Photo Reports – Page 17

Dirk Wallen’s 6/18/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

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

The Villas at the Grand Floridian are starting to match the Grand Floridian skyline

They are racing towards an October opening

Work continues on the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

The first awnings for the bus loop have started to appear

Yep…

Tarps still up on the Adventureland Veranda

It looks like A Pirate’s Adventure is going to have FastPass+ at some point

Guests can’t board at the Frontierland Railroad Station currently as they work on the stairs

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments… say it with me… IS STILL BEHIND TARPS

Walls still up on the waterfront in Liberty Square

FastPass+ entrance at “it’s a small world” ready for testing this week

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

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Downtown Disney’s Rainforest Cafe Adds Erupting Volcano and Lava Bar

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

After many months of construction, the new volcano on the Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney building was finally completed recently. Much to our surprise, the restaurant now features an erupting volcano! The show takes place in the evening and is best viewed after dark every half-hour starting at 8:30PM (this will probably be an earlier time once we slip into the Winter months). Along with the Volcano, the restaurant also added a new Lava Bar on the outside of the establishment. Photos taken by Joe Hogarty, video by Tom Corless:

The new volcano smokes during the day

At night it is really stunning

There is a new animatronic crocodile at the base

The glowing lava is a nice touch

The LAva Lounge is down a path through the volcano, but is really just attached to the side of the building and not the volcano

The bar is nice, but the seating area is fairly plain

IT’S GONNA BLOW!

Crowds gather to watch the 2-minute eruption

Here is our video of the volcano and Lava Bar featuring the full eruption show:

Personally, I think this is a great addition to Downtown Disney. The Lava Bar is fairly standard, but the volcano is definitely of Disney quality and will fit nicely into the new vision of Disney Springs. In a town of many theme parks, it is kind of surprising that the only erupting volcano is in a shopping area, but I think it is offerings like this that will make Disney Springs stand out from other similar venues in town.

What do you think? Is the volcano eruption worth a trip to Downtown Disney? Does this excite you for more Disney Springs changes?

Dirk Wallen’s 6/27/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Animal Kingdom, the Villas at the Grand Floridian, and Epcot earlier today and took some great photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Starting at Animal Kingdom, Kodak signage is gone from the Camera Center

With FastPass+ currently testing, It’s Tough to be a Bug once again has a FastPass queue

There are still some construction walls up under the Tree of Life, meaning they are still installing nets under it

Wow, they’ve caught plenty of stuff…

Over at Camp Minnie-Mickey, this theater is still just stroller parking

Since it isn’t closing in this location just yet, they are using FastPass+ at Festival of the Lion King

Pocahontas has moved into one of the greeting trails at Camp Minnie-Mickey

Chip and Dale have moved into another

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

Still not much to see

Work is wrapping up on the FastPass+ queue at Finding Nemo: The Musical

The signage is now up

Leaving Animal Kingdom, work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

I’m not crazy about the plain white sides, but I’ll hold my judgement until the building is finished

Scaffolding is down on the water side and it looks fantastic

Work continues on the new bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

More turnstile conversions happening at Epcot

The middle section that is typically the exit is walled-off

Some touch-point entrances are going to be here soon

In other news, they are still patching up the landscaping from the Flower and Garden Festival

Tim Alcoser’s 6-29-13 Disneyland Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Disneyland News Today Reporter Tim Alcoser visited the Disneyland Resort on Saturday (6/29) and caught a few bits of news in and around the resort.

The Steam Engine from the upcoming film, The Lone Ranger, is on display east of the Esplanade at Disneyland’s East Transportation Center.

A fairly obvious hidden mickey is seen inside the cab of the engine. I wonder if you will be able to see it in the movie…?

A closer look.

It’s a real Steam Train. Not just a movie prop.

With 4th of July almost here, many guests are stopping to enjoy the Flag Retreat ceremony.

Over at Disney California Adventure, Sir Tow Mater takes a stroll towards Carsland.

Radiator Springs Racers was down for awhile when I dropped by.

Here’s another look at the holiday decorations on Buena Vista Street. Buena Vista Street is all set to celebrate it’s second Independence Day!

“We sell hats…and not much else…”

With Summer in full swing comes the return of an annual guest favorite. The All American College Band.

The band is very talented and always draws huge crowds.

A look at Main Street USA, finally cooling off after a heat wave rolled across much of the state.

80z All Star Band played 80’s favorites all evening long.

The large crane that was rebuilding Big Thunder’s track has been long gone. But basic renovations of the landscape still go on.

Magical! Fireworks Spectacular.

What Disney day is complete without Fantasmic?

Lasers, lights, fireworks and smoke. Hope you enjoyed the report!

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:

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 6/29/13 Downtown Disney (Disney Springs) Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney over the weekend to check the progress on the Disney Springs makeover currently in the earliest stages. Let’s take a look at the progress thus far:

The taco truck is still out by Fulton’s Crab House

Pleasure Island is now mostly covered in construction walls

There are new walls in the same spot as the old ones at the former Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club site

Walls now up across from Paradiso 37

Curl has finally moved next to Splitsville on the West Side

The Comedy Warehouse side is completely walled off

Still no walls up at the former Adventurer’s Club

There are some walls up at the very edge of the West Side

No visible progress yet, but things are about to get interesting!

Tom Corless’ 6/27-7/1/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

I managed to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Magic Kingdom over the last week and took plenty of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new at the Walt Disney World Resort:

A new purchase-with-purchase bag is available

FastPass+ entrance at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

MagicBand accessories can also be found at Animal Kingdom Lodge

They have Incredibles MagicBandits

Moat exciting has to be the appearance of Star Wars CoverBands

There are also a few MagicBand t-shirts available

The new seasonal line of Beautifully Disney has been released

Moving to Animal Kingdom, we found some Monsters University school supplies for sale

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

There are now stand-by and FastPass+ signs at Finding Nemo: The Musical

New Sorcerer Mickey iPhone 5 case

While the real sign has still not arrived, this temporary sign shows us artwork for what the real Adventurers Outpost sign will look like

Lone Ranger and Tonto Vinylmation for sale

The Grand Floridian gave out 25th anniversary buttons on July 1st

Some new novelty sunglasses are being sold at the Magic Kingdom

I really love these Goofy ones

Princess shades are neat too

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Tim Alcoser’s 7/4/13 Disneyland 4th of July Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Disneyland News Today Reporter Tim Alcoser was at Disneyland for the Fourth of July and was able to attend events featuring the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and fireworks.

Another beautiful day in Anaheim.

Over to Disneyland.

Notice the America Sings characters.

Crowds gathered early for a chance to see the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.

You never know who is going to show up and where at Disneyland. Like Mickey…

…or Princesses…

…with young fans in tow.

The stage is set for the special 4th of July Flag Retreat Ceremony.

Marine Band makes it’s entrance.

A female Staff Sergeant led the band.

The All-American College band did not participate, but got to enjoy the entire performance.

A well used, but well taken care of instrument.

The band ended the ceremony with a March Down Main Street USA.

Over to the stage at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree where the band would play select music.

The scenery in and around Big Thunder Ranch has changed a lot and improved.

Lots of detail.

A Lance Corporal helps set up.

A Gunnery Sergeant narrates the entire performance.

Marine Corps Combat Camera was on scene.

The Staff Sergeant from the flag retreat is back.

The band plays all the tracks from Mary Poppins.

The band changed up the tempo and played select Disney favorites such as “Kiss the girl” and “You got a friend in me”.

A Corporal performs the flute solo to “Stars and Stripes Forever”

The bandstand has been back for several weeks and is very popular.

A few snapshots from Disney’s Celebrate America: A Concert in the Sky!

Heavy crowds before, during and immediately after the show. But not as intense as last year.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PKeFBFhsE8&w=800&h=600]

VIDEO: The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band plays all the music from Mary Poppins.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DrV4YJ_k44&w=800&h=600]

VIDEO: The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band plays “Mahna Mahna” from the Muppets.

Thanks for reading! Have a Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Joe Hogarty’s 7/1/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday to mark the start of Independence Week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

Still not much to see at Princess Fairytale Hall

Work rapidly continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

More and more rock work going up

Rumors indicate that Triton’s Treasures will also include a very small food service location

This side is still mostly steel

A FastPass+ sign was added at the Tomorrowland Speedway

Here are some pictures of Celebrate America! fireworks

Happy 1st of July!!!

Dirk Wallen’s 7/4-7/6/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Walt Disney World theme parks over the holiday weekend and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

The Villas at the Grand Floridian as seen from across the lagoon

The awnings for the third Magic Kingdom bus loop are being assembled

Plenty of Fourth of July goodies were available this week

Apparently if Buzz Lightyear breaks at Space Ranger Spin, there is a big curtain to cover him up

Still no visible progress on Princess Fairytale Hall

On the Fourth of July, the Voices of Liberty had their special performances at the America Gardens Theater

Chip and Dale were out in some patriotic attire

You can buy Tour De France merchandise at the France pavilion right now

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

A look from the other side as construction has gone vertical

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner has some food cones similar to Cars Land… although we haven’t heard anything good about them…