PHOTOS: Main Street Bakery Serving Starbucks Holds Limited Soft-Opening

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Earlier today, the Main Street Bakery held a limited soft-opening as they prepare to open with Starbucks items to serve guests on Tuesday. We were lucky enough to be a part of that test today and I managed to take some photos of the largely remodeled Main Street Bakery at the Magic Kingdom for you to enjoy:

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There are Starbucks bags in the window

They were using vouchers to manage guests and what they could order

A look at the breakfast menu

The Starbucks drink menu

A look around inside

They still sell plenty of pastries

There are no more seats, but there are a few counters you can eat at

The walls are well-decorated

There are some hidden Starbucks mermaids in the bakery

They sell bags of Starbucks coffee… yep…

So, what do you think of new look for the Main Street Bakery at the Magic Kingdom?

Tom Corless’ 6/5-6/15/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

This photo report may be a bit late, but I figured it was better lat than never. I have been all over the Walt Disney World parks the last few days and I have taken a lot of photos, so let’s look at what is new and noteworthy at the Vacation Kingdom of the World:

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A ton of new merchandise has been released at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Window decal

Magnet

Mug

Shot-glass… I mean toothpick holder

I really like the artwork a lot

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, there are some new hats for sale in the Emporium

Those are… different…

There is now a trading box just for Park Starz Vinylmation at Frontierland Trading Outpost

A strange wall up in Liberty Square, somewhat near the Haunted Mansion

The canopy was recently replaced in the Haunted Mansion queue

Some work is taking place on the second level of Grizzly Hall, so the Country Bear Jamboree sign is down

You can now get a frozen root beer slush at Pecos Bill’s

More importantly, you can get it in a Lone Ranger boot-shaped cup!

It’s actually quite big

Tarps are down at Princess Fairytale Hall, but we still can’t see much…

Work continues on the much-anticipated Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train attraction

A section on the back of the mountain is out from behind walls

It serves as stroller parking for Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Triton’s Treasures looks like it might open very soon

The path to Storybook Circus from Mermaid is now officially open all the time

There is stroller parking for Ariel’s Grotto as well

A look at the other side of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

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Moving to Epcot, that new food cart that never opened has now been ripped down again…

I’m not really sure what the deal is with this kiosk and if it will ever actually open

One of the escalators in The Land is being repaired

The Mickey made of hops is growing in nicely at Living with the Land

With the escalator broken, the backstage area near Soarin’ is being used to exit guests out of the bottom floor of The Land

Cool

It dumps guests out by the Imagination! restrooms

There are some cool attraction poster magnets being sold now

Some new iPhone 5 cases have been released, including Oswald

New Grumpy case for the iPhone 4S

“Mine!” case for the iPhone 5

New Mickey case for the iPhone 5

There was a new Star Tours case for the iPhone 4S and 5 out at Tatooine Traders a few days ago, but last we checked it had sold out for the 5

Staying at Studios, FastPass+ signage about to go up at Disney Junior

Some props and costumes from Oz: The Great and Powerful are now on display at the AFI Showcase

There is a wacky souvenir cup that comes in two sizes now available at Backlot Express….

The Monsters University topiary from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has found its way to the front of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the Monstrous Summer

Going back to Epct, they have changed the tarps for Spice Road Table in Morocco to photo tarps that blend in

Work continues on the new, larger restrooms at the American Adventure

There are some cool Summer Vacation shirts now on sale

Going back to the Magic Kingdom, the FastPass+ entrance at “it’s a small world” is ready to go

The normal entrance now has a stand-by entrance sign

A more recent look at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

A metal wall has risen where the track appeared over the construction walls in the back of the mountain

You can now purchase your own Gaston’s Tavern sign at Bonjour Village Gifts

PHOTOS: Very First MagicBand Accessories Go On Sale To Guests

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Since some guests staying at Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Contemporary Resort are currently testing out MagicBands as part of MyMagic+, Disney decided to go ahead and try to start selling those guests accessories for their MagicBands:

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Here is the display currently at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Some example decorated MagicBands are on display

These are CoverBands, they cover the entire MagicBand

A Pirates of the Caribbean CoverBand

There are also 3-packs of CoverBands for sale

These are MagicBandits, and no, they don’t steal things…

A few different varieties for sale

Phineas and Ferb, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Tinker Bell MagicBandits

These are MagicSliders, they go on the band and around the Mickey icon touch point on the bands

While MagicBand has not been rolled out to a majority of guests yet, it sure is interesting that you can buy accessories already. Stay tuned as more information becomes available on the actual rollout of MagicBand to guests.

So, what do you think? Do you like the idea of MagicBand accessories? What characters or designs would you like to see?

Dirk Wallen’s 6/18/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The Villas at the Grand Floridian are starting to match the Grand Floridian skyline

They are racing towards an October opening

Work continues on the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

The first awnings for the bus loop have started to appear

Yep…

Tarps still up on the Adventureland Veranda

It looks like A Pirate’s Adventure is going to have FastPass+ at some point

Guests can’t board at the Frontierland Railroad Station currently as they work on the stairs

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments… say it with me… IS STILL BEHIND TARPS

Walls still up on the waterfront in Liberty Square

FastPass+ entrance at “it’s a small world” ready for testing this week

You can now buy your own Gaston’s Tavern sign at Bonjour Village Gifts

Sip a ‘Lone Ranger’ Slush at Disney Parks to Celebrate Film Release July 3

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

The Disneyland Resort (and the Magic Kingdom) has something tasty and refreshing planned to commemorate the launch of the Lone Ranger on July 3rd.

A root beer slush in a cool Lone Ranger souvenir boot is just a little reminder of the July 3 premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Lone Ranger” American action-adventure western comedy film.

Found only at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom Park for $8.99 (3.99 without the souvenir boot). However, if you are visiting Disneyland park, be sure to visit the Golden Horseshoe for a Root Beer Float in the Lone Ranger souvenir boot starting tomorrow.

The new movie stars actor Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp as Tonto, the proud American-Indian warrior. (We expect Depp’s version will have a dry sense of humor with Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.)

We’ll sip our root beer slush and patiently wait for July 3!

VIDEO: Hands-On with the Upcoming Disney Infinity Video Game

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

While at Car Masters Weekend last week, I was lucky enough to be amongst the first to get a hands-on demo of the highly anticipated Disney Infinity video game that will be coming out in August. If you haven’t heard about the game at this point, you have probably been living under a rock.

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Here’s a video of the few minutes of playtime I got while attending the event:

Honestly, the amount of time I got to play Disney Infinity was not enough to form a real opinion of the game. There’s just so much more to it and all I really did was play through the introductory Cars mission. What I can say is that the figures for the game are wonderfully produced and look really great, the voice acting in the game is spot-on, and the one mission I played was enjoyable enough that I would like to play some more. Hopefully we will get to see a little more of the game before it is released in a few weeks.

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Oh yeah… we did get a free figure for going to the demo which was pretty cool!

So, what do you think of Disney Infinity so far?

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Downtown Disney’s Rainforest Cafe Adds Erupting Volcano and Lava Bar

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

After many months of construction, the new volcano on the Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney building was finally completed recently. Much to our surprise, the restaurant now features an erupting volcano! The show takes place in the evening and is best viewed after dark every half-hour starting at 8:30PM (this will probably be an earlier time once we slip into the Winter months). Along with the Volcano, the restaurant also added a new Lava Bar on the outside of the establishment. Photos taken by Joe Hogarty, video by Tom Corless:

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The new volcano smokes during the day

At night it is really stunning

There is a new animatronic crocodile at the base

The glowing lava is a nice touch

The LAva Lounge is down a path through the volcano, but is really just attached to the side of the building and not the volcano

The bar is nice, but the seating area is fairly plain

IT’S GONNA BLOW!

Crowds gather to watch the 2-minute eruption

 

 

Here is our video of the volcano and Lava Bar featuring the full eruption show:

Personally, I think this is a great addition to Downtown Disney. The Lava Bar is fairly standard, but the volcano is definitely of Disney quality and will fit nicely into the new vision of Disney Springs. In a town of many theme parks, it is kind of surprising that the only erupting volcano is in a shopping area, but I think it is offerings like this that will make Disney Springs stand out from other similar venues in town.

What do you think? Is the volcano eruption worth a trip to Downtown Disney? Does this excite you for more Disney Springs changes?

“Teen Beach Movie” Beach Party Now Running at Typhoon Lagoon

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

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Starting Monday, June 24, guests of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park can enjoy a taste of the new Disney Channel Original Movie “Teen Beach Movie” as part of Limited Time Magic.

Running at various times throughout each day through Sept. 1, “Teen Beach Movie”: Dance Party will feature a hip DJ spinning remixes of retro tunes, beach-y-themed games and some really rad “bikers” and “surfers” to party with guests as they dance away the dog days. Taking over part of Typhoon Lagoon’s main beach and wave pool area, guests can participate in relays on the sand, hula hoop spinning, water balloon and beach ball tossing, and the grooviest dance moves this side of Mt. Mayday.

“Teen Beach Movie,” a modern take on classic beach party movies, premieres Friday, July 19, on Disney Channel. Starring are Ross Lynch (of Disney Channel’s “Austin & Ally” and Hollywood Records’ R5) and Maia Mitchell (ABC Family’s “The Fosters”) as Brady and McKenzie, surfers who take the last wave of summer, one that mysteriously takes them into a classic beach party movie, Wet Side Story. Brady and McKenzie must try to return to present day, but their lives may be changed forever when they inadvertently change the movie’s romantic storyline.

What do you think of this new offering at Typhoon Lagoon for the summer?

Dirk Wallen’s 6/27/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Animal Kingdom, the Villas at the Grand Floridian, and Epcot earlier today and took some great photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Starting at Animal Kingdom, Kodak signage is gone from the Camera Center

With FastPass+ currently testing, It’s Tough to be a Bug once again has a FastPass queue

There are still some construction walls up under the Tree of Life, meaning they are still installing nets under it

Wow, they’ve caught plenty of stuff…

Over at Camp Minnie-Mickey, this theater is still just stroller parking

Since it isn’t closing in this location just yet, they are using FastPass+ at Festival of the Lion King

Pocahontas has moved into one of the greeting trails at Camp Minnie-Mickey

Chip and Dale have moved into another

Work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater in Africa

Still not much to see

Work is wrapping up on the FastPass+ queue at Finding Nemo: The Musical

The signage is now up

Leaving Animal Kingdom, work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

I’m not crazy about the plain white sides, but I’ll hold my judgement until the building is finished

Scaffolding is down on the water side and it looks fantastic

Work continues on the new bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

More turnstile conversions happening at Epcot

The middle section that is typically the exit is walled-off

Some touch-point entrances are going to be here soon

In other news, they are still patching up the landscaping from the Flower and Garden Festival

Special military performances coming to the Disneyland Resort for Independence Day!

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

In celebration of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, several groups will be making special guest visits to the Disneyland Resort including the 3rd Marine Air Wing Band from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Joining us on July 4th is the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Miramar, Calif., who will help retire the colors at Disneyland park during the flag retreat ceremony in Town Square at 5:30 p.m. They also will perform a full concert at 7:15 p.m. at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

On July 4th at Disney California Adventure park, the Concert Band of the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest will perform at 4 p.m. on the Palisades Stage (“World of Color” viewing area stage). This performance will mark the first military concert held at Disney California Adventure park on Independence Day.

Several acts from the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest also will perform throughout next week, as follows. Below is a complete schedule of the military acts and where and when they will be performing.

Monday, July 1

  • At Disneyland park, the Dixieland Tailgaters will perform on the French Market Stage in New Orleans Square at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
  • At Disney California Adventure park, rock out with Global Strike in Paradise Gardens at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2

  • At Disneyland park, the sax quintet Golden Tones will perform in Town Square at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  • At Disney California Adventure park, enjoy Latin Salsa with Fuego Azule at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 4

  • At Disneyland park, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band will be part of the flag retreat ceremony in Town Square at 5:30 p.m. and perform at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree at 7:15 p.m.
  • At Disney California Adventure park, the Concert Band of the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest will perform at 4 p.m. on the Palisades Stage (World of Color viewing area stage).

Friday, July 5

  • At Disneyland park, the Jazz Ensemble of the Air National Guard Bands of the Southwest will perform at 5:30 p.m. at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

Here is a Teaser of the 3rd Marine Air Wing Band playing Mary Poppins music from 4th of July, 2012 at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

Come on down and celebrate the 4th of July the way it was meant to be celebrated.  At the Happiest Place on Earth.  I know i’ll be there!