PHOTOS: AVATAR Themed Land and Shanghai Disneyland Previewed at D23 Expo 2015 np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

From the Disney Insider blog:

Earlier this afternoon we were able to get a sneak peek at the Imagineering Pavilion at this year’s D23 Expo and it blew us away. It was mostly focused on the Shanghai Disneyland theme park (opening next spring), with a small experience dedicated to the upcoming Pandora expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom (based on James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar franchise). And it was incredible. The amount of art was positively overwhelming, both in how much stuff there was and because it was amazingly gorgeous, full of rich detail and snappy storytelling that we’ve come to expect from the wizards at Walt Disney Imagineering. We’ll have a full write-up of the experience soon, but we wanted to share a huge photo gallery from the pavilion.

No New Trailer or Footage To Be Shown At D23 For “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

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For those looking forward to a new trailer or behind the scenes footage for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at this week’s D23, you may have to wait a little longer. Entertainment Weekly has just informed us that there will be no new trailer or new footage and has also revealed that their source was “The Force Awakens” director, J.J. Abrams:

Whatever revelations may be in store at the Anaheim fan gathering will not involve seeing sections of the movie. For doubters, I may as well reveal that “reliable source”…

“It is true, we are showing no footage, behind the scenes or otherwise,” director J.J. Abrams tells EW. “In the fall, there’ll be a trailer.”

He knows fans are eager for another look at the film and promises to bring something compelling to the Disney conventioneers. “We’re thrilled to go to D23 and meet the fans, but it’s a tricky thing to try and rush [footage] for a convention or preexisting event that would, of course, be fun to show something at,” he said.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

WDWNT is “D23 Expo Central” -– August 13-16, 2015 (Coverage, Prizes, Meet-Ups, & More!) np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

Since the first D23 Expo back in 2009, we here at WDWNT have strived to bring you the absolute best coverage of this amazing, multi-day event. Well, this weekend will be no different. With reporters in attendance as credentialed media, we look to bring the excitement of the D23 Expo to you faster and in more detail than anyone else can provide.

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Live updates will be pouring in via our twitter account, but a live blog, live video stream, and news articles will be constantly updated and added to the main site here at WDWNT.com throughout the weekend. The site will even take on a different look beginning Thursday to better showcase all of the live coverage we will be sharing. While we don’t have a schedule for when we might be on the air with some of the live video streams just yet (mostly because we are waiting to be informed what can and can not be recorded), stay tuned for more information.

Also, audio and interviews will be recorded from the Anaheim Convention Center to be released on the next episode of the WDW News Today Podcast.

For those of you attending the D23 Expo, stay tuned to twitter and Facebook for updates on meet-ups and prize giveaways we’ll be hosting at various times on the show floor. Also, if you see a blue WDWNT.com lanyard, be sure to stop us and say hello!

As you can see, we are ready to bring you the magic of the D23 Expo from Parks and Resorts to television and movies. It’s going to be a great four days, so please make sure you join us for our coverage as WDWNT.com becomes D23 Expo Central August 13th-16th, 2014!

RUMOR: Mickey’’s Toontown at Disneyland to Close in 2016, Star Wars Land on the Way np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

A few months back, we told you that the Disneyland Resort had purchased the Carousel Inn across the street from the resort. Well, it seems Disney has now purchased two plots of land located behind the Carousel Inn, 1515 and 1585 South Manchester Avenue. Disney will reportedly use the land for new “backstage facilities”, replacing facilities currently located behind Disneyland Park, due north of Mickey’s Toontown.

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Mickey’s Toontown would close after 23 years if rumors are true, taking away Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin and Gadget’s-Go-Coaster from the park.

Rumors have circulated that Mickey’s Toontown would be bulldozed to make way for part of the rumored Star Wars themed land at Disneyland Park. If these rumors are true, the new land would have entrances at the northern end of Critter Country/Frontierland (just north of the Rivers of America), and next door to “it’s a small world” (where the Toontown entrance exists today). The land would stretch across the entire north end of the Disneyland Resort property, making it one of the larger areas in the park.

If there is to be an announcement soon, we expect it to be made next week at the D23 Expo. Star Wars Land should also be announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World whenever it is announced for California.

New Disneyland Mobile App Released, First Step in MyMagic+ Coming to Disneyland np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

We warned you that FastPass+ tests are coming to California, but now a new mobile app shows that Disneyland is getting ready to follow Walt Disney World into the future of the theme park experience with digital tickets, mobile wait times, and the ability to make advance dining reservations.

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Yes, you can get wait times and attraction and dining information (and much more) pretty easily by scrolling through a map of the resort.

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One of the coolest functions comes with buying or linking tickets. Guests can then have a digital version of their park ticket to open and scan at park entrances, never having to reach for their purse or wallet. Similar functionality should come down the road when FastPass+ is rolled out at the Disneyland Resort. Premier Passports are not yet supported in the system.

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With icons from your MyDisneyExperience account carrying over, it is clear Disneyland is using the same system as Walt Disney World’s system and app.

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The maps are also styled just like those currently distributed at Walt Disney World and on the WDW website and app

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While the app is loading, you’ll even find the familiar Mickey symbol with the light circling it, something any guest who has been to Disney World over the last 2 years is very familiar with.

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And yes, dining reservations can be made through the app as well.

With the launch of this app and rumors of FastPass+ type system test coming soon, it is clear that some version of MyMagic+ is rolling out at the Disneyland Resort in the not-too-distant future. When that might happen, we are not certain, but this new Disneyland app is certainly the first piece of the next-gen puzzle in Anaheim.

Update: Another fun thing to note is that our WDWNT Now! site (located here) has been able to display the same information for months. We also have menus for the restaurants which the new app does not include!

The new Disneyland app can be downloaded for Android devices here and iOS devices at this link.

Expect To See More “Star Wars” Than Just “The Force Awakens” At D23 Expo np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

Post text coming soon.

When Disney released the schedule for this year’s D23 Expo, it stated that we would get a look at several movies, including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

A bevy of special guests will be on hand to offer a look at an unparalleled slate that includes Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Jungle Book, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—and much, much more.
Now, according to the site, Furious Fanboys:
When that schedule was released, Disney was still not allowed to talk about Star Wars: Rogue One. Due to an agreement with the MPAA, Disney couldn’t talk about that movie until after Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation released, which happened this past weekend.
Furious Fanboys also points out this interesting change that was made to the statement via the D23 Expo App:
Disney just released the official D23 Expo App for this year’s convention, and the Saturday schedule wording has been modified to encompass all of the Star Wars live action projects and not just The Force Awakens:
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It is possible that we may get our first look at “Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One” and maybe even more Star Wars projects like the Han Solo movie and the rumored Netflix series that may be coming.
We’ll just have to wait and see until next week!
Source: Furious Fanboys

Disney Introduces First “Park Pack” Monthly Merchandise Mystery Box, To Be Sold Online

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

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First previewed last year, Disney is finally getting around to the release of “Park Pack”, a monthly mystery box of Disney Parks merchandise. The first edition being released, called Trading Edition, will go on sale May 14th through the Disney Parks online store. This box will focus on Disney pins and include an exclusive Limited Edition 500 pin, as well as 2 open edition pins guests can not yet purchase at Disney Parks.  The limited edition pins are part of a series and may include characters from animated features or attractions at Disney Parks. The limited edition pins will also have two embellishments (like pin-on-pin or special fills).

The boxes will retail for $39.95 including shipping and subsequently be released on the first Thursday of every month.

“Park Packs” containing other types of items are expected to come at a later date, but no announcement has been made yet.

Disney Announces Biggest Presentations for D23 Expo 2015, from Parks & Resorts, to Marvel, Star Wars, & Animation

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

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BURBANK, Calif., May 7, 2015 – D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announces the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 EXPO 2015, August 14–16. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will kick off the Expo on Friday, August 14. Later that same day, The Walt Disney Studios will give fans a sneak peek at all the latest from Disney Animation and Pixar. On Saturday morning, The Walt Disney Studios will preview the coming slate of live-action films from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Then on Saturday afternoon, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during a presentation hosted by Parks Chairman Bob Chapek.

To showcase these Expo favorites, Disney is creating “Hall D23,” a new 7,500-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center, so that more guests than ever can see the presentations live and in person.

The Schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations includes the following (times and additional announcements forthcoming; all events subject to change):

The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, August 14. The ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will once again honor those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. The creativity and innovation of these visionaries and artists have earned them a place among such names as Dame Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, and Robin Williams. At the D23 EXPO in 2013, Tony Baxter, Collin Campbell, Dick Clark, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Jobs, Glen Keane, and Ed Wynn were inducted.

In two separate Hall D23 sessions, The Walt Disney Studios will unveil an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming film slate. At Friday’s session, fans will go in-depth with the talented filmmakers at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios to get a sneak peek at films such as Zootopia and Finding Dory. On Saturday, live-action titles such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Jungle Book and films from Marvel and Lucasfilm, along with some very special guests, take center stage.

On the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, join Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the magical experiences and entertainment coming to Disney’s parks and resorts around the world.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Until 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.

PHOTOS: Disneyland Releasing Special Souvenir Food & Drink Items for 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

An inside source has sent us some internal images promoting the special food and beverage souvenir items coming to Disneyland Resort when the Diamond Celebration kicks off later this month:

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Diamond glow cubes that will be available with select beverages

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32oz sipper artwork, available only on 5/22

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Artwork for souvenir mugs

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Specialty popcorn buckets

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Plastic stein, Dinoco cup for Cars Land, and popcorn bucket art

Which ones do you NEED to own?

VIDEO: The Hatbox Ghost Returns to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

HE’S BACK! Video courtesy of Disney Hipsters on Instagram:

Using projection mapping technology, Disney has successfully brought the Hatbox Ghost back to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland starting today. The original effect installed in 1969 never quite worked properly and was removed a few weeks later. 45 years later, he has returned just in time for the Diamond Celebration at Disneyland.