Frozen Meet and Greet with Anna and Elsa Moving to Magic Kingdom April 20

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

It’s no secret that the meant-to-be-temporary Frozen meet and greet in the Norway pavilion at Epcot ended up a huge success with lines ranging anywhere up to 4 or 5 hours in length sometimes, so with the hotter months in central Florida coming up fast and the lengthy queue being outdoors, Disney seems to have decided a move to the Magic Kingdom is the best solution to the problem…

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Starting April 20th, Walt Disney World’s website has listed that you can meet Anna and Elsa as well as a visiting princess at Magic Kingdom’s Princess Fairytale Hall.

Screen Shot 2014-03-12 at 8.57.17 PMIt appears Rapunzel and Cinderella will be paired off in the second meet and greet inside the hall. Obviously, Disney has not entered any more information on the meet and greet as there are not even pictures or a description of the attraction on the site yet, but it seems they are getting ready by adding it to the entertainment schedule.

Now, whether or not this is a permanent addition remains to be seen. Rumors indicate further modifications could be on the way to Norway to make room for a larger Frozen meet and greet with an indoor queue (as well as a Frozen attraction somewhere down the line). So, for just how long Anna and Elsa take over a room at Fairytale Hall remains to be seen.

It’s also worth noting that Princess Fairytale Hall features nods to all 11 Disney princesses that existed prior to its opening in 2013. There are currently no references to Frozen’s 2 princesses anywhere in the building. I’m curious to see if some decorative shields or portraits of the sisters end up there sometime soon…

Until any announcement from Disney, this meet and greet is purely speculation, but this slip by the official site makes it highly likely.

UPDATE: Disney has confirmed these changes will be taking place starting April 20th, 2014. The Norway meet and greet will be discontinued at that time, but it is unclear what will come of the shop space that was converted for the meet and greet.

Tom Corless’ 3/19/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report (Hub Changes, Mine Train, Polynesian DVC)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Tom Corless visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday afternoon and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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It was a really beautiful day in Central Florida yesterday

With the monorail out of service in the afternoons for maintenance, the old Discovery River Boats are making trips between resorts instead of the smaller boats

The bungalows at the Polynesian are coming along nicely

I know everyone isn’t a fan, but these will have the be the coolest rooms at Walt Disney World

Maintenance vehicles out on the monorail beams

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the hub redesign is in full swing

Tarps now block the view into the moat for guests

Cinderella Castle is getting fixed up while all of this is going on, getting ready for a new nighttime show rumored to happen in 2015

The turrets are being stripped and repainted among other changes

An empty moat

Plenty of tarps up in Adventureland

Walls also up at the Tiki Room still

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train could be soft opening any day now, some Cast Members got to ride during recent training

It is starting to look like the finished product

Another section of construction walls came down, revealing more track


Back in the hub, the expanded Casey’s Corner seating area is being enjoyed by guests

Most of the work on enclosing the balcony at Cosmic Ray’s in Tomorrowland is done

No more outdoor seating

The popcorn stand in the hub has already closed

Tom Corless’ 12/30/13-1/1/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

I managed to spend the last three busy days citing Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World and I have some photos to share with you all from my journey, so let’s tai a look at what’s new and exciting:

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New 2014 iPhone 4/4S and 5 cases have hit stores

These have a new design as they are hard cases with a bumper

Disney’s Hollywood Studios once again had the stage up for the holidays and used the screens to give guests park information

The Legend of Jack Sparrow is now only available to guests via a ticketing system done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Disney’s thoughts are guests will be less let down that this isn’t a ride if they don’t have to stand in line for 30 minutes or more. The tickets were all gone by the time we got there on the 30th.

Specialty holiday drinks were available in the park

Comedy Warehouse returned again for the busy holiday season

Moving to Downtown Disney, the new barbecue quick service location at House of Blues is nearing completion

These two-layered t-shirts were found at World of Disney

It’s a mesh layer over a colored character layer

The Disneyland 4-D puzzle has made its way to WDW

A whole bunch of new charms for charm bracelets have been released, including the Orange Bird

The 4th and final food truck debuted at Downtown Disney, Fantasy Fare

There are a lot of good offerings

CORN DOGS!!!

I dared to venture to the Magic Kingdom for New Year’s Eve again this year…

This looks much worse than it actually was, it took less than 3 minutes to get through bag check

Some lines were long, as to be expected, especially at Starbucks

Casey’s Corner was offering breakfast due to crowds

The ham, egg, and cheese croissant was excellent

Golden Oak Outpost has re-opened and now has a spicy chicken sandwich, the lines were just too long to try it on the 31st…

Pirates of the Caribbean reached an 80 minute wait at one point

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Friar’s Nook is open as well and now has gourmet mac and cheese dishes

There are 3 choices of different mac and cheese styles

Here is the Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese

And the mac and cheese with bread crumbs, both were very good

The 31st was your last chance to catch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

See you in 2014 Santa!

Prince Eric’s Village Market was offering soup since it was cold

90 minute wait for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Cinderella’s Coach is out for photos through the 4th to deal with some crowds

The second seating planter by Pinocchio’s Village Haus came out from behind walls recently

A new sign was added to the facade of the Country Bear Jamboree in an attempt to draw in more guests

We dined at the Tortuga Tavern buffet that was only open for the busy holiday season and I have to say it was pretty good

Some great desserts as well!

The animated Pluto bank is now available in stores for $19.95

As always, free cookies and cocoa were offered at the end of the night to keep guests in the park during the midnight rush to leave

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, the Dawa Bar in Africa has moved opposite the Tusker House check-in desk to accommodate the eventual queue for Festival of the Lion King

A new limited release iPhone 5 case available at the park

Some new clothing

A sweatshirt

Construction continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater

All guests visiting Animal Kingdom can now use FastPass+ by heading to any service center or FastPass+ location

This is the first KODAK picture spot sign I’ve seen blank, but it should have a new NIKON picture spot sing in it soon

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Some new Toy Story action figures made by Disney Parks have been released

VIDEO: “Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade” Has Emotional Farewell After 5 Years Running

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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Yesterday, the Magic Kingdom presented the final performance of the long-running “Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade” as they prepare to debut the new Festival of Fantasy Parade starting in March. While not one of the most beloved parades ever (as it was the 2nd overlay of a parade that debuted in 2001), the performers, guests who loved the parade, and many cast members who were both on-and-off duty had an emotional farewell as the procession pulled through the gates on Main Street for the last time yesterday afternoon. We were camped at the very end of the parade route to capture the historic moment in video for you. Our apologies as the video is a little shaky at times, but there was so much going on with many characters and performers saying goodbye to the parade. Regardless, we hope you enjoy:

VIDEO: Imagineering Releases On-Ride Footage of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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Walt Disney Imagineering released a video today showcasing the work that has gone into all of the vehicles for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opening this Spring in New Fantasyland. The video also offers us our very first glimpse inside the attraction and a look at the trains in action! Take a look:

PHOTOS: Giant “Steampunk” Maleficent as Dragon Revealed for Festival of Fantasy Parade

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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When the new Festival of Fantasy Parade debuts at the Magic Kingdom in March, guests will be greeted by a 26 foot tall, steampunk version of Maleficent as a Dragon from Sleeping Beauty. The 35 foot long float was designed along with Michael Curry who also worked with Disney on the Tapestry of Nations parade at Epcot and Finding Nemo: The Musical at Animal Kingdom.

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The story behind the parade is that the residents of Fantasyland have crafted their own parade floats in their own style, thus, this is a dragon built of parts “available” to the characters.

Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade will debut this Spring at the Magic Kingdom, with rumors pointing towards March 16th. This however is not official yet.

Dirk Wallen’s 1/13/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday and took a few newsworthy photos to share with us while he was there:

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City Hall remains open while some work is done to the pavement outside

While Casey’s is closed, the seating area is undergoing major changes as well

This outdoor patio on Cosmic Ray’s is being enclosed after 42 years…

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

It seems that the Seven Dwarfs Mine store may have finally closed

Snow White recently got a new dress at the parks

Work continues on the Disney Vacation Club wing at the Polynesian

Busses were running from the Magic Kingdom to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, not a regular occurrence

More Float Details Revealed for Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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Disney shared some new details of the new Festival of Fantasy Parade that is headed to the Magic Kingdom this spring. Be sure to watch the video below to get an actual peak at several of the new floats including Peter Pan’s, Ariel’s, Merida’s, and Rapunzel:

Among the most spectacular aspects of the upcoming “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” are the incredibly detailed floats, each bringing a classic Fantasyland story to the streets of Magic Kingdom Park.

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Today, Managing Producer Kris Bunnell brings us a special behind-the-scenes look at the development of those floats with Parade Designer Richard Improta and Creative Director Steven Davison:

Dirk Wallen’s 1/19/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Disney Springs parking structure

Since this photo was taken, the new confer service location at House of Blues opened

It’s called The Smokehouse

Here is the menu

The West Side Starbucks under construction

A look at what will be The Landing

Paradise 37 will remain open through all of the construction

No visible progress on Pleasure Island

Walls up in the Marketplace

The Starbucks under construction in the Marketplace

Captain Jack’s and the marina has been reduced to some poles in the water

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Min and Bill’s is now serving turkey legs and pork shanks

The Glow with the Show window at Villains in Vogue has vanished behind this old Fantasmic display

Over at Animal Kingdom, the stroller parking area at the Wildlife Express Train in Africa is behind walls

Work continues on the new DVC wing of the Polynesian

We spotted out first Nikon Picture Spot in Fantasyland

FASTPASS machines are now being uninstalled at the Magic Kingdom as they are now only using FastPass+

Peter Pan FASTPASS covered up

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train appears to be nearing completion, and trains are now testing on the track daily! Here’s video of a train running:

VIDEO: Festival of Fantasy Floats Arrive at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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Disney recently posted a video of the floats for the new Festival of Fantasy parade finally arriving at the Magic Kingdom:

This video offers our first full-blown look at many of the floats in the parade and I must say, they look pretty amazing. Disney also confirmed that the parade will debut formally in March, but no exact date has been given. Rumors still indicate the date might be March 16th, but we’ll have to wait to find out.

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Stay tuned for more information on Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade!

So, what do you think of the floats?