Just a few days ago, we showed you video of the Mr. Spell prop near Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios actually displaying text. Well, now there is some audio to go along with it. It still isn’t exactly working properly, but it seems we are getting closer and closer to a fully operational Mr. Spell:
Of all the places for it to surface, some never-before-seen concept art from New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom has surfaced ion the new “Realms of Fantasy” exhibit at the Disney Gallery in Disneyland Park. Thanks to our sister site Disneyland News Today for the following photos from the Disneyland Resort:
These two pictures are never-before-seen conceopt art of the exterior of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coming to New Fantasyland in 2014
Here is the concept art we have seen thus far: The finale scene and the previously released exterior concept art
Concept art of the scene with the audio-animatronics Dwarfs in the mine
Interestingly enough, you can purchase the concept art through Art on Demand
Now for some “New Fantasyland that never was”… An Alice in Wonderland area was envisioned at one point, including a new entrance to Fantasyland and a new fancy roof for the Mad Tea Party
You can see the Barnstormer in the background, perhaps re-themed to the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. Also, notice guests sitting and dining in large tea cups.
In addition, two new pieces of Mine Train concept art are being shared on the construction walls in New Fantasyland:
Both of these pieces show the queue
You can see guests playing with an interactive element in the mine portion of the queue
So, what do you think of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the rejected Alice In Wonderland section of New Fantasyland?
Splitsville at Downtown Disney is now open to the public after what feels like years of waiting, and we have some video to share with you. The following video was taken at the Disney Parks Blog Meet-Up on Monday, showing mostly the upstairs of the new Downtown Disney West Side establishment. Enjoy:
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:
RFID turnstiles are installed and being used at the Magic Kingdom
Looks permanent this time
More track has been installed for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Looks like WDW Resort Hotel carpet on the roof so workers don’t slip
A lift hill now installed
A lot of dirt…
More rockwork is about to appear
Something interesting happened to all the new screen-based wait times signs
Yep, that’s there…
Instead of being a generic font with a black background, all of them are themed and match in color now
The Pete cut-out at Silly Sideshow now tips his hat
TA-DA!
Guests were getting confused, so Pete got an added uvula that is a sign…
WAIT! Is that a Maelstrom reference? IT IS! “… seek peril and adventure, but more often find beauty and charm.”
Mine Train track
Triton’s Treasures is coming along nicely
Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall
Work also continues on the new Tangled area
We think there might be a small counter-service location (more of a cart in terms of size) over here that looks like the “Snuggly Duckling”
As we reported over a year ago, there will also be an area for guests to charge their electronic devices
One wall is done
Yankee Trader came out from behind tarps, this is on the Fantasyland side
You can start to see pathways taking shape
Art on Demand is now selling a ton of Fantasyland concept art under “Realms of Fantasy”
Plenty of New Fantasyland concept art available
Kodak references are still up at Town Square Theater
Should be gone soon
Moving to Gaston’s Tavern, we find a display with pastries
They are also serving Hot Cocoa
So, some names were added to the barrels behind the register
EIGERBOCK? Looks a lot like the Matterhorn too
Staggs Ale… absolutely brilliant
The Gaston’s Tavern steins are available again
I love this shirt…
More Adventureland interactive game props have been revealed
Now there is a treasure chest
And another…
Pirate skeleton under the water
Looks like the lock was busted off by a pirate
You can see the entire mechanism that raises the skeleton… hope they fix that
FastPass+ installed at Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Grand Floridian DVC wing is coming along nicely
Moving to Downtown Disney, there is now a Wreck-It Ralph area in DisneyQuest
Plenty of Fix-It Felix machines
Adam then attended the Splitsville Parks Blog meet-up
The pizza is surprisingly good
These cheesecake bites were amazing
Let’s take a look at the drink menu
Ooooooo….
The kids balls have Mickey and Minnie on them
A mual downstairs depicts artwork from the old Walt Disney World shopping bags
Spaceship Earth is a bowling ball…
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom park on Tuesday and he has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:
RFID entrance being utilized at some of the Animal Kingdom turnstiles as well
They are themed!
MICKEY’S JINGLE JUNGLE PARADE!
Let the memories begin!
FastPass+ installed at Primeval Whirl
Also at DINOSAUR
Dino-Land decked for Christmas
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort on Tuesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
IT’S ALMOST HERE!
All of the Kodak picture spots will be removed soon as the sponsorship has come to an end
The Cheshire Cafe sign is missing for some reason
Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Gaston’s Tavern now has hot cocoa
The Gaston’s Tavern stein is available again at Bonjour Village Gifts
2013 merchandise can be found just about anywhere at WDW now
2013 Duffy!
The Disney Afternoon pins are now available
2013 mystery pins were recently released as well
Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure mystery pin set
FastPass+ testing was still going
It’s Christmas at the Grand Floridian!
The gingerbread house
Work continues on the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club wing
You can now see the roof being installed
It’s really starting to take shape now
As we told you a few days ago, we were set to test the FastPass+ system at the Magic Kingdom over the weekend. Well, we sent reporter Zach Larson to try out the system and unlike previous tests, it seems things went really well:
Here are the cards guests used for this test
Now that the permanent machines for scanning FastPass+ cards have been installed, here’s a look at what will happen when you successfully use the system:
Unlike previous tests, most reports we have read stated that all FastPasses that were possessed on guests card worked and scanned properly. With this successful test underway and new turnstiles & touch-to-pay machines popping-up around the resort, it is only a matter of weeks until FastPass+ and various “Next-Gen” experiences roll out to guests officially. We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
The Lego Store in Downtown Disney is open for business with a host of new features, including Disney featured Lego characters and children’s Lego play areas on the outside and on the second floor! Carnation Garden is now closed…forever, and I capture shots of Matterhorn and Buena Vista street from the Monorail.
I wonder what this new thing is?
About to ride the Monorail & catch a glimpse of Matterhorn & Buena Vista Street progress.
Look at the new ride vehicles back there.
Thanks for reading!
Courtesy of Scott Keating and scottkeating.net, we once again have some fantastic aerial photos of Fantasyland to share with you:
Supports for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train are going up
The base of the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is in place at Storybook Circus and the second tent is now fully covered
A lot of work still to go on the second Dumbo spinner
The bases for the Castle Walls are starting to go in at the old Dumbo site
