Disney’s Super Soap Weekend Final Farewell

WDWNT on October 2, 2008

Looks like Super Soap Weekends will have it’s finale this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as it won’t be coming back next year, at least not to Florida. Here is what we have from The Orlando Sentinel.

Who’s killing ABC Super Soap Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

It’s not Zach Slater, the sometimes bad boy played by Thorsten Kaye on ABC’s All My Children. He has pledged to attend this year’s gathering of soap-opera stars on Nov. 15-16. So has John McBain, the sometimes suspect character played by Michael Easton on One Life to Live.

Yet as Walt Disney World prepares to host about 30 daytime-drama characters at this year’s Super Soap Weekend, there’s a shocking plot twist in sight: The event won’t return in 2009. Healthy and popular in this episode, it’ll be dead by the next.

Brian Frons, president of Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, appears to be the one writing Super Soap out of Disney World’s script after 15 years.

In a news release issued Monday, Frons said ABC wants to send its soap stars on a national promotional tour next year, rather than sponsor a single weekend at Disney World. “Our fans have told us they want us in their neighborhoods,” he stated, adding: “We thank Walt Disney World for being a wonderful host and partner, and look forward to our plans to send Super Soap off with a bang.”

Rilous Carter, Disney World vice president for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is promising that this year’s event will be a fitting finale.

But will the tour succeed? Is there a chance the soaps might return to Disney World in 2010? Stay tuned.

Jose Castillo’s World Wide Weekend Photo Report

WDWNT on October 2, 2008

Most of the WDWNT Crew is back from Walt Disney World (Tom will be back tomorrow), so you can expect a lot of photo reports in the coming week. Here’s the first one from our very own Jose Castillo:

Jackie Steele leading the Pleasure Island History Walk as part of WDWCelebration’s World Wide Weekend event.

A skeletal T-Rex has arrived outside the upcoming T-Rex restaurant in Downtown Disney.

 

Tom Corless,  Jason Diffendal, & Adam Roth with his head turned away.

Jackie Steele along with event attendees at the Mickey’s PhilharMagic group showing.

Construction on Bay Lake Tower is pressing along nicely.

A look around this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade.

The awesome looking Haunted Mansion float.

This mini-float from SpectroMagic carries a “pumpkin man”.

Nice atmosphere around the Main Street Train Station.

Cinderella Castle VERY late at night.

The WDWNT Crew were the last to leave the park on that night.

Moving on to the second day of World Wide Weekend… Here we see Marcus D’Amelio, & Matt Pezzula setting up the WDWCelebrations table at Epcot in the morning.

You gotta love free goodies.

Jason Diffendal ready for a great day at Epcot.

Turned out Saturday was the last day for the Epcot 25th Anniversary exhibit.

Jason, Adam, & Tom.

The Festival Center was open once again, with this year’s theme, Cities in Wonderland.

Marcus & Jason at the Electric Umbrella.

World Wide Weekend attendees.

Winners of the World Showcase Scavenger Hunt.

The WDWCelebrations Core Team: (L-R) Adam, Matt, Jackie, Jason, Marcus, and Tom

The first event of Day 3 was an It’s Tough to be a Bug group showing.

Then it was off to Expedition Everest.

Followed by Dinosaur.

Jim Henson’s name has been removed from Muppet Vision 3D.

The Hot Air Balloon is back up to its rightful space.

Jason & Adam waiting for Block Party Bash to start.

This was Jose’s first time seeing Block Party Bash, & he loved it!

Next up was the Star Tours group ride.

Construction on the exterior of the American Idol Experience theater.

The guys look excited on the Tower of Terror group ride.

For more of Jose’s lovely pictures (and a couple of videos too), head on over to his Flickr page. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today in the upcoming week for plenty more photo reports from Walt Disney World & World Wide Weekend, as we continue to “Bridge The Gaps Between You & the World”!

Indiana Jones Adventure Single Rider Line

WDWNT on September 30, 2008

We’re hearing that a Single Rider line has been implemented over at the Indiana Jones Adventure. While there isn’t an actual line set up for it, you can still go single by asking a Cast Member for a Single Rider pass at the entrance to the queue. You then proceed through the exit of the attraction, where a Cast Member will direct you into the room with the safety video. After watching the safety video, you’ll take the elevator to the loading area.

I’m sure this Single Rider line will make it much easier for single guests to get on with-out having to endure the pain of one of Disneyland’s worst set-up queues.

Epcot 25th Anniversary Exhibit Closed!!!

WDWNT on September 29, 2008

Hey there everyone, Jose Castillo here finally back from Walt Disney World. We had a great World Wide Weekend and expect full run down in the upcoming shows. Until Tom Corless gets back on Wednesday, I’ll be posting some updates from the parks. First up, 25th Anniversary Exhibit that Epcot had running since October 1st of 2007 is now closed, we are not sure if this is permanent, but we can’t find any reason why they would close it…could this be the end of it? It did run for a full year so who knows if it has reached the end, since it has been a year already. We will have photos of this and more coming up this week. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more news coming from Walt Disney World as things start to get back to normal this week.

Halloween Time Starts Today!

WDWNT on September 27, 2008

Anaheim, Calif. – Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort will fill Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks with not-so-scary spook-tacular entertainment beginning Friday, Sept. 26 and continuing through Sunday, November 2.

The season of tricks and treats will be celebrated at Disneyland Resort with the traditional giant “Mickey Mouse” jack-o’-lantern in Disneyland Town Square, Haunted Mansion Holiday in New Orleans Square and Candy Corn Acres in Disney’s California Adventure, along with festive foods, a lively mix of Disney characters in Halloween costumes and year two of Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tours.

During regular park hours at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort offers parents and children plenty of family-friendly fun in addition to the parks’ many popular adventures. Halloween Time activities include special shows, meet-and-greets with Disneyland characters in spirited costumes, along with opportunities to decorate Halloween cookies and listen to storytellers at “Woody’s Halloween Roundup” at Big Thunder Ranch.

Dedicated fans of Halloween and the Disney parks will want to sign up to experience all the “hot and cold running chills” of the season on Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tour, an expanded version of the Halloween tour launched in 2007. From Sept. 26 to Oct. 31, the three-hour Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tour will be offered twice a day, beginning at the “witching hours” of 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. The tour, conducted by a “unique” Disneyland Resort tour guide, includes the stories behind some of Disney parks’ spookiest attractions, told from the perspective of Disney villains. Stops at thrilling attractions including the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Snow White’s Scary Adventure are among the highlights of the tour.

Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tour is darkly humorous and spooky and is not recommended for young children or for those who might not enjoy the featured attractions (or might not meet the 40-inch height requirement for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad). The tour fee is $59 and does not include park admission. Guests who take the tour receive an exclusive collectible remembrance and a Halloween treat. Each tour group has a maximum size of 20 guests. Tours may be booked up to 20 days in advance by calling (714) 781-4400.

Popular, family-friendly entertainment also returns for the Halloween season. At Disney’s California Adventure Sunshine Plaza is the Candy Corn Acres, where Mickey Mouse’s pal Goofy sets out to grow the West’s biggest and most unusual candy corn, including candy corn coconuts, candy corn carrots and candy corn pumpkins. The Plaza will be overgrown with the “fruits” of Goofy’s labor.

Also returning for the season is Haunted Mansion Holiday. Inspired by the innovative animated film, Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas,” Haunted Mansion Holiday comes to life when Jack Skellington and his friends create holiday mayhem at the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square.

A perfect way to celebrate Halloween in special Disney style is the one-of-a-kind Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party. This private costume party lets little ones laugh and play with some of their favorite Disney Characters—including Mickey himself—and ride select attractions as they trick-or-treat through Disney’s California Adventure park. The experience also includes interactive games, “spirited” music, and a nightly character cavalcade. It’s an unforgettable evening of Halloween fun for everyone. Dates for Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party are Oct. 3, 10, 16. 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Tickets are $29 per person when purchased at least one day in advance, $37 per person for tickets purchased day-of and for all Oct. 31 tickets. They may be purchased online at www.disneyland.com or by calling (714) 781-4400.

Throughout the Disneyland Resort during Halloween Time, families can enjoy unique Halloween-themed food items including Zero’s Ghostly Ghoulash, a favorite of Jack Skellington’s pet in “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” and merchandise including Disney costumes, collectible pins and coins and a special set of Halloween-themed Mickey Mouse ears resembling the Mickey jack-o’-lantern in Town Square.

For more information about Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort and new attractions, visit www.disneyland.com/halloween.

New Height Requirement for Autopia

WDWNT on September 26, 2008

According to our good friends over at Screamscape:

Screamscape sources tell us that the Disney legal department has been snooping around and has come up with a new and unfortunate policy for the Autopia. The current policy is that you only have to be 52 inches to RIDE ALONE, which allowed parents to go for a spin and take any child able to sit upright by themselves along with them. If this latest rumor is true, starting September 30th all guests must be at least 32 inches tall to even RIDE the Autopia, and at least 52 inches to ride alone.

Meet Jack & Sally!

WDWNT on September 26, 2008

According to Disneyland Line CM magazine:

Joining the Halloween Time fun for the first time ever is Jack Skellington and Sally from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Halloween Town natives can be found periodically roaming around the Haunted Mansion Holiday greeting Guests and signing autographs.

Updates Live from Walt Disney World

WDWNT on September 26, 2008

Here are some quick bits of news for you while most of the crew is down at Walt Disney World for WDWCelebrations.com World Wide Weekend:

-The Fry Wagon in Frontierland appears to now be gone for good.

-Nine Dragons Resturant in Epcot has re-opened early from its refurb.

-Test Track track appears it got a slight change to the on-ride audio, it now mentions OnStar.

News might be slow while the staff is enjoying World Wide Weekend but stay tuned as we will continue to bridge the gaps between you and the world! Also, don’t forget to visit one of our other sites by going to www.wdwnt.com !

Disneyland Closes Early 10/21/08

WDWNT on September 25, 2008

Due to a private party, Disneyland will be closing at 5pm on Tuesday, October 21st. Disney’s California Adventure will close at it’s originally planned time of 6pm.

We don’t have any more information than that given at the moment, but be sure to stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest!

Beware of Sweet 16 Party Ticket Scalpers

WDWNT on September 25, 2008

According to our friends over at the LA Times Funland Blog:

Fans forking over $500 or more to buy tickets on eBay for Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 birthday party at Disneyland may be in for a harsh surprise when they arrive at the Hollywood–style red carpet event on Oct. 5.

The Anaheim theme park has instituted strict anti-scalping procedures designed to prevent reselling of tickets at online auction sites such as eBay — where more than 50 “Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 birthday party” tickets have been for sale in recent days.

The exclusive event featuring the “Hannah Montana” star sold out almost immediately, with the general public snatching up the 5,000 available tickets at $250 a pop. Profiteers immediately put the coveted Cyrus tickets up for sale on eBay with prices starting at $500 apiece.

But here’s the catch. Tickets won’t be issued until the day of the event — and then only to the original purchaser after 2 p.m. at the main gate. (The event runs from 6 to 11 p.m.)

And that’s not all:

— The original purchaser must provide a confirmation letter, identification and signature at the check-in booth in order to receive the tickets.
— Everyone attending the event must be present when the tickets are issued.
— A Disneyland employee will escort the credentialed group into the theme park.