Dirk Wallen’s 7/27-29/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney over the last three days and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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More touch-point entrances are being installed at Epcot

The exit has been moved to accommodate this work

Work continues on Fountain View which will open as Starbucks in the Fall

This booth is once again out from behind walls… let’s see if it actually opens this time…

The latest Remember When pin is out, featuring Journey Into Jungle Book from Animal Kingdom

Walls are still up around this planter on World Showcase promenade

Hard to see, but roads have been paved for the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

There is some major concrete work happening outside of the Emporium

Walls are down from around this sign

White tarps up on this Main Street facade for whatever reason

Planes merchandise has landed at the Emporium

New crossword Mickey Mouse iPhone 5 phone case

These walls are still up in Liberty Square

Walls still up at the old Peter Pan restrooms in Fantasyland

This awesome sign featuring the two lines at the Mad Tea Party finally went back up this week

Still nothing to see at Princess Fairytale Hall

Plenty to see over at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train site

You can now see hills and valleys where the trains will dive down and rise up… this looks pretty incredible…

Work has just about wrapped up on the back of the mountain

We’re still waiting for Triton’s Treasures to open

One tarp is still up on the building

FastPass+ running at Magic Carpets of Aladdin

The FastPass+ entrance is also ready to go at Pirates of the Caribbean

A new marquee and times board are up at the American Idol Experience

Signage points FastPass+ guests down to here to enter

The Hollywood Brown Derby is testing a new lunch menu right now and it looks amazing

Moving to the Studios, Planes banners are up in the Animation Courtyard

Planes and Frozen billboards up in the Animation Courtyard as well

FastPass+ at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Moving to Downtown Disney, one of the West Side parking lots has already been closed for construction

Demolition continues at the former Comedy Warehouse

A new bridge is being constructed from the West Side to Pleasure Island, going around the planned construction area

New Walt Disney World Official Album Arrives August 20th!

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Finally announced, a new Walt Disney World Resort official album is on the way to shopping locations around property on August 20th. Here is the track listing with the 9 new additions to the album in bold italics:

Disc 1

  1. All Aboard!
  2. Flitterin’ (New Main Street U.S.A. Loop)
  3. The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room
  4. Swisskapolka
  5. Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me)
  6. The Bear Band Serenade
  7. Splash Mountain Medley
  8. Grim Grinning Ghosts
  9. It’s a Small World
  10. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  11. Be Our Guest (New Fantasyland)
  12. The Little Mermaid Medley (New Fantasyland)
  13. Circus Parade (New Fantasyland)
  14. Casey Jr. (New Fantasyland)
  15. There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
  16. Galactic Anthem
  17. Spaceship Earth
  18. Energy Adventure Medley
  19. One Little Spark

Disc 2

  1. Destiny
  2. Test Track
  3. The Seas with Nemo and Friends Medley
  4. Soarin’
  5. Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey)
  6. Impressions de France
  7. Golden Dream
  8. Reflections of China Suite
  9. The Three Caballeros
  10. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Theme
  11. The Throne Room (Star Tours)
  12. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
  13. Lights, Motor, Action
  14. You’ve Got a Friend in Me (Toy Story Mania)
  15. Hot Potato (Toy Story Mania)
  16. It’s Tough To Be a Bug
  17. CTX Theme

For the first time ever, you will also be able to find them as digital downloads at the Disney Music Store.

Are you excited for the new Walt Disney World official album?

Full Menus & Special Event Registration Date Announced for 2013 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Foodie fans of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival know how important it is to call ahead for spots at the first-class events during the festival. With even more new events and cuisines to try this year, including a Parisian breakfast, a Scottish part and a Hibachi dinner, it will be even more crucial to have the reservation phone number on speed dial.

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Attendees of the upcoming International Food and Wine Festival, held from September 27th to November 11th, will need to set their alarms for 7 a.m. on August 13th to make a reservation for their selected events. The number on speed dial? 1-800-WDW-FEST (939-3378). There is a full listing of demonstrations and seminars, go to www.epcotfoodfestival.com.

During a sneak peek this past weekend, diners were able to sample a few of the upcoming festival dishes, including a  Brazilian crispy pork belly with pureed black beans and sweet onions, avocado and cilantro micro-greens. Another favorite of the diners was the South Korean marketplace’s kimchi hot dog with spicy mustard sauce. Scotland’s seared Scottish salmon with cauliflower puree, watercress and malt vinaigrette, was served alongside Canada’s Le Cellier wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce.

Dole Whips also made an appearance at the preview event; the festival Whips were made with oranges and a hint of crème de cacao white.

You can find a complete list of Marketplace Menu, including wine, beer, and cocktails, for the 2013 International Food & Wine Festival below:

Terra:

  • Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice featuring Gardein™ Chick’n Breast
  • Chili Colorado with House-made Chips and Cashew Cheese featuring Gardein™ Beefless Tips*
  • Chocolate Cake with Coconut Mousse and Passion Fruit Sauce
  • Fresh Watermelon Juice
  • Napa Smith Organic IPA
  • The Vegan Vine Chardonnay
  • The Vegan Vine Red Blend

Brazil (All-New Menu):

  • Seared Scallop with Ragout of Tomatoes, Peppers, Hearts of Palm and Steamed Rice
  • Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Onions, Avocado and Cilantro
  • Cerveharias Kaiser Brewery Xingu Black Beer
  • Carnaval Moscato White
  • Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça

Argentina:

  • Beef Empanada
  • Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée
  • Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut
  • Terrazas Reserva Malbec
  • Terrazas Reserva Torrontes
  • Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon

Australia:

  • Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon Myrtle and Rapini
  • Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies
  • Pavlova (Crispy Meringue Shell with Fresh Driscoll’s® Berries and Vanilla Custard)
  • Rosemont Estate Pinot Grigio
  • Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay
  • Rosemont Estate Merlot
  • Penfolds Bin 8 Cabernet Shiraz

Mexico:

  • Shrimp Taco with Purple Cabbage
  • Taco de Ribeye with Salsa de Chipotle
  • Rice Pudding
  • Dos Equis Beer
  • Sangria
  • Tequila Flight
  • Mango-Habanero Margarita

Singapore:

  • Lemongrass Chicken Curry with Coconut and Jasmine Rice
  • Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice and “Singa” Sauce
  • Tiger Beer
  • Marqués de Caceres Satinela
  • Singapore Sing featuring Hendrick’s Gin and Cherry Herring (garnished with Cherry Man Farm-to-Market All-Natural maraschino cherry)

China:

  • Mongolian Beef in a Steamed Bun
  • Black Pepper Shrimp with Sichuan Noodles
  • Chicken Potstickers
  • Silky Spun Ice with Toppings (three flavors: Coconut, Strawberry, Chocolate)
  • Tsing Tao Beer
  • Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Riesling
  • Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Syrah
  • Kung Fu Punch with Vodka
  • Happy Lychee with Vodka
  • Lychee Aerated Water

South Korea:

  • Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard Sauce
  • Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw
  • Bohae Black Raspberry Wine – Bokbunjajoo
  • Jinro Chamisul Soju
  • Soju Fruit Slushy featuring Jinro Chamisul Soju

Africa:

  • Berbere Style Beef with Onions, Jalapeños, Tomato, Okra and Pap
  • Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket
  • Man Vintners Chenin Blanc
  • The Wolftrap Red (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier)
  • Porcupine Ridge Syrah

Cheese:

  • Almond Crusted Blue Cheese Soufflé with Fig Jam
  • Artisan Cheese Selection: Flagship Reserve Cheddar, La Bonne Vie Triple Crème Brie, Wijngaard
  • Goats Gouda
  • Once Upon a Vine’s The Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc
  • Once Upon a Vine’s The Fairest Chardonnay
  • Once Upon a Vine’s The Big Bad Red Blend
  • Once Upon a Vine’s A Charming Pinot

Brewer’s Collection:

  • Schöfferhofer Grapefruit
  • Altenmünster Oktoberfest
  • Warsteiner Premium Verum
  • Warsteiner Premium Dunkel
  • Radeberger Pilsner
  • BraufactuM Palor
  • BraufactuM Roog Smoked Wheat Beer
  • BraufactuM Darkon
  • Beer Flight 1: Schöfferhofer Grapefruit, Altenmünster Oktoberfest, Warsteiner Premium Verum, Warsteiner Premium Dunkel
  • Beer Flight 2: Radeberger Pilsner, BraufactuM Palor, BraufactuM Roog Smoked Wheat Beer, BraufactuM Darkon

Germany:

  • Schinken Nudel (Pasta Gratin with Ham & Cheese)
  • Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll
  • Apple Strudel with Werther’s Original Karamel and Vanilla Sauce
  • Altenmünster Oktoberfest
  • Braufactum Darkon
  • J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Kabinett
  • Selbach-Oster Mosel Riesling Spätlese
  • J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Auslese
  • Weingut Pitthan Dornfelder Dry Barrique Style

Poland:

  • Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream
  • Zapiekanki (Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House-made Ketchup)
  • Okocim Brewery, Okocim O.K. Beer
  • Temptation Zinfandel
  • Frozen Szarlotka (Apple Pie) featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka

Italy:

  • Ravioli de formaggio all’emiliana
  • Salsiccia e ‘Papacelli” Napoletani
  • Cannoli al Cioccolato
  • Moretti Beer
  • Moretti La Rosa
  • Procecco
  • Pinot Grigio Placido
  • Chianti Placido
  • Italian Margherita

American Adventure Coffee Cart:

  • Shakin’ Jamaican Coffee – Made with Kāhlua, Vanilla and Caramel. Served Hot or Frozen

Hops & Barley:

  • Lobster Roll with Lemon Herb Mayonnaise
  • New England Clam Chowder with a side of Tabasco®
  • Craisin® Bread Pudding with Grand Marnier Anglaise
  • Samuel Adams Boston Lager®
  • Samuel Adams® Octoberfest
  • Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat®
  • Rogue Chocolate Stout
  • Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvée
  • Beer Flight 1: Samuel Adams Boston Lager®, Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat®, Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat®, Rogue Chocolate Stout

Florida Local:

  • Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with Monterey Jack and Sweet & Hot Pickles
  • Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables and Micro Cilantro
  • Cigar City Brewing Florida Cracker Belgian-style White Ale
  • Orlando Brewing, Sun Shade Organic Pale Ale
  • Florida Orange Groves, Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria
  • Florida Orange Groves, Key Limen-Key Lime Wine

Japan:

  • California Roll
  • Spicy Hand Roll
  • Teriyaki Chicken Hand Roll
  • Youki Tofu topped with Miso Sauce, Edamame and Served with Grilled Vegetables
  • Sapporo Draft Beer
  • Sake: Junmai Ginjo
  • Green Tea Colada

Morocco:

  • Kefta Pocket
  • Harissa Chicken Roll
  • Baklava
  • Casa Beer
  • Ksar White
  • Sangria
  • Mimosa Royale

New Zealand:

  • Gratinated Green Lip Mussels with Garlic and Herbs
  • Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney
  • Venison Sausage with Pickled Mushrooms, Baby Arugula and Black Currant Reduction
  • Kim Crawford Pinot Grigio
  • Mohua Sauvignon Blanc
  • Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay
  • Kim Crawford Pinot Noir

Belgium:

  • Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef
  • Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream
  • Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote featuring Driscoll’s® Berries and Whipped Cream
  • Hoegaarden
  • Stella Artois
  • Leffe Blonde
  • Leffe Brune
  • Beer Flight 1: Hoegaarden, Stella Artois, Leffe Blonde, Leffe Brune
  • Chilled Coffee featuring Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

France:

  • Escargots Persillade en Brioche (Garlic and Parsley Snails in Brioche)
  • Boeuf Bourguignon (Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes)
  • Crème Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait (Chocolate Milk Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar)
  • Beer Kronenbourg Blanc
  • Chardonnay, Macon-Villages, La Côte Blanche
  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Château Bonnet
  • Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
  • Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush (Vodka, Grey Goose Cherry Noir, Grand Marnier, Cranberry Juice)

Ireland:

  • Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie
  • Kerrygold Cheese Selection: Reserve Cheddar, Dubliner with Irish Stout, Skellig
  • Warm Chocolate Pudding with Bailey’s® Custard
  • Guinness Draught
  • Bunratty Meade Honey Wine
  • Chilled Irish Coffee featuring Bunratty Potcheen

Canada:

  • Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
  • Seared Rainbow Trout with Bacon, Frisee and Maple Minus 8 Vinaigrette
  • “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce
  • Moosehead Lager
  • La Face Neige Apple Ice Wine
  • La Face Neige Sparkling
  • Mission Hill Family Estate Syrah

Greece:

  • Taste of Greece: Grilled & Marinated Calamari, Hitipiti, Eggplant Dip, Olives and Pita Bread
  • Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey
  • Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce
  • Spanakopita
  • Dannon Oikos® Light & Fit Blueberry Greek Yogurt
  • Domaine Skouras Moscofilero
  • Domaine Siglas Assyrtiko/Athiri
  • Alpha Estate Axia Syrah
  • Ouzo by Metaxa

Refreshment Port:

  • Dole® Pineapple Fritters
  • Fried Shrimp with Dole® Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce
  • Fried Chicken Chunks with Dole® Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce
  • Orange Dole® Whip
  • Orange Dole® Whip with Crème de Cacao White
  • Dragon Berry Colada featuring Bacardi® Dragon Berry Rum

Desserts & Champagne:

  • Chocolate Orange Cupcake
  • Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
  • Morello Cherry Pistachio Mousse
  • Dessert Trio
  • Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles
  • Frozen S’mores
  • Pyramid™Weiss Cream Beer
  • Möet & Chandon Ice Impérial
  • Möet & Chandon Impérial
  • Möet & Chandon Nectar Impérial Rosé
  • Nicolas Feuillatte Rosé

Hawai’i:

  • Kālua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise
  • Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chips
  • Kona Brewing Company’s Big Wave Golden Ale
  • Kona Brewing Company’s Pipeline Porter
  • Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Réserve
  • Aulani Sunrise featuring Ocean Vodka

Scotland (New):

  • Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette
  • Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties-Griddled Vegetable Cake with Rutabaga and Mashed Potatoes
  • Scottish Banoffee Tart with Bananas, Scottish Whisky Toffee, Walkers Shortbread Crumbles and Sweet Cream
  • Innis & Gunn® Original
  • Loch Lomond featuring Glenfiddich® 12 year
  • Glenfiddich® Scotch Flight (12, 15 and 18 year)

Craft Beers:

  • Dogfish Head Brewery, Namaste
  • Abita Brewing Company, Fall Fest
  • Leinenkugel’s® Seasonal Shandy, (Summer Shandy/Orange Shandy)
  • Florida Beer Company, Devil’s Triangle
  • New Belgium Brewing Company, Fat Tire
  • Widmer Brothers Brewing®, Alchemy Ale
  • Red Hook, Audible Ale
  • Sierra Nevada, Torpedo® Extra IPA
  • Beer Flight 1: Dogfish Head Brewery Namaste, Abita Brewing Company Fall Fest, Leinenkugel’s® Seasonal Shandy, Florida Beer Company Devil’s Triangle
  • Beer Flight 2: New Belgium Brewing Company Fat Tire, Widmer Brother s Brewing Alchemy Ale, Red Hook Audible Ale, Sierra Nevada Torpedo®

Are you attending this year’s International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot? Which menu items will you be trying?

Limited Time Magic Reversible Heroes & Villains “Cover Your Ears” Now at Magic Kingdom

In celebration of the “Year of the Ear,” Walt Disney World is introducing some very cool Cover Your Ears reversible base wraps for Limited Time Magic. These wraps cover the base of the Mickey Ear hats, and this new release introduces a new hero and villain-theme.

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This wrap slips right over your everyday Mickey Mouse black ear hat. The photo above shows the front and back of the reversible wrap.

The hero/villain Cover Your Ears base was designed by long-time Disney Design Group artist, Mark Seppala. “A few years ago my fellow artist Brian Blackmore and I worked on a project that featured heroes and villains,” explained Mark. “I pulled character elements from that project for this hat as I thought it would be a neat concept. I’m happy with the final version as the colors and printing really pop! I’m partial to the villain side and included as many characters as I possibly could. There are approximately 34 villains and 61 heroes represented on this base. Now that’s a hat with a lot of character!”

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You can find these reversible wraps in Fantasyland’s Mad Hatter at the Disneyland park, at the Disneyland Resort, and at Chapeau Hat Shoppe in Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Because this is park of the Limited Time Magic celebrations, there are  limited numbers of the reversible covers available, while supplies last.

What villain or hero would you like to see on your Cover Your Ears?

Dirk Wallen’s 8/2/13 Downtown Disney/Disney Springs Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney to check out the progress on Disney Springs and has a few photos to share with us from his trip:

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Still not much to see from the main entrance of Pleasure Island

From the other side, we can see that Comedy Warehouse has been leveled

All gone

Work is progressing on the new bridge between the West Side and Pleasure Island

The former site of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club is full of materials

A look from farther away

New “Good Luck/Bad Luck” pin features Constance from the Haunted Mansion

The August 2013 poster series pin was also released recently

Mary Poppins Penguin Fountain To Grace The Villas at the Grand Floridian

When guests enter the Grand Atrium Lobby of the Villas at the Grand Floridian, not only will they find two 45-foot-long gold chandeliers, but they will also find this charming fountain:

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Made of bronze, guests will find seven penguins from Mary Poppins in playful poses in this lobby feature

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Here is an artist crafting the penguins for the fountain

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The penguins during the casting process

So, what do you think of this accent for the lobby of the Villas at the Grand Floridian?

PHOTOS: Inside Model Rooms of “The Villas at the Grand Floridian”

Earlier today, I was lucky enough to get a tour of the model villas for “The Villas at the Grand Floridian” which will be opening in October. Here are photos I took of the deluxe studio and one-bedroom villa model rooms:

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The hallway

Artwork in the hallway

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First we will look at the studio

I’m not surprised to see Mary Poppins in the room, but The Happiest Millionaire? A really cool obscure reference!

The pull-out bed has Dumbo artwork behind it

The kitchen

The bathroom

Yes, there is a TV in the mirror…

Now on to the one-bedroom villa

Notice the Duffy in the girl’s basket in the picture on the right…

Mary Poppins lyrics adorn the back of the fold-out bed in this room

The kitchen is pretty awesome

The kitchen table

The master bedroom

Cute Mary Poppins artwork

The bathroom in the master bedroom

Hard to see, but the shower is huge! You could fit a lot of people in there…

Bathtub

Walk-in closet

The fold-out bed is in this unit

While I felt like the studio was nothing special, I felt the one-bedroom villa was just about the nicest Disney hotel room I have ever seen. While we have to wait a few more months to see the building completed, The room models have certainly wet my appetite for this new Disney Vacation Club Resort.

What do you think of these model rooms?

Hands-On Preview of Disney Infinity Coming to Car Masters Weekend, June 15th-16th

Downtown Disney Revs Up for Car Masters Weekend June 15-16

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Car Masters Weekend, now in its third year, is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day as Downtown Disney West Side hosts a classic car show with a modern twist June 15-16, 2013. Featuring all things “Cars,” the event also showcases meet and greets with Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters, a sock hop at Splitsville, select discounts on food and shopping, and more exciting entertainment for the whole family.

In a race for ‘Best in Show’ at Sunday’s awards ceremony, car enthusiasts from the local Muscle Car Network of Central Florida will display more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars for families to view and vote on their favorites. Guests also can take pictures with favorite Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.

Revving up the fun, legendary automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney•Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward will host celebrity chat shows on the Car Masters Stage throughout the weekend. Foose, who contributed to the design of Ramone in the Disney•Pixar “Cars” film, also will be on-hand for autograph sessions and will have Chip Foose design items available for purchase at the event.

New this year, Splitsville – the luxury bowling emporium — will take guests for a spin on the dance floor when it hosts the first Car Masters Weekend Sock Hop. This rockin’ and rollin’ special event, taking place Saturday from 6-9 p.m., features live entertainment, a fun bowling competition, a buffet of Splitsville delights, a limited bar, raffle prizes and special appearances by Foose and Ward. A limited number of Sock Hop tickets will be available beginning June 5 at DisneyCarEvent.com for $69 per person.

Also making Car Masters Weekend debuts are a special street performance by artists with La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, a chance for guests to play the upcoming Disney Infinity video game and new interactive activities based on future Disney film releases “Monsters University,” “The Lone Ranger,” and “Planes.”

Fan-favorite Car Masters elements returning this year include the chance to test drive remote control “Cars 2″ RideMakerz models; vehicles on display from the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway; live performances by the Car Masters Singers and DJ’s spinning classic-car tunes from the ’50′s and ’60′s. Guests also can idle over to the Chevrolet Showcase, pose for photographs inside the newest Chevrolet models and discover the latest in design and automotive technology. In addition, fans can purchase tickets for an all-day “Cars” and “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24.

The event will take place at Downtown Disney West Side from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For more information, visit DisneyCarEvent.com.

Dirk Wallen’s 6/1/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Still no permanent sign installed at the Explorers Outpost

Surprisingly, there is still work happening down at the Tree of Life nets

Small walls still up

Looks like they are installing some railings

Work continues on the new theater for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

They are still working on the queue modifications at Finding Nemo: The Musical

New signage up at the Main Street Bakery as we get closer to the reopening this month

Sleepy Hallow Refreshments still behind tarps

Some walls up in Liberty Square

Tarps still up on the former Peter Pan restrooms

No tarps on Princess Fairytale Hall anymore

Work on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train seems to be picking up

A large section in the back no longer has walls up and is a new stroller parking area for Under the Sea

Triton’s Treasures should also be open very soon

The path to Storybook Circus is now permanently open

Work continues on The Villas at the Grand Floridian

WDWNT: The Magazine – A WDW Celebrations Event: Flora, Fauna, and Fantasy!

A WDW Celebrations Event: Flora, Fauna, and Fantasy!

by Patty Granger

On April 19th, 2013, WDWCelebrations held their eighth Disney fan event. The event, Flora, Fauna, and Fantasy included a visit to New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom®, a stroll through the blooms of the Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival, and ended with a celebration of the anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park.

Who is WDWCelebrations, you may ask? WDWCelebrations is a not-for-profit, unofficial Disney fan organization. The group kicked off its first fan event, Celebration 25, in 2007. Since then they have been holding events that are not only about gathering Disney fans together but also focus on giving back to the community. Each event raises money for a designated charity. The event this past April raised $550 for Give Kids the World.

I had the great pleasure of attending Flora, Fauna, and Fantasy and it was a trip that will NOT soon be forgotten. This was my first opportunity to enjoy an entire WDWCelebrations event, having only been able to previously stop in for one day at Project XL: The World at 40. There was another significance this particular trip to Disney. This was my first solo trip to the World!

The great thing about WDWCelebrations events are that you don’t have to go with friends and family, you can show up to an event not knowing anybody attending and find yourself new friends once it’s over. So if you have opted not to go to a Celebrations event in the past because you didn’t have anyone to go with or didn’t know anyone who was attending DON’T let that stop you from going to a future event. In my opinion, the best part about attending a WDWCelebrations event is all the amazing fellow fans you meet over the course of an event. Everyone is there to meet old and new friends alike and it seemed like everyday I was meeting someone new. Meeting fellow fans wasn’t the only highlight of the trip though, here are several other highlights of the weekend:

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Eating at Be Our Guest restaurant,

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Witnessing a party of 60 or so get on Living with the Land for a group ride,

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Running around Animal Kingdom for a scavenger hunt,

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And being picked to be in the parade at Animal Kingdom.

These are just a few of the many events that took place over the course of the weekend. Like I said it was a trip not soon forgotten. I know in the future I will be making every effort to attend any events WDWCelebrations throws. So who will be attending WDWCelebrations next event, Studio 25?

If you want to stay updated on all of WDWCelebrations latest happenings or just learn more about their organization go to their website, follow them on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook.