PHOTOS & VIDEO: After 43 Years, Peter Pan’s Flight Finally Gets A Heavily-Themed, Interactive Indoor Queue

WDWNT on December 30, 2014

When the restrooms near the Peter Pan’s Flight attraction closed in 2013, we expected work to begin on an interactive queue for the attraction. When walls came down and there wasn’t a queue to be found, many were quite puzzled. Finally, just last week, the mystery was solved. The long rumored interactive queue at Peter Pan’s Flight was quietly under construction inside the former restroom building, completely out of the view of guests. We have pictures and videos of the amazing new queue to share with you today:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The queue is entered through this door, which can be closed if the elements break or if the line simply isn’t long enough

The first hallway is lined with beautiful Peter Pan artwork

We then enter the home of the Darling family

The nursery is the largest room in the queue and features many details from the room in the movie

A fairly well-hidden camera allows cast members to see the inside of the room

Many of these items in the room will be interactive elements, they have yet to be turned on though

We also have a video walk-through of the new queue for you to enjoy:

Rumors indicate the queue is the first step in modernizing the attraction which may go through a massive refurbishment to reflect changes being made to the ride at Disneyland in 2015 and built for the attraction at Shanghai Disneyland. It will likely be a few years before that project gets underway, but this is a good start…

Tom Corless’ 12/8/14 WDW Photo Report (Hub Remodel, New Magic Kingdom Merchandise, Animal Kingdom Construction, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 30, 2014

I recently visited the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks at Walt Disney World and have plenty of newsworthy photos to share with you from my trip, so let’s see what’s new and exciting:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

 

We begin with the latest progress on the Hub at the Magic Kingdom

It may look rough, but with some dirt moved, some lamps installed, and some concrete poured, this is done

The other side looks a lot more complete

Most of the lamp & speaker towers are already installed here, leading us to believe this side will open by Christmas week

The new lampposts are nice, but I will miss the green coloring on everything…

A look over the walls from the other side

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

So… this happened…

Anyway… there are touch-points at the exit of Splash Mountain now to claim your photos

Provided everyone kept their clothes on, you can tap this to get your pictures

The “Made with Magic” wand is now out

You can change the color of other Made with Magic items

An incredible new line of Magic Kingdom merchandise has been released

I LOVE this notebook

Not related, but a new shirt

Some 2015 items are out

iPhone 6 Plus cases have arrived in GIANT packaging

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, work continues on the new pathway on Discovery Island

Walls in front of the Tree of Life were pushed back

So there’s a new area with planters that has been revealed

New Animal Kingdom merchandise

Not much new to see at the walls to AVATAR

Can’t see much at the future site of the Africa Marketplace either

Rivers of Light construction still isn’t much to look at yet…

The other side of Disney Outfitters and the new walkway through Discovery Island

Some people believe the work near Flame Tree BBQ is for a covered queue, but it looks like a service window to me…

It’s fairly small, but has openings on each side…

I’m guessing Starbucks or maybe a place to offer picnic packages once Rivers of Light begins in 2016

A look at the new path in front of the Tree of Life

Expedition Everest also has touch-points to claim photos as well

Not quite as well themed as some of the other ones…

I at first was excited about this Expedition Everest shirt

Until I saw that i had the wrong year…

Animal Kingdom is open after dark most nights currently, so if you can, get over there and do some walking around with the park’s light son (yes, they have lights)

 

See? LIGHTS!

2014 Disney Parks Christmas Day Special To Get a Frozen Makeover

WDWNT on December 30, 2014

Frozen has not only found its way into many aspects of Walt Disney World Resort, but this Christmas, Disney will put a Frozen twist on its 31st annual Christmas Day telecast, appropriately renamed the Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration airing December 25, 2014, on ABC-TV.

Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration Logo

Robin Roberts of ABC’s Good Morning America will host the reimagined television special inspired by the blockbuster hit’s message of uniting family and loved ones. Roberts will lead the telecast from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida with support from ESPN and SEC Network personality Tim Tebow.

ÒGood Morning AmericaÓ Anchor Robin Roberts Hosts the 2014 Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration TV Special

ABC’s Robin Roberts hosts this year’s Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration.

They will be joined by Rob Marciano, senior meteorologist of ABC’s Good Morning America from the “The Happiest Place on Earth” at Disneyland Resort. Sarah Hyland, star of ABC’s Emmy award-winning show Modern Family, joins the fun from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‛i.

11_14_AUL_0049

Sarah Hyland performs from Aulani.

The festivities will also feature a special appearance by Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, making this year’s Christmas special a magical Frozen celebration not to be missed.

Miss America 2015 Kira Kazanstev Tapes Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration TV Special

Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev

Disney Parks will celebrate this Christmas with more than a parade, but with a heartfelt wish for the holiday season, the coming together of loved ones and family. In keeping with the spirit of Frozen where two sisters are united through the power of true love, Disney will bring together three groups of families and friends who have been apart or separated for the holidays, providing the ultimate Christmas gift. The reunions will take place at three magical Disney destinations – Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Aulani – making these reunions bigger, brighter and merrier.

The joyous occasion will fittingly include a special rendition of the Frozen hit single, Let It Go, as performed by 12-year-old YouTube sensation, Lexi Walker.

YouTube Sensation Lexi Walker Tapes Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration TV Special

Lexi Walker performs Let It Go.

There will also be festive performances from some of today’s top musical talents at each of the various Disney locations:

  • Ariana Grande will regale Walt Disney World Resort guests with her new Christmas single Santa Tell Me and the Christmas tradition Last Christmas
  • Prince Royce adds to the merriment with I Want to Wish You a Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad
  • The spotlight also will shine on special performances from the X Factor USA third and final season winners Alex and Sierra singing Love is an Open Door from Frozen
  • Yuletide cheer will be brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Gavin DeGraw, performing his latest single Fire and the holiday standard I’ll Be Home for Christmas
  • Laura Marano, of Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally, entertains viewers with her version of Do You Want to Build a Snowman? as posed by Princess Anna in Frozen

11_14_AUL_0083

Laura Marano also performs.

  • Trey Songz, Lucy Hale and Train will serenade audiences at Disneyland Resort in California with holiday favorites such as All I Want for Christmas is You, Mistletoe, and Shake Up Christmas

11_14_DL_001196

Train entertains the Christmas Day special in Disneyland.

  • Country music superstar Trisha Yearwood will perform her hit single, Prizefighter, and the holiday classic, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with familiar Disney friends and holiday characters as they spread Christmas joy and cheer at Disneyland Park in California and along parade routes at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

*characters/floats subject to change

  • The Frozen stars of the parade, Elsa and Anna, return from Arendelle to join the royal court and ring in the holidays on Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Resort
  • Olaf, the summer-loving snowman from Frozen, joins hundreds of Dance the Magic youth performers in front of Cinderella Castle for a musical number to In Summer
  • Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty makes her holiday debut as the steampunk-inspired fire-breathing dragon, as featured in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
  • A new Club Penguin float joins the procession highlighting the holiday special, We Wish You a Merry Walrus
  • The superheroes of  Big Hero 6 take a break from saving the world to wish onlookers happy holidays
  • The National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance Performance Cheer Team, featuring 800 members from 41 states, entertain park guests lining Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Boys and Girls Club National Youth of the Year winner, Maryah Sullivan, appears in the regal coach from the upcoming live action film, Cinderella
  • Traditional Christmas favorites such as Toy Soldiers and Gingerbread Men get their time in the spotlight to make the season merry and bright
  • After a long night of delivering presents, the jolly man in the red suit, Santa Claus, finishes his route on Main Street, U.S.A.

The Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration airs December 25, 2014, on ABC-TV at 10:00 a.m. EST.  Other airtimes vary; check local listings in your market.

 

Frozen Characters and Jack Skellington as “Sandy Claws” Added to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

There are a few new offerings to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom this year:

ututut746831

  • New to “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” this year, Ralph and Vanellope from “Wreck-It Ralph” and Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, & Olaf (New, walk-around character version) from “Frozen” are all now included.
  • The “Holiday Hootenanny!” will be held in the Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland, a dance party with the Country Bears, Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, and Clara Cluck. Over at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland, Club Tinsel is hosted by Phineas and Ferb.
  • Storybook Circus will host favorite Disney pals dressed up for the occasion, including Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Scrooge McDuck, and Santa Goofy.
  • You’ll also find Jack Skellington in Storybook Circus – dressed in his finest “Sandy Claws” suit and ready to meet the boys and girls of every age!

First Look: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014 Event Map

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

If you want to be ahead of the crowds when you visit Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year, well, you’re in luck as we have the entire event map at your disposal a little early (Click the picture for a larger image if needed):

image1 image2

Note that there are two nightly showings of A Frozen Holiday Wish as opposed to the customary single showing of the original Cinderella show.

Also note that the annual Disney Parks Christmas Parade is being referred to as the Disney Frozen Christmas Celebration…

VIDEO: “A Frozen Holiday Wish” Debuts at The Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

“A Frozen Holiday Wish” debuted today at The Magic Kingdom and we’ve got it recorded and uploaded to share with you. The show features Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf as they light up Cinderella Castle in over 200,000 LED DreamLights. Unlike it’s predecessor, A Frozen Holiday Wish utilizes projection mapping (the same found in Celebrate the Magic) prior to the DreamLights turning on. Go ahead and enjoy the full show and leave your thoughts below in the comments.

New “Comfort Food” Dining Options at Columbia Harbor House, Contempo Cafe, ESPN Club, and Sassagoula Floatworks

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

Even when you’re in the Walt Disney World bubble, sometimes you crave the familiar, such as good old reliable comfort foods. Here’s a collection of some of the new comfort foods available at the Walt Disney World Resort and where to find them:

When I think of comfort food, the first thing that comes to mind is macaroni and cheese. At Columbia Harbor House in the Magic Kingdom, they’ve upped the ante at dinnertime by adding lobster and shrimp to their macaroni and cheese.

smchhr281726small

Also on the dinner menu is the piping hot chicken pot pie, filled with tender white-meat chicken, vegetables and gravy and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.

ChickenPotPiesmall

Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a beef pot roast with seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy, that’s available only at dinner.

pradpb281728-613x410

Contempo Café also recently added some new flatbread pizzas to their menu, such as the smoked pulled pork flatbread, topped with barbecue sauce, Monterey Jack cheese and vegetable-style slaw.

 

ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk features chicken and waffles with a kick—jalapeno-cornmeal waffles topped with buttermilk fried chicken and Angry Maple chicken gravy.

espnyl281726small

Brand new on the menu is a barbecue pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich served on thick-cut brioche. Reports are that it’s as good as it sounds.

espnbbq182738small

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is serving up four new loaded baked potato meals, each served with a side of soup or salad. Choose from a baked potato topped with one of the following: barbecued pork; broccoli, cheddar, and bacon; chili and cheese; or chicken, bacon, and cheddar. I have a feeling that whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong.

Loaded-Baked-Potato-613x408

Breakfast & Brunch with the Disney Princesses To Be Offered at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

Beginning January 8, 2015, the Disney princesses will welcome guests to Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa while Disney spruces up Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom Park. Reservations are available for Walt Disney World Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members beginning December 3.

Reservations open to all guests on December 4.

CRT809638-613x344

Cinderella will be there to greet guests as they arrive, and the Disney princesses will visit each table for photos and autographs during the dining experience. Diners also can participate in an interactive “Magical Wishing Ceremony” with Cinderella and the Disney Princesses, with “wishing wands” and “wishing swords” for little ones.

Breakfast and brunch hours are 8 a.m.-2:20 p.m., and cost is $49.99; $31.99 ages 3-9. The experience is on the Disney Dining Plan (2 entitlements). For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE407-WDW-DINE.

Online reservations and information will be available at a later date.

Here is the menu:

Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos
Breakfast and Brunch with the Disney Princesses

Adult Menu

APPETIZERS OF THE COURT

Bakery Basket

Choice of One:

Garden Salad–Artisanal Greens, Endive, Roasted Carrots, Sugar Snap Peas, and
Marcona Almonds with Riesling Vinaigrette

Assorted Fresh Fruits

ENTRÉES ROYALE

Choice of One:

Traditional Breakfast–Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, and Twice-cooked Breakfast Potatoes

Scrambled Egg Whites, Hot Ten-Grain Cereal, Greek Yogurt topped with Granola,
Whole-Grain Bread, and Fresh Fruit

Steak and Slow-Poached Eggs with Twice-cooked Breakfast Potatoes and Wilted Spinach

Grilled Ham and Biscuit, Slow Poached Eggs topped with Sausage Gravy

Market-inspired Fish with Angel Hair Pasta, and Aromatic Tomato Sauce

Florida Shrimp with Creamy Cheddar Cheese and Smoked Bacon Grits

DESSERT TRIO

Beverages included:

Unlimited Coffee (regular/decaf), Iced Tea (regular/decaf),
Fountain Beverages, and Juices (Apple/Orange/Tomato)
One Specialty Beverage

Children’s Menu

APPETIZERS
Choice of One

Bite-size Cheddar Cheese and Grapes

Garden Salad
Fat-free Ranch Dressing

ENTRÉES
Choice of One

Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Pot Pie topped with a Cheese Biscuit

Roasted Chicken Leg
Roasted Chicken Leg with Brown Rice Pilaf and Broccolini

Children’s Scrambled Eggs

Mickey-shaped Waffles

Steak
served with Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Corn

DESSERT TRIO

Beverages included:

Milk and Skim Milk
Fountain Beverages
Juices: Orange/Apple/Tomato
One Specialty Beverage

Specialty Beverage Selections

Adult Specialty Beverage Selection

Choice of One

Mimosa
Champagne
Seasoned & Spiced Tomato Juice with Vodka
Cappuccino
Latte
Espresso
Glass of Wine

Children’s Specialty Beverage Selection

Choice of One served in a Specialty Cup

Tink Drink
Lemonade, Orange Juice and Sprite

Strawberry Smoothie

(Menu subject to change without notice)

Cinderella’s Royal Table is expected to reopen in March.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: The Jingle Cruise Adds New Props & Jokes for 2014 Holiday Season at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

Last year, the inaugural season of the Jingle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom delighted guests, but the Jungle itself was a little sparce when it came to the holiday feel that was added to the boathouse queue of the attraction. This year, a few scenes in the ride added some yuletide cheer with the new backstory that several shipments of holiday decorations and such that were to be received at the Jungle Navigation Company never quite made it. The animals who inhabit the waterways of the world seem to have found them…

IMG_9449-X2

There’s much more new to see for 2014, so sail with us as we go “Jungle All The Way” aboard the Jingle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom:

We sure hope Trader Sam-ta pays us a visit this year!

IMG_9459_2-X2

If you are curious about the changes from last year, please check out our 2013 video: