Dirk Wallen’s 2/23/13 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen takes us to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks this time around, stopping to check progress on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train, the Tangled restroom area, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the Big Thunder Mountain interactive queue, and more! Let’s take a look:

RFID entrance installation continues at the Studios

The large electronic scrolling sign at Sounds Dangerous is now gone, looks like we can finally officially say the attraction is dead

The new Disney JuniorL Live on Stage debuted a few weeks ago

Doc McStuffins was added to the show

As was Sophia the First

Whoops…

It was up there for some of the show…

The Epcot 30th reveal/conceal pin set came out recently

New Spring pins

85th anniversary of the Plane Crazy short

EASTER DUFFY!

New Muppet shirt

Moving over to Animal Kingdom

Kodak picture spots are still up…

RFID entrances still being installed at Animal Kingdom as well

More Kodak

Hard to believe, but they are still installing the nets at Tree of Life

This is taking forever…

Some areas look completed

Others look like no work has even started

Beastly Bazaar will soon open as the Adventurers Outpost, a Mickey and Minnie meet and greet

The Character Landing will soon host Donald and Daisy, Pooh and Tigger are heading to Camp Minnie-Mickey

Pocahontas has already moved out of Camp Minnie-Mickey

The old theater for Pocahontas and Her Forrest Friends is still stroller parking

Some walls up in Camp Minnie-Mickey

We believe they are installing FastPass+ behind these walls at Theater in the Wild

Moving to Epcot, Flower and Garden Festival preparation is in full swing

Some scrims still up near the Oz playground

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs near Germany

Toy Story characters in the American Adventure

Lady and the Tramp in Italy

All of the booths are up… it’s so weird to see these out so early in the year…

They are giving out seed packets to promote Oz: The Great and Powerful and the festival

The Mission: Space facade is being refurbished, the ride is open still

Don’t try to park at the Polynesian Resort, there is a ton of construction equipment sitting there…

Work continues on The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. There’s some strange tower rising on the right…

Another somewhat similar structure is rising outside the building on the other side

It’s starting to look like the Grand Floridian

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Main Street Apparel is behind tarps again

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Work continues on the Tangled restroom area

You can see the tree-stump shaped charging stations gusts can use to charge electronics

Work is nearing completion on the exit of “it’s a small world” that has been behind tarps

Columbia Harbour House is still behind tarps

Work continues on Splash Mountain which is closed until mid-March

More and more progress is being made on the interactive queue at Big Thunder Mountain

I see Marc Davis and Blaine Gibson references…

The detail on the new props is stunning

A nod to Western River Expedition, the attraction originally designed for this space

Most of the work on the mountain looks complete

A few tarps still out there…

This looks like way too much fun…

YES… MUST BLOW STUFF UP!

Pictures: A Look at All of the New Walt Disney World Maps

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

While the new Walt Disney World maps may not be available to guests until tomorrow, we managed to get our hands on them a few days early and decided to share a look at these new maps with you today (Click each to see larger image):

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Downtown Disney

Water Parks

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Kilimanjaro Safaris Says Goodbye to Wilson and “Jambo” to Nighttime Safaris?

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

On Sunday, April 29th, the Little Red audio-animatronic became history and now guests riding Kilimanjaro Safaris over the Summer will have to stare at construction walls as the ride through the finale of the Animal Kingdom attraction. You may recall Disney announced changes to the ride a few months ago, stating that the poacher storyline would be replace with new savanna space to showcase Zebras.

All of the plants hazardous to the Zebras that will be moving in were removed prior to April 29th and many parts of the forest are already the grass fields where the animals will graze. The attraction’s pre-recorded spiels are gone, now you only hear background music and sound effects while traveling along the route. No more Mr. Wilson!

Imagineer Joe Rhode (“Mr. Animal Kingdom” as we refer to him around here) recently spoke to cast members at the attraction about the upcoming changes. While Wilson is gone for now, he may return to the ride or be replaced with a new character. For now, the Wilson and Dr. Jobson characters remain in the queue area in the pre-show film.

Disney is scheduled to be done with the basic changes this coming fall with larger changes to the Safari taking place over the next 3-4 years according to Rhode. Among the changes being discussed is the institution of permanent night-time Safari ride. From what we understand, the night safari will be completely different from the daytime version, adding a completely new experience for guests later in the day.

Imagineers recently tested lighting effects for night time safaris with a number of large video walls and intelligent moving headlights mounted on large lifts. Why use giant video screens? Well, it appears they mounted large video walls on the Wild Africa Trek trucks and tested using night vision and infrared technology to enhance the guest experience for the possible night-time version of the ride.

While it is uncertain if any of these changes will happen, it isn’t a far-fetched idea. In 3-4 years, Animal Kingdom will have an AVATAR-land and possibly a few other new offerings, so it is more than possible that the park will be open late on a regular basis.

We’ll keep you updated on this story as it develops. For now, we leave you with some immortal words from our now-gone friend… “TOMMIES!”

Kilimanjaro Safari Adds New Backstory Along with Zebras This Fall

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

So, I was visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park this past Sunday and took a ride on Kilimanjaro Safari for the first time since the original finale scene was ripped out. Not only was I surprised to see most work completed on the new Zebra habitat, but the safari driver was sharing the new backstory which explains why the zebras are there and why construction is going on at the moment:

So, what do you think of the new backstory?

Tom Corless’ 8/23-8/29/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

I visited the Walt Disney World Resort last week covering all four of the theme parks and I have plenty of newsworthy pictures to share, so let’s take a look at what’s happening around the Vacation Kingdom:

The Rainforest Cafe sign inside Animal Kingdom is still missing

Beastly Bazaar is closed to become a character meet and greet experience this Fall

Wreck-It Ralph has taken over the display at the exit of the Magic of Disney Animation show

Vannelope is voiced by Sarah Silverman

That cake looks so real…

The game Fix-It Felix is inspired by games such as Rampage and Donkey Kong

Ralph even started as a monster just like one you would find in Rampage

Niceland is the city in the game

Ralph and Felix

Hero’s Duty might end up being the darkest looking scenes in any Disney animated film ever…

Hero’s Duty is inspired by games such as Gears of War and Halo

Voiced by Jane Lynch

Sugar Rush is inspired by games such as Mario Kart

Looks like a possible villain to me…

They were painting the next Ink and Paint Cell to be released while I was there

A Hatbox Ghost big figure has been released

There’s also a new Stitch figure

For the first time in ages, the decorations in The Studio Store do not represent a single new film!

Nice to see the original intended decorations back for once

Banners for Finding Nemo 3D up

The LEgend of Jack Sparrow building was painted blue

Walls are now up near the front of the building

The menu has been drastically changed at Backlot Express

BUFFALO CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS! AHHHHHHH!

Next-Gen FASTPASS preparations already made at American Idol

Moving over to Epcot, work continues on the new Disney Vacation Club booth near Canada

A strange wall has popped up in the queue for Journey Into Imagination

Possibly FASTPASS related?

The Kim Possible sign-up areas in Innoventions have been completely removed

While passing by on the monorail we could see that the new parking lot for the Grand Floridian DVC wing is almost complete

Moving on to the Magic Kingdom, the park is ready for Halloween

There is a new banner at the beginning of Celebrate a Dream Come True

I’m not sure when it happened, but Mickey and Minnie are in normal clothing on their float

The Junioe Jungle Boats outside of the Jungle Cruise have reportedly been closed permanently

Next-gen FASTPASS ready to go at the Jungle Cruise

Same at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Meanwhile, some rather drastic queue modifications have been made at Pirates of the Caribbean

There is now a point where the two queues meet

Work continues on the former Fantasyland Skyway site, soon to be home to a new walkway and restrooms

Thought this was an interesting shot as it gives you an idea of where the Mine Train will be as you walk into Fantasyland

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

The Castle Walls are nearing completion

Some work being done on the roof of Mickey’s Philharmagic

Most of the Snow White facade is now gone in preparation for Princess Fairytale Hall

Grass continues to be installed on the roof of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The signage has been installed on Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus

I LOVE the popcorn lights…

FOOD!

Some new Space Mountain shirts are available

Moving back to Fantasyland, the lights were on inside the Castle Walls

Lights were on in the Beauty and the Beast area as well

They were testing lighting on the turrets of the Castle Walls as well

The Mickey-O-Lanterns are much brighter and actually flicker this year

Adam Roth’s 6/30/12 Animal Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

This photo report is a little late as we have been preparing for our fifth anniversary festivities here at WDW News Today, but better late than never. WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Animal Kingdom on June 30th to catch one of the last Sundowner Celebrations held at the park. The celebration only lasted a month but was a unique offering, almost like the food and wine festival at Epcot. Let’s take a look:

A truck is used as an information board at the front of the park

Things going on in 3 lands

It is Animal Kingdom after all…

Wow… not very crowded…

Some fairly new Animal Kingdom merchandise available

Cool ear hat

Carnotaurus knit cap

Russel and Dug from UP meeting in the old “It’s Tough to be a Bug” FASTPASS area

Work continues on some of the side paths near the Tree of Life after the branch falling of a few weeks back

You can still get plenty of good photos of this…

On to Camp Minnie-Mickey

The dragon waterfall is still there

Hey, Meeko is out and doesn’t have a line!

It’s pretty empty

Word is the greeting trails are going away and these characters are moving to the former Beastly Bazaar in a few weeks

It wouldn’t be a trip to Animal Kingdom if we didn’t stop at Pizzafari to visit the greatest mural ever…

Psycho lion and incredibly nervous Zebra!

On to Harambe

Temporary signs inform guests of the festivities

There’s a wine walk

Beer

There are also some cultural demonstrations

The Henna booth was about the only one that wasn’t free

All kinds of special treats available

Fruit salads available as well

Let’s take a walk to Asia

You can learn how to play this instrument

The carts leading to Asia had special menus for the event

You can learn how to make summer rolls

Ta-da!

You can take home a recipe card

The boneless chicken wings are back!

I guess you can just call this place Anandapur Wild Wings! GET IT?

Huh?

I think I’m gonna be sick…

Live music

What is your Asian language?

Plenty of specialty drinks

Learn how to make fried rice!

They had dancers teaching dance moves to guests as Bollywood style music played in the area

I love the DJ’s decorated computer

Dragon Hollow? Now you’re just rubbing it in…

The water play area in Asia is being refurbished

Another Henna booth

Adam got a drink and decided to hang out in a secluded spot

Let’s see what’s going on at Kilimanjaro Safaris

Wilson is still featured in the queue even though his narration and story is gone from the ride

“WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”

JUMPING GAZELLES!

Oh, it’s poachers…

It was…

Hiding, Hiding Hippos

“NOM-NOM-NOM”

Holy giraffes!

Here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the backside of giraffe!

No, the bridge doesn’t collapse right now

Hidden Mickey

Awwww, sleepy cheetahs…

That turtle was moving so fast Adam couldn’t get a picture of him

Blurry, but some work was being done on the bridge

Work on the new finale scenes is visible

This is where Little Red once stood, but soon it will be a home to Zebras

A natural barrier being dug-out

Back to Harambe

The dance party is in full swing

Unlike the hated dance parties at the Magic Kingdom, this band performs music from their culture and teaches you their dances, a much better fit for a Disney park

Here’s a video of the dance party:

There is podium where guests can find out more about Wild Africa Trek

Some people seem to believe this will be the new entrance to Festival of the Lion King once it is forced to move out of Camp Minnie-Mickey

Popcone?

It’s the Enchantment in the Jungle Dance!

Gotta love intricate details…

Let’s take a look at the Tree of Life trails

You can still get some great photos of the Tree of Life

Some work continues

The exit of It’s Tough to be a Bug

Over at Expedition Everest, they have been chopping down some of the bamboo

Beautiful

Still no bird…

Still no movement… and no, there are not two of them…

New Everest shirts

More chopped bamboo

This old map of Dinoland U.S.A. is still up. It still includes Dinosaur Jubilee… look it up kids…

No, you won’t…

It’s time to leave

Not sure if Disney did anything, but the water isn’t bright green anymore!

The Rainforest Cafe sign is missing!

“Watch Out For That Tree!” – Falling Limbs Mean Safety Nets at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

When pieces of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom fell to the ground a few weeks ago, it forced the closure of “It’s Tough to be a Bug” and the paths around the park icon. For the most part, you still can not walk the paths around the Tree of Life, but above those that you can explore, you’ll find these wood structures with nets. Many more of these structures are going up around the various paths, but until they are complete, these paths will remain closed.

You can still get some good photos of the Tree of Life

More canopies under construction

Does it ruin the area? I’m really not sure, but it has a distinct feel of Jurassic Park for some reason…

What do you think? Is this a good fix or should Disney just close the Tree of Life area and attempt to fix the problem?

Justin “The Mayor” Heyman’s 9/19 – 9/26 Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

While Tom and the rest of our cast are down at WDW Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Epcot, I have just returned from a trip and bring you a rare Mayor’s Photo Report! Beware this report contains photos from inside Enchanted Tales with Belle! I also have brought you back some video from inside the attraction which we will be posting soon so stay tuned!

Some of the rock work in the queue of the Magic Carpets is getting some work done

The Rainy Day Cavalcade was out due to some rain earlier in the day

Drizella and Anastasia aren’t thrilled about the rain either

A Trio of Cranes now looms over the Magic Kingdom

Be Warned Enchanted Tales Spoilers Lay Ahead!

As you enter the area behind the walls you see a expertly themed entrance to Maurice’s Cottage

Cottage Light posts

Looking out from just outside the front door you can see the gargoyle lamp posts that line the entrance to Be Our Guest and in the distance Prince Eric’s Castle

More of the Cottage

Be Our Guest!

Signage for the Restaurant

A close up of the entrance to be our guest

Maurice’s water wheel not turned on yet

Picture inside the cottage of Belle and her Mother inside the first room of the cottage

This room is loaded with tiny details

Thanks to my wife for playing photographer but she forgot to hide in this picture!

More details in the first room

A book Belle has left out

Clearly a favorite of Belle’s

Moving into the workshop we see different items including this curious gift from the Beast to Maurice

Other Items in the workshop

Soon we will have full video from this experience but here are a few shots from inside the attraction after the pre-show casting room with the wardrobe and I was lucky enough to get a unique view of the show!

Is that a guard or our own Mayor?

Belle and the FANTASTIC Lumiere who plays host to us in the Castle

Belle finding her “father” locked in the dungeon

Pictures don’t do this justice

Before we move over to Animal Kingdom (Yes there is news in that park too) Let me just say how great this small attraction is.If WDI continues to put this much work and effort into everything they do we are all in for a lot of high quality fantastic attractions! The story is there, the kids (and adults) love it and the special effects are amazing.

Near the Local Foods Cafe (Yak and Yeti counter service) Anandapur Travel and Tourism was presenting Bhangra Dance Party with a Live DJ

Beastly Bazaar is closed

Though the signs say that this is only temporary we know that this is making way for a new Meet and Greet location

The queue at It’s Tough to Be a Bug is completely covered by the new netting though I don’t think it takes away much

Area’s that haven’t been covered by the netting are walled off

Wilderness Explorers Meet and Greet near the old bug fastpass machines

Rockwork near the entrance to Dinoland is getting a refresh

Thanks for reading!

Melissa Weber’s 2/27/12 Walt Disney World Photo Report

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

It’s time to start playing catch up with all the news from the last week, and we start with a photo report from one of the newest members of our team, Melissa Weber:

Art of animation sign near the road being installed

The Spaceship Earth queue layout has been modified for future changes to FASTPASS

Some queue modifications being made at the Seas with Nemo and Friends as well

Even though it is closed, cast members are still being staffed at Habit Heroes

New Animal Kingdom shirts available

Park specific plates and mugs have been released, a neat idea!

CONFIRMED: President Obama Coming to Walt Disney World!

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

Something HUGE is going to happen at Walt Disney World this week and in response Disney is preparing with some major entertainment changes. The following information was sent to cast members today:

Due to an event this week, please ensure Cast Members are aware of the information attached regarding updated operating information for this week. Note that updated Guest collateral will be delivered to operational areas beginning Tuesday evening, Jan. 17. In addition, an in-room letter is being placed in occupied Disney Resort Guest rooms starting tomorrow morning. Channel 19 (on in-room TVs) will be updated daily to reflect these changes.

The changes are for Thursday, January 19th and they are pretty significant. First off, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be running a fireworks show since Fantasmic! is not currently performing. The show is being called “Rock the Night! Fireworks Spectacular” and will perform at 7PM that evening. Three parks are also offering Extra Magic Hours that day: Animal Kingdom from 8-9 AM, Epcot from 9PM-12AM, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from 7-10PM.

UPDATE: The Magic Kingdom’s Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade will also be moved to 3:30PM that day.

While we can not confirm it at this time, rumors are circulating of a special guest visiting the parks on that day. This news article may shed some light on the subject.

So, is President Obama heading to Walt Disney World with the family? It certainly is an interesting rumor since he admitted to having never visited when recording his lines for the Hall of Presidents back in 2009. We’ll let you know more as it becomes available…

1/17/12 UPDATE: It has been confirmed that President Barack Obama will visit Walt Disney World to “unveil a strategy that will significantly help boost tourism and travel.” Walt Disney World was chosen because it welcomes over 45 million guests a year, possible the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Category: Animal Kingdom