WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney West Side on Friday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
We start at Epcot and the Festival Center
Starting in January of 2012, Walt Disney World will be the place to race some of the world’s most exciting exotic cars (or you can just ride-along if you don’t have the guts).
Located at Walt Disney World® Speedway in Orlando, Florida, Exotic Driving Experience features supercars by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi and Porsche. Exotic Driving Experience gives YOU the opportunity to get behind the wheel of these supercars and make your dreams a reality.
If you’re looking for more information, then head straight to the source at www.ExoticDriving.com. We’ll have more on this story as we get closer to 2012.
In this report from Josh Siegel, we check-in at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, specifically focusing on the plethora of displays for Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom that have popped up, the continuing work on New Fantasyland, and some other construction projects around the resort:
Monorail Peach!
Disneyland already has put out a press release about the changes to “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” projection show:
Those holiday memories might even appear in the nightly “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” show on the façade of “it’s a small world” in Disneyland park. A new segment of the show, specially added for the season, features a musical score filled with favorite holiday tunes and images of resort guests celebrating their holiday visits. As the presentation unfolds, the façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday is frozen in ice, decorated with wreaths and candy canes, wrapped in Christmas paper, and even turned into a giant snow globe. This new segment appears in “The Magic, The Memories and You!” beginning Friday, Nov. 18.
While the release is for the Disneyland Resort version, it finally gives us more information on the show. It is not an entirely new show, but rather just a segment, probably somewhere in the middle of the existing show. We expect the current opening and finale segments will remain, but that is still unclear. The effects described in this release should be the same for the Cinderella Castle version as the existing show is almost identical at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.
The Walt Disney World version of the show debuts at the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on November 8th.
11/2/11 UPDATE: Walt Disney World has released information on their version of the show today:
The Magic, The Memories and You! – The nightly light show on Cinderella Castle gets in “the spirit” throughout the holidays with a special segment that wraps the Magic Kingdom landmark in colorful bows and boughs, gift paper and ribbons, ornaments, candy stripes and multi-colored strands of lights … and gingerbread.
From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid is one of several attractions currently under construction in the New Fantasyland expansion of Magic Kingdom Park.
This is a very exciting time as various elements are currently being installed in the attraction. Walt Disney Imagineers are currently putting the finishing touches on a sweeping seaside mural that will welcome guests to the load-in area of this attraction.
This video, provided by WDI, shows how Imagineers created an experimental process using digital technology to design the mural, and then used portable tablets to guide them in the artistic process when it came time to put paint on canvas.
Well, talking Mickey Mouse made his way to Florida last night with a short test period at Town Square Theater during the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Disney has released a short video of the test:
He was only out for about 30 minutes last night, but is already causing quite a stir amongst guests. Don’t worry about missing him, rumor is that talking Mickey will be around for at least the next two weeks, if not permanently at Town Square Theater. We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
While everyone seems to be complaining that Downtown Disney no longer offers a district-to-district candy walk, the best kept secret seems to be Halloween festivities at Disney’s resort hotels. While this is not a complete list, we have uncovered the Halloween festivities for 13 of the Disney Resort Hotels at Walt Disney World. All of the following events will take place on Monday, October 31, 2011:
Disney’s All-Star Resorts
Starting at 1:30pm – Halloween-themed games Poolside
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Cookie Decorating(located at the End Zone, Intermission and World Premiere Food Courts)
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Towel Animal Display: Come see our towel animal display and learn how to make some yourself.
6:00pm – Halloween Costume Parade: Meet outside by the Children’s Activities party cart for a fun parade to show off your Halloween costume.
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Trick-or-Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
• Donald’s Double Feature
•World Premiere Food Court
• Maestro Mickey’s
• Intermission Food Court
• Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries
• End Zone Food Court
• Lobby at All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, and All-Star Sports
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jambo House Pool Activities:
1:00pm – Skeleton Dance Party
2:00pm – Pitchburst
3:00pm – Oogie Boogie Pool Party
4:00pm – Pumpkin Toss & Creepy Critter Round-up
5:00pm – Create-Your-Own Halloween Craft
6:15pm – Campfire
7:30pm – Monster Beach Ball Bash
8:00pm – Movie from beyond the grave: “Hocus Pocus” Rated PG
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Trick-or-Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
• Zawadi Marketplace
• Boma – Flavors of Africa
• The Mara
• Jiko – The Cooking Place
• Arusha Rock Overlook
• Uzima Overlook
• Lobby
Jambo House
• Johari Treasures
• Sanaa
• Pembe Overlook
• Kidani Rock Overlook
• Lobby
• Community Hall
Disney’s Boardwalk
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Trick or Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
-Outside Thimbles & Threads
-Outside the Screen Door General Store
-DVD Kiosk inside the Lobby Viewing Tower
-DVC Sales Model on the BoardWalk
-Outside ESPN Club Merchandise Store
-Side Show Games Arcade – next to Muscles & Bustles
-Big River Grille & Brewing Works
-Outside between BoardWalk Joe’s and the Bakery
-Kouzzina by Cat Cora
-Lobby
-Community Hall
-Village Green
-Boat Dock
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
1:00pm – Name that Tune: Halloween Edition
2:00pm – Eyeball Toss
3:00pm – Monster Mash Pool Bash
4:00pm – Spooky Trivia
5:00pm – Zombie Dance Party
6:30pm – Campfire
8:00pm – Movie Under the Stars: “The Haunted Mansion”
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Trick or Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
-Bayview Gifts
-Fantasia
-Fantasia Market
-Chef Mickey’s
-Contempo Cafe
-The Wave…of American Flavors
-Lobby
-The Game Station
-Community Hall at Bay Lake Towers
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
1:00pm – Skeleton Dance Party
2:00pm – Pitchburst
3:00pm – Oogie Boogie Pool Party
4:00pm – Pumpkin Toss & Creepy Critter Round-up
5:00pm – Create-Your-Own Halloween Craft
6:15pm – Campfire
7:30pm – Monster Beach Ball Bash
8:00pm – Movie from beyond the grave: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” Rated PG
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Trick-or-Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
-Panchito’s Gifts & Sundries
-Maya Grill
-Pepper Market
-Cafe Rix
-Lobby
-Dig Site Pool
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Halloween Golf Cart Parade – Let your imagination go wild as you turn your golf cart into a Halloween masterpiece! Awesome prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Best overall, Best Disney Themed, Most Unique, & Most Creative. Carts must meet all requirements regarding Disney’s Fort Wilderness golf cart policies. Drivers must be 16+ with a driver’s license. All passengers must be seated on a seat. Nothing may be pulled behind the golf carts, and flatbed carts are not allowed. Registration is required by 12:00pm at the Bike Barn or the Golf Cart Valet Podium.
Camp-or-Treat – 7:00pm – 9:00pm: Participation in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Camp-or-Treat is voluntary, but registration is requested for Guests wishing to distribute candy from their cabin or site. Candy is not provided by Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Camp-or-Treat Signs should be placed in a visible location at your site or cabin. Any food items that are distributed must be store bought and wrapped. Please use sidewalks while walking between loops. Candy will also be handed out from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Pioneer Hall, Settlement Trading Post, Chip ‘n Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long, and in the Reception Outpost.
Activities
– 10:15am – Halloween Craft
– 11:30am – Spooky Relays
– 12:30pm – Ghoulish Guard Games
– 1:30pm -Monster Mash Dance Party
– 2:00pm – Monster Mash Pool Party
– 3:00pm – Swimmin’ Hole Jamboree
– 4:00pm -Spooky Goofy Bingo
– 5:00pm – Terrible Temporary Tattoos
– 6:00pm – Swimmin Hole Jamboree
– 7:00pm – 9:00pm -Camp-or-Treat
– 8:40pm – Movie: “Hocus Pocus” Rated PG
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
10:00am – 5:00pm – Candy Corn Guessing Contest
11:00am – Skull Scavenger Hunt
12:00pm – Poolside Craft
1:00pm – Cake Walk
2:00pm – Worms and Dirt: Create you own holiday TREAT that’s sure to TRICK your taste buds
3:00pm – SPOOKtacular Pool Party
5:00pm – Costume Parade: Begins from the green between buildings 5 & 6
6:00pm – Haunted Campfire
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1:00pm – 5:45pm – Guess How Many?
1:00pm – Creepy Critter Round-up
2:00pm – Haunted Disney Trivia
3:00pm -Spooktacular Pool Party
4:00pm – Candy Corn Catch
4:30pm – Boo Bingo
5:00pm -Monster Mash Dance Party
7:00pm – Pre-Show: “The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad” Rated G (with Crafts & Tattoos)
8:15pm – Hocus Pocus Trivia
8:30pm – Movie Under the Stars: “Hocus Pocus” Rated PG
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Trick-or-Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
-Commander Porter’s
-M. Mouse Mercantile
-Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries
-Summer Lace
-1900 Park Fare
-Citricos
-Gasparilla Grill & Cafe
-Narcoossee’s
-Lobby
-Courtyard Pool (after 5:30pm)
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
11:00am–2:00pm – Ghoulish Guessing Contest: Can you divine the number of candies in the cauldron in Community Hall? The winner will be announced at the 7:30pm Monster Mash Party.
11:00am–12:00pm – Color Your Own Trick-or-Treat Tote: Make your own tote – Cute or Creepy – let your creativity decide!
12:00pm–1:00pm – Worms in Mud: Gooey, Messy, Chocolatey Madness! Messy fun for ALL ages right in front of Hank’s Rent ’N Return!
1:00pm– 2:00pm – Make a Monster Cupcake: Come to Community Hall – get a cupcake – and turn it into your own eerie, yet edible creation!
2:00pm – Phantasmal Pool Party: Creep on over to the Main Pool deck for some supernaturally spooky fun, games, prizes and dancing… featuring the Spooky Cake Stroll…yum! You don’t want to miss this… it’s sure to be a thriller for ALL ages!
5:30pm – 6:30pm – Trick or Treating Trail: Put on your costume and head on over to Headless Hank’s Rent ‘N Return for a map to guide you on your way! All ages welcome!
6:30pm – 7:00pm – Meet & Greet with a Disney Character: Once you’ve completed your quest for candy, come back to Community Hall and pose for a photo with one of your favorite Disney friends!
7:30pm – 8:30pm – Monster Mash Party: featuring the Costume Contest! Put your dancing shoes and your costume on! Is your costume cute, comical or really creepy? Show up and show off in front of Hank’s!
8:30pm – Spooky Cinema under the Stars!: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Rated PG
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
5:00pm – 8:00pm – Trick-or-Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
-BouTiki
-Samoa Snacks
-Trader’s Jack’s
-‘Ohana
-Captain Cook’s
-Kona Cafe
-Kona Island
-Lobby
-Kilauea Cabana at the Pool
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
10:00am – 5:00pm – Candy Corn Guessing Contest
Riverside Levee Marina
** All Activities from 11:00am-3:00pm will take place at
the Ol’ Man Island Pool
** Please join us in the lobby to cast your vote for your
favorite pumpkin in our pumpkin decorating contest!
11:00am – Skull Scavenger Hunt
12:00pm – Color-Your-Own Trick or Treating Bag
1:00pm – Cake Walk
2:00pm – Worms and Dirt: Create you own holiday TREAT that’s sure to TRICK your taste buds
3:00pm – SPOOKtacular Pool Party
5:00pm – Costume Parade: Begins from building 90
6:00pm – Haunted Campfire
7:00pm – Monster Mash on the Green: Building 90 Green
8:00pm – Movie Under the stars: “Hocus Pocus” Rated PG
4:00pm – 7:00pm – Trick-or-Treating
Visit the following Candy Stops to receive some Halloween Treats:
-Fulton’s General Store
-Boatwright’s Dining Hall
-Riverside Mill Food Court
-Front Desk
-Riverside Marina
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us (including a ton of New Fantasyland progress), so let’s take a look:
Caste Dreamlight installations looks just about finished
Read More about Zach Larson’s 10/25/11 Magic Kingdom Photo Report
Event: Disney Theme Park Memory Challenge Game Premiere!
Special Guest: Disney Design Group Artist, Quynh Kimball
Event Date: Friday, November 11, 2011
Event Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Event Location: Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney® Marketplace
Disney Theme Park Memory Challenge is a new twist on the world’s most popular matching game. Collect matches of beloved Disney attractions, characters and destinations.
Relive the adventure and magical memories from Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts! As an extra bonus, you can put yourself in the game! Add your own photos to exclusive game cards and become part of the Disney Magic!
Be among the first to add Disney Theme Park Edition Memory Challenge to your board game collection, plus have the opportunity to meet Disney Design Group Artist, Quynh Kimball, the creative mind behind Disney Theme Park Edition Memory Challenge!
Quynh will be appearing at Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney® Marketplace on Friday, November 11 from 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Quynh will be available for guest meet & greets and will be signing his newest creation, Disney Theme Park Edition Memory Challenge!
From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:
I vividly recall the grand opening of Disney’s Pin Traders at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. I remember it well because I assisted with the grand opening celebration while serving as a Walt Disney World Resort Ambassador. The location, once known as the Captain’s Tower, was considered an icon for the shopping village that opened in 1975. As the excitement of Disney Pin Trading continued way beyond the original 15-month Millennium Celebration plan, there was a need to have a flagship pin location outside a Disney Theme Park. Downtown Disney seemed like a natural choice, so Disney’s Pin Traders was introduced in Summer 2002. Recently, some new visual enhancements were added to the location. I spoke with Julie Young, product developer for Disney pins, to learn more.
“As [pin trading] entered its eleventh year in October 2010, we felt updates were needed to various visuals used throughout the category,” explained Julie. “The first thing we did was introduce a new logo for Disney Pin Trading. The logo was used on packaging, collateral and individual back stamps of pins. The enhancements to Disney’s Pin Traders were a natural second step as the location is one of the most popular pin destinations at Walt Disney World Resort.”
The Disney pin team contacted Joe Higham, a talented cast member with the Global Retail Development team and recent Walt Disney Legacy Award recipient, to outline their ideas. His job was to take their dreams and turn them into concept sketches. I spoke with Joe about the process of creating the new in-store visuals.
“After meeting with the Disney pin team, I drew a series of sketches by hand,” said Joe. “For the drawings, I used a variety of art sources including images of pins that had been previously released. We wanted something playful similar to other locations that use merchandise as visual displays such as Tren-D or D-Street.”
Once Joe completed the first set of sketches, he shared them with leadership and with representatives from Walt Disney Imagineering. As a natural part of the design process, there were some modifications made after initial reviews. Yet, Joe said that there was one thing that all partners liked.
“Many partners, including Walt Disney Imagineering, really liked the various puns used in the vignettes,” continued Joe. “We built some fun visuals around puns like ‘To Pin-Finity and Beyond’ and ‘I Want to Be a Pin-cess.’”
I think my favorite one is the “Time To Trade” vignette that uses clocks and Cogsworth to explain how pins are traded at Disney Parks (I do love time!).
The one thing I was most excited to see was the pin collage image used throughout the store. The Disney Pin Team assembled the collage by mounting pins into a white foam board. I then photographed the collage and shared the images with the art team. I had not seen the final result until I visited the location. I guess Disney’s Pin Traders and I have a special bond, especially after being at the grand opening and later serving as Project Manager for Pin Trading for seven years. I have good memories from that chapter in my Disney career. Julie shared that memories are a key ingredient to the Disney Pin Trading experience.
“I develop memories,” smiled Julie. “Everyone has a favorite Disney character, attraction or show. Pins have become a perfect way to remember favorite moments from Disney experiences. Every time someone looks at a pin I develop, I hope she or he will remember happy times.”
Some other changes were also implemented at Disney’s Pin Traders recently, namely in the way you buy limited edition pins. These pins are now located in a glass case (like they have been at stores at the Disneyland Resort for years now), so you have to ask for the particular pins you are interested in when you get to the register to check-out. The change is manageable for Disney because the overall number of limited edition pins released has dropped greatly over the last few years. I’ve also seen this “glass case” method in use at Fantasia at Disney’s Contemporary Resort recently.
For those of you who don’t like pin trading, don’t get too excited. Pin trading is still as popular as ever, there has just been a shift in how the hobby is handled and a greater focus on open edition pins is evident since they sell so many more of those than they do of any limited edition pin.
