For two weeks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is testing a new lighting scheme on the long-broken Yeti audio-animatronic figure in Expedition Everest.
For many years, the figure has been illuminated by only a strobe light. During this test, the strobes are still on, but a fairly bright light is also shining on the creature as it did when it was functional.
With Pandora now open, it is expected that the ride will be closed for a period and the Yeti will be fixed, but it is unclear as to when that might happen.
For those of you who love to take advantage of the single rider lines for select attractions at Disney to avoid long lines, I’m sorry to say, but for a time you will not be able to do that for Expedition Everest.
Expedition Everest’s single rider queue will be closed starting tomorrow, April 26th, and will not open back up until May 16. Lone riders will have to use the standby or FastPass queues during this period. The reason for this closing is reportedly a rerouting of the current single rider queue to make it flow better.
Guests at Disney Parks will soon be able to wear classic theme park attraction posters and character on their feet with new socks coming from the Twenty-Eight and Main collection:
Disney Parks Attraction Socks
No exact release date for the socks was given, but among the items previewed were pairs featuring Expedition Everest, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and the world famous Jungle Cruise.
It was quite the busy weekend at Walt Disney World, so I managed to visit all 4 parks to see what was new and have a ton of newsworthy photos to share with you in today’s report:
The Studio Backlot Tour closed forever on Saturday
A Big Hero 6 exhibit can now be found at the Magic of Disney Animation
Moving over to Epcot, menu changes have been made a the Electric Umbrella
I decided to try the French Dip burger
It was surprisingly good!
I also tried the Pumpkin Macaroon from the France ice cream parlor and it was amazing.
Over at the Magic Kingdom, this low clearance was added in the bus stop to ensure busses go the right way through the loop
The awning on the boat dock at the entrance was replaced, it’s now red instead of green
The latest progress on the hub at the Magic Kingdom
The Astro Orbiter reopened this weekend, but you can read more about that here
The leave-your-phone charging stations in Tomorrowland have all been closed, the test period came to an end and we’ll now have to wait to see if it was a success and is brought back
New Space Mountain ladies’ shirt
New men’s “I conquered Space Mountain” shirt
This artwork was previously on a black t-shirt and slightly different
Dumbo character sketches are now being sold at Big Top Souvenirs
New Beast plush for sale at Bonjour Village Gifts
Instead of selling generic items, there is a now a Beauty and the Beast shield toy
If you don’t have a FastPass for it, prepare to arrive at Be Our Guest at park opening to get a return time to eat lunch there or you’ll be turned away
Even more of Sir Mickey’s has been taken over by Frozen merchandise, even Ariel merchandise got pushed out
Some new Frozen artwork for sale
A two-sided Olaf ceramic ornament was just released
Queue work continues at Peter Pan’s Flight
We thought it would only be at Disneyland, but the Zero popcorn bucket was released at the Magic Kingdom! It costs over $13 but has a light-up nose feature
Strange new t-shirts…
LOVE this new sweatshirt!
Odd new Magic Kingdom shirt
Simple, but nice
Halloween 2014 Duffy
Some of the Haunted Mansion 45th anniversary lithographs have made it to Florida
An awesome new print by Alex Maher
In preparation for “Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It!”, video screens are being installed on the floats
Moving over to animal Kingdom, it’s still a mess
At least all of the construction walls are decorated now
The UP meet and greet has seen better days
“it’s tough to be a bug” re-opened this weekend
Most of the nets installed to protect guests from falling particles have finally been removed from the queue
There are still nets by the base of the tree, not sure if these will stay here
work is picking up on the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light
The Everest shrine is behind walls and probably will be until the construction is done in late 2015/early 2016
Since one of the Wilderness Explorers’ answers is behind walls, they made a copy and placed it on the walls
The walls wrap around most of the river
We can peek through and see that the construction vehicles are already in place, ready to start working on the show and viewing area
Some sort of new structure is going up by Flame Tree Barbecue
WDWNT Reporters Joe Hogarty and Dirk Wallen have been busy visiting the parks this week and have some great photos from Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Work continues on the Disney Vacation Club wing at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
A look at the current progress on the bungalows
Work is also continuing on the hub project at the Magic Kingdom
The Halloween statues are finally in the hub for this year
Meanwhile, the permanent hub statues have been removed for future construction, but should return next year
Olaf? Kind of looks like Dilbert…
The crane is up behind Cinderella Castle installing Elsa’s magic…
They finally installed a permanent sign telling guests they can see Anna and Elsa in the parade if they don’t want to wait forever
The former Seven Dwarfs Mine shop is still behind walls
The Astro Orbiter wraps up its refurbishment on September 27th
The Disney Vacation Club booth in Tomorrowland is behind walls, hopefully for some fresh paint since bulldozing this would see the removal of the last former ticket booth left inside of the park
Joe Hogarty visited Animal Kingdom to check out all of the construction happening there
Discovery Island is still quite a mess as they build a new breezeway for easier exiting from the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light
You can see workers out fixing the Tree of Life during the park’s operating hours as they race to meet deadlines
Some of the walls will be up for a few months, so Disney has done their best to make them a good photo-op in some areas
“it’s tough to be a bug” is still closed until September 27th
Walls up by Flame Tree Barbecue
Another look at the work on the Tree of Life
Construction has begun on Rivers of Light, the new nighttime show for the park
A large viewing area will be constructed along the section of the Discovery River that separates Dinoland and Asia
It will be at least a good 18 months until you can get those glamor shots of Everest again thanks to the construction walls
But, there’s quality photo-ops like this one…
No Dream Builders signs being used here, “Disney’s animal Kingdom is about to show a whole new side”
There are a lot of walls…
These walls appear along the Theater in the Wild stroller parking path in Dinoland
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney over the last few days, so let’s take a look at everything happening around Walt Disney World right now:
Nikon photo spot now in place near the Rose Garden
Some more planter work happening near the hub… rumors suggest this may all be related to a new nighttime show for the park…
See ya’ later trash can…
The facade at the Enchanted Tiki Room is getting some work done
The Nikon picture spot at Splash Mountain isn’t quite picturesque yet…
The Splash Mountain refurbishment continues
Tarps up on the buildings in Liberty Square and the castle crane looming behind it
The Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin FastPass machines are being removed
Plenty of Valentine’s Day treats are available at Big Top Treats
Moving over to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, DVC wing construction is in full swing
I love these signs…
Gates up on the beach
The work out in the water on the rumored bungalows
Over at Epcot, the former Kim Possible kiosk area is now a MyMagic+ service center
Prep work for the Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing now
Another Nikon picture spot
The Darkroom at Hollywood Studios is still presented by Kodak
Yet there is a Nikon Picture Spot not too far away
The Monsters University meet and greet is becoming the Monsters Inc. meet and greet again
Backlot tour is still closed
Frozen billboard up in the backlot
Pirate Fairy and Jungle Book billboards up in the Animation Courtyard
Nikon picture spot at Animal Kingdom
A decent size line for FastPass+
AVATAR construction is happening folks…
Some work happening outside of Expedition Everest
A look at the new Festival of the Lion King theater from high up on Everest
Looks like there is a lot of work to still be done
On to Downtown Disney… Disney Springs… whatever it is…
Not much visible progress to the West Side Starbucks
Not much to see on Pleasure Island either
But there is something happening behind these walls
Here is the site for the large water-side building in The Landing
Bridge work in the Marketplace is happening quickly
The stage area near Fulton’s has been behind walls for a few weeks now
The staging area for the bridge is across from T-Rex behind the DVC booth
The Marketplace Starbucks is also coming along slowly
Guests watching construction take place
Cinderella outside of World of Disney received a backdrop on the construction walls for the Starbucks
Some strange new men’s shirts on sale
Team Mickey is now closed to become the Marketplace Co-Op
This photo report is a little late as we have been preparing for our fifth anniversary festivities here at WDW News Today, but better late than never. WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Animal Kingdom on June 30th to catch one of the last Sundowner Celebrations held at the park. The celebration only lasted a month but was a unique offering, almost like the food and wine festival at Epcot. Let’s take a look:
A truck is used as an information board at the front of the park
Things going on in 3 lands
It is Animal Kingdom after all…
Wow… not very crowded…
Some fairly new Animal Kingdom merchandise available
Cool ear hat
Carnotaurus knit cap
Russel and Dug from UP meeting in the old “It’s Tough to be a Bug” FASTPASS area
Work continues on some of the side paths near the Tree of Life after the branch falling of a few weeks back
You can still get plenty of good photos of this…
On to Camp Minnie-Mickey
The dragon waterfall is still there
Hey, Meeko is out and doesn’t have a line!
It’s pretty empty
Word is the greeting trails are going away and these characters are moving to the former Beastly Bazaar in a few weeks
It wouldn’t be a trip to Animal Kingdom if we didn’t stop at Pizzafari to visit the greatest mural ever…
Psycho lion and incredibly nervous Zebra!
On to Harambe
Temporary signs inform guests of the festivities
There’s a wine walk
Beer
There are also some cultural demonstrations
The Henna booth was about the only one that wasn’t free
All kinds of special treats available
Fruit salads available as well
Let’s take a walk to Asia
You can learn how to play this instrument
The carts leading to Asia had special menus for the event
You can learn how to make summer rolls
Ta-da!
You can take home a recipe card
The boneless chicken wings are back!
I guess you can just call this place Anandapur Wild Wings! GET IT?
Huh?
I think I’m gonna be sick…
Live music
What is your Asian language?
Plenty of specialty drinks
Learn how to make fried rice!
They had dancers teaching dance moves to guests as Bollywood style music played in the area
I love the DJ’s decorated computer
Dragon Hollow? Now you’re just rubbing it in…
The water play area in Asia is being refurbished
Another Henna booth
Adam got a drink and decided to hang out in a secluded spot
Let’s see what’s going on at Kilimanjaro Safaris
Wilson is still featured in the queue even though his narration and story is gone from the ride
“WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”
JUMPING GAZELLES!
Oh, it’s poachers…
It was…
Hiding, Hiding Hippos
“NOM-NOM-NOM”
Holy giraffes!
Here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the backside of giraffe!
No, the bridge doesn’t collapse right now
Hidden Mickey
Awwww, sleepy cheetahs…
That turtle was moving so fast Adam couldn’t get a picture of him
Blurry, but some work was being done on the bridge
Work on the new finale scenes is visible
This is where Little Red once stood, but soon it will be a home to Zebras
A natural barrier being dug-out
Back to Harambe
The dance party is in full swing
Unlike the hated dance parties at the Magic Kingdom, this band performs music from their culture and teaches you their dances, a much better fit for a Disney park
Here’s a video of the dance party:
There is podium where guests can find out more about Wild Africa Trek
Some people seem to believe this will be the new entrance to Festival of the Lion King once it is forced to move out of Camp Minnie-Mickey
Popcone?
It’s the Enchantment in the Jungle Dance!
Gotta love intricate details…
Let’s take a look at the Tree of Life trails
You can still get some great photos of the Tree of Life
Some work continues
The exit of It’s Tough to be a Bug
Over at Expedition Everest, they have been chopping down some of the bamboo
Beautiful
Still no bird…
Still no movement… and no, there are not two of them…
New Everest shirts
More chopped bamboo
This old map of Dinoland U.S.A. is still up. It still includes Dinosaur Jubilee… look it up kids…
No, you won’t…
It’s time to leave
Not sure if Disney did anything, but the water isn’t bright green anymore!
Lost in the shuffle of a very busy week at Walt Disney World, WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom a few days ago and has some newsworthy photos to share of his adventure:
WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn made a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and took a peek at the construction on Disney’s Art of Animation Resort construction on Wednesday, so let’s taker a look at some photos from his trip:
The test of “Truckosaurous” dance party will still going
