We have a sneak peek of two pieces of true, original Disney art in the form of new topiaries for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
Still at the nursery, here is a first look at Anna and Elsa:
The festival opens March 4 and runs through May 17. To help plan your visit, check out EpcotinBloom.com.
Since 1988, we have been patiently waiting for a new pavilion to grace World Showcase at Epcot, filling one of the many expansion pads around World Showcase Lagoon. Well, the addition of Frozen to Norway at Epcot will apparently include a large meet and greet pavilion for the Frozen characters that will take up one of these plots.
Filings with the South Florida Water Management District discovered this week by StitchKingdom reveal Disney’s plans for the space next door to the existing Norway pavilion.
The 13,000 square foot building will be located just across from the restrooms, Kringla bakery, and Stave Church. The space at the very least includes a Frozen character meet and greet and new women’s restrooms (we expect the existing restrooms will be remodeled and made into a larger men’s restroom). Behind the building, parking spaces and needed facilities for the pavilion will be constructed. The new building may also house something else because of the size of the structure, but it seems likely Disney will make the most of the space to make sure as many guests could meet Anna, Elsa, and Olaf as possible with a minimal wait.
The former Anna and Elsa meet and greet space in Norway was too small to handle the long queues and guest demand for the characters, thus prompting Disney to build this new facility which will have its very own entrance. While the historical facades of Norway will not be altered, we can expect this meet and greet’s facade to be themed to the fictional kingdom of Arendelle from Frozen.
Dates for the sixth annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic have been announced. The popular event is set for Friday October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2015, at the Swan and Dolphin.
The two-night, outdoor festival will feature more than 40 stations with culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and wine from more than 30 wineries. Guests will also enjoy live music, a beer garden featuring local and seasonal brews from around the world and food and beverage seminars led by the hotel’s chefs and certified beverage experts.
More details about the event, including specific ticket packages, will be announced later. For the latest information, guests can visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com, like www.facebook.com/swananddolphin or call 1-800-227-1500.
Thanksgiving and Christmas haven’t happened yet, but chances are, you’re already thinking ahead and starting to make plans for New Year’s Eve. If you’re going to be ringing in 2015 at Walt Disney World Resort, here’s a rundown of some of the entertainment that’s planned for this year’s celebration.
Tell us in the comments below, what are you doing New Year’s Eve?
Not much can beat that feeling of waking up on Christmas morning, running down the stairs, and ripping open the presents under the Christmas Tree… unless you’re a die-hard Disney Parks nerd. In that case, finding plans for an un-built attraction, possibly a pavilion for EPCOT Center, probably means more than Teddy Ruxpin ever will. It was a great toy and all, but it wasn’t this…
A few months ago at Theme Park Connection, this particular book came across my desk. This is a 1989 proposal for a potential Switzerland pavilion at EPCOT Center. This plan was the absolute final version that was presented to Walt Disney Company management, international dignitaries, and corporate sponsors involved in the project. It is literally filled with every last detail on what would have been World Showcase’s Switzerland pavilion (and first and only roller coaster). What you are about to see and read is our Christmas gift to you in celebration of the tremendous year WDWNT had in 2014. So we hope you enjoy a little virtual trip through the never-built Switzerland pavilion at Epcot.
Located between Germany and Italy in Epcot’s World Showcase, the Switzerland pavilion skyline is dominated by the Matterhorn, standing at 192 feet tall and 200 feet in diameter. The mountain would contain a bobsled ride with a track layout essentially identical to Disneyland’s Space Mountain attraction, but themed like the Matterhorn. Being quite different from the Florida version, Space Mountain at Disneyland features a different style of track and side-by-side seating in the ride vehicles. Imagine this as a cross between Matterhorn and Space Mountain at Disneyland, but with a larger budget and far more extensive show scenes than either attraction. While there would be indoor and outdoor scenes on the EPCOT version, the ride would be completely contained inside the large mountain structure. More on that later…
Before reaching the mountain, guests would be greeted by a quaint, rural Swiss village hidden behind some evergreen trees. The village would be home to four shops: a clock and music shop, a wood carving and crafts shop, a candy and gourmet food store, and a clothing accessories boutique. Several house facades hide the 230-seat restaurant upstairs and an extended queue for the Matterhorn downstairs. A tourism center and VIP lounge were also part for the plans.
