PHOTOS & VIDEO: Mickey & Minnie Move Into Adventurers Outpost at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

With the closure of Camp Minnie-Mickey eminent, we were promised a new home for Mickey and Minnie somewhere in Animal Kingdom a few months ago. The location turned out to be the former Beastly Bazaar shop that reopened today after some delay as Adventurers Outpost, supposedly Mickey and Minnie’s exploration headquarters. Take a look:

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The entrance

A temporary sign in place until the entire experience is complete

The interior queue

There are many pictures of Mickey and Minnie out on adventurers through the queue

This is one fo the two holding rooms. There are two rooms where guests can meet Mickey and Minnie, however the second room was not ready for guests today

The actual meet and greet has Mickey and Minnie in front of a large map with some assorted travel gear and knick-knacks strewn across the room

The map is a really nice backdrop

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We were the very first guests to ever meet Mickey and Minnie here, so I thought I would break tradition and include a personal picture

Here is a very short video walkthrough of the queue and meet and greet we took as the first guests to enter Adventurers Outpost. Sorry if it seems a bit rushed, but we were the first to enter and there was no line to force us to stop along the way in the queue:

So, what do you think of Mickey and Minnie’s new home at Animal Kingdom?

Tom Corless’ 5/11-14/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

On Saturday and Tuesday I visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (respectively) and took some newsworthy photos to share with you, so let’s take a look:

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The canopy is missing from the Haunted Mansion

Should be back soon

work progresses on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train in Fantasyland

The steak sandwich is gone from the Be Our Guest lunch menu, replaced with a prime chuck roast beef sandwich

For some reason, a Disney Visa card kiosk has been built near the Haunted Mansion

Signage for A Pirate’s Adventure has been uncovered

Pins are once again gone from Uptown Jewelers, replaced with ladies’ accessories

Moving over to Hollywood Studios, the Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket from Cars Land is being used at Backlot Express as a healthy meal bucket

Some of the new Haunted Mansion merchandise was released at Villains in Vogue, including this new shirt

New Haunted Mansion pillow

The Darth Maul face painting ad for Star Wars Weekends was turned into a t-shirt

Legends of Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard is now a store for women’s and girl’s accessories and apparel

Starting this week, there is a flash-mob with Disney characters being performed in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat daily at 3:30PM

Some new Star Wars pins came out a little early

A number of new or updated hats have been released sporting a new “Graphic Edge Collection” tag

Found a cute new tumbler at the Boardwalk

Boardwalk Bakery has some great options for breakfast

They now also have Mickey-shaped muffins!!!

I found more new hats at Beach Club

A new purchase-with-purchase watch is available featuring Sorcerer Mickey

Class of 2013 merchandise is also now available

24 Hours of Fun and Entertainment in Three Disney Parks

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Disney has given us a sneak peek into the entertainment schedule for the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and California Adventure for the special 24 hour event on May 24th, 2013.

We’re just one week away from our next Limited Time Magic event, the huge Disney ParksMonstrous Summer All-Nighter on May 24! Pam Brandon and Steven Miller will be along later to share details about some of the great food and merchandise you can expect to find, but first I’d like to tell you more about the special entertainment we have in store.

Everything kicks-off with special opening moments in front of the parks, leading up to 6 a.m., and then you’re off and running for 24 hours of fun!* Many of your usual favorite characters and shows will be happening throughout the day, but we also have some extra things planned just for this event.

At Magic Kingdom Park, Mike and Sulley from this summer’s new Disney•Pixar film “Monsters University” will pop in to “scare up” some excitement at the “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!” Street Party, and serve as Grand Marshals during a special pre-parade, complete with a cheer squad, flag corps and a marching band playing the MU Fight Song! You can catch this procession just ahead of each of that day’s two performances of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” Parade. In Tomorrowland, the Rockettower Plaza Stage plays host to a “Monster Mania” DJ Dance Party from 4 – 9 p.m. and “Monsters University Movie Night” from 11 p.m. – 5 a.m., featuring back-to-back showings of the original “Monsters, Inc.” and an opportunity to meet Mike and Sulley! Finally, you can dance the night away at Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party at Cinderella Castle, keeping things lively from 2 – 5:45 a.m.

At Disneyland Resort, the fun spreads out across two Disney Parks! Disney California Adventure park is having a Hollywood Viewing Party, screening “Monsters, Inc.” inside Muppets Theater and hosting Mad T Party outside inHollywood Land. Both start at 9 p.m. and continue through the night. Elsewhere, the “Monsters University” gang will be out and about with the new MU float from the Pixar Play Parade, happy to pose for pictures with you.

