Poster and Props Revealed for “The Jingle Cruise” Jungle Cruise Attraction

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

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Disney today revealed the attraction poster for the Jingle Cruise attraction, a new seasonal layover of the Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park. The attraction debuts at Walt Disney World on November 8th and at Disneyland on November 12th. Neither attraction will close for the overlay, all of the work will be done overnight.

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Walt Disney Imagineering also shared this picture of some of the props they have been working on for the attraction.

So, what do you think? Are you excited for the Jingle Cruise?

Joe Hogarty’s 11/4/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Monday and has a number of newsworthy items to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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Triton’s Treasures is no longer a thing, these space originally meant for a shop will now be a Disney Vacation Club kiosk

As much as I hate to say it, the sign is beautiful

There is a squid weathervane on the building

We believe this to be a reference to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction

Work continues on Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train as we approach 2014

We can now see a small building rising near the track

We expect this to be the queue

We believe this to be the entrance

Looking good!

Frozen merchandise can now be found in the Emporium

Some of it is the same you can find at the Disney Store

Moving over to Epcot, Spaceship Earth is awfully dirty

Hopefully there is some way to get up there and clean it

Plenty of Christmas merchandise out in the parks already

Happy holidays!

VIDEO: Glow with the Show “Dances” with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

Last night, I was lucky enough to attend a special cast member preview of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I am happy to report that the Glow with the Show ears did start working with the show last night and we have several videos of them dancing along with the lights to share with you today. Let’s start with my personal favorite:

Here’s another song and the turning on of the lights:

Another song:

And here’s the last:

Outside of World of Color, this is the best use I have seen for the Glow with the Show ears to date. It just feels like the proper setting for them as everything around you is lighting up. Why not have something on your head do it too? If Glow with the Show does not pan out, I at least hope it returns annually for Osborne Lights because it just feels like it has been there all along.

REVIEW: Superstar Catering Food Truck Debuts at Downtown Disney

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

Disney had announced that four food trucks will be moving into Downtown Disney’s West Side in November and the first one has arrived! In time for the Festival of the Masters this weekend, the Superstar Catering food truck pulled in and began serving food to guests.

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The menu consists of meatballs, meatballs and more meatballs served in a variety of styles and flavors. At $11 and $12 each, it seems a bit pricey for a quick food truck stop and for the amount of food you are getting. I did try the Spinach and Feta Beef Meatball Sandwich and it was very tasty. There is also the kids option at $4.25.

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A variety of Coca-Cola products, water and alcohol is also served here. The food truck is currently located among festival tents next to the Disney Artist Village.

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The Muppets to Welcome Guests to Epcot Flower & Garden Festival in 2014

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

It’s only November, but I’m already “thinking Spring.” I miss the warmth of the sunshine and the brilliant colors of leaves and flowers. With that in mind, I’m pleased that Walt Disney World has announced some news on the 21st Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival this week.

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Kermit the Frog, with his blooming banjo, and Miss Piggy will be joining the other artfully-crafted topiaries during the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival from March 5 – May 18, 2014 at the Walt Disney World Resort.

During the 75 days that Epcot hosts the Annual International Flower and Garden Festival, almost 100 topiaries will adorn the Park, transforming Epcot into a colorful wonderland of gardens and exhibits. The outdoor food and beverage marketplaces will also be back for a second year, offering many tasty treats, both savory and sweet. Perhaps taking a nod from Epcot’s Food and Wine festival, new menu items will include Piggylicious Bacon Cupcakes and a Barbecued Chicken Leg at the Smokehouse Barbecue marketplace. Previous menu favorites, such as the Watermelon Salad with baby arugula, feta cheese, pickled red onions and balsamic reduction, will be back to wow guests. In addition to new menu items, several lemonades, cocktails, wines and beers, all with floral inspirations, will be available to pair with food choices.

Featured topiaries this year will include:

  • Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck topiaries will appear in a new Epcot front entrance garden vignette, celebrating spring with a butterfly hunt adventure.  This garden will feature a waterfall and pond with water lilies.
  • Timon and Pumbaa topiaries will be featured near the park’s Outpost location between China and Germany.
  • Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Croc can be found in the United Kingdom showcase again this year.
  • Dozens of additional character topiaries, including Mickey Mouse, will delight guests throughout the Park.
  • Florida agriculture will be in the spotlight at a large World Showcase garden, exhibiting fresh Florida crops to include citrus, sugar cane, berries and vegetables.
  • As the sun sets each night, the illuminated gardens will cast a festive glow across the Park.
  • In World Showcase, the spotlight will shine on topiaries of Disney princesses, storybook characters and even pandas and trolls.
  • Back by popular demand, the Disney-Pixar “Cars” garden and playground will bring favorite movie characters to life for the younger festival-goers.  Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House will thrill with hundreds of the winged beauties and fairy topiaries of Tinker Bell and Periwinkle.
  • At the Festival Center in the Park’s Future World, twice-daily interactive gardening workshops will set the stage for outdoor do-it-yourself inspiration, and gardening guest speakers will appear daily.  The Festival’s sponsor, HGTV, will have design celebrities host home, garden and design seminars between Fridays and Sundays during the Festival.

The Flower Power Concert Series welcomes two new acts in 2014:  Gary Lewis and the Playboys (“This Diamond Ring”) March 14-16, and The Alan Parsons Live Project (“Eye in the Sky”) May 16-18.  During opening weekend, the series kicks off at America Gardens Theatre with fan-favorite band, The Guess Who (“American Woman”) March 7-9.  Other pop acts set to perform include Chubby Checker & the Wildcats, The Village People and Paul Revere & The Raiders. (Entertainment is subject to change).

Kids can explore the multiple-themed gardens and children’s play areas, while dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers,” herb gardens and beds of multi-colored blooms will add to the floral splendor of the park’s landscape will delight adult festival attendees. Disney’s gardeners estimate 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone.  On the water, 220 mini-gardens will be set afloat.  Several special weekend happenings, including the popular Art in the Garden Weekend, will be scheduled.

The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

Have you been to Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival? What are you favorite topiaries?

Marketplace Co Op Coming to Downtown Disney Marketplace in Early 2014

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

An exciting new concept shop is coming to Downtown Disney Marketplace in the Spring of 2014. The Merchandise Co Op will be moving into the space that is currently occupied by Team Mickey, located next to TrenD.

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The Merchandise Co Op features a unique “shop within a shop” concept. Within the co-op space, six shops will operate under one roof.  The Marketplace Co Op’s six new spaces will be:

  • Beautifully Disney – A beauty destination for woman featuring make-up, fragrance and beauty accessories.
  • Cherry Tree Lane – Accessories for the sophisticated woman with a passion for scarves, shoes, bags and jewelry.
  • D-Tech on Demand – A place to personalize and customize your own electronic accessories.
  • The Trophy Room- Vintage inspired, lifestyle sports apparel and collectibles.
  • Centerpiece – Home product for Guests that want a splash of Disney in their room furnishings, textiles and everyday ware.
  • Zoey and Pickles – A girls’ destination containing the latest trends and glamour for the up and coming fashionista.

Tom Sheldon, manager of retail design and development for Disney Theme Park Merchandise, suggests to “think about your favorite marketplaces from across the US. These unique shopping experiences in major cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York all have something in common – they are compelling and distinct, allowing visitors to connect to the environment, and fostering a sense of discovery. This is our goal with the Marketplace Co Op.”

“This public marketplace will serve as a laboratory to showcase new concepts and specialty products,” continued Tom. “It will be an incubator to introduce exciting new Disney retail shops and products.”

Embellishments to the building’s construction and design will reveal its craftsmen style identity. The Marketplace Cop Op also plans on keeping the original ceiling elements, especially the skylight.

Work on the new Marketplace Co Op will begin in early 2014.

Will you check out the new Marketplace Co Op? What do you think of the new marketplace co op concept?

Joe Hogarty’s 11/8/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Friday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from the park, so let’s take a look:

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Let Christmas begin!

The Christmas Tree will arrive after parade filming in early December, as it has the last few years

Dapper Dans in holiday finest

The Jingle Cruise debuted on Friday

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The queue is decorated with 1930’s style Christmas items

There is a Christmas Palm Tree…

Palm garland is strung all over as well

Each boat in the fleet has been renamed for the Jingle Cruise

I love the silver Christmas tree in the office with the vintage color-wheel spinner on the light

The ride was not really decorated, nor should it have been really…

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!”

Christmas decorations are up in Belle’s village in New Fantasyland

Peter Pan’s Flight is closed through the 13th

Garland up on the back of Cinderella Castle

The Jingle Cruise sign in Adventureland lights up at night

Speaking of things that light up…

The Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are back for 2013!

It’s snowing!!!

Let 2 months of Christmas in Orlando begin!

Horizons 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Shirt Now Available

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

I still remember the mantra of  Horizons – “If we can dream it, we can do it.”  Since its closing  in 1999, many Disney Parks guests have truly missed the Horizons attraction. With its glimpse into 21st century living, “on land, sea and even in outer space,” guests were able to experience visions of the future.

Horizons operated at Epcot from October 1, 1983 to January 9, 1999, and Walt Disney World is now celebrating the 30th Anniversary premiere of the attraction. The Disney Parks online store will offer an exclusive anniversary T-shirt from November 21-25, 2013.

The artwork for this shirt was created by Disney Design Group artist Casey Jones.  His design shows the iconic robot butler along with the attraction’s signature marquee on the front of the shirt. Casey also included the iconic quote, “If we can dream it, we can do it,” which was found just inside the attraction’s entrance.

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Some guests may remember  “choosing your own flight path back to the FuturePort” at the end of the attraction; the back of the shirt is inspired by this “choose your own” element. Casey decided to feature three different graphics for the back of the shirt – Mesa Verde, Sea Castle Resort and Omega Centauri.

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He partnered with Steven Vagnini from the Walt Disney Archives in Burbank, California. The two collaborated to bring these reference images to the shirt design. The front of the shirt will remain the same for each order, but customers can choose the logo they want printed on the back of the shirt.

To order this shirt, starting November 21, please visit www.Disneystore.com/ParkEvents.  All items will ship in 6-8 weeks (express shipping is not available).

Dirk Wallen’s 11/18/13 WDW (Magic Kingdom & Disney Springs) Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney yesterday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

The statue with the Brer characters is back at Splash Mountain, but still behind walls for now

A look at the now-completed signage package at the Haunted Mansion

Peter Pan’s flight is back from refurbishment and looking great!

Legacy FastPass did return, but should be going away soon…

Walls up outside of the Village Haus

Work progressing on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Structures rising and taking shape

Plenty of seasonal treats can be found nearby at Big Top Souvenirs

What was supposed to be the Triton’s Treasures gift shop is instead a Disney Vacation Club kiosk, but at least it is really beautiful

Great pieces on the wall

A map inside with characters from The Little Mermaid

It is really gorgeous and well-themed for what it is

A look back at Mine Train

The Tomorrowland Stage decorated for a Totally Tomorrowland Christmas

Mickey santa popcorn buckets available

Work is wrapping up on the new Magic Kingdom bus loop and it should be ready for Thanksgiving week

There is a strange floating bridge near the Grand Floridian… not sure what for

Work has begun on the Disney Vacation Club wing at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Moving over to Downtown Disney

Vertical construction is starting on the parking structure

Disney Quest was repainted a few weeks back, and at night, there is some new lighting that really livens up the building:

Some work going on outside of the House of Blues

Fit 2 Run is now open on the West Side next door to Curl

Christmas Tree inside Splittsville

Wetzel’s Pretzels has closed and is becoming Starbucks

Starbucks will open here in the Spring of 2014

Pleasure Island is now the walkway…

Disney Springs construction is in full swing

Constructions walls are now adorned with concept art

Here’s a new piece we had not previously seen

We have out first new structure!

Another look at that new concept art

All that’s left is the outline of the building…

More new concept art for The Landing at Disney Springs

While the store is closed, you can buy Raglan Road merchandise outside

Work beginning on removing the Captain Jack’s Marina and installing a new bridge

You can meet Santa at Downtown Disney throughout the season

Olaf from Frozen is over here for some reason

Demolition should begin shortly on the Captain Jack’s building

Over on the new Pleasure Island by-pass bridge, you can catch the water transportation to and from the area

Another look at The Landing concept art

More new concept art

We saw this piece back when we leaked the Disney Springs information in March

Here, a parking structure will soon rise…