VIDEO: New Concept Art & a Pre-Vis Virtual Ride on Banshee Attraction for AVATAR

If the AVATAR news for Disney’s Animal Kingdom from over the weekend wasn’t enough, Disney released a video from the D23 Expo in Japan featuring James Cameron and Joe Rhode talking about the project that shows some new concept art and a first look at some of the scenes from the Banshee attraction:

If you can’t see the video, here is the new nighttime concept art of guests entering Pandora:

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Here are James Cameron and some Imagineers taking a pre-vis virtual ride on the Banshee attraction:

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In the video, Imagineer Joe Rhode teases that there will be a lot of new technology used in the attractions to really make guests feel like they are in the film. Also, he remarks how guests will be able to interact with the “living” environment around the land outside of the ride-through attractions.

So, do these new details get you any more excited for AVATAR at Disney’s animal Kingdom?

WDWNT: The Magazine – A Gluten & Dairy Free Epcot Illuminations Dessert Party

On October 13, 2013, a gluten and dairy-free IllumiNations dessert party was held at Rue De Paris, near the France Pavilion in Epcot.

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This event was sponsored by Gluten Free and Dairy Free at WDW. Tickets were $50 per person and included admission into the event, giveaways, goody bags, and more.

Goody bags

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An all-you-care-to-eat special diets related buffet was available, as well. I have to admit that at first I was a little cautious about spending the money for my ticket. I do not personally have any dietary restrictions, and how good can a bunch of gluten and dairy-free desserts really be? Once I took a closer look at the menu, however, I knew I had to give this party a try.

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Chocolate drops were the texture of brownies…delicious!

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Asian Green Tea and Ginger Glazed Mini Donuts

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French Apple Cocotte was basically like a warm apple cobbler and non-dairy whip made from rice milk

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The absolute, hands down crowd favorite, however, were these fabulous All American Chocolate Bacon Whoopie Pies! They were fantastic!

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Having access to a private IllumiNations viewing area made for an amazing end to a wonderful evening.

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This was the second annual event of its kind. Next year if there is a third annual event, and you are able to make it, I highly recommend that you do so! The desserts made a believer out of me. Just because it’s gluten and dairy-free does not mean it has to be taste free.

D23 Expo: Parks and Resorts Pavilion Photo Report

WDW News Today on site reporter Erik Johnson was on the ground at Thursday’s 2013 D23 Expo media preview, inside the Anaheim Convention Center, and has taken over ninety three photos and videos to share with us here at WDW News Today. WDW News Today has several reporters on site at the expo, and will be providing up to the minute breaking news, and facts from the convention. Stay tuned to WDW News Today all weekend; and follow our twitter feed for up to the minute updates as the excitement unfolds. We are the only the only site bringing you Disney fans this type of complete up to the minute coverage in one of the what is to be one of the most epic years for Disney ever !  Stay tuned….as the action unfolds….  Here are some of the things that are on display:

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion entrance sign

Welcome to the Parks and Resorts Pavilion, an Imagineering Open House

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion introduction video

The opening film features many highlights of the last 60 years

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion entrance

Space Pavilion Model

Models and artwork of built and un-built attractions can be found all around

Western River Expedition - Early Concept Model

Western River Expedition – Early Concept Model

Western River Expedition - Early Concept Model

Disney Springs Model

A small Disney Springs Model on display

We’ll look at this more in the coming days

You can talk to Imagineers working on the AVATAR project

Some teasers of new Star Wars attractions were located at the pavilion

Not much to say yet…

Mystic Manor display

Disney Cruise Line area

You can virtually ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

A Hatbox Ghost animatronic… for some reason…

An old Figment figure on display from the original attraction

We will have much more to show you as the event continues, so stay tuned to WDWNT!

D23 Expo Video: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Virtual Ride Through

Our D23 Expo coverage team attended the media preview of the Parks and Resorts pavilion on Thursday evening. While there, they experienced a virtual ride-thru of the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train attraction for New Fantasyland. Here is the video from the experience:

 

PHOTOS: A Closer Look at the Disney Springs Model from the D23 Expo

Inside the Parks and Resorts Pavilion at the D23 Expo, there was a rather large model of Disney Springs that was shared with attendees. The model clearly shows a lot of the development that will take place over the coming months and years at what is now Downtown Disney. We decided it might be cool to take a closer look at the model and at Disney Springs:

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I find it hard to believe this will still be Planet Hollywood

You can clearly see the new buildings that will stand on the now clear plot that was Comedy Warehouse

A new pedestrian bridge connects the Town Center to The Landing

The Town Center buildings in the back are large and will hold many stores with interior walkways for guests

This is the area that will greet guests when they arrive via bus

Here we can see the other side of the parking structure near T-Rex and Pollo Campero

The building that houses Pollo Campero and Babycakes is clearly not there

There is however a new small building near T-Rex that might be their new home

The red roofs mark the expanded World of Disney store

An overall look shows off the new bridge in the Marketplace

It is a large project

Here we can see more of The Landing and the new buildings that will be erected on what is now Pleasure Island

Now looking towards the West Side

We can see the other parking structure

This model was built last year, so it is possible some of this will change

So, what do you think of Disney Springs? Does seeing it in this form change your opinion on the project?

New “Beauty and the Beast”-Inspired New Fantasyland Merchandise Coming Soon

Vinyl-B&B

Many of you have heard of (or were lucky enough to purchase) the recently released Vinylmation series from “Beauty and the Beast”. Now more merchandise based on this classic animated film will be arriving soon to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Parks, from the Toys, Art & Collectables, and Home & Decor Teams!

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From the Toy Team, you can look forward to a Belle Tea Set, complete with a talking Mrs. Potts and Chip, along with a Gaston Archery Playset, and new Shields and Swords.

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There’ll also be Collectable Figures of the film’s characters and a 1000 piece puzzle of artwork from Thomas Kinkade, which I’m looking forward to.

ArtColl-Window             ArtColl-Tapestry

The Art & Collectibles Team has created a stained glass-like window, a replica of the actual window found in the Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland at WDW. Also, a beautifully designed tapestry inspired by scenes from the film, which measures 54 inches x 35 inches.

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And if you are a fan of the fountain outside Gaston’s Tavern, now you can have your very own statue, a replica of the fountain standing at 14.5 inches tall, and created by Costa Alavezos from the Disney Design Group, who also designed new shoe and ear hat ornaments recently available in the Parks.

From the Home & Decor Team, an 11 inch decorative figure of Lumiere will be available soon. What’s cool about this figure is that the candles will light up and “flicker” by hitting the switch on the candle base.

HomeDecor-Throw

And for those who love to collect the Disney throws, the Home & Decor Team has created a new throw inspired by the same image on the stained glass-like window, which is also available for purchase at the Disney Parks Store online.

You can find all of these items now and coming soon to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. You can also shop for additional merchandise inspired by the Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland, at the Disney Parks Store online. I know I’ll be doing some shopping!

What do you think of this new Beauty and the Beast related merchandise?

VIDEO: New “Bamboo” Character Debuts at Animal Kingdom, AVATAR Testing?

If you like DeVine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you might be interested to know about a new “living” plant character you can now see at the park…

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The character is basically a stilt-walker covered with leaves. Rather than being a new permanent character at the park, we suspect this was a test for the AVATAR walk-around characters that will also be very tall. Disney was probably looking to see how guests would interact with a stilt-walking character. We could be wrong, but judge for yourself with our video:

Dirk Wallen’s 8/11-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. With all the D23 Expo coverage we’ve been dealing with, it has taken a while to get to this report, but better late than never, so let’s take a look:

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No more Lone Ranger preview… it’s not really playing at many theaters anymore…

MuppetVision 3-D is closed for refurbishment

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Sofia the first debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently

She has a nice backdrop for her meet and greet

Disney Infinity billboards are up at the Backlot Tour

Also, the 1-2-3 Mickey Mouse has been decorated to celebrate Planes…

At Epcot, work continues on adding more of the new turnstiles

FastPass+ entrance at Spaceship Earth

This food cart behind Spaceship Earth has finally opened!

No more tarps up on Fountain View and signage has been installed

FastPass+ at Turtle Talk with Crush

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Halloween merchandise has been released across property

Haunted Mansion singing bust ornaments

The shirt is the same design from last year, but says 2013

Light-up popcorn bucket

During a recent refurbishment, new boats were installed at Pirates of the Caribbean

They look great and don’t bottom out, but they have been getting guests a lot more wet than the old boats and make a horrible squeaking noise when they bump into each other…

The Magic Kingdom now sells the most expensive fruit ever… let’s end with this…

Germany Pavilion at Epcot Gets New Flavors & Major Menu Changes

Most people think of knockwurst and sauerkraut at the mention of  “German food,”  but with a nod to healthier eating, Chef Wade Camerer at the Biergarten Restaurant has introduced  a few new flavors for this Autumn season. Starting September 1st, the Germany Pavilion will be featuring bright seasonal vegetables and fruits, soups and has added a few new dishes to the menu at both the Biergarten Restaurant and the quick-service restaurant, Sommerfest. Sommerfest will be introducing a new dish called currywurst, which is a tasty sliced sausage topped with a savory curry ketchup, served with a paprika potato chip.

sausage

In addition to the currywurst, Sommerfest will also be serving  a grilled leberkaese, or German meatloaf Reuben, served with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.

leberkase

Lastly, Sommerfest is catering to kids with the favorite,  Nudel Gratin, or mac and cheese. All of these new featured dishes at Sommerfest are on the Dining Plan.

mac and cheese

Chef Camerer says that Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmannn, a native of Germany, as well as sous chef Hans Groeger, have both been an inspiration and benchmarks for authenticity. They have made it their mission to serve original tastes of Germany. “Guests often think of German food as one style,” says Dahlmann. “We want to show the diversity of cuisine from Germany’s many regions.” In the Biergarten Restaurant, the buffet serves up many dishes from across the country. From Bavaria to Rhineland, the buffet offers samplings such as leberkäse (meatloaf) with sweet mustard and potato dumplings. Chef Camerer says that for the Autumn season, the veggies will switch to carrots, parsnips, Swiss chard, and he’s adding a cheese course with German cheeses and pretzel bread croutons. He’s also adding a selection of smoked meats to the buffet, including smoke hams and liverwurst. Chef Dahlmann also requested his childhood favorite, chicken fricassee, be added to the buffet lineup, a true comfort food with chicken, mushrooms and peas in a creamy sauce served over rice.

chicken fricasee

Using authentic ingredients in the dishes, like pickles imported from Germany, and serving freshly-made apple strudel, makes dining at the Biergarten Restaurant a genuine experience for their guests.

strudel

You will be needing to loosen your lederhosen after trying all of these new flavors at the new German Pavilion! Which new dish will you try?      

The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Re-Opens September 9th

Disney’s Contemporary Resort announces the Grand Re-Opening date for the California Grill – September 9th! Guests will be able to call for reservations starting August 26th.

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The California Grill’s metamorphosis comes with a new look for the dining room, complete with a modern California design and a decor with fresh colors of oranges and yellows. Artwork adorns the walls; artwork by Disney Legend Mary Blair will please guests and Disney fans alike. Her artwork designs are even incorporated into the carpets!

In the lobby, an impressive wine display houses 1,600 bottles of wine. In the dining room, two new communal tables, with seating for 10, will be positioned at the north end of the dining room for optimal fireworks viewing.

And as before, the fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom will still dazzle guests nightly. In addition to the giant windows along the outer walls of the restaurant, there are now two outdoor fireworks viewing areas  – one on the northwest side, and another new deck on the southwest side.

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Seasonal ingredients will be the highlight on the new menu, as well as flat breads cooked in the wood-burning oven. Chef Piasecki will also be using the ovens for entrees such as baked prawns with charred lemon and savory meatballs with orzo.

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But don’t fret, your longtime favorites, such as the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, has been transformed into Pork Two Ways – grilled tenderloin and  pork belly, with goat cheese polenta and mushrooms. Another favorite, the oak-fired filet of beef, makes a return, accompanied with heirloom tomato risotto, marinated tomatoes and basil.

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At the new sushi bar, the new omakase menu includes 12 courses of seafood —  and all courses are the chef’s choice! Each night, guests will be surprised with the sushi chef’s heavenly creations.  The sushi menu may also feature ama ebi (sweet shrimp) tempura, lobster sashimi, crunchy Japanese bone marrow with sesame beef tartare and red onion marmalade, and spicy-crusted oysters.

To accompany these tempting entrees, guests can choose from 250 choices of wines, 10 types of sake, and 8 varieties of craft beers and ciders. The California Grill, of course, still has its own unique signature cocktail list that are only available on site.

The restaurant opens daily at 5 p.m. For reservations, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE (3463).

Will you be there for the Grand Re-Opening?