PHOTOS: Monorail Black Has Become the “Iron Man-O-Rail”

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

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While the latest installment of the “Iron Man” films doesn’t hit theaters for a few more weeks, an “Iron Man 3”-themed monorail train began rolling around the Walt Disney World Resort Seven Seas Lagoon last weekend.

The WDI project team – Jim Armagost, Jay Aquilanti, Brian Crosby, Anna Colaizzi and Rick Faber – tackled the challenge of designing for this unique canvas. The Monorail Black exterior has been completely transformed to feature graphic depictions of Tony Stark as Iron Man.

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“It was important to us at Imagineering that the end result celebrates the movie and remains true to the vision of the monorail,” Creative Designer Brian Crosby said. “So, when designing the graphics, I thought to myself ‘if I was Tony Stark and designing for the monorail, how do I celebrate me [Tony Stark]?’”

With that in mind, the art prominently features the superhero’s colors of red and gold, and looks like an armored vehicle that Tony Stark would invent. Two Iron Man characters are depicted flying alongside the monorail train.

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Imagineers worked closely with Walt Disney World Resort, Walt Disney Studios and Marvel Entertainment representatives throughout the design process.

“It is a great collaboration among the four groups,” Brian said. “Everyone brings a unique perspective to the process.”

What do you think of the Iron Man monorail wrap? Good? Bad?

Big Release Day Upon Us

WDWNT on March 1, 2013

Just wanted to give you all a reminder that today, November 8th, is a very big release day.  Here is a rundown of all of the releases, their LE sizes, how much they cost, and where you can scoop them up:
Festival of the Masters Mickey (and its variant): LE 1200 (with a 1/10 chance of a variant), price $16.95, WDW only
Meet and Greet Mickey (Festival of the Masters): LE 500, $49.95, WDW only

Animal Kingdom Two-Pack (Mickey): LE 2,000, $29.95, WDW only
Animal Kingdom Two-Pack (Pooh): LE 2,000, $29.95, WDW only
5th Anniversary Vinylmation (and its variant): LE 1000 (with a 1/10 chance of a variant), price $16.95, WDW Friday, DLR SATURDAY
Marvel Yellowjacket and Wasp Two-Pack: LE 1000, $29.95, WDW Friday, DLR SATURDAY
*note that DLR will be getting the 5th anniversary vinyl and Marvel two-pack a day after WDW to coincide with their special signing events
With all of these releases upon us, which are you guys most excited about?

Zach Larson’s 5/7/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Construction has gone vertical on the Disney Vacation Club wing of the Grand Floridian

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

There are two of these posters in the tunnel now… not only is it not an attraction… but it has more posters than any others…

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom sign near Town Square Theater

Work continues on the Confectionary and Chapeau facades

Work still going on near the Main Street bridge

This new railing was installed during the work

Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to touch trash-cans?

Still not a whole lot of theme to this walkway between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus

Work on the water tower at Fantasyland Station is complete

A look from the Barnstormer reveals that the second Dumbo spinner is nearing completion. We can also see the true height of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

The mountain of the Mine Train will be pretty tall

The second Dumbo is fully decorated

Workers on top of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The covered part is the lift hill as the train will roll out of the mountain

Work continues on turning Tigger’s Bouncy Place into something else

Some tarps now up in front of the Castle Wall construction

A second set of walls now makes for a tight passage

They are working on the back end of the Village Haus facade now

It’s still quite a mess back here

Now “it’s a small world” has tarps up

Work continues on the former Skyway site

Next-gen FASTPASS testing at the Haunted Mansion

It will be interesting to see what this looks like when they are done

They were forcing guests down the graveyard side if you weren’t using FASTPASS, but you could still bypass the interactive queue

Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Everything looks fantastic!

GOAT!

Package Pick-Up still behind tarps

Awesome shot of the Avengerail in action… I hope you’ve seen the movie by now…

A look at the Grand Floridian DVC construction from across the water

They’ve installed a rocky shoreline

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it looks like the Sorcerer Mickey topiary is on the move again as walls are up

Stage for Star Wars Weekends is going up

Citizens of Hollywood recently had a character shuffle. This is the “new” Mimi Kaboom

Things got heated…

ACTING! BRILLIANT!

I don’t think the security booths are coming back…

MARVEL’s Avengers Take To the Highway in the Sky for the “Avengerail”!

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Hi everyone, we have exciting news to share today – our partners at Marvel Studios are bringing Marvel’s “The Avengers” to Walt Disney World Resort this spring!

In Marvel’s “The Avengers,” super heroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.

Similar to the “Tron”-themed wrap, one of our Magic Kingdom Park Monorails is currently undergoing a Marvel’s “The Avengers”-themed changeover to celebrate the May 4 opening of the film, which stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

Here’s a sneak peek, with more details to come.

Reward Yourself with Vinylmation

WDWNT on July 8, 2012

The Disney Movie Rewards program now offers a Vinylmation for 850 points. It is the 2012 Halloween Minnie Mouse. An interesting choice, especially since they do not seem to be offering the Pumpkin Patch vinyl along with it.

They also have some Funko Pop! Vinyl Marvel figures and other Marvel merchandise available through the rewards program.

Up until now, I’ve just been stocking up on Starbucks gift cards with my points. These offerings are not enough for me to bite, but they are moving in the right direction.

Avenger’s Assemble

WDWNT on January 12, 2012

MC went to the midnight showing of Marvel’s The Avengers late last night and well, he really thought it rocked. So if you want to see a kick butt movie with great effects and a fun script check it out. It opened today. And just remember that it’s a Disney property now that they own Marvel, so you’re supporting your favorite mouse.

Above is a look at Cesar Diaz’ Captain America that we spotlighted a while ago. Check out that post here:

Disney Shows Its Super-Powers with Marvel at the 2011 D23 Expo

WDWNT on August 11, 2011

MARVEL MAKES INAUGURAL APPEARANCE AT DISNEY’S D23 EXPO!

NEW YORK, NY –August 11, 2011 – Marvel is coming to Anaheim this year to make its historic debut at D23, the ultimate Disney fan event, and we’re pulling out all the stops!

On Sunday, August 21, at 10:15 a.m. in the Arena, join us for Marvel: The House of Ideas, an exclusive and unprecedented experience that will take you through the evolution of Marvel from its first comic book in 1939 to its current position as one of the most important creative forces in the world. During this presentation, which will include interactive Q&A segments, you will not only get an inside glimpse of the history of Marvel and its iconic Super Heroes but also discover why Marvel truly is the House of Ideas. This session will be hosted by Joe Quesada, Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer and one of the most respected and sought-after writers and artists in the entertainment industry.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the one-of-a-kind show that is Disney’s D23,” said Quesada. “Whether attendees are new to the world of Marvel or longtime fans, they’re going to love what we’ve planned for them!”

Also, be sure not to miss Marvel’s own President of Production Kevin Feige as he joins some of the top names in film on Saturday, August 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the Walt Disney Studios panel to discuss Marvel Studios’ plans for 2012, including the hotly anticipated Marvel’s The Avengers!