Category: WDWNT News

I know this is something most people will tell you at the end of every year, but 2014 really was one of the busiest years at the Disney Parks. Some of the largest projects in history began to take shape, and we saw more closures and entertainment changes than have ever happened in a 1-year period. With that being said, we fully expect things to be even crazier over the next few years on the road to AVATAR at Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, FROZEN at Epcot, and who knows what else that we are still waiting for an announcement on…

Here are the fourteen most read stories for WDWNT in 2014:

14) More Details & Concept Art Leaks for Downtown Disney’s Conversion to Disney Springs

Somewhat mundane, but it’s nice to see Disney Springs make the list. Certainly, we have spent a good deal of 2014 covering Downtown Disney’s makeover, and it’s good to see that some readers do actually care about the project.

13) RUMOR: PIXAR Place Expansion at Hollywood Studios Imminent; 3rd Toy Story Mania Track To Be Constructed?

This story kicked off a rather insane week at WDWNT. Just a few days later, the Backlot Tour saga would unfold and give credibility to this story that most people deemed “impossible” or “unlikely”.

12) Concept Art and Full Details on EPCOT Center’s Never-Built Switzerland Pavilion, Including the Matterhorn!

While this was not a news story, it was pretty amazing. Every now and then, details about failed projects from the past emerge, but never entire proposal books on them. Readers were clearly as blown away as we were when they saw this.

11) PHOTOS: New Lobby at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Unveiled

Our most recent story on the list and perhaps the most overall disliked change of 2014. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and the Villas and Bungalows at the resort open in early 2015 at the resort, so we’ll be watching the Polynesian a lot next year.

10) Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland to Close in Early 2015 for Ride Enhancements

We broke the story of changes coming to the Little Mermaid ride in Florida and it was met with a very mixed reaction. Either guests love this ride or despise it, and there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of middle ground, but Disney is determined to improve the modern dark ride next year.

9) “Frozen Fun” Event Confirmed for Disney California Adventure, Details Revealed

Our only Disneyland Resort story to make the top 14 in 2014, we managed to find the full line-up for Frozen Fun at Disney California Adventure a few weeks early. Everything listed in this post is now running at the park.

8) First Look: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014 Event Map

There’s always one story that gets way more hits that it should or you expect it to., Last year, it was the now infamous soda post, this year, it’s a map.

7) CONFIRMED – Studio Backlot Tour Closes September 27th, 2014

Only hours after we posted the rumors of the Backlot Tour closing, Disney admitted to cast members that the ride had just days left to exist. An opening day attraction that was the focal point of the park was about to leave with little-to-no fanfare what-so-ever. Everyone was ready for this.

6) BREAKING: Guests Can Only Ride Toy Story Mania Via FastPass+ This Week

Anger. Unbridled anger. Never have I seen so many people upset about something that wasn’t even affecting their vacation. A one week test where a standby line didn’t exist at Toy Story Mania was enough to set off everyone with just the idea that a system like this might ever be in place.

5) BREAKING: Turner Classic Movies to Present and Change the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A Great Movie Ride update has been rumored for as long as I can remember. Hell, Disney even thought about removing the ride in the late 1990’s. Luckily, TCM came around to take over and bring about an age where the Great Movie Ride will once again be the focus and the icon of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

4) RUMOR: Maelstrom at Epcot Closing September 28th for FROZEN Attraction?

We called it. Our date was a little off, but when we picked up on the sudden vanishing of Maelstrom from FastPass+ options at Epcot, it seemed like a FROZEN attraction was eminent. Several weeks later, Disney finally announced the closure of Maelstrom and that a FROZEN ride would be constructed in Norway at Epcot. Maelstrom closing at Epcot was certainly the most memorable in-park moment of the year.

3) BYE-BYE BACKLOT TOUR! Hollywood Studios PIXAR Place Expansion Coming, Many Current Attractions Closing Soon?

Early on a Friday morning, I was told the Backlot Tour was closing and Toy Story Land was coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. By 5PM that day, after hours of the Disney online community arguing over the rumor, Disney confirmed that the Backlot Tour was indeed closing. This was by far the fastest a rumor has ever crossed into reality and made for what I think was the most exciting and memorable day of the WDW News Today website.

2) RUMOR: 5th Walt Disney World Theme Park To Be Built Before 2021, Located Near Flamingo Crossings?

How could the first solid evidence of a 5th park not be such a huge story? Plenty of experts are still unconvinced that this might be real, but the realization that Disney purchased more land to set aside for conservation the following week seemed to make our rumor far more plausible. We’ll be waiting a long time to find out if this is true or not, but it’s certain that Disney is up to something at the very least.

1) CONFIRMED: The Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to be Removed in Early 2015

We have waited, and waited, and waited for this one. Since the demise of the Epcot wand, we figured it was only a matter of time until Disney erased the final temporary park icon. Our wish finally came true… only to be dampened by a strange and unexpected outpouring of love for the metal, out-of-place behemoth. Regardless, the Sorcerer’s Hat will be demolished in a few weeks time and what exactly the space will be used for announced at that time.

With 2014 ending today, we begin to look towards 2015. While I can’t for sure say what Disney has in store for 2015, I can tell you that WDW News Today will be celebrating the Disney Parks like never before with a special year-long celebration (#WDWNT60). We’ll formally announce what we’re up to in a few days, but until then… HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Every year as this website grows older, we reflect upon the accomplishments, impact, and incredible growth of WDWNT. It has now been 7 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 websites, podcasts, radio programs, streaming original programming, & more. The last year in particular has been a memorable one, as we moved WDW News Today: The Radio show to primetime on Thursdays and completed the amazing coverage of the New Fantasyland project which we started in 2009. We even set new records in traffic for our websites and podcasts this year, as well as brought you the best live coverage of many big events. Oh, and did I mention the $3,674.09 total we raised for Toys for Tots in the last year bringing our fundraising total to $15,194.84 over the past several years?

In the world of Disney, our site has covered huge stories such as the 2013 D23 Expo, the Friday the 13th “Unleash the Villains” event, the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland, the controversial roll-out of the disability access service,  the arrival of Glow with the Show mouse ears in Florida, Mickey Mouse’s first spoken words to guests at Town Square Theater, the opening of the Villas at the Grand Floridian, the incredible arrival and popularity of Frozen in the parks, the debut of Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade, Festival of the Lion King roaring into the new Harambe Theatre, and of course, the incredibly important soda flavor changes at Epcot”s Club Cool. We also said goodbye to the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade and Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade after 13 years. We even celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios along with WDWCelebrations and have continued to present a fascinating podcast & radio show segments celebrating a quarter of a century of the park formerly known as the Disney-MGM Studios.

Tonight, we will continue our annual tradition of presenting a special anniversary edition of the WDWNT Live! show on WDWNTunes.com. The show begins at 9PM EST and will last until 12PM EST. During this show, we will be making several major announcements about the future of WDWNT including the return of several beloved programs throughout our summer-long celebration of seven years. 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 will be sharing never-before-heard stories and insight as opposed to a collection of segments, so think of it as Part 2 of WDWNT: The Documentary. We hope you will join us for that tonight as it is always a very fun event!

On a personal note, the 7 year journey of this website, the podcast, and the entire family that makes up WDWNT has been the greatest experience of my life. I’d like to thank the incredible volunteer staff of over 50 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 7 years and amazed at where it has taken me today. I’m looking forward to many more years of “Bridging the Gaps Between You and the Disney World”. As a great song once said, “We’ve just begun to dream!”

Tom Corless
CEO & Founder of WDW News Today

Last night on WDWNT Live! celebrating the 7th anniversary of WDW News Today, we announced a number of changes coming to the site and our shows. In preparation for many more changes to come over the next few weeks, we will need the help of new staff members, so here’s your chance to be a part of the WDWNT family!

WDWNT has many volunteer employees that make up our entire group of websites and podcasts, but we are always looking for more help to keep our finger on the pulse of the Disney Parks and the fans of these amazing places. Here are the positions we are currently looking for:

WDW News Today

Walt Disney World Writer – Write stories about Walt Disney World based on given information from press releases and various other sources.

Disneyland Writer – Write stories about Disneyland Resort based on given information from press releases and various other sources.

Walt Disney Company Writer – Write stories about the Walt Disney Company and its non-theme park companies from press releases and various other sources.

Star Wars & Marvel Writer – Write stories about the Star Wars & Marvel divisions of the company from press releases and various other sources.

Feature/Column Writer – Write feature-length articles on a regular (weekly or monthly) basis for publication on our website.

Trip Planning Content Manager – Manage the creation and implementation of a travel planning division of WDWNT.com.

Trip Planning Content Writer – Create original trip planning content including descriptions of Walt Disney World attractions, restaurants, resorts, and more

Editor – Proofread and fact-check submissions of articles and columns. Experience with WordPress desirable.

Photographer – Take pictures of newsworthy items on a regular basis at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort.

Videographer – Record & edit video of attractions, entertainment, and special events at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort.

Podcast Editor – Use GarageBand, Audacity, or other audio editing software to edit and compile podcast episodes.

Social Media Director – Expand & maintain the social media presence of WDWNT through Twitter, Facebook, Vine, and other avenues.

WDWNTunes Original Programming – Produce an original audio program on a regular basis. You will need to supply your own ideas for your program. Existing podcasts or other audio programs seeking a home for streaming audio are also invited to apply.

WDW News Today on YouTube Original Programming – Produce an original video program on a regular basis. You will need to supply your own ideas for your program.

All positions are voluntary and have no monetary compensation. Please email us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com if interested.