PHOTOS: Another Floating Island Takes Shape in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on January 27, 2016

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen hit Animal Kingdom today and took some great new shots of the Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction to share with us:

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You can see a ton of construction workers out today working on the next floating island.

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From afar you can see this one is much bigger than the last.

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The rockwork is the land is now coming along quickly as Disney tries to reach a 2017 opening at the latest.

VIDEO: Imagineers Put The “Springs” In Disney Springs

WDWNT on January 27, 2016

Today, Disney is sharing more of the incredible details behind the main story point of Disney Springs. At the heart of Disney Springs is a bubbling spring located in Town Center that represents not only the power and beauty of nature, but optimism and possibilities. In the backstory for the project, more than a century ago, this spring attracted the first settlers and over time, the town of “Disney Springs” grew around the spring, eventually creating three additional neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace and West Side – each with its own distinct charm.

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But how do you build a representation of an authentic Florida spring? The answer: research, technology and artistry. In this video, you can see the level of detail the project team went to in recreating a natural Florida spring like the ones they visited on their many research trips. In it, you’ll see how Imagineers used various shades of bright glass pieces as accent colors to make the springs glitter; how nearby live oak and cypress trees were incorporated into the design of the spring’s bank; and how sculpting added even more depth to the area.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom to Close In April to Add “Explosive” New Finale

WDWNT on January 27, 2016

Well, it looks like the “explosive” Big Thunder Mountain finale that Disneyland introduced in 2014 is finally coming to Walt Disney World…

Big Thunder Moutain at the Magic Kingdom will be closed April 4th, 2016 until an unspecified date in July 2016 to install the new scene. One would imagine they would like to have it open by the busy 4th of July weekend, but they are just not sure if it will make it by that date yet.

If you would like to see the rather sad state of the finale scene since the 2012 refurbishment, you can watch it here:

The moving boulders were made stationary around that time, with the scene remaining stagnant until WDI could test and install the new scene during the 2014 refurbishment at Disneyland.

While it is a shame to see the ride go down again so soon, the new finale scene at Disneyland is absolutely fantastic and will be a welcome addition to the classic attraction.

 

UPDATE 3/1/16 – Disney has since removed this refurbishment from the schedule, possible delaying it until after the busy Summer season.

Dirk Wallen’s 6/8/15 Animal Kingdom Photo Report (Tree of Life, Lots of Construction, Nighttime Safari, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom this week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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Work continues on the Tree of Life facade as they prepare for some nighttime lighting upgrades

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A strange new structure has appeared on the left side of Disney Outfitters

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Same for the right side where some sort of tower is going up next to a new building, possible a new guest relations location

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Work is still underway to bring hyenas to Kilimanjaro Safaris

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More walls, these for what should be a small seating area by the Starbucks location opening June 18th

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Not much to see outside of the Starbucks

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The Disney Vacation Club kiosk that used to be on the way to Camp Minnie-Mickey is getting an overhaul

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More Tree of Life work

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More walls outside of Island Mercantile

Tentative Opening Date Announced for Epcot’s FROZEN Attraction

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

In October 2014, Maelstrom in Norway at Epcot closed for conversion into a FROZEN-themed attraction. Disney had previously stated that the new ride based on the blockbuster animated hit from 2013 would be finished by Early 2016, but they are now providing a more definite date.

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The Maelstrom ride closed after 25 years at Epcot in October 2014

According to information being distributed to Disney travel agents, the FROZEN attraction will tentatively open on May 1st, 2016. This date may change, but Disney is clearly aiming to have the new ride open to guests for Summer 2016.

Epcot FROZEN Ride Concept Art and Details Released, To Be Called “Frozen Ever After”

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Walt Disney World has released the first concept art for the upcoming FROZEN attraction at Epcot, which will be called “Frozen Ever After”.

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Elsa replaces the three-headed troll from Maelstrom, as guests enter her ice palace and then are sent careening backwards

The Wall Street Journal today released exclusive information about the project.

Despite many pictures and reports of demolition inside the Maelstrom attraction, the flume has been preserved (and possible the boat vehicles) and it appears the ride will follow the same path, but with all-new scenes featuring audio-animatronics utilizing technological advances seen in such attractions as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland.

The attraction is set in the summer in Arendelle, taking guests past familiar venues in the queue, such as Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post.

The ride begins with Sven and Olaf preparing for a festival before the trolls appear to tell the story of how Anna and Kristof met. Olaf will then appear to sing and ice skating with Anna, Kristof, and Sven.

Guests will then barge into Elsa’s icy palace, where they will see her singing “Let It Go” as the boat changes course and begins to travel backwards. Marshmallow the snow-monster and the “Snowgies” who appear in the “Frozen Fever” short will join in the singing as guests plunge into the finale with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven and Kristof saying goodbye.

“Frozen Ever After” is set to open in May 2016 in the Norway pavilion at Epcot along with a new FROZEN meet and greet pavilion.

Unpack Your Pennies, Souvenir Penny Machines Going Digital at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

For decades, Walt Disney World guests have saved their shiny pennies before descending on the Vacation Kingdom of the world, with hopes of turning them into an inexpensive souvenir at one of the resort’s dozens of pressed penny machines. However, something has debuted that may change the timeless souvenir forever…

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This new style pressed penny machine was spotted today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Not only does the machine have a digital display and eliminated the use of cranks or illuminating buttons, but you can’t even put your own penny in it

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The cost is $1 per penny, or you can get all 12 for $10

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The machine takes cash for all options and credit for if you would like them all

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Apple Pay and Google Wallet are also accepted

Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney also has one of the new machines featuring Frozen designs. There has been no word if Disney will do away with the old style machines eventually, but it is a real possibility.

What do you think? Does it matter if the machine gives you a new penny rather than pennies you brought with you? Is this just way more convenient?

Tom Corless’ 6/16/15 WDW Photo Report (Disney Springs, New Polynesian Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

I visited Disney Springs/Downtown Disney, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week and took a ton of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Town Center in Disney Springs

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The new pedestrian bridge is nearing completion

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Some new concept art can be found as you arrive from the parking garage

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Time is running out for the old globe

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Artwork of what the new Planet Hollywood will look like

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Portions of Paradiso 37 are being remodeled

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Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar is coming along nicely

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Vivoli Il Gelato is now open in Disney Springs

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Inside Out Tsum Tsums are now available at Once Upon a Toy

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There’s also plenty of other Inside Out items

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Not sure how new these are, they are called “Snuggle Snappers”

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There are now Once Upon a Time phone cases available at D-Tech on Demand

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Also, new Star Wars designs

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The Sign Shoppe in Marketplace Co-Op also has some interesting new items

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The Wonderground Gallery has some really fantastic items

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The expansion of the World of Disney Store is moving full steam ahead

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New ceramic mugs have been released at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

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There’s also a new window display between Captain Cook’s and BouTiki

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If you wanted your MagicBand to be a watch, your wish has been granted in MagicSlider form

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The launch screen at Rock’N’Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith was replaced

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There are some new graphics guests will see before they launch into the ride

Tom Corless’ 6/17/15 Magic Kingdom Photo Report (New Pirate Items, Hub Construction, Jungle Cruise Restaurant, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Last night I visited the Magic Kingdom and I took some newsworthy photos of what’s going on at the park while I was there, so let’s see what’s new and exciting:

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Work continues on the northern hub area

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A lot of the old Adventureland Veranda and the backstage area inside has been gutted for the upcoming Jungle Cruise restaurant

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On the other side of the hub, a structure reminiscent of those that housed the food and drinks stands has appeared

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Tarps still up for this set of turrets

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The center hub area is finally finished

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The Little Orange Bird has returned to signage and inside the Sunshine Tree Terrace

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Not sure why this took 6 months…

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The egg roll cart in Adventureland has moved over between Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean

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Pirates of the Caribbean is closed until September for modifications

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More new Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise is rolling out, including this mug

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This strange plush

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AND THIS PEG LEG PETE PLUSH!!!

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New notebook set

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For $3.99, you can get a paper map of the one that appears in the Disneyland attraction

PHOTOS: Starbucks inside Creature Comforts Opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on December 7, 2015

Yesterday, the long-awaited Starbucks location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened to guests:

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The exterior got a nice new paint scheme

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The interior is quite different

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Yes, they have the Animal Kingdom mug

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Creature Comforts Starbucks Coffee is now open on Discovery Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN CAREY