Merchandise – Page 16 – WDWNT Archive

D23…. Solved!!!

WDWNT on March 5, 2009

It seems that Distant Creations has uncovered the following information about “D23” or “Disney 23” in a magazine put out early by accident at a book store:

The mystery behind Disney’s “Are you 23?” viral question is quickly unraveling leading up to the March 10 reveal date.

At least one Barnes & Noble store has put out the new quarterly “Disney Twenty Three” magazine a few days earlier than they were supposed to and DC blog reader Joseph has sent me the details about it.

A membership to the new D23 fan club includes:

A membership card with a personalized charter member certificate with characters drawn by David Pacheco

A surprise collectible gift for D23 members from the new Walt Disney Archives collection

Exclusive special events and merchandise opportunities

Discounted admission to the D23 Expo on 9/10-9/13/09 in Anaheim, CA

That’s right, an official Disney convention for fans will be taking place in or near Disneyland from Sept. 10-13, 2009, one day after the 40th Anniversary event for The Haunted Mansion. Note that being a member of D23 only grants you discounted admission, which means the event will be open to anyone willing to pay to attend.

The new magazine costs $15.95 and comes out four times a year. The premiere issue’s cover contains a photo of Walt Disney looking through the camera and the back cover is black with a quote from Walt that reads, “It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell”.

Articles inside the photo filled 12″x12″ glossy magazine include:

The Disney Archives

The Anne Liebovitz photo’s article

Through Tim Burtons Looking Glass

The Suite Story – Disney Gallery & Castle Suite

On top of the World – cooking article

Finding Pixar

UP

Sleeping Beauty Reawakens in the castle

Writing the Next Chapter- Book article

Little Mermaid on Broadway

Spirit of 23- About Walt & company history

I just checked my local Barnes & Noble and there was no sign of the magazine yet, as it’s not supposed to be placed on newsstands until March 10 when the official D23 announcement is made at the Disney shareholder’s meeting.

Alright, now I’m officially excited. Not only do we finally have an official Disney fan club, another official Disney magazine, and exclusive merchandise; we now have confirmation that there will be an annual fan convention and explanation as to why the annual pin event at Epcot was moved away from its typical September weekend. Noticeably, the report does not note how much annual membership in the club or attending the D23 Expo will cost, but we will know that information for sure March 10 when all of this information is made public by Disney. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on the exciting “D23” club.

Tren-D Coming Soon-R Than Expected?

WDWNT on March 5, 2009

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting the following:

A boutique called TrenD is scheduled to open in Downtown Disney late on March 19.

A Disney Web site describes the store as selling “edgy and up-to-date Disney fashions and accessories — plus exclusive merchandise from cutting-edge designers.” The 2,500-square-foot shop will be near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy.

Many of you probably remember this space as the former “Summer Sands” shop adjacent to the “Team Mickey” store. This opening date is now far sooner than expected, as the space has only been vacant for a few weeks now. From the sounds of it, the store is very similar to the Vault 28 shop in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District and should be both a positive and unique addition to the Marketplace shopping line-up. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on the new Tren-D shop at Downtown Disney.

Star Wars: Return of the Big Figures

WDWNT on February 25, 2009

Those of you attending any of the Star Wars Weekends events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May or June will be happy to know that Disney will once again be releasing a collection of big figures featuring four of the fab five dressed as classic saga characters:

Mickey as Luke Skywalker with Yoda & Minnie as Princess Leia from Jabba’s Palace

Goofy as Chewbacca & Donald as Han Solo in Carbonite

Each of these is limited to 600 pieces, with 500 of each available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and 100 of each at the Disneyland Resort. They will all retail for $195 and will be the final pieces in the long running Star Wars big figure series.

Journey Into Space with Figment

WDWNT on February 6, 2009

As many of you are aware, Figment is my favorite Disney character and I love to buy many Disney collectibles from the Art of Disney stores. Knowing this, you can probably guess that I’m pretty excited about this special release:

Product Release: Space Suit Figment: Journey Into Imagination
Numbered Limited Edition: 750 pieces
Retail: $140.00 plus applicable sales tax
Product Release Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Product Release Location: Art of Disney, Epcot®

Extend the boundaries of your imagination with Figment! The act of creativity is a never-ending adventure, especially when Figment is around. The very embodiment of imagination, the unpredictable purple dragon takes on many guises in the Epcot®Journey Into Imagination attraction. But, none represents the excitement of exploring creativity more than an astronaut in limitless space.

This new numbered limited edition of 750 Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture captures all the star-searching playfulness of Figment as he hitches a ride in outer space, just as in the attraction. Hand-crafted of fine porcelain, Figment features a hand-made glass portion on his helmet with kiln-fired metallic paint on his space suit. Sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales, Figment stands 6 1/2″ high and retails for $140.00.

A limited number of Space Suit Figment: Journey Into Imagination will be available for pre-order. To pre-order Space Suit Figment: Journey Into Imagination please contact Walt Disney Event Services at 407-827-7600. Walt Disney Event Services is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 5:00pm.

Guests may only purchase up to two (2) Space Suit Figments. All orders will be processed and charged on Friday, April 24. Please allow 2-4 weeks for shipping.

Add this intrepid traveler to your collection and set your imagination free into the infinity of outer space with Figment!

To view Space Suit Figment: Journey Into Imagination in closer detail, please click HERE..

Disney Design-a-Tee Shop Photo Report

WDWNT on December 27, 2008

Robert Ashburn of Figment’s Media.Net and FTN has provided us with some photos of the updated Wonderful World of Memories store in the Downtown Disney Marketplace, including the new Disney Design-a-Tee shop:

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The exterior has been updated with signs for the “Build Your Own Ear Hat” feature

Robert Ashburn’s 12/21 Magic Kingdom Update

WDWNT on December 23, 2008

Robert Ashburn of Figment’s Media.Net and FTN has provided us with some his trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday. Let’s take a look at some newsworthy items using this new gallery option:

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Space in Tomorrowland being prepared for Stitch’s Supersonic Dance Celebration that will debut in the Spring

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The old Skyway building is also getting some much needed TLC during this time

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Haven’t seen these signs in a while, I guess this still is 1994 Tomorrowland

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Sign directing guests to the restrooms around the walls during this refurbishment

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The entire building is not under tarps

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A closer look

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Resort-wide sales continue through the holiday season

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The refurbishment of the second half of Tinker Bell’s Treasures reveals a new shop, Castle Couture

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Some great new decor can be found in the new shop

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Aurora’s dress changes colors as Fauna and Merryweather fight over red and blue

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This seems to be an extension of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, selling the princess outfits that parents can purchase

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There is a section for each princess

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The work on the upper level of Pinnochio’s Village Haus is complete and it looks great

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Work on the lower section continues

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The exterior of the Hall of Presidents is now being refurbished in preparation for the July 2009 re-opening

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The self-service kiosks at Pecos Bill’s have been moved to the center, surprising when the entire restaurant closes for refurbishment in January

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It seems people are still afraid to use them

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We’ll end this report with a nighttime picture of the new food vendor replacing the Frontierland Fry Wagon

11/24-25/08 WDW Update by Matt Paul

WDWNT on November 26, 2008

Matt Paul has provided us with more pictures from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s see what happening at the world:

Guest Relations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is decked out for the season

Since I always get yelled at by High School Musical fans for a lack of coverage…

we will fill our annual quota in two pictures

Jose Eber’s 11/15/08 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on November 16, 2008

Here is another fantastic photo (and video) report by WDWNT Photographer Jose Eber from his latest trip to the world:

Refurbishments on the Fantasyland facades has now moved on to Pinnocchio’s Village Haus

Work is now 100% complete on the new Liberty Square Bridge, no more work in the waterways

Christmas has now taken over Main Street U.S.A.

Tinker Bell movie merchandise has taken over some of the windows

This window that was full of Year of a Million Dreams merchandise has been changed, the first piece of the celebration to disappear with just about a month and a half left in it.

Fresh paint going on another facade on Main Street

Moving over to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Contempo Cafe is now open

Here’s a video of the Cafe (boy is it loud on that floor now)

The Holiday napkins have arrived

New promotion, similar bag… 🙁

Continuing construction on the Bay Lake Tower addition

An arial view of the bridge

The lesser seen side of the Bay Lake Tower

Click the above image for a larger version

Here’s a video of the construction on the Bay Lake Tower Jose has taken

Chocolate Advent character with some awesome artwork

Same can be said for these holiday cards

We’ll end this report by looking at this cool recordable gift card holder, again featuring that artwork we love so much

Thanks for the update Jose!!!

Steve Wieczorek’s Very Merry Christmas Party Photo Report

WDWNT on November 15, 2008

We here at WDW News Today would like to welcome Steve Wieczorek to the staff as another official WDWNT photographer. His first photo report for us comes from the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the year:

Nutcrackers around Town Square.

Disney actually does celebrate Thanksgiving!

And now look at Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

The new Santa float in the parade this year

Cinderella Castle all lit up is a great spectacle at the end of Main Street.

A few shots from Holiday Wishes.

Gotta’ Love that shot

We’ll end Steve’s photos with Goofy as Santa Clause at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

Before we end this photo report, here are a couple of pictures from Jose Eber of a new holiday throw available for purchase at the Resort:

Matt Paul’s 11/10/08 WDW Photo Update

WDWNT on November 11, 2008

Here with his first photo report from the Walt Disney World Resort is our own Matt Paul, who spent yesterday visiting three of the theme parks. Let’s see what he found at the World: