Hayley Nance’s 2/13/14 WDW Photo Report (Flower & Garden, FastPass+, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Hayley Nance visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on Monday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from her trip, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The Etch-A-Sketch screen in the Toy Story Mania queue is now on and displays puzzles for guests to solve

A billboard for Muppets Most Wanted has gone up


The tip board area is currently being refurbished, so a temporary board has been rigged on the construction walls

We think this is related to FastPass+

The pin station behind the building is also closed

The legacy FastPass machines at Tower of Terror are now being removed

Moving over to Epcot, Flower and Garden Festival preparation is in full swing

If you haven’t seen it already, here is the amazing new Snow White topiary installed for 2014

All of the new topiaries have a computer generated look so they look more like the characters

Lady and the Tramp

Woody

The dancing couples were not updated

Only some of the Winnie the Pooh topiaries were upgraded

Eeyore was upgraded!

Tigger as well!

Crocodile from Peter Pan

New look Captain Hook

Mary Poppins

Dirk Wallen’s 2/24/14 WDW Photo Report (Flower & Garden, Monsters Inc. Meet and Greet, Mine Train, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

An extra ferry boat dock is being added to the Transportation and Ticket Center

Work continues on the Disney Vacation Club wing at the Polynesian

A piece of roof for the new buildings is being assembled towards the Wedding Pavilion

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Plenty of greenery to be found

A King Triton statue that looks like it was carved by hand can now be found across from Ariel in New Fantasyland at the Disney Vacation Club kiosk

Walls are down at Mickey’s Philharmagic and more FastPass+ kiosks have gone up

Facade work taking place on Pinocchio’s Village Haus

Some facade work in Adventureland by Magic Carpets

Work continues on the Confectionery facade

Moving over to Studios, he Monsters Inc. meet and greet is back, but some elements from the Monsters University meet and greet remainder

Some of the lockers have fraternity stickers from MU

There’s also a note from Celia

The screens are now used to show the scarer cards, just like those that appeared in Monsters University

Some bulletins related to both movies can now be found

Billboard for Muppets Most Wanted up on Mickey Ave.

Moving to Epcot, the bakery in France has Beignets for Mardi Gras

Mmmmmm….

March 5th is still a few days away, but plenty of topiaries are up at Epcot already

The Cars display is starting to go up

Sulley can be seen over the fences at the Monsters University playground

A new Little Green Men shirt for sale

PICTURES & VIDEO: Magic Kingdom Hub to Be Expanded and Re-Designed To Accomodate Show Crowds and Guest Flow

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Hub

After 43 years, the single circle of the Magic Kingdom hub will be changed…

Sculpted gardens, new pathways, a new Cinderella Castle stage, and expanded seating near Casey’s Corner and the Plaza Restaurant are all part of the changes. Disney has stated that there will be a dedicated fireworks viewing area somewhere in this redesign. The main focus of the project is to help with guest flow during parade and nighttime entertainment at the park. The enhancements will be completed in 2015.

The changes will affect and forever change the 2 production stands near the Castle (as you can see in the concept art above, they will look like an extension of the castle), the rose garden (looks to be history), and a fair amount of the hub as we know it.

It is currently rumored that a new nighttime show above and around Cinderella Castle will debut in 2015 and all of this is also in preparation for the new production and expected crowds who will want to view it.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this story.

Disney Announces All-Night 24-Hour Disney Side Party On Both Coasts

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Disney announced this morning that they will be carrying on their tradition of opening the parks for 24 hours on both costs with a “Rock Your Disney Side Party.” In 2012, Disney held their first 24 hour event “One More Disney Day” which was in recognition of leap year. Last year Disney held a 24 hour “Monstrous Summer All-Nighter” in promotion of the release of Pixar’s Monsters University.  The official announcement from the Disney Parks Blog this morning:

Earlier this morning, we shared a tweet that truly featured 140 characters to officially announce the latest Disney Parks bicoastal, All-Night Extravaganza on Memorial Day Weekend – the traditional start of the family travel season. Our “Rock Your Disney Side Party” will be a fun-filled 24-hour event at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
140 Characters Formed a Hashtag at Magic Kingdom Park and Invite You and Your Family to 'Rock Your Disney Side' During a 24-hour Party to Kick Off Summer

For the Ultimate Tweet, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and 135 of their friends gathered at Magic Kingdom Park and formed the familiar shape of a hashtag. The 140 characters then invited you and your family to “Rock Your Disney Side” during a 24-hour party to kick off summer.

At this year’s All-Night Extravaganza, everyone is being invited to show their “Disney Side” by dressing as a favorite Disney hero or villain. The Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park in California will be filled with Disney heroes and villains from 6 a.m., May 23 to 6 a.m., May 24, 2014, local time.

The celebration on both coasts will feature a cavalcade of events showcasing the good-vs.-evil of classic Disney stories including character meet-and-greets throughout the parks, special entertainment, event merchandise and special food and beverage offerings.

Disney Previews Star Wars Weekends 2014 Merchandise and First-Ever Star Wars Merchandise Event

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Disney was nice enough to preview several upcoming items that will be released at Star Wars Weekends in 2014 this week:

SWM095532

Among the items this year will be limited edition pins including a reveal/conceal mystery collection and art cards with pins. There is also a lanyard medal that looks like the medals awarded in A New Hope after the Battle of Yavin.

SWM095533

The Cars as Star Wars characters series will continue with tractors as Sandtroopers and the Disney figures will come out in some new collector sets. Also in the realm of toys will be a lenticular 1000 piece puzzle, a Jabba The Hutt latex character, and Princess Leia & Amidala fashion dolls.

SWM095534LARGEIn Vinylmation, Star Wars series #4 will be released featuring characters from the Empire Strikes Back. There will also be a limited edition 9″/3″ combo pack of the Rancor and his keeper.

SWM095535LARGE4 new character statues featuring Han Solo Donald in Carbonite, Emporer Stitch, AT-AT Pluto, and Chip & Dale as Ewoks will also be available.

Star Wars Weekends 2014 will not only offer some of the best merchandise in the galaxy, but also, the first-ever ticketed Star Wars merchandise event:

05_ParksBlog_SWW14_RebelEventLogo

The Alliance leaders are summoning the most loyal Rebels in the galaxy to gather at the Rebel Rendezvous on Thursday, May 15, 2014 between 10AM and 5PM at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

Join the Rebel Alliance at this covert meeting place to gather supplies and other limited edition acquisitions in preparation for the upcoming Star Wars™ Weekends engagement. Look alert!  The Rendezvous Point is located on the Outer Rim near the known whereabouts of Bounty Hunters and an Imperial presence!

Packages for the Rebel Rendezvous are $250 per person and include the following:

– Exclusive access to Darth’s Mall one day before it opens to the public.

– Limited edition recruitment pack (includes a custom messenger bag, cadet hat, tumbler, lanyard, pin & medal set). Items are only available to Rebel Rendezvous attendees on May 15, 2014.

RebelRecruitmentPack

– Preferential opportunity to purchase select 2014 Star Wars™ Weekends merchandise, including, but not limited to:

  • Customized Rebel Rendezvous merchandise, including D-Tech on Demand cell phone cases and Aurebesh nametags
  • Special bundle pack that includes a unique Disney Gift Card design with Rebel carrying case
  • Limited edition merchandise created for Star Wars™ Weekends 2014
  • Star Wars™ Weekends 2014 event logo apparel and souvenir items
  • New Vinylmation™ releases, including opportunities to acquire full sets

– Ashley Eckstein meet &greet and product signing, featuring the new collection of Her Universe apparel – Rebel activities, including special meet & greet and signing opportunities with characters and Disney artists

…. And more

Registration for this added event will open on March 4th at 1PM ET. A catalog with additional merchandise images will be available at that time.

So, what do you think of the merchandise and this event for Star Wars Weekends 2014?

Several Walt Disney World Resorts To Eliminate Boat Rentals On March 2nd

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

The 3rd-party company that runs Sea Raycers, mouse boats, and pontoon rentals at Walt Disney World has decided that they will no longer provide these vessels at rental locations at Port Orleans – Riverside, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort starting tomorrow, March 2nd, 2014.

Disney-Sea-Raycers

According to sources, these locations were under-performing and the company has decided that it no longer made sense to operate them.

All other watercraft rentals around Walt Disney World will continue to be available.

Dirk Wallen’s 3/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Hub, SpectroMagic, Flower & Garden, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Drik Wallen visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks on Saturday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The latest progress on the Polynesian Vacation Club wing

The Magic Kingdom moat has been drained to start work on the new hub

The latest piece of Spectromagic history pin is out and features the Mickey float

Another look at the drained moat

Moving over to Epcot, the Flower & Garden Festival starts Wednesday and it looks like the park is just about ready

Is Mickey cross-eyed?

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, the Festival of the Lion King theater is progressing nicely

One Kodak picture spot remains…

New Walt Disney World t-shirt

New Gaston t-shirt

PHOTOS: A Look at the Star Wars Weekends Rebel Rendezvous Merchandise Catalog

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Registration for Rebel Rendezvous, a Star Wars themed merchandise event, opened up earlier today. The event will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursday, May 15th, the day before Star Wars Weekends 2014 begins and the ticket price is $250. Some of the merchandise is included with the ticket, some is exclusive to the event and some is available for pre-purchase before it becomes available at Star Wars Weekends. This should be interesting even to those not going to the event but going to Star Wars Weekends as it shows much of what will be available to all attendees. Here’s a look at what to expect:

05_ParksBlog_SWW14_RebelEventLogo

Fullscreen capture 342014 11824 PM.bmp

 

Fullscreen capture 342014 11857 PM.bmp

Fullscreen capture 342014 11922 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 11935 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 11951 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12013 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12033 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12101 PM.bmprebel setFullscreen capture 342014 12142 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12158 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12227 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12246 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12306 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12416 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12509 PM.bmpFullscreen capture 342014 12516 PM.bmp

Disney Previews Home Goods for Fans Featuring Orange Bird, Tiki Room & More, Arriving Soon at the Marketplace Co-Op

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

One of the six boutiques inside the Marketplace Co-Op coming to Walt Disney World this summer is Centerpiece, a home goods store with some unique Disney Parks flavor. We already previewed a few select pieces this store will be carrying in a post a few weeks back, but today Disney gave us a look at much, much more of the merchandise we will be able to find there:

MCO994411

Among the items will be these pillows, featuring the Little Orange Bird, Adventureland, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and some Magic Kingdom icons:

MCO994413LARGEAlso, a number of Adventureland and Jungle Cruise themed items!!!

MCO994414

Here are some mugs, bowls, plates and such inspired by the Polynesian Resort, Tiki Room, and Adventureland in general:

MCO994415

There is an entire line of attraction poster glassware as well, but my personal favorite is the Splash Mountain plate…

MCO994416LARGE

Also, assorted land plates and glasses, a very cue Mr. Toad holding a serving tray, Mad Tea Party salt and pepper shakers, and what appear to be Sleeping Beauty Castle cookie jars:

MCO994417LARGE

After many years of complaining it seems like not only will Downtown Disney once again have a home store, but fans will be able to find the type of merchandise they would love to fill their homes with. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on the Marketplace Co-Op.

So, what do you think of this upcoming merchandise? Is it exactly what you were hoping for?