Walt Disney World Resort – Page 367

Matt Paul’s 11/10/08 WDW Photo Update

WDWNT on November 11, 2008

Here with his first photo report from the Walt Disney World Resort is our own Matt Paul, who spent yesterday visiting three of the theme parks. Let’s see what he found at the World:

Let’s begin at Epcot

The new IBM Thinkplace inside Innoventions is still coming soon

With the end of the Food and Wine Festival, this spot waits for its holiday display

This small area is still being worked on, perhaps for the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure

The Christmas display at the park entrance is starting to be put in place

A strange recycling bin now stands near the ramp to the Epcot Monorail station

Now we’ll move over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The final Super Soap Weekend at Walt Disney World will take place this weekend

The usual stage has been set-up outside the Sorcerer’s Hat

Because of the stage, the High School Musical show will be performing on the Streets of America

A lot has happened since we last looked at the American Idol Experience

All of the signage is up and the attraction is nearing completion

A large screen stands outside the Superstar Television Theater waiting for the first show to begin

The American Idol Experience sign

I think it looks great

The name of the theater is still way too cool 🙂

Matt thought this was a cool picture

Golden Age Souvenirs has closed again as it prepares for some American Idol merchandise

A new logo has appeared on the trampoline units for Block Party Bash

Finally, over to the Magic Kingdom

Here it is, the first of many Cinderella Castle Dreamlights photos for 2008

Even after seeing it in person, I can’t help but say “WOW”

We’ll end Matt’s report with a very cool 2008 holiday shirt with an awesome tag-line: “Joy from the World”

Adam Roth’s 11/8/08 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on November 9, 2008

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth of WDWCelebrations has provided us with another fantastic photo update from around the Walt Disney World Resort during his latest trip. Let’s see what’s new around the world:

The display in the window of the Toy Soldier store over at the United Kingdom pavilion has some new decorations

If you look at the blocks, they spell out Kim Possible

This is another element the country’s shops have added for the upcoming Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure game

Adam ran into a familiar face to those of you who used to visit the Adventurer’s Club at Pleasure Island. Most of the former PI entertainers have already been moved to other roles throughout the Resort.

Tarps are still up in Japan, always seems to be up in this pavilion

A quick look at the old Body Wars attraction exit inside the Festival Center, which closes again today until the beginning of the Flower and Garden Festival in 2009

The Kim Possible game displays are waiting for use inside Innoventions East and West and feature some new wanted posters of Villains from the show

Adam found something rather funny at one of the Food and Wine Festival kiosks

Hosted by Anheuser-Bush

Serving InBev’s (the new owners of the company) signature Stella Artois

Another piece that will be part of the Kim Possible Adventure for the China pavilion

On his way to the Magic Kingdom, Adam snapped some quick shots of continuing work on Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The Bay Lake Tower continues to take shape

The construction site is starting to get pretty clean

Over to the Magic Kingdom

The final strands of the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights have been put in place

The Hall of Presidents….

still closed until July 🙂

We’ll end this report with Adam’s best score to date on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (I didn’t have the heart to tell him how many times I’ve gotten the perfect score)

Thanks Adam!!!

11/8 Jose Eber’s WDW Updates

WDWNT on November 9, 2008

WDWNT Photographer and Videographer Jose Eber has sent us a few pictures and videos of his observations from the last week at the Walt Disney World Resort:

This is the sign guests will be greeted by at the Hall of Presidents until next summer when the show returns

The Country Bear Jamboree has been opened from its refurbishment for a good week and is looking much better than it did just a few weeks ago.

While it awaits the ads for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the boards outside the Magic Kingdom feature this new artwork of Tinkerbell flying over the park

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They are now distributing postcards promoting the upcoming Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (without the bridge that will connect it to the main building)

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The back features a short description

We’ll end this report with a video of continuing construction of the new Four Seasons Resort

Every Single Club Libby Lu Store Closing

WDWNT on November 6, 2008

While this really isn’t Disney related news, the owner of the Club Libby Lu chain of stores, Saks Fifth Avenue, has pulled the entire chain of stores, which means every single store will close down by May 2009. We have no word on when the Downtown Disney location will close down, or what will replace it, but stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest.

“Now It’s Time To Say Goodbye”

WDWNT on November 5, 2008

An opening day Magic Kingdom park attraction will be closing forever on May 25, 2009. The Mickey Mouse Revue show that opened with Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971 and then moved to Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 will be closed down and replaced with the 3rd incarnation of the popular “Mickey’s Philharmagic” 3-D show. After almost 38 years in operation, the classic audio-animatronics Disney character show will be ripped out to make way for an attraction that was inspired by what it replaces.

While Tokyo is often known for spending a ton of money on attractions, it is worth noting that this is the first Fantasyland attraction being replaced in the park. They even still have the older version of the Dumbo attraction with fewer elephants and a very plain design.

While the show has been away from WDW for decades and only lasted 9 years in Orlando, I’m still a little saddened that I won’t be able to see this attraction whenever I manage to get over to Tokyo Disneyland. The official attraction page can be viewed HERE and the press release regarding the replacement HERE.

High School at the Studios

WDWNT on November 5, 2008

Disney has released a short video of the new High School Musical 3: Right Here, Right Now! show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here it is:

Lights, Motors, Accident

WDWNT on November 3, 2008

It appears there was an accident during a performance of the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the weekend. We wish the injured performer a speedy recovery. From WESH.com:

ORLANDO, Fla. — The stunts will resume at Walt Disney World on Monday following an accident over the weekend.

A motorcycle rider in the Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show was hurt during a performance Sunday afternoon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The show was stopped and performances canceled for the remainder of the day.

The victim is listed in stable condition after being flown by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

News from the Winter 2008 Mickey Monitor

WDWNT on November 2, 2008

We have some very interesting news and notes from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter sent to annual passholders for Winter 2008. It appears that another new element has been added to this year’s installment of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just for those with an AP. Here is the news straight from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter:

“Experts at Disney say Passholders may be seeing things this holiday season. Quite Literally. Courtesy of special 3D glasses Passholders can pick up at the Park between November 28 and December 20 and wear when taking in The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The glasses will enable Passholders to see special hidden images like angels and snowflakes throughout the display of five million lights. Once again making being a Passholder pretty darn cool this holiday season. Passholders can pick up their glasses at the Package Pick-Up location near the Park entrance.”

The next piece of news is on the continuing speaker series being held just for Passholders at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park:

“We’ve got something special as part of the exclusive Disney Passholder Speaker Series: a delightful Disney’s Animal Kingdom presentation, “Disney Holiday Magic: From Toyland to the Jungle.”

On Saturday, December 13, two-time Grammy-nominated Disney Writer Greg Ehrbar will take you on a fun-filled journey from early Disney holiday entertainment and music to perhaps the most jumpin’, jivin’, joyful experience of all, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade–with prizes for some lucky winners–and a special VIP viewing of the parade itself!

Space is limited! Visit disneyworld.com/passholder now to sign up for this event.”

We also have more information on the upcoming Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, opening to all guests later this month:

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to transform your family into secret agents and help save the world from super-villains during the new Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, based on the Disney Channel animated series, Kim Possible!

Beginning in late fall 2008, you can embark on an exciting mission throughout one of seven World Shocase Pavilions (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France or the UK).

When you defeat the villains, a super-secret finale event signals the end of your adventure, so you can return your Kimmunicator knowing you’ve done your part to save the world–and come back later to save it all over again. Find our more at disneyworld.com/kimpossible.”

To begin, just pick up a Mission Pass at any of four locations (Innoventions East and West, the Odyssey Bridge or International Gateway). You’ll be told how to proceed to your field station to pick up your “Kimmunicator,” a hand-held wireless controller that gives you secret assignments and activates special effects and events throughout your pavilion!

Annual Passholders were also given a description of what is going on at Disney Parks in 2009 and what they will get rather than free admission during “What Will You Celebrate?”:

Birthdays. Anniversaries. Personal triumphs. Reunions. Promising new beginnings.

Imagine celebrating a birthday in a land of pure magic, marking your anniversary in a fairy tale kingdom come true. Or reuniting with friends and family in a place where everyone gets to be a kid again.

It’s a great way for you to celebrate almost anything in your life, and starting in January 2009, Disney will make it easier for you to magnify those moments in incredible Disney style! Disney is making this the year to gather with the people who make you the happiest and celebrate at the place where dreams come true. And we’re magnifying the magic with new entertainment and unique experiences.

“We’ve got some very special surprises for anyone coming to celebrate with us–including ONE VERY BIG ONE,” said Faron Kelley, Project Development Director for Disney Desinations.

Perhaps you’ve heard what Faron was talking about, the most magical birthday present of all: free admission to one of the Theme Parks of the Walt Disney World(R) Resort on your birthday during 2009 and thought to yourself, “Wait a minute. I’m a Disney Passholder. What about me?” Well don’t worry, we’ve got you taken care of too.

Passholders with Theme Park admission that they will use on their birthday in 2009 can choose one of three great birthday treats.

If you use your Pass for Theme Park admission on your birthday in 2009, choose from one of the following birthday treats:

-A special birthday FASTPASS for select attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or

-A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use on your birthday for select merchandise, recreation, other gated attractions or for Disney’s PhotoPass on-site services at select participating locations at the Walt Disney World Resort; or

-A 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

Just go to disneyworld.com/celebrate to register for your birthday treat.Durring this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.

“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”

So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”

Disney has also come up with ways to make your memories even more vivid. “This year, we’ll also be giving our Guests an opportunity to mark their reunion or any special time with customizable t-shirts, Mickey ears, pins and special Disney’s Photopass images,” Faron told us. “It’s a wonderful memory to share and take home–all personalized by you.”

During this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.

“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”

So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”

The final piece we have indicates that we should see the first WDW Passholder previews of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by January. In addition, you will need to sign-up to take part once registration opens:

“Because Passholders are like our “idols,” we’re getting ready for a preview of The American Idol Experience for you! Space will be limited, so keep an eye on disneyworld.com/passholder for the registration announcement so you can sign up!”

Some very exciting stuff coming up for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, it’s about time that this group started getting some special treatment!!!

Kenny Siegel’s DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on November 1, 2008

My good friend Kenny Siegel was at the Disneyland Resort last week & sent us in this photo report:

A look around the Princess room that was attached to Kenny’s main hotel room at the Disneyland Hotel.

Now a look around the main part of Kenny’s hotel room.

What an awesome closet design!

Gotta love the awesome complimentary toiletries.

A look outside Kenny’s window.

A look at construction on the It’s a Small World Toy Shoppe. The store has since re-opened.

And we end off this photo report with some construction pics from It’s a Small World.

Halloween at the Hall

WDWNT on October 31, 2008

As we reported many months ago, the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom will be closing tomorrow for an extensive refurbishment that will last through July 1, 2009. The Orlando Sentinel has released an article today that confirms the rumors we reported a few weeks back, that the Hall will be getting the great new audio system (along with a few other visual upgrades) that was just installed at the Country Bear Jamboree and will be installed over at Mickey’s Philharmagic (an attraction that is barely 5 years old) in January of next year. The piece also reports that George Washington will be getting a chance to talk when the show re-opens next summer, something we had not heard up until this point. Here is the entire article:

Barack Obama or John McCain — here’s one more issue for voters to consider: Which one would they rather listen to at Walt Disney World in the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents show? One of them will get to address visitors each day in the theme park once the animatronic attraction undergoes a renovation.

To make room for a new, robotic version of the 44th president of the United States, Disney will close the 37-year-old Hall of Presidents after today for an extended refurbishment. The show will stay shuttered for more than eight months so Disney can update the hall’s aging light, sound, mechanical, projection and show systems, just as the company has done in recent years with other “classic” Magic Kingdom attractions such as It’s A Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion.

“We’re about to get a new president. And so, since we have to shut down the show anyway to welcome No. 44, we’re going to take the opportunity to . . . refurbish the attractions and the facility and also kind of wave the magic wand around a little bit,” said Pam Fisher, senior show writer for Walt Disney Imagineering.

Updating a ’70s show

First envisioned by Walt Disney in the early 1960s, the show premiered when the Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. In an auditorium, visitors view a 10-minute, panoramic film of American history. The film projects, onto five screens, narrated images of paintings produced by Disney artists in the styles of American masters, from JohnTrumbull to Norman Rockwell. When the film ends and the screens rise, people see a large stage where life-size, robotic figures of every U.S. president are grouped, standing or sitting, for a roll call and a couple of speeches.

The show has always featured a speech by the Lincoln figure. In the 1990s, Disney began adding a second speech by the current president. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush recorded their addresses, and Disney hopes to entice the next president to do the same.

“We’ll do everything in our power to make it so,” Fisher said. “We’ve been really lucky so far. It is quite an experience to arrive in the White House and actually be present when the president records his speech for the Hall of Presidents.”

When the show reopens next year July 4, a third figure, George Washington, will also be given a speaking part.

Like many Disney theme-park attractions dating from the 1950s through the early ’70s, the Hall of Presidents’ artwork was created by renowned Disney artists such as Herb Ryman, Sam McKim and John DeCuir. The 70mm film projectors will be replaced with digital-video projection systems, which should give the presentation fresh boldness and clarity, Fisher said.

All of the presidents’ faces were sculpted by Disney artist Blaine Gibson. But he’s 90 years old and, though he remains involved, he is handing off the job of sculpting the 44th president to protege Valerie Edwards.

Better view of presidents

The attraction’s technology upgrades should improve the view of Gibson’s (and Edwards’) work as well. As the narrator introduces each president, a spotlight shines briefly on that figure, which waves or nods. But the presidents are randomly arranged, the introductions pass quickly, and the spotlights flit about, so some viewers have a hard time following the progression. With LED lighting, 21st-century controls and a longer spotlight for each president, it should become easier for the audience to tell John Tyler from James K. Polk.

“That is my No. 1 dream and hope of the show: to make the introduction of the presidents easier to follow,” Fisher said. “We think that’s really the highlight of the show.”

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the refurbishment of the Hall of Presidents continues to come in. Oh yeah, and have a Happy Halloween!!!

Category: Walt Disney World Resort