Temporary Dining Changes

WDWNT on August 10, 2008

Some temporary changes to dining at the Magic Kingdom are coming during the busy free dining plan season. According to the DIS:

TOMORROWLAND TERRACE

On August 24, 31 and September 7 and 14, the Tomorrowland Terrace will be serviing a buffet dinner from 5:30 to 9:00pm. The menu will include Chimichurri Beef Loin carved to order, salads, pastas, and breads.

$35 for ages 10 and up, $18 for guests 3 – 9 which includes tgratuity. Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use one table service entitlement when dining here.

DIAMOND HORSESHOE

On August 24 – 31 and September 13 – 25, the Diamond Horseshoe will be serving a family style dinner from 5:00 to 9:00pm. The menu will include roast turkey, carved beef, pork loin, mashed potatoes and more.

$28.99 for ages 10 and up, $14.99 for guests 3-9. Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use one table service entitlement when dining here.

Talkin’ Timon

WDWNT on August 7, 2008

Here is some video captured by our own John Corigliano of the new living-character head that Timon in Festival of The Lion King at Animal Kingdom is now sporting:

Minor Update: Sounds Late

WDWNT on August 6, 2008

In a minor update, the refurbishment of Sounds Dangerous Starring Drew Carrey and Golden Age Souvenirs at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been extended to include today. The attraction and the small shop are scheduled to re-open tomorrow with little to no major changes. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available on this story.

Monsters Inc. Sequel and Attraction in Development

WDWNT on August 6, 2008

It appears that Pete Docter and the people at Pixar are keeping busy working on some Monsters Inc. projects, according to IGN:

The collective clever clogs over at Pixar are hinting that one of their most successful flicks —Monsters Inc. — could soon receive the sequel treatment.

Speaking to MTV, Pete Docter, the director of the original, said, “We’ve thought about it. We’ve got a couple of ideas.”

He failed to elaborate further, instead saying that much of his team’s resources are currently being poured into the forthcoming Monsters Inc.ride at Walt Disney Resorts.

If you recall, we talked about a rumored Monsters Inc. themed roller coaster to be built for Disney’s Hollywood Studios sometime in the not-so-distant future. A number of Disney cast members also reported that a preview video of this proposed attraction was available on the Cast Member Hub website for a few hours about two weeks ago. With these two apparent leaks of confidential information about a future Walt Disney World attraction, we could expect an official announcement on the project very soon. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on this rumored project as it becomes available.

Star Wars: Last of the Big Figures

WDWNT on August 6, 2008

With the news a few months ago that Disney did not plan on making anymore big figurines in the original size for the Walt Disney World Resort, you can expect the upcoming Star Wars/Disney Character big figures being released this fall to be the last hope for the collectibles. If you interested in purchasing any of these pieces, you can get more information HERE. Expect to see these in various Art of Disney stores around the Walt Disney World Resort this fall if they survive the online ordering process.

Full Details on New Dining Plan

WDWNT on August 5, 2008

Here are the details on the new quick service dining plan Walt Disney World will be rolling out in 2009, provided by our good friends at Magical Travel:

New! Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick Service Dining

 

 
The Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick Service Dining includes Disney Resort accommodations, a Magic Your Way Ticket and a Disney Quick Service Dining Plan that offers 2 Quick Service meals, 2 Snacks (select dining locations) per person per night of the package stay, plus 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug per person, per package. With this package, guests can save up to 20% per adult on dining.  

Dining Plan adds $29.99 per adult, $8.99 per child (ages 3 to 9), per night


For each PACKAGE NIGHT, clients with this package will receive:

2 Quick Service Meals

 One entrée OR one complete Combo Meal
One dessert (Lunch or Dinner) or one juice (Breakfast)
One single serving non-alcoholic beverage

2 Snacks

 Choose from:
– Frozen ice-cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
– Box of popcorn
– Single serving grab bag of Frito-Lay’s chips
– One 20oz bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dansani water
– Single piece whole fruit
– Medium fountain soft drink or apple juice

 Resort Refillable Drink Mug

 1 per person, per package

 

Monday in the Parks Picture Update

WDWNT on August 4, 2008

Let’s take a look at some of the various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Monday in the Parks column on MiceAge:


The new ticket prices went into effect yesterday


In addition to the water playground in the Bountiful Valley Farm that we reported was closed last Friday (and it still is closed btw), a couple other water playgrounds in DCA appeared to be closed, at least yesterday…


… Including Princess Dot’s Puddle Park in a Bug’s Land…


… As well as the SS Rustworthy in Paradise Pier


Construction seems to be happening on both sides of Department 56


The stilt chefs in the Ratatouille section of the Pixar Play Parade appeared to be off their stilts once again yesterday… Probably was just for yesterday though

Be sure to check out the Monday in the Parks column (linked at the top of the post) for tips on how to get cheap tickets, & plenty more updates from the around Disneyland Resort this week!

Hall of Presidents Changing Again

WDWNT on August 4, 2008

It appears that one way or the other, some big changes are coming to the Hall of Presidents Attraction at the Magic Kingdom. It was just made official that the attraction will be closed for some major show changes from November 2008 until July of 2009. Despite that this refurbishment is now public information, what changes are going to occur remains a mystery. While we would expect the addition of an Audio-Animatronics figure of the new president of the United States (whether it be John McCain or Barack Obama) with a speaking part, it has been rumored that the new version of the show would simply add the latest president to the line-up on stage and give Abraham Lincoln a longer speaking part in the show. 

This refurbishment is now set to begin on November 1, 2008 and end on July 1, 2009. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the future of the Hall of Presidents becomes available.

WDW Photo Update 8/1-8/3/08

WDWNT on August 4, 2008

UPDATED @ 11:32PM EST

WDWNT is back from another of his lovely weekend trips to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s take a look through some of his most newsworthy pictures:

The Laugh floor seems to be loosing power 🙂

The brand new top for City Hall has been lowered into place after 7 months of waiting.

The wait time board at the Magic Kingdom on August 2nd.

Glaceau Smart Water is a new addition to ODV carts around the Resort.

It seems that the Adventureland Veranda has re-opened temporarily as Veranda Refreshments.

The Diamond Horseshoe has also re-opened, as it always does during busier seasons.

Contemporary north-wing construction is quite visible from Liberty Square.

Just thought this was a nice shot.

The new Grand Marshall vehicle with covering.

New Toy Storry Midway Mania T-Shirts available in… Tomorrowland!?

This is a really nice new Wall-E T-Shirt!

So many great new T-Shirts! I think we’re all in love with this one!

This is a new Figment T-Shirt for women.

Is that a new Kodak sign?

The sign for the new StormStruck exhibit in Innoventions, opening soon.

The top of the new exhibit.

This is something new in the Don’t Waste It exhibit in Innoventions.

The Fantastic Plastic exhibit is still closed, awaiting a new exhibit.

Apparently, you plug Mickey into your MP3 player and he “grooves along with your music.” I wonder what he does when he listens to our podcasts?

The Great Movie Ride sign still needs some fixing.

One of the few remnants of the Disney-MGM Studios left at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Muppet Vision 3D hot air balloon is being fixed behind walls on the Streets of America.

Advertisement for the Night of Joy at the Premiere Theater.

The Al’s Toy Barn facade near Muppet Vision 3D has been removed. It will be replaced with a Cars themed meet ‘n greet.

Refurbing going on near the Hollywood Scoops Ice Cream shop.

The Hanes sponsorship has started over at the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Posters in the exit hallway now have Hanes advertising.

New production art from Bolt inside the Magic of Disney animation.

The latest construction on T-Rex Resturant at Downtown Disney.

Construction of the new stage in Downtown Disney.

Construction going on in the former home of the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary.

A look at the latest construction of the new north wing of the Contemporary.

Hope you enjoyed the update!

American Idol Experience Auditions

WDWNT on August 3, 2008

Walt Disney World have put out a casting call for hosts, judges, and audience warm up personalities for the upcoming American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are the details:

Walt Disney Entertainment is seeking Hosts, Judges, and comedic audience warm up hosts, for the opening cast of its newest attraction, The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ Park in the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, FL set to open January 2009. Rehearsals begin October 12, 2008 in Orlando.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ‘ACTORS/ PERSONALITIES’ OF ALL ETHNICITIES AND SHAPES/SIZES:

HOST: Male, 20s – 30s. Charismatic, handsome, trim, hip. Quick wit and improv skills needed. In synch with the times: look and slang. Knowledge of American Idol and the music industry a plus. Confidently ringmaster all the hosting elements of a fast-paced multimedia show.

JUDGES: Male and Female, 30s – early 50s. Music educated with extensive music background. Confident, big personality/charismatic. Improv and comedy skills needed. These roles are not intended to be an impersonation of the American Idol Judges as seen on TV. Types needed: Hip, Optimistic, Comically Constructive. Judges will provide constructive and knowledgeable vocal feedback, always with an entertaining twist.

AUDIENCE WARM UP: Male and Female, 20s – early 40s. Energetic, big personality, playful, charismatic. Improv and comedy background needed. Must be able to command and entertain large audiences. Music and DJ skills a plus. Will be responsible for warming up the 1000+ member audience, making sure they are energized, informed, and ready to play their role as the supportive studio audience.

All performers employed by the Walt Disney World Resort are covered under the terms and conditions of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Actors’ Equity Association.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and authorized to work in the United States.

Please visit www.disneyauditions.com for audition dates, times and locations.