Disney World Website Previews “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”

WDWNT on March 8, 2011

From the Walt Disney World website:

On May 20, 2011, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine once again to create an unforgettable new Star Wars experience in Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – in 3-D! This deep-space flight simulator features light-speed travel to galaxies, far, far away.

Join the Rebellion

Climb in to the Starspeeder 1000 with old friends C-3PO and R2-D2, along with new additions Star Tours Pilot “Ace” AC-38 and Spokesbot Aly San San. When you board, several different journeys await. You might take flight in a Tatooine podrace or weave through the city planet of Coruscant. You could find yourself on the run from Boba Fett or meeting Princess Leia. You’ll never know which characters and worlds you will encounter.

But, Beware! Darth Vader could attempt to create a disturbance in the Force. A showdown may be inevitable.

Hopefully, the Force will be with you.

While these details aren’t all new, the possible chase with Boba Fett is confirmed. This correlates with the pin series we discussed last week, which may provide a little more credibility to the other rumored destinations featured. The information above also doesn’t claim that Tatooine and Coruscant are the only two scenarios for the attraction. I guess we will just have to wait to find out… Stay tuned as more information becomes available on Star Tours: The Adventures Continue!

Two New Merchandise Locations Opening At Downtown Disney

WDWNT on March 7, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort

Do you enjoy shopping at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim? Here are two more reasons to visit: Sanuk, a footwear store, and BLINK, a denim apparel shop. These retail locations are coming to Downtown Disney this spring.

Sanuk’s new flagship location will offer the largest selection of products available outside of the company’s online store, including flip flops, surf sandals and other innovative beach footwear, such as their signature yoga mat flip-flops.

Sanuk first joined Downtown Disney in 2010 – that pop-up was the company’s first retail store. Its success paved the way for the new, larger space.

Did you know the Sanuk name comes from the Thai word for fun?

Also coming to Downtown Disney this spring is BLINK, a denim-focused pop-up concept owned by Wet Seal. BLINK features the latest trends in denim, with an assortment of fashion tops and accessories.

At BLINK, “Denim Experts” will be available to offer service and product knowledge about dozens of styles from various fashion brands.

Sanuk will be replacing Basin which closed in January and BLINK will be replacing Anne Geddes which closed this past week.

Disney Junior: Live on Stage Debuts!

WDWNT on March 7, 2011

Disney Junior: Live on Stage recently debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee was on the scene to provide a video of the updated show:

Disney Junior: Live On Stage – 3/2/11 from WDWNTube on Vimeo.

If you’re wondering what changes were made between this show and Playhouse Disney: Live on Stage, they were few and far between. The inclusion of the new “Jake and the Neverland Pirates” portion replaces the “My Friends Tigger and Pooh” segment. The remainder of the show is identical.

An Exclusive Look At Buena Vista Street

WDWNT on March 5, 2011

We were able to get our hands on several very detailed blueprints that overlook the Buena Vista Street expansion that is currently under construction at Disney California Adventure. Construction has already begun on the first half of Buena Vista Street (Carthay Circle) and is slated to be completed in 2012.

Starting off at the park entrance, the new turnstiles will be themed to the Pan-Pacific Theater similar to what is at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over in Orlando. The path on the left is a mystery to me as nothing was there before so my assumption is that it will be used by Cast Members. The esplanade is unchanged.

Read More about An Exclusive Look At Buena Vista Street

EPCOT Vinylmation Concept Art Released

WDWNT on March 4, 2011

Disney’s Vinylmation Facebook page hit another milestone, 8200 fans. And as predicted, 1982 being the year EPCOT opened, we saw the release of some special EPCOT Vinylmation Concept Art. No indication if these are 3″ or 9″. No release dates or edition sizes either. Just some fun teases to keep an eye out for. Maybe around Project Florida in September?

EPCOT 2000
Artist: Thomas Scott
Release Date: Unknown
LE: Unknown

Love it or hate it, the EPCOT ball had a wand attached to it for 8 years. This figure celebrates the occasion. In the picture, it says “EPCOT” above the ball, however, when the wand was originally put in place in 1999, it said “2000” as on the Vinylmation.

Kitchen Kabaret
Artist: Maria Clapsis
Release Date: Unknown
LE: Unknown

Kitchen Kabaret was a 13 minute show at the Land Pavilion in EPCOT featuring animatronic food. It was an opening day attraction and lasted until 1994. This broccoli character was in a Latin music band toward the end of the show and shook maracas while yelling “cha cha cha!” This Vinylmation even has him in his signature colorful sleeves.


Living with the Land
Artist: Caley Hicks
Release Date: Unknown
LE: Unknown

Living with the Land has been around since EPCOT opened it’s doors on October 1st, 1982. It celebrates how people can use the Earth’s resources in a responsible manner. It also informs guests on steps Disney takes to produce food for its guests. The colors of this Vinylmation match the mood and colors of the Land Pavilion. It’s also great to see another piece from up and coming Vinylmation artist Caley Hicks who designed the Flag series.

What do you think of these EPCOT Vinylmation?

Renamed “HP Field House” Opens at ESPN Wide World of Sports

WDWNT on March 3, 2011

Disney and HP executives were joined by sports celebrities and ESPN personalities March 3, 2011 at ESPN Wide World of Sports for the dedication ceremony for the newly named “HP Field House.” Joining in the ceremony: (L-R): Gary Elliott, vice president of Brand Marketing for HP, U.S. Women’s Soccer legend Mia Hamm, Mickey Mouse, Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises, and Jason Witten, NFL All-Pro tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. The HP Field House is a 165,000-square-foot, multi-sport venue, which debuted in 1997 when the Disney sports complex opened. With the new HP partnership, the facility is outfitted with HP technology including HP TouchSmart 9300 Elite Business PCs.

The computer systems are located at kiosks throughout the venue and allow coaches, athletes and spectators to access sporting event highlights, updates, current weather information, dining options, event information and more. Another cornerstone of the HP Field House is the HP Photo Creation Center, where athletes and fans can create and download event images and print them in a variety of customized ways, including large-scale posters, banners and photo cards. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

“The Little Mermaid Clams Up”

WDWNT on March 1, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

It’s always fun to see the evolution of an attraction. From renderings to construction to opening day – every step is Disney magic at its best. In the past, we couldn’t really take you along for the ride. But now, the Disney Parks Blog gives you a backstage pass. In this video, shot at Disney California Adventure park, we once again take you behind the scenes of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. By the way, the idea of a Little Mermaid attraction has been bantered about since the movie opened back in 1989.

Recently, the Mermaid ride vehicles – which look like clam shells – were installed on the attraction at Paradise Pier. There are more than 100 clam shells. Some are green. Some are orange. And some are marigold. They each hold 2-3 people. (The ADA vehicles are “chariots” and they’re styled after carved chariot seats from carousels of the early 20th century.)

This video is from the recent installation. It reminds me of the holidays as one of the clam shells is unwrapped before being installed in the attraction. I am happy to be able to share this behind-the-scenes peek with you as we take the journey from creation, construction and grand opening of this amazing attraction. Enjoy!

What’s Happening in the Hitchhiking Ghost Scene of the Haunted Mansion?

WDWNT on February 28, 2011

Last week, the Disney fan community exploded when Disney placed temporary tarps and projections of ghosts Phineas, Ezra, and Gus in the hitchhiking ghost scene of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom without any announcement. Rumors have indicated that new, interactive elements are coming to the Haunted Mansion, both in the queue and on the ride. We may have a clue to what’s happening inside:

If you look very closely at the Fall 2010 issues of Disney’s Twenty-three magazine, you would see this piece of concept art fairly hidden in the article on Walt Disney Imagineering. The artwork shows two guests being frightened by all three of the ghosts in what has to be projection form. If this artwork is any indication, when work on the scene is complete, guest’s reflections will have the ghosts floating around them both inside and outside of the vehicle.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on these changes to the Haunted Mansion become available.

More Destinations Revealed for “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”?

WDWNT on February 27, 2011

WDWNT’s own Cody Smith recently attended the “Love is Magical” pin event at Walt Disney World. How does this apply to Star Tours? Well, there was a pin preview board at the event, and Disney was showcasing some of the pins that will be released when Star Tours re-opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 20th and Disneyland Park June 3rd:

Now, the photo is not of the best quality, but we believe it reveals destinations guests will be traveling to in “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”, and maybe even what will happen when they get there. The two announced locations of Coruscant and Tatooine are represented. The Tatooine poster pin even shows the Starspeeder 1000 getting stuck in a podrace, a scenario that has already been revealed. With this in mind, we believe the other 6 pins reveal more destinations and events that guests may experience randomly.

Let’s examine the posters in order from left to right:

  • On Geonosis (a setting from Episode II), guests may be chased by Boba Fett and the Slave I vehicle.
  • The second pin features Darth Vader and the Death Star, so we may be running into some friends from the Empire once again.
  • Coruscant is the third poster, an already revealed location.
  • Kashyyyk is the 4th poster, the home of Chewbacca. Since we noticed concept art that looked like this planet behind George Lucas in a Disney-released publicity shot from many months ago and were then told we will see Chewbacca along the way, this location is really no surprise. However, the poster clearly states that we will visit Treetop Villas, perhaps an inside joke about Disney’s Treehouse Villas?
  • Hoth is the fifth planet poster. This snowy planet from Episode V has a poster featuring a Tauntauns and what we believe is a Wampa (the snow-monster that attacks Luke Skywalker).
  • Tatooine is the sixth planet poster. The already revealed scenario where guests get stuck in the middle of a podrace is featured here, including famous racer Sebulba from Episode I.
  • The seventh poster pin features Bespin, the cloud city from Episode V. You may remember Bespin was featured in the queue-area commercial Disney previewed last summer at Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando.
  • The final poster pin features Naboo from the prequel trilogy. Home to Queen Amidala and the Gungans (including Jar Jar Binks), the Starspeeder 1000 may encounter a giant sea monster like the one featured in Episode I.

Again, these destinations are not confirmed, but the appearance of the Starspeeder 1000 in these scenes and the fact that several already announced locations & character encounters are featured leads us to the conclusion that these are spoilers for the new attraction. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” becomes available.