VOTE: Choose the 45 Greatest Things EVER at Walt Disney World!

Over the last 9 years, WDWNT has hosted some of the most amazing historical Disney Parks countdowns, whether it was the greatest moments in the history of Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, or event the 60 year history of Disney theme parks. Well, now we’re taking it a whole lot further…

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We are on a quest to find the 45 greatest thing to EVER exist at Walt Disney World. From food to attractions, characters to restaurants, and everything in-between (like maybe the Dinosaur Jubilee, Pin Trading, or even parking trams), we need to know what 45 things are the absolute best things about the Vacation Kingdom of the World. Why 45? Well, because Walt Disney World is turning 45 this year!

This is where you come in… we need you to decide what makes the list! Voting is open right now at THIS LINK, but I will warn you it is pretty intense and might take you a few minutes (or hours if you are as intense about you love for all things Disney World as we are). The list has almost 1000 items on it and you will have to distribute 200 points at your will between the items you want to see on the list. Each item can get between 1-9 points, and with a 200 point limit overall, you will want to spend your points wisely.

Voting is only open for a limited time through tonight’s broadcast of WDW News Tonight, which of course will be live from 9PM-11PM ET at listen.WDWNT.com, AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, and on YouTube.

The results will be distributed through original YouTube programming, as well as on the WDW News Today Podcast over the next several weeks.

So, what are you waiting for? GET VOTING!

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (8/10/16) – 45 Greatest Things EVER at Walt Disney World, Another Map Game

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we present our voting spectacular for the 45 greatest things ever at Walt Disney World, we play WDWNT: The Map Game with a 45th anniversary twist, and Nick tries to not mess up most of the show for once…

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • Tom & Nick Are Angry About Things
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “WDWNT: The 45th Anniversary Map Game”, featuring prizes from Theme Park Connection
  • Flash Back to the Future – The History of Cinderella Castle
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • In-Depth Discussion – Our 45 Greatest Things EVER at Walt Disney World (PLUS least favorite things)
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed the last show, you can watch it here:

VOTE: Final Voting Round Now Open for the 45 Greatest Things EVER at Walt Disney World

Over the last 9 years, WDWNT has hosted some of the most amazing historical Disney Parks countdowns, whether it was the greatest moments in the history of Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World, or event the 60 year history of Disney theme parks. Well, now we’re taking it a whole lot further…

wdwnt-youtube-artwork-top-45

We are on a quest to find the 45 greatest thing to EVER exist at Walt Disney World. From food to attractions, characters to restaurants, and everything in-between (like maybe the Dinosaur Jubilee, Pin Trading, or even parking trams), we need to know what 45 things are the absolute best things about the Vacation Kingdom of the World. Why 45? Well, because Walt Disney World is turning 45 this year!

This is where you come in… we need you to decide what makes the list! As you know, we opened the first round of voting yesterday, but now the final and most important round begins. What remains are the top 250 things from the 45 year history of Walt Disney World and you now must pick 45 of those and rank them as you wish. Voting is open now at THIS LINK.

The results will be distributed through original YouTube programming, as well as on the WDW News Today Podcast over the next several weeks.

So, what are you waiting for? GET VOTING!

APPLY NOW: Become A Contestant on WDWNT: The Dating Game

It’s back! WDWNT is looking for contestants who are looking for that special someone in their life. Sign up now for a chance at being a contestant on the upcoming edition of WDWNT: The Dating Game.
In the game, an eligible bachelor or bachelorette will get to ask 5 total questions one at a time to each of 3 eligible dates. The eligible daters have a :45 second time limit to finish their answer. At the end of the questioning, the contestant must pick one of the three. They then agree to go on one date at a restaurant at Walt Disney World paid for by WDWNT. The date would then be recapped on a future episode of WDW News Tonight.

Here are the rules and disclaimers:

  • All contestants must live in the Central Florida area or be willing to commute for a date.
  • All contestants must be 18 years old or older.
  • All potential contestants must fill out the questionnaire below.
  • Potential contestants apply in general to be on the game show. WDWNT LLC will choose who gets to be a contestant and who is a Bachelor(ette).
By applying, you are agreeing to the following:
  • You may appear on WDW News Tonight live via phone, Skype, Google hangout or in person.
  • You may appear on a future edition of WDW News Tonight.
  • You agree to go on one date at a restaurant of our choice at Walt Disney World paid for by WDWNT.
  • You agree to have the date recorded (audio and video) and release your image and likeness to be used by WDWNT online and in other mediums.
  • An interview to be conducted by a WDWNT staff member to validate your eligibility

Click here to enter!

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (8/17/16) – WDWNT: The Dating Game Returns, Projections, & Armchair Imagineering

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, the Dating Game returns, we talk about the overuse of projections in nighttime shows, and we armchair Imagineer a better concept for Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph ride based on Sugar Rush might be coming to the Magic Kingdom, but we can do better!

Wreck-It Ralph ride based on Sugar Rush might be coming to the Magic Kingdom, but we can do better!

If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • Tom & Nick Are Angry About Things
  • “What Did We Just Eat?” – Tom’s Birthday Night Recap
  • “Now That’s Entertainment” with Conner Purzycki
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “WDWNT: The Dating Game”, presented by Theme Park Connection
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • In-Depth Discussion – IMAGINEER THAT – Building a Better Wreck-It Ralph Attraction
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed the last show, you can watch it here:

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (7/27/16) – AbracadaBAR, Disney Parks Pursuit, Attractions That Don’t Fit In

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we talk about attractions that may not fit in well, the new AbracadaBAR at Disney’s Boardwalk, and we play another intense game of the Disney Parks Pursuit…

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WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • We discuss the Guardians of the Galaxy news and how it will affect Disney Parks moving forward
  • Tom & Nick Are Angry About Things
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “Disney Parks Pursuit”, featuring prizes from Theme Park Connection
  • What did we just eat? – A Review of AbracadaBAR at Disney’s Boardwalk
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • In-Depth Discussion – Attractions That Just Don’t Fit In
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed the last show, you can watch it here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHVGwwamKcc]

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (8/3/16) – 45 Greatest Things Ever at WDW, Blaze Pizza, & WDWCelebrations Next Event

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we start figuring out what were the 45 greatest things ever at Walt Disney World, we play WDWNT: The Pyramid, and Adam Roth and Jason Diffendal of WDWCelebrations join us to talk about their next event…

45th

If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • Tom & Nick Are Angry About Things
  • An interview with Adam Roth and Jason Diffendal of WDWCelebrations
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “WDWNT: The Pyramid”, featuring prizes from Theme Park Connection
  • What did we just eat? – A Review of Blaze Pizza at Disney Springs
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • In-Depth Discussion – For Your Consideration: The 45 Greatest Things Ever at Walt Disney World
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed the last show, you can watch it here:

WDWNT Celebrates 9 Years Online Today; 3-Hour Special LIVE Tonight!

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Every year as this website grows older, we reflect upon the accomplishments, impact, and incredible growth of WDWNT. It has now been 9 years since WDW News Today launched on July 8th, 2007. What was founded on the website you see before you and built on the back of daily news and information about Walt Disney World is now a vibrant collection of blog posts, videos, podcasts, radio programs, streaming original programming, & more. The last year in particular has been a memorable one, as we introduced WDW News Tonight blending the most popular aspects of many of our past programs, and provided the best coverage possible of all of the new attractions that debuted at the Walt Disney World Resort. We even set incredible new records in traffic for our websites and podcasts this year, as we continue our fight to be the first and best source for Disney fans. Oh, and did I mention the $6255.42 total we raised for Toys for Tots in the last year bringing our fundraising total to $25,805.24 over the past nine years?

In the world of Disney, our site has covered huge stories such as the 2015 D23 Expo, the financial cutbacks at the domestic parks, the introduction of new seasonal ticket pricing at the theme parks, the Disney After Hours event at the Magic Kingdom, the opening of Frozen Ever after at Epcot, the delay of Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom, and much more. We also said goodbye to the original Soarin’, Dream Along with Mickey, the Lights, Motors Action, Extreme Stunt Show, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, and the Earfful Tower. We even celebrated the 60th anniversary of Disneyland with fascinating podcast & radio show segments celebrating 6 decades of the very first Disney theme park.

Tonight, we will continue our annual tradition of presenting a special anniversary program on WDW News Today: On The Air, and as well for the first time ever on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando. The show begins at 9PM ET and will last until 12AM ET. During this show, we will be making several earth-shattering announcements about the future of WDWNT. We’ll be interacting with you live through our live chat-room, taking any questions you may have about the Disney Parks, the Walt Disney Company, or about what we do at WDWNT. Unlike years past, we have a few special segments we will present as well, such as a visit from Cornac the Magnificent, WDWNT: The Match Game, and a few surprises! We hope you will join us for that tonight as it is always a very fun event!

On a personal note, the 9 year journey of this website, the podcast, and the entire family that makes up WDWNT continues to be the greatest experience of my life. I’d like to thank the incredible volunteer staff of over 30 people that have worked tirelessly to get us where we are today and the loyal readers & listeners who are to thank for our great success. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the last 9 years and amazed at where it has taken me today, moving me across the country to my new home just minutes away from Walt Disney World. I’m looking forward to living up to our tagline, continuing to be the worldwide leader in Disney Parks news. As a great song once said, “We’ve just begun to dream!”

Tom Corless
CEO & Founder of WDW News Today

“WDWNT: The App” Now Available on iOS, Android; Get News, Videos, Parks Hours, & More On The Go

On Friday night, WDWNT had a live 3-hour broadcast to celebrate its 9th anniversary. During that time, some major announcements were made, including WDWNT: The App! If you missed the show and all of our announcements, you can watch them here:

Here’s a quick rundown of what WDWNT: The App can do:

– All the latest news from WDWNT at your fingertips, including push notifications
– Listen to all of the WDWNT.com podcasts (WDW News Today Podcast, Around the Hub, WDW News Tonight, Radio Free Disneyland, “See Ya’ Real Late”, Nerd Alert, ETC.) streamed to your device
– Listen to continuous Disney Parks music & audio from WDWNT: On the Air streamed to your device (with the ability to run in background for the first time on iOS)
– Watch the latest videos and shows on the WDWNT YouTube Channel
– Accurate park hours for the Disney Theme Parks from our WDWNT Now! service
– See the latest tweets from the WDWNT Twitter feed without leaving the app
– Shop for WDWNT gear at WDWNT: The Store

Android/Kindle

The Android app includes a few extra things, including an Android TV version and push notifications of new WDWNT blog posts.

iOS

The iOS app includes the ability to join the WDWNT: On the Air chat right from the “On the Air” screen. This feature will come to Android soon. Push notifications for iOS is in the works and we hope to have that soon.

As Tom mentioned during the broadcast, we know these apps have been requested for a while and we made them just for you. We hope you enjoy them! If you would, please stop by the appropriate app store and leave us a rating. Also, please let us know what you think of it after you get to play around with it for a while.

I want to give a quick shout out to Michael V. Battista and Nick Turpchinoff for their help in creating these. Thanks guys!

WDWNT Now! – A Refresher Course on WDWNT’s Free Disney Trip Planning Tools

As you may or may not know, WDWNT has a full website dedicated to bringing you fast and accurate information about the Disney Parks, worldwide. The best part of all of that is it’s free! We want you to have the best information when you make a visit to a Disney Park.

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As a quick side note, we announced during the WDWNT 9th Anniversary Show that a WDWNT Now! app is in the works, and will hopefully be available soon.

Let me give you a rundown of what our website can do!

  • What’s near me?
    • In a Disney Park? We’ll show you the nearest attractions to your location, and even highlight the closest one with the shortest wait time.
  • Top attractions
    • We know what people like. We have a list of the top attractions at Walt Disney World and group their wait times for quick and easy viewing.
  • Wait times
    • We have the latest wait times. Never cached or stale, we provide you with an up-to-date picture of what the current wait is for your favorite attractions.
  • Attractions
    • We have full information on every attraction around the world.
    • While not quite available yet, we will be the one site you can visit to view every attraction and wait time for any attraction in any park around the world.
  • Entertainment
    • Want to know what the next time of your favorite show is? We’ve got it.
  • Restaurants
    • We have restaurant reviews, highlighted menu items for what’s recommended and what’s not, and always-up-to-date menus.
    • We also have the average menu item price to help you make a decision about where or not to eat at a particular location
  • Restrooms map
    • When you gotta go, you gotta go. We’ll help you find the restrooms!
  • Park hours
    • View park hours for Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
    • While not available yet, we’ll have park hours for every Disney park around the world.
    • Viewing all park hours is available now using the official WDWNT app!
  • Weather
    • Using Fahrenheit and Celsius for local and international visitors, we’ll give you an accurate forecast to help you know if you should pack a poncho or not.
  • Temporary closure notifications
    • Our Twitter account, @wdwntnow tweets when attractions have a temporary closure
    • You can also create an account with WDWNT Now! and we’ll alert you however you choose when an attraction goes down
    • Coming soon to our mobile app, you can get alerts of closures right to the app!

One of the biggest features of WDWNT Now! is what we call “Quick Queries”. You can send an SMS/text message to +1 407-917-4007 that contains certain text and get a quick reply back. For instance, you can send an SMS message containing the text #status midway soar fotlk wishes aloha and get a response back similar to the following:

Locations’ statuses

  • Soarin’ Around the World – Wait: 75 min
  • Toy Story Midway Mania! – Wait: 50 min
  • Wishes nighttime spectacular – Next event: Today at 10:00PM
  • Festival of the Lion King – Next event: Today at 10:00AM
  • Aloha Isle – Today’s hours: 10:00AM – 11:00PM, avg. item price: $4.61

I also want to announce that the same queries you can ask of the SMS service you can ask with our new WDWNT Now! Bot! If you browse to https://now.tdrnt.com/bot you can ask it the same queries that you can with SMS. This feature is in beta and eventually we’d like to add natural language (such as “what’s the wait time for Space Mountain?”) but for now our quick query format will have to suffice.

Are you a Now! user? Will you be now? If so, please let us know what you’d like to see and what we can do to make it more feature-filled.