1/6/15 Aerial Construction Photos of Downtown Disney Conversion to Disney Springs

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

WDWNT’s own Nick LoCicero took a trip high above Downtown Disney this week and has some great aerial photos of the on-going work to share with us today:

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Even though it has opened, work continues on the Orange parking structure

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The top level appears to be far from ready

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Work has begun on the Town Center, the former parking lot for Pleasure Island

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Some new facades can already be found on this side of The Landing, the large Bottling Co. building will be home to the Morimoto restaurant

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We can see work progressing on the Boathouse, as well as the still unannounced hangar restaurant

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The Town Center will be completed by 2016

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New Concept Art and Details on Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, DVC Sale Date Announced

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

DisneyÕs Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at DisneyÕs Polynesian Village Resort

Disney Vacation Club will begin initial sales for its newest resort, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, next week. Current Disney Vacation Club Members will be able to purchase real estate interests beginning Jan. 12, and general sales will begin Feb. 9. When the first phase opens, scheduled for April 1, the resort will introduce unique accommodations, including the now-named Bora Bora Bungalows and connecting Deluxe Studios on the mainland.

DisneyÕs Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at DisneyÕs Polynesian Village Resort

The 20 Bora Bora Bungalows on the Seven Seas Lagoon will sleep up to eight guests each in a two-bedroom, home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. The Bungalows have two full bathrooms, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and large dining and living room spaces for gatherings. Décor combines modern style with the tropical and enchanting look and feel of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort that guests love.

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Bora Bora Bungalow layout

Private decks will feature a plunge pool where Members and guests can view fireworks over the Magic Kingdom, complete with the soundtrack that can be heard through an individual sound system. They will also have front-row seats to the Electrical Water Pageant!

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

The new Lava pool

The new resort also includes 360 Deluxe Studio Villas, the largest at the Walt Disney World Resort. These villas sleep up to five guests each and feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space for convenience and comfort, and two separate bathroom areas, one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and another one with a shower and sink. A pull-down armoire bed showcases painted artwork from the popular Disney film, Lilo & Stitch.

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Live Action “Cinderella” Sneak-Peek & Photo-Op Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Beginning January 17th, guests can see a special sneak-peek of Disney’s live-action Cinderella film at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The preview will run through March 21st.

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The coach from the film,which has been appearing at the Magic Kingdom before the afternoon parade, will be moving to Hollywood Studios to provide a photo-op for guests from February 1st through April 11th, 2015.

PHOTOS: Demolition of the Sorcerer’s Hat Begins at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Demolition has begun for the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

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The gold spirals under the hat are the first piece to go…

 

On the walls around the hat, ads for the park’s attractions can be found

 

Also, the Earful Tower, which is now more visible with the trees in the center hub of the park coming down

 

It will be a few weeks until the hat is completely down, with work in the area wrapping up around April/May

 

This side is looking really bad, so probably best  that it comes down

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Guests leaving the park in the evening will find the hat completely dark, but the Earful Tower is now in plain sight, and the Chinese Theater will follow once the hat comes down.

Upcoming Attractions from Around the World Added to Updated “One Man’s Dream” Exhibit Finale at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

When “The Legacy Continues” section of “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” debuted a few years ago, we were promised that the previews of upcoming attractions and such from the company would be updated regularly. Just last week, the boards representing each Disney resort around the world were updated:

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Completed projects and the upcoming Little Mermaid show at Tokyo DisneySea are showcased

Hong Kong Disneyland focuses on the last major addition, Mystic Manor

Disneyland Resort features some recent projects, but also the upcoming 60th anniversary

Shanghai has added artwork for the Garden of the Twelve Friends and the Pirate area of the park

Some recent additions for Disney Cruise Line

Walt Disney World’s section focuses only on Animal Kingdom

The boat ride is happening…

 

Lots of exciting things on the way!

PHOTO: The Top of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Hollywood Studios Has Been Removed

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Overnight, the top of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was removed…

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They didn’t even have time to haul the tip of the hat off somewhere

 

We’ll keep you up to date on the progress of the removal of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios every step of the way, so stay tuned!

First-Ever food Truck Takeover Happening This Weekend at Downtown Disney

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

During the first-ever “food truck takeover” January 16-18 at Exposition Park at Downtown Disney, visitors will experience a fun way to get a taste of the new Trattoria al Forno menu.

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Superstar Catering food truck, which usually features tastes of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will be the makeshift kitchen for the Trattoria chefs to serve three of the restaurant’s most popular dishes: an oversized beef and spinach meatball in a sourdough bread bowl (inspired by the restaurant’s Polpetta Gigante) with housemade “Sunday gravy” ($12.25); lasagna ($10.75), and tiramisu ($6). They’ll also be pouring Sogno d’Italia Chianti from Tuscany, representing the restaurant’s all-Italian wine list and a perfect pairing for the lasagna and meatball.

Exposition Park hours are noon-11 p.m., weather permitting. More Disney restaurants will showcase menu favorites with upcoming food truck takeovers.

If a taste at Exposition Park should leave you wanting more, Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s BoardWalk is open 7:30-11 a.m. for breakfast, 5-10 p.m. for dinner.

Frozen Meet and Greet at Epcot to Fill World Showcase Expansion Pad Between Mexico and Norway

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

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Since 1988, we have been patiently waiting for a new pavilion to grace World Showcase at Epcot, filling one of the many expansion pads around World Showcase Lagoon. Well, the addition of Frozen to Norway at Epcot will apparently include a large meet and greet pavilion for the Frozen characters that will take up one of these plots.

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Filings with the South Florida Water Management District discovered this week by StitchKingdom reveal Disney’s plans for the space next door to the existing Norway pavilion.

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The 13,000 square foot building will be located just across from the restrooms, Kringla bakery, and Stave Church. The space at the very least includes a Frozen character meet and greet and new women’s restrooms (we expect the existing restrooms will be remodeled and made into a larger men’s restroom). Behind the building, parking spaces and needed facilities for the pavilion will be constructed. The new building may also house something else because of the size of the structure, but it seems likely Disney will make the most of the space to make sure as many guests could meet Anna, Elsa, and Olaf as possible with a minimal wait.

The former Anna and Elsa meet and greet space in Norway was too small to handle the long queues and guest demand for the characters, thus prompting Disney to build this new facility which will have its very own entrance. While the historical facades of Norway will not be altered, we can expect this meet and greet’s facade to be themed to the fictional kingdom of Arendelle from Frozen.

Dates Announced for Sixth Annual Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Dates for the sixth annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic have been announced. The popular event is set for Friday October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2015, at the Swan and Dolphin.

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The two-night, outdoor festival will feature more than 40 stations with culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and wine from more than 30 wineries. Guests will also enjoy live music, a beer garden featuring local and seasonal brews from around the world and food and beverage seminars led by the hotel’s chefs and certified beverage experts.

More details about the event, including specific ticket packages, will be announced later. For the latest information, guests can visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com, like www.facebook.com/swananddolphin or call 1-800-227-1500.