Joe Hogarty’s 2/20/14 WDW Photo Report (Mine Train, AVATAR, & More)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Some work still taking place on the paths around the Tree of Life

Nothing much to see over at the AVATAR site

It will hard to track construction unless we try from above… 😉

Another look at the walls around the Tree of Life paths

This could be related to the work needing to be done to the tree for the nighttime offerings, or it could be general rehab

Work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King Theater

Walls still up near the Africa stroller parking

Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the steps of City Hall

The Castle is still getting some touch-ups

Time for the obligatory Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction photos

The waterfall has been running non-stop

It looks great

The refurbishment of Splash Mountain continues

Don’t expect much different when it reopens except some scenes that have been freshened up

It will be Splashing again soon!

Dirk Wallen’s 3/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Hub, SpectroMagic, Flower & Garden, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Drik Wallen visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks on Saturday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The latest progress on the Polynesian Vacation Club wing

The Magic Kingdom moat has been drained to start work on the new hub

The latest piece of Spectromagic history pin is out and features the Mickey float

Another look at the drained moat

Moving over to Epcot, the Flower & Garden Festival starts Wednesday and it looks like the park is just about ready

Is Mickey cross-eyed?

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, the Festival of the Lion King theater is progressing nicely

One Kodak picture spot remains…

New Walt Disney World t-shirt

New Gaston t-shirt

VIDEO: Moat Drained Around Cinderella Castle in Preperation for Hub Overhaul

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

The very first step in remodeling the hub in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom is draining the moat…

Interestingly enough, some sections of the drained moat still have the remnants of track from the Plaza Swan Boats, an attraction that closed in the early 1980’s. As you can see in the video, the former loading dock for that attraction is already behind walls and should be demolished shortly.

The hub remodeling is slated to be finished in early 2014.

Thanks to John Corigliano for the video.

Hayley Nance’s 1/26/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

We welcome WDWNT’s own Hayley Nance on-board as a Walt Disney World photographer/reporter this week, and she gets started by bringing us some wonderful photos from earlier this week at the Magic Kingdom:

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Removal of the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights is in full swing

Awww…

Cinderella’s rented crane returns for an annual visit

Legacy FastPass machines and signage are now vanishing from the park

After 11 years, there is no more FastPass signage or machines at Mickey’s Philharmagic

The screens in the finale of “it’s a small world” have been covered up again for some reason

Perhaps until they are ready to start working with MagicBands

Work continues on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the tarps remain under the bridge still

A look through the peep holes…

Walls have also gone up across the way now as they finish up some pavement work

Plenty of fake trees now cover the mountain

Looks like some more greenery will be appearing soon

The entrance structure seems to be complete

The rain did not give us a clear view this week 🙁

The crane, ruining vacation photos since 2007

Joe Hogarty’s 11/8/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Friday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from the park, so let’s take a look:

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Let Christmas begin!

The Christmas Tree will arrive after parade filming in early December, as it has the last few years

Dapper Dans in holiday finest

The Jingle Cruise debuted on Friday

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The queue is decorated with 1930’s style Christmas items

There is a Christmas Palm Tree…

Palm garland is strung all over as well

Each boat in the fleet has been renamed for the Jingle Cruise

I love the silver Christmas tree in the office with the vintage color-wheel spinner on the light

The ride was not really decorated, nor should it have been really…

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!”

Christmas decorations are up in Belle’s village in New Fantasyland

Peter Pan’s Flight is closed through the 13th

Garland up on the back of Cinderella Castle

The Jingle Cruise sign in Adventureland lights up at night

Speaking of things that light up…

The Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are back for 2013!

It’s snowing!!!

Let 2 months of Christmas in Orlando begin!

“Celebrate The Magic” Adding Disney Villains To The Mix Starting Sunday

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Just in time for Halloween, some of the Disney Villains are coming to Celebrate the Magic on Sunday, September 1st:

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This new segment of “Celebrate the Magic” places the Disney villains center stage. From the sea witch Ursula, lording over the poor unfortunate souls trapped in her underwater lair, to the demon Chernabog from Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” spreading his wings across the face of Cinderella Castle, it promises to be a particularly dark and foreboding chapter.

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Things heat up as Maleficent casts a forest of thorns around the base of the castle, and then transforms into a wicked, fire-breathing dragon who threatens to destroy the very magic we’ve come to celebrate. Fear not, though. As with all great Disney stories, this one is sure to have a happy ending.

Stay tuned to WDWNT.com as we will have coverage of the debut of this new segment over the weekend.

Dirk Wallen’s 1/23/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Long Lost Friends Week was the first big hit from Limited Time Magic in Florida

Scrooge McDuck and Ludwig Von Drake

The Pinocchio gang

Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Prince John, and the Sheriff of Nottingham

Clarabelle & Horace

BIG BAD WOLF!

Instead of sining autographs, guests were given autograph cards

The Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are coming down

Crane up behind the castle

Another crane up and working on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The queue was fixed up while the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was closed last week

Marie was out in Storybook Circus… this is not a normal occurrence

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is open while the exterior is being refurbished

Columbia Harbor House is still behind tarps as well

Some strange work going on at the Tomorrowland Speedway

Work continues on The Villas at the Grand Floridian

Looking good!

An Aerial View of New Fantasyland Construction – July 2012

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

Scott Keating was once again nice enough to provide some aerial shots of the current New Fantasyland construction site after a few month absence, so let’s see all that has changed:

As you can see, everything but the Mine Train is nearing completion

If there was any doubts that the Skyway Station was going to become a Tangled meet-and-greet, the appearance of a tower frame has just about confirmed it…

The framework for Mine Train looks to be just about complete

The castle walls are taking shape

Just the three tent-like structures left to go in Storybook Circus, we expect these to open in the Fall/Winter

A look at Mine Train

As you can see, the beauty and the Beast realm is almost complete as paths and trees are already installed and all scaffolding is down. Trees are up in the Mermaid queue as well.

A closer look at the tents that will be Big Top Souvenirs, Pete’s Silly Sideshow, and a Humphrey the Bear-themed counter-service location

The concept art we say in 2009 is finally coming to life… Stay tuned…

Robert Ashburn’s 1/24/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, including Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom play-testing and Grand Floridian DVC wing construction, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Main Street Bakery facade

Is this crane for Fantasyland construction? No…

They are fixing a few small things on the Castle

Nice to see maintenance being done after such a short period of time

That is one tall crane

Work continues on the Main Street bridge

Renovations continue inside Plaza Ice Cream

Main Street characters out and about

The Chapeau and some of the Confectionary behind tarps

It is a strange look down Main Street these days

Package Pick-Up/Chamber of Commerce also behind tarps

Time to take a look at the progress on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment

Almost every roof is being replaced

Painting the mountain

They sure are friendly!

Some scrims are up to block some of the view

Still plenty to see though

Tumbleweed is practically being rebuilt, as are the lift hills

Another roof being replaced

Workers still up on the Castle

No, it can’t be…

EVERYONE RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom windows on Main Street have all been installed

Sorcerers play-tests every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday currently

A window under the Train Station

I warned you that more and more Disney Store merchandise is invading the parks…

Many windows now have a permanant floor marking

A look at Robert’s cards

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Now let’s take a quick look at the construiction progress on the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club wing

Nothing to see here yet…

Robert Ashburn’s 2/9/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

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A banner has been hung for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

It fits Main Street pretty well yet still sets the scene

This area in Fantasyland finally looks complete

It’s well lit at night

I know we showed this already this week, but here’s the screen menu boards at Cosmic Ray’s

Walls up inside the restaurant

The new Tomorrowland cart at night… we love this thing…

Take a close look for a Walt reference…

“Marty Called Wants Changes”

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CASTLE? CALL 911!

Oh, it’s just Dream Along with Mickey at night…

The romance segment in “The Magic, The Memories, and You!”

Apparently people like these gourmet hot dogs… not us…

Some recently released shirts

I like this new batch of generic logo merchandise not focusing on a year

“I know what we’re gonna do today!” Buy Phineas and Ferb merchandise

Mickey plush available in abundance after the great drought late last year where no Mickeys were available resort wide