Zach Larson’s 1/6/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on Friday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Land clearing continues for the Grand Floridian DVC wing

More Main Street U.S.A. facades are going behind tarps, this should be the last batch

A temporary sidewalk ramp installed

Signs point guests around to the meet and greet FASTPASS distribution

Center Street tarps still up

The Bakery is now behind tarps

A temporary cart is also serving some bakery items

Plaza Ice Cream is closed

This facade will be behind tarps soon

Storybook Circus construction

Dumbo is almost ready to roll

The queue seems a bit behind

Dumbo was testing

We’re ready… we’ve been ready…

Belle’s Village

Trees in place, this is most likely where they will be staying

The details on Prince Eric’s castle are visible

The Beast’s Castle, Maurice’s Cottage, and the Castle Wall all in this shot

The path around Yankee Trader is now being constructed

It will put guests right about here

See?

The Madame Leota merchandise cart has moved closer to Columbia Harbor House

The Frontier Trading Post is still behind tarps

Pecos Bill’s is still behind tarps as well

Big Thunder is closing for a few months for major upgrades on the 9th

The queue should be the most radically different thing when it re-opens

The Barnstormer/Great Goofini looks like it is nearing completion

The times guide has been expanded to include the parade route, probably since it will change to a short loop this week as Electrical Parade goes dark for a paving project

Over to Hollywood Studios, where Toluca Legs Turkey Company is back in action…

During PIXAR Pals, an escape route… I mean alternate route is being opened to help guest flow

IT’S DONE! Oh, wrong park…

MUSH! MUSH!

Now on to Epcot

The tip board still works! A new record!

It indicates if FASTPASS is available

Time is almost up…

The pre-show monitors are now flat screens!

More and more cars are getting the Chevy branding

The new directional signage in Future World is color-coded and looks great!

Is it open?

Barely…

Oh, this side has lights…

No visible progress on the upcoming Habit Heroes exhibit

Thanks for the report Zach!

An Aerial View of New Fantasyland, The Grand Floridian DVC, and Big Thunder Mountain

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Thanks to Scott Keating of www.scottkeating.net, we have an “over-the-walls” aerial view of the consturctiuon going on in New Fantasyland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the new DVC wing at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

The tents from Toontown are basically being rebuilt, but the rest of the Storybook Circus looks like it will make it for Mid-Februaury

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and the Beauty and the Beast realm are coming along nicely. Foundations for the Seven Dwarf Mine Train are starting to appear

Dumbos are being carefully removed from the old spinner, getting ready for the move

The new Dumbo spinner looks ready to go, and the queue isn’t far behind

The Fantasyland Station is almost done, and the Casey Jr. Roundhouse should be installed soon

The waterways are being carved out under bridges

It looks like a path is appearing slowly in front of Enchanted Tales with Belle

Moving out of the park, land has been cleared for the Grand Floridian DVC addition

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment has begun, but there isn’t anything to see yet

 

 

VIDEO: The Giggle Gang Brings Big-Top Laughs to Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

When The Giggle Gang was announced by Disney a few days ago, many guests were worried that scary clowns would be invading Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. After having seen a show from the new group, I can safely say that scary clowns are hardly what guests are seeing in the park. The show is actually pretty cute; that being said, it probably could still use a little work. As with most comedy shows, some things work and some don’t, and I’m sure they will figure it out as they go along. The following video is from a very early preview performance of the Giggle Gang, so please keep in mind that they had only completed 2 actual shows prior to this performance. Enjoy:

So, what do you think of the Giggle Gang in Storybook Circus?

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:

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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…

Even More Aerial Pictures of New Fantasyland – March 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:

Supports for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train are going up

The base of the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is in place at Storybook Circus and the second tent is now fully covered

A lot of work still to go on the second Dumbo spinner

The bases for the Castle Walls are starting to go in at the old Dumbo site

An Aerial Look at the New Fantasyland Progress – February 2012

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

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

The foundations for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train are now in place, the old Dumbo is now history, and it looks like an extension of the Mermaid rock-work is about to begin to make the show building not visible from Storybook Circus

The queue for Enchanted Tales with Belle seems further along than any other project, so it’s possible that may open first

Prince Eric’s castle is looking good, but the rest of the facade is far from finished

Dumbo and the Fantasyland Station are nearing completion, meanwhile, the Barnstormer is complete with the exception of some landscaping and queue decorations. The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak area is still nowhere to be found.

Added Bonus: Here’s a look at the on-going Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment

AJ P’s 2/12 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT reader AJ P. was nice enough to offer us some newsworthy photos they took on their recent trip to Walt Disney World, so let’s take a look around all 4 parks and Downtown Disney:

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Land clearing continues for the Grand Floridian DVC wing

the rain left some large puddles

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

Chamber of Commerce behind tarps

The Bakery as well

On to New Fantasyland

Work being done on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Large walls popping up on the site of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Supports and such for the Mine Train in the foreground, Storybook Circus tents in the background

A green and red wall will separate the forest from Storybook Circus

A look across to Belle’s Village

The remains of Dumbo right in front of an expanding Castle Wall

Dumbo is coming along quickly

The backside isn’t themed in any way, but it faces the Speedway, so it will match nicely…

The Barnstormer tower

Circus tents

Walls still up near the Haunted Mansion

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is still behind tarps

Tarps still up at Pecos Bill’s

The planters have been repaired in Tomorrowland, but they have temporary covers until plants are placed

On to Downtown Disney, work continues on Splitsville

Doesn’t look like much has happened inside yet

Rainforest Cafe is open while work is done on the exterior

Concept art shows the new exterior and the new Lava Lounge

Stitch is gone from the World of Disney sign

Work being done on the pavement outside the store

Moving over to Epcot

Flower and Garden Festival preperation

Work continues on the entrances to the Seas with Nemo and Friends

The water play areas in Future World are being fixed-up

Tutto Italia is finally being remodeled after 5 years in the former Alfredo’s building

The exterior is being ripped apart

The old waiting area is gone…

The horror… THE HORROR!

I hope they are fixing the menu here as well, because Via Napoli makes this place look silly

The other water play area behind walls

Modifications being made to the Spaceship Earth queue in preparation for the eventual roll-out of Xpass…

We’re going to animal Kingdom!

For one piece of news… they are still repairing the rock-work in the Oasis

Storybook Circus Opens Late March, Snow White Closes Late May

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Who’s ready for an update on New Fantasyland? I just heard that the first elements of Storybook Circus will open by late March, marking the first in a series of progressive openings for the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history.

Among the first experiences to open will be one carousel of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, a re-themed Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini and the Fantasyland Station of the Walt Disney World Railroad.

In designing Storybook Circus, Imagineers were inspired by Disney’s animated film, “Dumbo.” When complete later this year, the area will be filled with multicolored circus tents and other nods to the film. The section will also feature Casey Jr., the famous locomotive from the movie, who has rolled into town, bringing the circus with him.

Beyond Storybook Circus and as we mentioned in a previous post, the Disney Princesses will be getting a new home at the location where Snow White’s Scary Adventures is today. The last day of operation for this attraction will be Thursday, May 31.

We look forward to sharing more with you throughout the year as our work progresses.

A few interesting notes to be made:

-The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is not mentioned, so now will be opening sometime after March.

-Snow White’s Scary Adventures is not supposed to close until Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is ready to open, so it is very possible that the new attraction will open sometime around May 31, 2012.

-Soft openings for Dumbo, Barnstormer, and Fantasyland Station can happen at any point now as the project nears completion, mid-March is just the official opening date

Adam Roth’s 2/13/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday to do some homework (if only we were so lucky) and he managed to take plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us in the process:

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Let’s grab a times guide

 The parade route is back to normal

Work continues on the bakery and center street facades

The bakery is open

Plaza Ice Cream still closed

Work continues on the supports in Tomorrowland

 

This side of the Dumbo queue is finally being painted

 

Scaffolding coming down on the circus tent queue area

 

The other Dumbo centrifuge is in place

 

They are working everyday to get the attraction up and running as soon as possible

 

 

Beast’s Castle

 

 

The Mermaid rock-work is being extended to hide the show building from view in Storybook Circus

 

Rooftops and patios are appearing on Prince Eric’s castle

 


A close-up of the castle

 

 

It looks great!

 

 

The artwork is back on the great wall of Fantasyland

 

The Castle Wall is finally showing some progress

 

The Seven Dwarves Mine shop lives out a stay of execution until the wall moves this direction

 

Walkways are still tight at the moment

 

This is the first time we’ve actually seen people working on the wall

 

We can see some detail at the top of the wall

 

The Fantasyland Skyway station is gones and now we have a giant pile of dirt

 

You can clearly see The Hauted Mansion, but this will change

 

Just a lot of dirt…

 

Work on the Peter Pan’s Flight queue continues

 

 

 

 

Walls up where the pathway will go next to the Haunted Mansion

 

Hard to believe this opened almost a year ago

It has grown in nicely

 

Some things were changed…

 

 

Some things were added as less-than-capable guests walked through…

 

 

Other things that were added

 

The pet cemetary is missing some pieces while the new path is worked on

 

Time for some Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

 

 

 

Pongo looks a little angry…

Love the cards

 

What’s the best part about Sorcerers? Inclusion of often ignored characters

 

The old Fife & Drum food service location closed for decades is back in use

 

This is a second location where you can begin your quest

This card has been changed to remove Slinky Dog from the background. Apprently, Disney doesn’t have the rights to use him…

 

Frontierland Trading Post still behind tarps

 

 

The tower that the Barnstormer will now crash through looks finished

 

The Big Thunder Mountain refurb rolls on

 

Lift hill replacemtn and roof repairs being done now

 

 

Some paint has also been applied to lower level rock-work

 

 

Progress is appearing rapidly

 

The backside of the Be Our Guest Restaurant

A look at Fantasyland Station

 

Lighting fixtures installed

 

Hi there

 

Still there…

 

Roof is covered

 

The Barnstormer is just about finished

 

 

 

A fair amount of landscaping left to complete

 

The backside of the Dumbo building

Josh Siegel’s 2/23/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

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

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The Bakery is still behind tarps

A tarp came down in the bad weather

Some lighted effects added to another Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom window

A line building for some of the windows

A new poster inside the Fire Station

A decent amount of guests waiting

The Chapeau is still behind tarps

Some new, smaller trees planted in Town Square

Chamber of commerce (package pick-up) is also still behind tarps

A temporary wheelchair ramp installed while work is being done

Another look at the new trees everyone seems to hate

I don’t see what all of the commotion is about… they’re trees…

Another look at the Chapeau/Confectionary

They fixed the fallen tarp on Center Street

Some of the facades came out from behind the tarps and look great

The Bakery tarps in the daytime

Plaza Ice Cream is still closed

Work continues on the Main Street bridge

The Dumbo building is coming along nicely

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid coming along nicely

One of the large tents has already been covered

Some kind of wall rising, possibly for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train

The new rock-work at the edge of the Mermaid facade taking shape

Belle’s Village

The crane! The crane!

The facade of Enchanted Tales with Belle is finally getting some detail

A better look at the new covered tent

Tigger’s Bounce Area is still closed…

This may be made into a Pooh meet and greet area in the not too distant future

Plenty of trees planted in Storybook Circus

A billboard for The Barnstormer is now up, you can spot it over the Dumbo queue

Another look at Enchanted Tales with Belle

Another look towards Dumbo and Barnstormer

The days are numbered for this store

And we all know this closes May 31st now

The unveiled portion of Castle Wall looks nice

Guests being prevented from going upstairs at Pinocchio’s Village Haus

A portion of walls near the restrooms remains

This piece of wall was already revealed

A new wheelchair ramp has been installed at Peter Pan’s Flight in preparation for the new interactive queue addition once the new restrooms open

I hope we can spare a few shields to decorate this…

Work continues on the former Skyway plot

The Haunted Mansion is clearly visible

What a mess

Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

One new roof looks pretty much finished

MAdame Leota’s cart out in Liberty Square

40th anniversary shirts

I haven’t seen this out in a while, but now it’s at the cart

Some new pavement along the parade route

Some new pavement that looks like wooden planks

Work continues by the Vacation Club booth

Work was completed on the Frontierland Trading Post facade

I assume that the missing part of the sign will return soon

This facade looks brand new

Some pieces still being worked on

Sunshine Tree Terrace still behind tarps

Some signage was recently installed at the Sorcerers station in Liberty Square

Good luck Sorcerers!