MGM No More!!!

WDWNT on August 10, 2007

Disney has just made it official that the Disney MGM Studios will become Disney’s Hollywood Studios in January 2008. In addition to this name change, other changes are coming. The Block Party Bash parade from California Adventure is also making it’s way to the studios in Spring 2008. Also, starting fall 2007, High School Musical 2: School’s Out will replace the High School Musical Pep Rally as a traveling show. In another change, Playhouse Disney will reopen with a whole new show February 2008. In addition, Toy Story Mania is now opening Summer 2008. Finally, in November 2007, the characters from the Handy Mandy Playhouse Disney show will be doing meet and greets at the studios. 

Wonders of Death Part 2

WDWNT on August 7, 2007

It is now official that the Wonder of Life pavillion at Epcot is gone forever. The signs from the exterior of the pavillion have been removed, both the giant DNA strand and the main sign. The final opening of the pavillion will be during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, during which the barren pavillion interior will be used for some food and wine exhibits. We may now begin to hear some rumblings on the next attaction to come to Future World. Stay Tuned for More!!!

Rock N Refurb

WDWNT on August 4, 2007

It’s official, Rock N Roller Coaster at the Disney MGM Studios will be closed from September 4th- October 4th. The refurbishment is for general ride maintenance, something that should have been done during the lengthy closure earlier this year to include a single rider line. In site news, we have begun posting our new WDW History page. The first ten years of Walt Disney World are up thus far, and the rest should be up by Monday. Also, a reminder that the forums are open. If you signed up for the first forums, you will have to sign up again. New posters are also welcome to the boards.

Wonders of Death

WDWNT on August 2, 2007

Permits were filed today to remove all of the fixtures inside Epcot’s Wonders of Life pavillion. The permits are not to remove the two attractions inside the pavillion, just all of the exhibits in the middle. Starting in September the space will be used to host some exhibits of the 2007 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. After that, the future of the pavillion remains unknown.

Epcot Update

WDWNT on August 2, 2007

The Epcot Wand has now lost the image of Mickey’s Arm on the side facing World Showcase. The arm facing the park entrance is still standing, but should be down by early on Thursday. In other news, I have recieved notice that by the end of 2008, every Epcot dining location will have either been refurbished or recieved a new menu. The idea of the project is to make Epcot more diverse than the other parks as far as Dining options and draw in a diverse crowd.

Magic Kingdom Collapsing???

WDWNT on July 28, 2007

We are proud to present our first piece in a weekly segment from Sparky LD entitled behind the scenes. Sparky LD has worked for a long time at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland and is happy to provide us with some insight into our favorite place on earth. Feel free to discuss today’s article on the forums.

The Degrading Condition of Magic Kingdom

By: Sparky LD

The Magic Kingdom over the years has come to a degree of disrepair. Things have not been maintained, painted, and replaced.

The Magic Kingdom has many things that have not yet been fixed or repaired, or don’t get repaired right away. For instance, the second Stitches Great Escape Theatre was closed for 3 months after the AA blew a hydraulic line and spewed fluid all over guests.  The AA was not fixed right away and the theatre was closed.  The line became very long and the “per guest per hour” ratio dropped a lot. As of right now I have heard rumors of lighting and screen issues in Monsters Inc Laugh Floor Comedy Club,  which I was told they have been going on since about 3 weeks after it opened.  Now, me being in the entertainment business would think that a lighting issue would be pretty big, seeing how many of the shows, rides and attractions depend on theatrical lighting.  The screen issue is horrible because the shows main focus is the screen.

Now let’s move on to the castle.  This issue is horrible.  Ever wonder why the strobes on the castle stage look brighter than on the castle, and why the ones on the castle don’t seem to be all on.  Well is simple.  The ones on the stage are newer and the plastic covers aren’t faded and nasty.  The ones on the castle are faded and not all are working.  They haven’t been replaced due to budget size, and the thought that a few out don’t really make the overall effect look bad.  I for one can tell where the ones that don’t work are. One other major issue over the years was the degrading condition of Haunted Mansion. At least now they are fixing that problem. I mean for years it was slowly decaying into disrepair.  Effects were breaking down, lighting wasn’t all working, and the Doombuggies had horrible squeaking when they would turn.  This most likely was due to the fact that the omnimover device was old.  Thank the lord for this extensive refurbishment currently going on. Another major issue is parades.  I for one think that the units in the day parade should be blown up.  They were fine of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration. But using them over and over is really bad. The Finale Castle unit in “Disney Dreams Come True Parade” has been used for 25 plus years.  Of course over the years it has gotten updated on the outside. SpectroMagic has also lost its luster.  Burnt out bulbs, the NO2 on the Mickey unit not working, the wings on Chernabog not opening, and the fiber optic Tinkerbelle on the second finale unit not working. A few times the second Fantasia unit has been missing; reports say the spinning hippo on top would spin to fast causing the driver to lose control of the unit.  And the rumor of the villains unit being attached to the back of the Chernabog unit never happened due to budget costs.  Also, some of the lighting on the costumes have not been performing properly.

So over the years Magic Kingdom has been going into disrepair, loosing that magical quality it once had. The Walt Disney Company is a well admired company and should do its best to keep its standards high.

Epcot’s 25th Officially Happening

WDWNT on July 28, 2007

I was informed today that a ceremony rededicating Epcot on October 1st, 2007, is most certainly happening. The Orlando Sentinel has picked up the story and Epcot’s 25th will be officially recognized by the Walt Disney Company. There is still no chance of a  few month long celebration of the anniversary, but at least something is happening. It is a nice change to see Disney recognize such a meaningful anniversary after the snub Walt Disney World’s 35th anniversary recieved last year.

Covert Canada

WDWNT on July 28, 2007

I don’t think Disney can any longer deny the big changes coming to the O Canada show at Epcot. The attractions original 5 day refurbishment has expanded to most of the month of August. The show is now closed from August 6th until August 31st. During this time, a new film featuring Martin Short as the host will be added as well as some cosmetic upgrades. An official announcement of the changes should be coming any day now.

Haunted Mansion Update

WDWNT on July 26, 2007

The Haunted Mansion refurbishment seems to be much bigger than Disney had originally let on. In addition to new audio and lighting upgrades, it appears the attic scene has been completely remodeled with the addition of the new bride scene similar to the changes that took place at Disneyland last year. Also exported from Disneyland, the floating Leota Crystal Ball has been put into the seance room. Finally, the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion will receive an effect that has yet to be seen in any mansion around the world. The giant spider staircase scene has been removed for the addition of a brand new scene with impressive special effects creating an illusion of neverending stairs. Disney has not made any of these changes official, but there are strong reports in their favor.

Under The Hat

WDWNT on July 26, 2007

In an update on the exclusive news we received last week on the technical updates to the Sorcerer’s Hat at the Disney MGM Studios, some new details have emerged. The hat should be receiving some fiber optics and Lighting that would allow the hat to change colors at night, much like Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth. Other special effects could be added, but this is all that has circulated thus far. The changes should be taking place sometime next month.