Magic Kingdom – Page 114

John Rick’s WDW Photo Update 9/5-9/7/08

WDWNT on September 9, 2008

WDWNT is back with another photo report from the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s start this report at the Magic Kingdom:

Some lovely pumpkin decorations next to the Mickey floral.

A beautiful pumpkin Mickey floral.

Mickey’s face is colored with actual pumpkins.

The Minnie Mouse statue from the hub is missing.

Donald in a Davy Crockett style costume that I have never seen him in before.

An area blocked off for refurbishment in the queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Some work being done near the bridge to Splash Mountain.

The never-ending construction continues behind the Frontierland Fry Cart. 8 months and counting…

Decorations for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party along the back path from Mickey’s Toontown Fair to Tomorrowland.

More of these scarecrows have appeared on Main Street U.S.A.

Moving over to Epcot, a new Fantasmic CD for both WDW & Disneyland is on sale at MouseGear.

As you can see, the CD includes the both the Disneyland & WDW versions of the show, as well as the Disneyland exit music.

This lovely new woman’s T-Shirt is on sale at both resorts.

Stuffed Minnie Mouse in her new costume for this year.

A stuffed Mickey Mouse also in his new attire.

A beautiful glow-in-the-dark Halloween shirt for this year.

More Halloween merchandise.

The Epcot Pin Celebration took place this weekend, titled Pin Trading University.

A statue of the new Disney Pin Trading Mascot “Bobby Pinback” at the entrance to World Showplace.

John met up with John Rick of the Central Jersey Disney Pin Traders & The Disney Pincast.

John Rick gathered some great audio from the event which will be airing on the Disney Pincast over the next few weeks.

Here are a few of John Rick’s pictures from Pin Trading University:

Upcoming 15th Anniversary Nightmare Before Christmas pins from the Disneyland Resort.

Upcoming 50th anniversary Sleeping Beauty pins from the Disneyland Resort.

A 20th Anniversary Little Mermaid pin collection being released next March at Disneyland.

A new starter set for next year’s Magical Celebrations, “Celebrate Everyday!”

A preview of some new Hidden Mickey pins from WDW

October 2009 is the 10th anniversary of Disney Pin Trading.

Concept for pins on the 40th Anniversary of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion next year.

Some pins our own John Rick won at the celebration!!!

Steven Miller previewed next year’s Epcot Pin Celebration

The Museum of Pin-Tiquities will be next year’s WDW Pin Event.

Next year’s summer pin festival at Disneyland will celebrate 40th anniversary of The Haunted Mansion.

And now back to John Corigliano’s pictures, over at Downtown Disney:

T-Rex Restaurant is starting to look really nice.

The restaurant opens this October.

New palm trees have been planted outside the restaurant.

As usual, check out Johnâs Flickr page for plenty more photos from his trips to the World!

09/04/08 WDW Photo Update by Jason Diffendal

WDWNT on September 5, 2008

Staff member Jason Diffendal of WDWCelebrations.com has provided us with some very interesting pictures from around WDW during his latest trip. Let’s take a look at a few newsworthy items:

Starting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Night of Joy event logo has taken over the entrance billboard. I really like the new logo, something about those colors…

The stage in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat is almost ready for the Night(s) of Joy.

While the temporary stage is set, High School Musical 2: School’s Out will be performing on the Streets of America. This shows final performance is going to be September 13th, with the updated High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now! show to debut on October 24th.

Work on something continues at the end of Sunset Blvd.

Mouse About Town, Once Upon a Time, and Sunset Club Couture (Sunset Blvd. Shops) have all closed to be refurbished and change over to selling just clothing. This is a horrible decision, which moves the watchmaker into the Art of Disney over in the Animation Courtyard and leaves the park with more limited options when it comes to collectibles and home goods. It appears the restrooms next door are also closed at this time.

Moving over to Epcot, wait times make the off-season seem a little more off this year.

“These wait times look so good, I want one!”

Food and Wine Festival preparation outside the American Adventure

The Morocco gallery is closed while a new exhibit is added. The new exhibit will open on September 25.

Epcot rushing together the International Food & Wine Festival, which begins September 26.

Exterior work continues on the United Kingdom pavilion.

Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the Liberty Bell in Liberty Square

Work on the Fantasyland facades continues, now expanded onto Tinker Bell’s Treasures

Even though the new Liberty Square bridge is complete, work continues in the waters below it.

More columns around Main Street U.S.A. are being painted. Wonder how many average guests even noticed this one…

Even the napkins are getting into the Halloween spirit this year.

We end this special report with a Halloween cup you could get next time you buy a Coke at WDW. Thanks for the report Jason!

What’s This? New Halloween Outfits

WDWNT on September 4, 2008

Here’s a quick look at the new costumes that Disney’s most famous couples will be sporting this halloween during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Donald and Daisy Duck

John Corigliano’s WDW Photo Update 8/31-9/1/08

WDWNT on September 2, 2008

WDWNT is back from the not-so-crowded Walt Disney World theme parks with another fantastic photo report. Let’s take a look at all the newsworthy happenings from around the world:

Starting at Disney’s hollywood Studios, this special stage has been set up for the Night of Joy events

Construction on the American Idol Experience

They are painting the entire building in a new blue color-scheme

This is where the old poster that featured a few ABC shows such as Good Morning America used to be.

A few color changes on the tower.

Not sure what this is, signage perhaps?

A few more of the statues have been removed.

We expect this exhibit to make a move to somewhere else in the studios soon…

A Bolt billboard up in Animation Courtyard.

As previously reported, Single Rider has been removed from Toy Story Midway Mania.

The current Cars character meet-and-greet by Pixar Place…

The new meet-and-greet being constructed where Al’s Toy Barn was. Looks like it will have some pretty cool, recognizable, movie inspired theming.

A nice looking Tapestry Woven Throw.

And here’s a new Disney’s Hollywood Studios Tapestry Woven Throw.

You can’t see it all that well in this picture, but the Osbourne lights are starting to be put up.

You can get a better look at the lights in this picture.

The Muppet Vision 3-D balloon is still down on the Streets of America.

More painting on the opposite side of the American Idol Experience building.

The limo is back up on the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster sign.

The attraction was closed for 4 hours due to technical difficulties… A rare sight indeed!

Moving over to Epcot… Innoventions might as well be called Construction Land, as there have been so many new projects going on there lately.

This is where the IBM exhibit used to be.

The IBM logo is still there.

We’re less than a month away from this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!

Another rare sight, the Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood outside the American Adventure!

This sign at Soarin’ could use some fixing up.

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Halloween Decorations are now up at the Magic Kingdom

New statues around the hub on Main Street U.S.A.

They even light up in certain places at night

Banners up at the majestic train station.

Banners on the side of the Exposition Hall.

The Exposition Hall.

City Hall.

Work is still being done on these columns outside the Emporium.

Halloween decorations inside the Emporium.

Very, very short wait times for the Magic Kingdom

The off-season is here

The Liberty Square bridge is one again open to guest flow & parades. It looks pretty good.

However work is still going on in the water beneath the bridge.

New concrete in Liberty Square

The Liberty Bell is behind walls.

They’re working on wiring by & beneath the McDonalds Fry Cart in Frontierland. It’s been going on for 7 months now.

They have repainted the castle stone wall above Snow White’s Scary Adventures (the light tone wall). It looks much better in my opinion.

Same work being done on the Mickey’s PhilharMagic facade.

A funky new Mickey Mouse shirt.

A cool new shirt for the 15th anniversary of Nightmare Before Christmas.

Construction on the new north wing of the Contemporary Resort.

And to cap off this photo report, a billboard advertising T-Rex (and new employees) on the way to Walt Disney World.

Phelps-Mania Takes Over the World

WDWNT on August 30, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (August 29, 2008) – Direct from the Beijing Games where he won a record eight Gold Medals, world champion swimmer Michael Phelps celebrated his unprecedented achievement with an all-American homecoming parade in his honor at Walt Disney World Resort.

In a star-spangled salute amidst confetti and thousands of flag-waving fans in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps was honored for his record-setting wins and for the spirit in which he captivated the world in his quest for Gold.

The 23-year-old from Baltimore beamed as he rode through the park alongside Mickey Mouse, waving to fans who chanted his name. Magic Kingdom guests joined in “America’s Homecoming Parade” for the swimmer who broke records in each event he entered in Beijing.

For Phelps, who also was honored in Disney parades at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Park in California following the 2004 Summer Games, it was a sweet homecoming to the United States and to see fans who supported him in his quest for Gold in Beijing.

“I am so happy to celebrate here and see some of the fans who supported me,” said Phelps. “It’s great to feel so much excitement around the sport of swimming in the U.S. and around the world. To top it all off with a parade at Disney World is just incredible.”

