It seems that the WDWNT Christmas Podcast Parade was not the only parade taking place yesterday :), there was of course the 25th annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade on ABC. Disey has put a number of clips from the parade and the holiday season on Youtube, so I thought I would share them with you:
You can also download this version of “Celebrate You” HERE
Our good friend Brian Martsolf (of Big Brian’s Disney Page) has provided us with some photos taken during Mousefest 2008, so lets take a look:
The Viking play ship outside the Norway pavilion at Epcot is now completely gone
This is about the only remnant
Chris Lastrapes from Disneyland News Today is now visiting the Walt Disney World Resort and has provided us with some photos from his trip, so let’s take a look:
Tickets were available for the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on that evening, but are sold out for tonight’s final party.
The Magic Kingdom in it’s Holiday finest
The Magic Kingdom tree, which has actually only been in place for a few days now
The mystery food vendor that is replacing the old Frontierland Fry Cart continues to rise over the walls
Our very own Matt Paul attended this weekend’s Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade tapings, and reports back to us with these photos:
This Friday and Saturday were days for Walt Disney World Christmas Day parade taping
Dream Along With Mickey performed on a slightly modified stage for the later performances
These red curtains were put in just for the parade taping.
Just thought we would take a moment to look at some recent commercials the Walt Disney World Resort has put together for a variety of topics:
Holidays at WDW
A more recent “What Will You Celebrate?” commercial
3-D Theaters on the Disney Cruise Line
Here are pictures from the second day of Jose Castillo’s trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. On Friday, Jose visited Epcot:
Another day dawns aboard Spaceship Earth…
With rather long lines
Jose got his funny photo posted somewhere in the middle of the ocean
Over at the exit of Test Track, we’ll take another look at the updated Fuel for Thought
Here is our first photo report provided by WDWNT’s Head Technician Jose Castillo. Here is what he saw during his first day trek through the world:
The gingerbread display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
A cool monorail tree inside the Fantasia shop
Some work being done on top of the BVG store
The tree outside the Contemporary
Matt Paul has provided us with more pictures from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s see what happening at the world:
Guest Relations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is decked out for the season
Since I always get yelled at by High School Musical fans for a lack of coverage…
we will fill our annual quota in two pictures
The Walt Disney World website has updated it’s January calendar with an interesting note about Epcot operating hours. It appears Epcot will be closing at 8:00 PM on Fridays from January 9th to April 3rd to non-Disney resort guests. This will make Illuminations: Reflections of Earth perform at 8:00 PM on those select evenings, with Extra Magic Hours for Resort guests following until 11:00 PM. To the best of my knowledge, that is the earliest the park has closed since 1999 and the earliest that firework show has ever performed. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this change becomes available.
I thought I would take this time to address a few short subjects in one post just to make sure everyone is caught up on what’s going on with WDW and WDWNT right now:
-We have opened our fantastic poll allowing you to choose what you think are the 20 biggest moments in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Just go HERE, pick 20 moments, and hit submit. The 20 biggest moments as voted by you will then be counted down every week on the WDW News Today Podcast until the anniversary on May 1, 2009. Voting closes on December 4 at midnight, so don’t miss out!!!
-Disney has released a picture of the completed facade of the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (we should have our own pictures of the completed building very soon, until then check out THIS photo report on the WDW News Today Community Forums):
IT’S SHOWTIME!: Disney’s Hollywood Studios raises the curtain on the newest showbiz-themed attraction, “The American Idol Experience.” All the excitement of the popular “American Idol” TV show comes to life in a first-of-its-kind attraction where Walt Disney World guests can vote on their favorite performance, or audition with the chance to perform on stage. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
-Ellen’s Energy Adventure at Epcot will be closed for a lengthy refurbishment from January 5 through March 22, 2009. During this time, some general maintenance will occur. It is also rumored that Imagineering will use this a a time to look around the attraction for possible changes.
-Reported on the WDW News Today Community Forums:
Beginning December 1st, anyone booked for lunch at Tusker House (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom) between 1:00pm and 1:40pm will receive a ticket for reserved seating at the Finding Nemo (The Musical) 3:15pm show. If you are already booked during that time frame you will qualify for the reserved seating ticket. Only reservations between 1:00pm and 1:40pm qualify. One ticker per person dining.
-Also Reported on the WDW News Today Community Forums, Disney launching an online check-in service for resort guests:
Disney’s Online Check-In service enables Guests to simplify their arrival by allowing them to go online and provide information related to their upcoming stay. On a Guest’s scheduled arrival date, since check-in information will have been provided previously online by the Guest, they may experience a streamlined check-in at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels or Disney Vacation Club resorts. A welcome folder with their Key to the World Card will be waiting at a designated Disney’s Online Check-In area in the resort hotel lobby. Guests will need to present valid photo ID to pick up the folder and complete check-in. Guests may check-in online beginning 10 days prior to their arrival date. Web site addresses for Disney’s Online Check-In service will vary based on the original method of booking. As Guests are completing Disney’s Online Check-In service, select Guests will have an opportunity to apply for the Disney Rewards® Visa Card® that could be used during their stay. This service launches in January, 2009.
A lot to process, but hopefully we have everyone caught up on current Walt Disney World and WDW News Today events before the big holiday week begins.
