There is only one place you would expect to find So Tasty… the Main Street Confectionery. As if the place didn’t already smell good enough…
Swing and sway with a herd of baby tractors in Mater’s Junkyard for a Cars Land Jamboree you aren’t soon going to forget. This particular ride video contains the rare “error” track where Mater forgets the lyrics to the song “Welcome to Radiator Springs”. The story behind this is that Imagineer Kevin Rafferty originally forgot the lyrics to one of the songs during a test recording session and John Lasseter thought it would be funny to include a track where Mater forgot the lyrics to the song. Listen for yourself:
The sign adds a trailer to the famous Tow Mater sign… pretty clever
Those lighting pieces usually aren’t there, but there is a neat photo area for guests to get a pic with a baby tractor
The queue is filled with props from the Mater’s Tall Tales Cars Toons
Awwww…
Guests having a great time
Overall, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a lot more fun that we expected. The randomized music tracks for the tractors to dance to add a lot to the ride, and it packs a surprising wallop on those turns. If you are looking for a reasonable wait in Cars Land and a minute-and-a-half of fun, then the Junkyard Jamboree is the place.
From Jennifer-Fickley Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:
Today I’m happy to give you an update on one of my favorite attractions – Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
I’ve always loved Kilimanjaro Safaris because you see so many amazing animals, but even more so, I love hearing the reactions of the first-timers around me; guests who can’t believe they’re seeing so many beautiful animals together in one place!
Beginning this spring, the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction will undergo some changes to give guests an additional opportunity to see more of their favorite animals, specifically zebra. To do so, Walt Disney Imagineering will make some creative changes to the last scene in the attraction by removing the Audio-Animatronics “Little Red” elephant and related set pieces. This area will then be reconstructed as savannah space and feature a new watering hole for live animals.
This enhancement is scheduled to begin this spring, and be completed by fall 2012. And don’t worry, the attraction will remain operational during the adjustment.
I wish I could say this announcement is surprising, but the story-line at Kilimanjaro Safaris has been weak since changes were made just before the opening of the park in 1998. Early test audiences did not like to see the “dead body” of elephant Big Red that was to have been killed by the poachers and sent a very strong message to guests, so it was removed. The finale scene has never been too exciting and the payoff of seeing a fake baby elephant in a truck wasn’t nearly enough to justify it. Various characters and narration changes have also been made over the years as the attraction could never really find an identity after the poacher story collapsed.
Despite losing the original story, this is probably a positive. More animals to see and a more relaxed atmosphere through the entire ride sounds nice. Who needs something to go wrong in a park that already has killer dinosaurs, yetis, and bugs? Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we track this transformation into the Fall.
WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing
A banner has been hung for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
It fits Main Street pretty well yet still sets the scene
This area in Fantasyland finally looks complete
It’s well lit at night
I know we showed this already this week, but here’s the screen menu boards at Cosmic Ray’s
Walls up inside the restaurant
The new Tomorrowland cart at night… we love this thing…
Take a close look for a Walt reference…
“Marty Called Wants Changes”
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CASTLE? CALL 911!
Oh, it’s just Dream Along with Mickey at night…
The romance segment in “The Magic, The Memories, and You!”
Apparently people like these gourmet hot dogs… not us…
Some recently released shirts
I like this new batch of generic logo merchandise not focusing on a year
“I know what we’re gonna do today!” Buy Phineas and Ferb merchandise
Mickey plush available in abundance after the great drought late last year where no Mickeys were available resort wide
From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:
While some little ones are content with mac ‘n cheese or a burger, other young guests have a, well, more sophisticated approach to dining. Four Magic Kingdom Park table-service restaurants are adding some delicious new dishes just for kids for ages 3 to 9. At Tony’s Town Square, look for a steak skewer “spiedini” with roasted sweet potato fries and fresh fruit (spiedini refers to cubes of meat cooked on a skewer, an Italian specialty). Also at Tony’s, a grilled cheese sandwich on multigrain bread sliced into “dippers” with tomato sauce on the side should appeal to just about any child.
Liberty Tree Tavern is featuring a new barbecued chicken and pineapple flatbread pizza with a side of crisp veggies and apples, or oven-roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, veggies and fruit.
At Cinderella’s Royal Table, youngsters can try the new chicken drumette with rice and broccolini, grilled beef skewers with mashed potatoes and corn, or a chicken pot pie topped with a biscuit crust. (We want to try that one.)
And The Plaza Restaurant has a kids’ plate with grilled chicken slices, cous cous and a fresh fruit skewer. Ah, to be a young ‘un again.
From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:
We’ve already told you about Extra Magic Hour benefit for Disneyland Resort hotel guests, but that’s not the only way to enter Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park early. Read on to learn how Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders and guests who purchase 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day theme park tickets prior to arrival can also enjoy early admission benefits.
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders
Annual Passholders have the opportunity to register for Annual Passholder Early Entry, which allows a valid Passholder early admission to select attractions at a Disneyland Resort theme park beginning one hour prior to scheduled opening between June 18 and September 13, 2012.
- Offered on the following days:
- Disney California Adventure park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Disneyland park on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Passholders must register in advance for Annual Passholder Early Entry by visitingdisneyland.disney.go.com/passes/early-entry/.
- Availability is limited each morning, and Annual Passholders may only use the privilege once at each park.
- Must be at least 18 years old to register and must have an Annual Passport that is valid for Theme Park admission at time of registration and on the date of the event.
- See disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/early-entry/ for more details.
Disneyland Resort Guests with 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day Theme Park Tickets and 2012 Southern California CityPass
Disneyland Resort guests who purchase 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day theme park tickets prior to arrival at the resort and those with valid 2012 Southern California CityPass can choose one day during the duration of their Theme Park ticket or Southern California CityPass to enter Disneyland park (only) one hour prior to scheduled opening on any of the following days: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests
As a continuous, ongoing benefit for Disneyland Resort hotel guests with valid theme park admission and active hotel key, early admission to the parks occurs one hour prior to scheduled opening the following days. Guests will be required to present valid theme park ticket and active room key for admission.
- Disneyland park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Disney California Adventure park on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Early admission at Disney California Adventure park will include access to select attractions, food and beverage locations, and merchandise locations in Cars Land, Hollywood Land and Paradise Pier, subject to availability.
Early Entry admission is non-transferable and does not guarantee access to any attraction or location. Applicable days and times of operation, and all other elements including, without limitation, operation of attractions, entertainment, and services may vary and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Subject to capacity, previously scheduled park events and other restrictions.
While taken a few days ago, WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us:
Oops…
The Cosmic Ray’s menu boards weren’t working
Prince Eric’s Castle is coming along nicely at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
The path to Storybook Circus
Work on the Dumbo queue continues
Beast’s Castle
The lift hill for The Barnstormer looks great, complete with Goofy’s outline
For the first time since work began, the site actually looks pretty clean
Some Imagineer and construction workers under a tent near “Dumbo Ditch”
Paint going on the silver portion of the Dumbo tent
Too far away to see what they are up to…
If you look closely at the Barnstormer building, you can see a banner Goofy has crashed through right above the doorway
We can make out the words “Fly Again”
Dear guests who contribute to other sites, stop standing on stuff. It is stupid, dangerous, and might get you thrown out of the park…
A look toward Storybook Circus
Still can’t see into the tent…
A column remains in “Dumbo Ditch”
Construction being filmed by Disney
The chicken nuggets and sandwich are back at Golden Oak Outpost
Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment continues
Don’t look over here…
The track is being worked on
New roof being installed
Fantasyland Station looks nearly complete
The last remnant of Toontown
The back of the Dumbo queue will be very visible from the Speedway and the Railroad
New railings were installed along the Frontierland bridges during the pavement work
Wow…
Courtesy of Scott Keating and scottkeating.net, we once again have some fantastic aerial photos of Fantasyland to share with you:
The foundations for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train are now in place, the old Dumbo is now history, and it looks like an extension of the Mermaid rock-work is about to begin to make the show building not visible from Storybook Circus
The queue for Enchanted Tales with Belle seems further along than any other project, so it’s possible that may open first
Prince Eric’s castle is looking good, but the rest of the facade is far from finished
Dumbo and the Fantasyland Station are nearing completion, meanwhile, the Barnstormer is complete with the exception of some landscaping and queue decorations. The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak area is still nowhere to be found.
Added Bonus: Here’s a look at the on-going Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment
From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:
We showed you a glimpse of the new “Storytellers” statue last year during the D23 Expo, and tomorrow, Disney California Adventure park guests will be able to greet the new statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse themselves when Buena Vista Street officially opens! Take a look:
A plaque just to the right of the statue tells the story of Walt Disney’s arrival in Los Angeles in 1923 in his own words:
It was July 1923. I packed all of my worldly goods – a pair of trousers, a checkered coat, a lot of drawing materials and the last of the fairy tale reels we had made – in a kind of frayed cardboard suitcase. And with that wonderful audacity of youth, I went to Hollywood, arriving there with just forty dollars. It was a big day the day I got on that Santa Fe California Limited. I was just free and happy!
Merida and the Triplets from the Disney Pixar movie Brave recently posed for some pictures for us at Epcot.
