When WDW News Today debuted in the Summer of 2007, the goal was to provide fellow Disney fans with news & information through creative content. 4 years later, the WDWNT Network is proud to continue these goals by officially re-launching today, January 1, 2011. With new websites, podcast segments, original programming and events made for Disney fans, by Disney fans, a new year truly means a new WDWNT. Here’s an overview of some brand new and upcoming projects the WDWNT Network has been working on in an effort to make 2011 their most ambitious, entertaining, and successful year ever:
New Era, New Look, New Logo
Combining our iconic globe and text in a nod to Walt Disney World’s original signature, our new logo celebrates the history of the Vacation Kingdom of the World and gives the WDWNT Network a recognizable icon. When people see the “D & Globe”, they’ll know it’s WDWNT Network.
The New WDWNT.com
Since WDWNT.com debuted in 2008, we have always had greater plans for it. It began as a way to quickly access links to all of the WDWNT Network websites and podcasts. This is all about to change. In an epic redesign, WDWNT.com will go from a series of links, to the ultimate information portal for Disney fans. For the first time, you can get information on the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, listen to your favorite Disney Parks music, access hundreds of videos of you favorite shows and attractions, discuss any Disney related topic with fellow fans, and find a plethora of award nominated podcasts to listen to, all from one location. The new site can of course be found at WDWNT.com (The site is in a soft-opening phase as we are still trying to work out a few glitches. Enjoy the site as is for the time being, we will notify when it is 100% ready for use).
WDWNT: The Magazine
It would seem magazines have been the “cool” thing to do in this community. The only problem is that you shouldn’t have to pay for print magazines that don’t cater to your interests. When WDW News Today launched in 2007, one of our goals was to provide fascinating and informative articles. Unfortunately, this is one goal we have always fallen short of. In an effort to provide you with content you would want to read and to achieve our goal, we are proud to introduce WDWNT: The Magazine. This free, online-only magazine will provide reading aimed at the die-hard Disney fan. While our main focus will be the Disney theme parks, we will also turn our attention to Disney movies, television, and more from time to time. WDWNT: The Magazine will be monthly and is tentatively scheduled to begin in late February 2011.
While we already have a team of writers ready to go, we are still looking for more. If you are interested in writing for WDWNT: The Magazine, please send us an email at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com with a short bio of yourself and some examples of your writing.
The WDW News Today Podcast
2010 was a great year for the WDW News Today Podcast. Award nominations, record listenership, and innovative concepts have made the WDWNT Podcast an amazing success. In 2011, the show will be revamped to build upon the success already created and to re-imagine what a Disney fan podcast should be.
It all begins with a brand-new staff. Tom Corless, Justin Heyman, Jason Diffendal, Anthony Yacullo, and Banks Lee will be joined by 4 new co-hosts in 2011. First, the three winners of the innovative “Who Wants to be a Podcaster?” competition (Jenni Simon, Zach Larson, and Taylor Martina) will bring new opinions and experience to the table. There’s even an already established podcaster coming on board. We’re happy to announce that Tim Devine of The Magic in Pixels and formerly of the Magical Definition Podcast will be joining the WDWNT Podcast team this year.
Following in the footsteps of “Disney Don’t Forget the Lyrics” and “Where in the World is Tom Corless”, the WDWNT Podcast is also introducing a new game show in 2011, “WDWNT: The Match Game”. Following the format of the well-know Match Game from the 1970’s, guests will come onto the WDWNT Podcast and compete for prizes by matching answers to Disney World related questions to a panel of 6 WDWNT staff members.
In addition to all this, we’ll be introducing a few new trip planning segments and (most importantly) celebrating Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary through 2011 & 2012, but more on that later.
The Disneyland News Today Podcast
Speaking of celebrating milestone anniversaries, the Disneyland News Today Podcast is getting in on the act. Throughout the month of January, the DLNT Podcast will provide a number of segments celebrating the 10th anniversary of Disney California Adventure. All of the segment will dive-in to the history of the decade old park and countdown to our event, “Hangin’ 10”, taking place February 4th to the 6th.
Also coming to the DLNT Podcast, a new game show. The popular “Where in the World is Tom Corless” game from the WDW News Today Podcast is coming to its sister-show, becoming “Where in the Land is…(Host TBD)”. Guests will come on to the DLNT Podcast, testing their knowledge of locations around the Disneyland Resort. The first edition of “Where in the land” will be played on Episode 50 of the Disneyland News Today podcast coming up in only 2 weeks.
New WDWNTunes Original Programming
With the success of the “Super Obscure Show” and “See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless in 2010, a plethora of new original programs are in store for our online radio station. From game shows, to talk shows, we’ve got it all:
“See Ya’ Real Late” with Tom Corless Season 2 – Debuts 2/15/11
The extremely popular late night talk show combining guest interviews and WDWNT’s unique brand of comedy is back! Rave reviews, record audiences, and incredible feedback lead up to what should be an incredible second season.
It takes WDWNT’s best comedic minds to put on the Disney fan community’s only late night talk show, and comedy will take the spotlight with the show’s new format. Each 1-hour show will now feature double the comedy and one single interview turning the spotlight on the Disney online community. “See Ya’ Real Late” moves to Tuesdays at 11PM ET in 2011, but promises the same unpredictable entertainment that made it a smash-hit in 2010.
Vault WDWNT
While introduced last year, Vault WDWNT will return in 2011 with more special episodes featuring classic, forgotten, or never heard before audio from the WDWNT Network. Legendary podcast episodes, original programs that never aired, or long-lost segments can return to the airwaves, only on Vault WDWNT. New episodes are announced on a regular basis on WDWNTunes.com or via the WDWNTunes Twitter.
Your Ear to the World – Debuts May 2011
It’s back!!! The WDWNT Network’s in-park audio show returns in 2011 after a 2 year hiatus, but only on WDWNTunes. Get ready for binaural audio experiences from the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts with this weekly program, debuting in May.
There are several other original programs coming in 2011, we unfortunately aren’t ready to talk about them just yet. But stay tuned, there’s a lot more innovative new original programming coming to the best Disney-fan radio station around.
New WDWNTube Original Programming
Video History Walks (Official Title TBD)
Marrying the history segments from the WDWNT Podcast with video leads to an ambitious new project for the WDWNTube. WDWNT will take you through the Walt Disney World theme park history like never before, in high definition. Stay tuned for more information on this upcoming original series.
Tom’s Trips
WDWNT Network founder and CEO Tom Corless usually gets asked what he does on his trips to the Disney Parks. Well, for the first time, he’s going to show you. Tom will now be documenting moments from his trips in video, just to show what the life of a Disney fan podcaster is like. The first episode is already available for you to enjoy, and there are many more on the way.
More Fan Meets in the Parks and Abroad
2011 is shaping up to be a huge year at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, and WDWNT Network is there to celebrate it all. From Orlando to Anaheim, from Hollywood to New York City, WDWNT plans to offer some great get-togethers for Disney fans.
Disneyland News Today presents “Hangin’ 10” at the Disneyland Resort, 2/4-2/6/11
In celebration of Disneyland News Today’s 3rd anniversary and Disney California Adventure’s historic 10th anniversary, the WDWNT Network is holding a very special fan event at the Disneyland Resort February 4-6, 2010, called “Hangin’ 10″. Filled with group rides, shows, meals, and special activities, this event is a great opportunity to meet the Disneyland News Today staff and fellow Disney fans while enjoying a weekend of fun at “The Happiest Place on Earth”!
Registration for this event is open and a tentative schedule is available at this link.
WDWNT Fan Meets
These smaller scale meets only last a few hours, but are still great opportunities to meet fellow Disney fans and WDWNT Network staff. Walt Disney World meets are in the works for January, May, and September, and for the Disneyland Resort in August and December. Stay tuned for more information on these meets as we get closer to these dates, there may even be a few more added for movie debuts and other Disney events.
WDWNT in the City, 7/6-7/8/12
While we’re only in the early planning stages of this event, but we still felt we should share it now. “WDWNT in the City” is an event celebrating the 5th anniversary of WDW News Today, the northeast roots of the WDWNT Network, and the amazing Disney experiences New York City can offer. Our plans include Disney on Broadway, the new Disney Store in Times Square, Disney pin and Vinylmation trading, live podcasts, and few more surprises yet to be revealed. We’re still working on getting this event together, but stay tuned for more details as they become available.
WDWCelebrations Project XL: The World at 40
October 1st, 2011 marks the historic 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney World® Resort, and WDWNT Network partner WDWCelebrations will be celebrating! As with previous events, this celebration will include our signature offerings to complement the official activities offered by the Walt Disney Company. Adam Roth, co-founder of WDWCelebrations, explains, “The 40th anniversary marks the biggest resort-wide celebration since our inception, and we’re planning our most ambitious event to date to honor four incredible decades of magic in Central Florida. Mark your calendars now for September 29 – October 2, 2011, as this will be a celebration you won’t want to miss.”
Registration for the 40th anniversary event will open in Spring 2011.
More information about the event will be released in the coming months via the WDWCelebrations.com website and newsletter as well as the WDWCelebrations official fan page on Facebook and the WDWCelebrations Twitter feed.
WDWNT Network Celebrates Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary, 2011-2012
With the historic 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World coming up on October 1st, WDWNT is dedicating countless content and programming hours to celebrating the past, present, and future of the Vacation Kingdom. Here’s just a sampling of what’s in store:
The 40 Biggest Moments in the History of the Walt Disney World Resort
The WDWNT Podcast will count down the biggest moments in the history of the Walt Disney World Resort as voted by those most important: YOU! In January, polls will open and you will vote for and essentially rank the biggest moments in the history of WDW. The moments will then be counted down on the WDW News Today Podcast as we countdown to the anniversary in October.
Special “Back to the Future” Segments
Once the countdown is over, the popular “Back to the Future” history segment will return with a 12 month series featuring opening day Magic Kingdom attractions and more! These segments will air starting in October 2011 and run through Fall 2012.
A Series of Magazines Celebrating Walt Disney World’s Anniversary
WDWNT: The Magazine will celebrate the 40th anniversary with a series of in-depth history articles and more, both counting down to and throughout the actual 40th Anniversary year.
Coverage of Commemorative Events at Walt Disney World
As always, WDW News Today has its finger on the pulse of what’s going on at Walt Disney World, and the 40th anniversary will be no different. Photo, video, and audio coverage of official Disney events and fan coordinated celebrations will be covered at length through the WDW News Today website, podcast, and the WDWNTube.
As you can see, we have a lot in store for 2011 and beyond. We look forward to sharing these exciting new additions with you, as we continue to “bridge the gaps between you and the world”.
