Just one day before their dedication, the new totem poles for Epcot’s Canada pavilion were revealed today.
The hidden Mickey stayed on the one older pole.
The totem pole located near the Trading Post appears to have just been refinished and repainted.
The two brand new totem poles are just across the path from the Trading Post.
Our latest photo report brings us to Epcot for a look at Holidays Around the World, new merchandise, and more. Let’s hop right in and see what’s new and exciting around the park.
The holiday season marches on at Epcot, along with the ever-popular Holidays Around the World celebrations.
A number of pins celebrating the 25th anniversary of beauty and the Beast were recently released.
A selection of fairly neat pins were also released for Holidays Around the World.
I’m not sure why, but some of the pins have the “WDW” icon you will find on transportations systems around the resort, namely the Railroad at the Magic Kingdom.
A holiday Eaches Vinylmation was released featuring Donald Duck and Snowman Donald Duck.
A new series of kid’s shirts allows little girls to dress as their favorite Princess… kind of…
A strange, futuristic tree adorns the entrance to the Art of Disney at Epcot.
This awesome piece of Hatbox Ghost art is for sale inside.
And suddenly all of the Disneyland locals got offended…
Topiaries adorn the walkway between Future World and World Showcase.
There is now a Le Cellier Tervis for sale in the Canada shops.
Canadian guests can get 150th anniversary buttons at the store upon request, either in English or in French.
Some new, Disney made sports shirts for sale in the Canada pavilion.
The Land pavilion is decorated for the holidays.
They kind of went a little overboard with the decorations inside of the Living with the Land attraction, but it is a nice touch.
Brilliant decorations can be found all around World Showcase.
A former backstage area in the Mitsukoshi store was converted into shopping space for the holiday season.
The space is being used for toys and models.
This Marie is part of a new series of plush with oversized features.
This great Epcot snow globe featuring World Showcase is now available.
A similar artwork style appears on the new World Showcase ornament this year.
It lights up, which is pretty neat.
Several of the Agent P World Showcase Adventure kiosks have closed, leaving just the bridge between World Showcase and Future World for a sign-up location.
The holiday tag has returned to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth for the season. We have a video of the tag for you to enjoy below:
The gingerbread carousel has returned to Disney’s Beach Club Resort and it looks as delicious as ever.
In the spirit of the Rose and Crown Pub and Biergarten having their own merchandise, now the famous Le Cellier steakhouse in Canada at Epcot has its own line of merchandise.
The merchandise can be found only at the Canada pavilion Trading Post, fittingly.
The sweatshirt retails for $59.99.
The baseball cap is $24.99.
A magnet! Sadly there was no price on it.
The Le Cellier t-shirt, $29.99.
Will you be buying any Le Cellier merchandise?
After presenting concerts in Quebec and Europe all summer, Celtic rock band Bodh’aktan is performing for two periods of 20 days at Epcot in October and January. Bodh’aktan performs for 20 minutes every hour or so, five days a week, as part of this contract.
Bodh’aktan at Epcot’s Canada pavilion stage
I went to check out the band yesterday, now reaching the end of their October run at the park. As many of you know, I was a HUGE fan of Off Kilter and was fairly devastated when the group was made to leave Epcot back in 2014. I have not been a fan of any of the replacement acts at the Mills Stage since then, and not just because they just weren’t my beloved Off Kilter, but mostly because they just weren’t good. This honestly is the best act that has played the stage since then. See for yourself:
While not a permanent replacement for the revolving Canada stage, it is a more-than-enjoyable temporary offering. If they sang in English more often, I think they would connect to a bigger audience of guests, but they made it this far with what they do, so why change it I guess. I’m not saying I am closed-minded enough to only enjoy English lyrics, but I feel like the intermittent playing of songs that might be recognizable to guests works well in a theme park setting. Regardless, the talent of the group breaks through the language barrier and delivers a really fantastic 20-minute musical act.
Alberta Bound will be returning to the Mills Stage until the holiday season kicks off. The Holiday Voyageurs will perform during Holidays Around the World in-between these two 20-day stands for Bodh’aktan.
Disney wanted the band to sign a 6 month contract, but they declined as they did not want to be that far from their families for that long of a period. This is a real shame because this is a good group of musicians that I think could find a great permanent home at Epcot.
According to Le Journal de Montreal, a highly acclaimed new band is coming to the Canada pavilion at Epcot for a limited time.
After presenting concerts in Quebec and Europe this summer, Celtic rock band Bodh’aktan will perform for two periods of 20 days at Epcot in October and January. Bodh’aktan will be performing 20 minutes every hour, five days a week, as part of this contract. Disney wanted the band to sign a 6 month contract, but they declined as they did not want to be that far from their families for that long of a period.
While not a permanent replacement for the revolving Canada stage, it should be an enjoyable temporary offering. Alberta Bound will be working at the Mills Stage until that time. The Holiday Voyageurs will perform during Holidays Around the World in-between these two 20-day stands.
I visited Epcot on Sunday afternoon and have some newsworthy photos from my trip to share with you today:
Welcome to Epcot
The now-pulled Epcot Starbucks mug was on shelves when I visited Sunday
And it was never seen again…
A mug with a different color monorail will eventually be made
If you look closely, you can see construction vehicles out behind The Land at Epcot, rumor has it additional Soarin’ theaters may be constructed
The “healthy” food cart between The Land and Imagination! recently got a new menu
In Canada, the Lumberjack show is making some modifications for a log rolling act
The seating area from Brazil at the Food and Wine Festival was kept as a nice spot for guests to relax
The new group in Morocco was out as I passed by
Some walls are up in the gardens in Japan
New Disney villains pins recently were released
Also, this really neat Dug pin
The front section of the Puffin’s Roost, which was once the Frozen meet and greet, is once again shop space
No visible progress on the Frozen attraction
The future site if the Frozen meet and greet building
Walls up outside of the Mexico pavilion for some reason
Several new shirts can be found at MouseGear
This Minnie Mouse shirt was in the men’s section, which might be a first
Kid’s shirts
Several new iPhone 6 cases were released, all in new, slimmer packaging
The old packaging can still be found
Figment iPhone 5 case
I’m not certain, but these princess pillows looked new
A new popcorn bucket featuring Test Track is now available
From the Disney Parks Blog:
It’s Friday, and time to share our next “Limited Time Magic” surprise at the Walt Disney World Resort. Our latest extra sprinkle of Pixie Dust begins on Monday at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot.
The forecast at Epcot this week is sunny with a chance of flurries. For one week only, January 14-20, there will be a magical Winter Wonderland location with falling snow where you and your family can meet and take photos with some of your favorite Disney characters. It’s an all new character greeting location in the Canada Pavilion.
Times for the Winter Wonderland location at Epcot are:
- 10:30 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.
- 3:05 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
What do you think of this Limited Time Magic offering?
WDWNT’s diligent reporter Adam Roth was on the scene at Walt Disney World this weekend, visiting Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. Adam took a number of newsworthy photos on his trip, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting:
Art of disney at Epcot recently was refurbished and is now open once again, now featuring the Castle Collection merchandise
Looks like they just cleaned up the place a bit
They did rearrange some shelves
Work continues to prepare a new entrance at the Seas with Nemo and Friends
This new wave awning replaces the plain umbrellas that had been here
Work continues on a new entrance, presumed to be a new queue for Turtle Talk with Crush
Work continues on what we believe is a DVC booth near Canada
Bistro De Paris is gone…
It will be replaced with a new restaurant from the same company after 30 years at Epcot
The bakery is also being expanded
Construction walls up inside the shop next door
Food and Wine Festival preparations underway
No more Vanity Fair, now the sponsor is Chase
Nice to know that the new patio at Tutto Italia can be enclosed in bad weather
This fountain outside of La Hacienda has been like this for months…
The new exhibit inside the Mexico pavilion seems to be just about finished
Donald was meeting guests inside
The Cool Wash by Test Track is still behind walls
Work continues on Test Track
Heading over to the Magic Kingdom, we can see Grand Floridian DVC construction
AVENGERAIL!
It now advertises the home video release of the film
It turned into a nice day
The Country Bear Jamboree is closing for a few months this week
Some people seem convinced the show will be shortened and some songs will be removed
Shaker says “Probably not”
Trixie would be sad…
Gomer is befuddled
Some people think Big Al will be cut… yeah, OK…
The Yankee Trader is now behind tarps as work continues on the new path and restrooms in Fantasyland
Next-gen FASTPASS looks ready to go at the Haunted Mansion
The store is open during this
A strange structure has risen on the Skyway site which makes these people angry at each-other…
Chubby Moonliner?
I’m not sure what that is supposed to be
Next-gen FASTPASS installed at Peter Pan as well
People like to lean on things
The castle walls are nearing completion
Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train construction
Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall
Caught someone picking their nose… fantastic!
Just like in the concept art, Prince Eric’s castle is visible just over the mountain
Next-Gen FASTPASS at Winnie the Pooh
More grass appearing on the roof of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Big Top Souvenirs
Next-Gen FASTPASS installed here as well
The presumed Humphrey the Bear counter service location through the trees
Looks like a sign will be installed soon
Another look at the roof grass…
Work continues on the Tomorrowland bridge
And the old Swan Boats dock
Infrastructure for the eventual move to RFID tickets is being installed at the Magic Kingdom entrance
Another look at Grand Floridian construction
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot yesterday and has plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
The parks are dead
You can see FastPass+ installed at the end
Probably a 5…
FastPass+ installed at Tower as well
Ummmm….
The old Carthay Theater on Sunset Boulevard
Eat your heart out DCA
How am I supposed to take a shortcut through Starring Roles if you are fixing the path?
Heading into Magic of Disney Animation
John Lasseter in Wreck-It Ralph form
Fantastic video game humor on dispaly
Ha
Artists working hard on the new Ink and Paint Cells
There is a Fix-It Felix machine on display, although it is behind glass 🙁
The movie ads on the wall have been updated
Will do a barrel roll? OK, I MUST see this film…
The Animation Gallery still has railroad merchandise
As well as 40th anniversary and “it’s a small world” merchandise
Neat!
Work continues on The Legend of Jack Sparrow
Some strange white markings have appeared on the walls
I’m guessing these are supposed to be the dotted line on a treasure map, but it is too early to tell
I originally thought they might be markers for something, but I don’t think so
We’ll find out soon enough
A crane backstage for some reason
NO WAY…
Yep…
Wow, a TRON penny machine
This machine probably made more money than the movie did… ZING
Phineas and Ferb merchandise has taken over the old Loony Bin
Wait…
Yeah, that isn’t what that was meant for…
The smoking section near Star Tours is behind walls
This planter in front of Sounds Dangerous is also behind walls
American Idol Experience is ready for FastPass+
Moving over to Epcot, Adam was so excited about the blue vehicles at Universe of Energy that he couldn’t hold his camera still
The Test Track facade is getting ripped apart
Wow…
Food and Wine Festival preparations are well underway
After months of work, the La Hacienda fountain is out from behind walls!
Ummm, you’re in the wrong area, Italy is behind you…
AHHHHH!
Wendell from the Country Bears was out as well
“Am I early? “
Cool World Showcase shirt!
Some work being done near the waterway in the France pavilion
Work continues on what is believed to be a DVC booth near the Canada pavilion
More walls up near the Refreshment Port
KHALUA PORK SLIDERS! SOON!
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Downtown Disney, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us from this trip, so let’s take a look:
Work continues on Splitsville at Downtown Disney
Spotted construction workers
Still looks nothing like the concept art…
The Phineas and Ferb topiary from Epcot is now near the Phines and Ferb & You attraction
Guests were waiting for it to open
Blink has been open for a while now, don’t think we have shown it yet…
John Carter Vinylmation is now at D Street
Adam is probably the only person who has bought them
They had better hurry up…
Moving over to Epcot
Some work going on at both ends of the turnstiles
A great Epcot 30th anniversary display is up in the window at Art of Disney
They are pretty much ready for the Food and Wine festival, starting Friday
You can still buy these
The Cool Wash near Test Track is out from behind walls and now features the new “Sim Car”
The area got fixed up nicely
The dummy sports the new logo
A large hole is now in the front of Test Track
Goodbye old entrance
A new chimney installed at the Norway pavilion… we assume Agent P related…
The work on the Norway waterfall is done
Some other roof work is wrapping up
The new American Adventure cast costumes have debuted… these ones are pretty bad. Did somebody say McDonald’s?
The attraction host costumes are actually very nice
The Festival Shop actually has real doors this year…
Chase seems to be a sponsor ready to burn cash
All of the booths are ready to go
The DVC booth near Canada is just about complete
Told ya’ it was a DVC booth!
Work going on next to the Refreshment Port as well
Display at the front of World Showcase
Framing props…
WATERMELON PATCH
Apparently the cranberry bog is coming back
Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Celebrity 5 & 10 is behind tarps
FastPass+ installed at Indiana Jones
