VIDEO: “Bark-O-Lator” Interactive Element Allows Animal Kingdom Guests to Be Like Dug from UP

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

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A few weeks ago, the queue for the meet-and-greet experience featuring Dug and Russell from Disney-PIXAR’s UP at Animal Kingdom received a new, interactive element. In the film, Dug speaks through a collar that translates his barks into human languages. Well, guests can now test one of these collars out by barking into the “Bark-O-Lator” just outside of the queue for the meet-and-greet. The device will then give guests a translated dog phrase in English. It seems to have some problems picking up the barks sometimes, but it is a neat little added element when it works. Here’s video of the Bark-O-Lator working and not working:

VIDEO: Lengthy On-Ride Video of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train & New Attraction Details

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Prepare yourself for on-ride footage and some new details about the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coming to New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom:

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Disney released video of most of an early run-through of the attraction side-by-side with video of the “pre-vis” of the ride which they use to guide construction of the attraction:

We learned several new details about the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train today via the Disney Parks Blog, here’s what we now know:

  • All of the music in the queue area will be instrumental and is meant to sound as if the Seven Dwarfs are playing it. The song cut from the film titled “Music in Your Soup” is one of the songs that will be in that loop.
  • The interactive queue will include an area where guests “wash” the diamonds
  • The queue will also enter the Dwarfs’ vault. We see the door to the vault in the film, but never actually see inside.
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will feature FastPass+
  • The height requirement to ride will be 38″

Joe Hogarty’s 2/20/14 WDW Photo Report (Mine Train, AVATAR, & More)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Some work still taking place on the paths around the Tree of Life

Nothing much to see over at the AVATAR site

It will hard to track construction unless we try from above… 😉

Another look at the walls around the Tree of Life paths

This could be related to the work needing to be done to the tree for the nighttime offerings, or it could be general rehab

Work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King Theater

Walls still up near the Africa stroller parking

Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the steps of City Hall

The Castle is still getting some touch-ups

Time for the obligatory Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction photos

The waterfall has been running non-stop

It looks great

The refurbishment of Splash Mountain continues

Don’t expect much different when it reopens except some scenes that have been freshened up

It will be Splashing again soon!

Hayley Nance’s 2/13/14 WDW Photo Report (Flower & Garden, FastPass+, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Hayley Nance visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on Monday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from her trip, so let’s take a look:

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The Etch-A-Sketch screen in the Toy Story Mania queue is now on and displays puzzles for guests to solve

A billboard for Muppets Most Wanted has gone up


The tip board area is currently being refurbished, so a temporary board has been rigged on the construction walls

We think this is related to FastPass+

The pin station behind the building is also closed

The legacy FastPass machines at Tower of Terror are now being removed

Moving over to Epcot, Flower and Garden Festival preparation is in full swing

If you haven’t seen it already, here is the amazing new Snow White topiary installed for 2014

All of the new topiaries have a computer generated look so they look more like the characters

Lady and the Tramp

Woody

The dancing couples were not updated

Only some of the Winnie the Pooh topiaries were upgraded

Eeyore was upgraded!

Tigger as well!

Crocodile from Peter Pan

New look Captain Hook

Mary Poppins

Dirk Wallen’s 2/24/14 WDW Photo Report (Flower & Garden, Monsters Inc. Meet and Greet, Mine Train, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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An extra ferry boat dock is being added to the Transportation and Ticket Center

Work continues on the Disney Vacation Club wing at the Polynesian

A piece of roof for the new buildings is being assembled towards the Wedding Pavilion

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Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Plenty of greenery to be found

A King Triton statue that looks like it was carved by hand can now be found across from Ariel in New Fantasyland at the Disney Vacation Club kiosk

Walls are down at Mickey’s Philharmagic and more FastPass+ kiosks have gone up

Facade work taking place on Pinocchio’s Village Haus

Some facade work in Adventureland by Magic Carpets

Work continues on the Confectionery facade

Moving over to Studios, he Monsters Inc. meet and greet is back, but some elements from the Monsters University meet and greet remainder

Some of the lockers have fraternity stickers from MU

There’s also a note from Celia

The screens are now used to show the scarer cards, just like those that appeared in Monsters University

Some bulletins related to both movies can now be found

Billboard for Muppets Most Wanted up on Mickey Ave.

Moving to Epcot, the bakery in France has Beignets for Mardi Gras

Mmmmmm….

March 5th is still a few days away, but plenty of topiaries are up at Epcot already

The Cars display is starting to go up

Sulley can be seen over the fences at the Monsters University playground

A new Little Green Men shirt for sale

PICTURES & VIDEO: Magic Kingdom Hub to Be Expanded and Re-Designed To Accomodate Show Crowds and Guest Flow

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

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After 43 years, the single circle of the Magic Kingdom hub will be changed…

Sculpted gardens, new pathways, a new Cinderella Castle stage, and expanded seating near Casey’s Corner and the Plaza Restaurant are all part of the changes. Disney has stated that there will be a dedicated fireworks viewing area somewhere in this redesign. The main focus of the project is to help with guest flow during parade and nighttime entertainment at the park. The enhancements will be completed in 2015.

The changes will affect and forever change the 2 production stands near the Castle (as you can see in the concept art above, they will look like an extension of the castle), the rose garden (looks to be history), and a fair amount of the hub as we know it.

It is currently rumored that a new nighttime show above and around Cinderella Castle will debut in 2015 and all of this is also in preparation for the new production and expected crowds who will want to view it.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this story.

Disney Announces All-Night 24-Hour Disney Side Party On Both Coasts

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Disney announced this morning that they will be carrying on their tradition of opening the parks for 24 hours on both costs with a “Rock Your Disney Side Party.” In 2012, Disney held their first 24 hour event “One More Disney Day” which was in recognition of leap year. Last year Disney held a 24 hour “Monstrous Summer All-Nighter” in promotion of the release of Pixar’s Monsters University.  The official announcement from the Disney Parks Blog this morning:

Earlier this morning, we shared a tweet that truly featured 140 characters to officially announce the latest Disney Parks bicoastal, All-Night Extravaganza on Memorial Day Weekend – the traditional start of the family travel season. Our “Rock Your Disney Side Party” will be a fun-filled 24-hour event at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
140 Characters Formed a Hashtag at Magic Kingdom Park and Invite You and Your Family to 'Rock Your Disney Side' During a 24-hour Party to Kick Off Summer

For the Ultimate Tweet, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and 135 of their friends gathered at Magic Kingdom Park and formed the familiar shape of a hashtag. The 140 characters then invited you and your family to “Rock Your Disney Side” during a 24-hour party to kick off summer.

At this year’s All-Night Extravaganza, everyone is being invited to show their “Disney Side” by dressing as a favorite Disney hero or villain. The Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park in California will be filled with Disney heroes and villains from 6 a.m., May 23 to 6 a.m., May 24, 2014, local time.

The celebration on both coasts will feature a cavalcade of events showcasing the good-vs.-evil of classic Disney stories including character meet-and-greets throughout the parks, special entertainment, event merchandise and special food and beverage offerings.

Disney Previews Star Wars Weekends 2014 Merchandise and First-Ever Star Wars Merchandise Event

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Disney was nice enough to preview several upcoming items that will be released at Star Wars Weekends in 2014 this week:

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Among the items this year will be limited edition pins including a reveal/conceal mystery collection and art cards with pins. There is also a lanyard medal that looks like the medals awarded in A New Hope after the Battle of Yavin.

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The Cars as Star Wars characters series will continue with tractors as Sandtroopers and the Disney figures will come out in some new collector sets. Also in the realm of toys will be a lenticular 1000 piece puzzle, a Jabba The Hutt latex character, and Princess Leia & Amidala fashion dolls.

SWM095534LARGEIn Vinylmation, Star Wars series #4 will be released featuring characters from the Empire Strikes Back. There will also be a limited edition 9″/3″ combo pack of the Rancor and his keeper.

SWM095535LARGE4 new character statues featuring Han Solo Donald in Carbonite, Emporer Stitch, AT-AT Pluto, and Chip & Dale as Ewoks will also be available.

Star Wars Weekends 2014 will not only offer some of the best merchandise in the galaxy, but also, the first-ever ticketed Star Wars merchandise event:

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The Alliance leaders are summoning the most loyal Rebels in the galaxy to gather at the Rebel Rendezvous on Thursday, May 15, 2014 between 10AM and 5PM at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

Join the Rebel Alliance at this covert meeting place to gather supplies and other limited edition acquisitions in preparation for the upcoming Star Wars™ Weekends engagement. Look alert!  The Rendezvous Point is located on the Outer Rim near the known whereabouts of Bounty Hunters and an Imperial presence!

Packages for the Rebel Rendezvous are $250 per person and include the following:

– Exclusive access to Darth’s Mall one day before it opens to the public.

– Limited edition recruitment pack (includes a custom messenger bag, cadet hat, tumbler, lanyard, pin & medal set). Items are only available to Rebel Rendezvous attendees on May 15, 2014.

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– Preferential opportunity to purchase select 2014 Star Wars™ Weekends merchandise, including, but not limited to:

  • Customized Rebel Rendezvous merchandise, including D-Tech on Demand cell phone cases and Aurebesh nametags
  • Special bundle pack that includes a unique Disney Gift Card design with Rebel carrying case
  • Limited edition merchandise created for Star Wars™ Weekends 2014
  • Star Wars™ Weekends 2014 event logo apparel and souvenir items
  • New Vinylmation™ releases, including opportunities to acquire full sets

– Ashley Eckstein meet &greet and product signing, featuring the new collection of Her Universe apparel – Rebel activities, including special meet & greet and signing opportunities with characters and Disney artists

…. And more

Registration for this added event will open on March 4th at 1PM ET. A catalog with additional merchandise images will be available at that time.

So, what do you think of the merchandise and this event for Star Wars Weekends 2014?

Several Walt Disney World Resorts To Eliminate Boat Rentals On March 2nd

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

The 3rd-party company that runs Sea Raycers, mouse boats, and pontoon rentals at Walt Disney World has decided that they will no longer provide these vessels at rental locations at Port Orleans – Riverside, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort starting tomorrow, March 2nd, 2014.

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According to sources, these locations were under-performing and the company has decided that it no longer made sense to operate them.

All other watercraft rentals around Walt Disney World will continue to be available.

Dirk Wallen’s 3/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Hub, SpectroMagic, Flower & Garden, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Drik Wallen visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks on Saturday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The latest progress on the Polynesian Vacation Club wing

The Magic Kingdom moat has been drained to start work on the new hub

The latest piece of Spectromagic history pin is out and features the Mickey float

Another look at the drained moat

Moving over to Epcot, the Flower & Garden Festival starts Wednesday and it looks like the park is just about ready

Is Mickey cross-eyed?

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, the Festival of the Lion King theater is progressing nicely

One Kodak picture spot remains…

New Walt Disney World t-shirt

New Gaston t-shirt