During his celebration in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps also took time to meet a group of local swimmers from the central Florida area. The aspiring young swimmers had the chance to talk with Phelps, ask about his record-breaking experiences and see the Gold Medals he won in Beijing.

Phelps’ celebration at Walt Disney World is planned to be the next feature on his wildly popular Facebook.com page. Phelps, one of the most popular public figures on the social networking site, has nearly 1.5 million Facebook “fans” who have subscribed to receive his latest news and updates. Phelps said he plans to offer photographs and video of his Walt Disney World visit on his Facebook.com site.

Phelps, who has announced he will train for the 2012 Games, now owns the record for most Gold Medals in a single event (8) and for a career (14).

One Golden Morning at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 28, 2008

We are receiving multiple reports claiming that record-setting Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps will be in the Magic Kingdom at 10:30 am Friday morning for a heroes welcome parade. While no major news outlets have made this official, the sources giving us the news can be considered credible. If the parade does take place, be sure to take a spot on Main Street U.S.A. (since the Liberty Square bridge is still being replaced) tomorrow morning and enjoy the parade.

WDW Photo Update 8/15-8/17/08

WDWNT on August 19, 2008

WDWNT is back from another trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s take a look at what’s going on at the “Construction Kingdom”:

A Bolt poster outside the Magic Kingdom.

The temporary parade route that Disney Dreams Come True will be following during the Liberty Square bridge’s refurbishment. Click HERE for a bigger version of this picture.

Steel showing in-between 2 parts of City Hall.

And here is the new top to City Hall at dusk.

Construction on the Liberty Square bridge, which is closed off to guests… and parades.

Work going on under the bridge that leads to the Mad Tea Party & Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

They’re already starting to put up the Cinderella Castle Christmas Lights.

The curtains aren’t hanging on the sides of the screen to Mickey’s PhilharMagic, so instead this projection is shown.

They’re doing some work on the pavement in Liberty Square.

Seems they’re painting the poles near the Emporium.

The Grand Marshal Pre-Parade to Disney Dreams Come True, running up & down Main Street USA before the Disney Dreams Come True Parade showings at 3 & 7pm.

Nice tires on the Grand Marshall car.

Let’s take a look at Disney Dreams Come True, in its slightly abbreviated form.

The Princess float is not in the parade at the moment, so the Princesses are with the Fab 5 on the infamous Castle float.

Now here are a couple of videos from the backwards running Disney Dreams Come True Parade:

And now the parade returns back down Main Street:

Whew, that’s it for Disney Dreams Come True. Now moving over to Epcot:

Let’s take a look at the new StormStruck exhibit now open in Innoventions.

Work being done on the side of the American Adventure.

Work being done to the Japan pavilion once again.

Merchandise for the Beijing Olympics on sale at the China pavilion.

Construction going on at the United Kingdom pavilion.

A couple of Mickey Mouse shirts for sale inside MouseGear.

And here are some shirts in this design for various characters.

Back into Innoventions, the long-running IBM exhibit has been removed.

The lights in the concrete outside MouseGear are covered while being worked on.

The Toy Spring Action Shooters are finally on sale at MouseGear of all places!

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, paint is already peeling on a door at Toy Story Midway Mania.

Can you believe that people are putting their feet on this wall at Toy Story Midway Mania!?

Notice the un-painted section & burnt out lights.

Mr. Potato Head was broken down again.

This woman was wearing a Disney-MGM Studios shirt from 1990.

A new piece taking shape on top of the new north wing being constructed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Plenty of Press Releases for 8/18/08

WDWNT on August 18, 2008

Here is a collection of press releases just made available by Walt Disney World. First off is some details about the Night of Joy event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

The 26th Night of Joy at Walt Disney World Resort will have lots of “news” surrounding a lineup featuring a “Who’s Who” of Christian music Sept. 5-6:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host the event for the first time

First performances each evening will be at 7:15 p.m., with the fun continuing till 1:30 a.m.

“Rap sessions” will engage guests in moderated Q&A discussion with select artistsA stellar 16-act lineup (with eight acts performing each night) will feature Artist of the Year tobyMac, Male Vocalist of the Year Chris Tomlin, Group of the YearCasting Crowns and New Artist of the Year Brandon Heath plus enduringly popular MercyMe and Rebecca St. James. Here’s the complete talent lineup with show times and locations (subject to change): FRIDAY, SEPT. 5
Artist – Stage – Showtimes

Brandon Heath – Lights, Motors, Action! – 7:15pm
Britt Nicole – Icon Stage – 7:30pm
Matthew West – Premier Theater – 8pm, 9:15pm
Chris Tomlin – Lights, Motors, Action! – 8:15pm, 9:45pm
BarlowGirl – Icon Stage – 8:30pm, 9:45pm
Rush of Fools – Premier Theater – 10:45pm, Midnight
Rebecca St. James – Icon Stage – 11pm, 12:15am
MercyMe – Lights, Motors, Action! – 11:15pm, 12:45am

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6

Artist – Stage – Showtimes

Red – Lights, Motors, Action! – 7:15pm
PureNRG – Icon Stage – 7:30pm
Mandisa – Premier Theater – 8pm, 9:15pm
Casting Crowns – Lights, Motors, Action! – 8:15pm, 9:45pm
Marcos Witt – Icon Stage – 8:45pm, 10pm
GMA Winner – Icon Stage – 9:35pm
Aaron Shust – Premier Theater – 10:30pm, 11:45pm
tobyMac – Lights, Motors, Action! – 11:15pm, 12:45am
Fred Hammond – Icon Stage – 11:30pm, 12:45am

One-night advance tickets ($44.95) and two-night tickets ($75.95) can be purchased online at www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy or by calling 407/W-DISNEY. Groups of 10 or more can go to www.nightofjoy.com or call 877/NITEJOY for ticket information. Guests attending Night of Joy can combine an evening of Christian music with the thrills of popular Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions plus a DJ dance party each evening.

Applications will soon be accepted for the 2009 WDW Moms Panel:

Disney Parks undertakes its search in September for a group of park-savvy parents to be named the 2009 Walt Disney World Moms Panel, following in the footsteps of the first-ever online Walt Disney World Moms Panel which has been fielding and answering thousands of vacation questions in 2008.

The quest is for 16 parents who pride themselves on being Walt Disney World “know-it-alls” and have an undying passion to share their Disney knowledge with others at www.disneyworldmoms.com. From Sept. 8 through Sept. 19, interested applicants can visit www.disneyworldmoms.com/2009 to apply for the panel. The application process begins with a series of questions and three brief essays — about their family, why they are a great Walt Disney World vacation planner and their favorite Disney vacationing tip.

“The first-ever Disney Moms Panel has responded to more than 9,000 questions from vacation planners this year. They have offered our guests countless tips to plan a magical vacation at our resort,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “We thank the 2008 panel for their contributions and look forward to working with a new group of parents.”

Since the launch of www.disneyworldmoms.com in January 2008, the current 12-person panel has responded to questions covering just about anything from how to sign up for a character dining experience to what items are allowed in the parks.

Here is the complete Eat to the Beat Concert series line-up for this year:

Eight Grammy-winning acts join 10 other stellar hit-makers to bring a rocking mix of classic tunes to Walt Disney World Resort during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival beginning Sept. 26. Eat to the Beat! concerts are scheduled three times daily through Nov. 9.

From rock to jazz, funk to pop, 10 new Eat to the Beat! acts and eight returning bands take their turn on the America Gardens Theatre stage in 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. shows. The lineup (subject to change) includes:

Sept. 26-27 — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (NEW)
Sept. 28-30 — Sheena Easton (2 Grammys)
Oct. 1-4 — Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Oct. 5-7 — En Vogue (NEW)
Oct. 8-9 — Jonny Lang (NEW, 1 Grammy)
Oct. 10-12 — Peabo Bryson (NEW, 2 Grammys)
Oct. 13-14 — Sister Hazel (NEW)
Oct. 15-16 — David Sanborn (6 Grammys)
Oct. 17-18 — Jon Secada (2 Grammys)
Oct. 19-21 — Spyro Gyra (NEW)
Oct. 22-23 — Otis Day & the Knights
Oct. 24-26 — Exposé
Oct. 27-28 — Kool & The Gang (1 Grammy)
Oct. 29-30 — Boyz II Men (NEW, 4 Grammys)
Oct. 31-Nov. 2 — Atlanta Rhythm Section (NEW)
Nov. 3-5 — David Cassidy
Nov. 6-7 — Night Ranger (NEW)
Nov. 8-9 — Los Lobos (NEW, 3 Grammys)

Details on the 2008 Race for the Taste on October 12:

The 9th annual Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K takes place Oct. 12, giving competitors an opportunity to run and eat during the popular Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort.

Runners will enjoy a ceremonial toast and fireworks display at the 7 a.m. start of the race at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, then embark on a 6.2-mile journey through Disney’s Hollywood Studios and past Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts before passing through World Showcase at Epcot, the epicenter of the food and wine festival.

At the finish line, runners — along with ticketed friends and family members — will have an opportunity to sample international cuisine from the Epcot festival at a post-race picnic.

There will also be several Race for the Taste Kids’ Races, including a Heelys’ Race and Roll race (200m) for kids ages 8-14. Other kids’ races include a 100-meter event (ages 1-3), a 200-meter race (ages 4-6), a 400-meter race (ages 7-9) and an 800-meter event (ages 9-11).

Runners can register online at www.disneyraceforthetaste.com. Race-only registration is $55; race registration that includes a Disney theme park ticket is $92. Each participant who completes the race will receive a medal shaped like a chef’s hat. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in several categories, including top male, top female and wheelchair divisions.

Details on the T-Rex restaurant opening now in late October (another change) at the Downtown Disney Marketplace:

Walt Disney World guests will go on an adventure back in time to dine among the dinosaurs when T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover opens it doors by late October at Downtown Disney.

T-Rex, developed by Schussler Creative, Inc., and operated by Landry’s Restaurants, Inc., features dining and retail in a 30,000-square-foot, 600-seat interactive prehistoric environment. The concept is built around water, fire and ice: Guests will be greeted with life-size animatronic dinosaurs that live among cascading waterfalls, bubbling geysers, a fossil dig site and much more.

Schussler Creative Chairman Steve Schussler, the founder of Rainforest Café and T-Rex restaurants, depicts the experience as “edutainment,” noting that this “treat for all five senses” includes artifacts such as fossils — all carefully labeled — that are hundreds of millions of years old, carefully crafted animatronic dinosaurs, and even a meteorite found in Argentina.

A full-size skeleton replica of Argentinosaurus, one of the largest of the dinosaurs and copied from a museum specimen about 125 feet in length, looms over the entrance, joined by a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

The theme carries over to the menu, which features items with names such as Caesarsaurus (Caesar salad), Raptor Ribs (Asian BBQ ribs), Pterodactyl Wings (Buffalo chicken wings), Triassic Tortellini (tri-colored cheese tortellini) and Gigantosaurus Burger (think really big hamburger!).

Menu choices range from starters (appetizers, salads and soups) to pastas, burgers and sandwiches to a broad selection of entrees plus desserts. Some favorites include rotisserie chicken, fried shrimp, steaks and ribs, tarragon chicken salad sandwich, Cobb salad and “Chocolate Extinction.” Guests will be able to make reservations by calling 407/WDW-DINE.

Mickey and Minnie Get New Halloween Costumes

WDWNT on August 18, 2008

In an official press release today:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When the Disney characters dress up for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this September and October, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be debuting a whole new look. Mickey has traded his scarecrow costume for stunning purple and orange eveningwear fit for a Halloween ball. Not to be outdone, Mickey’s best girl, Minnie Mouse, exchanged her witch costume for a party dress to complement Mickey’s attire.

For Mickey, it’s a top hat and purple tails. For Minnie, it’s a party dress with a purple hat with an orange ribbon — bright and colorful, befitting the fun on 25 evenings between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31 when Magic Kingdom hosts the popular after-hours party.

Guests are invited to dress up as well for the 7 p.m.-midnight party which features two scheduled entertainment extravaganzas guests can see at no other time: the “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade and the bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular. There’s trick-or-treating galore and also a chance to experience popular attractions throughout the evening.

Parties are slated for Sept. 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 28, 30 and Oct. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31. To purchase advance tickets, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/halloween.

This costume change comes as no surprise, as a number of upcoming Disney pins show off the new costumes, as well as the new pumpkin decorations that will be coming to the Magic Kingdom this year:

Details on Tinker Bell Movie Passholder Event

WDWNT on August 12, 2008

Registration for the Walt Disney World Passholder advanced screening of the Tinker Bell movie will be opening on August 19, 2008. The four screenings will take place on September 27 and 28 at 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM inside the Magic Kingdom, inside the Exposition Hall. You can register for the event If you have a valid WDW annual pass at this link beginning on August 19th.

Category: Magic Kingdom