Walt Disney World Resort – Page 156

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 4/27/16 (New Dessert Party, New Menus, New Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

I visited the Magic Kingdom this past weekend (as well as some of the surrounding resorts), so let’s see what’s new and exciting in our latest photo report:

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

Tarps up on the facade of the Hall of Presidents

Heritage House is completely closed now

A new “same day” dessert party option is available at the Magic Kingdom which gives guests viewing of the show from one of the former FastPass + viewing areas.

Guests enjoy their food and drinks up here on the second level and then are walked over to the viewing area. This new party is $59 for adults and $35 for children (including tax).

This is where you can sign up for the same-day dessert party on the day desired.

Found a new Alice Through the Looking Glass phone case in the Emporium

Restrooms near City Hall are closed for refurbishment

Found the variant cover for Haunted Mansion issue #2 at the Contemporary, but they were also at Memento Mori at one point

We rented a Sea Raycer one day this past weekend and drove past the Wildnerness Lodge DVC expansion construction

Even though the park wasn’t busy on Sunday, the Main Street Bypass was open during the Festival of Fantasy Parade

I’m not sure if this is helping in any way, but there are numbers on the ground before you get on the ramp at Peter Pan to help keep parties separated and ready to board…

The yodeler is missing from “it’s a small world” again, but his audio is playing. I call this the “Phantom Yodeler” effect.

The personalized goodbye is working on a consistent basis now

Thankfully, the menu at Diamond Horseshoe has been changed. I will have to go back to see if this is an improvement at all.

Also found Alice Through the Looking Glass prints on sale at the Art of Disney

There is a seasonal Donald’s Butt cupcake on sale at the Bakery… it’s a vanilla cupcake

Some great vintage style albums were recently released at the parks and resorts, found these at Contemporary

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 4/29/16 (Circle of Life, Ample Hills Creamery, DVC Lounge, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

This weekend, I made a quick visit to Epcot and the nearby resorts to see what’s new and exciting, so let’s take a look:

The Circle of Life is back

AMD SO IS THE WALL CARPET!!!!

So, after being closed for two months, nothing was visibly changed. Some have claimed there was a new handicap access ramp installed, but I couldn’t find it. Regardless, nothing that would have taken over two months to complete was actually done.

Work continues on the new DVC lounge at Imagination, they are now painting

In MouseGear, there’s a PIXAR display filled with non-PIXAR merchandise

A Figment MagicBand was released recently

Took a cruise on a friendship boat

Over at the Boardwalk, the new Ample Hills Creamery is nearing completion

Beach Club has some great resort specific merchandise

PHOTOS: New Details of “Pandora: The World of AVATAR” Shared

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Disney today shared new pictures showcasing the incredible details of Pandora – The World of AVATAR, which will come to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017.

Imagineer Joe Rohde and Lightstorm Entertainment film producer Jon Landau shared a quick hint at what to expect in the new 12-acre land inspired by James Cameron’s film “AVATAR” during a special presentation at the Walt Disney World Resort recently.

They showed how the land will take on new life at night with bioluminescent flora and special nighttime immersive programming that’ll add a magical touch.

And how you’ll be transported to the world of Pandora – alive with amazing creatures and “glowing” ground beneath your feet.

You’ll also notice realistic details during your adventures, including special Na’vi artifacts seen throughout the land.

“We want the world of Pandora to be believable,” Jon said. “When visitors come to Pandora they’ll experience and they’ll believe — and they’ll look at the world a little bit differently.”

Pandora – The World of AVATAR, including the “floating mountains” and attractions coming to the land: AVATAR Flight of Passage and the Na’vi River Journey, will open in 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

“Star Wars Day” Event Announced For Disneyland; “May The Fourth Be With You”

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

The Disney Parks Blog just announced some special festivities that will occur at Disneyland on May 4th:

Are you a rebel looking for a place to commemorate May the 4th?

Disneyland park is the place to be on this special day as we celebrate Star Wars! You already know that Tomorrowland is filled with new galactic experiences like Star Wars Launch Bay and Hyperspace Mountain, and now on May 4, 2016, fans can join even more special celebrations!

Head over to Tomorrowland Theater for a special screening of an episode from the hit Disney XD animated series, Star Wars Rebels. In the fan-favorite episode, “Shroud of Darkness,” Kanan, Ezra and Ahsoka return to the Jedi Temple on Lothal to find out how the Inquisitors have continually been able to track the rebels. Seeking the advice of Yoda, voiced by Frank Oz, the three will experience powerful visions that reveal the future, the past and old friends long gone.

Jedi and Sith alike can find special commemorative merchandise and all-new Star Wars collector glasses. And be sure to capture your memories from the day at a unique, themed photo location.

Then the party jumps into lightspeed at 6 p.m. at the Galactic Grill Stage with a fan celebration, where Star Wars trivia and other special surprises will take place throughout the evening.

So join us, you will, for May the 4th and celebrate Star Wars at Disneyland park!

As of now, no event has been announced for Hollywood Studios, but we will inform you if and when they are.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Name and Possible Theme Revealed for New Vacation Club Resort at Wilderness Lodge

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

You know that new, yet still pretty much unannounced Disney Vacation Club addition coming to Wilderness Lodge? Well, it has a name: Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

What is Copper Creek? It’s a name derived from the Copper River in Alaska which produces salmon that are served for a short period annually at the resort’s Artist Point restaurant. So, if this is to be believed, it sounds like the new cabins and villas will have a bit of an Alaskan theme to them.

Disney is yet to make a formal announcement of the project, but construction has begun at the resort.

PHOTOS: Special Limited Release Pins Coming for Star Wars Day at Disney Parks

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

While nothing has been formally announced for Walt Disney World yet (Disneyland announced their festivities yesterday), there are two limited release pins coming to both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort to celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4th, 2016:

Prices and the locations at which the pins will be available has not been released yet. There is expected to be other merchandise released to commemorate the day as well.

Get The Very First “Rogue One” Star Wars T-Shirts at Disney Parks Starting May 4th

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Force for Change merchandise is returning to Disney Parks and it’s your very first chance to own a piece of apparel from Rogue One. These shirts are the first products for the new film created especially for Disney Parks and come in styles for men, women, and children.

Twenty-five percent of the retail sale price of this product will be donated to U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power. UNICEF Kid Power gives kids the power to save lives. By getting active with the UNICEF Kid Power Band, kids can go on missions, earn points and unlock therapeutic food packets for severely malnourished children around the world.

The shirts will be released at the following locations:

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland park – The Star Trader and Star Wars Launch Bay
Downtown Disney District – D-Street and World of Disney

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tatooine Traders and Star Wars Launch Bay
Disney Springs – Star Wars Galactic Outpost and Once Upon A Toy
Magic Kingdom Park – Merchants of Venus

These items will not be available on the Disney Parks online store or via the Shop Disney Parks mobile app.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will revolve 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.

To learn more about Star Wars: Force for Change, please visit ForceForChange.com.

Star Tours Attraction Vinylmation (Including Captain RX-24) Coming May 6th

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Available May 6, 2016 at D Street in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort; Star Wars Galactic Outpost, Star Wars Launch Bay and Pin Traders at the Walt Disney World Resort, catch these really cool Star Tours “Eachez” Vinylmation, retailing at $16.95 each:

The figures features Captain Rx-24 from the original Star Tours and ACE from Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. There is no word on which of these will be the more common figure (one should be only available 1 in every 10 boxes).

Star Wars Souvenir Glass Set Coming to Food & Beverage Locations May 4th

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

Starting May 4th at select food and beverage locations at the Disneyland Resort, guests may purchase a Star Wars souvenir glass exclusive to Disney Parks. The glasses are $12.99 each with the purchase of any menu item.

Kylo Ren and Chewbacca are available at Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port, while BB-8 and the Stormtrooper may be found at Galactic Grill.

The glasses are also expected to be available at Walt Disney World, but no announcement has been made as of yet.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 5/2/16 (Coca-Cola Store, Town Center, New Merch, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 4, 2016

I took a visit to Disney Springs last week to do some shopping and I managed to take some interesting pictures to share while I was there, so let’s take a look: