VIDEO: “Glow with the Show” Mouse Ears Debut in Wishes! Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

On Saturday at the Magic Kingdom, Wishes! fireworks debuted using the “Glow with the Show” ear hats for the first time. We have complete video of the show and the mouse ears for you to enjoy today:

We also now have video of Fantasmic! with the “Glow with the Show” mouse ears featuring “picture-in-picture”, so you can clearly see when the ears interact with different scenes and such in the show:

So, after seeing this technology also used in Wishes, what do you think of “Glow with the Show”?

VIDEO: Talking Mickey Mouse Meet-And-Greet At Walt Disney World “Magically” Debuts

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

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We have been talking about talking Mickey Mouse for a long, long time on WDWNT and we’re happy to report that the meet-and-greet experience finally permanently installed on October 22nd! We took a trip over to the Magic Kingdom last night to see Mickey in action and it was honestly everything I thought it would be and more. This video of Mickey interacting with other guests and our kids needs to be seen to be believed:

Eventually Mickey will know the guest’s name and more information about them once they walk in with their MagicBands, but until then he is still talking up a storm and delighting guests daily at the Magic Kingdom in Town Square Theater.

In my opinion, talking Mickey is one of those things that will stun every guest and may even become the highlight of their vacation. The time Mickey now spends with the guest is so much more meaningful since he can reach into a bag of tricks and truly personalize the interaction he has with them. The “tea cup” experience we had is just one of a countless number of “bits” Mickey can utilize to interact and I expect it will very rare to get the same experience twice. Our kids have met Mickey countless times, so as you can see in the video, they were practically stunned silent when he spoke to them. This isn’t a negative however as when we asked them if they liked talking to Mickey after we had exited, they had clearly thought it was very cool and enjoyed it immensely. We will for sure keep going back to see more of what Mickey can do!

So, what do you think? Is this something that will forever change the Walt Disney World Experience? Do you like the idea of talking to your favorite character?

Huey, Dewey, & Louie “Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom” Card To Be Released at 2013 Very Merry Christmas Party

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

Another special release “Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom” card will be available to park guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, starting November 8th.

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This year’s event-exclusive card features Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, and players can use the card to engage Disney villains in a snowball fight.

As with the special event cards, this card will be distributed in addition to the regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs. Guests can pick up the card at both the Magic Kingdom Firehouse and the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom location behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. To get the special event card, guests must use their party ticket and event wristband during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Are you excited to add Huey, Dewey and Louie to your “Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom” card collection?

Jungle Cruise Getting “Jingle Cruise” Makeover for Holidays at Walt Disney World & Disneyland

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

Disney announced today that the Jungle Cruise attraction will receive its first-ever holiday makeover this year. Beginning in early November, Jungle Cruise at both Disneyland park and the Magic Kingdom will temporarily transform into “Jingle Cruise” for the holiday season!

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In this new seasonal storyline of the attraction, the Skippers have grown homesick for the holidays, so they’ve added holiday cheer to the Jungle Cruise queue and boathouse with decorations that have been mailed to them from home (plus a few they’ve created themselves). The Skippers have also added a slew of new jokes to their tours that are the perfect way to get guests in the holiday spirit. Additionally, Jungle Cruise boats have been renamed with the holidays in mind, and if guests listen carefully, they may hear a holiday-themed radio broadcast playing in the background.

The layover will debut in early-November on both coasts!

So, what do you think? Is this a good idea?

VIDEO: Screens Finally Installed in the Finale Scene at “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

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We have been closely following the progress on the finale scene of “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom for several months now, posting when the tarps went up and when they came down in that scene earlier this year. Now, the screens have finally been installed that will give guests a personalized farewell when MyMagic+ formally rolls out in December:

So, what do you think? Excited about these new additions to the classic “it’s a small world”?

BREAKING: New Photo-Ops, Character Meet-And-Greets, & More Coming 2013 Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

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We’ve just received some new information about offerings and changes for this years’ Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. While the event stays mostly the same year to year there are always some changes to try and enhance guest experiences.

New This Year:

  • Jingle Cruise: a holiday overlay at the Jungle Cruise
  • Meet & Greet: Mary Poppins, Bert, and Penguins will meet guests in Fantasyland
  • Treat Station Icons: This year treat stations will be marked with new giant, inflatable Candy Canes

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  • Photo Opportunity: The Rose Garden Photopass Stop will have a large red Christmas Ornament with the event name where guests can pose (pictured below in concept art and completed form)

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Entertainment Schedule:

  • Parade: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade steps off at 8:15pm and 10:30pm from Frontierland
  • Main Street Pre-Parade: The Kringle Crew is back to entertain guests on Main Street USA before the parade arrives; pre-parade is at 8:15pm & 10:30pm
  • Castle Forecourt Stage: Celebrate the Season show times are 7:45pm, 10:05pm, and 11:20pm
  • Rockettower Plaza Stage: A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show times are 7:45pm, 8:45pm, 9:55pm, 10:50pm, and 11:45pm
  • Fireworks: Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season is at 9:30pm
  • Celebrate the Magic: Celebrate the Magic with holiday tag and Frozen insert is at 9:15pm

Dance Parties:

  • Club Tinsel: In Tomorrowland at Cosmic Ray’s
  • Woody’s Hootin’ Holiday Open House: In Frontierland at Diamond Horseshoe

Characters and Atmosphere:

  • Santa Claus: at Town Square Courtyard
  • Rusty Cutlass Pirate Band: In Adventureland
  • Snow!: On Main Street USA
  • NEW Mary Poppins, Bert, and Penguins: in Fantasyland

There are also new merchandise and food offerings for this year:

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Most interesting, there is now an official backstory for the party:

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So, what do you think? Are you excited for this year’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

Poster and Props Revealed for “The Jingle Cruise” Jungle Cruise Attraction

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

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Disney today revealed the attraction poster for the Jingle Cruise attraction, a new seasonal layover of the Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park. The attraction debuts at Walt Disney World on November 8th and at Disneyland on November 12th. Neither attraction will close for the overlay, all of the work will be done overnight.

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Walt Disney Imagineering also shared this picture of some of the props they have been working on for the attraction.

So, what do you think? Are you excited for the Jingle Cruise?

Joe Hogarty’s 11/4/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Monday and has a number of newsworthy items to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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Triton’s Treasures is no longer a thing, these space originally meant for a shop will now be a Disney Vacation Club kiosk

As much as I hate to say it, the sign is beautiful

There is a squid weathervane on the building

We believe this to be a reference to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction

Work continues on Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train as we approach 2014

We can now see a small building rising near the track

We expect this to be the queue

We believe this to be the entrance

Looking good!

Frozen merchandise can now be found in the Emporium

Some of it is the same you can find at the Disney Store

Moving over to Epcot, Spaceship Earth is awfully dirty

Hopefully there is some way to get up there and clean it

Plenty of Christmas merchandise out in the parks already

Happy holidays!

Joe Hogarty’s 11/8/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Friday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from the park, so let’s take a look:

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Let Christmas begin!

The Christmas Tree will arrive after parade filming in early December, as it has the last few years

Dapper Dans in holiday finest

The Jingle Cruise debuted on Friday

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The queue is decorated with 1930’s style Christmas items

There is a Christmas Palm Tree…

Palm garland is strung all over as well

Each boat in the fleet has been renamed for the Jingle Cruise

I love the silver Christmas tree in the office with the vintage color-wheel spinner on the light

The ride was not really decorated, nor should it have been really…

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!”

Christmas decorations are up in Belle’s village in New Fantasyland

Peter Pan’s Flight is closed through the 13th

Garland up on the back of Cinderella Castle

The Jingle Cruise sign in Adventureland lights up at night

Speaking of things that light up…

The Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are back for 2013!

It’s snowing!!!

Let 2 months of Christmas in Orlando begin!

Dirk Wallen’s 11/18/13 WDW (Magic Kingdom & Disney Springs) Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney yesterday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

The statue with the Brer characters is back at Splash Mountain, but still behind walls for now

A look at the now-completed signage package at the Haunted Mansion

Peter Pan’s flight is back from refurbishment and looking great!

Legacy FastPass did return, but should be going away soon…

Walls up outside of the Village Haus

Work progressing on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Structures rising and taking shape

Plenty of seasonal treats can be found nearby at Big Top Souvenirs

What was supposed to be the Triton’s Treasures gift shop is instead a Disney Vacation Club kiosk, but at least it is really beautiful

Great pieces on the wall

A map inside with characters from The Little Mermaid

It is really gorgeous and well-themed for what it is

A look back at Mine Train

The Tomorrowland Stage decorated for a Totally Tomorrowland Christmas

Mickey santa popcorn buckets available

Work is wrapping up on the new Magic Kingdom bus loop and it should be ready for Thanksgiving week

There is a strange floating bridge near the Grand Floridian… not sure what for

Work has begun on the Disney Vacation Club wing at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Moving over to Downtown Disney

Vertical construction is starting on the parking structure

Disney Quest was repainted a few weeks back, and at night, there is some new lighting that really livens up the building:

Some work going on outside of the House of Blues

Fit 2 Run is now open on the West Side next door to Curl

Christmas Tree inside Splittsville

Wetzel’s Pretzels has closed and is becoming Starbucks

Starbucks will open here in the Spring of 2014

Pleasure Island is now the walkway…

Disney Springs construction is in full swing

Constructions walls are now adorned with concept art

Here’s a new piece we had not previously seen

We have out first new structure!

Another look at that new concept art

All that’s left is the outline of the building…

More new concept art for The Landing at Disney Springs

While the store is closed, you can buy Raglan Road merchandise outside

Work beginning on removing the Captain Jack’s Marina and installing a new bridge

You can meet Santa at Downtown Disney throughout the season

Olaf from Frozen is over here for some reason

Demolition should begin shortly on the Captain Jack’s building

Over on the new Pleasure Island by-pass bridge, you can catch the water transportation to and from the area

Another look at The Landing concept art

More new concept art

We saw this piece back when we leaked the Disney Springs information in March

Here, a parking structure will soon rise…