WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve was on a mission Friday: to take as many newsworthy photos in one day as humanly possible. Did Brandon succeed in his mission? Let’s find out:
Welcome to the place “Where Dreams Come True”
WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee has taken a few newsworthy photos to share with us from his latest excursion to the Walt Disney World Resort, so without any further delay, here they are:
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a special photo opportunity has been set up to promote Disney’s A Christmas Carol
WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee spent Thursday at the fabulous Walt Disney World Resort, starting his day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and then spending the evening at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:
A new audition video plays on the big screen outside the American Idol Experience periodically. The sign underneath points to the new audition entrance
Continuing our D23 Expo coverage, we have two more fantastic videos for you to enjoy. The first video is of the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, featuring the creation of the new Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World and the progress on the upcoming Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show for Disneyland. The second video is from the “Making of Toy Story Mania” panel and features the development and execution of the Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions. We hope you enjoy these videos by Matt Paul, embedded via the WDWNTube:
Our newest WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee has provided us with his second update, taking us to both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see what’s new:
Starting at Animal Kingdom, Flights of Wonder is closed through October 23rd for refurbishment
WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul was able to record video of both the “Imagineering the Future of the Disney Parks” presentation and the follow-up press conference at the D23 Expo, and now has both videos available for your enjoyment. Both videos are embedded below courtesy of the WDWNTube:
Hopefully these videos have answered some lingering questions about the exciting upcoming Walt Disney World projects. We still have many questions to ask as well and will try to get them answered as soon as possible, so stay tuned.
Disney has released a youtube version of the short clip that was shown of Star Tours II (in 3-D) at the D23 Expo. The video is also available in high definition by clicking the appropriate button below:
Since I have received a number of questions by email about this updated attraction, I decided it would be best to list what we know about Star Tours II thus far:
-Star Tours will close October 2010 and Star Tours II will open late summer/early fall 2011
-Star Tours II will be presented in Disney Digital 3-D (A change also being made at Muppetvision 3-D at both DHS and DCA in 2010, this was announced at the Expo as well)
-While we are not sure how it will work, pod racing (as seen in Episode I) will not be the only outcome of the attraction. It was revealed that there will be multiple films/destinations for Star Tours travelers
I know it’s a few days late, but here is the full press release we were given at the D23 Expo concerning these two exciting new projects for Walt Disney World and other on-going “Parks and Resorts” projects:
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo detailed plans for future lands, attractions and adventures that will be delighting Disney guests for years to come, at the first D23 Expo. Most notable among the announcements were the confirmation of an all-new Star Tours attraction and the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
“Storytelling is the DNA of Disney dreams and we’re always exploring new ways to tell new stories in new places,” Rasulo told a crowd at the Anaheim Convention Center in California before taking them on a “behind-the-magic” tour of their favorite Disney destinations.
Rasulo announced that a new 3-D version of the tremendously-popular “Star Tours” attraction will debut at the Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2011. Based on the iconic Lucasfilm “Star Wars” films, the attraction will include immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy.
For Walt Disney World in Florida, Rasulo outlined plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, vastly increasing the size of Fantasyland by 2013. Guests will soon be able to:
-Visit their favorite Disney Princess in her castle, cottage, or chateau to share a dance with Cinderella; celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s birthday with the Good Fairies; or join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast’s castle library.
-Be Our Guest and dine in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast’s castle.
-Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.
-Journey under the sea with Ariel, The Little Mermaid, in her very own attraction – also opening at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim in 2011.
-Meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.Rasulo provided updates on the multi-year expansion of Disney’s California Adventure including the new “World of Color” attraction slated to open in the spring of 2010 and the addition of the 12-acre Cars Land scheduled to open in 2012 where guests will literally step into the town of Radiator Springs and its six acres of hand-carved rockwork.
Rasulo noted the progress of several other recently-announced projects including the three new lands coming to Hong Kong Disneyland by 2014; the Disney Dream, the new ship being built by Disney Cruise Line; the many diverse itineraries being offered by Adventures by Disney that take guests on 19 unique, once-in-a-lifetime guided vacation experiences; and Disney’s first family destination resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
As we did on the second day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. Today held some of the biggest announcements of the D23 Expo so far. First up is the much anticipated Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion:
Here we see concept art of the new Fantasyland. As you can see, most of the princesses have been the inspiration in the development of the new attractions and restaurants. Pixie Hollow is also being developed fully, complete with the hometree and a Pixie play area. Many of the Disney Princesses will be getting their own realms in Fantasyland, including Belle, Cinderella, and Aurora
Another princess getting her own portion of the park is Ariel. Like its sister park on the west coast, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is inviting Ariel to be part of its world with a new Little Mermaid section of Fantasyland. The area will be dominated by Ariel and Eric’s castle, with a statue of our favorite little mermaid perched on a rock amongst the water surrounding the castle
The classic staple, Dumbo, is also getting a facelift–a second set of ride vehicles, and a three ring circus atmosphere to incorporate the feel of the original film. The ride will be “completely queue-less” with a waiting area set up with bleachers for parents. Riders waiting until their feather is called can be entertained by playing a variety of interactive games
Finally, with fanfare, a group of storm troopers, and an appearance from Darth Vader himself, Jay Rasulo announced Star Tours 2
The updated, 3D ride will entertain guests in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland with various Star Wars experiences, including a high-speed pod race
Construction for the Fantasyland expansion is expected to start sometime in early 2010, while Star Tours is expected to close in October 2010. Star Tours II is set to open in 2011, while Fantasyland and Pixie Hollow are expected to open in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
I hope you’ve been enjoying our coverage of the D23 expo. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for a round-up of day 4 of the Expo tomorrow.
Disney has made a short press release regarding the newest prop on display as part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Backlot Tour attraction:
The Studio Backlot tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a new prop on display, and it’s eggcellent! Guests can see the colorful chicken coop that appeared in Hannah Montana: The Movie. In the film, Miley Cyrus’ character stays up all night to rebuild the coop for her farmhand friend Travis.
Buena Vista Construction Company, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the Scenic Shops partnered to bring the movie prop to the Studios.
“Jackie Herrera is our WDI curator, and when she saw this was available, she jumped at the chance to get it here for Studios guests.” said Wyatt Winter, Walt Disney Imagineer.
Guests can see the chicken coop, which is one of the largest props on display at the Studio Backlot Tour, as they exit the Special Effects Water Tank and enter the queue for the tram tour.
