Dirk Wallen’s 2/11/13 WDW Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday and has a ton fo newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Work continues on Splash Mountain
Dirk Wallen’s 2/23/13 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen takes us to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks this time around, stopping to check progress on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train, the Tangled restroom area, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the Big Thunder Mountain interactive queue, and more! Let’s take a look:
RFID entrance installation continues at the Studios
The large electronic scrolling sign at Sounds Dangerous is now gone, looks like we can finally officially say the attraction is dead
The new Disney JuniorL Live on Stage debuted a few weeks ago
Doc McStuffins was added to the show
As was Sophia the First
Whoops…
It was up there for some of the show…
The Epcot 30th reveal/conceal pin set came out recently
New Spring pins
85th anniversary of the Plane Crazy short
EASTER DUFFY!
New Muppet shirt
Moving over to Animal Kingdom
Kodak picture spots are still up…
RFID entrances still being installed at Animal Kingdom as well
More Kodak
Hard to believe, but they are still installing the nets at Tree of Life
This is taking forever…
Some areas look completed
Others look like no work has even started
Beastly Bazaar will soon open as the Adventurers Outpost, a Mickey and Minnie meet and greet
The Character Landing will soon host Donald and Daisy, Pooh and Tigger are heading to Camp Minnie-Mickey
Pocahontas has already moved out of Camp Minnie-Mickey
The old theater for Pocahontas and Her Forrest Friends is still stroller parking
Some walls up in Camp Minnie-Mickey
We believe they are installing FastPass+ behind these walls at Theater in the Wild
Moving to Epcot, Flower and Garden Festival preparation is in full swing
Some scrims still up near the Oz playground
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs near Germany
Toy Story characters in the American Adventure
Lady and the Tramp in Italy
All of the booths are up… it’s so weird to see these out so early in the year…
They are giving out seed packets to promote Oz: The Great and Powerful and the festival
The Mission: Space facade is being refurbished, the ride is open still
Don’t try to park at the Polynesian Resort, there is a ton of construction equipment sitting there…
Work continues on The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. There’s some strange tower rising on the right…
Another somewhat similar structure is rising outside the building on the other side
It’s starting to look like the Grand Floridian
Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Main Street Apparel is behind tarps again
Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall
Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train
Work continues on the Tangled restroom area
You can see the tree-stump shaped charging stations gusts can use to charge electronics
Work is nearing completion on the exit of “it’s a small world” that has been behind tarps
Columbia Harbour House is still behind tarps
Work continues on Splash Mountain which is closed until mid-March
More and more progress is being made on the interactive queue at Big Thunder Mountain
I see Marc Davis and Blaine Gibson references…
The detail on the new props is stunning
A nod to Western River Expedition, the attraction originally designed for this space
Most of the work on the mountain looks complete
A few tarps still out there…
This looks like way too much fun…
YES… MUST BLOW STUFF UP!
Dirk Wallen’s 8/16-19/12 WDW Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen was all over the Walt Disney World Resort this weekend, visiting Downtown Disney, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He took some great photos on his trip and has them to share with us in this photo report:
Looks like the Earful Tower is being painted or repaired
At the Magic Kingdom the Bakery has been out from behind tarps for a while now
The old Swan Boat dock is getting refurbished at the moment
Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall
The Castle Walls are approaching completion
We still can’t go on the second level of Village Haus to take photos…
More grass being placed on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
The structure for the new Fantasyland restrooms is coming along nicely
The Yankee Trader is open but behind tarps
The Crow’s Nest is still being worked on
Next-Gen FASTPASS has been installed at Haunted Mansion, but it is still covered
Work is wrapping up on the Tomorrowland bridge and we can now see new futuristic railings have been installed
Another look at the Swan Boat dock
Another look at the work on the new bathrooms
Moving over to Epcot, Habit Heroes is still closed!
Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise is starting to hit shelves, like this awesome lanyard!
Perry the Platypus/Phineas and Ferb snacks are available, but I’m more interested in what’s on those Epcot-only popcorn buckets and cups…
A permanent DVC booth is being built next door to the Canada pavilion
Phineas and Ferb topiary still up
A quick stop at Downtown Disney shows us the progress on the new Rainforest Cafe volcano
Moving to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s a Frankenweenie ad in the parking lot
The first sign of work on The Legend of Jack Sparrow is this blue coat of paint on the building matching the colors now used for the Superstar Television Theater complex
Oz billboard behind the Great Movie Ride
Frankenweenie as well
Wreck-It Ralph and Frankenweenie up in the Animation Courtyard
Finding Nemo banners hanging in the courtyard
At the end of PPIXAR Place, you can find this Finding Nemo billboard
Halloween merchandise is out!
Awesome shirt featuring the Haunted Mansion and the Fab 5
Another shirt has the Hatbox Ghost
Our last stop is a look at Grand Floridian DVC wing construction
It’s coming along…
More Epcot 30th Anniversary Merchandise Revealed!
From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:
One celebration I’m looking forward to this fall is the 30th anniversary of Epcot, which takes place on October 1, 2012. A few months ago, I gave you a first look at artwork created by Disney Design Group for merchandise we will be releasing. While we haven’t finalized all items or release plans at this point, I’m happy to share another look at items that are coming soon. I caught up with product developer Mary Myers to learn more.
In recent years, Mary has developed theme park logo merchandise for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. She recently kicked off the 30th anniversary a little early by releasing new items under the “Epcot 82” banner. I found the shirts shown above at Mouse Gear in Future World.
This fall, Mary will introduce four new shirts and a mesh baseball cap. The artwork was created using the style guide originally made for pins. I love the shirt in the lead image as it reminds me of the attraction poster and a shirt I once owned as a child. (The colors in this shirt are amazing.)
Speaking of pins, we recently received several final samples, including the Passholder-exclusive limited edition and open edition pins. I like the stained glass effect of the “I Was There” pin that has Mickey Mouse and Figment sporting their 1980s outer space attire. That stained glass effect looks even better on the super jumbo-sized pin.
One item I’m adding to my collection is the “toothpick holder” set that has logos from some of my favorite Future World pavilions, including Horizons (yes!!).
Stay tuned for additional details about the release of these items as we get closer to October 1.
Full Details on D23’s Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration
October 1, 2012, marks the 30th anniversary of Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club invites its members and their guests to fete one of Disney’s crowning achievements on this special occasion. The event on Sunday, September 30, will whisk D23 Members back to a time touted as when “the 21st century begins”—those early Epcot years when guests first marveled at “Astuter Computers,” “Smellitzers,” the novelty of “riding on sunshine,” and were awed by a massive geodesic sphere called Spaceship Earth. The celebration will feature rare and never-before-seen artwork; film and video footage and photos; along with a number of pioneers of Epcot, including such Disney Imagineers, Legends and Epcot luminaries as Marty Sklar (exclusive pre-taped presentation), Tony Baxter, Ron Schneider, Charlie Ridgway, Ron Logan, Bill Sullivan, Bob Garner, Jason Surrell, Jason Grandt, Alex Wright, Duncan Dickson and Steve Taylor.
World Passport ($65) general admission includes:
• Access to all presentations
• A commemorative gift
• Access to exclusive D23 merchandise
World Key ($185) level admission includes:
• All features of the World Passport admission
• Reserved seating for all presentations
• A special dessert reception at 8 p.m. inside an exclusive Future World lounge
• Exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity with Disney Legends and Epcot luminaries
• Reception will also include screenings of rare film footage of Epcot’s early days
Check out some of the presentations D23 is has in store for this extraordinary tribute to Epcot:
Hooray for the 21st Century
Disney Legend and former Walt Disney Imagineering Principal Creative Executive Marty Sklar joins D23 guests via a virtual presentation, where we see and hear what it was like to work with Walt Disney on his original vision for an Experiemental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Along the way, learn about Marty’s favorite memories working on the EPCOT Center project with a team of passionate Imagineers.
The Music of EPCOT Center
Some of Epcot’s most passionate fans agree that the park’s soundtrack has created one of its most lasting legacies that continue to help “makin’ memories” around the world. Join Disney historians and songwriters as we explore the incredible world of Epcot music, celebrating the talents of such Epcot songwriters and composers as Bob Moline, Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, George Wilkins, Buddy Baker, X. Atencio, Peter Stougaard, Russell Brower, Edo Guidotti and others who have left a permanent musical mark on the park’s creative legacy. Along the way, hear stories about the recording sessions, learn about some fascinating alternate versions of some of your favorite melodies, and sing along to your favorite Epcot tunes!
We Can Do It!
Disney Legends and EPCOT Center creators review the immense challenge that loomed ahead of them when bringing Epcot to reality in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Guests will hear stories of trips to foreign countries to secure participants in the World Showcase concept, what life was like inside the largest private construction project in the world, and how they readied its highly anticipated opening day.
We’ve Just Begun to Dream
Join Disney Legend Ron Logan and other key Disney entertainment veterans as they reminisce about the official EPCOT Center opening festivities that remain among the most elaborate Disney has ever staged. This presentation will include rare footage from the grand openings of various Future World and World Showcase pavilions, which were held throughout October 1982.
Makin’ Memories: Epcot on Film
Join former Disney Imagineer Bob Garner and Disney author and historian Tim O’Day as they cast a “Magic Eye” on the marvelous world of Epcot on film. Bob was closely involved in the creation of film documentation and production at Epcot, including special video elements of Future World and World Showcase pavilions and such promotional films as EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration.
Looking Back at Tomorrow
Few Epcot visitors, even its most avid fans, realize The Land pavilion was almost called “Harvest Tomorrow” or that Figment was slated to co-host an “Images & Imagination” pavilion with “Professor Marvel.” With recently discovered materials from the Walt Disney Archives, join Disney archivists as they examine how the “dreamers and doers” developed favorite Epcot attractions of the past including Horizons, Journey into Imagination, Kitchen Kabaret, World of Motion, theAstuter Computer Revue, and the original Universe of Energy.
The EPCOT Center That Never Was
Using rare concept artwork, guests will glimpse what it was like to design Epcot with Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Vice President Tony Baxter, designer and producer for several beloved Epcot pavilions, and explore early versions of Epcot attractions that never made it off the drawing board.
Imagineering Epcot: An Extra Perceptive Close-up Of Things
Fans of wall-to-wall carpeting and leapfrog fountains unite! Disney Imagineers Jason Surrell, Jason Grandt, and Alex Wright return with a humorous exploration of the details that make Epcot so unique. From miniature gardens to massive buildings (and every international food and beverage offering in between), they’ll show what makes Future World and World Showcase like no place else on earth.
Tickets go on sale on June 21st at 10 A.M. PST.
Your Epcot 30th Anniversary Shopping Guide!
For those going to Epcot’s 30th Anniversary festivities on October 1st, you’re probably still wondering how much money you are going to need to leave with all of the retro goodies that will be for sale. Well, we here at WDWNT are going to try to help you out with that before we arrive at the park on October 1st. The following information has been released through several official Disney websites and publications, as well as at the annual Pin Celebration at Epcot held a few weeks ago. We will continue to update this post as more info becomes available. Enjoy:
Spaceship Earth Limited Edition of 500 Boxed Pin Set, $69.95 Retail, October 1st Release Date
Annual Passholder Exclusive Pin – Retail TBA, October 1st Release Date
30th Anniversary Medal and Pin – $18.95, September 28th Release Date
Figment Pin and Button Set – $13.95, September 28th Release Date
Annual Passholder 3-Tier Pin – $9.95, September 28th Release Date
Open Edition Epcot 30th Mystery Set – $13.95 for two randomly selected pins, September 28th Release Date
Epcot 30th Anniversary Pin – $11.95, September 28th Release Date
Epcot 30th Anniversary Reversible Deluxe Lanyard – $10.95, September 28th Release Date
Epcot 30th Anniversary Super Jumbo Limited Edition of 250 Pin -Â Retail $125.00, October 1st Release Date
Assortment of Limited Edition & Annual Passholder pins, October 1st Release Date
“I Was There” Limited Edition of 3000 – $13.95
Epcot 30th Limited Edition of 2500 Pin and Patch Set – Retail TBA
8-Bit Figment Limited Edition of 2500 Pin – Retail TBA
Special pin available through cast member trade beginning October 1st
Commemorative Shirts – $31.95 (Women), $27.95 (Men), $24.95 (Kids), September 28th Release Date
Available online September 28th through October 4th
Epcot 30th Baseball Caps – $24.95, September 28th Release Date
Assorted Other Epcot 30th Anniversary Shirts – Retail TBA, September 28th Release Date
Epcot Pavilion Logo “Toothpick Holders” – Retail $24.95, September 28th Release Date
Removable Spaceship Earth ear hat cover – $9.95, September 28th Release Date
11 World Showcase Retro Shirts – $24.95 each, September 28th Release Date
Available online September 28th through October 4th
12-Inch Epcot 30th Duffy the Disney Bear – $30, September 28th Release Date
D-Tech iPhone 4/4S Cases – Four Different Retro Designs, $36.95 each, October 1st Release date
Commemorative framed coin set – retail TBA, October 1st Release Date
Noah artwork available as Giclee, framed print, or custom Vinylmation – Retail TBA, October 1st release date
Various custom Vinylmation figures – retail TBA, October 1st release date
Disney Announces Official Epcot 30th Events Taking Place on October 1st!
For all of those who thought Disney wasn’t going to mark the 30th anniversary of Epcot on October 1st, well, you’re in for a surprise…
The Disney Parks Blog announced today that there will be informative presentations, a “special moment” at the American Garden Theater, and even a special anniversary tag at the end of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth on October 1st, 2012.
The panels are expected to be the same as some panels being offered at the D23 event the day before, but these will be open to all Epcot guests with limited availability:
- 1-2 p.m. – Designing the Future – Past and Present: A panel of Disney Imagineers remembers 30 years of building tomorrow!
- 4:30–6 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar
- 6:30–8 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar
An anniversary moment will be held at the American Garden Theater at 3PM EST featuring the Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and special Disney dignitaries as well.
At this time, we are not sure if the special tag at the end of the 9PM Illuminations: Reflections of earth will be the same as the one presented at Epcot’s 25th anniversary or something completely new.
There will also be special event commemorative merchandise available, but we will preview that in a later post.
If you’re going to be attending Epcot’s 30th anniversary, why not do it with some friends and fellow Disney fans? Registration is still open for WDWCelebrations’ Celebration 30 event. Just a helpful plug…
Stay tuned for more information on Epcot’s 30th anniversary as it becomes available.
Adam Roth’s 9/24/12 WDW Photo Report
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
Adam Roth’s 10/7/12 WDW Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Great chocolate art at the Festival Center at Epcot
It’s dark, but nice to see them use more of the pavilion space
Work continues on Test Track as we race towards December 6th
The IBM Runtime game is now closed inside Innoventions, it opened back in 2008
Rumor is that IBM Smarter Planet is getting some updates
I hope so because it wasn’t really working…
The seating area that was formerly Rockin’ Robots is now walled off as well
Some scaffolding inside
Still nothing going on at the former Segway Central
Habit Heroes is still closed…
The Epcot 30th display remains at MouseGear
What remains of the merchandise is on display
A lot of generic Epcot merchandise has filled in some space
Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction is picking up
An Orioles hat… how cute… 😉
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
The now completed Storybook Circus
I love these seats…
That is some fancy lighting for an outside tent…
Let’s go to Pete’s Silly Sideshow!
The calliope is from Disneyland PAris’ Main Street U.S.A.
Reference to a classic Disney animated film by the same name
Into Pete’s mouth!
Meeting Minnie and Daisy
The theming is insane… the walls are labeled for easy construction, insinuating that the Circus moves from town to town
Goofy and Donald
A look up at the ceiling
It’s a tent
PANORAMA!
ANOTHER PANORAMA! AMAZING!
Minnie trains trick Poodles…
It looks much better when Adam doesn’t use the world’s brightest flash…
Awwww…
Daisy
Daisy will see you now!
Looks very “Museum of the Weird” like the Madame Leota cart
Exit
Into Big Top Souvenirs
Very fitting that they sell Popcorns Vinylmation here
Everyone loves this carpet!
The “Under the Big Top” series is also available
My favorite display
A close second is the Penguins cage holding the cold drinks
The strange tiny MousekeEars are also available here
A look at the new food carts in the area
I’m in love with a food cart…
Usual cart food though
So much time and energy spent on such little details
I love the striped curtain for when they are closed
Let’s go back in
Those random doors look themed…
THEY ARE!
GOOFY!
He crashed his motorcycle
Donald is a snake charmer
ANOTHER PANORAMA! ASTOUNDING!
Could have been a sign, but it is a material banner
I wonder if someone could go in that booth…
I hate to say this so soon, but I love Storybook Circus. It is simply 2 small rides, meet and greets, and shopping, but it is so well done. Kudos to Disney on delivering with a land that was rushed in as a replacement in the expansion.
If Storybook Circus is that cool, I can’t wait to see this…
Another new cart near the entrance
Not listed, but they have roasted almonds too
Another look at Mine Train
A look at what will be Princess Fairytale Hall
The former Skyway site which will now be restrooms and maybe something more…
They are still working on Village Haus
Another piece of track should be lowered into place shortly
FastPass+ equipment was simply covered after the tests ended, so it might just be permanent now
Cool popcorn bucket, but it must be pretty easy to spill…
Going back to Epcot, we take a look at Test Track through a rainy monorail window
Well, that was neat… I guess…
Adam got to stuff his face at the Disney Dessert Discovery event as part of the Food and Wine Festival
So much to eat and drink
Live entertainment
FLAMING DOUGHNUTS!
IN 3D!
WOOOOOOOAH!
Fruit? We didn’t come to a dessert event for fruit!
We came for flaming doughnuts!
Gross…
Thank you for the flaming doughnuts! Oh, and all these photos Adam…
VIDEO: Relive Epcot’s 30th Anniversary on October 1st, 2012
If you missed Epcot’s 30th anniversary or you just want to relive the awesomeness of that day again, we have some videos you should really enjoy. First up is the 30th Anniversary moment that was held in the America Gardens Theater in it’s entirety:
Finally, we have the Epcot 30th Anniversary tag to Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. This is what took the longest as we edited together two angles and added the source music to the audio. We wanted to do it right, so enjoy the show: