Our D23 Expo coverage team attended the media preview of the Parks and Resorts pavilion on Thursday evening. While there, they experienced a virtual ride-thru of the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train attraction for New Fantasyland. Here is the video from the experience:
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. With all the D23 Expo coverage we’ve been dealing with, it has taken a while to get to this report, but better late than never, so let’s take a look:
No more Lone Ranger preview… it’s not really playing at many theaters anymore…
MuppetVision 3-D is closed for refurbishment
Sofia the first debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently
She has a nice backdrop for her meet and greet
Disney Infinity billboards are up at the Backlot Tour
Also, the 1-2-3 Mickey Mouse has been decorated to celebrate Planes…
At Epcot, work continues on adding more of the new turnstiles
FastPass+ entrance at Spaceship Earth
This food cart behind Spaceship Earth has finally opened!
No more tarps up on Fountain View and signage has been installed
FastPass+ at Turtle Talk with Crush
Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco
Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Halloween merchandise has been released across property
Haunted Mansion singing bust ornaments
The shirt is the same design from last year, but says 2013
Light-up popcorn bucket
During a recent refurbishment, new boats were installed at Pirates of the Caribbean
They look great and don’t bottom out, but they have been getting guests a lot more wet than the old boats and make a horrible squeaking noise when they bump into each other…
The Magic Kingdom now sells the most expensive fruit ever… let’s end with this…
What’s the best way to end the summer season? With a party, of course! Walt Disney World and Disneyland just announced more “Limited Time Magic” with end-of-summer parties at both resorts.
Starting on Monday, “Limited Time Magic” presents a rockin’ celebration at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, between Space Mountain and the Carousel of Progress. This celebration will feature Disney’s canine friends, Pluto, Bolt, Dug — all with dance along to music spun by DJ K-9. Even Lilo’s “dog,” Stitch, will stop by to crank things up a bit. This dance party will only happen for a limited time, from August 26th – September 1st.
Disneyland is also having their share of fun during the same week — at the Paradise Pier at the Disney California Adventure Park. Like the last summer days at the beach, Paradise Pier will be celebrating with boardwalk-style acts and a variety of your favorite Disney characters ready to party with you.
How will you be celebrating the end of the summer?
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Saturday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip so let’s take a look:
Work continues on the pavement outside of the Emporium
Work is wrapping up on this facade across the street on Uptown Jewelers
The Haunted Mansion no longer gives you a choice, if you go stand-by, you go through the interactive queue
Tarps still up at the former Fantasyland restrooms
The marquee and signage for Princess Fairytale Hall has finally gone up
Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train attraction
Still a bit messy in there…
It’s looking better every day
Some new details emerging over the walls
While not open yet, the new food stand near Triton’s Treasures and across from The Little Mermaid is out from behind walls
This stand will specialize in healthier options, but will have 5 flavors of shaved ice!
Moving over to Epcot, they are still fixing up some sections of Leave a Legacy
Walls are up outside of Project Tomorrow, near Spaceship Earth
The seating area in Innoventions West is back without any changes made… seems it was just temporary office space
The Segway area is still closed with no signs of life or replacement
Just in time for Halloween, some of the Disney Villains are coming to Celebrate the Magic on Sunday, September 1st:
This new segment of “Celebrate the Magic” places the Disney villains center stage. From the sea witch Ursula, lording over the poor unfortunate souls trapped in her underwater lair, to the demon Chernabog from Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” spreading his wings across the face of Cinderella Castle, it promises to be a particularly dark and foreboding chapter.
Things heat up as Maleficent casts a forest of thorns around the base of the castle, and then transforms into a wicked, fire-breathing dragon who threatens to destroy the very magic we’ve come to celebrate. Fear not, though. As with all great Disney stories, this one is sure to have a happy ending.
Stay tuned to WDWNT.com as we will have coverage of the debut of this new segment over the weekend.
Here’s some exciting news from New Fantasyland at the Magic Kindom Park … Disney Imagineers added and officially unveiled the attraction’s marquee recently!
This beautiful character meet-and-greet is set to open this fall, and will feature stone walls and stained glass windows. There will be a large gallery with vaulted ceilings, filled with portraits of Disney princesses, where guests will have the magical experience of meeting with Disney princesses. There will be separate queues for guests to meet Rapunzel or Cinderella, each of which will be joined by an additional princess that can be Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine, or Mulan depending on when you visit.
Recently, 11 Princess icons were added to the facade as well, representing every Disney Princess to date:
Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more as we get closer to the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall in New Fantasyland!
Short and sweet, and perhaps a bit underwhelming, the Villains segment debuted in “Celebrate the Magic” on Sunday evening at the Magic Kingdom. The new segment of the show is included to celebrate Halloween and does so in a very short run time under 1.5 minutes. See the segment for yourself:
Removed from the show is the seasonal summer segment, as well as the segment featuring Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean and Brave.
Unlike previous additions to the show, the Villains portion does little to use the castle for any novel effects. While we always appreciate seasonal updates to the show, this one seems somewhat ill-concieved
So, what do you think of this new segment?
Starting the opening night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom Park on September 10th, guests will be able to pick up an event-exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game card!
This new Hitchhiking Ghost Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom spell card, in concert with other spell cards, enables players to guests join Merlin’s quest to defeat Disney Villains who are scheming to take over Magic Kingdom Park. This limited-edition spell card lets players use their supernatural power from the Haunted Mansion’s graveyard.
When asked to “Cast Your Spell,” players can use these three ghosts to frighten away any Disney villains they come across on their adventures.
This new Hitchhiking Ghost spell card will not be available in the regular card packs distributed daily at the Magic Kingdom Firehouse. Guests will be able to pick up card packs and the Hitchhiking Ghosts card only during the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, both at the Firehouse and the Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom location behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Guests will have to still register with their party ticket and event wristband to play and get their cards.
Are you a fan of the Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom game? How many spell cards do you have in your collection? Are you excited to add the Hitchhiking Ghost card to your available spells?
WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on August 29th and has some great photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
It’s Halloween at the Magic Kingdom
September 18th, Princess Fairytale Hall will finally open
Each of the 11 princesses has an icon on the facade
Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction rolls along
Prince Eric’s Village Market has opened since this photo was taken
Triton’s Treasures is still being worked on
Hope you enjoyed this photo report!
The DisneyParks Blog shared with us today more details about the upcoming Meet-n-Greet opening in New Fantasyland at The Magic Kingdom. They officially announced that the Princess Fairytale Hall will be opening on September 18 for all guests to enjoy. Princess Fairytale Hall will feature two separate character experiences, guests will be able to choice between Cinderella and a visiting princess or Rapunzel and a visiting princess. Walt Disney Imagineering shared a video with a sneak peek at the new attraction with Imagineers Pam Rawlins and Jason Grandt.
Princess Fairytale Hall will feature a castle-like entrance, high ceilings and elegant wood-paneled rooms, the space will feature beautiful princess portraits, themed wallpaper, glittering stained glass windows and accessories that have been inspired by props seen in films like Cinderella and Tangled. Princess Fairytale Hall will feature Disney FASTPASS and Disney FastPass+.
