2011 Halloween and Christmas Party Dates

WDWNT on March 19, 2011

Hot off the press, here are the dates for this years Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween and Very Merry Christmas Parties at the Magic Kingdom:

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Sept. 13,16,20,23,27,30
October 2,6,7,10,11,13,16,18,20,21,23,25, 27,28,30,31
Nov 1

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
November 8,9,11,13,15,18,27,29,30
December 2,4,6,7,9,11,13, 14,16,18

Tickets are not on sale yet, but we will be sure to let you know once they become available.

PICTURES: NEW Interactive Queue at the Haunted Mansion Open to Guests

WDWNT on March 14, 2011

The new interactive queue area for the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion that we have been watching the construction of since October 2010 has finally been completed! WDWNT Reporter Taylor Martina was on the scene to bring us pictures and a first-hand report of the new elements:

The line was long, really a perfect day to open the new interactive queue

Read More about PICTURES: NEW Interactive Queue at the Haunted Mansion Open to Guests

Wondering What Ursula Will Look Like “Under the Sea”?

WDWNT on March 9, 2011

While the following piece from the Disney Parks Blog is meant to be promotion for California Adventure’s “The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure”, the ride is almost 100% identical to “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” coming to Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, so the Ursula animatronic you see below will also be swimming over to Florida in 2012:

The infamous evil sea witch, Ursula, has taken her place inside The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction opening June 3 at Disney California Adventure park. When you’re on the attraction, you can’t miss her. She’s 7 ½ feet tall and 12 feet wide! Of course, the Disney Parks Blog was there to capture this exciting day! Come with us behind-the-scenes as we show you Ursula being installed, and meet some members of the amazing team of Walt Disney Imagineers who brought Ursula to “life.”

What’s Happening in the Hitchhiking Ghost Scene of the Haunted Mansion?

WDWNT on February 28, 2011

Last week, the Disney fan community exploded when Disney placed temporary tarps and projections of ghosts Phineas, Ezra, and Gus in the hitchhiking ghost scene of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom without any announcement. Rumors have indicated that new, interactive elements are coming to the Haunted Mansion, both in the queue and on the ride. We may have a clue to what’s happening inside:

If you look very closely at the Fall 2010 issues of Disney’s Twenty-three magazine, you would see this piece of concept art fairly hidden in the article on Walt Disney Imagineering. The artwork shows two guests being frightened by all three of the ghosts in what has to be projection form. If this artwork is any indication, when work on the scene is complete, guest’s reflections will have the ghosts floating around them both inside and outside of the vehicle.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on these changes to the Haunted Mansion become available.

More Details on Mickey’s New Home at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on February 23, 2011

A press release from Disney gives us more details on Mickey Mouse’s new home, the Town Square Theater, opening later this Spring:

Magic Kingdom officials have a hunch a really “hot ticket” in their realm this summer is going to be something other than a ride, a snack or a show. Rather, it’s a first-ever opportunity to nail down a time to meet with Mickey Mouse.

When meet-and-greets with Mickey move into a permanent new location in Town Square later this spring, Magic Kingdom guests will be able to obtain a Disney’s FASTPASS ticket specifying a one-hour window when they can return to see the popular character for hugs, photos and autographs — without waiting in the standby queue. It will mark the first time the complimentary, computerized service has been available for a character meet-and-greet at any Disney Park.

Since spending time with Disney characters is at the top of the “must-do list” of many guests, the FASTPASS ticket will allow them to experience their Mickey Mouse meet-and-greets more conveniently. As a result, guests will be able to devote more time enjoying other Magic Kingdom experiences with family and friends.

The new meet-and-greet location, Town Square Theater, will be located inside the current Exposition Hall area just inside the park entrance. Imagineers already are working to completely transform the space for the new experience. “This isn’t just remodeling Expo Hall; it is completely re-imagining this entire venue as a beautiful Victorian-era theater and the new home for Mickey Mouse,” Jon Georges, WDI Director, Senior Show Producer, said.

“Mickey and Main Street, U.S.A. are great examples of pure Americana that complement each other very well,” Concept Designer Jason Grandt said. “We drew a lot of inspiration from classic Mickey animated shorts such as The Nifty Nineties and Mickey’s Grand Opera. Many of the scenes in these shorts look like they take place right on Main Street.”

Guests arrive at a building befitting Mickey Mouse’s stardom — with a grand-Victorian-theater elevation, including a marquee that glistens with gold-leaf trim and sparkles with lights. Inside, there’s a mosaic floor, lush curtains with gold rope tie-backs and polished-brass chandeliers. Imagineers are creating new elements and surprises for Magic Kingdom guests, including an interactive queue — with an extra touch of Disney magic — and highly themed retail shops.

The queue takes guests “backstage,” where Mickey is waiting to greet them in a rehearsal-room environment amid posters, steamer trunks and stage props.

In addition, during the New Fantasyland construction, royalty will be visiting as the Disney Princesses will be in Town Square Theater to meet and greet their loyal subjects.

Currently, guests can visit with Mickey Mouse in Tomorrowland, in a location to the right of Space Mountain. Meet-and-greet experiences with the Disney Princesses are currently at Adventureland Verandah.

Mickey’s New Mouse House: Town Square Theater

WDWNT on February 22, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

How about this: For the first time at Disney Parks, you’ll have the opportunity to nail down a time for a face-to-face meeting with Mickey Mouse at the Walt Disney World Resort. Beginning this spring, we’ll be offering FASTPASSfor Mickey at his new permanent home, Town Square Theater, located inside the current Exposition Hall area at the entrance of Magic Kingdom park.

Artist Rendering of Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom

Once open, it’ll be more than just a new greeting space for Mickey. Imagineers are creating new elements and surprises for Magic Kingdom park guests, including an interactive queue – with an extra touch of Disney magic. Also, during the New Fantasyland construction, royalty will be visiting as the Disney Princesses will be in Town Square Theater to meet and greet their loyal subjects this spring.

How will it work? Magic Kingdom guests will be able obtain a Disney’s FASTPASS specifying a one-hour window when they can return to see the popular character for hugs, photos and autographs – without waiting in the standby queue. This marks the first time the complimentary, computerized service has been utilized for a character meet-and-greet at any Disney Park.

Walt Disney Imagineers are already working to completely transform the space for the new experience. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on this one-of-a-kind experience.

One Final “Wishes!” from Toontown Fair

WDWNT on February 19, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee was at the Magic Kingdom on the final day of operation for Mickey’s Toontown Fair and recorded a pretty cool video of “Wishes!” from the now-shuttered land: