Mickey and Minnie Moving Out

WDWNT on February 12, 2011

In honor of the closure of Mickey’s Toontown Fair, which has existed in some fashion at the Magic Kingdom since 1988, here are a few pictures of how Mickey and Minnie spent their last day in their old home:

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Goodbye Toontown!

Mickey’s Toontown Fair-well

WDWNT on February 11, 2011

Last night, Mickey’s Toontown Fair hosted a special cast member farewell event. WDWNT Reporter Josh Siegel was on hand for the event and has a very special video to share of the closing ceremony:

A few pieces of news from the video concerning New Fantasyland:
-In Enchated Tales with Belle, guests will have 12 minutes of interaction with characters
-The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train will have 2 lift-hills, a mine scene with millions of gems, and will rock guests back and forth through the landscape.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on the Fantasyland Expansion as it becomes available.

It’s Going To Be A Circus In There…

WDWNT on February 11, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Josh Siegel attended a cast member only farewell to Mickey’s Toontown Fair tonight at the Magic Kingdom and Disney is already previewing some of the new sights you will see when the Storybook Circus arrives in 2012:

It appears that County Bounty will become Big Top Souvenirs featuring The Flying Piggolinis (Three Little Pigs)

The Great Goofini replaces the Barnstormer

Not sure what Pete’s Silly Sideshow will be, but it’s part of the circus…

Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more details on New Fantasyland as they become available. We will also have coverage of Toontown Fair’s final day on Friday, February 11th.

The Turtle Replaces the Pirate and the Parrot

WDWNT on February 7, 2011

WDW News Today’s own Justin Heyman is in WDW this week and will have a full report upon his return, but for now we bring you the new menu at Tortuga Tavern, which replaced El Pirata Y El Perico, across from Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.  The Mexican-themed food remains, as well as the original sign featuring the pirate and the parrot.  A new semicircular cutout with the words Tortuga Tavern has been installed over the old name of the restaurant.  The new menu features beef, chicken, and vegetarian burritos as well as a taco salad and nachos.  Kids can choose from quesadillas or a PB&J sandwich.

“Everybody’s Got a Lap-Bar in Place” – Video of Splash Mountain’s New Logs

WDWNT on February 1, 2011

Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom re-opened from refurbishment today with new logs utilizing lap bars to keep guests in the seats. WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee was on the scene and remarked they are”comfy, have plenty of room, and no different then those you would find at Big Thunder Mountain”. You can judge for yourself in this video and enjoy a full ride-through Chic-A-Pin Hill:

Lap Bars, Miners, and SHAG! Oh My! A Magic Kingdom Video Update for 1/31/11

WDWNT on February 1, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee was on the scene at the Magic Kingdom today, where it seems all the excitement was. Not only was artist SHAG previewing his work for Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary and Splash Mountain testing logs with lap bars before it re-opens tomorrow; the rescued Chilean coal miners were paraded in grand fashion down Main Street, U.S.A.! Here is a video of all the festivities: