The second in the 45th Anniversary series of MagicBand 2 bands featuring opening day attractions was released recently. This one features The Haunted Mansion and Madame Leota.
The band retails for $32.99 and is a limited edition of 2500. It is available at select locations inside the Magic Kingdom, including Memento Mori and The Emporium.
The band is also available for order online through DisneyStore.com HERE.
Our latest photo report brings us on a short trip to the Magic Kingdom to see what’s new and exciting inside (and outside) of the world’s most visited theme park.
Road Work
While taking the monorail from Epcot to Magic Kingdom, we got a nice view of the ongoing roadwork to alter the way guests leave and enter the Magic Kingdom resort area. This will alleviate the current Magic Kingdom toll plaza, leaving it just for guests parking at the Transportation and Ticket Center. You can see the plans for the roadwork HERE.
A ton of trees on the right side of the toll plaza are cleared for a new road to take guests to Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
To the left, more trees are being cleared just after the toll plaza, where the new flyover will be.
Monorail red was looking really rough, and its wasn’t just on the doors either. The front of the nose cone was just as marked up as this. When things look like this, it is unacceptable. This is the kind of maintenance I expect from Six Flags, not Disney.
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom
Work continues on the Main Street Railroad Station and the train remains closed.
The Haunted Mansion MagicBand 2 was released recently. For more details on it (and link to buy it), check out our post on the limited edition collectible. If you click the link to buy, WDWNT even gets a few bucks to put towards more fantastic Disney World coverage for you.
Work continues on the new covered seating areas outside of Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.
The D-Tech on Demand kiosks inside the Tomorrowland Light and Power Co. now also have a matching Haunted Mansion 45th anniversary phone case.
There are also some new MagicBand designs inspired by the upcoming Beauty and the Beast film.
Sadly, these are still going to be printed on the old MagicBands.
Tomorrowland Gets “Revive”d
The Joffrey’s Revive coffee kiosk in Tomorrowland just got really interesting, now with a tall marquee reminiscent of those that were found in the land back in the 1970’s.
If You Had Wings, Flight to the Moon/Mission to Mars, and the Circlevision 360 theaters all had similar marquees back in the day.
This and That
Some nice flowers were planted in Town Square, perfect for the spring weather which has already descended upon Orlando.
On the way back aboard the monorail, we could see more work happening just outside of the Magic Kingdom toll plaza, along the road which leads guests away from the park. Apologies for the dirt monorail window, but it was the hand we were dealt.
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This week we review the Star Wars Rogue One Eachez, WDW 45th Eachez and the Designer Series 2 created by Jeff Granito. We also preview the upcoming Marvel Star Lord Eachez and get ready for voting for the 6th annual Dee Vee Award show. Download the episode, listen online and subscribe on iTunes.
Tonight on WDW News Tonight, WDWNT: The Math Game returns, we celebrate 45 years of Walt Disney World by starting our greatest countdown ever, and we pit the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Halloween Parties against each other…
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)
VERSUS – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party vs. Mickey’s Halloween Party
An SUV drove into a sign on World Drive on Saturday, knocking the sign over and forcing one side of World Drive to close. Tom pokes fun at the drivers of course.
We played our most successful version WDWNT: The Math Game brough to you by Theme Park Connection to date! How could it go wrong with our crack team of nerds coming up with the equations? Can you get the answers before our callers?
We also began our The 45 Greatest Things Ever at the Walt Disney World Resort segment brought to you by WDWNT: The App. This week we counted down from 45 to 41 and debated the merrits of these first 5 items on the list.
Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Tonight is a live, weekly, audio and video program presented on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, Florida and online at WDWNewsTonight.com every Wednesday from 9-11pm EST. The show covers the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney news. The show combines the latest headlines, comedy, trending vaction topics, call in games, and in-depth discussions to bring Disney fans a one-of-a-kind 2-hour program covering the Disney Parks. While the show is being live-streamed in both audio and video, listeners and viewers also interact via a live chat online. The show is also available on demand as an audio download, online audio stream and can be watched live or recorded on YouTube.
On Saturday, the Magic Kingdom celebrated 45 years of operation at the Walt Disney World Resort. In honor of this milestone, a few special events and offerings took place at the park, and of course, WDWNT was on the scene to check them out.
45th Anniversary Welcome Show
Guests were greeted just beyond the Magic Kingdom’s turnstiles by a slightly altered version of the daily welcome show, complete with a very nice banner hanging from the train station:
45th Anniversary Cinderella Castle Ceremony
A special one-time-only ceremony was held at Cinderella Castle, featuring 45 Disney characters, the Walt Disney World ambassador team, and president of the resort, George A. Kalogridis:
45th Anniversary Specialty Food Offerings
Two specialty food offerings were available on Saturday: a “Celebration Dog” at Casey’s Corner on Main Street U.S.A., and a 45th anniversary cupcake (in two flavors) that was available throughout the park. Here is a short video review of both of those items:
Our latest photo report brings us to the Magic Kingdom on its 45th anniversary weekend, but changes in the park certainly didn’t stop for the festivities. Rapid progress on the look of Tomorrowland continues, Stitch’s Great Escape has closed, and OK, we have some duck pictures.
Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary
A special commemorative map was given out to mark the day.
The opening day resorts and the park also had complimentary buttons for guests.
The day began with a special welcome show at the Train Station:
Plenty of specialty merchandise was available (the line lasted over an hour at some points though).
The line wrapped around the Emporium and went down most of the street.
The main event of the day was a special anniversary ceremony at Cinderella Castle:
A special “Celebration Dog” was being served at Casey’s Corner:
Big Top Treats had some special candy apples.
Gaston’s Tavern and the Main Street Bakery were serving the infamous anniversary cupcake.
This time, guests could choose chocolate or vanilla cake.
The only piece of the open edition merchandise that came out on the 1st was this lanyard and pin set. That being said, most of the open edition items are currently sold out.
There’s a Tomorrowland mural under there, and no, it’s not by Mary Blair.
This and That
The Carousel of Progress finally got its new marquee sing, but you probably already saw that post…
The often congested Fantasyland bottleneck is now equipped with permanent signage for cast members to use. This only took 45 years.
Only 8 days before it happens, Disney releases a “Glowing Away Soon” shirt for the Main Street Electrical Parade. This shirt will be outdated in less than week. Why not put the final day on it? Oh, in case it gets rained out this weekend…
There is a fantastic photo-op at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe right now featuring Sonny Eclipse, “the biggest little star in the universe”.
New Space Mountain Lighting
After years of waiting, LED lighting was finally installed on the exterior of Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom and it looks fantastic!
MagicBand Interactivity Returns
Right after we reported that they were off, many interactive elements returned to the Magic Kingdom. The goodbye at “it’s a small world” was turned on, but has still been breaking a lot.
Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates its 45th Anniversary on October 1, 2016 and Walt Disney World is celebrating with two merchandise releases filled with vintage-style goodness.
Many of the logo products, including apparel, open edition pins, home goods and more, will be released in select locations at Magic Kingdom on September 22. The suggested places to check for these logo items include the following locations:
Main Street, U.S.A. – Emporium
Tomorrowland – Mickey’s Star Traders
Storybook Circus Area – Big Top Souvenirs
Frontierland – Briar Patch
Two Dooney & Bourke handbags premiered on the Shop Disney Parks app on September 15. Guests may also find them at the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. starting September 22.
Disney will be releasing several items on October 1 at the Emporium. Guests and Annual Passholders will find “I Was There” shirts. They will also have a limited edition pin (edition size of 3,000), and a limited edition retail MagicBand (edition size 4,500).
Across the street at Uptown Jewelers on that day, guests will find a commemorative 45th Anniversary dangle charm by PANDORA Jewelry.
Finally, guests can visit the Disney Parks online store from October 1-9 to find limited release t-shirts celebrating the 45th Anniversary. Several of the shirts will feature classic attractions that have been at Magic Kingdom since 1971. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery. To order these shirts, please visit DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents.
So, who’s going to the Magic Kingdom on October 1?
With one week left until the start of WDWCelebrations’ twelfth event, World Wide 45, guests are welcomed to join for four days of activities commemorating the forty fifth anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. Celebrating the past, present and future of the Walt Disney World Resort’s four parks and beyond, event guests can revel in group rides, shows and interactive games that bring like-minded fans together to enjoy the magic of Disney together.
Registration remains open until September 28th, 2016 at https://register.wdwcelebrations.com/. The registration fee for adults is $10 and for children is $6, of which $3 will be donated to the event’s Charity Initiative, supporting Give Kids The World.
About the WDWCelebrations LLC Charity Initiative
Since its inception in 2007, WDWCelebrations LLC has focused its efforts on bringing likeminded Dsiney fans together to celebrate the Disney magic of the past, present and future while raising money for charitable causes. Over the past nine years, the organization has raised money and supported fundraising efforts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Give Kids the World. We are proud to continue this tradition with a portion of World Wide 45 registration fees along with additional donations provided by event guests and supporters benefiting Give Kids the World. The total amount raised leading up to and during the event will be revealed to event guests on October 1st, 2016 on the 45th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. This information will be shared via WDWCelebrations social media channels shortly thereafter. To make an additional donation, please visit https://register.wdwcelebrations.com/ to register your donation for World Wide 45.
Supporting a WDWCelebrations Family Member
WDWCelebrations LLC has also supported fundraising initiatives for past guests of WDWCelebrations events—members of our extended family that have honored us with their presence. One such family member, Darrel Gaudet has been diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and we are asking for your support in donating to his wife Michele’s fundraising efforts. Your donation can help to cover medical expenses that will continue to grow as Darrel’s care continues. We have been humbled to have hosted Darrel and Michele for three of our past events and we ask that you consider supporting these two members of our family who have helped to make our events memorable with their presence. Donations can be accepted here.
While the Magic Kingdom will celebrate its 45th anniversary on October 1st, guests can already find a plethora of merchandise themed to the milestone at the Magic Kingdom park as of this week. We took a trip over to the Magic Kingdom to check out all of the items and have compiled a helpful shopping guide for you below. Many of these items should remain in-stock for several months, whole any limited edition item is subject to availability.
Should you prefer a guided video tour to the photos below, we have that available for you as well:
The Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary Merchandise Collection
45th Anniversary Crispy Treat, $4.45
45th Anniversary Ear Hat, $21.99
45th Anniversary Ear Hat, $21.99
45th Anniversary Antenna Topper, $5.99
45th Anniversary Antenna Topper, $5.99
45th Anniversary Photo Frame, $14.95
45th Anniversary Photo Frame, $14.95
45th Anniversary Mug, $14.99
45th Anniversary Mug, $14.99
45th Anniversary Mug, $14.99
45th Anniversary Mug, $14.99
45th Anniversary Pin, $12.99
45th Anniversary Pin, $9.99
45th Anniversary Mystery Pin Set 2-pack, $15.99
45th Anniversary Mystery Pin Set 2-pack, $15.99
45th Anniversary Pin, $12.99
45th Anniversary Keychain, $9.99
45th Anniversary Candy Flag, $9.49
45th Anniversary Candy Flag, $9.49
45th Anniversary Candy Pen, $6.99
45th Anniversary Candy Pen, $6.99
45th Anniversary Lanyard Medal, $11.99
45th Anniversary Tumbler, $19.99
45th Anniversary Tumbler, $19.99
45th Anniversary Assorted Chocolates, $22.49
45th Anniversary Assorted Chocolates, $22.49
45th Anniversary Light-Up Ear Hat Ornament, $24.99
45th Anniversary Light-Up Ear Hat Ornament, $24.99
45th Anniversary Light-Up Ear Hat Ornament, $24.99
D-Tech on Demand phone cases with 45th anniversary artwork are available at the Tomorrowland Light and Power Co. at the exit of Space Mountain for a variety of devices.
D-Tech on Demand Case, $29.99, $34.99 if personalized
D-Tech on Demand Case, $29.99, $34.99 if personalized
D-Tech on Demand Case, $29.99, $34.99 if personalized
D-Tech on Demand Case, $29.99, $34.99 if personalized
D-Tech on Demand Case, $29.99, $34.99 if personalized
Magic Kingdom 45th Limited Edition Coins
The Art of Disney is carrying two limited edition coins for the 45th anniversary.
Silver coin, $50.00, Bronze Coin, $100.00
Both are limited to 1971 pieces,
Where to Shop
The 45th anniversary merchandise is available in many locations, but here are the most prevalent:
The Emporium
The Briar Patch
Big Top Souvenirs
Mickey’s Star Traders
Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. – D-Tech on Demand phone cases