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

AJ P’s 2/12 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT reader AJ P. was nice enough to offer us some newsworthy photos they took on their recent trip to Walt Disney World, so let’s take a look around all 4 parks and Downtown Disney:

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Land clearing continues for the Grand Floridian DVC wing

the rain left some large puddles

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

Chamber of Commerce behind tarps

The Bakery as well

On to New Fantasyland

Work being done on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Large walls popping up on the site of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Supports and such for the Mine Train in the foreground, Storybook Circus tents in the background

A green and red wall will separate the forest from Storybook Circus

A look across to Belle’s Village

The remains of Dumbo right in front of an expanding Castle Wall

Dumbo is coming along quickly

The backside isn’t themed in any way, but it faces the Speedway, so it will match nicely…

The Barnstormer tower

Circus tents

Walls still up near the Haunted Mansion

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is still behind tarps

Tarps still up at Pecos Bill’s

The planters have been repaired in Tomorrowland, but they have temporary covers until plants are placed

On to Downtown Disney, work continues on Splitsville

Doesn’t look like much has happened inside yet

Rainforest Cafe is open while work is done on the exterior

Concept art shows the new exterior and the new Lava Lounge

Stitch is gone from the World of Disney sign

Work being done on the pavement outside the store

Moving over to Epcot

Flower and Garden Festival preperation

Work continues on the entrances to the Seas with Nemo and Friends

The water play areas in Future World are being fixed-up

Tutto Italia is finally being remodeled after 5 years in the former Alfredo’s building

The exterior is being ripped apart

The old waiting area is gone…

The horror… THE HORROR!

I hope they are fixing the menu here as well, because Via Napoli makes this place look silly

The other water play area behind walls

Modifications being made to the Spaceship Earth queue in preparation for the eventual roll-out of Xpass…

We’re going to animal Kingdom!

For one piece of news… they are still repairing the rock-work in the Oasis

Adam Roth’s 12/4/11 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 6, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Walt Disney World on Sunday, stopping at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Let’s take a look at the newsworthy photos:

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Another Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom window

There are many ways to hide a camera

The attention to detail is amazing

A window in Frontierland

These pads tell guests where to stand

Work continues on the Frontier Trading Post facade

The Pecos Bill’s facade looks great

The Adventureland/Frontierland passage is finally finished!

It looks quite nice

The buildings next door also look great

Work is now happening on the back side of Pecos Bill’s/Tortuga Tavern

A fireplace in Tortuga Tavern is a Sorcerers play area

Camera holes

Speaker

Argghhh, we found another!

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is still behind tarps

Another little mat out in Adventureland

It now looks like there is a piece of cloth in the back

The Swiss Family Treehouse re-opened a few weeks ago

Another mat…

Not so hidden cameras

They completely rebuilt the entrance canopy

Looks brand new

No visible progress on the Fire Station which will open as the main location for Sorcerers in early 2012

As we leave the Magic Kingdom, we see work on the Grand Floridian DVC wing is picking up

Adam took a trip over to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort per our request to see how construction was going

It looks like it is going great!

The Cadillac Range has appeared on the Cars buildings

Sketches of Luigi

Sketches of Guido

Finding Nemo building

Large coral outside

A look into the pool area

Another look at Cars

This hotel is going to be heavenly…

A wide shot

The Little Mermaid wing

Staircase construction

The Lion King building is far from finished

Back to Nemo

Crush is under wraps, please don’t try this at home…

A school of fish up on the building

More newly installed props

Mr. Ray is wrapped up

More Little Mermaid buildings

Construction trailers

It’s Christmas at Pop Century, so raise the roof tiles…

So, oranges under a mini-van…

WHAT?

Aloha New DVC Resort Vinylmation!

WDWNT on August 26, 2011

On August 29 a new DVC resort opens in Hawaii, Aulani. To commemorate this resort, Disney will release an open window 3″ Vinylmation.

It will only be available at Kelepa’s store at the Aulani resort and will retail for $14.95.
There was no official word, but with no word on LE and now markings on the box about an LE, we assume this is a limited released. Meaning it should be on shelves for a good time to come. There is also no specific word that you have to show your DVC member card to purchase this figure.
Copyright Disney
Disney calls this figure Menehune-inspired. Menehune are said to be a people, sometimes described as dwarfs in size, who live in the deep forests and hidden valleys of the Hawaiian Islands. I like the style of this figure and the facial expression is cool, but I would have also liked an Aulani logo on the back. What are your thoughts on this newest member of the Vinylmation family?