Dirk Wallen’s 4/7/14 Animal Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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We can see the new Festival of the Lion King theater from high above Expedition Everest

The KODAK picture spot outside of DINOSAUR seems to be the last one remaining

Donald Duck has moved to a new meet and greet location near DINOSAUR temporarily



One of the Fossil Fun Games is being refurbished

MagicBands seem to be on sale everywhere now

Star Wars Weekends D-Tech Me Offerings Expanded for 2014

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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Star Wars – D-Tech Me has been one of the most talked about merchandise offerings at Star Wars Weekends over the last several years, so it is no surprise that Disney will be adding to the line-up of offerings in 2014. This year, the D-Tech Me location will be located inside Darth’s Mall, located in Soundstage 1 between Studio Backlot Tour and Toy Story Midway Mania.

For those unfamiliar with Star Wars – D-Tech Me, this 10-minute experience uses the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner created by our Imagineering scientists with Disney Research labs. The captured image is later sent to a high resolution 3D printer to create the figurine.

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The existing Carbon-Freeze Me and Stormtrooper programs are returning this year, joined by two new figurines – Alderaan Princess and X-Wing Pilot. There are both male and female options offered for X-Wing pilot, Carbon-Freeze Me and Stormtrooper figurines.

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For children, Alderaan Princess and Carbon-Freeze Me figurines will be available in more youthful appearances.

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For the first time, a 16-inch figurine will also be available. You can see the size differences of the Stormtrooper figurines in the above image.

Disney is also promising that on May 16 on DisneyParksMerchandise.com they will let guests know how to have their image from last year added to a new figurine this year.

The Star Wars – D-Tech Me 7-inch figurines are $99.95 each, plus shipping and applicable sales tax. For the 16-inch figurines, retail is $1,499.95 each, plus shipping and applicable sales tax. All participants will receive a specially designed button. Completed figurines will arrive within 7-8 weeks after the experience if shipping domestically (it takes a little longer if shipping internationally).

To book your experience, please call 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324). Disney will only offer the experience during Star Wars Weekends 2014 (May 16 – 18, May 23 – 25, May 30 – June 1, June 6 – 8, and June 13-15).

Finally, guests attending the Rebel Rendezvous event on May 15 will be some of the first individuals to experience Star Wars – D-Tech Me this year. Registered event guests should look for an email soon that will explain how to sign up.

Star Wars Weekends 2014 Introduces Add-On VIP Package

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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For $499 per person, you can now add a VIP tour package to any Star Wars Weekend day:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends will introduce an ultimate day filled with the most sought after service and experiences. A team of Disney VIP tour guides will take you on your journey designed to surprise and delight the most avid Star Wars fan for $499per person, plus tax.

Includes:

-Best seats in the house for shows at the Premiere Theater including Stars of the Saga

-Expedited access to attractions including Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, Toy Story Mania, and more

-Private continental breakfast at the Hollywood Brown Derby

-Reserved location to see the Legends of the Force Motorcade

-Table-service lunch inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios

-Shopping time at Darth’s Mall

-VIP Viewing and dessert party for the new Symphony in the Stars fireworks

The Ultimate Day at Star Wars Weekends bookings open April 11th by phone at (407) 934-7973.

 

Epcot “Wind-Down” Offers Guests The Chance to Drink and dine Until 11PM Nightly

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Have you ever wished you could grab a drink and get a bite to eat at Epcot after the park closes at 9PM? Well, this is the place where dreams come true after-all…

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Epcot guests can now take part in the “after-hours wind-down”, an opportunity to visit La Cava Del Tequila in Mexico, Spice Road Table in Morocco, Tutto Gusto in Italy, or the Rose & Crown in the United Kingdom for small bites paired with a beverage flight (additional beverages can be purchased) from 9:20Pm until 11Pm. The cost is $35 plus tax and gratuity. The offering begins April 17th and runs through September 15th.

VIDEO: First Look at Audio-Animatronic Dwarfs from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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Disney finally released a video giving us our very first look at some of the audio-animatronic characters we will see when the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens in New Fantasyland next month. They are fairly amazing…

Similar to the Cars characters that appear in Radiator Springs Racers, the characters have fully audio-animatronic bodies, but the facial movements are all done via projection mapping (similar to the Celebrate the Magic show on Cinderella Castle). If these figures are any indication, we’re in for a true sleeper-hit.

Hollywood Studios 25th Anniversary – We need your help!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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With the anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios just around the corner, we would like some help from you, our fans!

Over the past 25 years we’re sure you’ve made some memories or had something amazing happen at the Studios. We’d like for you to record yourself or write a paragraph describing a favorite memory or moment you’ve had at the Studios for us to play on WDWNTunes in celebration of this momentous occasion. If you submit a write-up of your memory, someone from WDWNT will record it for you.

Please include your name, where you’re from, and try to keep it to 2-3 minutes in length if you can. We’ll add some background audio and things of that sort for you. Please send all submissions to dhs25@wdwnt.com.

Thanks so much!

Disney Reveals 25th Anniversary Merchandise for Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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On May 1st, 2014, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will celebrate its historic 25th anniversary in style with a plethora of exclusive commemorative merchandise items. Soundstage 1 between the Studio Backlot tour and Toy Story Midway Mania will be turned into a special merchandise location for the day and all of the following will be available:

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Here are the men’s, women’s, and children’s shirts (including a polo shirt)

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Keychain, pre-dressed Duffy the Disney Bear, messenger bag, logo pin, and “I Was There” pin

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An assortment of other pins and pin accessories including an annual passholder pin and some open edition pins that will be available throughout 2014

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A mystery pin collection featuring Disney characters

The Disney Parks online store will also carry the four shirts pictured in this story from May 1-5, 2014. The shirts will ship in 6-8 weeks once orders are completed (express shipping is not available). To order the shirts starting May 1, visit http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents.

WDWNT will be covering all of the festivities for the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1st, so stay tuned!

PHOTOS: Epcot Tests Strange Paint Scheme on Innoventions Buildings

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

If you’ve been to Epcot over the last few days, you probably couldn’t help seeing this…

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When this strange pattern started to appear on the exteriors of the Innoventions buildings, we assumed they were testing paint schemes they might be interested in. It seems this may actually be the desired result…




It’s definitely on the odd side, but I don’t think it looks terrible. It will certainly be interesting to see what the final product looks like…

What do you think?

Disney’s “Best Moment Ever” Sweepstakes Now Open For Entries

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Running now through May 14, 2014, Disney’s Best Moment Ever sweepstakes is now accepting entries from fans competing to win a trip for 4 to The Walt Disney World Resort. All they have to do is share a photo and a caption of one of their favorite moments.

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Every Disney Princess has had their best moment ever. Merida was able to change her fate, Tiana realized her dream of opening her own restaurant, and Rapunzel finally made it to see the sky lanterns. Now, you can share your best moment ever for a chance to win a Walt Disney World Resort vacation and participate in the Disney Royal Family 5K.

To enter, submit a photo that portrays a moment of achievement in any activity (recreational, educational or a significant moment in time). Along with your photo, submit a caption that best describes your moment in less than 140 characters. You can check out examples in the Best Moment Ever Photo Gallery and for more detailed instructions, visit Disney.com/BestMomentEver and read the official rules.

Entrants will have a chance to win 1 of 5 prizes:

     1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive a 4 days/3 nights Disney Parks Vacation for 4 to The Walt Disney World® Resort:

  •          Roundtrip coach Airfare (If winner resides more than 250 miles from Orlando International Airport)
  •          2 Nights at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel
  •          1 Night at the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney Worldc Resort
  •          4 Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper® Option
  •         4 Tickets to the runDisney “Royal Family 5K” as part of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World® Resort on February 20, 2015

     1 FIRST PRIZE WINNER will receive a $1,000 Disney Store shop card

     3 SECOND PRIZE WINNERS will receive a $100 Disney Store shop card

Go to Disney.com/BestMomentEver to submit your entry today.

VIDEO: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Testing Gives Guests First Views of Swinging, Swaying Vehicles

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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While visiting the Magic Kingdom yesterday, WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty couldn’t help but notice that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was being tested with trains full of weights. With more of the construction walls coming down yesterday, we can get a clear look at the trains running through most of the outdoor portion of the ride and see how they will swing and sway with guests inside:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is scheduled to open in May 2014, but no exact date has been given yet. The attraction will be the final component to open in the New Fantasyland project which was announced almost 5 years ago and has been under construction for 4 years.