Dirk Wallen’s 8/11-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited three of the Walt Disney World theme parks and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. With all the D23 Expo coverage we’ve been dealing with, it has taken a while to get to this report, but better late than never, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

No more Lone Ranger preview… it’s not really playing at many theaters anymore…

MuppetVision 3-D is closed for refurbishment

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Sofia the first debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently

She has a nice backdrop for her meet and greet

Disney Infinity billboards are up at the Backlot Tour

Also, the 1-2-3 Mickey Mouse has been decorated to celebrate Planes…

At Epcot, work continues on adding more of the new turnstiles

FastPass+ entrance at Spaceship Earth

This food cart behind Spaceship Earth has finally opened!

No more tarps up on Fountain View and signage has been installed

FastPass+ at Turtle Talk with Crush

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Halloween merchandise has been released across property

Haunted Mansion singing bust ornaments

The shirt is the same design from last year, but says 2013

Light-up popcorn bucket

During a recent refurbishment, new boats were installed at Pirates of the Caribbean

They look great and don’t bottom out, but they have been getting guests a lot more wet than the old boats and make a horrible squeaking noise when they bump into each other…

The Magic Kingdom now sells the most expensive fruit ever… let’s end with this…

PHOTOS: Blue Sky Cellar Now Previews Starbucks Market House & Aulani Expansion

Over at Disney California Adventure, the Blue Sky Cellar was updated over the weekend with new information and concept art for 2 Walt Disney Imagineering projects. The first project is the Market House over at Disneyland Park which will soon also be a Starbucks location. The second project is the expansion for Disney’s Aulani in Hawaii. We’ve got some photos provided by fans of the site, Kris Eijan and Sabrina Soler, who were in Disney California Adventure over the weekend:

photo 1

A look at the Market House at Disneyland

photo 2

It is confirmed that the stove and the party-line phones will remain and be part of the seating area

photo 3

photo 4

The expansion at Aulani features a new water play area

photo 5

photo 1-1

Two new dining locations on the way to Aulani

photo 2-1

Both are counter service locations

photo 3-1

photo 4-1

So, what do you think of these two upcoming projects and these updates to the Blue Sky Cellar?

Max Guggenheim’s 8/30/13 Disneyland Resort Photo Report

WDWNT photographer Max Guggenheim was at the Disneyland Resort on Friday, August 30th and caught many newsworthy photos to share with us:

Taking a ride on Radiator Springs Racers

“Hold tight on the curves” ~Doc Hudson via car radio

It’s that time of year again… Halloween merchandise all around!

Of course, it would not be Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort without the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday next Friday

Max takes us inside the construction site at Big Thunder Mountain which is now nearing completion

Rumors specualte that the ride will remain closed until 2014 now, but still no confirmation from Disney

Starbucks is moving into the Market House real soon…

Very similar to the retro Starbucks logo used at the Magic Kingdom location

The Fortuosity Shop is decorated nicely

Some new Enchanted Tiki Room 50th merchandise on display at the Disney Gallery

Joe Hogarty’s 8/29/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on August 29th and has some great photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

It’s Halloween at the Magic Kingdom

September 18th, Princess Fairytale Hall will finally open

Each of the 11 princesses has an icon on the facade

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction rolls along

Prince Eric’s Village Market has opened since this photo was taken

Triton’s Treasures is still being worked on

Hope you enjoyed this photo report!

Joe Hogarty’s 9/10/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

Hearing walls had come down around Princess Fairytale Hall in New Fantasyland, WDWNT reporter Joe Hogarty decided to visit the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday this week and he has a number fo newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

A beautiful day

work on the curb by the emporium is finished, so work has now moved across the street to the Confectionery

Walls came down around Princess Fairytale Hall, giving us a look at the gorgeous facade

A closer look at the 11 Princess shields on the facade

The exterior queue

Let’s move over to the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Plenty of workers up on the mountain

An Imagineer checking out some details

These posts have appeared recently

Prince Eric’s Village Market is now open

This wall was recently completed on the back of the mountain

I wonder what the story is with these areas that look like someone broke through them

Another mine opening is now visible

Scary…

For the first time we can see an awning where we assume the entrance to the queue will be

The Jungle Cruise is closed for refurbishment, mostly queue modifications being made

Over at Pirates of the Caribbean…

A few weeks ago, these new boats arrived

They are very nice, but there are a few issues

First off, they are going down the flume awkwardly and taking on a lot of water

Secondly, the ruber on the front and back of the boats make an awful noise when they touch another boat… hopefully all of this will be resolved

Facade work still taking place on the Adventureland Veranda

Tom Corless’ 7/12-14/13 WDW Photo Report

I spent a majority of last weekend visiting the Magic Kingdom and I took a number of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new around the park:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The Villas at the Grand Floridian are looking great

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the MyMagic+ service center is sitting dormant in Town Square Theater for now

Speaking of Town Square Theater, some guests decided to write on Mickey’s hand…

This is not alright people…

A few new character banks are now on sale

There is also now a kid’s Toodles shirt

Another pair of giant glasses has come out, this pair looks like Minnie’s bow

The gutters have returned to Sleepy Hallow Refreshments, meaning work is finally done on the facade

The new ear hat ornaments can be found at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

The shoe ornaments are still in stock as well

There is now a Haunted Mansion candlestick holder available

Everything but the Haunted Mansion throw blanket is currently available

Some new Winnie the Pooh merchandise has arrived at Hundred Acre Goods

Some new shirts with Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore

FastPass+ signage at the Tomorrowland Speedway

Work is speeding up on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train in New Fantasyland

So, after the new FastPass+ merge point at “it’s a small world”, there is currently a free-for-all of people in line with no divider… hopefully this will be fixed before FastPass+ rolls out

The stroller name tags currently feature Disney Planes

You can now get Monster Energy Drink at some food carts

In an effort to keep strollers away from Pirate’s Adventure kiosks, signage was added. People don’t read…

The replica of the Be Our Guest Restaurant music box has finally been released and retails for $90

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

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:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

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 6/1/13 WDW Photo Report

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

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Still no permanent sign installed at the Explorers Outpost

Surprisingly, there is still work happening down at the Tree of Life nets

Small walls still up

Looks like they are installing some railings

Work continues on the new theater for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

They are still working on the queue modifications at Finding Nemo: The Musical

New signage up at the Main Street Bakery as we get closer to the reopening this month

Sleepy Hallow Refreshments still behind tarps

Some walls up in Liberty Square

Tarps still up on the former Peter Pan restrooms

No tarps on Princess Fairytale Hall anymore

Work on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train seems to be picking up

A large section in the back no longer has walls up and is a new stroller parking area for Under the Sea

Triton’s Treasures should also be open very soon

The path to Storybook Circus is now permanently open

Work continues on The Villas at the Grand Floridian

Dirk Wallen’s 6/10/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday and has plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us, so lets take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Work is still in the early stages for the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

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

An up-close look

The Main Street Bakery should re-open as a Starbucks location any day now

]The former Hall of Champions is still behind tarps

The unexplained tarps are still up on the facade of the Adventureland Veranda

Some work taking place on the second level of Grizzly Hall required the removal of the Jamboree sign

Tarps still up at Sleepy Hallow Refreshments

Columbia Harbour House is also still behind tarps

Some walls up by the boat dock as well

Nothing new over at the former Peter Pan restrooms

The absence of tarps at Princess Fairytale Hall may mean we are just a few weeks away from a soft-opening

The new signage was quickly installed and un-installed recently at the Mad Tea Party, it should be back soon

Slowly the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train facade is looking more and more complete

the section on the backside that is finished opened as a stroller parking area

HEY! Lone Ranger pins are put already if you want them. Oh, you don’t? Well, they are here if you change your mind…

Tom Corless’ 6/5-6/15/13 WDW Photo Report

This photo report may be a bit late, but I figured it was better lat than never. I have been all over the Walt Disney World parks the last few days and I have taken a lot of photos, so let’s look at what is new and noteworthy at the Vacation Kingdom of the World:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

A ton of new merchandise has been released at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Window decal

Magnet

Mug

Shot-glass… I mean toothpick holder

I really like the artwork a lot

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, there are some new hats for sale in the Emporium

Those are… different…

There is now a trading box just for Park Starz Vinylmation at Frontierland Trading Outpost

A strange wall up in Liberty Square, somewhat near the Haunted Mansion

The canopy was recently replaced in the Haunted Mansion queue

Some work is taking place on the second level of Grizzly Hall, so the Country Bear Jamboree sign is down

You can now get a frozen root beer slush at Pecos Bill’s

More importantly, you can get it in a Lone Ranger boot-shaped cup!

It’s actually quite big

Tarps are down at Princess Fairytale Hall, but we still can’t see much…

Work continues on the much-anticipated Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train attraction

A section on the back of the mountain is out from behind walls

It serves as stroller parking for Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Triton’s Treasures looks like it might open very soon

The path to Storybook Circus from Mermaid is now officially open all the time

There is stroller parking for Ariel’s Grotto as well

A look at the other side of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Moving to Epcot, that new food cart that never opened has now been ripped down again…

I’m not really sure what the deal is with this kiosk and if it will ever actually open

One of the escalators in The Land is being repaired

The Mickey made of hops is growing in nicely at Living with the Land

With the escalator broken, the backstage area near Soarin’ is being used to exit guests out of the bottom floor of The Land

Cool

It dumps guests out by the Imagination! restrooms

There are some cool attraction poster magnets being sold now

Some new iPhone 5 cases have been released, including Oswald

New Grumpy case for the iPhone 4S

“Mine!” case for the iPhone 5

New Mickey case for the iPhone 5

There was a new Star Tours case for the iPhone 4S and 5 out at Tatooine Traders a few days ago, but last we checked it had sold out for the 5

Staying at Studios, FastPass+ signage about to go up at Disney Junior

Some props and costumes from Oz: The Great and Powerful are now on display at the AFI Showcase

There is a wacky souvenir cup that comes in two sizes now available at Backlot Express….

The Monsters University topiary from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has found its way to the front of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the Monstrous Summer

Going back to Epct, they have changed the tarps for Spice Road Table in Morocco to photo tarps that blend in

Work continues on the new, larger restrooms at the American Adventure

There are some cool Summer Vacation shirts now on sale

Going back to the Magic Kingdom, the FastPass+ entrance at “it’s a small world” is ready to go

The normal entrance now has a stand-by entrance sign

A more recent look at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

A metal wall has risen where the track appeared over the construction walls in the back of the mountain

You can now purchase your own Gaston’s Tavern sign at Bonjour Village Gifts