Toy Story “Wii-mote” Mania Opens This Fall

WDWNT on March 24, 2009

Anyone who owns a Nintendo Wii video game console and loves the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or at Disney’s California Adventure park is sure to be excited by this news today:

BURBANK, Calif. – (March 24, 2009) – Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature “Toy Story,” will be released exclusively for the Wii™ home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar “Toy Story” franchise.

“The ‘Toy Story’ franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment.”

In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.

The Pixar-created “Toy Story” and ”Toy Story 2” have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of “Toy Story” is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of “Toy Story 2” opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games

Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.

Not Sure What to Celebrate?

WDWNT on March 14, 2009

In case you weren’t sure what you can celebrate at Disney Parks in 2009, here are some promotional videos recently released by Disney:

More Star Wars Weekends 2009 Merchandise

WDWNT on March 7, 2009

The official Star Wars website has posted a great many pictures of the latest Disney/Star Wars merchandise that will be available during Star Wars Weekends 2009 (and beyond) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

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The third series of Disney/Star Wars action figures features Goofy as Chewbacca, Mickey as an X-Wing Pilot, Minnie as “Slave” Princess Leia, Donald as a Stormtrooper, and Chip & Dale as Ewoks

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This Jedi Training Academy boxed action figure set will $39.95

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This exclusive Stormtrooper helmet bank measures 8.5 inches tall and will retail for $18.95

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This bank is 11.5 inches tall and will retail for $12.95

‘Ears to You Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on March 6, 2009

The first picture of any merchandise that will be released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1, 2009 has finally appeared. Of course, it’s an open edition pin that will be sold beginning April 28:

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A very cool logo to say the least. The only thing I find a little strange is that the “20th anniversary” appears to be in the Tomorrowland logo font. No matter what, the logo looks great and I look forward to buying plenty of merchandise featuring it. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to gather information on the historic 20th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1, 2009.

The Yanks Score Big at ESPN the Weekend

WDWNT on March 2, 2009

NY YANKEES PITCHERS C.C. SABATHIA AND JOBA CHAMBERLAIN AT DISNEY

BATTER UP!: New York Yankees pitchers C.C. Sabathia (left) and Joba Chamberlain (right) experience the “Toy Story Mania!” 3-D attraction March 1, 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The two hurlers were at Walt Disney World Resort for “ESPN The Weekend,” a special event in the theme park. The Yankees conduct Spring Training in nearby Tampa, Fla. and play at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex against the Atlanta Braves twice during Spring Training 2009. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

American Idol Experience Fast Facts

WDWNT on February 28, 2009

Here are some short factoids we have been able to gather on the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • The theater has the largest curved video wall at Walt Disney World measuring 35 feet wide and 7.5 feet tall
  • The show uses 113 video screens and 105 audio speakers
  • There are 735 lighting fixtures used in the attraction
  • The American Idol Experience judges all have experience in the music industry ranging from Broadway to recording studios
  • The stage is 100 feet wide and covers 3000 square feet
  • The use of LED set electrics during the show is saving the electrical equivalent of 60 residential homes a day
  • The Superstar Television Theater is the largest HD production facility at the Walt Disney World Resort
  • The computer system used can tabulate 2000 votes by guests in under 2 seconds

Disney’s Night of Joy 2009 Information

WDWNT on February 28, 2009

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Multi-platinum Christian rock band P.O.D., currently on hiatus following a lengthy world tour, will make its 2009 concert debut as part of a 14-act lineup announced today for Disney’s Night of Joy Sept. 11-12 at Walt Disney World Resort. The musically diverse event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park also will feature MercyMe, newsboys, Skillet, Flyleaf, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, Jars of Clay, Grits, Leeland, NEEDTOBREATHE, Superchick, Mandisa and Family Force 5.

Seven acts will perform each evening between 7 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. at stage locations throughout the park.  Night of Joy begins after regular park operating hours, with concerts and select park attractions available exclusively for the enjoyment of event ticket holders.

P.O.D. is among four acts new to Night of Joy (along with Grits, NEEDTOBREATHE and Family Force 5), joining a legacy of 134 Christian music acts that have played Night of Joy since 1983.  While a Disney “newbie,” the southern California-based band that fuses hard rock with hip-hop, reggae and Latin music is well known in music circles.  They’ve been a hit on MTV, won two GMA Dove Awards, been Grammy-nominated, had two platinum-certified albums – one triple platinum – and in past summers played some of the north’s biggest Christian festivals.

But in spring/summer 2009, P.O.D. is chillin’: Vocalist Sonny Sandoval and the rest of the band are home in SoCal enjoying family life following a seven-month world tour that wound up in South America in December, making their Sept. 11 date at Disney P.O.D.’s first gig of the year.

“In the past year we’ve been blessed to play all around the globe but performing at Disney World excites me most of all,” Sandoval said.

The complete Sept. 11 Night of Joy lineup: P.O.D., newsboys, Kutless, Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, Leeland and Superchick.

On Sept. 12, the Studios’ stages will present: Skillet, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Flyleaf, Family Force 5, Grits and Mandisa.

Eight of the acts are nominated for Gospel Music Association Dove Awards in 2009, topped by Tomlin with seven nominations including artist of the year.  Other nominees are Kutless, Leeland, NEEDTOBREATHE, Skillet, MercyMe, Mandisa and Grits.

For Mandisa, Night of Joy will mark her second “guest appearance” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009.  On Feb. 12, she was among an unprecedented gathering of 27 “American Idol” finalists – including the winners from each of the show’s first seven seasons – who participated in a Hollywood gala-style event to premiere “The American Idol Experience.”  The new attraction immerses guests in the excitement of the hit TV show “American Idol,” with some guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios auditioning to take the spotlight onstage, while fellow guests cheer them on from the audience and vote for their favorite singer with instant results.

With an innovative ticket – exclusively for groups of 10 or more – that combines a “day” visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Night of Joy admission that evening, guests will have a chance to participate in “The American Idol Experience.”  And by booking on or before Aug. 12, the Studios day/Night of Joy group ticket costs just $44.95 plus tax (beginning Aug. 13, it costs $49.95).

There’s also a two-day ticket exclusively for groups of 10 or more that combines Night of Joy admission on both evenings (Sept. 11 and Sept. 12) with two “day visits” to the guest’s choice of Walt Disney World theme parks (one per day) on Night of Joy weekend (Sept. 11-13).  Booked on/before Aug. 12, that ticket costs just $89.95 plus tax (beginning Aug. 13, it costs $99.95).

Night of Joy tickets for individuals also are available.  One-night tickets purchased in advance (up to the day prior to the event) are $49.95 plus tax (on event day, if available, tickets are $54.95).  Two-night tickets (providing admission to Night of Joy on both Sept. 11 and 12) are $84.95 plus tax.

All the details about tickets for groups and individuals are available online at www.nightofjoy.com.

Are You the Ultimate Idol Fan? That’ll Cost Ya

WDWNT on February 25, 2009

Walt Disney World is going to be offering two very special package add-on geared toward American Idol fans beginning in March 2009. While I’m not a huge fan of the television program, I think these packages are pretty cool:

Ultimate Fan Experience and Ultimate Backstage Experience

Fans of The American Idol® Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ will have the opportunity to add the Ultimate Fan Experience to a Walt Disney Travel Company package! The Ultimate Fan Experience includes the Guest’s choice of commemorative “The American Idol® Experience” T-shirt, an All-Access ID badge, The American Idol® Experience award statue with choice of plate and VIP seating to the qualifying show of their choice. This add-on will cost $49 (price subject to change).

Guests also may add the Ultimate Backstage Experience to the Ultimate Fan Experience! The Ultimate Backstage Experience add-on includes everything in the Ultimate Fan Experience plus the ability to sit in on a closed rehearsal for the show, tour the audition facility and backstage areas of the set, and an exclusive commemorative 8″x10″ photo taken on the official attraction stage. Tours will be offered twice a week beginning March 3, 2009 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost for the combined Ultimate Fan Experience with backstage tour add-on is $98 (price subject to change). Availability is limited to 20 Guests per tour, and reservations are required.

While many of you may think $98 is a little pricey for the Backstage Experience, It is actually a pretty good value. Consider that a WDW t-shirt costs $20-25 on average, the award statue retails for $14.95, and you can only otherwise get an on-stage photo if you actually participate in the show after making it through the audition process. This merchandise alone values around $60, more than half of the cost. Compared to most Walt Disney World backstage tours, this is a relatively cheap offering. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on these special “American Idol” experiences.

Star Wars: Return of the Big Figures

WDWNT on February 25, 2009

Those of you attending any of the Star Wars Weekends events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May or June will be happy to know that Disney will once again be releasing a collection of big figures featuring four of the fab five dressed as classic saga characters:

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Mickey as Luke Skywalker with Yoda & Minnie as Princess Leia from Jabba’s Palace

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Goofy as Chewbacca & Donald as Han Solo in Carbonite

Each of these is limited to 600 pieces, with 500 of each available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and 100 of each at the Disneyland Resort. They will all retail for $195 and will be the final pieces in the long running Star Wars big figure series.