Adam Roth’s 10/19/12 Downtown Disney Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Downtown Disney on Friday and has a few newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. Let’s take a look:

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FOOD TRUCK!

The new Characters in Flight balloon

California Adventure attraction posters are now available through “art on demand” at Art of Disney locations

Wreck-It Ralph merchandise available at World of Disney

A lot of this is stuff you can find at your local Disney Store

The shirt is unique to the parks… wonder if 1982 is an Epcot or Tron reference…

OCTOBERFEST!

Specialty drinks available

It’s “Fall at Downtown Disney”

Irish step-dancers are out by Raglan Road

It’s Fall!

More musicians entertain pretzel-filled guests

Recycled Not-So-Scary decorations all around

Adam sees seafood

Adam has an unnatural obsession with seafood…

See…

These food movie posters are pretty comical

My personal favorite

Dirk Wallen’s 10/19-10/21/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen did some park hopping this weekend, so let’s take a look at some newsworthy photos from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

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Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

Princess Fairytale Hall

Work continues on the upper-level of Village Haus

Work continues on the new restrooms coming to the former Skyway site

Modifications are taking place at “it’s a small world” related to new guest flow for when stroller parking once again moves next door at the old Skyway site

More metal guardrails are being installed on the Tomorrowland bridges

Magic Carpets of Aladdin is closed for refurbishment

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

EVEN THE WALLS HAVE WALLS!

Moving to Epcot, work continues on in Innoventions central

Still nothing up on the canopy at Test Track

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the facade of Legend of Jack Sparrow is looking much better than when we first checked in

A large mural of the circular map from “At World’s End” covers most of the soundstage

Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope will start greeting guests on October 28th

AWESOME

Guests can color while the meet and greet is being installed

Plenty of Wreck-It Ralph merchandise available at Mickey’s of Hollywood

children’s shirt

Most of this stuff can be picked up at your local Disney Store

Scented plush

Adam Roth’s 10/22/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and the surrounding resorts on Monday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on RFID turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom

Walls up on the other side too

Holy…

That’s more like it…

That isn’t Osh Popham…

These “black and white” plush have been out for a few months now

We look at Wreck-It Ralph stuff for the 40th time

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom shirts are selling well

Still gross…

Wow…

Magic Carpets of Aladdin closed for refurbishment

A lot of guests want to see mermaids!

Walls still up at the Crow’s Nest

Golden Oak Outpost closed

I’d rather not…

This would be why

Holy lines Batman

You know what doesn’t have lines?

The new, shorter Country Bear Jamboree!

It will never break 12 again…

Lobby wasn’t touched

The theater is another story

New lighting is quite noticeable

These guys look brand new

All of the bears got new fur and clothing

They look incredible

The bad part of all this is the cutting of much of the show

The Five Bear Rugs no longer sing “Devilish Mary”

“Fractured Folk Song” was also cut, then the song order was changed as well

Lines from some songs were even cut

HE LOOKS AWESOME!

A lot of dialogue was cut as well…

It’s great that the attraction was completely restored, but it’s a shame we had to lose so much of it

The Gaston’s Tavern mugs are being repurposed at Sleepy Hollow

I think it’s a neat idea

Work continues on the new restrooms on the former Skyway site

There’s a chimney

The construction walls now extend to the “it’s a small world” exit tarps

Tarps still up at Village Haus

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

Cast Member previews are currently taking place

Guests are confused! EVERYONE SAID IT WAS OPEN!

I hope something will be done with pavement land at some point

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

The exit test is still happening

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC addition

A beautiful sight at your wedding!

The parking lot is just about finished

Let’s head over to the Polynesian

RFID is in full use over here

Let’s go shopping

A lot of the 40th anniversary merchandise has been rebranded

Toothpick holders!

Let’s go eat

BACON CUPCAKES!

IT’S BACON! Well, not completely…

Adam had to get one…

A nice secluded spot to enjoy a Dole float

A look across the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian DVC

We have our first wall

I think it will blend nicely

Adam Roth’s 10/24/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday evening and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us, including New Fantasyland and our first look inside of the Be Our Guest Restaurant and how the counter service portion of the restaurant will operate. Let’s take a look:

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Frankenweenie merchandise available in Caribbean Plaza

Still not selling…

A Halloween collectible cup is now available at Sunshine Tree Terrace along with that Orange Bird thing…

Lights on inside Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Let’s check out Storybook Circus at night

Still strange…

As they need this path to move consturction items into Mine Train, it may be a long time before you can travel from Circus to Mermaid

The calliope looks great

Look closely

HA

We’re already in Storybook Circus… so this can be confusing…

Another look at Mine Train

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid looks great at night

A great new place to watch fireworks

Gaston’s chair has arrived at Gaston’s Tavern!

Be Our Guest restaurant was open for guests to tour

The lobby

Gorgeous interior

Lots of ordering kiosks for counter service

It’s a scroll

RFID technology like the new room keys will be used in the ordering system

Touch the magic rose thing… you will get a plastic rose “puck” with an RFID chip which you will scan at your table so they know where to bring your food

It will be interesting to see how this works

Menu

Different kiosks look like different items

The ballroom

I assume this is “Be Our Guest” in French

Hopefully we will see more soon

You can see a early carving of the music box from Be Our Guest restaurant in Maurice’s workshop at Enchanted Tales with Belle, since Maurice built it and all…

I love this animatronic so much…

Plenty of Imagineers and construction workers out at Mine Train

Video & Analysis: Over 5 Minutes of the Original Country Bear Jamboree Removed

The Country Bear Jamboree returned to operation at the Magic Kingdom on October 17th following a 2 month refurbishment. As expected, all of the lighting, audio, and audio-animatronics were upgraded or fixed and all of the technical aspects of the attraction are working and looking better than ever. However, rumors of cuts in the show to make it shorter and increase the theoretical hourly capacity also came to fruition. We have video of the show to share with you so you can see the multiple songs, verses and lines fo dialogies cut from the show:

For those either unfamiliar with the show or in case you forgot what the show formerly was, I have compiled a list of everything that has been removed:

Opening and Pianjo
Buff: “We can’t hang around here all day”
Max: “Takes a little doin’ to set these things up”
Henry: OK, OK boys, take it easy, take it easy, now we’re ready to start. Sorry folks, I’ll be right with you. (Clears throat)”
Henry: “But enough of this chat chat, yak-yak, and flim-flam. Just refrain from hibernatin’ (laugh), and we’ll all enjoy the show because we’ve got a lot to give.”
(Several seconds of Pianjo number cut)

Bear Band Serenade with Five Bear Rugs
Henry: “Plus Gomer” (When introducing Five Bear Rugs number)
(One verse of “One sure thing the bear band’s got is real old country rhythm” cut)

Fractured Folk Song by Henry and Wendell
Song completely removed from show

If Ya’ Can’t Bite, Don’t Growl (Moved up in the show)
No cuts

My Woman Ain’t Pretty by Liverlips McGrowl
No cuts

Mama Don’t Whup Little Buford by Henry and Wendell
No cuts

Tears Will Be The Chaser For Your Wine by Trixie
(Introduction)
Henry: “A little bit of ever-lovin’ cuddlesome fluff”
(Ending)
Henry: “Beautiful, beautiful. That was a mighty big song Trixie.”
Trixie: “Oh thank ya’ Henry (giggles)”
Buff: “That sure ain’t all that’s big”
Max: “Well, you’re no lightweight yourself Buff.”
Henry: “Boys, boys, watch your manners.”
Melvin: “Yeah, if you can’t say somethin’ nice…”
Henry: “Now boys, boys, ok now boys if you just stop carrying on like, we just might dedicate this next song to ya’ll. And we so dedicate.”

Devilish Mary performed by Five Bear Rugs
Song completely removed from show

How Long Will My Baby Be Gone performed by Shaker
No cuts

All The Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down by Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah
Repetition of “Nothing ever seems to work for me” at end of number

Heart We Did All That We Could by Teddi Barra
(Introduction)
Henry: “Swing it teddy!”
Max: “Wow, here she comes”
Buff: (Whistling)

Blood On The Saddle by Big Al
No cuts

The Ballad of Davy Crockett performed by Henry and Sammy
No cuts

Ole Slew Foot By All Bears
Opening verse removed

Exit and We Hope That You’ll Be Comin’ Back Again
(Opening)
Henry: “And bear around to see us again”
(Song)
Several lines of “We Hope That You’ll Be Comin’ Back Again” removed including spoke dialogue like “We had such fun but don’t you cry” & “We just can’t bear to say goodbye”

Luckily we have video of the original show that you can still enjoy:

So, what do you think of the changes to the Country Bear Jamboree? Good, bad, or a little bit of both?

“Give Me a T!” Test Track Exterior Concept Art Revealed

For those of you wondering what the facade of Test Track will look like when it is completed, wonder no more:

If you look closely, you’ll even see the World of Motion pavilion logo in the giant T on the canopy. Test Track presented by Chevrolet opens December 6th at Epcot.

So, what do you think of the new look for Test Track?

Food & Wine 2012 Vinylmation

Last year’s Food and Wine Vinylmation, while a nice artistic design, didn’t capture the essence of the festival to me. This year’s is a different story.

The Disney Parks Blog just released the above product shot of the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Vinylmation… and it is remarkable! Tony from Lady and the Tramp is the subject of this stunning Billy Davis designed piece. His right ear is full of spaghetti and meatballs with the left a starry night sky.

Photo copyright Disney

Here we see Tony delivering a heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs to Lady and Tramp. What a great job Bill Davis did at capturing Tony’s unique face. The large nose, mustache, grey around the eyes, balding head… it’s all in there. This figure will be LE 2500 and be released at the start of the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot on September 28th. We were also given a look at some other merchandise.

The Figment is the LE Annual Passholder pin and Mickey in the cranberry pool is a DVC exclusive. Visit Once Upon a Pin for more info.

NOAH has painted the signature artwork for the festival. We will see it appear on numerous items throughout the festival. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is my very favorite time of year at WDW. I’m not sure what I am more excited about, Tony or the food… who am I kidding… the food. What foods are you most looking forward too? And how about that Tony vinyl!

20 Nights of Candlelight Ceremony @ Disneyland

From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:

The Candlelight Ceremony and Processional has been a Disneyland Resort tradition since 1958, bringing holiday magic to Main Street, U.S.A., with the help of celebrities like Cary Grant, John Wayne, Dick Van Dyke and, in 2011, Gary Sinise.

This holiday season – for the first time in its history – the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional is being extended to a total of 20 nights at Disneyland park, with two performances each night. The first two nights, December 1-2, will be invitation-only events; however, performances from December 3-20 will be open to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders and guests booking special, to-be-announced dining packages for the 2012 holiday season.

The Candlelight Ceremony and Processional is a beautiful evening performance of beloved holiday music and the telling of the first Christmas Story in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. The first performance was in 1958 and has continued every year since. These classic performances touched off another tradition at the Walt Disney World Resort – the popular Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

These are all the details we have at this time, but stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information on registration for Annual Passholders and booking for the new dining packages. We’ll share more details on the 2012 Candlelight Ceremony and Processional at Disneyland park as they become available.

Robert Ashburn’s 3/9/12 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited Epcot a few days ago and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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I LOVE this topiary

This needs Xpass…

Whatever queue modifications were done in the middle are complete

PEACOCK

See ya’ later Kim…

Still closed…

They are still testing with some guests though…

The VISION House is coming in April to replace the former House of Innoventions

The Festival Center is open once again

I don’t think you can call most of those anymore…

Another Disney Vacation Club booth sporting new signage

Some awesome new shirts available at Mouse Gear

They are still finishing up this sculpture

The remodeling of Tutto Italia continues

A temporary booth open while Tutto Italia is closed

A Haiti exhibit open for Flower and Garden… doesn’t fit the festival very well

It’s more of a Food and Wine booth that a Flower and Garden exhibit

The Toy Story characters are at the American Adventure

When was this menu changed? Southwest Blackbean Flatbread?

Flowers being projected on to the monorail station