Create Your Story at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

WDWNT on November 18, 2009

The marketing for this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom is themed to a storybook, as you can see in this interactive ad:

The Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party page on the Disney World website is also getting into the act with the same interactive storybook feature. I found myself enjoying the feature for quite a while, following different paths to find different surprises and performances from the Rusty Cutlass pirate band or the Dapper Dans. You can create a story for yourself at this link. Enjoy!!!

Photos and Video of Space Mountain, Back in Action at the Magic Kingdom!!!

WDWNT on November 14, 2009

Space Mountain has been in a soft-opening phase intermittently throughout the day Saturdatyand WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve was lucky enough to experience the updated attraction twice during that period. Luckily for us, he has plenty of pictures and video to share with us:

We’ll start off with a video of the attraction.

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Space Mountain is Cleared for Launch

WDWNT on November 13, 2009

The Disney Parks Blog posted more information on Space Mountain’s on-going refurbishment this morning:

Space Mountain
We have more details to share about the Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park as renovation work wraps up.

As you know, the classic Space Mountain experience still exists — it’s just being updated with new technology and 21st century gadgetry. Inside the attraction, there’s new lighting as well as special “darkening” effects. And you’ll see updated color schemes for rocket capsules, line and load areas. Imagineers worked with Walt Disney World Facilities Asset Management for even more enhancements, including new paint, carpet, seat fabric and other décor elements.
Space Mountain
But what caught my attention during a recent walkthrough were details about track upgrades. It’s the same track layout and overall look and feel but workers integrated new technology into the track while not changing the classic Space Mountain ride experience. “As technology evolves, it helps us enhance those elements without losing any essence of the attraction,” Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Show Designer Alex Wright says.

You should also know that a ride photo system will capture guests during their space flights on Space Mountain. It’ll utilize Disney’s Photopass, allowing you to access, share and purchase photos during and after a visit.

Alex says he thinks you’ll be “pleasantly surprised” with the enhancements.

In an update to yesterday’s confirmation of on-ride photo being added to the attraction, it now appears Space Mountain will utilize a similar system to Test Track at Epcot, where guests insert their Photopass cards into a machine to retrieve and save their photo.

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on Space Mountain’s imminent re-launch.

D-Street Coming Soon to Downtown Disney

WDWNT on November 13, 2009

In an odd turn of events, a new store will be opening in Downtown Disney in the former home of Illuminations, called D-Street. This store’s idea stems from Disney Vault 28 and Tren-D at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney, selling trendy merchandise like those two stores, but spreading to men’s apparel as well as Vinylmation.

There’s not yet a scheduled opening date, but we presume it will be sometime in the New Year. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest.

On-Ride Photos Confirmed for Space Mountain

WDWNT on November 12, 2009

This small blurb about the Space Mountain attraction on the official Walt Disney World website just showed up today:

Launch past the flashing lights of your space station into the soaring darkness of space! This classic Dark Ride dips and swerves as it rockets through the blackest reaches of the galaxy. Check the monitors as you exit for a glimpse of yourself in flight!

This (as well as inside sources) confirms the addition of on-ride photographs to the attraction during the on-going refurbishment. While we’re not sure where the photo preview and purchasing areas will be, we can guess that you will be able to buy your on-ride photo inside the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. at the exit of the attraction. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information as we get loser to the re-launch of Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom.

“Lights of Winter” at Epcot Officially Retired

WDWNT on November 11, 2009

The popular “Lights of Winter” holiday display at Epcot will not be returning this year. The Disney Parks twitter had the following to say about the change:

The Lights of Winter at Epcot has been enjoyed for years. But (technology) to operate the lights is obsolete, prompting us to retire the lights.

To replace the offering with something new, the Disney Parks Twitter then announced the following:

Debuting at this year’s Holidays Around the World at Epcot is a new gospel choir, “D’Vine Voices” – Nov. 27 through Dec. 26.

The dancing light arches of “Lights of Winter” have been a part of the “Holidays Around the World” program since it debuted in the early 1990’s, but the technology was easily surpassed a few years ago when the Osborne Family Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios began to dance to music every 15 minutes. This change comes on the heels of the 2008 departure of the tree lighting ceremony at Epcot. Expect the passage to World Showcase to be rather un-festive this year.