Parks & Resorts – Page 207

Epcot FROZEN Ride Concept Art and Details Released, To Be Called “Frozen Ever After”

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Walt Disney World has released the first concept art for the upcoming FROZEN attraction at Epcot, which will be called “Frozen Ever After”.

Elsa replaces the three-headed troll from Maelstrom, as guests enter her ice palace and then are sent careening backwards

The Wall Street Journal today released exclusive information about the project.

Despite many pictures and reports of demolition inside the Maelstrom attraction, the flume has been preserved (and possible the boat vehicles) and it appears the ride will follow the same path, but with all-new scenes featuring audio-animatronics utilizing technological advances seen in such attractions as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland.

The attraction is set in the summer in Arendelle, taking guests past familiar venues in the queue, such as Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post.

The ride begins with Sven and Olaf preparing for a festival before the trolls appear to tell the story of how Anna and Kristof met. Olaf will then appear to sing and ice skating with Anna, Kristof, and Sven.

Guests will then barge into Elsa’s icy palace, where they will see her singing “Let It Go” as the boat changes course and begins to travel backwards. Marshmallow the snow-monster and the “Snowgies” who appear in the “Frozen Fever” short will join in the singing as guests plunge into the finale with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven and Kristof saying goodbye.

“Frozen Ever After” is set to open in May 2016 in the Norway pavilion at Epcot along with a new FROZEN meet and greet pavilion.

Tokyo DisneySea 15th Anniversary “The Year of Wishes” Announced

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

OLC has announced their plans for the 15th Anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea called “The Year of Wishes“. Which starts April 15th, 2016 through March 17, 2017. A number of items have been confirmed:

Brand new harbor show named “Crystal Wishes Journey“
Big Band Beat will received updated music, costumes, and scenes. A first for the show since it debuted in 2006
A new projection show will debut in the Hangar Stage in Lost River Delta in mid-2016

During the event, crystals of various colors symbolizing individual wishes will decorate the Park. The crystals will even sparkle on the Disney characters’ costumes and merchandise, creating an atmosphere of hope and dreams throughout the Park.

For the latest information on Tokyo Disney Resort be sure to follow TDRExplorer.com

Unpack Your Pennies, Souvenir Penny Machines Going Digital at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

For decades, Walt Disney World guests have saved their shiny pennies before descending on the Vacation Kingdom of the world, with hopes of turning them into an inexpensive souvenir at one of the resort’s dozens of pressed penny machines. However, something has debuted that may change the timeless souvenir forever…

This new style pressed penny machine was spotted today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Not only does the machine have a digital display and eliminated the use of cranks or illuminating buttons, but you can’t even put your own penny in it

The cost is $1 per penny, or you can get all 12 for $10

The machine takes cash for all options and credit for if you would like them all

Apple Pay and Google Wallet are also accepted

Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney also has one of the new machines featuring Frozen designs. There has been no word if Disney will do away with the old style machines eventually, but it is a real possibility.

What do you think? Does it matter if the machine gives you a new penny rather than pennies you brought with you? Is this just way more convenient?

D23 Expo 2015 To Present “Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!”

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

D23 EXPO 2015 attendees are in for a fun-filled musical treat when Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration! takes over the 7,500-seat Hall D23. The event, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will take place at 3:00 pm, Sunday, August 16, at the Anaheim Convention Center.

In what will be a thrilling and fun interactive experience for Disney fans of all ages, join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar^®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film––including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences of your Frozen favorites such as “Let It Go,” “In Summer” and more. Plus, fans can expect special surprises and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Kristen Anderson-Lopez, along with husband and collaborator Robert Lopez, wrote the songs for Disney’s Frozen. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez won an Oscar^® and a Grammy^® for the movie’s signature song “Let It Go,” and share a Grammy for the Frozen soundtrack. Their song “Moving Pictures,” sung by Neil Patrick Harris, opened the 2015 Academy Awards^®. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez’s original musical “Up Here,” directed by two-time Tony^® nominee Alex Timbers, will be featured in the La Jolla Playhouse’s 2015-16 season.

Anderson-Lopez made her off-Broadway debut at Primary Stages with In Transit, a musical performed entirely without accompaniment, inspired by the rhythms and sounds of life on the subway. The show earned her Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Lucile Lortel nominations. Together with her husband and collaborator Robert Lopez, she wrote the Annie Award-nominated songs for the 2011 feature film Winnie the Pooh, as well as Finding Nemo: The Musical. For young audiences, she was a staff writer for Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets and wrote book/lyrics for several of Theatreworks/USA’s stage adaptations of children’s classics. She is the recipient of the BMI Harrington Award and the Dramatists Guild Fellowship, and a frequent guest moderator of the prestigious BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. Anderson-Lopez is a graduate of Williams College and just received the bicentennial alumni award for distinguished achievement. Also an actress, Anderson-Lopez was featured as the voice of Kanga in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh.

Robert Lopez, along with wife and collaborator Kristen Anderson-Lopez, wrote the songs for Disney’s Frozen. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez won an Oscar® and a Grammy® for the movie’s signature song “Let It Go,” and share a Grammy® for the Frozen soundtrack. Lopez is the three-time Tony® winning co-creator of the worldwide smash hit Broadway musicals Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez’s original musical Up Here, directed by two-time Tony® nominee Alex Timbers, will be featured in the La Jolla Playhouse’s 2015–16 season. Their song “Moving Pictures,” sung by Neil Patrick Harris, opened the 2015 Academy Awards. Lopez shared two Emmy® Awards for his music for Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets and an Emmy® nomination for his work on the musical episode of Scrubs. His work has been featured on South Park, The Simpsons and Phineas and Ferb, as well as Bear in the Big Blue House, Third and Bird and Johnny and the Sprites. He has won Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Lucile Lortel, Frederick Loewe and Edward Kleban awards. Recently, Lopez, a graduate of Yale College, became the youngest of twelve people in history who have won Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony® Awards (EGOT) and the only one to have accomplished it in under a decade.

Chris Monton currently serves as president of Walt Disney Music and oversees music for a wide variety of Disney projects including all Disney and Pixar animated feature films, all Disney Theatrical stage productions, as well as the music for Walt Disney Theme Parks and Resorts worldwide. Additionally, he is executive music producer for all of the Studio’s animated features and works closely in the story process as well as helping to select musical talent. Montan joined Disney in 1984. Under his guidance the Studio has garnered an unprecedented 42 Musical Academy Award^® nominations, and soundtracks from ten of the Studio’s theatrical releases have been certified multi-platinum.

Keep checking WDWNT.com for more D23 Expo 2015 news and updates.

Tom Corless’ 6/16/15 WDW Photo Report (Disney Springs, New Polynesian Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

I visited Disney Springs/Downtown Disney, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week and took a ton of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look:

Work continues on the Town Center in Disney Springs

The new pedestrian bridge is nearing completion

Some new concept art can be found as you arrive from the parking garage

Time is running out for the old globe

Artwork of what the new Planet Hollywood will look like

Portions of Paradiso 37 are being remodeled

Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar is coming along nicely

Vivoli Il Gelato is now open in Disney Springs

Inside Out Tsum Tsums are now available at Once Upon a Toy

There’s also plenty of other Inside Out items

Not sure how new these are, they are called “Snuggle Snappers”

There are now Once Upon a Time phone cases available at D-Tech on Demand

Also, new Star Wars designs

The Sign Shoppe in Marketplace Co-Op also has some interesting new items

The Wonderground Gallery has some really fantastic items

The expansion of the World of Disney Store is moving full steam ahead

New ceramic mugs have been released at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

There’s also a new window display between Captain Cook’s and BouTiki

If you wanted your MagicBand to be a watch, your wish has been granted in MagicSlider form

The launch screen at Rock’N’Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith was replaced

There are some new graphics guests will see before they launch into the ride

D23 Expo 2015: Walt Disney Animation Studios Announces Expo Schedule

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Walt Disney Animation Studios today announced its most exciting presence at D23 EXPO yet. The event, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will take place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Calendar of Key PRESENTATIONS/ PANELS/ Events:

Every Story Is a Journey: The Upcoming Films of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios

Friday, August 14, 3:00 pm – Hall D23

After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, presents “Every Story is a Journey.” Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Disney Animation’s Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Welcome to Zootopia!

Saturday, August 15, 1:30 pm – Stage 28

Welcome to Zootopia, a magnificent mammal metropolis, and home to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next feature, the comedy-adventure Zootopia. Join directors Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), producer Clark Spencer (Wreck-It Ralph, Bolt), and artists from the incredible production team as they introduce rookie rabbit-officer Judy Hopps, con-artist fox Nick Wilde and a host of dynamic animal characters, sharing footage and behind-the-scenes stories with D23 EXPO-goers.

Aladdin – The Making of a Classic

Saturday, August 15, 6:00 pm – Stage 28

Join Walt Disney Animation Studios filmmakers, including legendary directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg (Genie) and Mark Henn (Jasmine), as well as Jasmine herself, Linda Larkin, and the two actors who gave life to the character Aladdin: Scott Weinger and Brad Kane, as they unveil the stories behind one of the great Disney classics, Aladdin, a film that led to a “whole new world” for animation.

The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: from Paperman to Prep & Landing, Feast to Frozen Fever

Sunday, August 16, 11:30 am – Stage 28

When Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Studio in 1923, their first medium for storytelling was the animated short. More than 90 years later, Walt Disney Animation Studios continues this tradition, making groundbreaking and award-winning shorts including Feast, Paperman and this year’s hit Frozen Fever. Join the filmmakers behind these shorts and so many others, including Get a Horse!, John Henry, Lorenzo and The Ballad of Nessie for a conversation about this truly animated art form.

Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!

Sunday, August 16, 3:00 pm – Hall D23

Join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar^®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your favorite friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film—including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

The Tunes Behind the Toons: Screening/Q&A

Sunday, August 16, 6:00 pm, Stage 28

D23 EXPO invites you to a special screening and Q&A panel for The Tunes Behind the Toons, a short form documentary that celebrates the power of music in animation. From the silent film days when organists played live accompaniments, to the music within today’s animated features, this documentary traces the origins of cartoon music and its pioneers. Featuring interviews with Alan Menken, Randy Newman, Patrick Doyle, Mark Watters, Bruce Broughton, Richard Sherman and many others. Producer/director Dave Bossert will lead a star-studded Q&A following the presentation.

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

Animation – Show Floor Exhibition

For the first time at D23 EXPO, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios have created a joint experience no Disney fan should miss. With live demonstrations, presentations and autograph signings with top filmmakers from each studio, plus free giveaways and interactive displays featuring the films Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory and Moana, this is a can’t-miss attraction for animation fans.

An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg

D23 EXPO 2015 hosts the first public exhibition anywhere of “An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg.” Celebrate Goldberg, whose artistry at Walt Disney Animation Studios began with his groundbreaking work on Genie in Aladdin, and continues to this day on projects such as the upcoming Moana and the 2014 Oscar^®-nominated Mickey Mouse short Get A Horse! The exhibition features a collection of more than 100 of Goldberg’s caricatured creations of Disney characters, drawn in a style reminiscent of art seen on the famed walls of Sardi’s Restaurant and The Brown Derby. This incredible collection of art is from the newly released book An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg Draws the Disney Characters, and will be available for purchase in the Walt Disney Publishing pop-up shop on the EXPO show floor.

Frozen Album Signing

With the purchase of Frozen: The Songs or Frozen Picture Disc at the Disney Music Emporium, guests will be issued a wristband to secure a space for an album signing with Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez and Tom MacDougall (Co-Producer, Frozen Soundtrack) on Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 am.

WDWNT.com will continue to bring you updates on the D23 Expo 2015 as they become available.

Tom Corless’ 6/17/15 Magic Kingdom Photo Report (New Pirate Items, Hub Construction, Jungle Cruise Restaurant, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Last night I visited the Magic Kingdom and I took some newsworthy photos of what’s going on at the park while I was there, so let’s see what’s new and exciting:

Work continues on the northern hub area

A lot of the old Adventureland Veranda and the backstage area inside has been gutted for the upcoming Jungle Cruise restaurant

On the other side of the hub, a structure reminiscent of those that housed the food and drinks stands has appeared

Tarps still up for this set of turrets

The center hub area is finally finished

The Little Orange Bird has returned to signage and inside the Sunshine Tree Terrace

Not sure why this took 6 months…

The egg roll cart in Adventureland has moved over between Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean is closed until September for modifications

More new Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise is rolling out, including this mug

This strange plush

AND THIS PEG LEG PETE PLUSH!!!

New notebook set

For $3.99, you can get a paper map of the one that appears in the Disneyland attraction

PHOTOS: Starbucks inside Creature Comforts Opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Yesterday, the long-awaited Starbucks location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened to guests:

The exterior got a nice new paint scheme

The interior is quite different

Yes, they have the Animal Kingdom mug

Creature Comforts Starbucks Coffee is now open on Discovery Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN CAREY

RUMOR: The Magic of Disney Animation Set To Close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

With Inside Out hosting the biggest opening weekend ever for a completely original film, one might wonder why you can’t meet Joy or Sadness at the Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios right now. Well, the reasoning seems to be that the location, or at least most of it, will be closing soon for major changes.

If what we are hearing is true, the Magic of Disney Animation will close in a few weeks time, leaving the park without the “Mushu film”, Animation Academy, and the character meet and greets that currently are hosted in the space. The Incredibles meet and greet already moved out a few weeks back, being replaced in the budget by Doc McStuffins who now meets outside of Disney Junior: Live on Stage.

Should the space return, rumor has it that the Animation Academy will return in a new or expanded space (possibly multiple theaters) to better accommodate the hoards of guests who love the “learn-to-draw” attraction. It is unclear what would happen to the remaining space in the attraction beyond this. If the plan comes to fruition, the long-unused outdoor queue at the Magic of Disney Animation should become a stand-by queue for Animation Academy, while FastPass+ guests are routed past eh queue and inside through doors near the former Incredibles meet and greet.

Details are still sketchy, and the only really solid information we have is that the space is closing for some reason very soon. Obviously, this is all connected to the ongoing, unannounced expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios which may or may not finally be announced at the 2015 D23 Expo and this is a park-capacity change that would help them handle crowds better during periods of heavy construction.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

BREAKING: Selfie Sticks To Be Completely Banned from Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Not Just On Theme Park Attractions

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

The ongoing war on selfie sticks at Walt Disney World has taken a more drastic turn. You may remember when we told you that the sticks were not allowed to be taken out on any rides or attractions a few months ago, well, now selfie sticks won’t even be allowed through security…

Guests using selfie sticks or similar devices on the former Luigi’s Flying Tires ride at California Adventure

By July 2015, guests will not be permitted to even bring these items into any of the Walt Disney World theme parks due to safety concerns imposed by the items being brought onto rides (and the rather careless ways some guests use them when not on attractions). Guest relations cast members will be assigned to the security screening areas in front of all of the parks to assist the security cast in dealing with guests trying to bring their “selfie sticks” in. If found, guests can opt to take the stick with them and leave, or they can check it with the guest relations cast member who will have the item stored, give the guest a ticket, and request that they retrieve the item upon leaving the park later that day.

We don’t have an exact date for when this policy will be going into effect, but it should be sometime very soon, before July 2015 in fact.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

UPDATE: Disney has confirmed that selfie sticks have indeed been banned from the Walt Disney World theme parks effective June 30th, 2015. Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Resort Paris will also be following suit.

Category: Parks & Resorts

Epcot FROZEN Ride Concept Art and Details Released, To Be Called “Frozen Ever After”

Tokyo DisneySea 15th Anniversary “The Year of Wishes” Announced

Unpack Your Pennies, Souvenir Penny Machines Going Digital at Walt Disney World

D23 Expo 2015 To Present “Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!”

Tom Corless’ 6/16/15 WDW Photo Report (Disney Springs, New Polynesian Merchandise, ETC.)

D23 Expo 2015: Walt Disney Animation Studios Announces Expo Schedule

Tom Corless’ 6/17/15 Magic Kingdom Photo Report (New Pirate Items, Hub Construction, Jungle Cruise Restaurant, ETC.)

PHOTOS: Starbucks inside Creature Comforts Opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

RUMOR: The Magic of Disney Animation Set To Close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

BREAKING: Selfie Sticks To Be Completely Banned from Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Not Just On Theme Park Attractions

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