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!

Peter Pan’s Flight Officially Receiving An Interactive Queue

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

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While it has not been announced formally to guests, cast members have been informed that work will be happening in the queue at Peter Pan’s Flight between January 16th and March 6th. An interactive queue area is being constructed to entertain guests during the usual long lines that this ride gets. It is expected to open on March 7, 2012. Disney is stating that the work will have no effect on the attraction, so it will remain open as the Haunted Mansion did during the installation of its interactive queue. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available on this story.

Zach Larson’s 1/10/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, including another look at the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom attraction:

Package pick-up on Main Street is under tarps

Christmas decorations are still up…

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is set to test every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday until it officially opens

Zach’s cards

The bakery behind tarps

It looked so real…

While the parlor is closed, you can get pre-packaged ice cream treats

The Main Street bridge is being repaired

Sorcerers window in Fantasyland

Stroller parking is a mess while Fantasyland construction continues

Ariel story

Still not entirely sure how this projection even happens…

Flotsam and Jetsam

Dumbo is now closed and behind walls

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is still behind tarps

Genie in Adventureland

Iago returns to Adventureland attractions… YAY!

These have been here for a while, but a lot of Pirates of the Caribbean movie nods have been added to Tortuga Tavern

Familiar hats…

Blackbeard!

Merlin is on the Jungle Cruise!

Pecos Bill’s facade is still behind tarps

The old menu at Golden Oak Outpost has returned… is it possible that they listened to us?

Frontierland Trading Post behind tarps

Merlin on the Liberty Belle

Princess and the Frog story

This is another one of those surprising windows… how do they do it

Another look at Main Street bridge work

Last look at Christmas decorations

Not surprisingly, all these people who can't read felt they needed to be the first on the launch, despite their actions.

A new sign… but people still don’t read…

An Aerial View of New Fantasyland, The Grand Floridian DVC, and Big Thunder Mountain

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Thanks to Scott Keating of www.scottkeating.net, we have an “over-the-walls” aerial view of the consturctiuon going on in New Fantasyland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the new DVC wing at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

The tents from Toontown are basically being rebuilt, but the rest of the Storybook Circus looks like it will make it for Mid-Februaury

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and the Beauty and the Beast realm are coming along nicely. Foundations for the Seven Dwarf Mine Train are starting to appear

Dumbos are being carefully removed from the old spinner, getting ready for the move

The new Dumbo spinner looks ready to go, and the queue isn’t far behind

The Fantasyland Station is almost done, and the Casey Jr. Roundhouse should be installed soon

The waterways are being carved out under bridges

It looks like a path is appearing slowly in front of Enchanted Tales with Belle

Moving out of the park, land has been cleared for the Grand Floridian DVC addition

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment has begun, but there isn’t anything to see yet

 

 

Dirk Wallen’s 10/25-26/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and a few of the resort hotels last week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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It’s Autumn

Pins available for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak has a pin

Holiday pins are out

Walls still up near the Haunted Mansion

Tarps up on Columbia Harbor House

The Yankee Trader is still behind tarps

Work continues on the new restrooms in Fantasyland

The Village Haus balcony is still closed, but tarps have started coming down

Looks nice

The souvenir cups from Gaston’s Tavern are also at Village Haus

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction continues

Wow…

Fun “character” apples

Storybook Circus has its own specialty cupcakes

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Finishing touches keep being added, the eyes on the snakes now have a spinning effect

There is some large construction happening between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom bus loop

At the All-Star Resorts, the lobby has been redecorated with large pictures to replace the old small ones

All-Star Sports

All-Star Music

The game cards at most of the arcades are now Wreck-It Ralph themed

Moving over to Animal Kingdom

Enjoy Camp Minnie-Mickey while you can

Pocohontas and Her Forrest Friends has been closed since September 2008 and is now being used for stroller parking

Beastly Bazaar is closed as it is being turned into a character meet and greet

That’s why we are here…

NO ZEBRAS!

They weren’t out at the time…

Test Track is coming along nicely (as seen from the monorail)

You can see the outline of the two Ts on the canopy

Digging the spot where the sign will go

Not much visible progress by the exit

The Epcot Character Spot is being refurbished

Work continues on the new IBM exhibit in Innoventions

Some Epcot 30th merchandise remains

Christmas merchandise in abundance

Neat…

Adam Roth’s 11/11/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a bunch of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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Habit Heroes – still closed

The exterior of Test Track is making quick progress as we race towards soft openings

Signage about to go up

They finally painted the exit

A look over the walls

Epcot Christmas tree

Food and Wine is now over, but at least we have the memories…

The temporary Epcot Character Spot is in the old Epcot 25th Anniversary exhibit space

The backdrop is retro-tastic…

Some remnants of the exhibit remain

The actual Character Spot in down for a lengthy refurbishment

Looks like it is going to be a while

Still using the same entrance

Walls still up near Electric Umbrella

The Epcot 30th window display is still up at Art of Disney

FastPass Plus at Spaceship Earth

The podium was uncovered

BYE!

It’s Christmas at the Magic Kingdom

Some tarps up on the Adventureland Veranda

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin refurbishment is done

The old steel drum bandstand is behind tarps, probably related to the upcoming Pirates interactive game being installed in Adventureland

Work continues on the new Fantasyland restrooms

Let’s check-in on New Fantasyland

The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

New tarps are up on Princess Fairytale Hall

Looks like these 5 princesses will be greeting guests when it opens in late-2013

Mesh for the rock-work going up on Mine Train

Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are back

The exit test is back in use

Goodnight Magic Kingdom!

“Royal Majesty Makers” Coming to Fantasyland Next Week

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

Disney is adding several new entertainment groups to Fantasyland leading to the December 6th grand opening of New Fantasyland, the first of which was announced today. Meet the Royal Majesty Makers who will meet guests starting November 19th:

The Royal Majesty Makers engage boys and girls in random acts of “royaldom,” endowing them with the skills to become princes and princesses. These royal consultants, official ambassadors of Cinderella’s court, inspire and delight visiting villagers with magical moments throughout the land. Led by retired knight Sir Sterling and royal etiquette expert Lady Llewellyn, the Royal Majesty Makers also include squire extraordinaire Tobias and flirtatious lady-in-waiting Bridget. They may be found in the Castle Courtyard, conducting Knight School, delivering invitations to a royal ball, leading royal dances or even playing a game of “Sir Sterling Says.”

It sounds like this show will be a mix of Hollywood Studios streetmosphere and the short-lived “Let’s Have a Ball” show that was performed behind Cinderella Castle back in 2006. We’ll provide a look at this new entertainment group next week when they debut, so stay tuned.

VIDEO: An In-Depth Look at Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom is now open daily for lunch & dinner, but if you haven’t had to chance to experience it for yourself just yet, you may want to check out this comprehensive tour we’ve put together:

After seeing the beautiful exterior and interior, what do you think of the latest Magic Kingdom dining establishment?

Adam Roth’s 12/10/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney yesterday and took plenty of newsworthy photos, so let’s take a look at what’s new:

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It appears some of the elements for the Adventureland interactive game have been installed

This icon should help guests locate the game area

Not sure what this will do

A different icon near this cannon

You can see the cannon aiming at something behind this tarp

Another game area

Looks like there is a skeleton under the water where the Junior Jungle Boats used to be

Another game area being set-up

The Crow’s Nest is still behind walls

We expect this is where the game will begin for guests

Golden Oak Outpost is closed again…

The tower from Tangled visible from Frontierland

Kind of strange…

Work is speeding along on the restrooms on the former Skyway site, rumors still indicate we will see guest charging stations for electronics in this area as well

The tower was installed recently

The Royal Majesty Makers out and about in Fantasyland

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction continues

The construction walls were updated with the Dwarfs now mimicking the areas they are in

This scene is near Enchanted Tales with Belle

The small Lumiere on the signage now swings his arms back and forth

Looks like another device built by Maurice

More new Mine Train walls

Some new concept art shows off the interactive queue

Looks like fun

The finale scene

Everyone has clocked in, meaning they are working hard on the new attraction

Another look at Mine Train

Some more walls came down revealing a small section of the bridge

A look from the other side

100 minutes for Mermaid… yeah, Fantasyland is a total failure 😉

All of the screen-based wait times signs in the park were themed recently, all of them now match the physical signage now

The back side of Mine Train

Triton’s Treasures is being built and is coming along quickly

Wait for Ariel’s Grotto

Some cool walls you can look through were put up as well

Let’s take a look inside

A lot of work still to be done

This wall is near Winnie-The-Pooh

Near the Mad Tea Party

Another look through the walls

Moving to Downtown Disney, the volcano at Rainforest Cafe is coming along nicely

Splitsville opens December 19th

Curl is also moving to some small space next door to Splitsville

Looks like there is space for another store as well

There’s an outside bar as well

VIDEO: The Giggle Gang Brings Big-Top Laughs to Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

When The Giggle Gang was announced by Disney a few days ago, many guests were worried that scary clowns would be invading Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. After having seen a show from the new group, I can safely say that scary clowns are hardly what guests are seeing in the park. The show is actually pretty cute; that being said, it probably could still use a little work. As with most comedy shows, some things work and some don’t, and I’m sure they will figure it out as they go along. The following video is from a very early preview performance of the Giggle Gang, so please keep in mind that they had only completed 2 actual shows prior to this performance. Enjoy:

So, what do you think of the Giggle Gang in Storybook Circus?