Hitchhiking Ghost Card Coming to Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom at Halloween Parties

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Starting the opening night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom Park on September 10th, guests will be able to  pick up an event-exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game card!

This new Hitchhiking Ghost Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom spell card, in concert with other spell cards, enables players to guests join Merlin’s quest to defeat Disney Villains who are scheming to take over Magic Kingdom Park. This limited-edition spell card lets players use their supernatural power from the Haunted Mansion’s graveyard.

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When asked to “Cast Your Spell,” players can  use these three ghosts to frighten away any Disney villains they come across on their adventures.

This new Hitchhiking Ghost spell card will not be available in the regular card packs distributed daily at the Magic Kingdom Firehouse. Guests will be able to pick up card packs and the Hitchhiking Ghosts card only during the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, both at the Firehouse and the Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom location behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Guests will have to still register with their party ticket and event wristband to play and get their cards.

Are you a fan of the Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom game? How many spell cards do you have in your collection? Are you excited to add the Hitchhiking Ghost card to your available spells?

PHOTOS: FountainView at Epcot Re-Opens as Starbucks Location

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

FountainView at Epcot re-opened yesterday after several months of remodeling for the Starbucks takeover. Let’s take a look at this new location:

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The exterior keeps the round shape, but looks very different

At night, the signage is a different color depending on where you are looking at it from

Yes, there is a big Starbucks logo in Epcot…

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The menu is identical to the Main Street location, offering 4 breakfast sandwiches, assorted pastries, and drinks

The inside looks really sharp and has a feel very much like current Spaceship Earth or Test Track

An assortment of Starbucks products here as well

Overall, there is nothing really special about this location, but we think it looks really nice. Now the question is when is Starbucks coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom and where will they be going?

Joe Hogarty’s 8/29/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on August 29th and has some great photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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It’s Halloween at the Magic Kingdom

September 18th, Princess Fairytale Hall will finally open

Each of the 11 princesses has an icon on the facade

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction rolls along

Prince Eric’s Village Market has opened since this photo was taken

Triton’s Treasures is still being worked on

Hope you enjoyed this photo report!

New Fantasyland’s Princess Fairytale Hall Opens September 18th

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

The DisneyParks Blog shared with us today more details about the upcoming Meet-n-Greet opening in New Fantasyland at The Magic Kingdom. They officially announced that the Princess Fairytale Hall will be opening on September 18 for all guests to enjoy. Princess Fairytale Hall will feature two separate character experiences, guests will be able to choice between Cinderella and a visiting princess or Rapunzel and a visiting princess. Walt Disney Imagineering shared a video with a sneak peek at the new attraction with Imagineers Pam Rawlins and Jason Grandt.

Princess Fairytale Hall will feature a castle-like entrance, high ceilings and elegant wood-paneled rooms, the space will feature beautiful princess portraits, themed wallpaper, glittering stained glass windows and accessories that have been inspired by props seen in films like Cinderella and Tangled. Princess Fairytale Hall will feature Disney FASTPASS and Disney FastPass+.

“Glow with the Show” Mouse Ears Debut October 15th at Walt Disney World!

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

“Glow with the Show” mouse ears have been stunning guests at the Disneyland Resort for over a year now, but the magic is about to begin at Walt Disney World next month!

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Glow with the Show ears will debut first at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 15th to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Fantasmic!, and they’ll be glowing along with that show starting then. The ears will then operate along with Wishes! and Celebrate the Magic starting October 19th. Disney has also announced that the “Glow with the Show” ears will work with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights this coming holiday season.

In case you have never seen the “Glow with the Show” ears in action, here are full videos of World of Color and Fantasmic! at the Disneyland Resort using the technology:

So, are you excited about Glow with the Show mouse ears coming to Walt Disney World?

The Food Truck Craze Is Coming to Downtown Disney

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Calling all Walt Disney World Foodies!  Food trucks are all the rage these days, and now they are coming to Downtown Disney. These trucks will be rolling in later this Autumn.

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Chef James Kleinschmidt and Downtown Disney Area Manager for Food & Beverage, Matt Fisher, have been working together with the Walt Disney World Food & Beverage partners on the food truck concept. According to these two, there will be four food trucks, each truck to represent the essence of a different Disney Park.

The food trucks are:

“Enchanted Fare” — this food truck will serve favorites from Disney Parks; for example, Croque Monsieur from Magic Kingdom Park, Glass Noodle Salad from Hong Kong Disneyland and Hand-Dipped Corn Dogs from Disneyland Park.

“The World Showcase of Flavors” – this food truck is will include feature menu items from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, such as Grass-Fed Beef Sliders, Pierogies with Kielbasa and Lobster Rolls.

“Superstar Catering” — Meatballs will be the “star” of this food truck! A variety of meatball dishes, like the Lamb Meatball Flatbread with Tzatziki, will be showcased on this truck’s menu.

“Namaste Café” — this food truck will infuse a mix of spices into their menu items, such as Butter Chicken, Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs and Tandori Spiced Shrimp.

Are you a fan of the food truck craze? From which Downtown Disney food truck will you be sampling?

Joe Hogarty’s 9/10/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Hearing walls had come down around Princess Fairytale Hall in New Fantasyland, WDWNT reporter Joe Hogarty decided to visit the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday this week and he has a number fo newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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A beautiful day

work on the curb by the emporium is finished, so work has now moved across the street to the Confectionery

Walls came down around Princess Fairytale Hall, giving us a look at the gorgeous facade

A closer look at the 11 Princess shields on the facade

The exterior queue

Let’s move over to the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Plenty of workers up on the mountain

An Imagineer checking out some details

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Prince Eric’s Village Market is now open

This wall was recently completed on the back of the mountain

I wonder what the story is with these areas that look like someone broke through them

Another mine opening is now visible

Scary…

For the first time we can see an awning where we assume the entrance to the queue will be

The Jungle Cruise is closed for refurbishment, mostly queue modifications being made

Over at Pirates of the Caribbean…

A few weeks ago, these new boats arrived

They are very nice, but there are a few issues

First off, they are going down the flume awkwardly and taking on a lot of water

Secondly, the ruber on the front and back of the boats make an awful noise when they touch another boat… hopefully all of this will be resolved

Facade work still taking place on the Adventureland Veranda

Then and Now: Celebrating 58 Years at the Disneyland Resort, Part 1, 2 & 3

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Disney Parks Blog released images over the past few days in celebration of Disneyland’s 58th anniversary.  The images blend historical photo’s with current photo’s, and give a unique perspective of Disneyland.

The Disneyland Resort marks 58 years of history, change and growth on its anniversary next week, July 17. Through the years, one aspect of the Disneyland Resort that remains unchanged is the importance of our cast members to preserving Walt Disney’s vision.

To celebrate the anniversary on the Disney Parks Blog, this is the first of a three-part series blending historical images of our cast with photos of those who carry on Walt’s legacy today.

Then: Walt Disney poses for a photo with cast members at the Creole Café, now Café Orleans, in 1966.

Now: Café Orleans Lead Tammy Peterson poses in the same spot. She recalls, “As a kid, we would have to do chores to earn money to get to Disneyland. Now, I get to bring my grandkids.”

Continuing our three-part “Then & Now” series celebrating the 58th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort is this image of the Jungle Cruise.

Then: A Jungle Cruise skipper unloads a boat in 1965.

Now: Jungle Cruise Skipper Randy Grant carries out the same duty. “I’m enough of a dreamer that I understand the concept Walt had for the park,” Randy said. “I think he would be pleased that the Disneyland Resort is still growing. It proves his idea and his dream correct, that this is a place where people can be a kid no matter what age they are.”

Rounding out our three-part “Then & Now” series celebrating the 58th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort is this image of a Tom Sawyer Island River Raft journeying across the Rivers of America.

Then: Cast member Karen Marshall waves to guests in 1987.

Now: Karen Marshall, guest experience services, chats with Kevin Concepcion, Pirates Lair Rafts lead. Karen, who has worked at the Disneyland Resort since 1972, said, “I have many great memories from when I started working at Disneyland park so many years ago. Back then, I never could have imagined all of the changes that have taken place. It has been so much fun watching the Disneyland Resort grow and offer more amazing experiences for our guests to enjoy.”

Happy 58th birthday to the Happiest Place on Earth.  The orange grove that started it all.  Disneyland!

runDisney D2.3 Fun Run Through DCA to Lead D23 Expo 2013

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

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On Friday, August 9th, a runDisney D2.3 Fun Run will lead the way for the D23 Expo!

D23 members will have the opportunity to run through Disney’s California Adventure Park on a 2.3 mile fun run, preceding the opening of the D23 Expo. Runners taking part in this adventure will receive a shirt for participating, along with having the experience of running through a theme park, with Disney characters and other magical surprises along the way.

Says Faron Kelley, Director of Marketing for Disney Sports:

“runDisney is committed to helping people live a healthy and active lifestyle by providing races of various distances so the entire family can participate. It’s exciting to be part of the D23 Expo and to provide a memorable runDisney experience for some of the most passionate Disney fans in the world.”

This exciting opportunity will only be available to D23 members, participation will be limited, and you will need your D23 Membership number at time of registration. Starting the week of July 22nd, watch the Disney Parks Blog, runDisney on Facebook, and @runDisney & @DisneyD23 on Twitter, for details on how to register to be selected for the D2.3 Fun Run!

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For those of you who cannot make the D23 Expo, we’ve got you covered! WDW News Today will be there providing you with up-to-the-minute exclusive coverage of all the weekend’s events. So stay tuned to WDWNT.com.

Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company