Change of Plans and Parades

WDWNT on March 6, 2008

It appears that the final performance of the Stars and Motorcars Parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be Saturday March 8, 2008, not March 9th as originally reported. The reason for the change seems to be that the new Block Party Bash parade is ready ahead of schedule and will make it’s first “soft” performance at 3pm on Sunday March 9, 2008. WDW News Today will have coverage of both of these parades throughout the weekend into Monday, be sure to stay tuned for more details on these two major events.

The Hall of…ZzZzZ

WDWNT on March 4, 2008

Our friend Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media is reporting about some changes that may be coming to the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents attraction in the next year. According to Jim’s report, whoever the new president of the United States may be, they will not be receiving a speaking part in this latest addition. Instead, Disney may be going for a much shorter show that would cut the current president’s speech from it’s lineup and add the reading of the Gettysburg address by Abraham Lincoln. This would allow the attraction to run three shows an hour and shorten the length of what many say is the most boring attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort. To read the entire report, go HERE.

“But I Want To Sit Inside!!!”

WDWNT on March 3, 2008

The currently under rennovation Wolfgang Puck express location at Downtown Disney’s Marketplace is nearing it’s re-opening on March 6 and appears to be almost complete. While the interior changes remain a mystery, it is now clear that the building now envelopes what was the outdoor seating area. This may be nice during bad weather, but a problem this particular restaurant has always faced is a small number of seating. This place can become quite busy and sometimes even expands into the generic Downtown Disney seating area across the way. My only hope is that this refurbishment has added seating to what is one of my favorite places to grab a quick bite at Walt Disney World.

Weekend Update

WDWNT on March 2, 2008

Here are some Disney news updates to brighten your weekend:

-A correction on news we reported yesterday: the tarps surrounding the Animation Courtyard archway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have indeed been removed, but a temporary sign saying ESPN the Weekend has been put over where the new park logo will be placed.

-At 9am on April 22, 2008, there will be a re-dedication of Disney’s Animal Kingdom for it’s tenth anniversary celebration. Of course, the same group that brought you Epcot’s famous Celebration 25 in October will be putting on “A Wild Decade”, a commemorative event featuring one of a kind fan opportunities at celebrating this special occasion. For more information on this event, head on over to WDWCelebrations today.

-I made my way over to a meet for the Central Jersey Disney Pin Traders today and have to say I had a great time trading and talking with all of the attendees. Our co-host of the upcoming Disney Pincast, John Rick, is the founder of the group and once again put on a great Disney pin trading meet. Next month, the CJDPT will be hosting its huge “Trade till’ You Fade” event from April 11-13. For more information on this upcoming opportunity to trade with hundreds of Disney pin traders and take part in numerous Disney activities at this event, head on over to www.cjdpt.com. A special note, I will be attending this event along with staff members Jason Diffendal and John Rick and we will be recording a special edition of the Disney Pincast.

We’re Back With News

WDWNT on February 16, 2008

Here is what we missed during our short downtime:

-Splash Mountain is once again operating at the Magic Kingdom. The ride was not suppose to re-open until February 18th.

-The Earful Tower at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is recieving its new logo:

Hi Definition Video (720p):  Click Here

-The Pirate and Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom may be recieving a new name in the near future, Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party.

After a short period of closure this week, Spaceship Earth at Epcot has re-opened with an enhanced descent portion.

-The descent now features some triangle panels that light up above you (again matching the panels on the outside of SSE).

-A new video has replaced the stars and trivia segment while you wait for your future to be created on the touch screen.

-The interactive map has returned, and now adds your ride photo to the giant globe in the Project Tomorrow post show area.

-There are some new kiosks near the globe that are not yet operational, but once they are, you will be able to email photos and even the “your future” video from the attraction to anyone.

We will obtain some pictures of these updates as soon as we can, but as you know, we are having our own refurbishment problems.

News & Notes From Mickey Monitor

WDWNT on February 10, 2008

Here are some notable news bites from the annual passholder publication, The Mickey Monitor:

-In Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, vehicles will make full stops at various booths, giving guests a little more time to experience each of the attractions various shooting games.

-As stated a few months ago, some of the Toy Story Mania attraction’s show scenes will feature special effects that are activated as you hit various targets, such as blasts of air and water.

-Dates for Annual Passholder previews of Toy Story Mania should be announced soon. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information.

-Annual Passholders can purchase discount tickets and get VIP fireworks seating during some upcoming Pirate and Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom by going to disneyworld.com/passholder

-Using four vouchers in the Mickey Monitor, passholders can pick up a set of four special lithographs made just for them at all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

All Pirate and Princess Tickets On Sale

WDWNT on February 7, 2008

The remaining dates for the after-hours Pirate and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom are now on sale if you call 407-WDW-AHOY. Those new dates that have just gone on sale are:

April 1, 4, 6, 11, 16, 23

May 2, 9, 16, 21, 26, 31

June 2

Jose Eber Update 2/6/08

WDWNT on February 7, 2008

Staff member Jose Eber has provided us with some live updates from the Walt Disney World Resort:

-Monorail Black returned from its refurbishment today. The monorail now has the four central handrails much like the other ten monorails which have already received the renovations. Monorail Red headed in for refurbishment today and is the last to recieve the modifications.

-The Earful Tower at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has received a glossy black finish on its ears and should receive its finishing touches any day now. The Animation Archway at the studios should receive new signage around the same time.

-The new marble tile at the Grand Floridian should be installed in the next 1-2 weeks.

-In what has become a frequent occurence, Space Mountain broke down and went out of commission at about 11:45 today. One wonders how much longer the big refurbishment for the Magic Kingdom attraction can be put off.

Innovating at Innoventions

WDWNT on February 6, 2008

A press release on an exciting new weather safety exhibit coming this summer to Epcot’s Innoventions can be seen at this link. This is yet another part of the complete overhaul of Innoventions exhibits that we mentioned a few months ago here on WDW News Today. We will have more information on this upcoming exhibit as it becomes available.

CMO For WDW

WDWNT on February 6, 2008

BY DONNA BALANCIA of FLORIDA TODAY

A national search for the first-ever Chief Magic Officer has drawn 1,300 video resumes from around the United States, a Walt Disney World spokesman said Monday. The search for the on-park, part-time promotions job will be narrowed to the top 10 video resumes, which will be up and available for viewing and voting on March 2 at www.dreamcmo.com.

The three applicants with the most hits by viewers of the Web site will be brought to Walt Disney World in mid-April to compete in a variety of “reality show-type” challenges. The competition will be podcast live and viewers again will pick their favorite applicant. The application process closed Jan. 27. Applicants sent videos in response to a national search from Disney Parks and CareerBuilder.com. It is a part-time, hourly position open from May 2008 to May 2009. The position is offered concurrently with the “Year Of A Million Dreams.”