Kitson Kids Coming Soon to Downtown Disney

WDWNT on June 2, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

In other Downtown Disney news, another shop is coming soon. Called Kitson Kids, it will open in the location of the recently closed Starabillas, next to the AMC Theaters and across from Rainforest Cafe.

Kitson Kids is a division of Kitson Boutique on Los Angeles’s Robertson Boulevard and is noted for its frequent celebrity spottings. Both Kitson and Kitson Kids sell brands such as Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren.

Studio Disney 365 – Opening June 26

WDWNT on May 31, 2009

Lights, Camera, Action! Studio Disney 365!

Ever wish you could rock out like some of your favorite Disney Channel stars or become a huge singing sensation on your own Disney Record label? Now you can! From the moment you step into our Studio Disney 365 “sound stage” you will see lights, cameras, and a lot of action! Our talent agents and stylists will help our “stars of tomorrow” undergo a complete transformation getting camera-ready to walk the carpet, preparing them for their grand entrance onto the set. Studio Disney 365 is the place to be with so much to do and so much to see! Studio Disney 365 opens June 26, 2009 in the Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort.

Choose from our Studio Star Makeover Packages:
(All packages include a Talent Contract, Choice of Hair Makeover, Complete Cosmetic Makeover, Deluxe Make-up Case, a Downloadable Image JPEG., Customized Lanyard with Photo and a Photo Shoot.)

From The Top – $29.95
Your hair our unique style

Color Cue – $39.95
Includes a unique twisted pony design and choice of up to four colored streaks

That’s A Wrap – $49.95
Includes 5 front braids and high pony twists, your choice of faux hair tousled pony and a lace stretch headband

Spotlight – $49.95
Includes 2 French braids wrapped to each side, your choice of faux hair pony tail and a flower hair accessory

Secret Star – $59.95
Includes a Hannah Montana inspired wig with sequined headband, rocker light-up headset, and a themed face gem

Rock Star – $18.95 (For Boys)
Includes a slicked back or spiked hairstyle with colored gel tips, smokey eyes, a downloadable image JPEG., and a customized lanyard with photo

Wardrobe Packages Include:
You are wanted on the set! Get ready for action as you take center stage dressed from head to toe in today’s fashions. Purchase a wardrobe package and save up to $10* (Wardrobe packages start at $81, plus tax). Get ready for your close up, with so many options to choose from, you will definitely be a hit.

Studio Rocker
Includes choice of Trend T-shirt, Fingerless Gloves, TuTu, and Colored Ankle Tights

Trend Setter
Includes choice of Trend T-shirt, Sunglasses, Scarf, and Fedora

Scene Stealer
Includes complete Hannah Montana costume which includes: gold lame jacket, tank, black leggings, black and purple tutu, and light up guitar sticks

Make your appointment today and enjoy your 15 minutes of fame.
Advance reservations are recommended, call 714-781-Style (714-781-7895).

The American Idol Outside the Experience

WDWNT on May 29, 2009

Disney has released a few press photos from today’s events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so let’s take a look at them while we wait for WDWNT’s own coverage:

"American Idol" Kris Allen honored at Disney World in Florida

“American Idol” season eight winner Kris Allen performs May 29, 2009 his rendition of the Kanye West song “Heartless” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Allen performed the hit song for thousands of theme park guests. On May 20, 2009, Allen was crowned the newest “American Idol” on the season finale of the popular television show. Following his win, Allen looked into a television camera and triumphantly shouted “I’m Going to Disney World!” for the iconic Disney ad. Fittingly, Allen’s visit occurred as Disney Parks asks guests, “What Will You Celebrate?” Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. (Garth Vaughan, photographer)

"American Idol" Kris Allen honored at Disney World in Florida

“American Idol” season eight winner Kris Allen gets into the celebratory spirit May 29, 2009 by singing a song to Minnie Mouse during a photo opportunity at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. On May 20, 2009, Allen was crowned the newest “American Idol” on the season finale of the popular television show. Following his win, Allen looked into a television camera and triumphantly shouted “I’m Going to Disney World!” for the iconic Disney ad. Fittingly, Allen’s visit occurred as Disney Parks asks guests, “What Will You Celebrate?” Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. (Mark Ashman, photographer)

Vacation Villa With a View

WDWNT on May 29, 2009

With the scheduled late-September opening of The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa, Disneyland Resort guests will be able to kick back in home-like surrounds in the middle of the magic, with windows of some units framing views of Disney vacation fun. The opening of the 50 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas marks Disney Vacation Club’s first accommodations on the West Coast. While members of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) have “first dibs,” overnight guests can rent the units on an availability basis.

With the scheduled late-September opening of The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, vacationers at Disneyland Resort in California – whether Disney Vacation Club Members or overnight guests – will be able to unwind and stretch out in an environment that celebrates the influences of California’s renowned Arts & Crafts style of the late 19th and early 20th century. The villas are part of a Grand Californian expansion that also includes more than 200 new hotel rooms, a new swimming pool and underground valet parking. The hotel currently offers 745 rooms. Depicted in this rendering is the north courtyard of the Grand Californian.

Myrna Litt’s 5/27/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on May 29, 2009

It’s once again time for a photo report from our very own Myrna Litt:

Some work being done to this paint peeled lighting tower

Construction walls have gone up around Golden Dreams as work finally begins on The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

The old restrooms are also walled off

The new San Francisco Street restrooms

A look inside the Womens restroom

Read More about Myrna Litt’s 5/27/09 Photo Report

Tren-Donald’s

WDWNT on May 28, 2009

The McDonald’s near Disney’s All Star Resorts recently re-opened from a short refurbishment and may now be the trendiest, most stylish fast food eatery on the planet. Let’s take a look at some pictures of the location taken by WDWNT photographer Jose Eber:

The exteror has come a long way from food with faces

The drive-thru looks quite different

Read More about Tren-Donald’s

5/26/09 World News Round-Up

WDWNT on May 26, 2009

Since there are a few interesting pieces of news making the rounds today, I thought I would cover them all in one post. The first piece is from Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel and talks about Innoventions at Epcot, making brief mention of a new exhibit coming soon on behalf of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research:

Speaking of cows, Innoventions, the corporate-sponsored showcase at Epcot, is quite a cash cow for Walt Disney World.

A story in Friday’s Sentinel revealed just how much companies like T. Rowe Price and Raytheon pay to be part of the exhibits that Disney bills as platforms for advanced technology: about $1million a year, generating about $10 million a year in revenue for Disney.

In at least one instance, though, Disney is giving away some of the space. It pledged to do so as one of the lesser-known components of the incentive package to lure La Jolla, Calif.-based Burnham to Orlando three years ago.

Disney may make good on that promise as early as this summer with a “three-dimensional” display devoted to Burnham, though a Disney spokeswoman said a date had not been set.

Public documents related to the incentive deal never put a dollar figure on the donation of space at Innoventions, but Disney clearly considers it to be a primo marketing stage.

In case you ever wondered how deftly Disney pitches its sponsorship opportunities, this should give you an idea: The company goes as far as to boast of a “halo effect” for companies associated with the Disney name.

The story cited a document written by a Disney salesman to pitch a potential client on space at Innoventions.

“Our research shows that guests perceive a company inside Innoventions as a world-leader in their specific field,” he wrote. “From a psychographic standpoint, guests entering Innoventions enter with an open mind that is ready to be entertained. This is simply a different mind-set from that of a consumer inside of a store, watching television at home or sitting in front of a sales agent.”

As part of the upcoming rebranding of Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex into the ESPN Wide World of Sports, a new sports research facility will be constructed on-site. Also from Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel:

Walt Disney World and ESPN are building a new research facility at the Wide World of Sports complex.

Dubbed the “ESPN Innovation Lab,” the facility will allow the cable-sports giant to test new applications such as virtual graphics during events staged at Disney’s sports venues. Think concepts such as the “EA Virtual Playbook” that ESPN has used as part of its pro football and basketball coverage or the strike-zone graphics used during baseball games.

Because the Wide World of Sports venues are in year-round use, ESPN believes they will make an ideal spot to test and tweak new broadcasting concepts during actual in-game conditions. Disney World and ESPN are both owned by the Walt Disney Co.

The lab, which will be housed in a renovated building at Wide World of Sports, won’t be a typical tourist attraction. ESPN intends it to be a working research facility, though it’ll likely include big bay windows that allow people to look in and see the company’s emerging-technology staff at work.
ESPN has already moved five employees to Orlando from its Bristol, Conn., headquarters to work at the lab, and more could follow. The Innovation Lab is expected to formally open this fall.

The final news piece from the Orlando Sentinel’s Dewayne Bevil tells us when we can see American Idol winner Kris Allen at Walt Disney World:

This just in: American Idol winner Kris Allen, true to his TV commercial word, is coming to Disney World on Friday, May 29. Disney confirms that — but other details have not been announced. We’ll share when they do, but a safe bet certainly includes a stop by the American Idol Experience, which opened earlier this year to much Idol fanfare at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Stay tuned.

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to get more information on all of these breaking news stories.