Walt Disney World Resort – Page 122

BREAKING: Reedy Creek Approves a 3rd Parking Structure for Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

The Reedy Creek Improvement District has just approved plans to build a 3rd parking garage and another pedestrian bridge at Disney Springs.

Aerial view of Disney Springs, including the two existing parking structures

The garage will be located across the street from Disney Springs near the Casting and Speedway parking lots. It will add approximately 2000 parking spaces for guests, cast members, and operating participant employees.

The new pedestrian bridge will span across, Buena Vista Drive for the safety and ease of pedestrians.

Work is slated to begin in 2017 and be completed by 2019.

PHOTOS: Preview Amazing New Mugs Coming Soon to Disney Parks

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

It seems like we have been finding new mugs around Walt Disney World every time we do one of out photo reports. Well, Disney isn’t done yet. Today, they offered a sneak preview of even more new mugs coming soon to Disney Parks.

Several mugs of various shapes and sizes make up the “Mickey’s Really Swell Coffee” collection. These mugs include stylized images of Mickey and Minnie Mouse enjoying an afternoon together. The four mugs with geometric patterns look like they were transported directly from the 1960s, while newlyweds will be delighted to find new “Mr” and “Mrs” mugs.

New character mugs include Humphrey the Bear, Kronk from Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove,” and the Fairy Godmother from Walt Disney’s “Cinderella.”

Disney is also releasing a double-sided mug inspired by the Mayor from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The Mayor’s removable hat is made from silicone. The Mr. Potato Head mug is inspired by the Toy Story Mania attraction.

Two new mugs from the Twenty Eight & Main Collection are on the way: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Adventurer’s Club.

PHOTOS: Hundreds of Star Wars – Rogue One Items Arrive 9/30 at Disney Parks

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

New merchandise celebrating Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is coming Disney Parks starting September 30, 2016. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story revolves around a rogue band of resistance fighters who unite for a daring mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring new hope to the galaxy. The film arrives in theaters on December 16, 2016. Here is an overview of items created especially for Disney Parks.

Women will find a variety of stylish shirts featuring characters from the upcoming film including Jyn Erso or the Rebel Forces Tactical Droid, K-2SO. There is also apparel from the Her Universe collection including a most impressive dress covered with images of the Death Star.

Other apparel items will include hooded sweatshirts, a sleeveless zip fleece with Jyn Erso’s image, and graphic tees.

There is also a limited release Vinylmation Eachez of Shoretroopers. Each box contains one randomly selected figure with some variant figures being rarer to find than others.

Guests who enjoy collecting pins will find a variety of open edition pins with images of characters, ships, or graphics from the film. There will also be a limited release, 14-pin mystery collection. Each box will contain two pins – 1 of 7 revealed pins that guests can see, and 1 of 7 mystery pins.

Fans of the Star Wars Droid Factory will find a set of four Astromech droid action figures inspired by the new film.

For guests at Walt Disney World Resort, there are two limited release, retail MagicBands.

Finally, guests can create and personalize phone cases for select iPhone and Samsung devices with 15 new designs at the D-Tech on Demand stations in Disney Parks.

Select items from the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story are also available for purchase on the free Shop Disney Parks Mobile app.

At Disneyland Resort, guests may find select items in World of Disney and D-Street at Downtown Disney District; Emporium, The Star Trader, and Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland park; Elias & Company and Gone Hollywood in Disney California Adventure park; and Fantasia at Disneyland Hotel.

At Walt Disney World Resort, look for select items at World of Disney, Once Upon A Toy, and Star Wars Galactic Outpost at Disney Springs; Emporium and Merchant of Venus in Magic Kingdom Park; Mouse Gear at Epcot; Tatooine Traders, Star Wars Launch Bay, Legends of Hollywood, and Mickey’s of Hollywood in Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.

Disney Princess Meet and Greet to be Offered at Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

If you’ve ever dreamed of meeting a Disney Princess during a visit to World of Disney at Disney Springs, that wish is about to come true during a one-month, limited-time offering set to debut on Saturday, October 1, 2016.

With surprise appearances each day, you could meet Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Tiana or another visiting princess – there are no set times for specific characters, but you’re always sure to receive a royal reception.

Entertainment Show Director Tom Vazzana shared the background story of the experience:

“Cinderella had a wish for her and her fellow royal princesses to have a place to meet new friends. The Fairy Godmother was able to grant her this wish, and now, tucked away in a magical corner of World of Disney is a location befitting Cinderella’s request. A magical ‘royal hall’ was created complete with tapestries and images inspired by classic fairytales.”

A Disney PhotoPass photographer will be on hand to capture each interaction, so pictures will be available for guests to purchase or download as part of their Memory Maker product purchase.

The experience will be offered from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily from October 1 – November 1, 2016. Once you check in, a cast member will share the approximate wait time and return instructions; when it’s time for you to return to the queue, you’ll be moments away from meeting a Disney Princess.

STK To Undergo Changes Due to Under-Performance at Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

STK Orlando has come to realization that what has worked so well for them in other markets may not work at Disney Springs.

STK Orlando

While we did enjoy our first dinner at STK Orlando, it is possibly pricey enough to rule out a visit from many Disney World guests. The much cheaper lunch service was also not stellar in our review, probably a problem as that offering would open the establishment up to more families.

Jonathan Segal, CEO of the parent company One Group stated today that many of the more expensive steaks offered have not been popular and STK Orlando will be altering their menu and changing exterior signage in an effort to improve their visitor count and guest satisfaction. They are also considering the addition of an outside hostess stand.

STK Orlando opened in May at Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort.

VIDEO: 45-41 on 45 Greatest Things at WDW List, Comparing Halloween parties, & More on Latest WDW News Tonight

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Last night on WDW News Tonight…

An SUV drove into a sign on World Drive on Saturday, knocking the sign over and forcing one side of World Drive to close. Tom pokes fun at the drivers of course.
The timeline of Epcot history returned behind Fountain View and the Epcot Character Spot. What was added and what is missing?
The Muppets will be arriving at the Magic Kingdom on October 2nd. Will these be The Muppets we remember?
Sprinkles is coming to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort
Disney buying Twitter?
We played our most successful version WDWNT: The Math Game brough to you by Theme Park Connection to date! How could it go wrong with our crack team of nerds coming up with the equations? Can you get the answers before our callers?
Listen to our new segment “Versus” where we pitted Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at WDW vs. Mickey’s Halloween Party at DLR with WDWNT’s Disneyland corespondant Conner Purzycki.
We also began our The 45 Greatest Things Ever at the Walt Disney World Resort segment brought to you by WDWNT: The App. This week we counted down from 45 to 41 and debated the merrits of these first 5 items on the list.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjUykihgNJ8]

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Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Tonight is a live, weekly, audio and video program presented on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, Florida and online at WDWNewsTonight.com every Wednesday from 9-11pm EST. The show covers the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney news. The show combines the latest headlines, comedy, trending vaction topics, call in games, and in-depth discussions to bring Disney fans a one-of-a-kind 2-hour program covering the Disney Parks. While the show is being live-streamed in both audio and video, listeners and viewers also interact via a live chat online. The show is also available on demand as an audio download, online audio stream and can be watched live or recorded on YouTube.

Disney Cast Members Will Need to Speak Na’vi to Work in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Disney theme park experiences are all about immersion and bringing guests into a another world, but I’m not sure they have ever gone this far before…

Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

An internal casting call for “proprietors” (basically the leaders of each land in Disney theme parks) has gone out at Walt Disney World for Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

“Pandora: The World of Avatar is committed to becoming the most immersive and engaging land in the history of The Walt Disney Company. Through unparalleled storytelling, place-making and attention to detail, this role will be critical in leading and inspiring our Cast as they set the standard by which all other experiences are measured.”

The more interesting part is the basic job qualifications for the role, which include a proficiency in a new language…

“Ability to understand, articulate and teach Na’vi and Pandora culture and its connection to the Disney’s Animal Kingdom brand”

“Willingness to learn a new language: learnnavi.org”

“Inspire, educate and hold Leaders and Cast accountable to be an active participant in an immersive experience”

“Develop and deliver a plan to premier Pandora: The World of Avatar as the most immersive experience ever accomplished”

Now, I’m not the biggest fan in the world of the AVATAR film, but this even sounds exciting to me. Could you imagine a theme park land that requires every cast member “living” in it to actually know and be a curator of the history and culture of the mythical realm they work in? Seems like the kind of storytelling you always hope for as a guest.

Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Regardless, the fact that this casting call has gone out also means that Pandora: The World of AVATAR can’t be that far way from finally being completed and that we are very likely well under a year away from the grand opening (or maybe even soft openings) for this new theme park land.

Walt Disney World Bringing Back Higher Annual Pass Merchandise Discount

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

According to inside sources, most annual pass types for Walt Disney World be restoring a 20% merchandise discount.

The discount should go back into effect tomorrow, October 1st, 2016.

This discount was offered several years ago, but was reduced to just 10% a few years back. Disneyland Resort provides most annual passholders a 20% merchandise discount already.

Disney has yet to confirm the change, so it is just a rumor as of right now.