New Fantasyland’s Princess Fairytale Hall Opens September 18th

The DisneyParks Blog shared with us today more details about the upcoming Meet-n-Greet opening in New Fantasyland at The Magic Kingdom. They officially announced that the Princess Fairytale Hall will be opening on September 18 for all guests to enjoy. Princess Fairytale Hall will feature two separate character experiences, guests will be able to choice between Cinderella and a visiting princess or Rapunzel and a visiting princess. Walt Disney Imagineering shared a video with a sneak peek at the new attraction with Imagineers Pam Rawlins and Jason Grandt.

Princess Fairytale Hall will feature a castle-like entrance, high ceilings and elegant wood-paneled rooms, the space will feature beautiful princess portraits, themed wallpaper, glittering stained glass windows and accessories that have been inspired by props seen in films like Cinderella and Tangled. Princess Fairytale Hall will feature Disney FASTPASS and Disney FastPass+.

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:

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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

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:

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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

Joe Hogarty’s 7/15/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday to see the start of Long Lost Friends Week as part of Limited Time Magic and he took a number of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look:

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It’s Long Lost Friends Week again as part of Limited Time Magic!

Chicken Little and Abby Mallard somehow made the cut…

The Robin Hood gang is back again

Always awesome

Dr. Facilier and Louis from the Princess and the Frog are new this time around

My personal favorite is the Brers!

Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Bear

We keep expecting to see some progress on Princess Fairytale Hall since the tarps were taken down, but nothing

More turnstile conversions happening in the front of the park

Only a few of the old turnstiles remain

Rock-work is slowly but surely covering the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Triton’s Treasures looks like it will open very soon

Workers on the site

One side of the store is not so finished…

Tarps still up at the old Peter Pan restrooms

The work on Sleepy Hollow Refreshments has wrapped up

It looks great!

Dirk Wallen’s 7/10-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot last week and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian as we approach the opening in October

Things are still a bit of a mess right now

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the post for the Hall of Champions sign is walled

Cinderella’s fountain is still roped off from guests… we think some Brazilian tourists tried to bathe in it…

Still nothing to see over at Princess Fairytale Hall

FastPass+ has been testing a lot at the Magic Kingdom

A look at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

A look at the backside along with Triton’s Treasures

This portion where the track makes a wide turn and dives underground looks exciting!

Moving over to Animal Kingdom, work continues on the new Festival of the Lion King theater

The walls now have some themed signage

You can see the crane from various places in Africa

On Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Addax are still in place…

But they are still trying to re-introduce the Zebras

So the Zebras may make a full-time return soon… or not

Work has been completed on the FastPass+ queue at Finding Nemo: the Musical

Heading over to Epcot, another round of turnstile conversions has begun

FountainView is still preparing to be the next Starbucks location in the fall

Walls are still up around what should have been a new food cart months ago…

The FastPAss+ signage is up and running at Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Signs also went up at the Seas with Nemo and Friends

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

We can see construction going vertical now

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

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:

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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…

Specialty patriotic beverages were available all of the holiday weekend

Nothing going on at the Premiere Theater right now

FastPass+ entrance at Light, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show… yes, there is FastPass again…

Some red, white, and blue merchandise for sale

A Planes billboard up in the Backlot

The Mike Wazowski glasses from the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter

There was a 4th of July cupcake at counter service locations at the Studios

YUM!

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

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:

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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!!!

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:

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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

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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

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:

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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…

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:

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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