Dirk Wallen’s 7/27-29/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney over the last three days and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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More touch-point entrances are being installed at Epcot

The exit has been moved to accommodate this work

Work continues on Fountain View which will open as Starbucks in the Fall

This booth is once again out from behind walls… let’s see if it actually opens this time…

The latest Remember When pin is out, featuring Journey Into Jungle Book from Animal Kingdom

Walls are still up around this planter on World Showcase promenade

Hard to see, but roads have been paved for the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

There is some major concrete work happening outside of the Emporium

Walls are down from around this sign

White tarps up on this Main Street facade for whatever reason

Planes merchandise has landed at the Emporium

New crossword Mickey Mouse iPhone 5 phone case

These walls are still up in Liberty Square

Walls still up at the old Peter Pan restrooms in Fantasyland

This awesome sign featuring the two lines at the Mad Tea Party finally went back up this week

Still nothing to see at Princess Fairytale Hall

Plenty to see over at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train site

You can now see hills and valleys where the trains will dive down and rise up… this looks pretty incredible…

Work has just about wrapped up on the back of the mountain

We’re still waiting for Triton’s Treasures to open

One tarp is still up on the building

FastPass+ running at Magic Carpets of Aladdin

The FastPass+ entrance is also ready to go at Pirates of the Caribbean

A new marquee and times board are up at the American Idol Experience

Signage points FastPass+ guests down to here to enter

The Hollywood Brown Derby is testing a new lunch menu right now and it looks amazing

Moving to the Studios, Planes banners are up in the Animation Courtyard

Planes and Frozen billboards up in the Animation Courtyard as well

FastPass+ at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Moving to Downtown Disney, one of the West Side parking lots has already been closed for construction

Demolition continues at the former Comedy Warehouse

A new bridge is being constructed from the West Side to Pleasure Island, going around the planned construction area

Dirk Wallen’s 6/30/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

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

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A look at the Villas at the Grand Floridian from across the lagoon

A look at construction of the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

A few awnings have already gone up

Mickey may be sold out, but you can still pick up a patriotic Minnie plush

Some special shirts out for the 4th of July as well

Well, Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is no longer behind tarps!

There may be no signage or shingles up yet, but the building is looking great

Cinderella’s fountain was roped off for some reason…

Stand-by and FastPass+ entrances are now ready to roll at Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Dirk Wallen’s 10/9/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Tuesday and he has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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A strange large canopy has appeared near the Magic Kingdom turnstiles… Not sure if it is RFID related or for something else…

Magic Carpets of Aladdin is open while some exterior work is being done

The Yankee Trader is still behind tarps

A view of the new walkway and restroom area from the front of the Haunted Mansion

A look at the former Skyway site

Princess Fairytale Hall construction

The Crow’s Nest is still behind walls

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom shirts are now available and they offer aid in the playing of the game!

OK… if you are buying more than that for Ebay, you are pretty dumb as they are not a limited edition item…

Frankenweenie flopped at the box office, but the shops at the parks are full of movie merchandise

It’s like they knew what the box office would be like…

I would expect to see all this stuff at the outlets and Cast Connection very soon…

Work continues on the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club wing

It is now set for a late-2013 opening

The parking lot is almost done

Moving over to Epcot, work is being done on Innoventions Plaza and the Electric Umbrella exterior

Test Track is now set to open December 6th

I expect these signs to vanish soon…

Adam Roth’s 10/15/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

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:

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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

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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!

Dirk Wallen’s 10/19-10/21/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

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:

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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

Adam Roth’s 10/22/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

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:

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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