Walt Disney World Resort – Page 258

Your Epcot 30th Anniversary Shopping Guide!

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

For those going to Epcot’s 30th Anniversary festivities on October 1st, you’re probably still wondering how much money you are going to need to leave with all of the retro goodies that will be for sale. Well, we here at WDWNT are going to try to help you out with that before we arrive at the park on October 1st. The following information has been released through several official Disney websites and publications, as well as at the annual Pin Celebration at Epcot held a few weeks ago. We will continue to update this post as more info becomes available. Enjoy:

Spaceship Earth Limited Edition of 500 Boxed Pin Set, $69.95 Retail, October 1st Release Date

Annual Passholder Exclusive Pin – Retail TBA, October 1st Release Date

30th Anniversary Medal and Pin – $18.95, September 28th Release Date

Figment Pin and Button Set – $13.95, September 28th Release Date

Annual Passholder 3-Tier Pin – $9.95, September 28th Release Date

Open Edition Epcot 30th Mystery Set – $13.95 for two randomly selected pins, September 28th Release Date

Epcot 30th Anniversary Pin – $11.95, September 28th Release Date

Epcot 30th Anniversary Reversible Deluxe Lanyard – $10.95, September 28th Release Date

Epcot 30th Anniversary Super Jumbo Limited Edition of 250 Pin -Â Retail $125.00, October 1st Release Date

Assortment of Limited Edition & Annual Passholder pins, October 1st Release Date

“I Was There” Limited Edition of 3000 – $13.95

Epcot 30th Limited Edition of 2500 Pin and Patch Set – Retail TBA

8-Bit Figment Limited Edition of 2500 Pin – Retail TBA

Special pin available through cast member trade beginning October 1st

Commemorative Shirts – $31.95 (Women), $27.95 (Men), $24.95 (Kids), September 28th Release Date

Available online September 28th through October 4th

Epcot 30th Baseball Caps – $24.95, September 28th Release Date

Assorted Other Epcot 30th Anniversary Shirts – Retail TBA, September 28th Release Date

Epcot Pavilion Logo “Toothpick Holders” – Retail $24.95, September 28th Release Date

Removable Spaceship Earth ear hat cover – $9.95, September 28th Release Date

11 World Showcase Retro Shirts – $24.95 each, September 28th Release Date

Available online September 28th through October 4th

12-Inch Epcot 30th Duffy the Disney Bear – $30, September 28th Release Date

D-Tech iPhone 4/4S Cases – Four Different Retro Designs, $36.95 each, October 1st Release date

Commemorative framed coin set – retail TBA, October 1st Release Date

Noah artwork available as Giclee, framed print, or custom Vinylmation – Retail TBA, October 1st release date

Various custom Vinylmation figures – retail TBA, October 1st release date

Alcohol Comes to the Magic Kingdom Along with the Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

Walt Disney World not only previewed some of the delicious dishes for the Be Our Guest restaurant opening November 19th as part of New Fantasyland today, but they actually revealed that assorted wines and beers will be served as well. This will make Be Our Guest the first restaurant in the 41 year history of the Magic Kingdom to serve alcohol.

“More than ever, we’re using storytelling and creativity as we develop our menus,” says Maribeth Bisienere, vice president of Food & Beverage and Merchandise for The Walt Disney Company. “We’re continually creating magical experiences, and Be Our Guest Restaurant at New Fantasyland is the next step in the evolution.”

As guests dine amongst either the Ballroom, Rose Gallery, or the West Wing, here are some of the offerings they can choose from:

Mussels Provençal

Grilled Strip Steak with Garlic-Herb Butter and Pommes Frites

Layered Ratatouille

Mousse-Filled Cream Puffs

Gourmet Cupcakes

Pan-seared Salmon with Leek Fondue and Saffron Potatoes

Assorted Cured Meats and Sausages

Lunch, Dinner, and Drink (complete with prices) menus are currently available online through the Walt Disney world website.

I’m sure you would like an explanation as to why they are serving beer and wines with dinner, so here is what Disney provided:

“As part of the overall theming, we wanted to offer wine that enhances the guest experience and complements the French-inspired cuisine,” says Stuart McGuire, Beverage Director, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The wines focus primarily on France’s famous wine-growing regions, including Champagne, Alsace, Loire, Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

“We’ll also offer the leading French beer, Kronenbourg 1664,” says McGuire. “And, staying in the general region, we’ll also offer Belgian beers.”

So, what do you think of the menu and the bombshell announcement regarding alcohol in the Magic Kingdom?

Dirk Wallen’s 9/14/12 Downtown Disney Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen went to check out the progress on several projects happening at Downtown Disney right now, so let’s see what’s going on:

Characters in Flight is still down

Phineas and Ferb and You is running currently at the West Side

Guests get super-imposed in the cartoon

A nearby merchandise cart

Work continues on Splitsville… does it seem like they are a bit behind to anyone else? They are supposed to open sometime in the Fall.

Not sure if these are new but these carts are located between Marketplace and Pleasure Island

Work moving slowly on the new exterior and bar at Rainforest Cafe as well

Some work is also being done on the exterior of T-Rex

Ads are already up for the D-Tech Me princess experience at World of Disney

Dirk Wallen’s 9/16/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen took a short trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

A look at the former Fantasyland Skyway site construction

Storybook Treats remains open during pathway work, but the Seven Dwarfs Mine shop is gone

Track is being installed on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train roller-coaster

The second level of Village Haus that has been closed for some time is now being refurbished

The former Crow’s Nest in Adventureland is still closed

Tinker Bell is now in her winter clothes in Adventureland

Her sister Periwinkle is now doing meet and greets

Halloween cups are now being used for drinks

Frankenweenie merchandise has hit stores

Light-up trick-or-treat baskets now available

Some neat seasonal treats available at the Confectionary

A Closer Look at New Fantasyland’s Princess Fairytale Hall Concept Art

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

Disney shared the concept art for Princess Fairytale Hall in New Fantasyland earlier today, one piece you probably have seen and one you probably haven’t:

The first is the previously seen concept art of the facade

This new piece show what the interior may look like when the experience opens in Fall 2013. If it stays true to this artwork, we can expect to see each Princess below a portrait of themselves and in front of a stained-glass window that represents something from their respective films. If you look closely, you’ll also see statues representing characters from Cinderella, Princess and the Frog, and Sleeping Beauty.

Disney Announces Official Epcot 30th Events Taking Place on October 1st!

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

For all of those who thought Disney wasn’t going to mark the 30th anniversary of Epcot on October 1st, well, you’re in for a surprise…

The Disney Parks Blog announced today that there will be informative presentations, a “special moment” at the American Garden Theater, and even a special anniversary tag at the end of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth on October 1st, 2012.

The panels are expected to be the same as some panels being offered at the D23 event the day before, but these will be open to all Epcot guests with limited availability:

1-2 p.m. – Designing the Future – Past and Present: A panel of Disney Imagineers remembers 30 years of building tomorrow!
4:30–6 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar
6:30–8 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar

An anniversary moment will be held at the American Garden Theater at 3PM EST featuring the Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and special Disney dignitaries as well.

At this time, we are not sure if the special tag at the end of the 9PM Illuminations: Reflections of earth will be the same as the one presented at Epcot’s 25th anniversary or something completely new.

There will also be special event commemorative merchandise available, but we will preview that in a later post.

If you’re going to be attending Epcot’s 30th anniversary, why not do it with some friends and fellow Disney fans? Registration is still open for WDWCelebrations’ Celebration 30 event. Just a helpful plug…

Stay tuned for more information on Epcot’s 30th anniversary as it becomes available.

Wreck-It Ralph Characters Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

You know the Winnie-The -Pooh meet and greet at The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Well, he’s “gonna wreck it!”

Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz will greet guests in the place Pooh now occupies starting in November. Oh, and based on his arm size, don’t expect Ralph to sign your autograph book…

Wreck-It Ralph is the 52nd feature length Disney animated film and hits theaters November 2nd, 2012.

“Alice in Wonderland” Water-Play Area Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth took a short trip over to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to see the progress on many construction projects, including the completion of the new children’s water-play area themed to Alice in Wonderland. Let’s take a look:

Work continues on the main pool

The beach is sealed off now

The new kid’s water play area themed to Alice in Wonderland opened earlier this week

Looks cute

Very well done

I have to admit I wasn’t crazy about the idea at first, but it’s hard not to like this

The Mad Hatter’s hat fills with water and then… well, you’ll see…

A small water slide attached

The new DVC wing lurks in the background

Water pours down all of the tea cups

March Hare and Door Mouse

I guess they had help from an outside company…

The character portraits are cool

There goes the hat

Adam Roth’s 9/20/12 New Fantasyland Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth took a stroll through New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and has some newsworthy photos of the construction to share with us:

Castle Walls are pretty much finished

You can see the track recently installed at Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Cute details on the Castle Wall

A closer look at the track

A look back

The Storybook Circus sign is nearing completion

The grass on the top of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is looking good

A closer look at the Storybook Circus sign

Lights were on in the third tent, which we now expect to have seating and FastPass distribution for Dumbo and Barnstormer

Signage up on Pete’s Silly Sideshow

WE WILL!

Adam Roth’s 9/24/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Downtown Disney, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us from this trip, so let’s take a look:

Work continues on Splitsville at Downtown Disney