New Characters and Show Coming To Disney California Adventure

WDWNT on June 15, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

New Characters, Russell and Dug, at Disney California Adventure Park

There are new friends coming to Disney California Adventure park this summer! On June 25, the Wilderness Explorers’ Camp will open at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar film, “Up.” The Ahwahnee Camp Circle will be the place where guests can participate in a special ceremony with Russell and graduate to Senior Wilderness Explorers. Also, as guests enter the trail, they will be met by Dug, the friendly dog. The trail will feature Wilderness Explorer activities through which young guests can earn merit badges.

On July 9, Phineas and Ferb will debut their new show, “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party,” also at Disney California Adventure park. The show will be an interactive dance party featuring the Disney Channel favorites. Guests will have the chance to join in on dances and activities while a DJ spins songs from the series.

Which of these Disney characters are you most excited to see?

 

Enchanted Tiki Room: Under Old Management

WDWNT on June 15, 2011

To publicize the return of the Enchanted Tiki Room to the Magic Kingdom in August, Disney has released a photo and a rather funny blurb to go with it:

SPREADING WINGS: The “new management” has been let go and the future of the Adventureland landmark is in the wings and wit of José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre – four crooning parrot hosts who ushered in sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology at California’s Disneyland in 1963 at The Enchanted Tiki Room.

Disney Provides a Detailed Look at the Storybook Circus!

WDWNT on June 14, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

I know it’s going to be a great week on the Disney Parks Blog when I get to start by posting a new Fantasyland update. Today I’m happy to share new details on the Storybook Circus area that’s planned as part of the new Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom Park.

With all the updates we’ve done on the “royal” side of the Fantasyland expansion – Beast’s Castle, Maurice’s Cottage and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid – the plans for Storybook Circus seemed to be a bit more mysterious. Until now.

Storybook Circus will be based on our animated film, “Dumbo.” Here, Casey Jr., the famous locomotive from the movie, has rolled into town and brought the grand Storybook Circus with him. The area will be filled with colorful circus tents and nods to the famous film. For example, guests – especially little ones – are welcome to cool down with Casey Jr., who can be found near the train station, getting splashed by playful circus animals.

Just past Casey Jr., guests will encounter big-top circus tents that lead to a “double” version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Also, in the tradition of classic air shows, Barnstormer will take on a new look and theme, becoming a spiraling stunt plane built by The Great Goofini.

What do you think? Will you be there when the circus comes to town?

UPDATE – Some quick observations about the concept art that we posted on Twitter:

-The large tent is Big Top Souvenirs, we’re not sure what the red Hall of Fame tent in the background is being kept for, maybe Pete’s Silly Sideshow?

-The new yellow tent in the back may be a counter service location, meet and greets, or even something else at this point…

-The Fantasyland Train Station is part of the Casey Jr. Roundhouse building, GREAT THEME!

-A new structure is visible out in the middle of the Barnstormer area, looks like a themed tower of some sort…

-With Timothy not on top of either Dumbo ride, we expect him to show up in audio-animatronics form somewhere in the interactive queue area

-Dumbo will finally have the water feature that is featured at the Disneyland and Disneyland Paris versions of the attraction!

Overall, it looks great! What do you think of the Storybook Circus?

First Details Announced for 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

WDWNT on June 13, 2011

From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

Details will continue to unfold between now and the start of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, themed “Passport to a World of Flavors,” but here are the early highlights for the 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

From Sept. 30-Nov. 13, Epcot World Showcase Promenade features a panoply of delicious tastes, wine and cocktail pairings and other drinks, live entertainment and special culinary fun. More than 25 international marketplaces feature tapas-sized portions ($3 to $8) paired with beer, wine and cocktails.

2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

What’s hot this year? Here are the headlines:

  • Hawaii, the Caribbean islands and Portugal all debut Marketplaces – look for Kailua pork sliders in Hawaii, ropa vieja in the Caribbean and calamari salad in Portugal.
  • The new Odyssey Lounge opens, where guests can check in with friends and family back home, play games and surf the web while enjoying a specialty cocktail or a glass of wine or beer. There’s even a charging station for mobile phones and other electronic devices.
  • Celeb chefs are back – top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio and more. All told, more than 270 chefs participate.
  • There’s always fun stuff at the Festival Welcome Center, from a wine bar to tasting seminars and free sessions with cookbook authors.
  • Eat to the Beat! Concert Series is back at America Gardens Theatre with first timers the Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Taylor Dayne kicks it off opening weekend.
  • Also back are First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29 (one time only); Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar, and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery. And of course the grand Party for the Senses!
  • A new Cranberry Bog display by Craisons tells the story behind the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs (Aug. 16 is the date you can start booking). Festival details are available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

Updated Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree Concept Art

WDWNT on June 11, 2011

A piece of concept art was shown in this weeks D23’s Disney Geek showing an updated look at the new attraction coming to Cars Land, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.

