WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney on Friday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Some of the turnstiles at Epcot are behind walls
This past weekend, Epcot’s World Showplace hosted The Florida Project pin and Vinylmation event. I was lucky enough to attend the event which had several small conferences announcing the future of both collecting hobbies. The following Vinylmation Chat Session was held on Sunday afternoon and reveals some incredible new products being released under the Vinylmation label:
Art of Disney Parks recently announced a new Ink and Paint Cel that is on the way just in time for Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary:
Event: Key to the Kingdom Ink and Paint Cel Premiere
Special Guests: Disney Design Group Artist, Costa Alavezos and Ink & Paint Artists, James Bonserio, Erin Magill, Theodora M. DeLaney, David Rippberger, Lynn Rippberger, Sharon K. Vincent
Event Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Event Times: 10:00am -1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Event Location: Studios Animation Gallery, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™Celebrate 40 Magical years with the newest commemorative release from the Disney Studios Ink & Paint Team!
Key to the Kingdom captures the essence of wonder and excitement that comprised the magical kingdom since it opened its gates on October 1, 1971.
The talented Ink & Paint team hand painted the iconic Mickey Mouse and loveable Pluto onto each Key to the Kingdom cel in this celebratory release comprised of 1500 cels.
An exclusively designed pin has been created to commemorate the release of the new cel, the pin is available with the first 750 orders placed for a framed cel only.
Key to the Kingdom
Limited Edition PinThe Ink and Paint cel frames are wooden frames with options of either black or gold finishing. All Ink and Paint cels are framed in museum grade plexi to preserve the delicate art.
If you are unable to attend the premiere of Key to the Kingdom, but would still like to purchase the Ink & Paint cel, please contact Walt Disney Event Services to pre-order your cel.
All pre-orders must be placed with
Walt Disney Event Services no later than
Friday, September 2, 2011 by 3:00pm EST.Walt Disney Event Services
at 407-827-7600
Monday – Friday
9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Key to the Kingdom
IS AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING FRAME OPTIONS:FRAMING OPTIONS & RETAILS
Unframed Cel $125 Black Frame and Cel $215 Black Frame with Pin and Cel $240 Black Frame with Pin, Postcard and Cel $265 Gold Frame and Cel $290
The remodeling of MouseGear at Epcot has been something WDWNT has been tracking for several months now, as you can see in our photo reports. Well, it appears the project is complete. From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:
One aspect of working for Disney that I enjoy is the culture of continuous improvement. You may recall that I love quotes from Walt Disney and I recently found one that summarized his approach to improvements at Disney Parks: “Whenever I go on a ride, I’m always thinking of what’s wrong with the thing and how it can be improved.” A great example of this philosophy in action is now found at MouseGear in Epcot. I recently visited this merchandise location to speak with Mike Myers, Manager for Merchandise Operations at Epcot, about some of the enhancements.
“When MouseGear opened in 1999, it quickly became a top shopping destination in Epcot,” explained Mike. “Around 18 months ago, we wondered how we could improve on the shopping experience for our guests. [MouseGear] was a good location but we wanted to make it a great location.”
That challenge was met by a team of individuals representing global retail design, operations, planning, product development, facility asset management, sourcing and Walt Disney Imagineering who worked together on this next evolution of MouseGear. Construction started in August 2010 and was completed in phases until this past month.
At first glance you may not notice the improvements, as they are seamless to the experience. For me, I immediately noticed a difference as I worked in MouseGear over 10 years ago. The location felt bigger and Mike confirmed my observation.
“One improvement made was lowering the fixtures that hold merchandise,” continued Mike. “By lowering the fixtures, the location feels more spacious. We also relocated the registers to strategic points throughout the store thus making checkout easier.”
This means the “wall of registers” that I recall from my time at MouseGear is gone! Mike explained that new colorful signage and carpet were also added to the mix.
“Each product area now has a color-coded sign and label that appear on new store directional maps located at each entrance,” said Mike. “We installed new carpeting that creates a pathway to make it easier for guests to explore.”
One final detail that is easy to spot is the cast members’ new costumes. I love the nod to Spaceship Earth on the front of the shirt, and the colors look sharp (they match the colors now used in the location)! Mike explained that one item was added to the costume that may be familiar to many guests.
“During the costume review process, Gina Errico, General Manager of Merchandise at Epcot, suggested a ‘Hidden Mickey’ be added to the costume,” continued Mike. “We loved the idea as ‘Hidden Mickeys’ are found in many locations at Disney Parks. We added a small one to the back of the cast members’ shirts. But don’t tell anyone!”
On the eve of Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary, a celebration of the 40th birthday of the Florida Haunted Mansion is taking place. From Dana Trujillo on the Disney Parks Blog:
Materialize, foolish mortals at the Room For 1 More merchandise event, which will celebrate one of our park’s most beloved attractions, the Haunted Mansion, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Sept. 30, 2011.
We invite you to step through the graveyard gates of the Haunted Mansion cemetery, recreated with “ghoulish delight” at the resort. Here you can dine in a mist-enshrouded banquet realm hidden among the crypts. While organ music plays, restless spirits will rise to entertain you during a feast provided by our ghoulish gastronomists.
Looking for somewhere to retire? Might I suggest our Ghost Gallery in the Library, where you’ll want to keep the supernatural in suspense by bidding on priceless first editions and other creepy keepsakes in our silent auction.
Room For 1 More event – P“LOTS” includes:
- Be the first to pre-purchase limited-edition event logo products, Haunted Mansion-themed collectibles and Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary collectibles.
- A deadly silent auction that includes a performance art lot by Noah.
- Meet and greets with world-renowned artists such as Robert Olszewski, Jim Shore, Greg McCullough and more.
- A cryptic conversation with our council of Walt Disney Imagineers.
- Ghostly dinner feast with haunting sounds and full-bodied entertainment.
- A deadly departure gift … don’t forget to hurry back!
Mortals dying to attend the Room For 1 More event can request tickets through July 20. For more details and a sneak peek at the treasures that will be featured at the event, visit ArtofDisneyParks.com.
Happy haunting!
UPDATE:
More information can be found (including a look at all of the merchandise) at ArtofDisneyParks.com.
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks for the 4th of July holiday, here are some newsworthy photos from his day:
World Showcase has some new mouse ear hats for each country
Dana Trujillo of the Disney Parks Blog shares a look at the retro-tastic line of merchandise SHAG has drawn up for Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary:
Back in January, I gave you a sneak peek at the newest artwork created by SHAG for Walt Disney World Resort’s 40th Anniversary. While we were only able to give you a one-day sneak peek then, I’m happy to tell you that the wait for SHAG’s 40th Anniversary collection is finally over!
On Friday, June 24, Uptown Jewelers at Magic Kingdom Park will host SHAG for the official debut of his latest 40th Anniversary collection. This will be the first time that guests will be able to find SHAG’s retro collection of Walt Disney World-inspired collectibles, home goods and apparel that pay homage to our magical kingdom.
SHAG’s signature art style is instantly recognizable on the newly developed collection that will only be available at the Walt Disney World Resort. He re-imagines original Disney icons and transforms them into colorful, bold and retro creations unlike anything seen before at Walt Disney World Resort.
His artwork will highlight a line of new keepsakes and must-haves that will appeal to any Disney fan, including new charm bracelets (with more than 30 charms), apparel for men and women and a postcard set, as well as home goods such as double old-fashion tumblers, a pillow sham and a coaster collection. There are so many amazing products to share that we couldn’t show them all in one Disney Parks Blog post, so be sure to check out www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.
If you want to be among the first to get your hands on SHAG’s 40th Anniversary Collection and meet him in person, head out to Walt Disney World this weekend for this very special artist signing and product premiere. SHAG will appear Friday, June 24, at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturday, June 25, at Art of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace from 4-6 p.m.
What do you think of SHAG’s new 40th Anniversary product collection?
Here is a look at the entire merchandise line, including pricing:
Original Artwork
Retail: $20,000
Limited Edition Canvas Giclee
Edition Size: 95
Retail: $425
Deluxe Print:
Retail: $35
Double Old Fashion Glassware
Retail: $8.00 per glass
40th Anniversary Map Coaster Set
Set contains 5 Coasters in a collectible tin box
Retail: $14.95
Postcard Set with Tin Keepsake Box
Set contains 2 each of 5 postcard designs
Dimensions: 5″ H x 7″ W
Retail: $18.95
SHAG Pillow Sham
Pillow Sham features detail embroidery
Dimensions: 20″ H x 20″ W
Retail: $62.95
SHAG 40th Anniversary Charm Bracelet
SHAG bracelet features 33 individual charms
Bracelet Length: 7″
Retail: $124.95
Men’s Island Shirt
Sizes: Small – XXLarge
Retail: $74.00
Women’s Charm Tee Shirt
Sizes: Small – XX Large
Retail: $29.95
While it appeared that Annual Passholder exclusive merchandise for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue was only going to Disneyland, Walt Disney World has confirmed that they will be getting in on the action:
In the coming months be on the lookout for new items in the Passholder Commemorative Collection as we prepare for the re-launch of Star Tours.
Spotting the Passholder logo will be ‘key’ to finding incredible new designs. Here’s a sneak peek of one of the items ‘in store’ for you this Summer, based on the Star Tours attraction.
Merchandise will be available at select locations this Summer. Please keep checking back for more information and details on release dates, prices, etc.
WDWNT Reporter Josh Siegel paid a visit to Downtown Disney on Sunday evening and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
See folks, this is what happens when you don’t charge admission…
Read More about Josh Siegel’s 1/30/11 Downtown Disney Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Josh Siegel visited the Magic Kingdom on Friday and has a number of newsworthy photos from around the park to share with us:
The temporary Winnie the Pooh meet and greet in Fantasyland, no word on where this is going after the expansion is complete
Read More about Josh Siegel’s 1/28/11 Magic Kingdom Photo Report
