D23’s Flowers and Fireworks

WDWNT on May 14, 2009

D23 members visiting Walt Disney World at the end of the month will be happy to hear about a FREE special event at Epcot that’s just for them:

05.14.09 – Join D23 at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate its Members in all 50 states and more than 25 countries worldwide! Start the evening at the American Gardens Theatre with reserved seating for the Flower Power Concert Series Finale, starring the legendary Tony Orlando, to close the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Next, head to a VIP location to mix and mingle with your fellow D23 Members over desserts and coffee, and then enjoy the spectacular nighttime extravaganza IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth from the pavilion’s private viewing area.

Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009

Location: Epcot, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Time: 7:15 p.m.

Tickets Available: May, TBD

Cost: FREE! (Theme park admission separate and required.)

Ticket reservation information will be available soon. Please check back here for updates.

* Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest. There are a limited number of tickets available. D23 Members will be required to give their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID and their D23 membership card. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card, may not be admitted to the event. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice.

D23 also announced a plethora of member only events taking place through-out the summer at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and in New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Burbank. You can see a complete list of upcoming D23 events by going HERE.

“Up” and Running Tomorrow

WDWNT on May 14, 2009

As no surprise to anyone, the characters from Disney-Pixar’s Up (in theaters May 29th) are going to be doing character meet-and-greets at Walt Disney World:

Characters from the Disney-Pixar animated comedy "UP" land at Di

Beginning May 15th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can meet Carl, Russell, and Dug from the new Disney-Pixar animated feature Up.These live characters will be located in the Animation Building through October.

Napa Rose Gains a New Record

WDWNT on May 12, 2009

ANAHEIM, Calif. – May 7, 2009 – Napa Rose restaurant Manager Joy Cushing, of Huntington Beach, California, has passed the grueling, weeklong Advanced Level Examination of the International Court of Master Sommeliers, bringing the total number of Advanced Level sommeliers working at Napa Rose to five, the most of any restaurant in the world.

Cushing’s achievement puts her one level away from the elite title of Master Sommelier. It is also a tribute to the mentoring of Napa Rose General Manager and Master Sommelier Michael Jordan who, since 2001, has coached more than 300 Disneyland Resort cast members to the status of certified sommelier.

“When we created the Disneyland Resort Sommelier Education Program in 2001, there weren’t any Advanced Level Sommeliers anywhere in Southern California.” Jordan said. “It’s a very big deal, and we raise our glass to salute Joy.”

The Advanced Level Examination was administered April 27 through May 1 at the Disneyland Resort Hotels to 60 candidates who traveled to Disneyland Resort from such fine restaurants and hotels as The French Laundry in Napa Valley; The Inn at Little Washington, Virginia; Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago and Wolfgang Puck’s Cut steak house, Beverly Hills. Examination participants were also able to attend festivities at Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, where tastings and advanced wine education classes conducted by Michael Jordan are among the special events. The Festival continues through June 7 at Disneyland Resort, with daily, complimentary demonstrations.

Jordan, general manager of the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, designed and initiated his sommelier training program drawing on extensive research and his own vast expertise. In November 2007, Jordan earned the elite title of Master Sommelier following a rigorous examination by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

The International Court of Master Sommeliers recognizes four stages, from introductory to certified and advanced before culminating with a Master Sommelier diploma exam.

“Celebrate a Stitch Come True”

WDWNT on May 12, 2009

Courtesy of the fantastic new WDWNTube video site, we have two Magic Kingdom entertainment videos to share. The first video is of the updated Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade that debuted on May 3rd:

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The second video comes to us by Robert Ashburn of Figmentsmedia.net and is of the new Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration show in Tomorrowland:

How Much Can You Endure for an Extra Medal?

WDWNT on May 7, 2009

Guests who participate in two select events during the Walt Disney World Fall Endurance Series will be eligible for an extra piece of hardware to take home:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 29, 2009) – Disney Sports is creating a one-of-a-kind bonus medal for runners who complete the Fall Race Challenge, competing in two of Disney’s three fall endurance events at Walt Disney World Resort. Runners that record an official time for Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K and either the Expedition Everest Challenge presented by Champion or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K will receive the bonus medal in addition to individual race medals – a total of three race medals for running two races. Registration for all three fall events is now open.

“Disney is dedicated to providing guests with new, interactive features to make their race experience more fun, more exciting and more memorable,” says Disney Endurance Series Director Kathleen Duran. “We are always looking for new ways to differentiate our Disney events by creating unique, immersive experiences.”

Disney’s fall lineup includes expanded race options. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13k event will feature a 5k and an exclusive post-race party. Disney’s Race for the Taste 10k event will include a new 3k race designed for casual runners and those looking to compete in their first endurance event.

The Disney Endurance Series fall lineup includes:

Expedition Everest Challenge presented by Champion (Sept. 26, 2009): This second-year event is the first urban adventure race in Disney’s Endurance Series. The two-person team competition features a 5k, scavenger hunt and an obstacle course designed to challenge runners physically and mentally. There is an exclusive post-race party at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the finishers. A portion of all entry fees will benefit the Himalayan Youth Foundation and Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund.

Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K (Oct. 11, 2009): This race takes runners through Disney’s Hollywood Studios and around the 11 pavilions of Epcot World Showcase. Guests have access to a post-race picnic that includes food samples from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, live Disney entertainment, music, games and face painters.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K (Oct. 24, 2009): This road race returns for its third year and the journey includes a haunting course through the vacant streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The event includes an exclusive post-race party with family and friends.

To register for these and more Disney Endurance Series events including the Walt Disney World Marathon (Jan. 7-10, 2010), visit disneyenduranceseries.com.

Official Details Ahoy!!!

WDWNT on May 5, 2009

The Walt Disney World Resort website now has a page dedicated to the upcoming Pirates League in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. Here is the info provided from Disneyworld.com:

Transform yerself from a land lubber into a true buccaneer! Captain Jack Sparrow is looking for pirates of all ages to join the crew of the Black Pearl. Starting June 29, 2009, visit their “secret” recruiting center in the Magic Kingdom Park. Jack’s crew has pillaged the East India Trading Company’s office in Adventureland, loading it up with plundered booty to create The Pirates League, where you can get yerself a whole new identity complete with name, look and pirate portrait!

It’s a Pirate’s Life for You!

Ahoy, mateys! Begin your piratical transformation when you receive your Official Pirate Name as recorded from the leather-bound captain’s log. Next, stop by the Muster Station and leave your old self behind as the Pirate Masters perform a marauder’s makeover. Hear the ways of the scurvy sea dogs as they apply yer buccaneer beard, scars, earrings and eye patches. Or even be ye a boney pirate and wear your skeleton on yer skin!

Once you have fully transformed, enter the Secret Room where your Pirate Portrait is taken for posterity and the Pirate Masters reveal their hidden treasure.

But the fun is just beginning. With your new pirate identity and map case folder, hoist yer colors and embark on a challenge in Adventureland that will shiver yer timbers!

Choose a Package

The Pirates League offers 3 packages—”The First Mate Package,” “The Empress Package” and “The Captain’s Package”. All packages include a sword and sheath, earring and eye patch, tattoo, exclusive pirate coin necklace, map case folder, and a personalized pirate oath!

The First Mate Package at $49.95 plus tax includes:

Bandana (reversible)
Choice of Facial Effect look: Cursed Pirate, Captain Hook or Captain Jack
Fake Teeth
One (1) 5×7 picture

Empress Package at $49.95 plus tax includes:

Bandana (reversible)
Shimmering Makeup Makeover
Face Gem
Nail Polish
One (1) 5×7 picture
Additional pirate costumes for this package are available for purchase at The Pirates League.

The Captains Package at $124.95 plus tax includes:

Choice of pirate costume
Choice of Facial Effect look: Cursed Pirate, Captain Hook or Captain Jack
Fake Teeth
Three (3) 5″ x 7″ pictures
Make Your Reservations

For ages 3 and up. Starting May 11, 2009, The Pirates League is accepting reservations when you call (407) WDW-CREW (939-2739). Theme park admission required. Open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Join the crew—it’s a pirate’s life for you!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios 20th Anniversary TwitPic Report

WDWNT on May 2, 2009

Yesterday, May 1st, was of course the 20th anniversary of the Disney-MGM Studios, now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Our own Tom Corless, as well as other members of the staff were (and still are) at Walt Disney World for the festivities. As soon as they return from the Resort they’ll be providing great high quality photos with us, but for the time being, thanks to our very own WDWNT Twitter, we have a few photos of the official Disney events, festivities, and merchandise for Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s 20th anniversary:

These banners were hung up at the turnstiles

The 20th anniversary times guide, featurings times and the location for the special “A Look Back at the Creation of Our Park” presentation with Tom Fitzgerald, Eric Jacobson, and Bob Weiss from Walt Disney Imagineering

A special rope drop was held for the anniversary with vice president of the park, Rilous Carter, welcoming guests to the park on this special ocassion

The 20 Years of Magic T-shirt

Inside the Premiere Theatre for the “A Look Back at the Creation of Our Park” presentation

The 20th anniversary cupcakes for sale just on May 1st at Starring Roles

The 20th anniversary cell for sale featuring a 20th birthday cake over the original map of the Disney-MGM Studios

For many more photos from his trip to WDW, please visit Tom Corless’ Twitter, the official Twitter for WDW News Today. And as I said, stay tuned for when our staff members return in the week for many photo reports!