Zach Larson’s 1/6/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on Friday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Land clearing continues for the Grand Floridian DVC wing

More Main Street U.S.A. facades are going behind tarps, this should be the last batch

A temporary sidewalk ramp installed

Signs point guests around to the meet and greet FASTPASS distribution

Center Street tarps still up

The Bakery is now behind tarps

A temporary cart is also serving some bakery items

Plaza Ice Cream is closed

This facade will be behind tarps soon

Storybook Circus construction

Dumbo is almost ready to roll

The queue seems a bit behind

Dumbo was testing

We’re ready… we’ve been ready…

Belle’s Village

Trees in place, this is most likely where they will be staying

The details on Prince Eric’s castle are visible

The Beast’s Castle, Maurice’s Cottage, and the Castle Wall all in this shot

The path around Yankee Trader is now being constructed

It will put guests right about here

See?

The Madame Leota merchandise cart has moved closer to Columbia Harbor House

The Frontier Trading Post is still behind tarps

Pecos Bill’s is still behind tarps as well

Big Thunder is closing for a few months for major upgrades on the 9th

The queue should be the most radically different thing when it re-opens

The Barnstormer/Great Goofini looks like it is nearing completion

The times guide has been expanded to include the parade route, probably since it will change to a short loop this week as Electrical Parade goes dark for a paving project

Over to Hollywood Studios, where Toluca Legs Turkey Company is back in action…

During PIXAR Pals, an escape route… I mean alternate route is being opened to help guest flow

IT’S DONE! Oh, wrong park…

MUSH! MUSH!

Now on to Epcot

The tip board still works! A new record!

It indicates if FASTPASS is available

Time is almost up…

The pre-show monitors are now flat screens!

More and more cars are getting the Chevy branding

The new directional signage in Future World is color-coded and looks great!

Is it open?

Barely…

Oh, this side has lights…

No visible progress on the upcoming Habit Heroes exhibit

Thanks for the report Zach!

Adam Roth’s 1/6/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us (including a lot of New Fantasyland), so let’s take a look:

Work has begun on the new path into Liberty Square from Fantasyland

The path will cut around the Yankee Trader

Walls still up at the Skyway station, soon to be restrooms

Dumbo closes in the original location on January 9th

Plenty of trees planted in New Fantasyland now, these will be staying

The pavement is a bit messy still

Castle wall construction

PROGRESS!

Prince Eric’s castle is coming along nicely

Awww…

Not too bad…

Another look at the Castle Walls

The first interactive queue

A look at Maurice’s Cottage

Work on the new Dumbo queue

The tower that Goofini will crash through is coming along as well

Belle’s Village

Mermaid rock-work

Bonjour Village Gifts

Goodbye old Dumbo…

Although we will see this one again, slightly remodeled for Storybook Circus

The Barnstormer building looks great off in the distance

If you look in the bottom right, you can see the Dumbo title “D” clearly on the new spinner

What a mess!

Hopefully this will be cleaned up and ready to open next month

This area will take a little longer…

More of Belle’s Village

A better look at barnstormer and the top of the new Dumbo

They have practically rebuilt these tents from scratch at this point

The Be Our Guest restaurant building

Work continues on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

A lot of construction workers out and about

That’s still one long wall…

Work has shifted into high-speed on Dumbo

Some Storybook Circus pavement is now visible

Back to Under the Sea

Back to Dumbo and Storybook Circus

Maurice’s Cottage, home to Enchanted Tales with Belle

The Castle Wall again

Cement, FINALLY!

Some Haunted Mansion 40th anniversary shirts have been released

Big Thunder Mountain is closing for a 4.5 month refurbishment on Monday


Rumors are that an interactive queue, some new show elements, and a general fix-up will happen over this period

Work pretty much started months ago when the railroad ties were removed

More Main Street facades are being worked on and these will be like this until May. Here is the Bakery

Work continues on the new semi-announced Disney Vacation Club wing at the Grand Floridian

Ads for a special Florida resident pass up outside of the TTC

Go wild today!

Mickey’s Circus Is Now a Must Attend Event!

WDWNT on July 10, 2012

Awesome! Look at the latest item shown at vinylmation.com. This 3″/Jr set of Jumbo and Dumbo will be your free gift if you come to the vinylmation day of Mickey’s Circus. Both pieces are by Thomas Scott. If you haven’t registered yet, this will totally make it worth it! Do so now!!

What do you think of these pieces. They are perfect to me! Simple, straightforawrd, and extremely effective!

Adam Roth’s 4/4/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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AVENGERAIL!

A look from the inside

The jet-black look is pretty sweet

A beautiful day on Main Street U.S.A.

Work continues slowly on the Castle Walls in Fantasyland

Supports for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train have risen

The little details on Prince Eric’s castle are beginning to emerge

The crane is still on site

It looks like they are trying to age the building a little

Looks like the Mine Train will block the view of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Shingles going on the rooftops in Belle’s Village

Work continues on removing the Tigger Bounce area from the Pooh queue

Posters line the construction walls on the way to Storybook Circus

The extended rock-work at Mermaid is still in the early stages

It looks like the Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station may be on a spinning platform like a roundhouse

Another look at the Mine Train supports

The remainder of the circus is coming along slowly

Another look at the Mermaid facade

There is a slight gap to correct…

Still a lot of walls…

Water level is a little low… and it’s a little green

The Adventureland Veranda was never so popular

A lot of guests want a Dole Whip

A reasonable line for a Sorcerers window? AMAZING!

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is out from behind tarps

The new sign, with a temporary sun on it

Well, it appears the Little Orange Bird is behind the sun…

Wow, they have food now

And the Citrus Swirl is back

I really want to try some of this stuff

AVENGERAIL!

MAY 4th!

Even More Aerial Pictures of New Fantasyland – March 2012

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

Courtesy of Scott Keating and scottkeating.net, we once again have some fantastic aerial photos of Fantasyland to share with you:

Supports for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train are going up

The base of the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is in place at Storybook Circus and the second tent is now fully covered

A lot of work still to go on the second Dumbo spinner

The bases for the Castle Walls are starting to go in at the old Dumbo site

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

Storybook Circus Opens Late March, Snow White Closes Late May

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Who’s ready for an update on New Fantasyland? I just heard that the first elements of Storybook Circus will open by late March, marking the first in a series of progressive openings for the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history.

Among the first experiences to open will be one carousel of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, a re-themed Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini and the Fantasyland Station of the Walt Disney World Railroad.

In designing Storybook Circus, Imagineers were inspired by Disney’s animated film, “Dumbo.” When complete later this year, the area will be filled with multicolored circus tents and other nods to the film. The section will also feature Casey Jr., the famous locomotive from the movie, who has rolled into town, bringing the circus with him.

Beyond Storybook Circus and as we mentioned in a previous post, the Disney Princesses will be getting a new home at the location where Snow White’s Scary Adventures is today. The last day of operation for this attraction will be Thursday, May 31.

We look forward to sharing more with you throughout the year as our work progresses.

A few interesting notes to be made:

-The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is not mentioned, so now will be opening sometime after March.

-Snow White’s Scary Adventures is not supposed to close until Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is ready to open, so it is very possible that the new attraction will open sometime around May 31, 2012.

-Soft openings for Dumbo, Barnstormer, and Fantasyland Station can happen at any point now as the project nears completion, mid-March is just the official opening date

Zach Larson’s 2/6/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Super Bowl MVP parades to Animal Kingdom, WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson brings us around the world with him on a very busy photo report. Let’s take a look:

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Land clearing continues for the Grand Floridian DVC wing

overgrowth getting cleared away

Meanwhile, some brush is being cleared from this island in the Seven Seas Lagoon

The main street characters were out entertaining guests waiting for Eli Manning to parade down the street. I really don’t like the new one in the beige shorts…

They were offering free balloons with every audio guide purchased! 😉

Giants fans out in force

Here comes the Super Bowl MVP

Congratulations to our hometown champions, the New York Giants… even though I’m a Dolphins fan… stop laughing…

The Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment rolls on

I love this sign

The Pecos Bill’s facade is out from behind tarps and looks great

More of the facade still covered

The Frontierland Trading Post still behind tarps

Pathway work continues and Electrical Parade takes a break and Celebrate a Dream Come True stays on Main Street

Work continues on the old Fantasyland Skyway

Restrooms are coming, but rumors say to expect more

Rumors indicate that a Tangled play area and an area for guests to rest and recharge electronics is coming

Work continues on the Peter Pan’s Flight queue

Crane up in New Fantasyland

The new Tomorrowland/Fantasyland vending cart costume is a better fit for Tomorrowland in my opinion

Work continues on the castle walls

The crane! The crane!

Storybook Circus

The Dumbo queue is coming along

Beast’s Castle

They are finally topping Prince Eric’s Castle at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

A spire finally appears at the very edge of the castle! PROGRESS!

Fantasyland Station is looking great

The old Dumbo spinner is now sitting next to the completed new spinner

I really love the pastels

It’s hard to improve a simple spinner, but I think they have

Circus tents

Awww….

Bye balloons… sniff…

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Main Street bridge work continues

Center Street still behind tarps

Chamber of Commerce/Package Pick-Up behind tarps as well

Cosmic Ray’s installed these screen menu boards a while ago

I like this shot…

Lights were on in Space Mountain

Long line for the Peoplemover

Something is missing…

Oooooo…

Walls still up behind the shrunken pet cemetery

Ooooo….

Another new Haunted Mansion shirt

On to Epcot

Test Track on the map, get them while you can

Kind of empty…

The screen works!

This scene may be gone soon…

GM cars out in the loop

Punch it Chewie!

Plenty of blue Chevy labeled cars out

The VISION House is coming to Innoventions soon

Habit Heroes is testing

Some clever puns… good thing this isn’t DCA…

The Final Boss, He's defeated with exercise.

There were quite a few bugs and they weren’t allowing pics inside, so listen to next week’s podcast for a full review

Doors locked for some reason

MINE!

No, they are not putting FASTPASS machines in…

Nemo?

In case you don’t know how to play Simon…

Preparations have begun for the Flower and garden Festival

They keep adding more and more signs for Kim Possible

The new Future World directional signs

The Canada facade refurbishment is done and it looks brand new

Leave a Legacy being fixed up

Over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, work continues on one of the paths in the Oasis

Kali River Rapids is closed for refurbishment

These were added some time ago, but the seating area at the Yak and Yeti counter service now has covered sections

I miss these signs that don’t say dream builders…

The drink window was open

Robert Ashburn’s 2/6/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

While taken a few days ago, WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us:

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Oops…

The Cosmic Ray’s menu boards weren’t working

Prince Eric’s Castle is coming along nicely at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The path to Storybook Circus

Work on the Dumbo queue continues

Beast’s Castle

The lift hill for The Barnstormer looks great, complete with Goofy’s outline

For the first time since work began, the site actually looks pretty clean

Some Imagineer and construction workers under a tent near “Dumbo Ditch”

Paint going on the silver portion of the Dumbo tent

Too far away to see what they are up to…

If you look closely at the Barnstormer building, you can see a banner Goofy has crashed through right above the doorway

We can make out the words “Fly Again”

Dear guests who contribute to other sites, stop standing on stuff. It is stupid, dangerous, and might get you thrown out of the park…

A look toward Storybook Circus

Still can’t see into the tent…

A column remains in “Dumbo Ditch”

Construction being filmed by Disney

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The chicken nuggets and sandwich are back at Golden Oak Outpost

Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment continues

Don’t look over here…

The track is being worked on

New roof being installed

Fantasyland Station looks nearly complete

The last remnant of Toontown

The back of the Dumbo queue will be very visible from the Speedway and the Railroad

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New railings were installed along the Frontierland bridges during the pavement work

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Wow…

An Aerial Look at the New Fantasyland Progress – February 2012

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Courtesy of Scott Keating and scottkeating.net, we once again have some fantastic aerial photos of Fantasyland to share with you:

The foundations for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train are now in place, the old Dumbo is now history, and it looks like an extension of the Mermaid rock-work is about to begin to make the show building not visible from Storybook Circus

The queue for Enchanted Tales with Belle seems further along than any other project, so it’s possible that may open first

Prince Eric’s castle is looking good, but the rest of the facade is far from finished

Dumbo and the Fantasyland Station are nearing completion, meanwhile, the Barnstormer is complete with the exception of some landscaping and queue decorations. The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak area is still nowhere to be found.

Added Bonus: Here’s a look at the on-going Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment