Festival of the Lion King Moves and AVATAR Land Construction Begin 2014

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Disney today officially confirmed that Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will be moving to that new theater in Africa we recently posted about and stated that the new theater will open sometime in 2014.

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This announcement confirms that AVATAR Land construction that was supposed to break ground in 2013 will instead be starting in 2014. This also means that we will probably not be visiting Pandora anytime before 2017. While this is another delay, the moving of Festival of the Lion King does in fact dispels all rumors that AVATAR Land is in trouble or might be cancelled. It is coming… just a little later than we thought.

So, what do you think?

Dirk Wallen’s 7/10-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot last week and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian as we approach the opening in October

Things are still a bit of a mess right now

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the post for the Hall of Champions sign is walled

Cinderella’s fountain is still roped off from guests… we think some Brazilian tourists tried to bathe in it…

Still nothing to see over at Princess Fairytale Hall

FastPass+ has been testing a lot at the Magic Kingdom

A look at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

A look at the backside along with Triton’s Treasures

This portion where the track makes a wide turn and dives underground looks exciting!

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater

The walls now have some themed signage

You can see the crane from various places in Africa

On Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Addax are still in place…

But they are still trying to re-introduce the Zebras

So the Zebras may make a full-time return soon… or not

Work has been completed on the FastPass+ queue at Finding Nemo: the Musical

Heading over to Epcot, another round of turnstile conversions has begun

FountainView is still preparing to be the next Starbucks location in the fall

Walls are still up around what should have been a new food cart months ago…

The FastPAss+ signage is up and running at Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Signs also went up at the Seas with Nemo and Friends

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

We can see construction going vertical now

Tom Corless’ 6/27-7/1/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

I managed to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Magic Kingdom over the last week and took plenty of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new at the Walt Disney World Resort:

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A new purchase-with-purchase bag is available

FastPass+ entrance at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

MagicBand accessories can also be found at Animal Kingdom Lodge

They have Incredibles MagicBandits

Moat exciting has to be the appearance of Star Wars CoverBands

There are also a few MagicBand t-shirts available

The new seasonal line of Beautifully Disney has been released

Moving to Animal Kingdom, we found some Monsters University school supplies for sale

Construction continues on the new theater for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

There are now stand-by and FastPass+ signs at Finding Nemo: The Musical

New Sorcerer Mickey iPhone 5 case

While the real sign has still not arrived, this temporary sign shows us artwork for what the real Adventurers Outpost sign will look like

Lone Ranger and Tonto Vinylmation for sale

The Grand Floridian gave out 25th anniversary buttons on July 1st

Some new novelty sunglasses are being sold at the Magic Kingdom

I really love these Goofy ones

Princess shades are neat too

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Dirk Wallen’s 6/27/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Animal Kingdom, the Villas at the Grand Floridian, and Epcot earlier today and took some great photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Starting at Animal Kingdom, Kodak signage is gone from the Camera Center

With FastPass+ currently testing, It’s Tough to be a Bug once again has a FastPass queue

There are still some construction walls up under the Tree of Life, meaning they are still installing nets under it

Wow, they’ve caught plenty of stuff…

Over at Camp Minnie-Mickey, this theater is still just stroller parking

Since it isn’t closing in this location just yet, they are using FastPass+ at Festival of the Lion King

Pocahontas has moved into one of the greeting trails at Camp Minnie-Mickey

Chip and Dale have moved into another

Work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater in Africa

Still not much to see

Work is wrapping up on the FastPass+ queue at Finding Nemo: The Musical

The signage is now up

Leaving Animal Kingdom, work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

I’m not crazy about the plain white sides, but I’ll hold my judgement until the building is finished

Scaffolding is down on the water side and it looks fantastic

Work continues on the new bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

More turnstile conversions happening at Epcot

The middle section that is typically the exit is walled-off

Some touch-point entrances are going to be here soon

In other news, they are still patching up the landscaping from the Flower and Garden Festival

Dirk Wallen’s 6/1/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Still no permanent sign installed at the Explorers Outpost

Surprisingly, there is still work happening down at the Tree of Life nets

Small walls still up

Looks like they are installing some railings

Work continues on the new theater for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

They are still working on the queue modifications at Finding Nemo: The Musical

New signage up at the Main Street Bakery as we get closer to the reopening this month

Sleepy Hallow Refreshments still behind tarps

Some walls up in Liberty Square

Tarps still up on the former Peter Pan restrooms

No tarps on Princess Fairytale Hall anymore

Work on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train seems to be picking up

A large section in the back no longer has walls up and is a new stroller parking area for Under the Sea

Triton’s Treasures should also be open very soon

The path to Storybook Circus is now permanently open

Work continues on The Villas at the Grand Floridian

Dirk Wallen’s 5/10-11/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom this weekend and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

Windows are being installed now

It’s starting to look like part of the Grand Floridian

A look from across the Seven Seas Lagoon

Work continues on the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

Not much to see yet

Getting to the Magic Kingdom, tarps are still up on Main Street Apparel next to Casey’s Corner

Starbucks opens in the Main Street Bakery next month

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is still behind tarps

In a strange tuern of events, a Disney Visa card kiosk has opened at the old Keelboat dock

This space had been used for Haunted Mansion extended queue

The Liberty Bell is behind walls

Tarps still up on Columbia Harbour House

Tarps also still up on the Fantasyland side

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

The Mad Tea Party is still closed for refurbishment, which we believe to consist of changes to the queue

Everyday, the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train is looking better and better

The backside looks nearly complete

The rock-work here matches Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Moving over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 15th anniversary merchandise is still available

Work continues on the new home for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

ADDAX!

They may not be Zebras, but they will do…

The Anadapur ice cream truck is back, but still behind walls

You have to cross the park for soft-serve ice cream…

Queue modifications happening at Finding Nemo: The Musical

Tom Corless’ 4/16-4/26/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

I recently visited the Walt Disney World Resort (just last week) and I have a ton of newsworthy photos to share with you, so let’s take a look at all of the changes happening around the resort right now:

They got a new banner, too bad they only have a few months left…

They added some “blood” red carpet in the queue at the Haunted Mansion… sorry, it’s dark in there

The backside of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train appears to closely resemble the rock-work on Under the Sea

After a month, it appears the construction of the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom is still in the early stages

I see you Grand Floridian Villas…

Over at Animal Kingdom, banners are still up for the 15th anniversary

We can already see posts for a marquee going up where the new Festival of the Lion King entrance will be in Africa

The Anandapur Ice Cream Truck is gone, so you can only get soft-serve at Camp Minnie-Mickey right now

With Planes coming out this August, there are some character planes clothes for kids coming out

I particularly like the Dumbo jumbo jet…

Taking a look at the Villas at the Grand Floridian from the Polynesian Beach

The trademark red roof is starting to appear

Monsters University merchandise can be found everywhere

More Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

A few weeks ago, the Gaston’s mug was updated with new artwork featuring Gaston and LeFou

Sorry for the blurry pic, but you get the idea

More MU stuff in Mouse Gear

Some new Villains watches have come out

Scar and Chernabog

Queen of Hearts and Maleficent

Scar

The Monsters University display recently added some gargoyles despite the fact that the event is ending soon

Some banners describing the film were also put up

Touch-point entry was finally installed at International Gateway

There are now Mickey and Minnie handset phones for mobile phones for sale

Mickey and Minnie mini-speakers for sale

I tired the chili cone queso at Downtown Disney… it’s the same as Cars Land…

The Droid Factory has now opened inside Once Upon a Toy

The four stations really help out with lines

Some new magnets for sale

The Boardwalk Bakery re-opened on Friday at Disney’s Boardwalk

It looks a lot different

You should probably wear a shirt to the bakery…

The expanded kitchen added some pre-made sandwiches to the menu

They also have soup

Mmmmmm

MMMMMMMMMM

FastPass testing for Fantasmic! going on now

The American Idol Experience store now sells Star Wars stuff… Yes…

They added a seafood platter to the menu at the ABC Commissary…. Yum?

The oscars are back at the Magic of Disney Animation from filming for Saving Mr. Banks the last several months

Cool new baseball cap

Dirk Wallen’s 4/23/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom last week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The Rainforest Cafe volcano is done

Tons of Marvel stuff in Once Upon a Toy

They also now have the Star Wars Droid Factory

Over at Epcot, work continues on turing Fountain View into a Starbucks location

The old Character Spot is still closed… at this point I’m starting to think it will become Starbucks seating…

Tarps are down at Mission: Space and the facade looks great

Tarps are up where Spice Road Table will be going in Morocco

A temporary stage up for Mo’ Rockin’

The waterfall at Maelstrom is being worked on again for some reason

Moving to Animal Kingdom, the Anandapur Ice Cream truck is gone

Work continues on the new home for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

Joe Hogarty’s 4/2/13 Animal Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work being done on the bridge to Africa, believed to be connected to the work on the new Festival of the Lion King Theater

This could be extended queue for the show

We haven’t checked on the Tree of Life nets in a while

Seems most of the paths are covered now

There is one small section still not completed

Mickey-shaped snacks?

A look at the Africa bridge from the other direction

PINE CONE!!!

I am Batman!

Awwww, kitty!

They were being active

SLURP!

RAWR!

More…

Almost done…

The Adventurers Outpost still has not opened

Maybe soon…

Construction Has Begun on New Home for Festival of the Lion King

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

Behind Tusker House in Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, construction has begun on a new home for Festival of the Lion King. The new location will house the show once it closes in Camp Minnie-Mickey so work can commence on the AVATAR-themed land sometime later this year.  The moving of the check-in area for the Wild Africa Trek experience a few weeks ago was the  just the beginning of the changes to make way for the project:

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There are some questions we have about the theater. Will it have the modern conveniences of the Festival of the Lion King theater built in 2005 for Hong Kong Disneyland?

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Now that the show is staying and moving to a structure not meant to be temporary, it sure would be nice to see improvements to the theater and maybe even the old parade floats from Disneyland that are in the show.

What do you think?