While the new Walt Disney World maps may not be available to guests until tomorrow, we managed to get our hands on them a few days early and decided to share a look at these new maps with you today (Click each to see larger image):
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Downtown Disney
Water Parks
ESPN Wide World of Sports
So, 2012 is coming to a close and you’re probably now asking, “Well, what is happening at Walt Disney World in 2013?” It’s going to be nearly impossible to top all the changes and additions we had in 2012 at the Vacation Kingdom of the World, but there will be a steady diet of exciting offerings coming in 2013:
Princess Fairytale Hall
Disney princesses including Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Jasmine, Tiana and Rapunzel will have a new home for meeting their loyal subjects when Princess Fairytale Hall opens in 2013 in the shadows of Cinderella Castle. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows leading to a large, high-ceilinged room where portraits of the princesses adorn the walls. When summoned, Magic Kingdom guests will proceed to elegantly furnished chambers to meet the princesses.
Limited Time Magic
Disney Parks guests will get an extra dash of pixie dust in 2013 with Limited Time Magic. Themed weekly surprises and special offers will surprise and delight Disney Parks guests with 52 weeks of the unexpected. Plans include everything from dance parties, new festivals and character meet and greets to culinary treats, special entertainment and commemorative keepsakes. The bicoastal offering — created to remind guests about the importance of family vacation time together — is full of unique, magical, memory-filled experiences – all available for a limited time only. Special experiences include Valentine’s week with enchanting dinners, or photo shoots with famous Disney character couples; a patriotic salute during July 4th week with red, white and blue lights adorning castles on both coasts and limited edition souvenirs; or the popular Dapper Dans barbershop quartet swapping their old-time melodies for surprise renditions of today’s boy band hits. Each Limited Time Magic offering will have a varying length from a day to a week to a season adding to the element of surprise.
The Kinsey Collection at the American Adventure
The American story of determination, courage, hope, struggle and inspiration will be told through more than 40 pieces of art, artifacts, books sculptures and documents on display at Epcot. The American Adventure Pavilion will be home to the Kinsey’s personal treasures of African-American art and history, amassed from their travels to 90 countries with some works dating to the 17th century. The Kinsey Collection is the intersection where art and history meet, a virtual history book opened wide, giving voice to untold stories of accomplishment and contribution. After previews during African-American Heritage Month in February, the Kinsey Collection is scheduled to open in March 2013. The Kinsey Collection, at the American Heritage Gallery, will be included in Epcot admission.
Disney Senses Spa Opens at Grand Floridian, Coming to Saratoga Springs
If the new year means a new you, the just-opened Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort welcomes Walt Disney World Resort guests to renew and rejuvenate in 2013. The newly-remodeled spa, owned and operated by Disney, blends Grand Floridian Victorian elegance with modern touches – plus a dash of Disney whimsy.
All the senses are engaged in an ultimate relaxation experience – flavorful and soothing elixirs, color variations in lighting and Disney orchestral music harmonize with the treatment selected. Spa-goers walk through the new Victorian-style entryway and indulge in the spa’s relax, renew, or imagine themes aimed at creating a custom experience. The centerpiece of the spa’s lobby is an original mural reflecting old Florida landscape and nature. Glass mosaic tiles in the Jacuzzi rooms further enhance the elegance and sophistication of the spa.
Fifteen treatment rooms offer pampering services such as water therapy, sugar exfoliation body treatment, rejuvenating citrus facial, a restorative hand and foot ritual with Chinese Jasmine oils, plus a Princess Pedicure or Magical Manicure for youngsters ages 4-12. Lounges, whirlpools and treatment rooms all provide rejuvenation through the healing nature of Florida citrus and botanicals.
The new menu of services also includes a signature 80-minute Grand Floridian treatment featuring a special aromatherapy massage.
Guests can book a spa appointment at the new Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort by calling 407-WDW-SPAS (407-939-7727) or learn more by visiting www.disneyworld.com/spas
All of the spas, salons and fitness centers will be owned and operated by Disney beginning Jan.16, 2013. On that same day the spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort will temporarily close for renovation and reopen in the summer as Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.
“Sophia the First” and “Doc McStuffins” join Disney Junior – Live on Stage
Disney Junior – Live on Stage! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure is periodically updated to feature the latest, most popular characters and stories from the Disney Junior line-up on television. In 2013, the top-rated “Doc McStuffins” and “Sofia the First” join the show. The new version of Disney Junior – Live on Stage! debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in mid-February and comes to Disney California Adventure one month later, in March 2013. “Sofia the First” as a regular series premieres Friday, Jan. 11, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
Starbucks comes to Magic Kingdom and Epcot
Starbucks will be opening locations at Disney theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The first two Walt Disney World locations will open in 2013. At Magic Kingdom, Main Street Bakery will close for refurbishment in January 2013. When it reopens in early summer, Main Street Bakery will keep its name and theming and continue to serve Disney favorites like cookies, brownies and seasonal cupcakes, in addition to Starbucks signature beverages and other menu items. At Epcot, Fountain View will temporarily close in March 2013. When Fountain View reopens in midsummer, it will serve Starbucks products. Each Starbucks location inside a Disney Park will reflect the theme of its surroundings. At Magic Kingdom Park for example, Cast Members will wear a costume consistent with the early 20th century look and feel of Main Street, U.S.A. At Future World in Epcot, the new Starbucks location and Cast Member costumes will be designed to match the park’s futuristic theme.
New Dining
Other 2013 additions Disney has not confirmed at this time include The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Tapaz (a waterside restaurant to be constructed in the Morocco pavilion at Epcot), and a rather large refurbishment project for the Jungle Cruise. We’ll have more on these projects as they become available.
So… what are you most excited for in 2013?
While celbrating New Year’s Eve at the Magic Kingdom, I decided to take in the first Limited Time Magic offering: the “Bling in the New Year” Dance Party at the Tomorrowland stage. It really wasn’t much different than the usual Club 626 dance party with the exception of some added dancers, different character costumes, and countdown to the new year which happens once an hour. We have a short video of the party to share with you:
We’ve seen some interesting changes to Disney PhotoPass recently, but the most interesting has to be this booth I came across at the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. Arcade:
I thought at first it was just a photo booth sponsored by PhotoPass, but is is more than that
You can scan a PhotoPass card
Not only can you print photos from the booth, but you can now access photos and video from the booth using your PhotoPass card
Pretty neat, huh? What do you think about Disney PhotoPass booths?
WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Welcome
We’re still letting the memories begin…
Work continues on the Main Street Bakery facade
Tangled characters meeting in Town Square until a new home in Fantasyland is ready
Pillow pets everywhere!
Still funny
Something for the ladies
That’s… different…
The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is looking great following the refurbishment
Everything looks brand new inside
The Tangled meet and greet is being turned into the home for Merida from Brave
More steel rises for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster
What appears to be a large weathervane appeared on the roof of Maurice’s Cottage, Enchanted Tales with Belle
We just keep moving ours…
The second tent is Storybook Circus is slowly being covered
No more steel frames to see at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is coming along nicely
Just a peek over the walls and we can see Casey in all his glory! This looks fantastic for being just a water play area.
RFID FASTPASS scanner outside the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The crane, the crane!
Most of the framework for the Castle Walls is standing now
“I wonder what they are building…”
Stroller parking now happening outside of Village Haus
It’s been quite a shuffle the last few years
Some facade work happening on “it’s a small world”
Work continues on the former plot of the Fantasyland Skyway Station
Work is wrapping up on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment
Everything out in the queue looks good
Bigger changes are expected for the indoor queue, at the very leas most of it has been rebuilt
I know it’s blurry, but you can see that the railroad ties are back
The new track should be a nice adjustment
Oooooooo….
Booooooooo….
The Robo-News man in Tomorrowland returned to service recently
He looks brand new!
Some new shirts at Philharmagic, I LOVE both of them
This shirt has been around, but still cool!
Center Street looks great as does all of Main Street following the 3 years of facade work that has been going on
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Construction has gone vertical on the Disney Vacation Club wing of the Grand Floridian
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom
There are two of these posters in the tunnel now… not only is it not an attraction… but it has more posters than any others…
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom sign near Town Square Theater
Work continues on the Confectionary and Chapeau facades
Work still going on near the Main Street bridge
This new railing was installed during the work
Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to touch trash-cans?
Still not a whole lot of theme to this walkway between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus
Work on the water tower at Fantasyland Station is complete
A look from the Barnstormer reveals that the second Dumbo spinner is nearing completion. We can also see the true height of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train
The mountain of the Mine Train will be pretty tall
The second Dumbo is fully decorated
Workers on top of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
The covered part is the lift hill as the train will roll out of the mountain
Work continues on turning Tigger’s Bouncy Place into something else
Some tarps now up in front of the Castle Wall construction
A second set of walls now makes for a tight passage
They are working on the back end of the Village Haus facade now
It’s still quite a mess back here
Now “it’s a small world” has tarps up
Work continues on the former Skyway site
Next-gen FASTPASS testing at the Haunted Mansion
It will be interesting to see what this looks like when they are done
They were forcing guests down the graveyard side if you weren’t using FASTPASS, but you could still bypass the interactive queue
Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Everything looks fantastic!
