Dirk Wallen’s 4/13/15 WDW Photo Report (Frozen, AVATAR, Rivers of Light, Harambe Marketplace, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 5, 2015

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Animal Kingdom and Epcot this week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

 Work has begun on the Frozen meet and greet pavilion between Mexico and Norway at Epcot

Still no visible progress on the Frozen attraction

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, the annual DisneyNature sand sculpture can be found outside of this park instead of at Epcot this year

Walls came down around Island Mercantile revealing new planters

It doesn’t look like the pin cart will be returning to this spot anytime soon

Rivers of Light construction from above… looks like something is being constructed out in the water

AVATAR construction as seen from the parking lot at Animal Kingdom; this building will hold the flying Banshee ride

The building from afar

What appears to be construction of an outdoor seating area for the Beastly Bazaar Starbucks

The viewing area for Rivers of Light is coming along slowly

Meanwhile, a hyena habitat is being constructed on Kilimanjaro Safaris

Should be a cool addition when the nighttime safaris debut

The Africa Marketplace and Harambe Marketplace restaurant should be opening soon

 The water tower looks ready to go, but some work remains on the ground level

Dirk Wallen’s 3/3/15 WDW Photo Report (Hat is Gone, Toy Story Mania Expansion, Haramabe Marketplace, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom this week and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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NO MORE SORCERER’S HAT

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Neverbeast banners up in the Animation Courtyard

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Also, an ad for Big Hero 6 on Blu-ray

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A Tomorrowland billboard has gone up by PIXAR Place

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An Inside Out billboard at the other end of the street

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Still no signs of life at the Backlot Tour

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A Cinderella billboard behind the Great Movie Ride

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After years of waiting, walls are up outside of Stage 1, possibly the home of a third Toy Story Mania track

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Moving over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, walls have engulfed what was the Island Merchantile pin cart

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Work continues on Rivers of Light

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From Everest, you can see the vertical construction of AVATAR

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Also, the prep work for Rivers of Light

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We assume the need to run pipes through the viewing area is for some water effects that will take place in the audience, similar to World of Color

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Work continues on revamping the entrance to Kali River Rapids

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Work continues on the new Africa Marketplace area, including the Harambe Marketplace restaurant

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Some of the buildings in the marketplace are nearing completion

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A look at the AVATAR construction walls… still nothing to see here

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And one last look at Rivers of Light construction

Africa Expansion Announced for Animal Kingdom, New “Harambe Marketplace” Counter Service Restaurant Coming in 2015

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

In the midst of all of the work happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, we finally know what’s happening behind those constructions walls in Africa:

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As you have probably seen if you’ve been by Mombasa Marketplace and the entrance to the Wildlife Express Train, construction work is taking place and even more new structures are under way. The Africa Marketplace, as the new area will be known, will open next Spring and expanded merchandise offerings, offer an alternate pathway to travel to Asia and a new quick service restaurant. The quick-service restaurant, the Harambe Marketplace, will feature a number of different food offerings at walk-up windows. This themed colonial-era marketplace will offer produce and raw goods that come straight from Harambe by train. Based on Guest feedback, you’ll see plenty of shade to enjoy while guests relax and eat during their visit.