Robert Ashburn’s 2/9/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

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A banner has been hung for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

It fits Main Street pretty well yet still sets the scene

This area in Fantasyland finally looks complete

It’s well lit at night

I know we showed this already this week, but here’s the screen menu boards at Cosmic Ray’s

Walls up inside the restaurant

The new Tomorrowland cart at night… we love this thing…

Take a close look for a Walt reference…

“Marty Called Wants Changes”

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CASTLE? CALL 911!

Oh, it’s just Dream Along with Mickey at night…

The romance segment in “The Magic, The Memories, and You!”

Apparently people like these gourmet hot dogs… not us…

Some recently released shirts

I like this new batch of generic logo merchandise not focusing on a year

“I know what we’re gonna do today!” Buy Phineas and Ferb merchandise

Mickey plush available in abundance after the great drought late last year where no Mickeys were available resort wide

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

Adam Roth’s 2/13/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday to do some homework (if only we were so lucky) and he managed to take plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us in the process:

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Let’s grab a times guide

 The parade route is back to normal

Work continues on the bakery and center street facades

The bakery is open

Plaza Ice Cream still closed

Work continues on the supports in Tomorrowland

 

This side of the Dumbo queue is finally being painted

 

Scaffolding coming down on the circus tent queue area

 

The other Dumbo centrifuge is in place

 

They are working everyday to get the attraction up and running as soon as possible

 

 

Beast’s Castle

 

 

The Mermaid rock-work is being extended to hide the show building from view in Storybook Circus

 

Rooftops and patios are appearing on Prince Eric’s castle

 


A close-up of the castle

 

 

It looks great!

 

 

The artwork is back on the great wall of Fantasyland

 

The Castle Wall is finally showing some progress

 

The Seven Dwarves Mine shop lives out a stay of execution until the wall moves this direction

 

Walkways are still tight at the moment

 

This is the first time we’ve actually seen people working on the wall

 

We can see some detail at the top of the wall

 

The Fantasyland Skyway station is gones and now we have a giant pile of dirt

 

You can clearly see The Hauted Mansion, but this will change

 

Just a lot of dirt…

 

Work on the Peter Pan’s Flight queue continues

 

 

 

 

Walls up where the pathway will go next to the Haunted Mansion

 

Hard to believe this opened almost a year ago

It has grown in nicely

 

Some things were changed…

 

 

Some things were added as less-than-capable guests walked through…

 

 

Other things that were added

 

The pet cemetary is missing some pieces while the new path is worked on

 

Time for some Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

 

 

 

Pongo looks a little angry…

Love the cards

 

What’s the best part about Sorcerers? Inclusion of often ignored characters

 

The old Fife & Drum food service location closed for decades is back in use

 

This is a second location where you can begin your quest

This card has been changed to remove Slinky Dog from the background. Apprently, Disney doesn’t have the rights to use him…

 

Frontierland Trading Post still behind tarps

 

 

The tower that the Barnstormer will now crash through looks finished

 

The Big Thunder Mountain refurb rolls on

 

Lift hill replacemtn and roof repairs being done now

 

 

Some paint has also been applied to lower level rock-work

 

 

Progress is appearing rapidly

 

The backside of the Be Our Guest Restaurant

A look at Fantasyland Station

 

Lighting fixtures installed

 

Hi there

 

Still there…

 

Roof is covered

 

The Barnstormer is just about finished

 

 

 

A fair amount of landscaping left to complete

 

The backside of the Dumbo building

In-Depth Look: The Matterhorn Bobsleds

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

The Matterhorn Bobsleds for the past 6 months underwent an extensive refurbishment to replace much of the aging rock work and ride track. Along with the refurbishment came the long rumored new ride vehicles. The new 3 seat sleds change the ride quite more than you would think. If you would like to hear our review of the new bobsleds, you can listen to this weeks DLNT Podcast where we talk in-depth about the new Matterhorn Bobsleds. Big thanks to Tim Alcoser for the photos.

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A look at the new bobsleds

Smile for the camera of a random stranger!

Everything looking fresh around the mountain

3 seats per car, no lap sitting

Into the abyss.

Now a photo ride through the mountain

That's a nice, steep little drop.

I haven’t seen this waterfall work in years, good to see it flowing again.

Glad the logo was kept on the bobsleds

And now a video from the very first day it soft-opened, enjoy.

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

Josh Siegel’s 2/23/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

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

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The Bakery is still behind tarps

A tarp came down in the bad weather

Some lighted effects added to another Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom window

A line building for some of the windows

A new poster inside the Fire Station

A decent amount of guests waiting

The Chapeau is still behind tarps

Some new, smaller trees planted in Town Square

Chamber of commerce (package pick-up) is also still behind tarps

A temporary wheelchair ramp installed while work is being done

Another look at the new trees everyone seems to hate

I don’t see what all of the commotion is about… they’re trees…

Another look at the Chapeau/Confectionary

They fixed the fallen tarp on Center Street

Some of the facades came out from behind the tarps and look great

The Bakery tarps in the daytime

Plaza Ice Cream is still closed

Work continues on the Main Street bridge

The Dumbo building is coming along nicely

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid coming along nicely

One of the large tents has already been covered

Some kind of wall rising, possibly for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train

The new rock-work at the edge of the Mermaid facade taking shape

Belle’s Village

The crane! The crane!

The facade of Enchanted Tales with Belle is finally getting some detail

A better look at the new covered tent

Tigger’s Bounce Area is still closed…

This may be made into a Pooh meet and greet area in the not too distant future

Plenty of trees planted in Storybook Circus

A billboard for The Barnstormer is now up, you can spot it over the Dumbo queue

Another look at Enchanted Tales with Belle

Another look towards Dumbo and Barnstormer

The days are numbered for this store

And we all know this closes May 31st now

The unveiled portion of Castle Wall looks nice

Guests being prevented from going upstairs at Pinocchio’s Village Haus

A portion of walls near the restrooms remains

This piece of wall was already revealed

A new wheelchair ramp has been installed at Peter Pan’s Flight in preparation for the new interactive queue addition once the new restrooms open

I hope we can spare a few shields to decorate this…

Work continues on the former Skyway plot

The Haunted Mansion is clearly visible

What a mess

Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

One new roof looks pretty much finished

MAdame Leota’s cart out in Liberty Square

40th anniversary shirts

I haven’t seen this out in a while, but now it’s at the cart

Some new pavement along the parade route

Some new pavement that looks like wooden planks

Work continues by the Vacation Club booth

Work was completed on the Frontierland Trading Post facade

I assume that the missing part of the sign will return soon

This facade looks brand new

Some pieces still being worked on

Sunshine Tree Terrace still behind tarps

Some signage was recently installed at the Sorcerers station in Liberty Square

Good luck Sorcerers!

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

Adam Roth’s 12/26/11 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 28, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth recently visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom and took a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so strap in for a lengthy look around Walt Disney World:

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Adam caught the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special inside the ABC Sound Studio, former home of Sounds Dangerous

In case you don’t know, Comedy Warehouse was a club at Pleasure Island

Just a sticker, but shows effort for a very temporary attraction

Control booth

The show is improv, comedy’s ugly cousin…

OK…

I’ve been running this site for five years, and this is easily the lowest moment…

Adam enjoyed it and so did guests, so we’ll see what the future holds…

Booths from the Food & Wine festival being used to meet dining demands

The Magic of Disney animation added a campus map a while ago… it’s trying to look like a real animation studio

Nothing says Italian like fast food meatballs…

The Premiere Theater is showing holiday cartoons

“Curse you Perry the Platypus!”

The daily schedule

The “italian” restaurant

It looks awful…

The stage is set for New Year’s Eve

Adam is a good colorer…

I’m so proud…

The Monsters University logo now up inside the Magic of Disney Animation

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, we arrive at Sleepy Hollow

What could we be here for?

Of course!

Here is the chicken sandwich without the usual spread

The ham, prosciutto, and swiss sandwich

The Diamond Horseshoe was open

Somewhere, a child cries…

“MICKEY!”

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is performing daily now

“Yay! We didn’t have to buy a party ticket! But this place is packed…”

Christopher Robin was added to the parade this year, but the Pooh tree float is gone

Duffy joins the fun

The skiers were new for this year

Awwwww…

Bo Creep… I mean, Bo Peep

A personal favorite

Another personal favorite

However long that is, it’s too long…

Too long!

Could we cut out this step thing!

Storybook Circus construction as seen from the TTA

The lower level rock-work taking shape at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The back of the Dumbo queue building was painted green

Three digits…

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas is performing daily

Spot the Captain EO reference?

Eye did! Get it? Eye did!

Instead of having him on screen, Stitch appears on stage now

Some new props had to be made for the changes

The new tower at Barnstormer is rising up around the track

There is a lot of color on the Dumbo queue

They are pretty much rebuilding the old tents

Oooooo, I spot a dirty word…

Scaffolding up over the Dumbo queue building

The roof over the two covered queue areas is coming along

You can see the new Dumbo spinner through the queue

The train station is almost done

Another look at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The caverns are now visible

Belle’s Village is starting to look good

Another look at the Storybook Circus train station

Back to Under the Sea

Prince Eric’s castle

Notice Mr. Stork at the top of the new Dumbo spinner

Back to Belle’s village

Maurice’s cottage

Be Our Guest restuarant

A panoramic view of construction

Some of the Storybook Circus pavement has been revealed

wagon wheel marks and horse footprints litter the path, a beautiful detail

The mountain range looks great

The sun sets on the old Dumbo…

Some work has been done on the Castle Wall

A stone wall has popped up next to it

The edge of the rock-work

A chimney through the trees

Holy Nana!

You’d have to have a hook for a brain to wait in that

“it’s a long line”

Nice sign

The new path near the Haunted Mansion is being worked on

Non-alcoholic sangria from Tortuga Tavern

YUM!

Time to light the Castle

Purty…

New details were unveiled in the Town Square Theater queue for Mickey

Notes for advertisements made by Mickey sit on a bulletin board

Gotta love these details

Mailboxes

A reference to the first attraction in this space, the Walt Disney Story

The Bill Justice character mural that used to stand in this space lives on with these rolled up pictures of it in one of the mailboxes

A great addition to a pretty bland room of the queue

A new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom window in Fantasyland

Hidden camera

Another window in Fantasyland

This appears to be Merlin’s house as you can see Archimedes’ bird house in the back

Another Fantasyland window

Not so hidden

The last reference to Tinker Bell’s Treasures has been turned into a Sorcerers window

The Main Street Electrical Parade is supposedly leaving before Summer 2012, so get in your last views while you can

The holiday edition of “The Magic, the Memories, and You!” is still performing

Some Holiday Wishes! photos

Yowza…

Quick, let’s take the secret exit out of this photo report!

Fantasyland Shrinks Before It Expands

WDWNT on December 18, 2011

Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom are being given a special warning beginning today…

The problem is not so much the waits as much as it is the space. The construction walls for New Fantasyland are moving out again so some work on the pathways can be done to prepare for the opening of Storybook Circus in just a few weeks time. Christmas week is usually busy enough, but with the walls coming out, Disney is expecting guest gridlock in Fantasyland. The hope is that giving guests this warning will get many of them to experience Fantasyland before noon. Here’s how Disney is wording it to their cast members:

As we continue preparing New Fantasyland for its debut at Magic Kingdom Park, it will be necessary to expand construction walls throughout the area. We will be using a number of tactics to help ease Guest flow through Fantasyland during this time, such as temporarily removing merchandise or food and beverage carts from the land. To ensure our Guests have the best experience possible, we will be encouraging them to visit Fantasyland in the morning hours when they can usually enjoy the shortest waits of the day. We also suggest that families with strollers leave them parked in one of the designated Fantasyland stroller locations while exploring the land.

Our advice: try to stay out of Fantasyland until 2012…