WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve took a quick trip to Walt Disney World yesterday and has quite a few newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Cinderella Castle is already being covered with the winter Dreamlights
After changing the booking window policy for all dining, recreation, and tours to just 90 days in late 2008 (to prepare for the advent of the online reservation system), the Walt Disney World Resort will be returning to a 180 day booking window effective October 27, 2009. The change was made official on the Disney Parks Twitter account earlier today, but comes as no surprise to those who have been hearing these rumors over the past several weeks.
WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee has provided us with his very first photo report, featuring the updated exhibit space inside the Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
The exhibit now features the upcoming Disney animated film “The Princess and the Frog”
Some unfortunate news coming from the Orlando Sentinel:
A performer at Walt Disney World died Monday, days after he was injured during a show at the Magic Kingdom.
Mark Priest was performing Thursday in a “Pirate Tutorial,” an interactive show in which actors lead guests through a series of “pirate skills” tests. Priest fell and broke his neck, according to colleagues, and he had been hospitalized since the accident.
Disney said it was not given any indication that the injuries Priest suffered in the initial accident were life-threatening. But the resort said it contacted both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after learning of his death.
“Today, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our fellow cast member,” Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. “Our hearts go out to his family and fellow cast members, and we are offering our support to them during this difficult time.”
A deputy sheriff is being sent to Disney this evening to take an initial report on the incident, spokeswoman Cpl. Susan Soto said.
Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the cast member.
Just as they did for the arrival of the first Tinker Bell movie last year, Walt Disney World will be holding a special advanced screening event just for annual passholders, this time for the second film in the Tinker Bell “direct-to-DVD/Blu-ray” film series: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure. Here is the event information:
At this exclusive event, Passholders can see Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure a month before it’s released on Disney DVD and Blu-Ray. The tale of Disney’s favorite fairy, Tinker Bell, continues in an all-new magical adventure beyond Pixie Hollow! Take off in a hot air balloon with Tinker Bell and her new friend Blaze on an enchanting secret journey to find a new moonstone, the source of the Pixie’s mystical dust.
Location:
Town Square Exposition Hall, Magic Kingdom® Park
Event Times:
Saturday, September 26, 2009, 10:00am, 2:00pm & 6:00pm
Sunday, September 27, 2009, 11:00am & 3:00pmOfficial release date of the film on Disney DVD and Blu-Ray is October 27, 2009.
Additional Information
-Event is only for Passholders.
– Passholders need to bring along their confirmation slip, their valid Disney pass and a photo ID at the time of check-in.
– It is requested that Passholders that are booked for the event and cannot go for any reason should go to the website and cancel their reserved space to give opportunity to other Passholders to book the open space.
-Passholders should periodically check on the website, if space has opened up to reserve their preferred time.
Sign-ups for the event begin August 20th at 6:00 PM Eastern on the Walt Disney World Passholder website.
With so many refurbishments underway or starting soon at the Walt Disney World Resort, I though we should take a few moments to go over some important notes regarding a few of them:
-The Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) in the Magic Kingdom is still scheduled to open on August 25th. Space Mountain is also on schedule to officially open November 22nd.
-The refurbishment of Donald’s Boat in Mickey’s Toontown Fair during September has been shortened by 3 days, now taking place between September 7th and 13th.
-As mentioned in a previous report, the un-announced refurbishment of the Living with the Land boat ride at Epcot began on August 2nd and will last until October 31st. If you would like to see a video of the attraction taken on August 1st, be sure to visit this link.
-The Flights of Wonder show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will not be performing from September 13th until October 23rd. We do not know the reason for this closure at this time.
As always, you can keep track of all Walt Disney World refurbishments and upcoming events by visiting our Attractions Updates page or Walt Disney World Events Calendar.
WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve took a short trip to the Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday afternoon and has taken a plethora of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look:
Work on the Hall of Champions facade on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom continues
From the LA Times Travel Blog:
Disneyland and Walt Disney World plan to add a Mardi Gras-style musical cavalcade called Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee for the 2009 holiday season, according to theme park officials. The jazz-infused “riverboat extravaganza” will debut at Disney World on Oct. 26 and Disneyland on Nov. 6. Both shows will run through Jan. 3.
Tied to the upcoming “The Princess and the Frog” hand-drawn animated movie, Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee will feature a procession of jazzy musicians and performers parading through New Orleans Square at Disneyland and Frontierland at Disney World.
As the “second-line” procession reaches the Rivers of America dock, a group of pre-selected theme park visitors will board the waiting riverboat (the Mark Twain at Disneyland and the Liberty Belle at Disney World) where Princess Tiana and other “The Princess and the Frog” characters will greet them. After departing, the riverboat will stop along the riverfront for a performance including songs from the film. The show will be repeated several times a day, with viewing areas along the waterfront.
Mice Age reports that the pre-selected riverboat riders will be able to pose for photos and get autographs from Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and Louis the singing alligator after the performance.
“The Princess and the Frog,” a Jazz Age story featuring Disney’s first African American princess and set in New Orleans’ French Quarter, opens in theaters Dec. 11.
An un-announced refurbishment of the Living with the Land attraction at Epcot has begun and will have the attraction closed through October 31, 2009. WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve was at Epcot a few days ago and has a few pictures to share:
To see more, we must head inside…
Disney Parks has released some details regaurding enhancements to the Magic Your Way vacation packages offered at the Walt Disney World for 2010.
In 2010 Magic Your Way Packages will include “Magical Extras” that consist of:
As always, for full details on all the enhancements to 2010 Magic Your Way Packages and to book your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation, visit our friends at Magical Travel by visiting www.magicaltravel.com or by calling 1-866-207-8387.
