An Innovative Look at Innoventions

WDWNT on October 10, 2008

A brand new website devoted to Innoventions at Epcot has opened to give guests an idea of what the mostly updated interactive expo has to offer. You can see this new website by going HERE. This opening of this site coincides with the recently updated Innoventions maps, which tell guests to visit the official website to continue their experiences from the many different exhibits. The website even features details on the new IBM exhibit coming later this year called the “Thinkplace”.

The most recent version of the Innoventions logo that first debuted in 2007

This is yet another piece of the huge revamp that Innoventions has been going through over the last few years (encompassing the additions of Stormstruck, Don’t Waste It!, Slapstick Studios, Kim Possible World Showcase Challenge kiosks and Kidcot locations). The entire project is almost complete, with only a few new exhibits left to be put in place on both the East and West sides. Expect more changes inside and out, as the entire exterior of the Innoventions buildings to be repainted to the new blue and green color scheme sometime in 2009. You may even see the East and West side renamed Innoventions Green and Blue at some point in the future. The entire project is scheduled for Spring 2010 completion. The project has garnered all of Epcot’s attention at the moment, and is the biggest reason why we haven’t seen anything new happening over at the Imagination! pavilion just yet. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this project becomes available.

Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 Highlight Video

WDWNT on October 10, 2008

Here’s another new video related to the Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 event, which looks to be an official one from Disney, featuring various highlights from the night, as well as an interview with Miley:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj8e3jEnQaM[/youtube]

Christmas Angels

WDWNT on October 10, 2008

According to various reports, the Courtyard of Angels in New Orleans Square, as previously rumored, has been transfered over to a Christmas time store, selling what else but Christmas merchandise.

We will try to get pictures of this new store for you later this week, so stay tuned.

Your Vacation is Calling

WDWNT on October 9, 2008

Disney Parks will once again be offering a special Christmas Day perk to guests who are booking their trips in the near future:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — What could be more exciting than opening presents on Christmas morning?  How about this: getting a call from Mickey Mouse announcing the gift of a 2009 Walt Disney World vacation?

Between Nov. 28 and Dec. 23, guests who book their 2009 vacations to Walt Disney World Resort can sign up to receive a call from Mickey Mouse on Christmas Day, surprising their family with the vacation news.

And the time has never been better to visit the Vacation Kingdom in Florida.  It’s party time at Disney parks during 2009.  As part of a special park-wide celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 gets in free on their birthday. Disney Parks has embraced a new travel trend called “celebration vacations.”  Wondrous new entertainment and special services such as character greetings can be booked to help guests transform personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney experiences.

She Wants Her Mullet Back

WDWNT on October 8, 2008

Here’s a video from yesterday morning’s Good Morning America highlighting Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 event:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on4Qs6M9790[/youtube]

All I can say is put the Princesses back on those Fantasmic barges!

MiceAge Disneyland Update

WDWNT on October 8, 2008

A treat I look forward to every other month is a Disneyland Update from MiceAge‘s Al Lutz. Al knows his stuff very well, & the articles always feature interesting information that usually comes to pass. Let’s take a look through some of the things spoken about in today’s update:

  • DCA’s upcoming re-do has been split in to 4 phases of sorts. Here’s how the phases pan out:

    World of Color, Paradise Pier     makeover, completed spring 2010
    Main Entrance     makeover, Red Car trolley, initial Hollywood work, completed mid 2011
    Little Mermaid     pavilion and E-Ticket attraction, completed late 2011
    Cars Land     attractions, shops, restaurants, completed mid 2012

    Al says that the current financial crisis in this country shouldn’t have any affect on DCA’s re-do. The first phase will actually start in just 2 weeks, with the closing of the Sun Wheel. Around Thanksgiving, the Paradise Pier lagoon will be drained in preparation for the World of Color nighttime show.

  • Plans just keep expanding for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure. This attraction is going to be so extravagant, that Ariel’s hair will actually be a seperate animatronic from Ariel herself, due to her hair flowing, as we are supposed to be “Under the Sea”. The various Ariel animatronics in the attraction are said to be some of the most sosphicated ever produced by WDI.
  • While it’s too much to explain in a short recap, Al does have a complete listing of what you will be able to find in the Blue Sky Cellar once it officially opens on October 20th. Check the second page of the linked article for that.
  • Get ready for the controversy to start. The Disney characters & the American scene (this scene replaces the old Rainforest scene before the Grand Finale scene)have both been installed in It’s a Small World. But don’t expect to see them when the attraction re-opens as It’s a Small World Holiday on November 21st. For they will both be hidden from view until the original version of the attraction debuts sometime in February (yes, there will be a 1 month long refurbishment in January, beginning January 5th).
  • Sometime this winter, all 3 Mark VII Monorails will go under the knife to fix the horrible problems that they are currently faced with. The windows will be completely ripped out, & replaced with windows like those seen on the Mark V’s.
  • An idea being thrown around for next year’s What Will You Celebrate? campaign is to “plus” a couple of attractions in the Resort, with some Celebration themed things. One such idea is for some new elements added to the Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh attraction, with similar decor around Critter Country.

There’s plenty more to be found in this article, including Disney possibly buying both the Anaheim GardenWalk & SeaWorld San Diego (of all places). Be sure to check it out.

“Make it Blue?” and Other News From WDW

WDWNT on October 7, 2008

Here is a collection of news stories now making the rounds regarding the Walt Disney World Resort:

-Those famous toy guns that have been sold in Adventureland and Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom since opening day back in 1971 will be going through a rather large appearance change soon. Those guns that you probably either own or have seen a small boy walking around with in the parks are going to be turning a bright blue over the next few months, so they won’t be easily mistaken for real firearms. This change is actually coming much later than expected, with laws already passed in most states that require toy guns to be brightly colored. Should be interesting to see how sales of these guns hold up after the change.

-The Walt Disney World Monorail spiel has already been altered to mention the Bay Lake Tower addition to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The change took place last week, only days after the official announcement of the project.

-The 2009 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will be running from March 18 through May 31 next year, a few days shorter than last year. Here is the official press release for the 2009 edition:

An elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary featuring four Disney princesses dressed in “blooming” finery will set the scene for the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 18-May 31.

Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, and Belle and Beast from “Beauty and the Beast” will debut as the grand front-entrance topiary during the 75-day festival.  Princess Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” also will greet guests by the front-entrance fountain.

And that’s just the beginning. More than 70 topiaries in all showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of Disney gardeners will dot the park landscape.  Sweeping floral beds and exhibits will feature 30 million blooms.  The art of bonsai will “wow” guests at the Japan showcase, and a large “green” garden between France and Morocco pavilions will reveal the many ways home gardeners can “go green” with their own landscapes.

Festival highlights also will include:

  • Disney Gardening at Home presentations: Disney horticulturists share gardening tips and lead guests in a hands-on, take-home activity.
  • The Great American Gardeners series: Gardening celebrities and authors from across the country will share their gardening secrets.
  • The Garden Town festival center: Guests can shop for festival merchandise, attend speaker presentations and demonstrations and ask gardening questions of the experts.
  • The family-oriented Growing Future Gardeners: A garden of delight where kids and parents can get colorful (and tasty) planting ideas.
  • Kids’ activities and character meet-and-greets.
  • Flower Power concerts: Popular bands rock the open-air America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.  The concert lineup is slated to include Davy Jones, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Jose Feliciano and other top acts.

    • The Lounge at the Golden Vine Winery

    WDWNT on October 7, 2008

    In a unexpected turn of events, a new dining concept, The Lounge at the Golden Vine Winery, recently opened replacing the Vineyard Room. This new lounge serves only a selection of wine & apetizers to guests. It opens daily at noon.

    We will have more information, including pictures & The Lounge’s menu soon, so stay tuned…

    Bolting Up the Parade Route

    WDWNT on October 7, 2008

    An parade audition is being held tonight, which calls for the following:

    Disney Entertainment Productions is seeking energetic males and females to perform roles in a brand new Parade experience inspired by Walt Disney Pictures’ Bolt. Be prepared to learn a movement combination.

    Especially seeking performers with experience working with Tall Flags. These performers should bring their own rehearsal flags if possible.

    This audition confirms that there will be a pre-parade to Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams for the upcoming animated movie Bolt. I don’t quite know what to make of it yet, but as stated above, tall flags will be involved.

    More Miley Coverage

    WDWNT on October 6, 2008

    The amazing Around Disney blog over at the OC Register has put up some great coverage from Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 event yesterday. There’s way to many posts to even think of quoting here, so I’m just going to link you over to them all:

    LIVE COVERAGE: Miley Cyrus’ Disneyland Birthday
    Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16: At The Press Station
    Sheesh. The Purple Carpet Is Hetic
    Cyrus’ Famous Pals Plan for Fun
    Was It Worth the Dough? The Tweens Think So
    Miley Cyrus Too Expensive? The Jury’s Still Out

    There are also a bunch of photos from the event, including Miley’s performance on the River of America, stars parading up the purple capret, & much more. The guys over at Around Disney have also put up a short video that has interviews with some of the stars & guests that attended the event.

    Miley performing along the Rivers of America.

    Brady MacDonald over at the LA Times Travel Blog also attended the event, & post this roundup:

    Miley Cyrus celebrated her Sweet 16 at Disneyland on Sunday with a jam-packed schedule that would take 10 years off the life of any mere mortal. (View a photo gallery from the party.)

    In the space of 12 hours, the “Hannah Montana” star:

    • Sat down for a one-on-one interview with “Good Morning America” at the Anaheim theme park.
    • Hopped on the Indiana Jones Adventure ride with some kids from her favorite charity. (Later she presented them with a check from Disney for $1 million.)
    • Filmed a segment with the Food Network.
    • Met with international media at Sleeping Beauty Castle.
    • Gave an exclusive interview to Extra television in the Disneyland Dream Suite.
    • Rode down the theme park’s parade route in a vintage automobile.
    • Raced through a gauntlet of media on the Purple Carpet (her favorite color).
    • Jumped on a floating stage on the Rivers of America to entertain 5,000 fans with a four-song set (“See You Again,” “Fly on the Wall,” “Breakout” and “Girls Night Out”).
    • Navigated a mob of screaming fans surrounded by a phalanx of security guards before taking refuge with her boyfriend in the Dream Suite.
    • Received a “Happy Birthday” serenade from her fans on Main Street U.S.A. followed by a “Best of Both Worlds” fireworks finale.
    • Spent another two hours after the park closed riding her favorite attractions with friends and family (her favorite: the Mad Tea Party teacups).

    “This is probably the coolest thing that has ever happened to me in my life,” said Cyrus, without breaking a sweat.

    And when the evening was over, what was she most excited about? The puppy her parents got her for her birthday.