Contemporary Rumors

WDWNT on July 13, 2007

As most of you are aware, the north wing of Disney’s Contemporary Resort was demolished a few months ago so that a new, possibly Disney Vacation Club, building can be added to the resort. I just wanted to let in some inside information on the project. The project may or may not be a DVC resort, but it is most certainly a major addition to the hotel. The new building will be connected by an elevated walkway to the Grand Canyon Concourse of the main building, connecting where the old pin shop used to be. When you go on this level to the new building, you will find some high end shopping and dining which is a welcome addition to the Magic Kingdom area. This new concourse inside the new U shaped building will outshow the Grand Canyon Concourse in detail, but not in size. On the very top of the new structure will be a small, very exclusive dining spot that will be probably the most expensive dining experience at the World. This is all about the project that has been leaked to me, but i should have more information shortly.

Soarin’ While You Wait

WDWNT on July 11, 2007

As most of you are probably aware already, the Soarin’ standby queue has recieved some motion sensored screens on which large groups of guests can play games together and against other groups of guests. Games include piloting a bird, growing grass, and other activities. The motion sensor technology used here is unlike anything I have ever seen and is certainly a welcome addition to a queue that often has waits over an Hour or two.

Yak and Yeti Restaurant Behind Schedule

WDWNT on July 10, 2007

Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, work on the Yak and Yeti restaurant is picking up as the rush is on to be finished by the original October deadline. Don’t be surprised if the restaurant doesn’t open until November/December of this year.

Spaceship Earth Closed

WDWNT on July 9, 2007

The big news this week is the removal of the infamous Epcot wand and the refurbishment of the Spaceship Earth attraction that both began today at Epcot. Expect the entire finale of the Spaceship Earth attraction to be completely different from it’s current form when it re-opens in mid-November 2007.

DisneyGeek DLR Picture Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Our friends over at DisneyGeek have posted a new Disneyland Resort Update, & here are a few of the most interesting pictures:


Some of the trams are getting new seats, which have a rougher feel to them


A rare Downtown Disney update… The Pirates room in the World of Disney has been replaced with a Toontown room


A bunch of drawings like this have been placed on the shelves


More pictures of the Toontown room can be found here


A bunch of signs for the Food & Wine Weekends have been placed around DCA. Let’s take a look at a few of them…


The main entrance to the Golden Vine Winery


These signs are on various lamp-posts & light-towers through-out the park


Along the pathway near the Golden Vine Winery


The entrance to Pacific Wharf


Pretty self-explanatory


Quickly over to Disneyland we go… A better look at the new Grand Marshal vechicle


And finally, this sign appears outside the Dream Suite if it is occupied

Thanks again to DisneyGeek for these pictures! For many more, check out their latest Disneyland Resort Update!

DisneyGeek DLR Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Let’s take a look at some various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from the latest Disneyland Resort Update on DisneyGeek:

A new banner up at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure


One of the counters & some seating at the Bengal Barbecue are behind walls


Apparently this is new wood for the Pacific Wharf Bridge


One of the shop windows in Downtown Disney now displays Disney’s Fairytale Weddings


It’s Tough to be a Bug is closed until May 23rd


And Corn Dog Castle is closed until May 22nd


Finally, it seems the Carnation Cafe restrooms are getting some work done

DisneyGeek DLR Picture Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Let’s take a look at some various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from the latest DLR Update on DisneyGeek:


A sign for the Adventure Roadmaps


Some Downtown Disney coupon thing


The popularity of Toy Story Midway Mania is rubbing off on the rest of the Pier


A pin trading cart for the upcoming Mickey’s Pin Odyssey


DCA or Bust!! Some people would prefer to bust…


Haven’t seen this before… Sure is funny!


New Wall-E merchandise


The tarps from Donald’s Boat are down, but the walls are still up


Club Penguin has been added to the games you can play in Innoventions

Weekend Round-up

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

What is already starting to be a very interesting weekend has begun here at WDW News Today, and here are some news and notes to bring you up to speed:

-Rumors are swirling about a video that appeared on the Walt Disney World cast member website that provided full details on the next attraction coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Monsters Inc. themed roller coaster. The video was apparently pulled from the site fairly quickly, yet we can still not confirm that these reports or that the video actually exists. Be sure to keep you eyes on WDW News Today as more info becomes available on this rumored project.

-Here’s a picture of the progress of the new north wing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (provided by Jason Diffendal’s sister):

Notice that the glass and exterior on most of the building is nearing completion

-On a final note, if you are attending the MagicMeets fan gathering this weekend, be sure to look out for myslef and Jason Diffendal who will be representing WDW News Today and WDWCelebrations.

DLR Photo Report – 8/5 & 8/6

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

I’m back from a lovely 2 day trip to the Disneyland Resort for my birthday & guess what that means… A photo report! There’s lots of images today, so let’s get to it:


The theme park information sign is back out by all bag search booths


When DCA opens, there’s 2 paths to go, Midway Mania’s line & the Princess Breakfast at Ariel’s Grotto


Guess this sign will have to be changed soon


My score this time wasn’t as good as my last trip


Now let’s take a tour of the Sun Wheel, as it is now (as it will be made into Mickey’s Fun Wheel this fall)


Non-swinging gondolas


Swinging gondolas


I’m Missing It… NOT!


There was some kind of convention in the Grand Californian Hotel


Department 56 in Downtown Disney is having some work done


There will be a Mardi Gras “extravaganza” at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen on September 6th


I ate at Rainforest Cafe for my birthday


The Build Your Own Lightsaber stand in Star Traders


A couple of shots here of Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams… Plenty will be available in the Image Gallery tomorrow


The It’s a Small World Top Shop is out from behind tarps… Notice the missing dolls in the boat?


New colors on the Small World attraction sign I believe


New Century Timepieces is a thing of the past


A nice new painting available, with a hefty price tag of $1,500!


Some nice Tiki Room merchandise that was released for the attraction’s 45th anniversary… You’ll be able to see all of it in the Image Gallery tomorrow


I want to get this lovely poster of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle


Surprised they’re still selling this one… I still want it!


Saw the tribute band Tomasina at the Tomorrowland Terrace Tuesday night


WOOOO!


Here are a few (blurry) shots of Fantasmic!


Moving on to Wednesday, a little look at the Midway Games, which should be changed this fall


ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD!?


The Midway Stores, which I presume will be changed too


Mr. Potato Head was covered up this morning


Construction on the soon to re-open Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through


An ad for The Little Mermaid III on Main Street


And the Sleeping Beauty Platinum Edition DVD


Classic Ariel picture in Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years


Space chick & astronaut


Characters from Captain EO


Watch makers in the Art of Disneyland on Main Street


An awesome Small World poster


A product release & signing with Robet Olszewski on Saturday August 28th at the Disneyana Shop from 9am to 11am


Now I know this tent wasn’t in the Esplanade on the 5th


Another ad for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning


And to end off this photo report, me with Ariel… My favorite character picture ever!

Be sure to keep an eye on all of our Image Galleries tomorrow for full size versions of these pictures & many more (over 400 in total)!

Disney US Postage Stamps Event, and More

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

There was an event held today in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle for the 2008 series of Disney US postage stamps. Just my luck that I missed the event by a day, but David “Darkbeer” Michael did however attend, so here are a few of his pictures:


So this is what the tent I saw in the Esplanade yesterday is for


This year’s stamps are of Steamboat Willie, 101 Dalmatians, the Jungle Book, & Sleeping Beauty… Marty Sklar was in attendance for the event (like he his for most events that the Disney company hold)

And now a few non-event related pictures from outside the parks:


It might just be me, or is this a new stand in Downtown Disney


Some construction going on in the Disneyland Hotel

Be sure to check out Darkbeer’s SmugMug page for plenty more pictures from around the Disneyland Resort today!