Disneyland park celebrates with a Disney Character Pajama Party, starting after midnight in Mickey’s Toontownwith classic Disney cartoons, a Mickey Mouse Party Zone with DJ and activities for kids, plus goodies available for purchase, like hot chocolate, milk and cookies and other treats. Over in Tomorrowland, there will be Star Warscharacters to meet and the TLT “Monstrous” Dance Club at Tomorrowland Terrace, where you can keep the party going from midnight to 5:30 a.m.

During the All-Nighter, the Royal Theatre at Fantasy Faire hosts a Royal Swing Ball, with a live band from 10 p.m. – 1:40 a.m., and beginning June 15 the “Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party” will return to the Royal Theatre for select nights during the summer. Keep an eye on the calendar page on Disneyland.com for dates and information.

So whether you’re heading to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort for the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter, you’re in for a monster-sized good time!

Please note that the parks will be open between Friday, May 24th, 2013 at 6:00 AM to Saturday, May 25th, 2013 at 6:00 AM and entrance is subject to capacity.

 

 

Special Eats Part of Monstrous All-Nighter Fun at Disney Parks

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Unique food, treats and snacks are being added to many locations around the Disneyland Resort for the Monstrous all-nighter event and Disney is sharing a few of these items to whet our appetite.

Of course the Disney chefs had to get in on the Memorial Day weekend fun to kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park, Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24, to 6 a.m. May 25, – which gives us 24 hours to nosh our way through the delightful bites.

We won’t give away all the ideas the chefs have planned, but here are a few:

                                                              

The cupcake craze gets a nod at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park, with a chocolate cupcake topped with tasty “Monsters University” sweets. And we can’t resist the “Eye Scream Sundae” at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Plaza Restaurant in two flavors – mint chocolate chip or strawberry.

The Launching Pad in Tomorrowland will have two theme drinks, Randall’s Suds and Mike’s Punch.

At the Disneyland Resort, tasty treats are everywhere. From a steak and eggs breakfast at Carnation Café in Disneyland park to a Monster Nacho Dog at Award Weiners at Disney California Adventure park, there are dozens of creations added to menus. We expect lots of guests will be looking for early-morning eats, like the breakfast pizza at Redd’s Pizza Port with eggs, chorizo, roasted tomatillos, mozzarella and pico de gallo. Blue Bayou is adding roasted bourbon shrimp stuffed with Dungeness crab mousse served with spinach, pasta and smoked tomato-habanero-artichoke sauce. Café Orleans has decadent bananas Foster French toast, or, if you must behave, fresh fruit with yogurt and granola.

For breakfast goodies at Disney California Adventure park, Golden Vine Winery Trattoria has a Wine Country breakfast with scrambled eggs, herbed potatoes, biscuit, bacon or sausage and fruit; or spinach frittata made with egg whites. For around-the-clock eating, the potstickers are back at Lucky Fortune Cookery, or head to Pacific Wharf Café for a hearty loaded baked potato soup in a fresh sourdough bread bowl.

Oh, there’s so much more, like the mac-and-cheese flatbread pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, or the Monstrous Open-Face Turkey Sandwich at Flo’s V-8 Café (brioche piled high with turkey and topped with gravy, cranberry marmalade on the side).

Come hungry, and you can bet there are plenty of delicious eats to keep you going around the clock.

Attending a 24 hour event may be just cause for being tired, but one thing is for sure, you won’t be hungry.

‘Eye-mazing’ Merchandise for Monstrous Summer All-Night Party on May 24, 2013

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

I can’t wait for the upcoming all-night party that will kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks on May 24, 2013. I had a blast at last year’s 24-hour party with my fiancée, so I imagine this one will be even more “eye-mazing!” As part of Limited Time Magic, Disney Theme Park Merchandise has created some commemorative items featuring Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, stars of Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film “Monsters University.” Here are some things you can expect starting May 24.

We will have a new logo shirt featuring Mike, created just for the 24 hour party. The shirts will be similar on each coast except for a small logo change on the sleeve (either “Magic Kingdom” for guests in Florida or “Disneyland Resort” for guests in California). This shirt will also be offered on our Disney Parks online store from May 24-27 at http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents. (Please note that items will be shipped in 6-8 weeks from time of order.)

My favorite items are the Sulley-inspired Disney ear hat (it’s furry!) and Mike’s one-eyed novelty sunglasses. We will also be offering an embroidered Disney ear hat with a “Monstrous Summer” logo that day.

The apparel, ear hats and sunglasses will be released at the Emporium and select locations in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. At Disneyland Resort, look for these items in Emporium at Disneyland park and Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park, among other select locations.

The Consumables team will offer some treats inspired by Mike and Sulley, including blue and green cotton candy, cake pops, and decorative candy apples. My favorite (mostly because they gave me a sample to try) is the delicious cupcake complete with green icing and a chocolate logo square. Look for select goodies in locations like the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, Candy Palace at Disneyland park or Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure park.

All of these items will be available for a “limited time” only beginning May 24, while supplies last.

Finally, I invite you to follow the Disney Parks Blog on May 24, as I will be traveling coast-to-coast to party in three Disney Parks that day. I look forward to seeing friends on both the east and west coasts! If you are in the parks, please say hello!

Looks like the Disneyland Resort will have you covered from head to toe with merchandise and limited time gear, and well fed too.

VIDEO: A “Galaxy” of Excitement & Surprises in Hyperspace Hoopla 2013

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

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As always, the highlight of Star Wars Weekends this year was the Hyperspace Hoopla show at the end of the day, featuring the always popular “Dance Off With the Star Wars Stars”. The show this year was excellent in my opinion and the surprise ending was one of the cooler moments in the history of the show. Take a look for yourself:

So, what do you think of this year’s Hyperspace Hoopla?

Dirk Wallen’s 5/13-5/20/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen has been all over the Walt Disney World theme parks over the last week and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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We begin at Downtown Disney

To Pleasure Island while it is still a thing…

While nothing is going on at Adventurer’s Club…

Walls are already up for Disney Springs at the former Comedy Warehouse

The walls from inside Pleasure Island

Work happening at the Sassagoula boat dock on Pleasure Island

It’s closed, so you have to get off at Marketplace

Soon this will be The Landing

The Truckeria taco truck is at Downtown Disney

Not sure how long this has been a thing, but there is a snow-cone cart in Marketplace

They also have glazed nuts

Some new pins are out at Pin Traders, including this Remember When Figment & Dreamfinder pin

Toy Story Mania 5th anniversary pin

The pin trading nights pins are still available

Moving over to Epcot, Character Spot is still closed, but we can see a new sign where the entrance will likely now be

I have seen the kid’s shirt before, but the adult “I conquered the world” shirt looks new to me

Some work going on in  the queue for Turtle Talk

Walls still up at the Norway pavilion waterfall

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

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

The new France pavilion ice cream parlor is set to open next month

Moving to Studios, the Monsters Inc. meet and greet is closed until the 24th to become a Monsters University meet and greet

Current progress on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

A lot of work to be done near the resort entrance still

The 24 hour day is on the Magic Kingdom times guide

The Adventureland Veranda is still behind tarps

Signage is uncovered at A Pirate’s Adventure

Tarps still up at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments

The Liberty Bell is no longer behind walls and looks great

It has seemed like forever since we have seen the facade at Columbia Harbour House…

Work continues on the former Fantasyland restrooms near Peter Pan

No visible progress on Princess Fairytale Hall

More rock-work appearing on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Still a lot of work to be done over here

The Mad Tea Party is still closed

VIDEO: Laser Effects Return to DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom After 15 Years

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

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The DINOSAUR attraction at Animal Kingdom has been somewhat notorious for vanishing effects since it opened as Countdown to Extinction in April 1998. Some of the more fabled effects were laser-related and were located at the very beginning and end of the attraction. Well, for some reason, laser effects returned to the ride this week:

So, what do you think of the return of the laser effects at DINOSAUR?

The Villas at the Grand Floridian Go On Sale This Week!

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

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For those of you wondering when you might be able to buy into the Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, it will be May 23rd for DVC members and June 19th for non-members:

This video also provides our first-look inside a model villa.

So, what do you think of the Villas at the Grand Floridian?

Downtown Disney District Extended Hours for Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

The Disneyland Resort has posted operating hours for entertainment, restaurants, food carts and merchandise stores at Downtown Disney. In addition to both California Adventure and Disneyland, Downtown Disney will be open, and some locations will continue operating all night.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks aren’t the only places to have a monstrous time during
this Friday’s all-nighter at the Disneyland Resort … the Downtown Disney District is also getting in on the fun with extended hours and more. Check it out

Restaurants, Food Carts and Quick Service Locations:
Downtown Disney District restaurants will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 (excluding ESPN Zone)
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express will be open until 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
Special extended hours at ESPN Zone
The Arena – open until 3 a.m.
The 19th Hole Bar – alcohol available until 1 a.m.
Non-alcoholic drinks served until 3 a.m.
Limited food menu served until 1 a.m.
“1/2 price” special on all Arena games from 12-3 a.m.
House of Blues and Tortilla Jo’s will open for breakfast at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25

The following will be open 24 hours on May 24-25:
Café Renee
Planet Popcorn
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Jamba Juice
La Brea Bakery Express

The following will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25:
Wetzel’s Pretzels Cart
Gelato Cart
Churro Carts
Merchandise Stores and Carts

Downtown Disney District stores will be open 24 hours on May 24-25
Merchandise carts will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
Live Entertainment
6–10 p.m. – Downtown Disney District live entertainment
11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Wendy on the Main Stage
11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Justin at House of Blues area
For more information, click here, and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Disney24.

Looks like the entire Disneyland Resort will be open for ’round the clock fun.