PHOTOS, VIDEO: Classic Three Caballeros Audio-Animatronics Breathe New Life Into Epcot Boat Ride

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

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Many a guest was excited to see the Three Caballeros added to Epcot’s Mexico boat ride back in 2007, but the multiple screens of animated scenes leading to one large animated scene always felt like it was lacking something. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon to hear guests insist that there should have been animatronic versions of the Three Caballeros built for the ending scene of the ride. Well, Disney solved this problem this past weekend…

With the Mickey Mouse Revue attraction closing in Tokyo in 2009, the Disney Archives found a set of Donald, Panchito, and Jose animatronic characters in their possession. In fact, these figures were even displayed at a D23 event here in Florida not too long ago. With just a little bit of restoration and some programming, Walt Disney Imagineering brought the figures back to life, now appearing in their first role at Walt Disney World since they left the Magic Kingdom for Tokyo in 1980. Be sure to catch these amazing pieces of Disney history the next time you are at Epcot. They certainly have enlivened what has been a fun, yet fairly anticlimactic attraction up until now.

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Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2016 Expands to 90 Days

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

If 75 days wasn’t enough last year, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will now run a full 3 months in 2016.  Epcot will host the annual event March 2 – May 30, 2016.

 

Making their topiary debut at the park’s front entrance will be Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie along with Donald and Daisy. To celebrate the National Parks Service centennial, Ranger Mickey Mouse will be presented for the first time in Future World.

The Cars play area will be replaced in 2016 with the innovative new “Fab Five” play garden featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck topiaries. Musical instruments will be built into the children’s outdoor climbing systems.

“Disney & PIXAR Short Film Festival” Set to Replace Captain EO in the Magic Eye Theater

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

We already know that Captain EO will close forever on December 6th, 2015, but now we know what is replacing it:

Coming in December, Epcot guests can experience Disney and Pixar animated shorts in a new 4D experience located in Magic Eye Theater in the Imagination Pavilion. “Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival” will include a look into the visionary minds behind some of the world’s most iconic animated films today.

Then inside the theater, guests can put on their 3D glasses and enter the imaginative worlds of three animated shorts, which will burst to life on the big screen (and in the theater) like never before.

While this is the permanent replacement for Captain EO, we can’t help but feel this is just a placeholder until a full overhaul of the pavilion can be planned and carried out.

Stay tuned for more details on this breaking story as it develops.

CONFIRMED: Captain EO at Epcot Will Finally Close Forever on December 6th, 2015

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

While we are still waiting for official confirmation from Disney, rumors are circulating that Captain EO starring Michael Jackson may finally close forever on December 6th, 2015.

 

The attraction returned in 2010 to celebrate the life of Jackson after his passing the year prior. The attraction also returned at 3 other Disney resorts around the world, but has since been closed at all other locations. Captain EO at Epcot closed temporarily earlier this year to accommodate previews of Tomorrowland and Inside Out, but surprisingly returned later in the summer.

It is unknown why the attraction might be closing, but speculation has it that Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald has been tasked with being the leader of a team to overhaul Epcot over the next few years and this could just be one of the early steps in the process. The rumor does not seem to include Journey Into Imagination with Figment, possibly debunking rumors of a makeover for the entire pavilion, but only time will tell.

Stay tuned as we try to get confirmation on this breaking story.

UPDATE:

Disney has updated the Epcot poster to confirm the attraction is indeed closing December 6th:

Captain EO Farewell Mission December 6

Tom Corless’s 10/26/15 WDW Photo Report (The Good Dinosaur, Osborne Lights, Star Wars, Etc.)

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

I visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot over the weekend and have some newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting around Walt Disney World:

There are 4 new character shirts with the vintage Walt Disney World logo now available

There’s a new line of ladies’ apparel with Minnie Mouse on it

There are also some new Tinker Bell items of clothing

New Minnie Mouse active wear for sale


Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Good Dinosaur preview has opened inside Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream

The regular film will return December 5th, but until then guests can preview the latest Disney-PIXAR film

The Good Dinosaur merchandise has started to arrive at WDW

Shellie May merchandise is also flooding the parks

Work continues on the Star Wars Launch Bay

New billboards up in the Animation Courtyard

As the new show is being built, the old Jedi Training Academy stage is being dismantled

Installation is nearly complete for the final Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

If Star Wars land is indeed replacing Streets of America, this window display is quite fitting

The Muppets is also being promoted with themed garland

A piece of the Studios’ 26 year history will watch guests enjoy the final year of the Osborne Lights

Posters for ABC’s The Muppets have been put up at Muppetvision 3-D

The We Love Disney music album preview in the Sound Studio brought about a much needed refurbishment of the theater, finally ripping out the Sounds Dangerous seating

The preview is fun and a nice diversion if you’re visiting the park

Soarin’ Around the World Will Open Summer 2016, Soarin’ to Close for 4 Months

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

The Walt Disney World website is confirming that Soarin’ will be closed beginning January 4th, 2016 to change into “Soarin’ Around the World”. The new attraction will take guests flying over locales all around the world including the Great Wall of China, the Painted Desert, and more in crystal clear high-definition.

 

The new Soarin’ attraction and 3rd Soarin’ theater are expected to open around May 1st, 2016, about the same time as the new FROZEN Ever After attraction in Norway at Epcot.

Dirk Wallen’s 10/2/15 WDW Photo Report (Epcot, Frozen, Magic Kingdom, Skipper’s Canteen, etc.)

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot this week and has some newsworthy photos from his trip to share with us today:

New Disney Junior MagicBands have been released

Construction continues on the Frozen meet and greet area in Norway

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Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work is now taking place on the facade of Castle Couture

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Work on the hub project is finally wrapping up, all of the turrets are now out from behind walls

Facade work continues on the Country Bear Jamboree’s Grizzly Hall

SURPRISE! Golden Oak Outpost is closed again…

Work continues on the Jungle Cruise Skipper’s Canteen Restaurant

They are rushing to finish in time for the holiday season this year

Will they make it?

I think they will

FIRST LOOK: Mickey and Figment Celebrate 20 Years of the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot with New Merchandise for 2015

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

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Even though the Festival doesn’t actually start until tomorrow, merchandise was out in MouseGear today

Shotglass… I mean toothpick holder

Magnet

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They even have a new garbage can salt and pepper shaker for the Festival

We have plenty more photos and coverage from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival coming over the weekend, so stay tuned!

PHOTOS BY DIRK WALLEN

Walt Disney World Pulls The Plug on Duffy the Disney Bear np

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

After over 5 years, Disney seems to be giving up on making Duffy the Disney Bear the must-have souvenir at Disney Parks.

Duffys Easter Fair at Tokyo DisneySea

The Duffy the Disney Bear walk-around character will greet guests in World Showcase at Epcot for the last time on October 3rd, 2015. A Daisy Duck meet and greet will replace the current Duffy location.

The nearby Duffy store at Epcot was stripped of the bear a while back and is now a shop that sells Star Wars and Marvel franchise items.

The Disney Bear was reintroduced on both coasts in 2010 as Duffy after years of unbridled success at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Other than the Epcot meet and greet experience, other theme park experiences with Duffy were planned, but never came to fruition. Supposedly, sales of the plush were never quite what Disney expected and those cast members who launched the project were promoted within the company, leaving Duffy in the hands of those who never envisioned leading the charge for the plush bear.

There was even a media event celebrating Duffy’s arrival at the park back in 2010:

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Disney also shuttered the Duffy meet and greet at California Adventure a few months back.

Despite all of these changes, Duffy will still be sold at the parks and there are no plans to retire the nightly bedtime story on Walt Disney World Resort TV as of right now.