We have over 400 photos coming up shortly, but first enjoy this video of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid from the soft opening of New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom earlier today:
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth has been all over the Disney Parks this weekend. Here are some assorted photos (that don’t include his 400 from New Fantasyland) he took at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot:
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom shirts available at Sir Mickey’s
Work continues on the restrooms going in at the old Skyway site
Yankee Trader still behind tarps
Weird…
Rock-work appearing
FastPass Plus still installed at Haunted Mansion
The Magic Kingdom is getting ready for RFID park entry
We believe that the purpose of the steel truss at the park entrance is a test for a new possible exit
Cast members have been routing guests leaving the park through wider gates in the center and counting off the guests exiting
A weird test, but they want to see if it allows better guest flow
The Grand Floridian DVC wing off in the distance
The Magic Kingdom parking entrance has been completely repainted
Looks nice, but the letters are still missing
Moving to Epcot, FastPass Plus installed at Turtle Talk with Crush
FastPass Plus installed for Seas with Nemo and Friends ride
Hops and Barley got a sign to help guests find it
It’s hidden in the back of the American Adventure
Disney Parks wine is celebrating 1 year
Work continues on Test Track
Neat…
We can start to make out changes in the facade
A circular shape is starting to jut out from the existing facade
COOL WASH!
Looks like new banners are about to be hung up on the canopy
Here’s what is left of the Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise
Some work going on in Innoventions central
I don’t think they are taking down the canopy
It doesn’t reach The Electric Umbrella
Kim Possible was here…
Habit Heroes is still closed
FastPass Plus installed at Spaceship Earth
Seems like overkill for a merge point
We end with the friendliest buildings on earth… they share a door…
We know New Fantasyland is stunning during the day, but just wait until you see the incredible lighting and ambiance at night. We take a video tour of New Fantasyland at night, including a look inside the stunning ballroom at the Be Our Guest Restaurant, in our latest video:
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom again on Monday and has some photos of New Fantasyland and other assorted newsworthy items to share:
The castle walls have been completely revealed
No bushes now
Scuttle is a living character in the Under the Sea queue, so he can interact with guests
He also talks to the crabs
Sleepy…
We think these crabs are going to become beloved
We have to stop here…
PORK SHANK!
and some LeFou’s Brew
Souvenir mug
Still awesome
Yep…
There are books titled for the land in the Magic Kingdom next to the Donald service statue
Some Haunted Mansion wallpaper in the background as well
I don’t think Phil Holmes asked for the tribute, I’m pretty sure it was just a gesture from the Imagineers
This is the souvenir goblet that will also be available at Be Our Guest Restaurant
A lot of decorations in this store
Some work took place of the roof of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train
Gaston greeting guests in the town
Some filming going on
No more walls over here
Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall
A look at progress on the old Skyway site
Ummm…
Castle Dreamlights installed
Orange Bird ear hats available in Adventureland
Work continues outside of Magic Carpets of Aladdin
It’s worth mentioning that this attraction goes down for refurbishment in a few days, at which point we expect FastPass Plus to be installed
Some work has been done to the Pirates of the Caribbean queue over the last few months
Some staircases were refurbished
New lighting all around
The new merge point in place
Some work still being done
It is well-themed. It looks like toe fort was damaged in battle
The Crow’s Nest is still behind walls
Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats is gone
Now just stroller parking
Some work still being done
It is believed this all ties into a Jungle Cruise refurbishment happening in 2013
So, we’ve been staring at this thing a lot…
So, here’s what reader Chris Currie believes it is…
 My guess is it is more for people counting than security. The white rectangular box on the left side is whats called a precision stereo camera and is dedicated to people counting. The second device in from the left is an Axis Dome camera, third device in is an outdoor laser measurement device from SICK AG, another Axis Dome camera and then another box style camera.
The two dome cameras are likely used for verifying the data from the precision stereo camera and the laser management device. The box style camera could possibly be used to test people counting analytic’s in a Video Management System.
That sounds about right
But no, it has nothing to do with them using RFID for park entry, this is simply an exit test
We’re exiting… goodbye!
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen did some park hopping this weekend, so let’s take a look at some newsworthy photos from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction
Princess Fairytale Hall
Work continues on the upper-level of Village Haus
Work continues on the new restrooms coming to the former Skyway site
Modifications are taking place at “it’s a small world” related to new guest flow for when stroller parking once again moves next door at the old Skyway site
More metal guardrails are being installed on the Tomorrowland bridges
Magic Carpets of Aladdin is closed for refurbishment
Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing
EVEN THE WALLS HAVE WALLS!
Moving to Epcot, work continues on in Innoventions central
Still nothing up on the canopy at Test Track
Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the facade of Legend of Jack Sparrow is looking much better than when we first checked in
A large mural of the circular map from “At World’s End” covers most of the soundstage
Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope will start greeting guests on October 28th
AWESOME
Guests can color while the meet and greet is being installed
Plenty of Wreck-It Ralph merchandise available at Mickey’s of Hollywood
children’s shirt
Most of this stuff can be picked up at your local Disney Store
Scented plush
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and the surrounding resorts on Monday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Work continues on RFID turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom
Walls up on the other side too
Holy…
That’s more like it…
That isn’t Osh Popham…
These “black and white” plush have been out for a few months now
We look at Wreck-It Ralph stuff for the 40th time
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom shirts are selling well
Still gross…
Wow…
Magic Carpets of Aladdin closed for refurbishment
A lot of guests want to see mermaids!
Walls still up at the Crow’s Nest
Golden Oak Outpost closed
I’d rather not…
This would be why
Holy lines Batman
You know what doesn’t have lines?
The new, shorter Country Bear Jamboree!
It will never break 12 again…
Lobby wasn’t touched
The theater is another story
New lighting is quite noticeable
These guys look brand new
All of the bears got new fur and clothing
They look incredible
The bad part of all this is the cutting of much of the show
The Five Bear Rugs no longer sing “Devilish Mary”
“Fractured Folk Song” was also cut, then the song order was changed as well
Lines from some songs were even cut
HE LOOKS AWESOME!
A lot of dialogue was cut as well…
It’s great that the attraction was completely restored, but it’s a shame we had to lose so much of it
The Gaston’s Tavern mugs are being repurposed at Sleepy Hollow
I think it’s a neat idea
Work continues on the new restrooms on the former Skyway site
There’s a chimney
The construction walls now extend to the “it’s a small world” exit tarps
Tarps still up at Village Haus
Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction
Cast Member previews are currently taking place
Guests are confused! EVERYONE SAID IT WAS OPEN!
I hope something will be done with pavement land at some point
Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall
The exit test is still happening
Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC addition
A beautiful sight at your wedding!
The parking lot is just about finished
Let’s head over to the Polynesian
RFID is in full use over here
Let’s go shopping
A lot of the 40th anniversary merchandise has been rebranded
Toothpick holders!
Let’s go eat
BACON CUPCAKES!
IT’S BACON! Well, not completely…
Adam had to get one…
A nice secluded spot to enjoy a Dole float
A look across the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian DVC
We have our first wall
I think it will blend nicely
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday evening and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us, including New Fantasyland and our first look inside of the Be Our Guest Restaurant and how the counter service portion of the restaurant will operate. Let’s take a look:
Frankenweenie merchandise available in Caribbean Plaza
Still not selling…
A Halloween collectible cup is now available at Sunshine Tree Terrace along with that Orange Bird thing…
Lights on inside Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train
Let’s check out Storybook Circus at night
Still strange…
As they need this path to move consturction items into Mine Train, it may be a long time before you can travel from Circus to Mermaid
The calliope looks great
Look closely
HA
We’re already in Storybook Circus… so this can be confusing…
Another look at Mine Train
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid looks great at night
A great new place to watch fireworks
Gaston’s chair has arrived at Gaston’s Tavern!
Be Our Guest restaurant was open for guests to tour
The lobby
Gorgeous interior
Lots of ordering kiosks for counter service
It’s a scroll
RFID technology like the new room keys will be used in the ordering system
Touch the magic rose thing… you will get a plastic rose “puck” with an RFID chip which you will scan at your table so they know where to bring your food
It will be interesting to see how this works
Menu
Different kiosks look like different items
The ballroom
I assume this is “Be Our Guest” in French
Hopefully we will see more soon
You can see a early carving of the music box from Be Our Guest restaurant in Maurice’s workshop at Enchanted Tales with Belle, since Maurice built it and all…
I love this animatronic so much…
Plenty of Imagineers and construction workers out at Mine Train
Here’s a quick photo update from around the Magic Kingdom from a few days ago, courtesy of Reporter Robert Ashburn:
Grand Floridian DVC construction continues
Another new poster up at Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
Work continues on the Bakery facade
Storybook Circus has some great lighting at night
The blue light is a little strange… did Aliens arrive at the station?
The rocket has lighting to go along with the smoke
Someone got a new profile pic…
Another new poster popped up at the station
Dumbo looks fantastic at night!
Color changing LED lighting under the water really adds a whole new element at night
Just a friendly reminder… OR ELSE!
Guests playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
OK, if you have to wait in line to play, it completely defeats the purpose… you see your whole story play before you even get near the window, and to be honest, as fun as it is, it isn’t worth waiting any length for. Sorry, I won’t play when lines are like this… it’s not worth it for a screen…
Cool new Phineas and Ferb shirts
Some new shirts
A Dole Whip shirt? Really? It’s nice though…
Shirts for Churros and Turkey Legs, wow…
Oh, there you are Perry…
We might be here a while… you run ahead…
WDWNT Reporter Adam roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Saturday evening and has some great nighttime photos to share with us from his trip:
The Storybook Circus tents are completely empty
A look towards Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Dumbo… AT NIGHT!
Barnstormer… AT NIGHT!
The LED lighting makes Dumbo look glorious at night
The popcorn lights around the attraction also look great
You DO need a Magic Feather
The eerie blue light in the Train Station is weird…
The screen based signage doesn’t blend well at night
Props from various Goofy shorts are in the loading area
Some others tie-into the posters and stunts outside
Goodnight Magic Kingdom
Disney released some b-roll of the Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland today, offering a wonderful, high definition look at this recent addition to the Magic Kingdom:
