More Details on Disney World’s 40th Anniversary

WDWNT on August 12, 2008

While we are still a little more than 3 years away from the 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort on October 1, 2011, there are many rumors of new additions to the Disney theme parks that are becoming more and more likely. We have already told you about the plan to renew classic attractions at the Magic Kingdom such as Space Mountain, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, The Enchanted Tiki Room, The Country Bear Jamboree, and the Hall of Presidents, as well as add a few new attractions such as a Little Mermaid dark-ride and some new nighttime entertainment offerings. Now details are emerging on some planned projects for Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the celebration.

By now, you are all aware of the world’s worst kept secret of Star Tours receiving its new story, queue, film, and store sometime in 2011, but you may not be aware of another film change that is now making the rounds. It appears that filming for the proposed “Soarin’ Around The World” film is set to begin soon and we can plan on seeing the updated Epcot and California Adventure E-Ticket debut sometime in late 2009/early 2010 if all goes according to plan. Epcot is also expected to be replacing Illuminations Reflections of Earth with a new show sometime in the 2009 and who can forget the still unofficial Monsters Inc. roller coaster that’s coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With all these big-budget projects and the expected financial downturn that WDW is about to go through, it will be interesting to see what from this list actually makes it off the blueprints and into the parks.

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on these rumors as we get closer to Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary.

Temporary Dining Changes

WDWNT on August 10, 2008

Some temporary changes to dining at the Magic Kingdom are coming during the busy free dining plan season. According to the DIS:

TOMORROWLAND TERRACE

On August 24, 31 and September 7 and 14, the Tomorrowland Terrace will be serviing a buffet dinner from 5:30 to 9:00pm. The menu will include Chimichurri Beef Loin carved to order, salads, pastas, and breads.

$35 for ages 10 and up, $18 for guests 3 – 9 which includes tgratuity. Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use one table service entitlement when dining here.

DIAMOND HORSESHOE

On August 24 – 31 and September 13 – 25, the Diamond Horseshoe will be serving a family style dinner from 5:00 to 9:00pm. The menu will include roast turkey, carved beef, pork loin, mashed potatoes and more.

$28.99 for ages 10 and up, $14.99 for guests 3-9. Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use one table service entitlement when dining here.

Hall of Presidents Changing Again

WDWNT on August 4, 2008

It appears that one way or the other, some big changes are coming to the Hall of Presidents Attraction at the Magic Kingdom. It was just made official that the attraction will be closed for some major show changes from November 2008 until July of 2009. Despite that this refurbishment is now public information, what changes are going to occur remains a mystery. While we would expect the addition of an Audio-Animatronics figure of the new president of the United States (whether it be John McCain or Barack Obama) with a speaking part, it has been rumored that the new version of the show would simply add the latest president to the line-up on stage and give Abraham Lincoln a longer speaking part in the show. 

This refurbishment is now set to begin on November 1, 2008 and end on July 1, 2009. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the future of the Hall of Presidents becomes available.

WDW Photo Update 8/1-8/3/08

WDWNT on August 4, 2008

UPDATED @ 11:32PM EST

WDWNT is back from another of his lovely weekend trips to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s take a look through some of his most newsworthy pictures:

The Laugh floor seems to be loosing power 🙂

The brand new top for City Hall has been lowered into place after 7 months of waiting.

The wait time board at the Magic Kingdom on August 2nd.

Glaceau Smart Water is a new addition to ODV carts around the Resort.

It seems that the Adventureland Veranda has re-opened temporarily as Veranda Refreshments.

The Diamond Horseshoe has also re-opened, as it always does during busier seasons.

Contemporary north-wing construction is quite visible from Liberty Square.

Just thought this was a nice shot.

The new Grand Marshall vehicle with covering.

New Toy Storry Midway Mania T-Shirts available in… Tomorrowland!?

This is a really nice new Wall-E T-Shirt!

So many great new T-Shirts! I think we’re all in love with this one!

This is a new Figment T-Shirt for women.

Is that a new Kodak sign?

The sign for the new StormStruck exhibit in Innoventions, opening soon.

The top of the new exhibit.

This is something new in the Don’t Waste It exhibit in Innoventions.

The Fantastic Plastic exhibit is still closed, awaiting a new exhibit.

Apparently, you plug Mickey into your MP3 player and he “grooves along with your music.” I wonder what he does when he listens to our podcasts?

The Great Movie Ride sign still needs some fixing.

One of the few remnants of the Disney-MGM Studios left at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Muppet Vision 3D hot air balloon is being fixed behind walls on the Streets of America.

Advertisement for the Night of Joy at the Premiere Theater.

The Al’s Toy Barn facade near Muppet Vision 3D has been removed. It will be replaced with a Cars themed meet ‘n greet.

Refurbing going on near the Hollywood Scoops Ice Cream shop.

The Hanes sponsorship has started over at the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Posters in the exit hallway now have Hanes advertising.

New production art from Bolt inside the Magic of Disney animation.

The latest construction on T-Rex Resturant at Downtown Disney.

Construction of the new stage in Downtown Disney.

Construction going on in the former home of the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary.

A look at the latest construction of the new north wing of the Contemporary.

Hope you enjoyed the update!

Tinker Bell Is Getting a New Home

WDWNT on July 29, 2008

According to the Orlando Sentinel:

Walt Disney World is planning to add actresses playing Tinker Bell and her friends from an upcoming series of “Disney Fairies” movies – and might be creating a new attraction based on them.

Disney held auditions last week for actresses to play the Disney Fairies characters in the parks, including Tinker Bell, Silvermist, Rosetta, Iridessa, and Fawn.

In a prepared statement, a Disney spokeswoman explained: “Disney Imagineers are currently creating a special new home for Tink and her friends which promises to immerse guests in the world of Pixie Dust at Walt Disney World.

Spokeswoman Andrea Finger would not elaborate about whether this meant the fairy characters will have their own attraction, nor did she specify which park they might appear in.

Except for Tinker Bell, the characters are based on a new “Disney Fairies” entertainment franchise that the Walt Disney Co. has been developing in recent years through children’s books, Internet Web pages, games, toys, and a series of straight-to-DVD movies that will begin emerging this fall.

This news was first reported here on WDW News Today a few months ago, but it seems larger news-outlets have finally caught up with us. There was even an official confirmation of this project in the August issue of the annual passholder publication, Mickey Monitor. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this project.

September 27th Will Be Doomsday for Some Favorites

WDWNT on July 28, 2008

While it is already official that the 6 remaining Pleasure Island clubs, as well as the Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will be closing forever on September 27, that may not be the full list of Walt Disney World attractions and shows departing for yesterland on that day. Rumors are now circulating that two of the Magic Kingdom shows brought to the park for the Year of a Million Dreams celebration may be making their final performances on September 27, 2008. If the rumors we’re hearing are true, this fateful Saturday in September will also be your last chance to catch Woody’s Cowboy Camp and the Main Street Family Fun Day Parade. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on these rumors.

For those of you also interested, during the very same weekend that these attractions are saying goodbye, the wonderful group over at WDWCelebrations will be putting on yet-another fantastic event titled “World Wide Weekend”. To get more information on this event and how you can be a part of It, head on over to WDWCelebrations.com. We hope to see you there!!!

As Far As Attendance, The Party’s Over

WDWNT on July 22, 2008

In another sign that things are about to get ugly in the attendance department for the Walt Disney World Resort, the October 3 scheduled Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom has been cancelled. The stranger part of this equation is that the park closing time will remain at 7pm, perhaps another cost-cutting measure to insure profits despite the expected low crowd levels, especially for what is already a slow time of year for the parks. If you ordered tickets to this October 3 party, you can call (407) W-Disney to move your tickets to another party or obtain a refund.

One Monster Coaster

WDWNT on July 21, 2008

Just as we briefly mentioned at the end of last week, rumors are swirling that an inverted roller coaster themed to Disney Pixar’s Monsters Inc. will be the next major new attraction for the Walt Disney World Resort after the opening of the American Idol Experience this January. Our good friend Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media had a lengthy article about the proposed Hollywood Studios roller coaster today, although he did go into more detail on some other upcoming projects as well.

Jim also mentioned two new attractions that were first rumored to the public right here on WDW News Today over the course of the last year. First mentioned was that the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure will be themed to “A Bug’s Life” (probably in the very-near future), and next was the Little Mermaid dark ride that will most likely be heading over to Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in October of 2011. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for updates on all of these very strong rumors, and be sure to read Jim Hill’s article HERE.

A Real Passholder Event!!! (Finally)

WDWNT on July 17, 2008

It seems there may actually be an event that is exclusive to Walt Disney World Passholders coming this September:

Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28, you’re (Walt Disney World Passholders) invited to an exclusive Magic Kingdom screening of the eagerly anticipated new animated feature, Tinker Bell. You’ll be seeing it more than three weeks before the general public does on DVD and Blu-ray October 28!

From the storytellers at Walt Disney Picturescomes a spectacular, full-length CG animated featurefilled with magic and asventure starring Tinker Bell. It takes you into the secret world of Pixie Hollow, where you’ll hear Tinker Bell speak for the very first time.

This imaginative new film also introduces you to delightful new friends in Pixie Hollo-a place coming soon to Magic Kingdom park, where you’ll be able to meet Tinker Bell, Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta and Silvernist in person!

Passholder Screening Fun Facts:
Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28
Magic Kingdom Park
For show times & to sign up,
visit disneyworld.com/passholder
(note: registration is not yet available)

Not only does this article in the August issue of the Mickey Monitor release the event information, it is the first actual confirmation of the addition of a Pixie Hollow meet and greet area to the Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned to WDW News Today to find out when registration for this special event will open.

As Usual, Celebrities Visiting Walt Disney World

WDWNT on July 16, 2008

Singing superstar Mariah Carey and award-winning actor Nick Cannon are pictured with another famous show business couple — Mickey and Minnie Mouse — July 15, 2008 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Carey and Cannon spent several days at Walt Disney World Resort, enjoying attractions in all four theme parks, fireworks shows and Disney cuisine. Among their favorite attractions — The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Mariah’s favorite) and Space Mountain (Nick’s favorite). (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

Actress Kristen Alderson (right), star of the ABC Daytime drama “One Life to Live,” takes a spin in a giant teacup with her cousin, Colleen Kingston (left), July 10, 2008 on the Mad Tea Party attraction at the Magic Kingdom theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Alderson, who has portrayed the role of “Starr Manning” on the ABC soap opera for 10 years, is vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort with family this week. (Garth Vaughan, photographer)

Grammy Award-winning musician Dave Matthews (left) shares a laugh with six-year-old daughter Grace (right), July 8, 2008 at the Magic Kingdom theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Matthews, a solo artist and lead singer and guitarist of the multi-platinum-selling rock group “Dave Matthews Band,” spent the day at the Walt Disney World Resort with family and friends. Dave Matthews Band’s 41-city summer concert tour continues in Tampa, Fla. on July 9. (Garth Vaughan, photographer)