New Disney Springs Concept Art Released, Restaurant Opening Dates Updated

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Disney recently made some brand new concept art (and some we’ve seen before) for Disney Springs available to the public, so let’s take a look and see what’s on the way:

DisneySprings1

This is the former site of Comedy Warehouse

DisneySprings2

The former BET Soundstage and Adventurer’s Club

DisneySprings3

The bridge that connects Town Center to The Landing, heading towards Morimoto Asia

DisneySprings4

Inside of The Landing between BOATHOUSE and Morimoto Asia, facing the latter

DisneySprings6

Inside fo the Town Center, facing towards The Landing

DisneySprings7

The main avenue of The Landing, including Paradiso 37

DisneySprings8

The new shops across from the park in The Landing

DisneySprings9

The still unannounced “hangar” restaurant with a boat shaped outdoor seating area, across from Paradiso 37

As well, Disney updated some of the opening dates for the three announced restaurants in The Landing:

  • The BOATHOUSE – Spring 2015
  • Morimoto Asia – Summer 2015
  • STK Orlando – 2015

BREAKING: New Shops Confirmed for Disney Springs at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

IMG_0315-L

The first new shops coming to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World, specifically in The Landing later this year, have been formally announced by Disney:

  • APEX by Sunglass Hut – offering the latest in sports and activewear sunglasses.
  • Havaianas – specializing in a wide array of flip-flops, including a station where Guests can create their own flip-flops.
  • Art of Shaving – premium shaving shop offering grooming essentials.
  • Sanuk – creatively inspired and distinctively designed footwear.
  • Chapel Hats – specializing in hats and headwear.
  • Sound Lion – offering the latest technology in headphones, ear buds, speakers, wireless music players and other digital sound and music products.
  • Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC – gluten-free, vegan bakery.

PHOTO: Mickey’s Hand Vanishes from the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

We’ve been tracking the demolition of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios daily on twitter, but I thought today might be a good day to share a photo on the site:

IMG_0627.JPG

As you can see, the front of Mickey’s hand is gone, but so is most of the hat above the brim. The demolition is expected to still take a few more weeks, but following that, it is rumored that a permanent stage ill take the place of the Sorcerer’s Hat. Only time will tell…

Tom Corless’ 1/22/15 Magic Kingdom Photo Report (Hub Construction, Barnstormer Queue, Polynesian DVC, ETC.)

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

I took a trip to the Magic Kingdom this past weekend to see the new Peter Pan queue in action and managed to take some photos of some other newsworthy things happening around the park right now:

 

The entire back section of Uptown Jewelers is closed, likely Pandora jewelry related

New “it’s a small world” fleece throw

New attraction poster magnets

Island Supply Sunglass Hut opened in Adventureland recently

Even though it has closed yet, some of the new black-light elements coming to Under the Sea have already been installed

The covered extended queue at the Barnstormer was recently completed

There are some cool details on the coverings

Another reference to the original Barnstormer

The back section of the main circle in the hub is now closed off and the Partners statue behind walls

Progress as seen from the Tomorrowland bridge

The old production booths near the Castle are going to be replaced, so a temporary booth is going up

Walls are up around the old booths

Another look at the center

The castle stage shows will go dark for a few weeks as well

Water features now being installed on the Adventureland side

Walls also up in front of the train station for some reason

The entrance arch for the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows has gone up

VIDEO: New Winter Version of the Main Street Trolley Show Debuts at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

IMG_0886-X2

Several seasonal version of the Main Street Trolley Show at the Magic Kingdom have popped-up over the last few years, including Summer, Fall, Spring, and a Holiday version, but now there is a “Winter” edition of the show for guests to enjoy. Expected to run until March, the new show features the beloved “Walkin’ right Down the Middle of Main Street U.S.A.” song, but also unexpectedly features a song from Disney’s Enchanted (which I don’t think is a bad thing):

 

What do you think?

Walt Disney World Ticket Price Increase Coming; Water Park-Hopper Option Being Added; “No Expiration” to be Discontinued

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

To no one’s surprise, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort ticket prices are expected to see a small increase again in mid-February 2015. No exact pricing could be obtained yet, but some interesting changes coming to tickets were discovered.

898995439_Mvn4r-L

Hollywood studios ticket booth circa 2010

A Water Park-Hopper ticket add-on will be introduced. At the very least, this will be an option for single-day water park tickets, but it may also be available as an add-on for other tickets as well.

The largest change will be the discontinuation of the “no expiration” ticket option, which allows you to keep an unused days on your Disney Parks tickets. Obviously, those who already have this option on a ticket will still have them honored, but the option will no longer be given to guests come next month.

We will provide more information on these ticket changes as they become available.

Dirk Wallen’s 1/26/15 Disney Springs Photo Report (BOATHOUSE Construction, Signs Go Up, ETC.)

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney over the weekend and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

IMG_2881

 

Work continues on the Marketplace bridge

IMG_2865

Some new pins were released this week, including Mardi Gras…

IMG_2866

President’s Day…

IMG_2867

And Valentine’s Day

IMG_2861

Signs on the shops around the Landing have indeed started to go up, beginning with Chapel Hats

IMG_2886

Scaffolding has come down at the BOATHOUSE

IMG_2888

Work is wrapping up out by the dock for BOATHOUSE as well

IMG_2858

The “hangar” restaurant is still unannounced

IMG_2887

But we can see there is an outdoor seating area disguised as a suspended boat

IMG_2893

Work on the shores of the West Side continue, just across from Starbucks and Harley Davidson

IMG_2895

From upstairs at Planet Hollywood, we can get a good look at the work on the Town Center and the finishing touches for the Orange parking structure

IMG_2896

By 2016, the Town Center will be standing in this space

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror “Authentic” Merchandise Line Arrives February 13th at Disney Parks

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

TTM469581

Friday, February 13th 2015 will be the official release date for the Hollywood Tower Hotel Authentic line of merchandise (celebrating the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) coming to the Disney Parks in Florida and California! The products will be available at the attraction’s exit shop at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure.

TTM469582-613x932 TTM469583 TTM469584 TTM469585

 

With the release of the new merchandise, some of the Disney Design Group artists behind this collection will be appearing at Tower Hotel Gifts on Friday, February 13. This event will be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m and Disney Artists Tyler Dumas, Brian Blackmore, Richard Terpstra and Quynh Kimball are scheduled to attend.

Disney Continues Installation of Monorail Automation Systems, Service Changes in February/March 2015

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Monorail maintenance has been a fairly frequent thing the last few years as Walt Disney World has been testing and installing a possible automated system of running the Monorails. More infrastructure for the system will be installed over the next few months, leading to following Monorail service changes:

Disney_World_Monorail_01

From 11 AM to 7 PM on 2/3-5, 2/9-12, 2/23-26, and March 2-5, the resort Monorail beam will take guests between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and the Magic Kingdom. The express beam will offer a third stop on these days, stopping at Disney’s Contemporary Resort between the Transportation and Ticket Center. Busses to Epcot will be offered at all of the Monorail Resorts during this time.

Disneyland Diamond Celebration Begins 5/22, 3 New Nighttime Shows Announced

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

60thCastleCarthay2up

Each of the Disneyland Resort’s iconic centerpieces will receive diamond studded overlays. Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.

Before an invitation only crowd at Disneyland Park tonight, Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was joined on stage by Steve Davidson, executive for parades and spectaculars with Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment, as they revealed the entertainment line up for the park’s 60th Diamond Celebration that will debut May 22.

DForeverParadeRender

The “Disneyland Forever” pyrotechnic spectacular will seemingly surround viewers with incredible Disney motifs. Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.

A new fireworks spectacular “Disneyland Forever” will feature pyrotechnics, immersive projections, and other effects that will transform several areas of Disneyland Park. This new generation edition of traditional Disney nighttime entertainment boasts the largest installation of projection mapping technology in a Disney park and up-close special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and several other Disneyland Park locations become a “magical canvas” transporting guests into familiar Disney experiences, from flying above the London skyline from “Peter Pan” to a dance with King Louie in “The Jungle Book.”

“Disneyland Forever” also features two original songs, the theme “Live the Magic” and the inspiring closing song “Kiss Goodnight,” written by Disney Legend Richard Sherman.

SullyDoorFloat

A couple of the Pixar units from Paint the Night. Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.

After a nearly a 20 year hiatus, Disneyland will host an evening parade with the U.S. premiere of Paint the Night. A modern alteration of the long departed, fan favorite Main Street Electric Parade, the new show will feature classic Disney and Pixar character scenes, magically realized with state of the art lighting technologies. Paint The Night is currently running at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort where it will continue indefinitely. A second copy of the show is being created for the Disneyland fete with a unit portraying a scene from Frozen.

Opening the same day is “World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney” – featuring Mickey Mouse on a fun-filled and inspirational journey through the unparalleled imagination of his creator, in a first-of-its-kind spectacular, presented on the magic canvas of “World of Color” with compelling animated imagery, live-action footage, fountains, lasers, special effects and a stirring musical score.

The “Frozen Fun” events that debuted earlier this month will continue through the celebration year. Other events and special enhancements are still rumored to join the party, so check-in often at WDWNT.com.

DLDiamondLogo

Image © Disney Enterprises Inc.