This updated art shows the attraction and queue layout. Guests will enter under the marquee on the bottom right where after a few switchback they will end up in the first covered building. Under the first building, guests will either go straight into the queue for the right side or go left down a path to the left side. Guests will then exit our to the top of the image and exit around the rear back out to the street. The building at the top is really a mystery, but in front looks to be a giant Juke Box of sorts, and also should mention that Mater is not in this art.  With 11 vehicles on each side, we estimated that with a 90 second ride time that this attraction will average 1,300 people per hour.

Adventurer’s Club & BET Soundstage Coming Down as Hyperion Wharf Goes Up

WDWNT on June 11, 2011

That’s right, the Adventurer’s Club and the BET Soundstage buildings are about to come down at the former Pleasure Island. But what will be replacing them? For now, just grass:

“Seed & Mulch”, the same that can currently be found on the plots that were Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club and Motion. Now a new patch of grass will appear temporarily at the other side of the island. Fans of Comedy Warehouse will be happy to know that the building will remain in-tact and is labeled as a “Future Entertainment Parcel”.

You may recognize the photo above as the plaza and small elevated stage between Portobello and Fulton’s. Thankfully, this area is getting a new look as well:

A good portion of this project has already been completed (namely, the new bridge to Marketplace), but there is still a bit to go.

This layout shows the new park area on the waterfront between Paradiso 37 and the former Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club, as well as the new path that will allow guests to walk past the left side of Portobello directly into the heart of the island. Let’s take a closer look at the new park:

Expect to see much of this work begin very soon. The entire document with these plans can be found at this link. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we keep you updated on the transition from Pleasure Island to Hyperion Wharf!

Happy Birthday World of Color!!

WDWNT on June 11, 2011

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of World of Color, seen it many times. To celebrate the shows first anniversary, I’m going to re-post some images, videos, and news stories covering the history of World of Color.

On the Spot at Paradise Pier – 12/31/08

One of our spy reporters was at Disney’s California Adventure yesterday & noticed 2 very interesting developments in Paradise Pier:

It’s kind of to make out, but the eyes & mouth of the sun face have been removed. We’ll have a closer up picture of this for you on Friday.

Read More about Happy Birthday World of Color!!

Laserman 2.0

WDWNT on June 10, 2011

Seem that Laserman has a few more tricks to show us this summer. From the Disney Parks Blog:

Attention Programs! A “Disney Soundsational Summer” is underway at the Disneyland Resort and an all-new Laserman show is coming to ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure park! With new music, new lasers, and a few surprises, this exciting new show is set to captivate guests starting Friday, June 17.

ALL-NEW Laserman Show Coming Soon to ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure Park

Laserman has been a nightly “must see” ever since the portal to ElecTRONica opened. Inspired by the action-adventure film “TRON: Legacy,” his unique combination of talent and skill delivered breathtaking performances to audiences, night after night.

But be prepared to be blown away again! Laserman’s been hard at work, creating another visually stunning show to present an exciting battle between Man versus Technology.

So don’t miss the all-new Laserman show as he lights up the Grid of ElecTRONica nightly this summer, starting Friday, June 17.

Disneyland Resort Ticket Prices To Rise June 12th

WDWNT on June 10, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

We wanted to let you know that ticket prices are increasing at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The new prices go into effect on June 12, but today we’re sharing an early look at pricing details as well as some existing special values for Florida and California residents.

At Walt Disney World Resort, the Magic Your Way ticket offers a variety of options for you to customize your ticket purchase and save on your visit. Florida residents can also take advantage of the monthly payment plan we launched last year to give them greater flexibility when they purchase an annual pass. All updated pricing is posted on the Blog and also will be added to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/.

And at Disneyland Resort, details about ticket prices are posted on a special page we’ve created on the Disney Parks Blog. The information will also be available at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/ on June 12, including details about special summer values for Southern California and Northern Baja residents, as well as our Southern California resident pass, which is more popular than ever with the monthly payments option.

1 Day, 1Park tickets will now cost $80 dollars for adults and $74 for children. Price for Premium and Deluxe Annual Passes are reported to be going up by approximately $50 dollars each and So-Cal passes raising about $20 each. Also, the premier pass will also have a price increase from $700 to $749.