Here you can see the facades and the layout of the stores on one side of the village. Personally, most of this seems like stores and items you could find in Germany, so I’m not sure how some of these shops would have worked out.
Moving to the other side of the village, let’s further inspect the restaurant…
The restaurant would be located across the street and dominate the upper level of each facade you see.
The layout was pretty ingenious as almost every seat had a beautiful view of the promenade, the village, or the Matterhorn.
Here we see concept art of what one of the dining rooms would have looked like, with the entire seating area positioned by windows.
And now, time for the main event…
Two seperate, very different plans were created for the ride, which we will call Storyline A and Storyline B. What the interior of the ride would be was still undecided at this point, so both plans were still very viable at this point. Let’s begin with Storyline A:
The backstory is pretty insane… it’s all about a secret Swiss bobsled training camp…
The interior queue mostly takes place in this ice cavern.
Suddenly things get very high-tech, think Swiss Space Mountain…
In typical Disney ride fashion, the riders start their trip and head down the wrong path…
Despite appearing to be outdoor scenes, all of this takes place inside of the mountain.
The track layout appears to be identical to Disneyland, as there are 3 lift hills.
One of the vignettes guests encounter on the mountain.
You are “timed” as you run the bobsled course, starting at this starting gate.
Similar to an effect that would later be developed for Test Track, but never quite worked…
The bobsleds then veer “inside” the mountain
Guests dodge a projection-based avalanche in this art.
Then they speed through an ice cavern.
Sorry it is blurry, but here gusts arrive at the unload and get their final race time.
Guests then exit back out of the mountain.
The attraction exits into the tourism center.
In case all of this was too expensive or didn’t appeal to those who needed to sign-off on it, a second storyline was developed.
The attraction opens in the same style as Storyline A.
The ride itself is VERY similar to Space Mountain in style, including these lift hills.
The ride takes places completely inside the secret training facility, with the entire experience essentially being a simulation.
A “tubular waveform”… Really odd…
It’s scary how much of this seems like current Test Track…
The ride also concludes in the same fashion as Storyline A.
In case the scenes for Storyline B didn’t pique anyone’s interest, alternate scenes were also drawn up.
Nothing says Switzerland like simulated explosions…
Now let’s take a closer look a the rockets… I mean Bobsleds…
Here are several color schemes that were laid out for the vehicles.
Here’s a list of who would have worked on the project, most notably John Hench was the creative leader.
The pavilion would have taken 3 years from approval to completion, so it may have opened around 1992-1993 if it was approved.
Here are some fun facts for those of you who like this kind of stuff (and I know you are out there)…
Concepts for the Disney Parks that are never realized are always fascinating, and to be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever had an entire book on a project like this at my disposal. I hope you agree that it is one of the most absolutely fascinating unrealized projects and have enjoyed this look at the project. We plan on going much further in-depth on this project on a future episode of the WDWNT Podcast, but until then, Merry Christmas!
WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Epcot this week to check out Holidays Around the World and he has a number of photos from his trip to share with us:
 The lumberjacks are on hiatus for the holidays
The Canadian Holiday Voyagers are currently using the stage
Half of Off Kilter?
The cool ornamant displays in France are back this year
After months of dismal attendance, Spice Road Table launched a new menu recently that actually has entrees
Precious Moments dolls are being sold at the American Adventure during the event
The gingerbread display at Epcot this year is the Capitol
Joyful is still a thing… very talented but oh so out of place
Please stop…
Cute holiday iPhone case available at MouseGear
The vintage-style holiday merchandise seems to be a real hit this year
SANTA DUFFY!
No visible progress on the Frozen attraction, but they decorated the facade
The Norway stage actually in use
Another look at the gingerbread Capitol building
If you had your doubts about the budget or just how extensive the work on the new Frozen attraction at Epcot might be, you may want to look at this…
Photos from @JohnCFSS on twitter
Photos from @JohnCFSS on twitter
The photos above were taken under the door at the attraction’s entrance, the former lobby of the Maelstrom ride in Norway of Epcot’s World Showcase. The word demolition comes to mind as it looks like they have in many places ripped walls out or at least stripped them down to the structural steel.
Since the announcement of the ride earlier this year, there has been much debate about the budget and how extensive the attraction update might be. These photos are the first real proof that at least the entrance and exit of the ride will be vastly different from Maelstrom. It is still unknown if the boat flume will remain, but some sources have claimed that the ride will be entirely new, and these photos may make that easier to believe. However, it is still possible that a boat ride is behind these walls. Only time will tell.
Photos from @JohnCFSS on twitter.
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney Springs, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot this week and he has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us in this HUGE photo report, so let’s get started:
Plenty of roadwork still to be done for Disney Springs
A new piece of elevated track is rising on the West Side, between Splitsville and Wolfgang Puck
We now know this large building with be the Boathouse
Disney announced this new restaurant concept last week
They wasted no time in adding ads to the walls for the restaurant
Concept art for the façade of the Boathouse
The small waterside park in The Landing opened this weekend
A nice little area for relaxing and live entertainment
Some of the buildings are out from behind construction walls in The Landing
New concept art for the area now on construction walls
There is a giant inflatable Baymax from Big Hero 6 on the West Side…
These storefronts in The Landing are just about done
The bridge in the Marketplace is also nearing completion
Two small, temporary stores operated by Something Silver opened by Fulton’s recently
The Marketplace bridge with the Rainforest Café façade refurbishment in the background
Shifting gears, Christmas merchandise has invaded the resort
Ornaments
Some Star Wars holiday pins were released
Plenty of Big Hero 6 merchandise is available around the resort
2015 calendars available
New “I Conquered” shirt
Iron Man and Captain America shirts
New Star Wars character glasses
New Darth Vader t-shirt
Some new merchandise was released at the Art of Animation Resort
Over at Epcot, walls finally came down around the area that was closed when a water main was hit after the Flower and Garden Festival
No visible progress at Norway’s Frozen attraction
We tweeted these weeks ago, but if you haven’t seen, some new retro EPCOT Center merchandise has been released
A quick stop at Animal Kingdom reveals work walls near Pangani Forest and Kilimanjaro Safaris
No visible changes at AVATAR, it’s impossible to see from inside the park
Moving to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, work continues on Starbucks and the Trolley Car Café
Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey…
Big Hero 6 merchandise carts replace the Frozen carts
Banners up in the Animation Courtyard
Work has finally begun on the Big Hero 6 meet and greet inside The Magic of Disney Animation
Big Hero 6 billboard by The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow
Let’s journey inside the new Wandering Oaken’s
Purchase with purchase Frozen bag available
Jim Shore has released some Frozen statues
Osborne Lights are ready to go
No more Backlot Tour…
At the 75-day-long Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival in 2015, a Frozen topiary vignette will surely “freeze” guests in their tracks at World Showcase Plaza. The festival is taking place March 4-May 17, 2015 and will be headlined by the topiary debut of the Frozen characters, along with a new entrance vignette called “Goofy About Spring” featuring brand new topiaries of Chip and Dale who will be accompanied by Goofy and friends. Other 2015 highlights include:
“This is one of our most ambitious festivals ever,” says Eric Darden, festival horticulture manager. “We’re telling stories we’ve never told before. You’ll get a fresh taste of spring — it’ll be like the first spring farmer’s market for America.”
As park guests nibble on inspired Outdoor Kitchen goodies, they can wander among multiple themed gardens and children’s play areas. Nearly 100 expertly crafted topiary characters, including Snow White, Bambi, Mickey Mouse, Simba and Peter Pan, will animate the landscape when Epcot transforms to a vibrant wonderland of sweeping garden beds and exhibits.
The “Frozen” topiary vignette at World Showcase Plaza will pop with color as Anna’s and Elsa’s icy world, illustrated with white and silver blooms of delphinium, alyssum and other floral varieties, transforms to a brilliant spring palette featuring Gerbera daisies, petunias, Sweet William and other flora.
A Health Garden near The Land pavilion in Future World will display ancient medicinal plants including garlic, aloe, chamomile, fennel, mint and others. Plants used to develop modern prescriptions will be papaya, periwinkle, turmeric, yew, thyme and valerian. And the new Shakespeare Garden at the United Kingdom pavilion will feature roses to represent Romeo and Juliet: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Also in the garden: rosemary from Hamlet, lavender from The Winter’s Tale, plus representations featuring poppy, lily, honeysuckle and willow.
Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House will return with hundreds of winged beauties fluttering above and lighting upon their favorite nectar-producing plants. Dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers” and beds of multi-colored blooms will add to the floral splendor of the park’s landscape. At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, 220 mini-gardens will be set afloat.
Several special weekend happenings will include Art in the Garden Weekend (March 27-29); Florida Fresh Weekend (April 24-26); and Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. Weekend (May 8-10).
It was quite the busy weekend at Walt Disney World, so I managed to visit all 4 parks to see what was new and have a ton of newsworthy photos to share with you in today’s report:
The Studio Backlot Tour closed forever on Saturday
A Big Hero 6 exhibit can now be found at the Magic of Disney Animation
Moving over to Epcot, menu changes have been made a the Electric Umbrella
I decided to try the French Dip burger
It was surprisingly good!
I also tried the Pumpkin Macaroon from the France ice cream parlor and it was amazing.
Over at the Magic Kingdom, this low clearance was added in the bus stop to ensure busses go the right way through the loop
The awning on the boat dock at the entrance was replaced, it’s now red instead of green
The latest progress on the hub at the Magic Kingdom
The Astro Orbiter reopened this weekend, but you can read more about that here
The leave-your-phone charging stations in Tomorrowland have all been closed, the test period came to an end and we’ll now have to wait to see if it was a success and is brought back
New Space Mountain ladies’ shirt
New men’s “I conquered Space Mountain” shirt
This artwork was previously on a black t-shirt and slightly different
Dumbo character sketches are now being sold at Big Top Souvenirs
New Beast plush for sale at Bonjour Village Gifts
Instead of selling generic items, there is a now a Beauty and the Beast shield toy
If you don’t have a FastPass for it, prepare to arrive at Be Our Guest at park opening to get a return time to eat lunch there or you’ll be turned away
Even more of Sir Mickey’s has been taken over by Frozen merchandise, even Ariel merchandise got pushed out
Some new Frozen artwork for sale
A two-sided Olaf ceramic ornament was just released
Queue work continues at Peter Pan’s Flight
We thought it would only be at Disneyland, but the Zero popcorn bucket was released at the Magic Kingdom! It costs over $13 but has a light-up nose feature
Strange new t-shirts…
LOVE this new sweatshirt!
Odd new Magic Kingdom shirt
Simple, but nice
Halloween 2014 Duffy
Some of the Haunted Mansion 45th anniversary lithographs have made it to Florida
An awesome new print by Alex Maher
In preparation for “Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It!”, video screens are being installed on the floats
Moving over to animal Kingdom, it’s still a mess
At least all of the construction walls are decorated now
The UP meet and greet has seen better days
“it’s tough to be a bug” re-opened this weekend
Most of the nets installed to protect guests from falling particles have finally been removed from the queue
There are still nets by the base of the tree, not sure if these will stay here
work is picking up on the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light
The Everest shrine is behind walls and probably will be until the construction is done in late 2015/early 2016
Since one of the Wilderness Explorers’ answers is behind walls, they made a copy and placed it on the walls
The walls wrap around most of the river
We can peek through and see that the construction vehicles are already in place, ready to start working on the show and viewing area
Some sort of new structure is going up by Flame Tree Barbecue
An Oswald Christmas ornament was released
