance road now merges down to one lane before shifting guests over to the right towards the furthest toll plaza booths and away from the construction zone. However, it does offer guests their very best look at the ongoing work to prepare the park for two new themed lands:

BREAKING: Disneyland Officially Announces “Eastern Gateway” Project, New Parking Structure & Transportation Hub

Disneyland Resort announced today the Eastern Gateway project, which includes a new seven level, 6,800 space parking structure on the site of the Pumbaa parking lot and a transportation hub on the east side of Harbor Boulevard.

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In conjunction with the project, the Carousel Inn & Suites will close on October 17, 2016 to make way for an elevated pedestrian bridge to transport guests between the parking structure/ transportation hub and the existing Disneyland Resort. Any existing bookings for this hotel from that date on are being moved to other hotels.

The project is intended to improve overall guest circulation in the area, relieving congestion on Ball Road, Harbor Boulevard, Katella Avenue, and Disneyland Drive. It is part of an over $1 billion investment from Disney in Anaheim which includes the new Star Wars themed land for Disneyland Park.

The construction for the Eastern Gateway will begin in early 2017 and is scheduled to be completed in late-2018.