TrenD Information

WDWNT on March 12, 2009

Disney has now released a formal press release concerning the new TrenD store coming to the Downtown Disney Marketplace that we have been telling you about for a few weeks now. This should answer any questions we have prior to the March 19th opening of the shop:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – A stylish boutique with designer flair and eclectic offerings becomes a premier shopping spot at Downtown Disney Marketplace with the March opening of TrenD. The urban-inspired Walt Disney World specialty store is a one-of-a-kind, hip destination for fashion-conscious shoppers seeking trendy apparel and novel accessories.

“This unique environment, filled with textured fabrics, new silhouettes, and whimsical art and design allows us the opportunity to push the creative envelope as it relates to fashion and our characters,” said Mark Perrotta, director of Product Development and Design. “Our guests continue to respond to trend merchandise and novel products that they can’t purchase at home. TrenD speaks to what is happening today with a blend of vintage and hip with stylized Disney influences.”

Offerings include organic loungewear, embroidered handbags, jeweled sunglasses and trendy accessories set among stylish art and unique furnishings. The eclectic environment offers a raw and unfinished feel with jeweled chandeliers, distinct fixtures and mod furnishings.

Much of the merchandise will not be available anywhere else at Downtown Disney. Designers such as Kidada Jones, Tarina Tarantino and Roxy will showcase their artistry – blending it with Disney-inspired creations.

“With its exclusive product lines and new environment, we think TrenD will complement the existing merchandise offerings at Downtown Disney,” said Perrotta.

TrenD is in a 2,500-square-foot venue near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy. The space previously was used by Summer Sands.

Jose Eber’s 3/10/09 Supersonic Photo Update

WDWNT on March 11, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber was visiting the Magic Kingdom yesterday and took some pictures of the continuing construction for Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration in Tomorrowland:

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The main stage now has the large metal canopy that can be seen in the concept artwork

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The structure across from the stage now also has some futuristic accents being added to it

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You can see some futuristic pylons that will hold speakers being added to the side of the stage in this picture

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A little blurry, but you can make out the box where the speaker is located within the pylon

More Star Wars Weekends 2009 Merchandise

WDWNT on March 7, 2009

The official Star Wars website has posted a great many pictures of the latest Disney/Star Wars merchandise that will be available during Star Wars Weekends 2009 (and beyond) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

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The third series of Disney/Star Wars action figures features Goofy as Chewbacca, Mickey as an X-Wing Pilot, Minnie as “Slave” Princess Leia, Donald as a Stormtrooper, and Chip & Dale as Ewoks

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This Jedi Training Academy boxed action figure set will $39.95

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This exclusive Stormtrooper helmet bank measures 8.5 inches tall and will retail for $18.95

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This bank is 11.5 inches tall and will retail for $12.95

‘Ears to You Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on March 6, 2009

The first picture of any merchandise that will be released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1, 2009 has finally appeared. Of course, it’s an open edition pin that will be sold beginning April 28:

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A very cool logo to say the least. The only thing I find a little strange is that the “20th anniversary” appears to be in the Tomorrowland logo font. No matter what, the logo looks great and I look forward to buying plenty of merchandise featuring it. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to gather information on the historic 20th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1, 2009.

Tren-D Coming Soon-R Than Expected?

WDWNT on March 5, 2009

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting the following:

A boutique called TrenD is scheduled to open in Downtown Disney late on March 19.

A Disney Web site describes the store as selling “edgy and up-to-date Disney fashions and accessories — plus exclusive merchandise from cutting-edge designers.” The 2,500-square-foot shop will be near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy.

Many of you probably remember this space as the former “Summer Sands” shop adjacent to the “Team Mickey” store. This opening date is now far sooner than expected, as the space has only been vacant for a few weeks now. From the sounds of it, the store is very similar to the Vault 28 shop in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District and should be both a positive and unique addition to the Marketplace shopping line-up. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on the new Tren-D shop at Downtown Disney.

More Details Emerge on “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration”

WDWNT on March 4, 2009

Walt Disney World has finally provided us with a larger piece of concept art for the upcoming “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration” show at the Magic Kingdom, as well as an updated description of what exactly this Tomorrowland show is about:

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Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration is a musical stage show that celebrates Galaxy Day in the Tomorrowland area of Magic Kingdom Theme Park. Get ready to party with a high-energy dance troupe and a very special live video appearance from Stitch. Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration is scheduled to debut late spring 2009.

A live broadcast of the Tomorrowland News Network, with your host Tip Trendo, is interrupted by a video transmission from Stitch, who has “borrowed” a space cruiser assigned to cover Galaxy Day—a special celebration where everyone around the galaxy celebrates everything worth celebrating.

Stitch is always up for a good party! Join Stitch, Tip, the singing Galactic Girls and some surprise guests for an out-of-this-world party filled with music and dancing. Learn some space-age dance moves and groove to old favorites and original songs with the intergalactic crew on stage.

Just because Stitch appears on a screen, don’t think this show is the same every time! Stitch interacts with the audience, and every show is a unique experience filled with fun and surprises.

As previously reported, the Stitch on-screen that will interact with guests is very similar to the characters you can see in both the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Turtle Talk with Crush. I’m actually quite surprised at how well this show will tie-into the Tomorrowland story-line, beginning as a news transmission from the Tomorrowland News Network broadcasting to the imaginary city. Is this the beginning of a cohesive story-line for the Tomorrowland of the new Millennium? We can only hope. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to gain details on the upcoming “Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration” show at the Magic Kingdom.

General Motors Hitting the ABS Breaks on Test Track?

WDWNT on March 4, 2009

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that General Motors may be terminating their 10- year sponsorship of Test Track at Epcot. This would bring about the end of an almost 27 year partnership between GM and WDW that dates back to the 1982 sponsorship of the World of Motion:

One of Walt Disney World’s marquee sponsorship deals is in jeopardy. Struggling U.S. auto giant General Motors Corp. is considering pulling out as sponsor of Test Track, the high-speed Epcot attraction among the most popular rides in all of Disney World.

A 10-year contract between Disney and GM expires this year. And GM, which lost $31billion last year and is relying on loans from the federal government to stay in business, may not be able to afford to renew the pact.

Disney and GM are negotiating new terms but have so far been unable to strike a deal. GM has indicated it wants a resolution by the end of this month.

“We’re still in discussions with them and haven’t made a decision,” GM spokeswoman Kelly Cusinato said. “It’s definitely one that I think people are doing everything they can to preserve.”

It is a lucrative partnership for Disney: Though neither company would discuss the terms, Automotive News reported last month that GM pays Disney close to $5million a year.

GM and other original corporate sponsors in Epcot, which opened in 1982, paid as much as $35million over 10years for their initial contracts, according to a former Epcot executive. The German engineering giant Siemens AG is currently paying Disney a reported $100million over 12 years to sponsor Epcot’s Spaceship Earth attraction.

Disney would not discuss details of its talks with GM.

“We continue to have a relationship with General Motors and are having ongoing discussions about continuing our relationship,” spokeswoman Kim Prunty said Tuesday.

For GM, the marketing advantages of its Test Track sponsorship are obvious. The attraction is a top draw in Epcot, which lures an estimated 11million visitors each year, making it the second-busiest theme park at Disney World and the third-busiest in the United States.

The ride features vehicles, controlled by onboard computers, that carry guests through a series of simulated car-safety tests. During the 5 1/2-minute ride, guests are exposed to 100-degree temperature changes; bounced around hairpin turns; and hurtled through a final, outdoor sprint that reaches 60mph — the fastest top speed of any ride at Disney World.

Logo everywhere

GM’s presence is everywhere. The carmaker’s corporate logo is splashed throughout the pavilion that houses the ride. The queue includes a room featuring aerial photos of GM “proving grounds” around the world, from a desert track in Mesa, Ariz., to a cold-weather course in northern Ontario. Guests exit through a swanky showroom displaying more than a dozen GM vehicles and a gift shop hawking pink Cadillac ball caps, die-cast Corvettes and electronic-toy Hummers.

There are even computer terminals and a customer-service desk for guests to order GM sales brochures.

When the ride debuted in March 1999, GM’s then-vice president for marketing and advertising in North America said it would “help build brand awareness, corporate image and ultimately introduce new customers to GM dealers and our products.”

The benefits extend beyond advertising. Disney also purchases GM vehicles — including Chevy Trailblazers and Silverados and Saturn Vue hybrids — for its corporate fleet as part of the sponsorship deal, according to people familiar with the arrangement.

But as valuable as the pact is to GM, the company may no longer be able to afford it. The automaker has warned that it could go bankrupt without as much as $16.6billion in loans from the U.S. government — on top of $13.4billion in taxpayer loans it has already received.

GM would not be the first major corporate sponsor to drop out at Epcot. General Electric, ExxonMobil and AT&T are all former sponsors, while newcomers include Siemens and Hewlett-Packard. Theme-park analysts also say they are certain Test Track would continue operating even if GM pulled out, as the ride’s capacity is vital to managing park crowds.

But losing GM would further pressure profits at Disney World, which is relying on deep hotel and ticket discounts to keep visitors coming despite the struggling economy.

Replacements?

Finding a replacement sponsor also could be tricky. A rival company is unlikely to want to take over a GM ride without making substantial changes, said Steve Baker, a former Epcot executive in charge of corporate sponsorships.

“Anybody coming in paying that kind of money would want their own fingerprints,” said Baker, who is now president of Baker Leisure Group, an Orlando themed-entertainment consulting firm.

The most likely targets for a replacement sponsor at Test Track would be other car manufacturers. But the entire industry is struggling as the global recession depresses auto sales.

Marketing executives at Toyota Motor Corp. have discussed internally the prospect of sponsoring Test Track. But Joe Tetherow, a spokesman for Toyota Motor Sales USA, said “it would be premature to speculate on what’s going to happen.”

“We’re cutting a lot of costs right now,” Tetherow said. “But, obviously, there’s going to be opportunities from time to time that come along that we might want to take a look at.”

If GM were to pull out of this long running sponsorship, it would take more than just a coat of paint to remove all of the General Motors references in the pavilion. If sponsorship is removed, we can expect the entire pavilion to close down for some kind of major overhaul. During this time, a new pre-show would need to be implemented, new voiceovers throughout the attraction, and the entire post show area and Inside Track store would need to be updated as well. If Disney can get another car company involved in the pavilion, the transition should be pretty smooth. However, if another motor vehicle manufacturer does not jump on board due to the weak economy, don’t be too surprised if Disney is forced to bring the characters from Pixar’s Cars to Epcot. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on this story and the future of Test Track.

The Summer Shapes Up at WDW

WDWNT on March 3, 2009

Wondering if you should visit the Walt Disney World Resort this summer? Disney thinks that you should, and has put out a press release to tell you about everything new and upcoming at WDW:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – From May through August 2009, summer simmers with exciting new attractions and events at Walt Disney World Resort. The smash TV hit “American Idol” inspires a new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios while, at Magic Kingdom, a Liberty Square icon reopens its doors and street parties turn up the spirit as Disney’s “What Will You Celebrate?” hits full-stride. Treehouse lodging is back, resort guests now can save some time by checking in online before they arrive, Stars Wars Weekends let guests release their inner Jedi, and Downtown Disney unwraps new fun – on the ground and in the air…

Summer Fun at The American Idol Experience

While guests are usually the ones to enjoy the attractions and shows at Walt Disney World Resort, “The American Idol Experience” places Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests in the spotlight, immersing them in the thrill of auditioning and performing or voting on their favorite musical performances.

Modeled after the famous “American Idol” television show, the newly opened Walt Disney World attraction makes dreams come true by showcasing the talents of park guests age 14 and older who have aced the auditions (audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early).

Like the television show, fans – not the onstage judges – have the final say on who is deemed the best of the best. With seating to accommodate 1,000 audience members, the high-tech theater is wired so guests can vote for their favorite singer.

What Will You Celebrate? Adds Gifting Option, Park Fun

During “What Will You Celebrate?” inviting Disney Parks guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences, ways for guests to customize and personalize a visit are endless.

With everything from fireworks cruises, street parties and behind-the-scenes tours to specialty cakes and in-room decorations to choose from, guests who have decided their answer to “What Will You Celebrate?” have more choices as they ponder, “How will I celebrate?” The fun is nonstop, too, with a party spirit stamping the new “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!” street party in the Magic Kingdom. Floats, a cast of Disney characters, stilt walkers and more “move it” down Main Street, U.S.A. accompanied by high-energy tunes and an open invitation to guests to come join the fun.

Main Street, U.S.A. also is home to the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade, a tweaked send-up of the former Dreams Come True parade with changes to some of the floats and soundtracks and the grand marshal in the lead role. Singers and dancers as before invite guests lining the parade route to come join in the celebration.

With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor a celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Thanks to new Web planning tools, learning about available choices and then customizing a “celebration vacation” itinerary – or “gifting” a celebrating family member or friend with a personalized Disney experience – is easier than ever. Through www.disneyparks.com, guests (or their travel agents) choose the celebration destination – Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With a click, they access an interactive online celebration “planner” to shop the many experiences that are a cornerstone of a “celebration vacation” at Disney Parks – experiences that transform guests into the stars of their own party whether the occasion is a birthday, anniversary, Quinceanera, personal triumph or any celebration.

Now there is also a way to participate in a guest’s upcoming celebration visit when you can’t be there: by “gifting.” The giver reviews the possibilities using the online planner, then calls a Disney Dream Maker to personalize and customize the gift. At Walt Disney World Resort, Dream Makers can be reached at 407/WDW-GIFT.

Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 22-June 14, 2009, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the temporary home for a band of out-of-this-world characters, including Wookiees, Sith, droids, Jedi, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Rodians. Dates are May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7 and June 12-14.

A giant, “A to Z” gathering of Star Wars characters – from Anakin Skywalker to Zam Wesell – will roam the streets of the theme park during meet-and-greet sessions. Jedi Training Academy – one of the interactive entertainment experiences featured in the theme park – takes place throughout the day on the event’s main stage and allows young guests to learn from a Jedi Master before testing newly acquired skills in a battle with Darth Vader.

Also featured: the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, special Star Wars parades, rides on the famed Star Tours attraction, and autograph sessions and star conversations with famous Star Wars actors and creative geniuses.

Event activities are included in theme park admission. For more information, guests may go online to www.starwars.com or www.disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends.

Hall of Presidents to Reopen in July

A July reopening is planned for the Hall of Presidents, an iconic attraction in Magic Kingdom. An Audio-Animatronics version of President Barack Obama will join representations of the previous 43 presidents of the United States as part of an attraction that has been celebrating American history since Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971. Disney Imagineers are also updating a broad array of show elements.

Whole New World of Lodging Greets Summer Guests

New home-like accommodations presented by Disney Vacation Club are debuting in time for summer guests. New options will combine to revive “treehouse living” at Walt Disney World Resort and immerse guests in the African experience.

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Treehouse living, a cherished Disney World tradition from 1975-2002, returns with the opening (scheduled for summer) of 60 three-bedroom villas elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the forest glens where they are nestled, providing Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa with a new room category.

Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Fresh from the conversion of select rooms at Jambo House (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) into vacation villas, Kidani Village is taking shape (for phased openings scheduled in the spring and fall) with thatched roofs and hewn timber design. Kidani means “necklace,” and the building is shaped like a piece of native African jewelry with villas forming the beads, garden-like walkways creating the knots in between and the lobby representing the ornament or jewel at its center. With the spring opening comes Sanaa, a new family dining location, featuring savanna views and serving familiar foods from tandoor ovens and slow-cooked specialties with flavorful spices of Africa.

Disney Vacation Club accommodations can be booked by anyone for overnight stays through www.disneyworld.com or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639).

Walt Disney World Resort Debuts Online Check-In Service

Walt Disney World Resort has launched Online Check-In Service, designed to simplify and streamline guest arrivals. The new service is complimentary and available to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts.

Within 10 days of their arrival dates, guests are able to provide check-in information, advise the resort of their arrival times and request room preferences (although those cannot be guaranteed). Guests can also register the names of all the people in their party and provide a credit card to cover charges at the resort hotel.

Upon arrival at their resorts, guests visit a special welcome location where their room keys and other registration material are waiting. Disney Cast Members are also available to provide additional information and answer questions.

Meeting professionals can also arrange private group check-in at a Disney resort convention center or other locations.

For more information about the new Online Check-In Service or to make a resort reservation, call 407-W-DISNEY or your local travel agent or click on disneyworld.com.

New and Aloft at Downtown Disney: Aerophile!

Imagine an eagle’s-eye view of the Downtown Disney area, with sweeping, 10-mile panoramas of Lake Buena Vista and environs. Downtown Disney greets summer guests with a new iconic attraction in the form of a giant tethered balloon – Aerophile — that will take guests 300 feet into the air from the waterfront. The 72-foot-diameter balloon can lift up to 30 guests at a time on a six-minute ‘’flight,’’ by day or night. Aerophile made a spring debut at Downtown Disney’s West Side. It joins other newcomers at Downtown Disney for summer:

  • TrenD, a hip new Downtown Disney Marketplace boutique with urban-inspired fashions.
  • Disney Design-a-Tee, presented by Hanes, inviting Marketplace guests to personalize the popular souvenir to their own tastes.
  • T-Rex : A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover – a fun prehistoric environment millions of years in the making.
  • Downtown Disney restaurant from E-Brands, Paradiso 37, a restaurant from E-Brands featuring Mexican and South American cuisine.

‘’Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration’’ Dance Party Debuts

He’s the Guru of Gross-Out, the Maker of Mischief. Now, everybody’s favorite galactic pal stars in ‘’Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration,’’ a high-energy, retro-futuristic music video dance party in Magic Kingdom. The fun features Stitch, an interactive dance troupe and a DJ celebration host who invites all Tomorrowland guests to come party, dance and celebrate.

Some new details that can be found throughout this release include:

  • Renaming the upcoming “Characters in Flight” balloon “Aerophile”
  • The new TrenD store will sell Disney-made urban fashions
  • E-Brands’ new restaurant on Pleasure Island will be called “Paradiso 37”, not “El Dolbe” as originally reported

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to gather details on these upcoming offerings at the Walt Disney World Resort.

WDWNT Podcast Episode 83 Now Available for Download

WDWNT on March 2, 2009

Join me, Tom Corless, and a cast including Jason Diffendal, Justin Heyman, Brian Martsolf, and Luke Manning for a variety show that celebrates the Walt Disney World Resort and its many fans. So what are you waiting for? Let’s celebrate another week of Walt Disney World information and fun on the WDW News Today Podcast!!!

To kick off episode 83, we have your Walt Disney World Resort News and Rumor Report. In this week’s report, we will be talking about the opening of a very special museum at Epcot this summer, how you can get backstage and on-stage at the American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and just how you can speed up the check-in process for your next Walt Disney World Resort hotel stay.

Town Square Talk is also back this week, highlighting the hottest topics around our WDWNT Network of websites and podcasts. On this trip down Main Street WDWNT, we have all the details on the latest videos available through the WDWNTube Disney Parks video site, the return of the very popular Back to the Future segment on this show, and who will be filling in as the new host of the Your Ear to the World podcast

Finally, to end this weeks program, we continue our countdown of the 20 Biggest Moments in Disney’s Hollywood Studios History as voted by you with a look at what took the #11 spot on the list. We’ll also be examining just how important this moment is in the near 20 year history of the park.

To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on iTunes, go to this link. If you do not have iTunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows

This episode is also available in an enhanced version. An enhanced podcast is a podcast with added features that standard podcasts don’t have. Enhanced podcasts include many features like Chapter listings, this lets you skip through chapters or see what is in store for this weeks show. Enhanced podcasts also have images to let you differ the chapters by. Enhanced podcasts have one negative feature, you can not play them on most mp3 players. The file format for this is a .m4a which can play on Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s Zune. You will also need iTunes or Windows Media Player to be able to skip through chapters. If you need or would like the standard edition, download the normal edition listed below this file both on Itunes and in our podcast directory.