The Yanks Score Big at ESPN the Weekend

WDWNT on March 2, 2009

NY YANKEES PITCHERS C.C. SABATHIA AND JOBA CHAMBERLAIN AT DISNEY

BATTER UP!: New York Yankees pitchers C.C. Sabathia (left) and Joba Chamberlain (right) experience the “Toy Story Mania!” 3-D attraction March 1, 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The two hurlers were at Walt Disney World Resort for “ESPN The Weekend,” a special event in the theme park. The Yankees conduct Spring Training in nearby Tampa, Fla. and play at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex against the Atlanta Braves twice during Spring Training 2009. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

American Idol Experience Fast Facts

WDWNT on February 28, 2009

Here are some short factoids we have been able to gather on the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • The theater has the largest curved video wall at Walt Disney World measuring 35 feet wide and 7.5 feet tall
  • The show uses 113 video screens and 105 audio speakers
  • There are 735 lighting fixtures used in the attraction
  • The American Idol Experience judges all have experience in the music industry ranging from Broadway to recording studios
  • The stage is 100 feet wide and covers 3000 square feet
  • The use of LED set electrics during the show is saving the electrical equivalent of 60 residential homes a day
  • The Superstar Television Theater is the largest HD production facility at the Walt Disney World Resort
  • The computer system used can tabulate 2000 votes by guests in under 2 seconds

Disney’s Night of Joy 2009 Information

WDWNT on February 28, 2009

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Multi-platinum Christian rock band P.O.D., currently on hiatus following a lengthy world tour, will make its 2009 concert debut as part of a 14-act lineup announced today for Disney’s Night of Joy Sept. 11-12 at Walt Disney World Resort. The musically diverse event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park also will feature MercyMe, newsboys, Skillet, Flyleaf, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, Jars of Clay, Grits, Leeland, NEEDTOBREATHE, Superchick, Mandisa and Family Force 5.

Seven acts will perform each evening between 7 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. at stage locations throughout the park.  Night of Joy begins after regular park operating hours, with concerts and select park attractions available exclusively for the enjoyment of event ticket holders.

P.O.D. is among four acts new to Night of Joy (along with Grits, NEEDTOBREATHE and Family Force 5), joining a legacy of 134 Christian music acts that have played Night of Joy since 1983.  While a Disney “newbie,” the southern California-based band that fuses hard rock with hip-hop, reggae and Latin music is well known in music circles.  They’ve been a hit on MTV, won two GMA Dove Awards, been Grammy-nominated, had two platinum-certified albums – one triple platinum – and in past summers played some of the north’s biggest Christian festivals.

But in spring/summer 2009, P.O.D. is chillin’: Vocalist Sonny Sandoval and the rest of the band are home in SoCal enjoying family life following a seven-month world tour that wound up in South America in December, making their Sept. 11 date at Disney P.O.D.’s first gig of the year.

“In the past year we’ve been blessed to play all around the globe but performing at Disney World excites me most of all,” Sandoval said.

The complete Sept. 11 Night of Joy lineup: P.O.D., newsboys, Kutless, Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, Leeland and Superchick.

On Sept. 12, the Studios’ stages will present: Skillet, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Flyleaf, Family Force 5, Grits and Mandisa.

Eight of the acts are nominated for Gospel Music Association Dove Awards in 2009, topped by Tomlin with seven nominations including artist of the year.  Other nominees are Kutless, Leeland, NEEDTOBREATHE, Skillet, MercyMe, Mandisa and Grits.

For Mandisa, Night of Joy will mark her second “guest appearance” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009.  On Feb. 12, she was among an unprecedented gathering of 27 “American Idol” finalists – including the winners from each of the show’s first seven seasons – who participated in a Hollywood gala-style event to premiere “The American Idol Experience.”  The new attraction immerses guests in the excitement of the hit TV show “American Idol,” with some guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios auditioning to take the spotlight onstage, while fellow guests cheer them on from the audience and vote for their favorite singer with instant results.

With an innovative ticket – exclusively for groups of 10 or more – that combines a “day” visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Night of Joy admission that evening, guests will have a chance to participate in “The American Idol Experience.”  And by booking on or before Aug. 12, the Studios day/Night of Joy group ticket costs just $44.95 plus tax (beginning Aug. 13, it costs $49.95).

There’s also a two-day ticket exclusively for groups of 10 or more that combines Night of Joy admission on both evenings (Sept. 11 and Sept. 12) with two “day visits” to the guest’s choice of Walt Disney World theme parks (one per day) on Night of Joy weekend (Sept. 11-13).  Booked on/before Aug. 12, that ticket costs just $89.95 plus tax (beginning Aug. 13, it costs $99.95).

Night of Joy tickets for individuals also are available.  One-night tickets purchased in advance (up to the day prior to the event) are $49.95 plus tax (on event day, if available, tickets are $54.95).  Two-night tickets (providing admission to Night of Joy on both Sept. 11 and 12) are $84.95 plus tax.

All the details about tickets for groups and individuals are available online at www.nightofjoy.com.

Check-In Online…. Finally

WDWNT on February 26, 2009

The new online check-in system for Walt Disney World Resort hotels we told you about many months ago is now finally up and running according to Disney:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2009) – Walt Disney World Resort launched a new Online Check-In Service today, 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 open as of February 2009.

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.

“Our new Online Check-In Service offers added convenience and time savings for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of Resort Operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “It’s the latest benefit created as part of our continuous effort to provide a seamless and hassle-free arrival experience for our guests as they begin their Disney vacation.”

Online Check-In Service is the newest Disney service designed to simplify the travel and arrival process. Guests staying at select Walt Disney World hotels get an extra dose of pixie dust with great perks and services including: Complimentary on-property transportation; Disney’s Magical Express, which offers complimentary airport shuttle and luggage delivery; and Extra Magic Hours, where each day one of the Walt Disney World theme parks opens one hour early or stays open up to three hours later, providing extra time in the parks to experience select attractions.

For more information about the new Online Check-In Service, click on disneyworld.com.

Jose Eber’s 2/24/09 Bay Lake Tower Update

WDWNT on February 26, 2009

WDWNT Videographer Jose Eber has returned with a fantastic high definition video of the Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. As previously reported, all of the scaffolding is down and work on the interior is in full swing:

Are You the Ultimate Idol Fan? That’ll Cost Ya

WDWNT on February 25, 2009

Walt Disney World is going to be offering two very special package add-on geared toward American Idol fans beginning in March 2009. While I’m not a huge fan of the television program, I think these packages are pretty cool:

Ultimate Fan Experience and Ultimate Backstage Experience

Fans of The American Idol® Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ will have the opportunity to add the Ultimate Fan Experience to a Walt Disney Travel Company package! The Ultimate Fan Experience includes the Guest’s choice of commemorative “The American Idol® Experience” T-shirt, an All-Access ID badge, The American Idol® Experience award statue with choice of plate and VIP seating to the qualifying show of their choice. This add-on will cost $49 (price subject to change).

Guests also may add the Ultimate Backstage Experience to the Ultimate Fan Experience! The Ultimate Backstage Experience add-on includes everything in the Ultimate Fan Experience plus the ability to sit in on a closed rehearsal for the show, tour the audition facility and backstage areas of the set, and an exclusive commemorative 8″x10″ photo taken on the official attraction stage. Tours will be offered twice a week beginning March 3, 2009 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost for the combined Ultimate Fan Experience with backstage tour add-on is $98 (price subject to change). Availability is limited to 20 Guests per tour, and reservations are required.

While many of you may think $98 is a little pricey for the Backstage Experience, It is actually a pretty good value. Consider that a WDW t-shirt costs $20-25 on average, the award statue retails for $14.95, and you can only otherwise get an on-stage photo if you actually participate in the show after making it through the audition process. This merchandise alone values around $60, more than half of the cost. Compared to most Walt Disney World backstage tours, this is a relatively cheap offering. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on these special “American Idol” experiences.

Weekend at the Museum

WDWNT on February 25, 2009

For those of you interested in Disney Pin Trading, the 2009 Pin Celebration at Epcot (titled the Museum of Pin-Tiquities)  is just a few months away and registration opens today at 2:00 PM EST. Even though I have been involved in the hobby since it began in October 1999, this is the first major pin even I will be attending. John Rick and myself will be there on behalf of the Disney Pincast and hope to see you at the museum as well. All of the details on the event and how to register can be found below:

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Disney Pin Celebration 2009 – The Museum of Pin-tiquities
June 26-28, 2009
Epcot® – World ShowPlace

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Disney Pin Traders from around the world are cordially invited to celebrate the “10,000” year history of Disney Pin Trading during Disney Pin Celebration 2009 – The Museum of Pin-tiquities. This three-day, grand opening gala will be held from Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, 2009 in World ShowPlace at Epcot®.

Presented in conjunction with the Epcot® Committee For Celebrating Disney Pins, The Department of Tradeology and Fellowship of Happy Traders, this event will feature unique Disney pins created for the Museum’s opening, Disney pin trading activities, a silent and live auction of artifacts direct from the Museum’s vault and much more.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT
Registration Opens Feb. 25, 2009 (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Event admission is $115 per Guest.
**See below for special early booking discount**
(Event admission does not include Theme Park admission to Epcot® but is required to attend.)

EVENT ADMISSION INCLUDES:

-Opportunity to pre-purchase limited edition pins designed especially for this event.
-“Purchase with Purchase” pin promotion for event Guests only featuring exclusive pins.
-Trading activities and games at World ShowPlace located at Epcot®.
-Limited edition commemorative gifts.
-Live and silent auctions of pre-production pins, artist proof pins and more.
-“First Trading Opportunity” to collect new Hidden Mickey pins.
-Opportunity to meet Disney Pin Partners from The Walt Disney Company.
-Two (2) $15 Gift Cards redeemable at Epcot® Food and Beverage locations.
-Plus extra special surprises throughout the event.

EARLY REGISTRATION PIN:
Guests that register for this event by March 25, 2009 will received one (1) limited edition early registration pin. The edition size of this pin will be determined once early registration has been completed.

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT:
Guests that register for this event by April 25, 2009 will receive an early booking discount. The early booking admission for this event will be $100.00 per Guest. After April 25, 2009, the event admission will be $115.00 per Guest. Event admission does not include theme park admission to Epcot®.

Star Wars: Return of the Big Figures

WDWNT on February 25, 2009

Those of you attending any of the Star Wars Weekends events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May or June will be happy to know that Disney will once again be releasing a collection of big figures featuring four of the fab five dressed as classic saga characters:

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Mickey as Luke Skywalker with Yoda & Minnie as Princess Leia from Jabba’s Palace

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Goofy as Chewbacca & Donald as Han Solo in Carbonite

Each of these is limited to 600 pieces, with 500 of each available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and 100 of each at the Disneyland Resort. They will all retail for $195 and will be the final pieces in the long running Star Wars big figure series.