Rivers of Light???

WDWNT on January 5, 2008

I was walking through Animal Kingdom earlier today and came upon a large number of park managers in Dinoland U.S.A. with some papers in their hands. Being the good guy that I am, I decided to stand around like a normal lost and clueless guest would. The group was discussing places to put additional lighting in the park, perhaps planning for longer hours to accommodate longer park operating hours. This could be the early planning stages for “Rivers of Light”, a night parade on the rivers of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. The earliest I would expect anything to be announced on this is Animal Kingdom’s 10th Anniversary on April 22, 2008. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available.

“I Didn’t Mean To Offend You Prematurely”

WDWNT on January 5, 2008

A number of websites have been discussing a possible script that may be given to cast members in the foyer area of the Haunted Mansion due to some ridiculous complaints. A full story can be read over at Jim Hill Media at this link.

MGM On It’s Way Out

WDWNT on January 1, 2008

Earlier this week, the dedication plaque at the Disney MGM Studios mysteriously disappeared. It is unclear at this time if it is simply being changed to reflect the new Disney’s Hollywood Studios name or if it will be replaced by a new dedication plaque based on the new goals and mission of the park. We wll have more on this as it becomes available.

Oops!!!

WDWNT on December 29, 2007

It appears Walt Disney World made a mistake when they announced the upcoming refurbishment of Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, they forgot how heavy crowds will still be for the three days following the New Year’s holiday, The refurbishment of Splash Mountain will now be from January 4, 2008 until February 15, 2008.

If It Ain’t Broken, Don’t Fix It

WDWNT on December 28, 2007

The upcoming refurbishment of Minnie’s Country House in Mickey’s Toontown Fair has been pushed back until sometime in 2008. Small children who will soon be visiting the Magic Kingdom are very grateful.

Backlot Theater Demolition

WDWNT on December 27, 2007

The Backlot Theater at the Disney MGM Studios, formerly home to the Hunchback of Notre Dame show, is now being demolished in preparation for a future attraction. The announcement of this new attraction and some others could come as early as January 7, 2008, where it is believed a press event will be held to mark the shift in the park’s name to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Christmas Podcast Coverage Now Available

WDWNT on December 25, 2007

You can now download episode 23 of the WDW News Today Podcast for live (well, sort of) coverage of the first annual Christmas Podcast Parade from the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The parade features appearances by Judi Dench, Amy Adams, Roz, Tom Corless, Steve Swanson, John Corigliano, Brian Sommer, Luke Manning, Nick McLamb, Larry Mongello, Jason Diffendal, Adam Roth, Rascal, The Muppets, Mickey, Minnie, and many more!!! So tune in for Magic, Music, and Mayhem on this most festive of occaisions.

To hear WDWNT’s audio coverage of this special event, subsribe to the WDW News Today Podcast on Itunes, click this link or, if you do not have Itunes, go HERE to download the show after its release.

Ring in 2008 With A Bang

WDWNT on December 24, 2007

Reported by WDWmagic:

This years Magic Kingdom new Year’s Eve show is set to be one of the biggest and loudest ever at the Magic Kingdom. It features all new firework design by Walt Disney World’s Brad Cicotti, who has designed Magic, Music, and Mayhem, the Peace on Earth tag to Reflections of Earth, Epcot’s 25th birthday tag, and the 4th and New Year’s Eve shows at Epcot. This years show will feature a full 360 degree perimeter firework display, including fireworks launched from the island in the Seven seas lagoon. Each perimeter location around the park will be firing 50 shells – the largest ever for a Magic Kingdom show! Enjoy the show!

Break The Walls Down

WDWNT on December 23, 2007

The walls surrounding Spaceship Earth at Epcot have finally come down and the attraction is officially open to the public, despite multiple signs noting the official opening still as February 2008.

Hooray for Hollywood

WDWNT on December 22, 2007

The earful tower at the Disney MGM Studios has had it’s signage removed this week. The new Disney’s Hollywood Studios logo should be placed on the structure sometime in early 2008, as the park changes to the new name on January 7.