Dirk Wallen’s 8/11-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. With all the D23 Expo coverage we’ve been dealing with, it has taken a while to get to this report, but better late than never, so let’s take a look:

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No more Lone Ranger preview… it’s not really playing at many theaters anymore…

MuppetVision 3-D is closed for refurbishment

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Sofia the first debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently

She has a nice backdrop for her meet and greet

Disney Infinity billboards are up at the Backlot Tour

Also, the 1-2-3 Mickey Mouse has been decorated to celebrate Planes…

At Epcot, work continues on adding more of the new turnstiles

FastPass+ entrance at Spaceship Earth

This food cart behind Spaceship Earth has finally opened!

No more tarps up on Fountain View and signage has been installed

FastPass+ at Turtle Talk with Crush

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Halloween merchandise has been released across property

Haunted Mansion singing bust ornaments

The shirt is the same design from last year, but says 2013

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During a recent refurbishment, new boats were installed at Pirates of the Caribbean

They look great and don’t bottom out, but they have been getting guests a lot more wet than the old boats and make a horrible squeaking noise when they bump into each other…

The Magic Kingdom now sells the most expensive fruit ever… let’s end with this…

D23 Expo – Disney Interactive showcases Fantasia: Music Evolved and Disney Infinity

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

During the 2013 D23 Expo, Disney hosted the first ever Disney Interactive presentation to showcase what games they’re working on. Included in this presentation was Fantasia: Music Evolved and the announcement of new characters coming to Disney Infinity.

At D23, Disney publicly showcased for one of the first times how the game will actually work and how it will use Kinect to make the experience unbelievable and surreal. During D23, Harmonix and Disney showed us a look at how the game was developed and Harmonix released the latest trailer for their upcoming motion game Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved. “The Evolution of Disney Fantasia,” gives us a glimpse at the history behind the animated classic, as well as a fresh look at the new game in action.

In addition, it’s been announced that award-winning composer Inon Zur will be contributing original music for the game. Zur, of course, has worked on numerous franchises including Dragon Age, Price of Persia, and many more. The game will also feature over 30 tracks from popular artists such as Bruno Mars, and Queen. Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved is currently scheduled for release in 2014, exclusively on Xbox One and Xbox 360 with Kinect.

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Following Fantasia, Disney showcased more about Disney Infinity and announced a huge lineup of new characters coming to the Infinity Universe in the next year. New characters coming to Disney Infinity include:

  • Jessie (Toy Story)
  • Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
  • Sheriff Woody (Toy Story)
  • Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
  • Wreck-It Ralph (Wreck-It Ralph)
  • Vanellope Von Schweetz (Wreck-It Ralph)
  • Phineas Flynn (Phineas and Ferb)
  • Perry the Platypus (Phineas and Ferb)
  • Rapunzel (Tangled)
  • Anna (Frozen)
  • Elsa (Frozen)
  • Sorcerer Mickey (Fantasia)

Jessie, Buzz, and Woody will be included in a “Toy Story Playset” while Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope will be in a “Wreck-It Ralph Playset” while Anna and Elsa will be in a “Frozen Playset”. The rest of the characters will be sold separately.

Fantasia: Music Evolved will be available in 2014 while Disney Infinity is available now.

Source: A Wild Podcast Appears

VIDEO: Full “The Magic of Mystic Manor” Presentation from the D23 Expo

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Since opening earlier this year, Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland has garnered rave reviews from guests and has been deemed an “instant classic” Disney attraction. At the 2013 D23 Expo, Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Mark Schirmer pulled back the curtain on this amazing new Disney attraction with a presentation. Discussing the innovative ride system, the mysterious music box, and a mischievous monkey named Albert, this panel goes in-depth on every aspect of the ride from start to finish.

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Here, in full, is the “Mayhem, Mischief, and Monkeys: The Magic of Mystic Manor” presentation from the D23 Expo recorded August 9, 2013:

Germany Pavilion at Epcot Gets New Flavors & Major Menu Changes

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Most people think of knockwurst and sauerkraut at the mention of  “German food,”  but with a nod to healthier eating, Chef Wade Camerer at the Biergarten Restaurant has introduced  a few new flavors for this Autumn season. Starting September 1st, the Germany Pavilion will be featuring bright seasonal vegetables and fruits, soups and has added a few new dishes to the menu at both the Biergarten Restaurant and the quick-service restaurant, Sommerfest. Sommerfest will be introducing a new dish called currywurst, which is a tasty sliced sausage topped with a savory curry ketchup, served with a paprika potato chip.

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In addition to the currywurst, Sommerfest will also be serving  a grilled leberkaese, or German meatloaf Reuben, served with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.

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Lastly, Sommerfest is catering to kids with the favorite,  Nudel Gratin, or mac and cheese. All of these new featured dishes at Sommerfest are on the Dining Plan.

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Chef Camerer says that Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmannn, a native of Germany, as well as sous chef Hans Groeger, have both been an inspiration and benchmarks for authenticity. They have made it their mission to serve original tastes of Germany. “Guests often think of German food as one style,” says Dahlmann. “We want to show the diversity of cuisine from Germany’s many regions.” In the Biergarten Restaurant, the buffet serves up many dishes from across the country. From Bavaria to Rhineland, the buffet offers samplings such as leberkäse (meatloaf) with sweet mustard and potato dumplings. Chef Camerer says that for the Autumn season, the veggies will switch to carrots, parsnips, Swiss chard, and he’s adding a cheese course with German cheeses and pretzel bread croutons. He’s also adding a selection of smoked meats to the buffet, including smoke hams and liverwurst. Chef Dahlmann also requested his childhood favorite, chicken fricassee, be added to the buffet lineup, a true comfort food with chicken, mushrooms and peas in a creamy sauce served over rice.

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Using authentic ingredients in the dishes, like pickles imported from Germany, and serving freshly-made apple strudel, makes dining at the Biergarten Restaurant a genuine experience for their guests.

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You will be needing to loosen your lederhosen after trying all of these new flavors at the new German Pavilion! Which new dish will you try?      

Disneyland Visitors to Meet and Greet With THOR This Fall

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

This year, Disneyland has given visitors an up-close look at the technology of Iron Man at Innoventions. Continuing with that precedent, the park announced this week that Thor from the upcoming Thor: The Dark World, which will be released November 8, will be visiting with guests in Asgard this fall.

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Where exactly Asgard might be at Disneyland Park is anyone’s guess, but we’re putting our money on Fantasyland in the “it’s a small world” area.

This meet-and-greet will mark the first appearance by a Marvel meet-and-greet character in a Disney theme park.

Stay tuned to WDWNT for more details when they are announced by Disney in September.

The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Re-Opens September 9th

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Disney’s Contemporary Resort announces the Grand Re-Opening date for the California Grill – September 9th! Guests will be able to call for reservations starting August 26th.

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The California Grill’s metamorphosis comes with a new look for the dining room, complete with a modern California design and a decor with fresh colors of oranges and yellows. Artwork adorns the walls; artwork by Disney Legend Mary Blair will please guests and Disney fans alike. Her artwork designs are even incorporated into the carpets!

In the lobby, an impressive wine display houses 1,600 bottles of wine. In the dining room, two new communal tables, with seating for 10, will be positioned at the north end of the dining room for optimal fireworks viewing.

And as before, the fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom will still dazzle guests nightly. In addition to the giant windows along the outer walls of the restaurant, there are now two outdoor fireworks viewing areas  – one on the northwest side, and another new deck on the southwest side.

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Seasonal ingredients will be the highlight on the new menu, as well as flat breads cooked in the wood-burning oven. Chef Piasecki will also be using the ovens for entrees such as baked prawns with charred lemon and savory meatballs with orzo.

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But don’t fret, your longtime favorites, such as the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, has been transformed into Pork Two Ways – grilled tenderloin and  pork belly, with goat cheese polenta and mushrooms. Another favorite, the oak-fired filet of beef, makes a return, accompanied with heirloom tomato risotto, marinated tomatoes and basil.

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At the new sushi bar, the new omakase menu includes 12 courses of seafood —  and all courses are the chef’s choice! Each night, guests will be surprised with the sushi chef’s heavenly creations.  The sushi menu may also feature ama ebi (sweet shrimp) tempura, lobster sashimi, crunchy Japanese bone marrow with sesame beef tartare and red onion marmalade, and spicy-crusted oysters.

To accompany these tempting entrees, guests can choose from 250 choices of wines, 10 types of sake, and 8 varieties of craft beers and ciders. The California Grill, of course, still has its own unique signature cocktail list that are only available on site.

The restaurant opens daily at 5 p.m. For reservations, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE (3463).

Will you be there for the Grand Re-Opening?

“Limited Time Magic” Brings End-Of-Summer Parties to Walt Disney World & Disneyland

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

What’s the best way to end the summer season? With a party, of course! Walt Disney World  and Disneyland just announced more “Limited Time Magic” with end-of-summer parties at both resorts.

Starting on Monday, “Limited Time Magic” presents a rockin’ celebration at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, between Space Mountain and the Carousel of Progress. This celebration will feature Disney’s canine friends, Pluto, Bolt, Dug — all with dance along to music spun by DJ K-9. Even Lilo’s “dog,” Stitch, will stop by to crank things up a bit. This dance party will only happen for a limited time, from August 26th – September 1st.

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Disneyland is also having their share of fun during the same week — at the Paradise Pier at the Disney California Adventure Park. Like the last summer days at the beach, Paradise Pier will be celebrating with boardwalk-style acts and a variety of your favorite Disney characters ready to party with you.

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How will you be celebrating the end of the summer?

PHOTOS: Blue Sky Cellar Now Previews Starbucks Market House & Aulani Expansion

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Over at Disney California Adventure, the Blue Sky Cellar was updated over the weekend with new information and concept art for 2 Walt Disney Imagineering projects. The first project is the Market House over at Disneyland Park which will soon also be a Starbucks location. The second project is the expansion for Disney’s Aulani in Hawaii. We’ve got some photos provided by fans of the site, Kris Eijan and Sabrina Soler, who were in Disney California Adventure over the weekend:

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A look at the Market House at Disneyland

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It is confirmed that the stove and the party-line phones will remain and be part of the seating area

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The expansion at Aulani features a new water play area

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Two new dining locations on the way to Aulani

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Both are counter service locations

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So, what do you think of these two upcoming projects and these updates to the Blue Sky Cellar?

Dirk Wallen’s 8/24/13 WDW (Magic Kingdom & Epcot) Photo Report

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Saturday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the pavement outside of the Emporium

Work is wrapping up on this facade across the street on Uptown Jewelers

The Haunted Mansion no longer gives you a choice, if you go stand-by, you go through the interactive queue

Tarps still up at the former Fantasyland restrooms

The marquee and signage for Princess Fairytale Hall has finally gone up

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train attraction

Still a bit messy in there…

It’s looking better every day

Some new details emerging over the walls

While not open yet, the new food stand near Triton’s Treasures and across from The Little Mermaid is out from behind walls

This stand will specialize in healthier options, but will have 5 flavors of shaved ice!

Moving over to Epcot, they are still fixing up some sections of Leave a Legacy

Walls are up outside of Project Tomorrow, near Spaceship Earth

The seating area in Innoventions West is back without any changes made… seems it was just temporary office space

The Segway area is still closed with no signs of life or replacement

“Unleash the Villains” on September 13th to Include New Fireworks Spectacular

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

We finally have some details on the “Unleash the Villains” event being held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Friday, September 13th from 8PM-1AM EST. The focal point of the event will be the stage in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat which will be turned into “Hades’ Hangout” for the evening. Being dubbed “The Hottest Club North of The Underworld”, Hades will host a party with his henchmen, dancers, interactive DJ, and house band.

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The 13 villain meet and greets will be hosted around the stage area, offering guests a chance to meet and greet with their favorite Disney baddies.

At midnight, the festivities on the ground will pause for a brand-new fireworks show called “Villainy in the Sky” will be performed above the Sorcerer’s Hat.

So, what do you think about this special event coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios?