11/23/08 WDW Photo Report By Matt Paul

WDWNT on November 25, 2008

WDWNT Photographer Matt Paul has provided us with his first photo report from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. To start off this series, here is his first report from Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

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The tree outside the park along with a large film reel

Some new decorations for Hollywood Blvd. since Block Party Bash floats are way too tall to allow the old decorations

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I think these fit the theming a little better

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Usual decorations replace the long standing Year of a Million Dreams banners on Sunset Blvd.

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More decorations

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Even more decorations

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Green Army Men appearing in Pixar Place

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Decorations outside what will now be known as Muppetvision 3-D (they have permanently dropped the “Jim Henson’s” from the name)

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Nativity scene at the Studios

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Woody and the Toy Story sign have been removed from the top of Pizza Planet, expect something new here in 2009

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As we reported before, the screen outside the American Idol Experience is now operating

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With the walls down, there is much more performance space outside the theater for Block Party Bash

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What used to be the Monsters Inc. meet and greet

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It is the stage entrance, where those performing in the show will be entering

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To end the report, here is the lovely disclaimer you’ll be met with when you get in line for the American Idol Experience beginning in January when the attraction opens

It’s Getting Cold Outside

WDWNT on November 25, 2008

As we head in to this holiday week, here are a few interesting happenings going on around the Disneyland Resort:

  • The Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through is currently planned to open this Wednesday, November 26th. While this date could definitely change at any time, this is the most concrete date we’ve seen thus far.
  • Air conditioning has finally been installed in the indoor portion of the queue for Toy Story Midway Mania. This will really improve the circulation in there during the hot summer months. Too bad they installed it as it starts getting cold!
  • Quite interestingly, Disneyland is currently running 2 different pre-parades to A Christmas Fantasy. The Narnia pre-parade from back in May is running in front of the 3:30 parade, & the new Bolt pre-parade is running in front of the 6:30 parade.

40 Years of The Haunted Mansion

WDWNT on November 23, 2008

Disneyland is going to be holding a big event for the 40th anniversary of The Haunted Mansion on 9/9/09. Here are some of the products being released, & some info on the events:

Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Merchandise Event - 09/09/09
Date: 09-09-09
Location: Disneyland® Resort

The Plot Thickens. . . After five husbands and five untimely deaths, the Black Widow Bride of the Haunted Mansion will wed once more. Has she found her soul mate? Or will another groom meet his doom? Join us, Foolish Mortals, and we’ll dig up the answers at our ghostly celebration that everyone’s dying to attend.

Event packages are as follows:

  • Grinning Ghosts – $TBD
  • Foolish Mortals – $TBD
  • Dearly Departed – $250
  • Hitchhikers – $85 

    • Early Demise Offer: 

    Guests that register through February 28th only, will receive an “early demise” pin.     

    * Reservations for the Grinning Ghosts and Foolish Mortals packages will be accepted only via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time).     * Reservations for the Dearly Departed and Hitchhikers packages will be accepted only via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time).

    There will also be an event & merchandise release with the artist SHAG to be held on August 9th

    SHAG Haunted Mansion Product Release & Signing 
    Date: Sunday, August 9, 2009
    Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
    Purchasing Location: Disneyana Shop, Disneyland® park
    Signing Location: Main Street Cinema, Disneyland® park

    Product & Event Information: 

    Artist, SHAG will be on hand for a special meet & greet and signing opportunity as we celebrate the release of his “Haunted Mansion” inspired artwork created in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland® park. Represented in the artwork are some of the attraction’s most beloved scenes, including the Stretching Portraits, the Ballroom, the Seance Room, the Attic, Graveyard, among others. This unique collection is a must have for any SHAG and Haunted Mansion enthusiast. To view the Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary inspired artwork by SHAG, please click here. Please continue to watch for a complete list of merchandise that will be offered in conjunction with the cocktail reception and product release events. 

    Please Note: Guests attending SHAG’s Spirited Cocktail Reception on August 8, 2009 will have the first opportunity to purchase this product. Remaining quantities will be released as part of the product release on August 9, 2009).

    SHAG “Spirited” Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception
    Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009
    Time: 8 PM – 11 PM
    Location: Crystal Cove, Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel

    It’s sure to be a spirited and swingin’ party tonight! With the hippest artist in town attending, groove with ghouls and spirits of all kinds as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion in style. 

    Event Packages Include: 

    Swingin’ Spirits – $TBD (please continue to check back)

    • ONE (1) Night Accommodation at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel (night of 8/08/09)*
    • Spirited Cocktail Reception
    • Photo Opportunity
    • Opportunity to purchase SHAG “Haunted Mansion” inspired merchandise via Random Selection Process (Merchandise purchased via RSP will be pre-signed)
    • Opportunity to purchase remaining themed event merchandise in event stor
    • Artist Meet & Greet
    • TWO (2) Commemorative Gifts

    Groovy Ghouls – $185

    • Spirited Cocktail Reception
    • Photo Opportunity
    • Opportunity to purchase SHAG “Haunted Mansion” inspired merchandise via Random Selection Process (Merchandise purchased via RSP will be pre-signed)
    • Opportunity to purchase remaining themed event merchandise in event store
    • Artist Meet & Greet
    • ONE (1) Commemorative Gift 

    * Reservations for the SHAG “Spirited” Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception will be accepted only via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time). 

    * Please note: We are now required to have only one (1) Guest per reservation. It will be necessary for each Guest to register individually. Thank you!

    A WDWNT Weekend Update

    WDWNT on November 23, 2008

    I thought I would take this time to address a few short subjects in one post just to make sure everyone is caught up on what’s going on with WDW and WDWNT right now:

    -We have opened our fantastic poll allowing you to choose what you think are the 20 biggest moments in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Just go HERE, pick 20 moments, and hit submit. The 20 biggest moments as voted by you will then be counted down every week on the WDW News Today Podcast until the anniversary on May 1, 2009. Voting closes on December 4 at midnight, so don’t miss out!!!

    -Disney has released a picture of the completed facade of the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (we should have our own pictures of the completed building very soon, until then check out THIS photo report on the WDW News Today Community Forums):

    THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE AT DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

    IT’S SHOWTIME!: Disney’s Hollywood Studios raises the curtain on the newest showbiz-themed attraction, “The American Idol Experience.” All the excitement of the popular “American Idol” TV show comes to life in a first-of-its-kind attraction where Walt Disney World guests can vote on their favorite performance, or audition with the chance to perform on stage. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

    -Ellen’s Energy Adventure at Epcot will be closed for a lengthy refurbishment from January 5 through March 22, 2009. During this time, some general maintenance will occur. It is also rumored that Imagineering will use this a a time to look around the attraction for possible changes.

    -Reported on the WDW News Today Community Forums:

    Beginning December 1st, anyone booked for lunch at Tusker House (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom) between 1:00pm and 1:40pm will receive a ticket for reserved seating at the Finding Nemo (The Musical) 3:15pm show. If you are already booked during that time frame you will qualify for the reserved seating ticket. Only reservations between 1:00pm and 1:40pm qualify. One ticker per person dining.

    -Also Reported on the WDW News Today Community Forums, Disney launching an online check-in service for resort guests:

    Disney’s Online Check-In service enables Guests to simplify their arrival by allowing them to go online and provide information related to their upcoming stay. On a Guest’s scheduled arrival date, since check-in information will have been provided previously online by the Guest, they may experience a streamlined check-in at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels or Disney Vacation Club resorts. A welcome folder with their Key to the World Card will be waiting at a designated Disney’s Online Check-In area in the resort hotel lobby. Guests will need to present valid photo ID to pick up the folder and complete check-in. Guests may check-in online beginning 10 days prior to their arrival date. Web site addresses for Disney’s Online Check-In service will vary based on the original method of booking. As Guests are completing Disney’s Online Check-In service, select Guests will have an opportunity to apply for the Disney Rewards® Visa Card® that could be used during their stay. This service launches in January, 2009.

    A lot to process, but hopefully we have everyone caught up on current Walt Disney World and WDW News Today events before the big holiday week begins.

    Myrna Litt’s 11/19 Nighttime Shots

    WDWNT on November 22, 2008

    Here are a collection of some of Myrna’s favorite nighttime shots from around the Disneyland Resort from her trip on Wednesday:

    It’s a Small World Holiday continues its holiday light-up tradition this year. Absolutely stunning!

    The full castle lighting ceremony will debut tonight.

    A look up Main Street towards Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.

    The LED lighting effects on the Main Street Christmas tree should also debut tonight too.

    Read More about Myrna Litt’s 11/19 Nighttime Shots

    Myrna Litt’s 11/19 It’s a Small World Holiday Photo Report

    WDWNT on November 21, 2008

    Myrna Litt was at the Disneyland Resort yesterday for the first day of soft openings for It’s a Small World Holiday & has sent us in some great pictures of the classic attraction which has finally re-opened at Disneyland:

    The Holiday clock ceremony.

    The new boats running through the attraction before guests were let on.

    A bunch of Disney executives.

    Read More about Myrna Litt’s 11/19 It’s a Small World Holiday Photo Report

    Barack Obama is Going to WDW — And Maybe Disneyland Too

    WDWNT on November 20, 2008

    According our friends over at the LA Times Travel Blog:

    President-elect Barack Obama will soon take his place among the 43 previous commanders-in-chief at Walt Disney World and may join Abraham Lincoln and George Washington at Disneyland. (Story updated below.)

    Disney hopes to entice Obama to record an address for his animatronic likeness, which will be added to the Hall of Presidents show at the Magic Kingdom by the Fourth of July 2009. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush lent their voices to their Disney doppelgangers.

    The revamped show in Florida will include speaking parts by Washington, Lincoln and Obama, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

    Mice Age columnist Al Lutz reports that Obama and Washington may join Lincoln at the Disneyland Opera House in time for the Anaheim theme park’s 55th anniversary in 2010.

    Disneyland’s “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” closed in 2005 to make way for the 50th anniversary movie, “Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years.”

    Walt Disney Imagineering officials said that while discussions have been ongoing to bring back “Mr. Lincoln” at Disneyland, no such plans are currently in the works.

    UPDATE: Walt Disney Imagineering officials now emphatically say a Barack Obama animatronic figure will NOT be added to the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” show at Disneyland, calling the Al Lutz story “patently false.”

    The Whirl Takes A While

    WDWNT on November 19, 2008

    It appears the project of completely replacing all the track and refurbishing all the vehicles for the Primeval Whirl roller coaster attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a bigger project than originally expected. The attraction has been closed since early September and was supposed to re-open on November 16th, however, that did not happen. The ride is now scheduled to return to service in early December, a full three weeks later than we were originally told. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this becomes available and to keep up with all of the upcoming and current refurbishments around the Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to check out the frequently updated “Attraction Updates” page.

    Christmas Comes to Epcot

    WDWNT on November 18, 2008

    WDWNT Photographer Steve Wieczorek has provided us with a picture of the Christmas Tree at Epcot which is now up and ready for the Holidays Around the World:

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