Tim Alcoser 05/14/2012 Fantasmic 20th Anniversary Pass Holder Event

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

The Fantasmic 20th Anniversary Pass holder event features unique merchandise, park hours past midnight, an added 5 minute documentary before the show and some of the character cast gets together as the park closes at Main Street Station! No new changes to the show. It will still, as of Monday’s showing, be the same Fantasmic show.

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This is my dream!

This is my dream!

They added a post-show display.

They added a post-show display.

A jam packed event worthy of some of the busiest Summer Saturdays!

A jam packed event worthy of some of the busiest Summer Saturdays!

These banners were scattered around New Orleans Square.

These banners were scattered around New Orleans Square.

10 minutes of mmm, 2 hours of stomach ache. How about those Mickey sprinkles?

10 minutes of mmm, 2 hours of stomach ache. How about those Mickey sprinkles?

Main Street at 12:50 AM.

Main Street at 12:50 AM

It was an honor to have the great Princess Cinderella wave to me. My life ambitions are complete.

It was an honor to have the great Princess Cinderella wave to me. My life ambitions are complete.

Thanks for reading!

La Brea Bakery Adding Some More Spice To Downtown Disney

WDWNT on June 11, 2012

From  Janet Knox on the Disney Parks Blog:

Hi everyone! I’m Janet Knox, general manager of Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. I have had many different roles during my 13 years at the Disneyland Resort, and having the opportunity to lead Downtown Disney District for the last two years has been my favorite. This position allows me to combine my experience in retail with my passion for discovering new and emerging trends. I’m excited to join the Disney Parks Blog team and share all of the great things in store for the Downtown Disney District.

If you’ve been to the Downtown Disney District lately, you’ve likely noticed the exciting changes underway. On January 3, La Brea Bakery Café began a significant refurbishment of its current location including expanding the restaurant’s footprint, creating a new exhibition bakery, adding a new kitchen in the express area, and placing an awning over the outdoor seating in the full-service dining section.

La Brea Bakery Café to Expand in Downtown Disney District
The remodel, as seen in this early concept artwork, also will allow La Brea Bakery Café to produce fresh baked items at the restaurant, which will include a selection of breads, pastries, sweets, flatbreads and foccacias.

The café will feature menu items inspired by La Brea Bakery’s founder, Nancy Silverton. From double-dipped French toast and fontina strata at breakfast to burgers, salads, panini and authentic Italian focaccias made fresh throughout the day, the focus will be on fresh, healthy and flavorful foods.

La Brea Bakery’s full-service restaurant remains open during the refurbishment through mid-March. The restaurant will reopen its doors with a fresh new look in April.

Re-Imagined Lego Store Coming to Downtown Disney

WDWNT on June 11, 2012

From Janet Knox on the Disney Parks Blog:

The New and Completely Remodeled LEGO Store at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort is Coming This Spring
A brand-new and completely remodeled LEGO Store is coming this spring to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort! The current store opened in 2001 and has held some of the largest and most amazing LEGO models found anywhere in world. Millions of guests have visited the store and created memories that will last the rest of their lives.

This month, the LEGO Store will move into a temporary location in the Downtown Disney District, while its permanent site gets a complete LEGO overhaul! Guests will enjoy a brand-new interactive outdoor play area, all-new play areas inside the store, and of course, new large-scale LEGO models located both inside and outside the re-imagined LEGO Store.

Check back for updates on the Disney Parks Blog for details on the LEGO Store Grand Re-Opening Celebration this spring!

Earl Of Sandwhich Coming To Downtown Disney

WDWNT on June 11, 2012

From Janet Knox on the Disney Park Blog:

If you read my posts last week about the changes coming to La Brea Bakery Café and the LEGO Store, you know that there are new and exciting things coming to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort, and today I am excited to announce that Earl of Sandwich is coming in early summer 2012!

Earl of Sandwich Restaurant Coming to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort
The new restaurant, which continues to have historical ties to the inventor of the sandwich, the Sandwich family, will be located adjacent to AMC Theatres. Signature hot sandwiches will be available including The Original 1762, a sandwich of freshly roasted beef, sharp cheddar and creamy horseradish sauce all on freshly baked artisan bread. Soups, salads, wraps and desserts also are on the menu. Earl of Sandwich offers a vast array of hot and cold beverages including The Earl’s Grey Lemonade. Breakfast sandwiches and pastries will be available in the morning and a variety of catering options will be offered at this location.

This will be the only Earl of Sandwich in California and it is sure to be a favorite among our guests as it has been at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris.

We are very excited to welcome Earl of Sandwich to Downtown Disney District and hope to see you all there this summer!

Hayley Nance’s DLR Photo Report 3/4/12

WDWNT on June 11, 2012

DLR Photographer Hayley Nance was at the Disneyland Resort a few days ago and has some newsworthy pictures to share of the Matterhorn, Buena Vista Street, and much more…

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Matterhorn refurbishment continues

On Main Street, the Carnation Cafe expansion continues

Coke Corner reopened a while back

In Downtown Disney, The Lego Store has moved into its temporary space next to D street as the original Lego Store is refurbished

Over in DCA, work on the Parade route has completed in front of Mermaid

The Pacific Wharf lagoon has been filled again and bridge has reopened.

Cars Land

A look around the new Blue Sky Cellar exhibit

Over in the backlot, the facade next to the animation building is behind tarps

Yup, still here

Buena Vista Street

You can see that the Glendale Hyperion bridge framwork has gone up

Wrapping up the report is the first look at new signage installed at the bus loading area

VIDEO: Mermaids Swim Into Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

After many months of speculation and Disney teasing us that something from “On Stranger Tides” would be added to Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom, the mermaids have arrived. A new projection effect has been added making it appear that the mermaids are in the water, accompanied by a physical effect that pushes water up to simulate the fin moving just beneath the water’s surface. A lot of this can’t be seen in out video, but you can get a good idea of what to expect:

The projection effect is joined by mermaid singing and a new mermaid skeleton on the beach.

What do you think of this addition to Pirates of the Caribbean?

Map Released for 2012 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

It may be Halloween, but we have a first-look at the Very Merry Christmas Party guide for 2012 (Click image twice for full size):

Not too much new this year, but note there will be a special Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card just like there was at the Halloween Party. Merry Christmas! I mean Happy Halloween!

Dirk Wallen’s 10/25-26/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and a few of the resort hotels last week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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It’s Autumn

Pins available for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak has a pin

Holiday pins are out

Walls still up near the Haunted Mansion

Tarps up on Columbia Harbor House

The Yankee Trader is still behind tarps

Work continues on the new restrooms in Fantasyland

The Village Haus balcony is still closed, but tarps have started coming down

Looks nice

The souvenir cups from Gaston’s Tavern are also at Village Haus

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction continues

Wow…

Fun “character” apples

Storybook Circus has its own specialty cupcakes

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Finishing touches keep being added, the eyes on the snakes now have a spinning effect

There is some large construction happening between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom bus loop

At the All-Star Resorts, the lobby has been redecorated with large pictures to replace the old small ones

All-Star Sports

All-Star Music

The game cards at most of the arcades are now Wreck-It Ralph themed

Moving over to Animal Kingdom

Enjoy Camp Minnie-Mickey while you can

Pocohontas and Her Forrest Friends has been closed since September 2008 and is now being used for stroller parking

Beastly Bazaar is closed as it is being turned into a character meet and greet

That’s why we are here…

NO ZEBRAS!

They weren’t out at the time…

Test Track is coming along nicely (as seen from the monorail)

You can see the outline of the two Ts on the canopy

Digging the spot where the sign will go

Not much visible progress by the exit

The Epcot Character Spot is being refurbished

Work continues on the new IBM exhibit in Innoventions

Some Epcot 30th merchandise remains

Christmas merchandise in abundance

Neat…

Haunted Mansion and Toy Story Midway Mania Test New Child-Rider Policy

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

There may be no windows and no doors, but Disney believes those under the age of seven should have an older guest sitting with them when they ride the Haunted Mansion or Toy Story Midway Mania. From TouringPlans.com:

Beginning Monday November 5, 2012 the Haunted Mansion and Toy Story Midway Mania attractions in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland will temporarily testing a new seating policy for the rest of the month and gauge guest reactions.

According to the new policy, children under 7 years of age must ride with someone over the age of 14 in the same row. The previous Toy Story Mania policy was that an adult must be in the same vehicle. There will be a sign near the entrance informing guests of the new policy. There will also be Cast Members at the ride exit surveying guests about how they feel about the policy.