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:

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

MuppetVision 3-D is closed for refurbishment

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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…

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

Sip a ‘Lone Ranger’ Slush at Disney Parks to Celebrate Film Release July 3

The Disneyland Resort (and the Magic Kingdom) has something tasty and refreshing planned to commemorate the launch of the Lone Ranger on July 3rd.

A root beer slush in a cool Lone Ranger souvenir boot is just a little reminder of the July 3 premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Lone Ranger” American action-adventure western comedy film.

Found only at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom Park for $8.99 (3.99 without the souvenir boot). However, if you are visiting Disneyland park, be sure to visit the Golden Horseshoe for a Root Beer Float in the Lone Ranger souvenir boot starting tomorrow.

The new movie stars actor Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp as Tonto, the proud American-Indian warrior. (We expect Depp’s version will have a dry sense of humor with Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.)

We’ll sip our root beer slush and patiently wait for July 3!

Joe Hogarty’s 4/11/13 Hollywood Studios Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty also visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursday and has some newsworthy photos from around the park to share with us:

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The exterior refurbishment at Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster is completed

The guitar now has a shiny finish

Looks nice

Did you know Superman’s cape is in the AFI exhibit?

Near PIXAR Place, one billboard now advertises The Lone Ranger

The other is a cute billboard for Monsters University

Since the parades in the park are gone, characters are staying out later by the Sorcerer’s Hat

While Britto isn’t a new item, the Art of Disney stores are now carrying a lot more of them

I think they are really strange