Dirk Wallen’s 9/10/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen was on the scene at the Magic Kingdom earlier this morning and has some newsworthy photos to share from his trip:

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

Lampposts installed in the new parking lot

If you closely, you can see the new children’s water play area themed to Alice In Wonderland that is being installed

There is a new Fall trolley show running every morning at the Magic Kingdom. We have a short video clip:

Everyone likes to point out budget-cuts and declines in show, but offering seasonal new shows like this prove Disney still cares despite what you may read elsewhere

Speaking of declines though… the bears are gone from the Brave meet and greet

This is a permanent change as Merida may not have much longer at the Magic Kingdom anyway

No one wants to color?

The new Fantasyland restroom facility project keeps chugging along

A new walkway through the Castle Walls has been set up to accommodate pavement work and other minor things

New directional signs on the walls

Work continues very slowly on finally installing the Storybook Circus entrance. Looks like we won’t be getting the ticket booth in the concept art as there just isn’t enough path space…

Alcohol Comes to the Magic Kingdom Along with the Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

Walt Disney World not only previewed some of the delicious dishes for the Be Our Guest restaurant opening November 19th as part of New Fantasyland today, but they actually revealed that assorted wines and beers will be served as well. This will make Be Our Guest the first restaurant in the 41 year history of the Magic Kingdom to serve alcohol.

“More than ever, we’re using storytelling and creativity as we develop our menus,” says Maribeth Bisienere, vice president of Food & Beverage and Merchandise for The Walt Disney Company. “We’re continually creating magical experiences, and Be Our Guest Restaurant at New Fantasyland is the next step in the evolution.”

As guests dine amongst either the Ballroom, Rose Gallery, or the West Wing, here are some of the offerings they can choose from:

Mussels Provençal

Grilled Strip Steak with Garlic-Herb Butter and Pommes Frites

Layered Ratatouille

Mousse-Filled Cream Puffs

Gourmet Cupcakes

Pan-seared Salmon with Leek Fondue and Saffron Potatoes

Assorted Cured Meats and Sausages

Lunch, Dinner, and Drink (complete with prices) menus are currently available online through the Walt Disney world website.

I’m sure you would like an explanation as to why they are serving beer and wines with dinner, so here is what Disney provided:

“As part of the overall theming, we wanted to offer wine that enhances the guest experience and complements the French-inspired cuisine,” says Stuart McGuire, Beverage Director, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The wines focus primarily on France’s famous wine-growing regions, including Champagne, Alsace, Loire, Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

“We’ll also offer the leading French beer, Kronenbourg 1664,” says McGuire. “And, staying in the general region, we’ll also offer Belgian beers.”

So, what do you think of the menu and the bombshell announcement regarding alcohol in the Magic Kingdom?

Dirk Wallen’s 9/16/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen took a short trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

A look at the former Fantasyland Skyway site construction

Storybook Treats remains open during pathway work, but the Seven Dwarfs Mine shop is gone

Track is being installed on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train roller-coaster

The second level of Village Haus that has been closed for some time is now being refurbished

The former Crow’s Nest in Adventureland is still closed

Tinker Bell is now in her winter clothes in Adventureland

Her sister Periwinkle is now doing meet and greets

Halloween cups are now being used for drinks

Frankenweenie merchandise has hit stores

Light-up trick-or-treat baskets now available

Some neat seasonal treats available at the Confectionary

A Closer Look at New Fantasyland’s Princess Fairytale Hall Concept Art

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

Disney shared the concept art for Princess Fairytale Hall in New Fantasyland earlier today, one piece you probably have seen and one you probably haven’t:

The first is the previously seen concept art of the facade

This new piece show what the interior may look like when the experience opens in Fall 2013. If it stays true to this artwork, we can expect to see each Princess below a portrait of themselves and in front of a stained-glass window that represents something from their respective films. If you look closely, you’ll also see statues representing characters from Cinderella, Princess and the Frog, and Sleeping Beauty.

“Alice in Wonderland” Water-Play Area Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth took a short trip over to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to see the progress on many construction projects, including the completion of the new children’s water-play area themed to Alice in Wonderland. Let’s take a look:

Work continues on the main pool

The beach is sealed off now

The new kid’s water play area themed to Alice in Wonderland opened earlier this week

Looks cute

Very well done

I have to admit I wasn’t crazy about the idea at first, but it’s hard not to like this

The Mad Hatter’s hat fills with water and then… well, you’ll see…

A small water slide attached

The new DVC wing lurks in the background

Water pours down all of the tea cups

March Hare and Door Mouse

I guess they had help from an outside company…

The character portraits are cool

There goes the hat

Adam Roth’s 9/20/12 New Fantasyland Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth took a stroll through New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and has some newsworthy photos of the construction to share with us:

Castle Walls are pretty much finished

You can see the track recently installed at Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Cute details on the Castle Wall

A closer look at the track

A look back

The Storybook Circus sign is nearing completion

The grass on the top of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is looking good

A closer look at the Storybook Circus sign

Lights were on in the third tent, which we now expect to have seating and FastPass distribution for Dumbo and Barnstormer

Signage up on Pete’s Silly Sideshow

WE WILL!

Adam Roth’s 9/24/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Downtown Disney, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us from this trip, so let’s take a look:

Work continues on Splitsville at Downtown Disney

Spotted construction workers

Still looks nothing like the concept art…

The Phineas and Ferb topiary from Epcot is now near the Phines and Ferb & You attraction

Guests were waiting for it to open

Blink has been open for a while now, don’t think we have shown it yet…

John Carter Vinylmation is now at D Street

Adam is probably the only person who has bought them

They had better hurry up…

Moving over to Epcot

Some work going on at both ends of the turnstiles

A great Epcot 30th anniversary display is up in the window at Art of Disney

They are pretty much ready for the Food and Wine festival, starting Friday

You can still buy these

The Cool Wash near Test Track is out from behind walls and now features the new “Sim Car”

The area got fixed up nicely

The dummy sports the new logo

A large hole is now in the front of Test Track

Goodbye old entrance

A new chimney installed at the Norway pavilion… we assume Agent P related…

The work on the Norway waterfall is done

Some other roof work is wrapping up

The new American Adventure cast costumes have debuted… these ones are pretty bad. Did somebody say McDonald’s?

The attraction host costumes are actually very nice

The Festival Shop actually has real doors this year…

Chase seems to be a sponsor ready to burn cash

All of the booths are ready to go

The DVC booth near Canada is just about complete

Told ya’ it was a DVC booth!

Work going on next to the Refreshment Port as well

Display at the front of World Showcase

Framing props…

WATERMELON PATCH

Apparently the cranberry bog is coming back

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Celebrity 5 & 10 is behind tarps

FastPass+ installed at Indiana Jones

Justin “The Mayor” Heyman’s 9/19 – 9/26 Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

While Tom and the rest of our cast are down at WDW Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Epcot, I have just returned from a trip and bring you a rare Mayor’s Photo Report! Beware this report contains photos from inside Enchanted Tales with Belle! I also have brought you back some video from inside the attraction which we will be posting soon so stay tuned!

Some of the rock work in the queue of the Magic Carpets is getting some work done

The Rainy Day Cavalcade was out due to some rain earlier in the day

Drizella and Anastasia aren’t thrilled about the rain either

A Trio of Cranes now looms over the Magic Kingdom

Be Warned Enchanted Tales Spoilers Lay Ahead!

As you enter the area behind the walls you see a expertly themed entrance to Maurice’s Cottage

Cottage Light posts

Looking out from just outside the front door you can see the gargoyle lamp posts that line the entrance to Be Our Guest and in the distance Prince Eric’s Castle

More of the Cottage

Be Our Guest!

Signage for the Restaurant

A close up of the entrance to be our guest

Maurice’s water wheel not turned on yet

Picture inside the cottage of Belle and her Mother inside the first room of the cottage

This room is loaded with tiny details

Thanks to my wife for playing photographer but she forgot to hide in this picture!

More details in the first room

A book Belle has left out

Clearly a favorite of Belle’s

Moving into the workshop we see different items including this curious gift from the Beast to Maurice

Other Items in the workshop

Soon we will have full video from this experience but here are a few shots from inside the attraction after the pre-show casting room with the wardrobe and I was lucky enough to get a unique view of the show!

Is that a guard or our own Mayor?

Belle and the FANTASTIC Lumiere who plays host to us in the Castle

Belle finding her “father” locked in the dungeon

Pictures don’t do this justice

Before we move over to Animal Kingdom (Yes there is news in that park too) Let me just say how great this small attraction is.If WDI continues to put this much work and effort into everything they do we are all in for a lot of high quality fantastic attractions! The story is there, the kids (and adults) love it and the special effects are amazing.

Near the Local Foods Cafe (Yak and Yeti counter service) Anandapur Travel and Tourism was presenting Bhangra Dance Party with a Live DJ

Beastly Bazaar is closed

Though the signs say that this is only temporary we know that this is making way for a new Meet and Greet location

The queue at It’s Tough to Be a Bug is completely covered by the new netting though I don’t think it takes away much

Area’s that haven’t been covered by the netting are walled off

Wilderness Explorers Meet and Greet near the old bug fastpass machines

Rockwork near the entrance to Dinoland is getting a refresh

Thanks for reading!

The Final Pieces of Storybook Circus Open in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

Big Top Souvenirs has finally opened in Storybook Circus along with the remaining walkways and tent area in the back of the land. We took a quick video walkthrough of the area for you to enjoy:

Pete’s Silly Sideshow has since opened and we will have coverage of that for you as well in the coming days. Stay tuned!

Jose Castillo’s 10/2/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Jose Castillo visited the Magic Kingdom and Tuesday and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us of all the fantastic progress in New Fantasyland:

Big Top Souvenirs is now open in Storybook Circus