Pirates of the Caribbean Authentic, Orange Bird Plush, & More Coming to Disney Parks Stores in 2015

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

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Disney today previewed many new merchandise lines and items that will be introduced at the Disney Parks in 2015, including the Polynesian Village tiki god mini-figure with flickering light torches pictured above.
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I know many of you will also be excited to see more Orange Bird merchandise, including this 7″ plush. Other items will include salt and pepper shakers,

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A line of dolls based on Disney attractions will launch next year, called Atttactionistas. The line will launch with many dolls including Mad Tea Party and Haunted Mansion dolls.

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More limited release t-shirts are coming to the Disney Parks online store next year.

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Like the Haunted Mansion in 2014, Pirates of the Caribbean will get an entirely new merchandise line in 2015.

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Later in 2015, limited release nutcrackers themed to park lands and attraction will debut.

Closing Date Announced for The Sorcerer’s Hat

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

The Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be closing forever on January 7th, 2015. The final day for the icon and the store underneath is January 6th. Pins and pin related merchandise will be relocated to Sunset Ranch on Sunset Boulevard at that time.

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The Sorcerer’s Hat is being removed for a redesign of the park’s central hub. No further details are available at this time.

Backstage Tales Tour Replacing Backstage Safari at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Backstage Safari tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be retired Feb. 27, and an enhanced version of the tour will debut March 1 as Backstage Tales.

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Backstage Tales will give Guests the opportunity to experience behind-the-scenes tales and “tails.” During this in-depth program, Guests will get an insider’s look at the innovative ways Disney is meeting challenges in areas such as conservation, animal nutrition and medicine, animal care and behavioral studies.

Guests will:

Visit the Animal Nutrition Center and see how more than 3 tons of food are prepared and distributed each day.

Go behind the scenes and explore a backstage animal-housing area.

Tour the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, where they may witness animals being treated.

Stop by the Animal Programs Administration building and learn how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation and animal well-being.

Backstage Tales, which joins Wild Africa Trek as a premium experience at the park, will be offered to Guests ages 12 years and older daily, 7:30-11:15 a.m.

Guests can continue to book Backstage Safari by contacting 407-WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687) for tours through Feb. 27. Backstage Safari is offered every Monday and Wednesday-Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.

Guests can book the Backstage Tales tour now.

New Concept Art Released for the Explorers Lodge at Hong Kong Disneyland

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Hong Kong Disneyland released new details and concept art for their latest resort hotel coming in 2017: Disney Explorers Lodge. Disney broke ground this week for the 750 room resort that will immerse guests in far-away locales. The hotel is being constructed in response to rising attendance from the expansion of the park and expected crowd growth from the upcoming Iron Man Experience attraction.

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The hotel will have 4 themed realms: African Savannah…

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tropical rainforest…

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Jungles of Asia (ala The Jungle Book)…

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and a tropical island (notice Crush and Squirt from Finding Nemo make an appearance).

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The resort’s lobby will draw inspiration from Aulani and Animal Kingdom Lodge

60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration at Disneyland to Adorn Sleeping Beauty Castle in Sparkling Jewels

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

If the following artwork is any indication, Sleeping Beauty Castle will look a little different come Spring 2015 when the 60th anniversary festivities kick-off at Disneyland:

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Much like the golden make-over the castle experienced in 2005 for the Happiest Homecoming on Earth, we expect thousands of sparkling “diamonds” to adorn the facade of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland throughout the celebration of 60 years starting in the Spring.

Disney has not confirmed this nor any other festivities for the event, but a new nighttime parade for Disneyland Park and several attraction upgrades & refurbishments are also planned to coincide with the year-long celebration.

1/6/15 Aerial Construction Photos of Downtown Disney Conversion to Disney Springs

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

WDWNT’s own Nick LoCicero took a trip high above Downtown Disney this week and has some great aerial photos of the on-going work to share with us today:

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Even though it has opened, work continues on the Orange parking structure

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The top level appears to be far from ready

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Work has begun on the Town Center, the former parking lot for Pleasure Island

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Some new facades can already be found on this side of The Landing, the large Bottling Co. building will be home to the Morimoto restaurant

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We can see work progressing on the Boathouse, as well as the still unannounced hangar restaurant

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The Town Center will be completed by 2016

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New Concept Art and Details on Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, DVC Sale Date Announced

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

DisneyÕs Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at DisneyÕs Polynesian Village Resort

Disney Vacation Club will begin initial sales for its newest resort, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, next week. Current Disney Vacation Club Members will be able to purchase real estate interests beginning Jan. 12, and general sales will begin Feb. 9. When the first phase opens, scheduled for April 1, the resort will introduce unique accommodations, including the now-named Bora Bora Bungalows and connecting Deluxe Studios on the mainland.

DisneyÕs Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at DisneyÕs Polynesian Village Resort

The 20 Bora Bora Bungalows on the Seven Seas Lagoon will sleep up to eight guests each in a two-bedroom, home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. The Bungalows have two full bathrooms, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and large dining and living room spaces for gatherings. Décor combines modern style with the tropical and enchanting look and feel of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort that guests love.

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Bora Bora Bungalow layout

Private decks will feature a plunge pool where Members and guests can view fireworks over the Magic Kingdom, complete with the soundtrack that can be heard through an individual sound system. They will also have front-row seats to the Electrical Water Pageant!

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

The new Lava pool

The new resort also includes 360 Deluxe Studio Villas, the largest at the Walt Disney World Resort. These villas sleep up to five guests each and feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space for convenience and comfort, and two separate bathroom areas, one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and another one with a shower and sink. A pull-down armoire bed showcases painted artwork from the popular Disney film, Lilo & Stitch.

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2015 D23 Member Savings With Discounts and Offers From Disney and Beyond

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Whether headed to a Disney Park or staying close to home, members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can save on shopping, entertainment, and their next Disney adventure when they present a D23 Membership Card or use special member-only online codes.

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D23 Members can enjoy:

  • Savings of 20% on select Disney On Ice and Disney Live! touring productions
  • An exclusive 10% discount and a special portfolio of art when purchasing the entire Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection
  • A discount on tickets to see Cinderella opening weekend at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
  • Up to 53% off Disney magazines including the new Disney Frozen 

Plus, D23 will be featuring a “special offer of the month,” highlighting exclusive opportunities for members. For January, D23 Members can enjoy 15% off purchases of $75 or more at Disney Store or online at DisneyStore.com.

D23 is bringing back its most popular opportunities for savings on hotels, restaurants, and stores in and around Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, including:

  • Discounted rates at Howard Johnson Anaheim, Carousel Inn & Suites, and the Anabella Hotel located near Disneyland Resort; as well as at Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, B Resort & Spa, and Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, located near Walt Disney World Resort
  • 10% savings on activities at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre and on merchandise at CURL® by Sammy Duvall at Walt Disney World Resort
  • Savings on sweets at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, either online or in its two Disney Parks shops, as well as at the El Capitan Theatre
  • Discounts at all Mandara Spa locations—including Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts—across the United States, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean
  • Dining discounts in and around Disneyland Resort, including House of Blues Anaheim, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Catal, Uva Bar, Naples, Tortilla Joe’s, Earl of Sandwich, ESPN Zone, and Tangerine Grill

In addition, D23 Members can take advantage of a host of ongoing offers online and around the country developed exclusively for them, including savings on tickets to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco; a merchandise discount at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, Mo.; plus savings of 20% on specialty skin care products from H2O Plus and 10% off all purchases online and at all RIDEMAKERZ® locations.

Complete details on all D23 Member discounts and offers, as well as a full list of all the latest specials, can be found online at http://D23.com/Discounts.

Live Action “Cinderella” Sneak-Peek & Photo-Op Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Beginning January 17th, guests can see a special sneak-peek of Disney’s live-action Cinderella film at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The preview will run through March 21st.

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The coach from the film,which has been appearing at the Magic Kingdom before the afternoon parade, will be moving to Hollywood Studios to provide a photo-op for guests from February 1st through April 11th, 2015.