DCA News

WDWNT on June 21, 2008

We have a couple of pieces of news from the 2 newest DCA Pixar attractions to go over.

First off, the Pixar Play Parade has returned to its (almost) original form. The entire a Bug’s Life float is now completely back. However, the order of the floats has changed slightly. The Ratatouille & a Bug’s Life have switched with each other, due to one of the Chefs on stilts slipping due to the water & bubbles from the Finding Nemo float before hand.

Secondly, Toy Story Midway Mania will be gaining a Single Rider line in around 2 weeks. Not much more to say on that, but we’ll let you know when it debuts.

MouseTimes Innoventions Dream Home Update

WDWNT on June 21, 2008

The latest MouseTimes.com DLR Pictorial offers the best look so far at the new Innoventions Dream Home. Here are a few of MouseTimes’s photos from the Dream Home:


An interactive racing game


One of the new rotating stages (where Tom Morrow previously was)… This is the only one finished as far as I know


One of the many HP computers running Windows


The Girl’s Room


From this screen, you can adjust things such as music, lighting, blinds, etc.


A camera or mirror (not sure what its use is yet)


The Pirates Room for boys


Cast Members tell the story of Peter Pan, which is projected on the wall


Modern appliances in the Kitchen


The office in the back of the Living Room


The Tree of Tomorrow is still there

MouseTimes also has up full video coverage of the opening ceremony for Toy Story Midway Mania, which is available for download here!

No More Fried Chicken!

WDWNT on June 21, 2008

According to the Cast Member Resort Today website, the French Market will be getting a brand new menu this Wednesday. It will close early on Monday, & then be closed for all of Tuesday.

The new menu will feature American & Cajun-Creole themed items, as well as a healthier selection for both lunch & dinner.

We’ll post a picture of the new menu when I get back from my trip to Disneyland on Thursday night.

Food and Wine Looks So Fine

WDWNT on June 20, 2008

Savory samplings from around the world will be on the menu during the 13th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Sept. 26 – Nov. 9, 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The popular six-week-long culinary extravaganza showcases celebrated chefs and vintners, cooking demonstrations, wine pairings and live entertainment.  Conveniently, the WDWCelebrations.com “World Wide Weekend” event overlaps with the first weekend of the Food and Wine Festival.

John Lasseter Reveals Secrets of Toy Story Mania

WDWNT on June 20, 2008

Check out our exclusive video with Pixar chief John Lasseter for tips on how to unlock the secret “Easter Egg” targets in the new Toy Story Mania dark ride at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.

During our recent ride-along, Lasseter and I went mano a mano at Mania. To my great surprise, I beat the master. Find out how.

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Trouble at the Wilderness Lodge

WDWNT on June 19, 2008

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) — A manager at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge hotel was arrested Wednesday for charging $1,200 on a guests’ credit card.

Orange County Sheriff’s deputies said 44 year old Patrick Noze stole a credit card out of a guest’s wallet and charged the card for auto repairs.

The owner of the Orlando mechanic shop Noze went to said he told them he had permission to use the credit card.

Noze was charged with credit card forgery, grand theft by hotel employee, fraudulent use of a credit card, and dealing in stolen property.

A Disney Spokesperson said he has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the charges.

Police are still investigating at this time.

WDW Photo Update 6/18/08

WDWNT on June 19, 2008

WDWNT is back with a new photo report from Walt Disney World from this past weekend. Let’s start off at the Magic Kingdom:

Pirates of the Caribbean is closed for refurbishment.

There’s a bunch of new merchandise from Mickey’s PhilarMagic available, you can find pics of them all HERE.

The new Create Your Own Ear Hat stand at the Chapeau on Main Street.

A new poster outside Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

There’s also a second one.

A new wait time sign at the entrance to the Tomorrowland Speedway.

Construction of the Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary.

Removal of the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary.

The fountain at the entrance to Epcot was off this past weekend.

An advertisement for Toy Story Mania near Epcot.

The Jedi Training Academy stage done over for Star Wars Weekends.

Banners for Star Wars Weekends around Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Wicket’s Warehouse, the temporary store for Star Wars Weekends.

Notice the projector on the top of the building.

A new Pixar Place sign.

Peter Mayhew, Dave Prowse, & Warwick Davis at this past weekend’s Stars of the Saga in the Premiere Theater.

John with Warwick Davis.

The line for the Haunted Mansion Friday the 13th pin release at the Disney Pin Traders in Downtown Disney.

A mountain is forming on the construction for the new T-Rex restaurant.

An inflatable Wall-E in Pleasure Island.

Monorail Blue Making Late-Night Runs

WDWNT on June 19, 2008

Disneyland has been conducting regular after-hours tests of the new Monorail Blue as adjustments continue on the Monorail Red cooling system, Disney officials confirmed.

Mouse Planet columnist David Koenig, author of the definitive “Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland,” reported that poor air circulation in the air-conditioning-less cabins remains the key kink holding up the new monorail’s much-anticipated debut.

Complicating matters, the Mark VII monorails feature windows that only partly swing out from the bottom rather than slide down like an automobile, making for an uncomfortably warm ride on hot days, according to Koenig.

Mice Age columnist Al Lutz reported that Disneyland maintenance crews are exploring the option of installing exterior-mounted baffles to scoop air into the cabins while in transit along the beamway.

The new monorail’s sleek iconic exterior features color-shifting paint with gray pinstriping that evokes the stainless-steel side panels of the 1959 original designed by Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr.

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Sounds Fabulous???

WDWNT on June 19, 2008

With the upcoming refurbishment of Sounds Dangerous starring Drew Carey at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, comes an interesting rumor about the future of the space it occupies. The latest rumors for the park in general suggest that Disney will attempt to bring a tween audience in by using their multiple successful Disney Channel programs in attractions and entertainment offerings. A copy of the Bibbidi Bobbiti Boutique using High School Musical and Hannah Montana inspired child makeovers will debut at the park this fall, and a new attraction themed to Ms. Montana and her Disney Channel friends may come following after.

If the rumors I’m hearing are true, a new sound-based attraction using new, surround-sound headphones and an HD projector to bring guests into their favorite Disney Channel artists (i.e. The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Ashley Tisdale) songs will be coming to Hollywood. While I’m not so sure that Disney will keep the headphone concept in the theater, I strongly believe we will see a Disney Channel based attraction of some kind in the theater by 2009. In the meantime, don’t worry about Sounds Dangerous (at least if you’re one of the few who enjoy the attraction) going anywhere just yet, the latest closure is really just to accommodate American Idol construction and survey the theater for future development. Sounds Dangerous should return in early August, but will probably be on borrowed time by then, as the Drew Carey attraction contract expires on January 1, 2009.