Easter Egg Hunt Returns to Disney Parks April 10-20, “Egg”sclusive Merchandise Produced for 2014

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Starting April 10th and running through April 20th, guests at Epcot, Disney California Adventure, and Disneyland Park can once again embark on an Easter egg hunt with the promise of a prize.

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Have fun exploring the parks hunting for ‘eggs’ that portray Disney characters!  Record your discoveries by placing the corresponding sticker on the specially themed Egg-stravaganza map to represent that location.  Maps and stickers can be purchased for $4.95, plus tax at the following parks and locations:

  • Disney California Adventure park – Elias & Co., Oswald’s, Radiator Springs Curios, Rushin’ River Outfitters, Studio Store and Treasures in Paradise.
  • Disneyland park – Disney Showcase, Fairy Tale Treasures, Gag Factory, Pieces of Eight and Pooh Corner
  • Epcot – Heritage Manor (American Adventure Pavilion), Disney Traders, International Gateway, Pin Central and Port of Entry

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Opposed to last year, whether you finish finding all of the eggs or not, there will be a chance to obtain a prize made “egg-sclusively” for the event:

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You will receive one of these egg prizes when you return your map to a redemption location: Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park; Disney Showcase in Disneyland park or Disney Traders in Epcot and participate in an ‘egg-scramble’ to pick up your surprise.

Additional Festival of Fantasy Performance Added for Easter Week

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

FoFBeginning April 13 through April 19, you’ll be able to catch the new Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at The Magic Kingdom twice a day. The first performance will kickoff at 12:00PM and the second performance will be at 3:30PM. If you head on over to MyDisneyExperience, you can book FP+ for either one of these performances starting today.

The additional performance has been added for the increased crowds during Easter week at The Walt Disney World Resort, additionally this is a great test for the busy summer season later this year.

Dirk Wallen’s 4/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Polynesian, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The Polynesian lobby lives to see another day…

ABC’s The Middle was filming at the Magic Kingdom this week

The cake cups at Chshire Cafe were changed recently

The card is edible…

Work continues in the Magic Kingdom moat as part of the hub remodeling project

You can still make out the old Swan Boat track

Carnage in the old smoking section by Plaza Restaurant

We found the other cake cup…

Moving on to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is an ad for the “it’s a small world” animated series in the parking lot

After almost 25 years, the Kodak signage on the Darkroom has changed to Nikon

The ABC Sound Studio will soon be host to a preview of Maleficent

Some random Constantine wanted posters have appeared in the Streets of America

Some new Muppets t-shirts available

Stage 1 is one of the stores now selling MagicBands to guests, and they have a ton

Easter cupcakes are available at most counter service restaurants

Legends of Hollywood on Sunset Blvd. is also selling MagicBands

They also have some Captain America merchandise

More MagicBands at the Darkroom

Moving on to Disney Springs, work continues on the new parking structure

Wetzel’s Pretzels and Haagen Dazs are now moving to the other side of DisneyQuest after having closed to make way for Starbucks

Starbucks on the West Side is coming along nicely

No visible progress on the BET Soundstage

Work is picking up in The Landing

Nothing new to see here either

Soon guests will be able to pass through behind Raglan Road

A designated Food Truck area is coming to the West Side this summer

Here’s what’s open…

Continuing work the bridge for The Marketplace

The latest progress on the Starbucks in the Marketplace

Pollo Campero has already been leveled

Another look at the parking structure

Dirk Wallen’s 4/7/14 Animal Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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We can see the new Festival of the Lion King theater from high above Expedition Everest

The KODAK picture spot outside of DINOSAUR seems to be the last one remaining

Donald Duck has moved to a new meet and greet location near DINOSAUR temporarily



One of the Fossil Fun Games is being refurbished

MagicBands seem to be on sale everywhere now

Star Wars Weekends D-Tech Me Offerings Expanded for 2014

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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Star Wars – D-Tech Me has been one of the most talked about merchandise offerings at Star Wars Weekends over the last several years, so it is no surprise that Disney will be adding to the line-up of offerings in 2014. This year, the D-Tech Me location will be located inside Darth’s Mall, located in Soundstage 1 between Studio Backlot Tour and Toy Story Midway Mania.

For those unfamiliar with Star Wars – D-Tech Me, this 10-minute experience uses the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner created by our Imagineering scientists with Disney Research labs. The captured image is later sent to a high resolution 3D printer to create the figurine.

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The existing Carbon-Freeze Me and Stormtrooper programs are returning this year, joined by two new figurines – Alderaan Princess and X-Wing Pilot. There are both male and female options offered for X-Wing pilot, Carbon-Freeze Me and Stormtrooper figurines.

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For children, Alderaan Princess and Carbon-Freeze Me figurines will be available in more youthful appearances.

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For the first time, a 16-inch figurine will also be available. You can see the size differences of the Stormtrooper figurines in the above image.

Disney is also promising that on May 16 on DisneyParksMerchandise.com they will let guests know how to have their image from last year added to a new figurine this year.

The Star Wars – D-Tech Me 7-inch figurines are $99.95 each, plus shipping and applicable sales tax. For the 16-inch figurines, retail is $1,499.95 each, plus shipping and applicable sales tax. All participants will receive a specially designed button. Completed figurines will arrive within 7-8 weeks after the experience if shipping domestically (it takes a little longer if shipping internationally).

To book your experience, please call 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324). Disney will only offer the experience during Star Wars Weekends 2014 (May 16 – 18, May 23 – 25, May 30 – June 1, June 6 – 8, and June 13-15).

Finally, guests attending the Rebel Rendezvous event on May 15 will be some of the first individuals to experience Star Wars – D-Tech Me this year. Registered event guests should look for an email soon that will explain how to sign up.

Star Wars Weekends 2014 Introduces Add-On VIP Package

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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For $499 per person, you can now add a VIP tour package to any Star Wars Weekend day:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends will introduce an ultimate day filled with the most sought after service and experiences. A team of Disney VIP tour guides will take you on your journey designed to surprise and delight the most avid Star Wars fan for $499per person, plus tax.

Includes:

-Best seats in the house for shows at the Premiere Theater including Stars of the Saga

-Expedited access to attractions including Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, Toy Story Mania, and more

-Private continental breakfast at the Hollywood Brown Derby

-Reserved location to see the Legends of the Force Motorcade

-Table-service lunch inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios

-Shopping time at Darth’s Mall

-VIP Viewing and dessert party for the new Symphony in the Stars fireworks

The Ultimate Day at Star Wars Weekends bookings open April 11th by phone at (407) 934-7973.

 

Epcot “Wind-Down” Offers Guests The Chance to Drink and dine Until 11PM Nightly

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Have you ever wished you could grab a drink and get a bite to eat at Epcot after the park closes at 9PM? Well, this is the place where dreams come true after-all…

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Epcot guests can now take part in the “after-hours wind-down”, an opportunity to visit La Cava Del Tequila in Mexico, Spice Road Table in Morocco, Tutto Gusto in Italy, or the Rose & Crown in the United Kingdom for small bites paired with a beverage flight (additional beverages can be purchased) from 9:20Pm until 11Pm. The cost is $35 plus tax and gratuity. The offering begins April 17th and runs through September 15th.

VIDEO: First Look at Audio-Animatronic Dwarfs from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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Disney finally released a video giving us our very first look at some of the audio-animatronic characters we will see when the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens in New Fantasyland next month. They are fairly amazing…

Similar to the Cars characters that appear in Radiator Springs Racers, the characters have fully audio-animatronic bodies, but the facial movements are all done via projection mapping (similar to the Celebrate the Magic show on Cinderella Castle). If these figures are any indication, we’re in for a true sleeper-hit.

Hollywood Studios 25th Anniversary – We need your help!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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With the anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios just around the corner, we would like some help from you, our fans!

Over the past 25 years we’re sure you’ve made some memories or had something amazing happen at the Studios. We’d like for you to record yourself or write a paragraph describing a favorite memory or moment you’ve had at the Studios for us to play on WDWNTunes in celebration of this momentous occasion. If you submit a write-up of your memory, someone from WDWNT will record it for you.

Please include your name, where you’re from, and try to keep it to 2-3 minutes in length if you can. We’ll add some background audio and things of that sort for you. Please send all submissions to dhs25@wdwnt.com.

Thanks so much!

Disney Reveals 25th Anniversary Merchandise for Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

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On May 1st, 2014, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will celebrate its historic 25th anniversary in style with a plethora of exclusive commemorative merchandise items. Soundstage 1 between the Studio Backlot tour and Toy Story Midway Mania will be turned into a special merchandise location for the day and all of the following will be available:

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Here are the men’s, women’s, and children’s shirts (including a polo shirt)

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Keychain, pre-dressed Duffy the Disney Bear, messenger bag, logo pin, and “I Was There” pin

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An assortment of other pins and pin accessories including an annual passholder pin and some open edition pins that will be available throughout 2014

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A mystery pin collection featuring Disney characters

The Disney Parks online store will also carry the four shirts pictured in this story from May 1-5, 2014. The shirts will ship in 6-8 weeks once orders are completed (express shipping is not available). To order the shirts starting May 1, visit http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents.

WDWNT will be covering all of the festivities for the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1st, so stay tuned!