Adam Roth’s 11/11/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a bunch of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Habit Heroes – still closed

The exterior of Test Track is making quick progress as we race towards soft openings

Signage about to go up

They finally painted the exit

A look over the walls

Epcot Christmas tree

Food and Wine is now over, but at least we have the memories…

The temporary Epcot Character Spot is in the old Epcot 25th Anniversary exhibit space

The backdrop is retro-tastic…

Some remnants of the exhibit remain

The actual Character Spot in down for a lengthy refurbishment

Looks like it is going to be a while

Still using the same entrance

Walls still up near Electric Umbrella

The Epcot 30th window display is still up at Art of Disney

FastPass Plus at Spaceship Earth

The podium was uncovered

BYE!

It’s Christmas at the Magic Kingdom

Some tarps up on the Adventureland Veranda

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin refurbishment is done

The old steel drum bandstand is behind tarps, probably related to the upcoming Pirates interactive game being installed in Adventureland

Work continues on the new Fantasyland restrooms

Let’s check-in on New Fantasyland

The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

New tarps are up on Princess Fairytale Hall

Looks like these 5 princesses will be greeting guests when it opens in late-2013

Mesh for the rock-work going up on Mine Train

Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are back

The exit test is back in use

Goodnight Magic Kingdom!

Photos from Test Track Cast Member Previews!

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth got to experience the new Test Track presented by Chevrolet during a cast men her preview recently and he has photos of the new attraction to share with is, so let’s see what’s inside!:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

 The new entrance

 The new trashcans have the World of Motion logo on them

The Chevy ENV in the first queue room

The four categories of the tests are displayed as well, we assume cars from each category will go on display below these

It is the Chevrolet Design Studio at Epcot

More queue displays

 As kids talk, the car below is transformed into what they dream up through projection mapping

You are prepared for the design process ahead

Guests are then loaded into one of two design studios

Into the design studio

Car or truck?

You then draw the basic shape of the car which you can then have the computer optimize

You can then drag the lines to see if there is a better shape for your vehicle

You can make the car shorter or longer

Wider or thinner

Select an engine

Color

Add a fun design

Select tires

There are some TRON pieces you can add to your vehicle

There are literally thousands of possibilities for your vehicle

As you design it, you can see how each decision made in the design process effects the final scoring in each category

Get ready to test your design!

There is a short queue after the Design Studio

More World of Motion logos!

You then scan your RFID card at the load platform

After you are done riding, you can find out your score

Meh…

You can see where cars are out on the track

The next room allows you to create a commercial

It’s not working yet, but the driving tables are after that

If you don’t ride, you can still design a car and play around in the post-show

The showroom is after that

You can film all kinds of fun ads with the cars on display using your RFID card

Spaceship Earth!

New Test Track t-shirts available

Let’s take a look at the ride!

The hill climb

Large walls with projections now block views into the rest of the ride

The blocks are gone on the way down as we descend smoothly into the ride

Stay tuned for on-ride video and more coverage coming very soon!

Adam Roth’s 12/10/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney yesterday and took plenty of newsworthy photos, so let’s take a look at what’s new:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

It appears some of the elements for the Adventureland interactive game have been installed

This icon should help guests locate the game area

Not sure what this will do

A different icon near this cannon

You can see the cannon aiming at something behind this tarp

Another game area

Looks like there is a skeleton under the water where the Junior Jungle Boats used to be

Another game area being set-up

The Crow’s Nest is still behind walls

We expect this is where the game will begin for guests

Golden Oak Outpost is closed again…

The tower from Tangled visible from Frontierland

Kind of strange…

Work is speeding along on the restrooms on the former Skyway site, rumors still indicate we will see guest charging stations for electronics in this area as well

The tower was installed recently

The Royal Majesty Makers out and about in Fantasyland

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction continues

The construction walls were updated with the Dwarfs now mimicking the areas they are in

This scene is near Enchanted Tales with Belle

The small Lumiere on the signage now swings his arms back and forth

Looks like another device built by Maurice

More new Mine Train walls

Some new concept art shows off the interactive queue

Looks like fun

The finale scene

Everyone has clocked in, meaning they are working hard on the new attraction

Another look at Mine Train

Some more walls came down revealing a small section of the bridge

A look from the other side

100 minutes for Mermaid… yeah, Fantasyland is a total failure 😉

All of the screen-based wait times signs in the park were themed recently, all of them now match the physical signage now

The back side of Mine Train

Triton’s Treasures is being built and is coming along quickly

Wait for Ariel’s Grotto

Some cool walls you can look through were put up as well

Let’s take a look inside

A lot of work still to be done

This wall is near Winnie-The-Pooh

Near the Mad Tea Party

Another look through the walls

Moving to Downtown Disney, the volcano at Rainforest Cafe is coming along nicely

Splitsville opens December 19th

Curl is also moving to some small space next door to Splitsville

Looks like there is space for another store as well

There’s an outside bar as well

Adam Roth’s 12/17/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney on Monday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

RFID turnstiles are installed and being used at the Magic Kingdom

Looks permanent this time

More track has been installed for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Looks like WDW Resort Hotel carpet on the roof so workers don’t slip

A lift hill now installed

A lot of dirt…

More rockwork is about to appear

Something interesting happened to all the new screen-based wait times signs

Yep, that’s there…

Instead of being a generic font with a black background, all of them are themed and match in color now

The Pete cut-out at Silly Sideshow now tips his hat

TA-DA!

Guests were getting confused, so Pete got an added uvula that is a sign…

WAIT! Is that a Maelstrom reference? IT IS! “… seek peril and adventure, but more often find beauty and charm.”

Mine Train track

Triton’s Treasures is coming along nicely

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

Work also continues on the new Tangled area

We think there might be a small counter-service location (more of a cart in terms of size) over here that looks like the “Snuggly Duckling”

As we reported over a year ago, there will also be an area for guests to charge their electronic devices

One wall is done

Yankee Trader came out from behind tarps, this is on the Fantasyland side

You can start to see pathways taking shape

Art on Demand is now selling a ton of Fantasyland concept art under “Realms of Fantasy”

Plenty of New Fantasyland concept art available

Kodak references are still up at Town Square Theater

Should be gone soon

Moving to Gaston’s Tavern, we find a display with pastries

They are also serving Hot Cocoa

So, some names were added to the barrels behind the register

EIGERBOCK? Looks a lot like the Matterhorn too

Staggs Ale… absolutely brilliant

The Gaston’s Tavern steins are available again

I love this shirt…

More Adventureland interactive game props have been revealed

Now there is a treasure chest

And another…

Pirate skeleton under the water

Looks like the lock was busted off by a pirate

You can see the entire mechanism that raises the skeleton… hope they fix that

FastPass+ installed at Magic Carpets of Aladdin

The Grand Floridian DVC wing is coming along nicely

Moving to Downtown Disney, there is now a Wreck-It Ralph area in DisneyQuest

Plenty of Fix-It Felix machines

Adam then attended the Splitsville Parks Blog meet-up

The pizza is surprisingly good

These cheesecake bites were amazing

Let’s take a look at the drink menu

Ooooooo….

The kids balls have Mickey and Minnie on them

A mual downstairs depicts artwork from the old Walt Disney World shopping bags

Spaceship Earth is a bowling ball…

Adam Roth’s 12/18/12 Animal Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom park on Tuesday and he has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

RFID entrance being utilized at some of the Animal Kingdom turnstiles as well

They are themed!

MICKEY’S JINGLE JUNGLE PARADE!

Let the memories begin!

FastPass+ installed at Primeval Whirl

Also at DINOSAUR

Dino-Land decked for Christmas

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Dirk Wallen’s 12/18/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

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

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

IT’S ALMOST HERE!

All of the Kodak picture spots will be removed soon as the sponsorship has come to an end

The Cheshire Cafe sign is missing for some reason

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Gaston’s Tavern now has hot cocoa

The Gaston’s Tavern stein is available again at Bonjour Village Gifts

2013 merchandise can be found just about anywhere at WDW now

2013 Duffy!

The Disney Afternoon pins are now available

2013 mystery pins were recently released as well

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure mystery pin set

FastPass+ testing was still going

It’s Christmas at the Grand Floridian!

The gingerbread house

Work continues on the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club wing

You can now see the roof being installed

It’s really starting to take shape now

Adam Roth’s 4/4/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

AVENGERAIL!

A look from the inside

The jet-black look is pretty sweet

A beautiful day on Main Street U.S.A.

Work continues slowly on the Castle Walls in Fantasyland

Supports for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train have risen

The little details on Prince Eric’s castle are beginning to emerge

The crane is still on site

It looks like they are trying to age the building a little

Looks like the Mine Train will block the view of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Shingles going on the rooftops in Belle’s Village

Work continues on removing the Tigger Bounce area from the Pooh queue

Posters line the construction walls on the way to Storybook Circus

The extended rock-work at Mermaid is still in the early stages

It looks like the Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station may be on a spinning platform like a roundhouse

Another look at the Mine Train supports

The remainder of the circus is coming along slowly

Another look at the Mermaid facade

There is a slight gap to correct…

Still a lot of walls…

Water level is a little low… and it’s a little green

The Adventureland Veranda was never so popular

A lot of guests want a Dole Whip

A reasonable line for a Sorcerers window? AMAZING!

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is out from behind tarps

The new sign, with a temporary sun on it

Well, it appears the Little Orange Bird is behind the sun…

Wow, they have food now

And the Citrus Swirl is back

I really want to try some of this stuff

AVENGERAIL!

MAY 4th!

A New Fantasyland Aerial Update – April 2012

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

Courtesy of Scott Keating and scottkeating.net, we once again have some fantastic aerial photos of Fantasyland to share with you:

The former site of Dumbo looks clear and more Castle Walls are rising. Also interesting is that the excess Mermaid rock-work will hide a cast access road.

Gaston’s Tavern is still far behind the rest of the buildings in the Village as some are already getting roof shingles

The old Fantasyland Skyway site has been flattened, so we should see some vertical construction soon

I’d wager that we’ll see waterways and pathways within the next 6 weeks

A special bonus: a look at the ongoing Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment. Looks like all the new track is in place and they are now re-painting the finale scene with the geysers.

Robert Ashburn’s 4/12-13/12 Epcot & Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom this weekend, and he took plenty of photos from both parks to share with us:

Test Track graces the maps during its final days

You still have a month to check out the Flower and Garden Festival

Habit Heroes and the soon-to-open VISION House on the signage inside Innoventions

Still closed…

The VISION House still behind walls

Opens April 22nd, but we’ll have media coverage beginning April 21st

Habit Heroes and VISION House are both not on the wall yet

The ImageWorks at Imagination! looks empty since the new company took over

Amazing Pictures is now in charge of this photo location

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Work continues on the facade of the Seas with Nemo and Friends

This seperate and elevated piece of pavement will take guests to a new queue area for Turtle Talk

A new whole in the facade will be the entrance for Turtle Talk

Inside the queue, a new enclosed area is visible, this will be the Turtle Talk queue

Today was the last day for the original Test Track, it closes tomorrow for refurbishment

MouseGear has an entire section of Phineas and Ferb merchandise

An interesting new shirt

Sorry Oswald, but I like the classic character shirt…

Pretty cool!

Some new shirts with a tropical theme

The “unfriend” shirt is pretty brilliant

A new EPCOT Center shirt

The Southwest Black Bean Flatbread is a fairly new offering

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the tarps on Center Street are gone

It looks great

Plaza Ice Cream is back after a lengthy refurbishment

The menu is pretty much unchanged, but the interior was spruced up

A short line for Sorcerers? Wow…

The new menu at Sunshine Tree Terrace

The torches were turned back on after years of just sitting there, which is a very good thing to see

The flash shows the great job they did repairing the facade

The Avengerail passing through the Contemporary

Jeff Lukas’ 4/15/12 Downtown Disney Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited Downtown Disney on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

They are pretty much rebuilding the entire top portion of the building

Concept art of what it will look like when completed

The conversion of this section to the Lava Lounge has begun

The signage around marketplace was freshened up not too long ago

I can’t believe this is still open…

The former trading area outside of Disney’s Pin Traders is now a Ridemakerz demonstration area

New shirts with the fab five…

It’s a bit strange that Goofy looks modern and the others have a more classic look

Some new tropical-themed shirts

Phineas and Ferb shirts

New Pirate shirts

I really like these 2012 shirts

Weird…

That’s funny…

Still cool…

Still closed…

KUNGABUSH!

One fo the few things open in Pleasure Island

This is scary…

I hope so…

Blink by Wet Seal opened recently

No visible changes to the Splitsville facade

PEOPLE!