Christmas Comes to Epcot
WDWNT Photographer Steve Wieczorek has provided us with a picture of the Christmas Tree at Epcot which is now up and ready for the Holidays Around the World:
Adam Roth’s 11/14 Mini-Photo Report
Our own Adam Roth of WDWCelebrations has provided us with a short photo report looking at the refurbished Fuel for Thought exhibit at the exit of Test Track at Epcot:
Not all that much has changed here since the walls went up
They cleaned up the exhibit quite a bit, certainly more floor room now
You can get an inside look at how Hybrid vehicles from GM work
Over at The Land, they are preparing for a new exhibit.
BREAKING NEWS: Disney Inks Huge Deal with Verizon Wireless
This just in from the Walt Disney World Resort:
November 12, 2008 – Marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Verizon are teaming up for a multi-year relationship designed to enhance the guest experience – before, during and after guests arrive at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. This alignment allows guests to have a personal tour guide right in their wireless phones along with reliable new services at the parks. Early next year guests will also use Verizon Wireless’ technology when experiencing Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction coming to Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort.
“With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Imagine receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom.”
Beginning next year, guests will be able to access an array of features on their Verizon Wireless phones while at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort to help them make the most of their Disney experiences. Planned services include an exclusive mobile application that will give guests with Verizon Wireless service the ability to easily locate shows, restaurants and the Disney characters anywhere inside the Parks; get real-time attraction availability information; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more. Verizon Wireless is also continuing to invest in its wireless network from coast to coast, and the relationship with Disney means the wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the Parks.
John Harrobin, senior vice president of digital media and marketing for Verizon, said, “All of our efforts focus on one goal: making the Disney experience even better for our customers. There are few life experiences that are more memorable than visiting a Disney Park, and now guests with Verizon Wireless service will unlock even more magic from their visit – by navigating the Parks easier and faster with instant access to key information such as ‘Where’s Mickey now?’ and other special features – even when they travel home and share their experiences with family and friends.”
In addition, guests visiting Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort in early 2009 will be among the first to experience Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. An ultra-interactive attraction, Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites guests of all ages to team up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions. Armed with an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator,” guests will use these handheld devices to help maneuver through the mission. The interactive wireless theme park game was inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy® Award-winning animated series, “Kim Possible.”
While Verizon Wireless customers will have exclusive access to an array of enhanced features, Disney and Verizon are also working to ensure that some mobile information such as dining locations, show times and locations will be available to all Parks visitors, regardless of their wireless company.
Additional details will be available next year as the companies expect to add a suite of services and functionalities to help guests at Disney Parks have the most magical experience. For more information about Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, visit www.disney.com. For more information about Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.
Disney Parks and Resorts – Taking Guests to New Frontiers
The agreement between Disney and Verizon is another step in a series of new initiatives that highlight the latest technologies from Disney Parks and Resorts with a continued focus on improving guest experience and providing immersive entertainment. Disney Parks and Resorts continue to exemplify how technologies can be used to build new connections and redefine how guests plan and enjoy their vacations. From the time guests begin planning their vacation using Walt Disney World Resort in 3D on Google Earth or tuning into Disney Travel on Demand, the experience is designed to make their lives easier. Guests can take their vacation experience to a new level with Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an interactive wireless theme park game for families, and by personalizing and sharing their Disney experiences when they return home, using DisneyLink, a desktop application.
Now I can’t say we haven’t discussed some of these ideas for a while, but we weren’t always expecting Disney to align with Verizon for this content. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on this breaking news.
Matt Paul’s 11/10/08 WDW Photo Update
Here with his first photo report from the Walt Disney World Resort is our own Matt Paul, who spent yesterday visiting three of the theme parks. Let’s see what he found at the World:
Let’s begin at Epcot
The new IBM Thinkplace inside Innoventions is still coming soon
With the end of the Food and Wine Festival, this spot waits for its holiday display
This small area is still being worked on, perhaps for the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure
The Christmas display at the park entrance is starting to be put in place
A strange recycling bin now stands near the ramp to the Epcot Monorail station
Now we’ll move over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The final Super Soap Weekend at Walt Disney World will take place this weekend
The usual stage has been set-up outside the Sorcerer’s Hat
Because of the stage, the High School Musical show will be performing on the Streets of America
A lot has happened since we last looked at the American Idol Experience
All of the signage is up and the attraction is nearing completion
A large screen stands outside the Superstar Television Theater waiting for the first show to begin
The American Idol Experience sign
I think it looks great
The name of the theater is still way too cool 🙂
Matt thought this was a cool picture
Golden Age Souvenirs has closed again as it prepares for some American Idol merchandise
A new logo has appeared on the trampoline units for Block Party Bash
Finally, over to the Magic Kingdom
Here it is, the first of many Cinderella Castle Dreamlights photos for 2008
Even after seeing it in person, I can’t help but say “WOW”
We’ll end Matt’s report with a very cool 2008 holiday shirt with an awesome tag-line: “Joy from the World”
Adam Roth’s 11/8/08 WDW Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth of WDWCelebrations has provided us with another fantastic photo update from around the Walt Disney World Resort during his latest trip. Let’s see what’s new around the world:
The display in the window of the Toy Soldier store over at the United Kingdom pavilion has some new decorations
If you look at the blocks, they spell out Kim Possible
This is another element the country’s shops have added for the upcoming Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure game
Adam ran into a familiar face to those of you who used to visit the Adventurer’s Club at Pleasure Island. Most of the former PI entertainers have already been moved to other roles throughout the Resort.
Tarps are still up in Japan, always seems to be up in this pavilion
A quick look at the old Body Wars attraction exit inside the Festival Center, which closes again today until the beginning of the Flower and Garden Festival in 2009
The Kim Possible game displays are waiting for use inside Innoventions East and West and feature some new wanted posters of Villains from the show
Adam found something rather funny at one of the Food and Wine Festival kiosks
Hosted by Anheuser-Bush
Serving InBev’s (the new owners of the company) signature Stella Artois
Another piece that will be part of the Kim Possible Adventure for the China pavilion
On his way to the Magic Kingdom, Adam snapped some quick shots of continuing work on Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The Bay Lake Tower continues to take shape
The construction site is starting to get pretty clean
Over to the Magic Kingdom
The final strands of the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights have been put in place
The Hall of Presidents….
still closed until July 🙂
We’ll end this report with Adam’s best score to date on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (I didn’t have the heart to tell him how many times I’ve gotten the perfect score)
Thanks Adam!!!
News from the Winter 2008 Mickey Monitor
We have some very interesting news and notes from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter sent to annual passholders for Winter 2008. It appears that another new element has been added to this year’s installment of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just for those with an AP. Here is the news straight from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter:
“Experts at Disney say Passholders may be seeing things this holiday season. Quite Literally. Courtesy of special 3D glasses Passholders can pick up at the Park between November 28 and December 20 and wear when taking in The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The glasses will enable Passholders to see special hidden images like angels and snowflakes throughout the display of five million lights. Once again making being a Passholder pretty darn cool this holiday season. Passholders can pick up their glasses at the Package Pick-Up location near the Park entrance.”
The next piece of news is on the continuing speaker series being held just for Passholders at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park:
“We’ve got something special as part of the exclusive Disney Passholder Speaker Series: a delightful Disney’s Animal Kingdom presentation, “Disney Holiday Magic: From Toyland to the Jungle.”
On Saturday, December 13, two-time Grammy-nominated Disney Writer Greg Ehrbar will take you on a fun-filled journey from early Disney holiday entertainment and music to perhaps the most jumpin’, jivin’, joyful experience of all, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade–with prizes for some lucky winners–and a special VIP viewing of the parade itself!
Space is limited! Visit disneyworld.com/passholder now to sign up for this event.”
We also have more information on the upcoming Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, opening to all guests later this month:
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to transform your family into secret agents and help save the world from super-villains during the new Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, based on the Disney Channel animated series, Kim Possible!
Beginning in late fall 2008, you can embark on an exciting mission throughout one of seven World Shocase Pavilions (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France or the UK).
When you defeat the villains, a super-secret finale event signals the end of your adventure, so you can return your Kimmunicator knowing you’ve done your part to save the world–and come back later to save it all over again. Find our more at disneyworld.com/kimpossible.”
To begin, just pick up a Mission Pass at any of four locations (Innoventions East and West, the Odyssey Bridge or International Gateway). You’ll be told how to proceed to your field station to pick up your “Kimmunicator,” a hand-held wireless controller that gives you secret assignments and activates special effects and events throughout your pavilion!
Annual Passholders were also given a description of what is going on at Disney Parks in 2009 and what they will get rather than free admission during “What Will You Celebrate?”:
Birthdays. Anniversaries. Personal triumphs. Reunions. Promising new beginnings.
Imagine celebrating a birthday in a land of pure magic, marking your anniversary in a fairy tale kingdom come true. Or reuniting with friends and family in a place where everyone gets to be a kid again.
It’s a great way for you to celebrate almost anything in your life, and starting in January 2009, Disney will make it easier for you to magnify those moments in incredible Disney style! Disney is making this the year to gather with the people who make you the happiest and celebrate at the place where dreams come true. And we’re magnifying the magic with new entertainment and unique experiences.
“We’ve got some very special surprises for anyone coming to celebrate with us–including ONE VERY BIG ONE,” said Faron Kelley, Project Development Director for Disney Desinations.
Perhaps you’ve heard what Faron was talking about, the most magical birthday present of all: free admission to one of the Theme Parks of the Walt Disney World(R) Resort on your birthday during 2009 and thought to yourself, “Wait a minute. I’m a Disney Passholder. What about me?” Well don’t worry, we’ve got you taken care of too.
Passholders with Theme Park admission that they will use on their birthday in 2009 can choose one of three great birthday treats.
If you use your Pass for Theme Park admission on your birthday in 2009, choose from one of the following birthday treats:
-A special birthday FASTPASS for select attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or
-A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use on your birthday for select merchandise, recreation, other gated attractions or for Disney’s PhotoPass on-site services at select participating locations at the Walt Disney World Resort; or
-A 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.
Just go to disneyworld.com/celebrate to register for your birthday treat.Durring this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.
“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”
So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”
Disney has also come up with ways to make your memories even more vivid. “This year, we’ll also be giving our Guests an opportunity to mark their reunion or any special time with customizable t-shirts, Mickey ears, pins and special Disney’s Photopass images,” Faron told us. “It’s a wonderful memory to share and take home–all personalized by you.”
During this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.
“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”
So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”
The final piece we have indicates that we should see the first WDW Passholder previews of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by January. In addition, you will need to sign-up to take part once registration opens:
“Because Passholders are like our “idols,” we’re getting ready for a preview of The American Idol Experience for you! Space will be limited, so keep an eye on disneyworld.com/passholder for the registration announcement so you can sign up!”
Some very exciting stuff coming up for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, it’s about time that this group started getting some special treatment!!!
Bridging the Gaps Between You and the Globe
Even though it has been performing in the show for a while now, WDWNT Videographer Jose Eber brings us a video of the upgraded LED-covered Earth globe from Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot:
Adam Roth’s 10/25/08 Epcot Update
Adam Roth was at Epcot today & has a photo report for us. So let’s get to it:
New LED lights have recently been added to the earth globe in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.
The rest of these photos are all related to the upcoming Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, which opens to guests sometime in November… A golfball cleaner has been added to one of the shops in the United Kingdom pavilion. The little green box is a video screen.
This is the King’s Court in the United Kingdom. When the players in the game come up to it, the scene will react accordingly.
This is Duff Killingans’ (from the Kim Possible show) golf club. There’s a spindle at the bottom on top of the grass, which will spin the crest around to reveal a clue.
This is the display for the game, in the window of the Toy Soldier shop. What’s seen here is very different than that seen in the test from 2 years ago. The toy soldier is large, & far more rounded, with the original looking much more like a nutcracker.
This is a video screen, that when not used, the screen displays the logo from the store.
This is an audio-animatronic character that will speak to guests playing the game.
The difference is pretty much night & day from the original.
Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to get more details on the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, opening sometime in November at Epcot.
An Innovative Look at Innoventions
A brand new website devoted to Innoventions at Epcot has opened to give guests an idea of what the mostly updated interactive expo has to offer. You can see this new website by going HERE. This opening of this site coincides with the recently updated Innoventions maps, which tell guests to visit the official website to continue their experiences from the many different exhibits. The website even features details on the new IBM exhibit coming later this year called the “Thinkplace”.
The most recent version of the Innoventions logo that first debuted in 2007
This is yet another piece of the huge revamp that Innoventions has been going through over the last few years (encompassing the additions of Stormstruck, Don’t Waste It!, Slapstick Studios, Kim Possible World Showcase Challenge kiosks and Kidcot locations). The entire project is almost complete, with only a few new exhibits left to be put in place on both the East and West sides. Expect more changes inside and out, as the entire exterior of the Innoventions buildings to be repainted to the new blue and green color scheme sometime in 2009. You may even see the East and West side renamed Innoventions Green and Blue at some point in the future. The entire project is scheduled for Spring 2010 completion. The project has garnered all of Epcot’s attention at the moment, and is the biggest reason why we haven’t seen anything new happening over at the Imagination! pavilion just yet. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this project becomes available.
“Make it Blue?” and Other News From WDW
Here is a collection of news stories now making the rounds regarding the Walt Disney World Resort:
-Those famous toy guns that have been sold in Adventureland and Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom since opening day back in 1971 will be going through a rather large appearance change soon. Those guns that you probably either own or have seen a small boy walking around with in the parks are going to be turning a bright blue over the next few months, so they won’t be easily mistaken for real firearms. This change is actually coming much later than expected, with laws already passed in most states that require toy guns to be brightly colored. Should be interesting to see how sales of these guns hold up after the change.
-The Walt Disney World Monorail spiel has already been altered to mention the Bay Lake Tower addition to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The change took place last week, only days after the official announcement of the project.
-The 2009 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will be running from March 18 through May 31 next year, a few days shorter than last year. Here is the official press release for the 2009 edition:
An elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary featuring four Disney princesses dressed in “blooming” finery will set the scene for the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 18-May 31.
Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, and Belle and Beast from “Beauty and the Beast” will debut as the grand front-entrance topiary during the 75-day festival. Princess Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” also will greet guests by the front-entrance fountain.
And that’s just the beginning. More than 70 topiaries in all showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of Disney gardeners will dot the park landscape. Sweeping floral beds and exhibits will feature 30 million blooms. The art of bonsai will “wow” guests at the Japan showcase, and a large “green” garden between France and Morocco pavilions will reveal the many ways home gardeners can “go green” with their own landscapes.
Festival highlights also will include:
Disney Gardening at Home presentations: Disney horticulturists share gardening tips and lead guests in a hands-on, take-home activity. The Great American Gardeners series: Gardening celebrities and authors from across the country will share their gardening secrets. The Garden Town festival center: Guests can shop for festival merchandise, attend speaker presentations and demonstrations and ask gardening questions of the experts. The family-oriented Growing Future Gardeners: A garden of delight where kids and parents can get colorful (and tasty) planting ideas. Kids’ activities and character meet-and-greets. Flower Power concerts: Popular bands rock the open-air America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. The concert lineup is slated to include Davy Jones, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Jose Feliciano and other top acts.