GOAT!
Package Pick-Up still behind tarps
Awesome shot of the Avengerail in action… I hope you’ve seen the movie by now…
A look at the Grand Floridian DVC construction from across the water
They’ve installed a rocky shoreline
Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it looks like the Sorcerer Mickey topiary is on the move again as walls are up
Stage for Star Wars Weekends is going up
Citizens of Hollywood recently had a character shuffle. This is the “new” Mimi Kaboom
Things got heated…
ACTING! BRILLIANT!
I don’t think the security booths are coming back…
Tickets are now available for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom! The dates for the Halloween parties are:
September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 and 30
October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31
November 2
The dates for the Christmas parties are:
November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21
Tickets are available for purchase at DisneyWorld.com
Since Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream was updated a few months ago, we’ve been wondering why there was so much empty space in “The Legacy Continues” section. Well, here’s why…
You may recognize this as the large model of New Fantasyland that was shown at the 2011 D23 Expo. Well, starting tomorrow, it can be seen daily inside the One Man’s Dream attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Having seen the model in person, I can tell you that you will want to stare at it for a while to inspect every last detail. Clear up some time in your schedule for your next trip to the Studios, you’re going to be staring at this for a while…
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Walt Disney World theme parks over the last three days and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. We’ll take a look at New Fantasyland, Star Wars Weekends preparation, and more from around the Vacation Kingdom of the World, so let’s get started:
The Main Street Bakery is still behind tarps (I’m starting to think this has something to do with Starbucks moving in)
Facade work continues on the Confectionary and Chapeau
The temporary Tangled meet and greet rolls on
Work was completed on the Main Street bridge
Work on the Princess Merida meet and greet has been completed
A nearby cart has Brave merchandise
I find it hard to believe that they will sell much before the movie is released
I fully expect to get shot with arrows by smaller guests on a regular basis now…
The second Dumbo spinner is rapidly nearing completion
If I were a betting man… and I am…
I’d wager that the second spinner will be open by Memorial Day
The official opening is July, along with the interactive queue
The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station looks nearly complete
We’re still not entirely sure if the center portion will spin at a slow speed like a roundhouse
98? An Animal Kingdom reference? We think about these things too much…
A look at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Near the construction of what we assume is a new Pooh meet and greet, a mysterious box has appeared
The Castle Wall is rising…
More scaffolding finally went up on the detailed portion near Village Haus
This steel frame should be covered soon
This side is further along
Some walkway work being done near the Carousel as well
I had to stare at this for a while to realize what I was seeing… this is the view from the Haunted Mansion across the old Skyway site. I assume this will be addressed as construction moves forward.
Construction of the Grand Floridian DVC wing continues
A new parking lot being built across the way
Going up!
Star wars Weekends preparation underway at Studios
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
You can still become an unwanted action figure… ZING!
The Droid Factory recently opened at Tatooine Traders. You can make your own R2 unit toy!
Scott Smith just died
Brave banners up in the Animation Courtyard
Work was completed on the Disney Junior queue
Looks like they just replaced the awning
The same seems to be happening to the meet and greet area
Goodbye Kim…
Work continues on the new, separate Turtle Talk entrance at the Seas
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Magic Kingdom guests blink back in amazement at the scene: not one, but two colorful Dumbos spinning through the sky above Storybook Circus.
To the delight of fans of the beloved Dumbo, the Flying Elephant attraction, a second Dumbo flies alongside. The playful pachyderm is joined in Storybook Circus by the Barnstormer Coaster re-themed to the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station water play area and the Fantasyland Train Station — all part of the multiyear, largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.
There’s more to come as the expansion of the New Fantasyland – nearly doubling in size — continues at Walt Disney World Resort. In fact, so many more attractions are coming on line later this year that Dec. 6, 2012 has been set as the Grand Opening of Fantasyland. Previews begin Nov. 19.
Slated to make their debuts:
“Fantasyland is a place where a very special kind of memory is made: where children just old enough to understand the moment come in contact with princesses and heroes and meet their most beloved friends,” said Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France.
“We are excited about sharing our treasured stories in new ways and giving guests the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters like never before.”
Beyond 2012, there’s more in store for Fantasyland guests:
