The Villas at the Grand Floridian – Page 2

Dirk Wallen’s 5/13-5/20/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen has been all over the Walt Disney World theme parks over the last week and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

We begin at Downtown Disney

To Pleasure Island while it is still a thing…

While nothing is going on at Adventurer’s Club…

Walls are already up for Disney Springs at the former Comedy Warehouse

The walls from inside Pleasure Island

Work happening at the Sassagoula boat dock on Pleasure Island

It’s closed, so you have to get off at Marketplace

Soon this will be The Landing

The Truckeria taco truck is at Downtown Disney

Not sure how long this has been a thing, but there is a snow-cone cart in Marketplace

They also have glazed nuts

Some new pins are out at Pin Traders, including this Remember When Figment & Dreamfinder pin

Toy Story Mania 5th anniversary pin

The pin trading nights pins are still available

Moving over to Epcot, Character Spot is still closed, but we can see a new sign where the entrance will likely now be

I have seen the kid’s shirt before, but the adult “I conquered the world” shirt looks new to me

Some work going on in Â the queue for Turtle Talk

Walls still up at the Norway pavilion waterfall

Work continues on the new, larger restrooms at the American Adventure

Work continues on Spice Road Table in Morocco

The new France pavilion ice cream parlor is set to open next month

Moving to Studios, the Monsters Inc. meet and greet is closed until the 24th to become a Monsters University meet and greet

Current progress on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

A lot of work to be done near the resort entrance still

The 24 hour day is on the Magic Kingdom times guide

The Adventureland Veranda is still behind tarps

Signage is uncovered at A Pirate’s Adventure

Tarps still up at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments

The Liberty Bell is no longer behind walls and looks great

It has seemed like forever since we have seen the facade at Columbia Harbour House…

Work continues on the former Fantasyland restrooms near Peter Pan

No visible progress on Princess Fairytale Hall

More rock-work appearing on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Still a lot of work to be done over here

The Mad Tea Party is still closed

Dirk Wallen’s 5/10-11/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom this weekend and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

Windows are being installed now

It’s starting to look like part of the Grand Floridian

A look from across the Seven Seas Lagoon

Work continues on the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

Not much to see yet

Getting to the Magic Kingdom, tarps are still up on Main Street Apparel next to Casey’s Corner

Starbucks opens in the Main Street Bakery next month

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is still behind tarps

In a strange tuern of events, a Disney Visa card kiosk has opened at the old Keelboat dock

This space had been used for Haunted Mansion extended queue

The Liberty Bell is behind walls

Tarps still up on Columbia Harbour House

Tarps also still up on the Fantasyland side

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

The Mad Tea Party is still closed for refurbishment, which we believe to consist of changes to the queue

Everyday, the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train is looking better and better

The backside looks nearly complete

The rock-work here matches Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Moving over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 15th anniversary merchandise is still available

Work continues on the new home for Festival of the Lion King in Africa

ADDAX!

They may not be Zebras, but they will do…

The Anadapur ice cream truck is back, but still behind walls

You have to cross the park for soft-serve ice cream…

Queue modifications happening at Finding Nemo: The Musical

Tom Corless’ 4/16-4/26/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

I recently visited the Walt Disney World Resort (just last week) and I have a ton of newsworthy photos to share with you, so let’s take a look at all of the changes happening around the resort right now:

They got a new banner, too bad they only have a few months left…

They added some “blood” red carpet in the queue at the Haunted Mansion… sorry, it’s dark in there

The backside of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train appears to closely resemble the rock-work on Under the Sea

After a month, it appears the construction of the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom is still in the early stages

I see you Grand Floridian Villas…

Over at Animal Kingdom, banners are still up for the 15th anniversary

We can already see posts for a marquee going up where the new Festival of the Lion King entrance will be in Africa

The Anandapur Ice Cream Truck is gone, so you can only get soft-serve at Camp Minnie-Mickey right now

With Planes coming out this August, there are some character planes clothes for kids coming out

I particularly like the Dumbo jumbo jet…

Taking a look at the Villas at the Grand Floridian from the Polynesian Beach

The trademark red roof is starting to appear

Monsters University merchandise can be found everywhere

More Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

A few weeks ago, the Gaston’s mug was updated with new artwork featuring Gaston and LeFou

Sorry for the blurry pic, but you get the idea

More MU stuff in Mouse Gear

Some new Villains watches have come out

Scar and Chernabog

Queen of Hearts and Maleficent

Scar

The Monsters University display recently added some gargoyles despite the fact that the event is ending soon

Some banners describing the film were also put up

Touch-point entry was finally installed at International Gateway

There are now Mickey and Minnie handset phones for mobile phones for sale

Mickey and Minnie mini-speakers for sale

I tired the chili cone queso at Downtown Disney… it’s the same as Cars Land…

The Droid Factory has now opened inside Once Upon a Toy

The four stations really help out with lines

Some new magnets for sale

The Boardwalk Bakery re-opened on Friday at Disney’s Boardwalk

It looks a lot different

You should probably wear a shirt to the bakery…

The expanded kitchen added some pre-made sandwiches to the menu

They also have soup

Mmmmmm

MMMMMMMMMM

FastPass testing for Fantasmic! going on now

The American Idol Experience store now sells Star Wars stuff… Yes…

They added a seafood platter to the menu at the ABC Commissary…. Yum?

The oscars are back at the Magic of Disney Animation from filming for Saving Mr. Banks the last several months

Cool new baseball cap

Dirk Wallen’s 4/17/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom yesterday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so lets take a look:

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

Work continues on a third bus loop for the Magic Kingdom

The Grand Floridian Villas off in the distance

There is still a ton of construction equipment put in the Polynesian Resort parking lot

Some work being done to the planter in front of the train station

Beautifully Disney products now available in the Emporium

The Swiss Family Treehouse s being fixed up while it is open

The Adventureland Veranda facade is still being worked on

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is still behind tarps

The exterior refurbishment of Columbia Harbour House rolls on

Tarps now up on this end of the building

On the Fantasyland side, the Peter Pan restrooms have been closed and are behind tarps

No visible progress on Princess Fairytale Hall

Mad Tea Party refurbishment ongoing

The first real details of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train attraction are beginning to emerge

Dirk Wallen’s 4/5-7/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen has been all-over the Walt Disney World Resort as of late and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

While most of the new parking lot at the Grand Floridian Villas is open, some is still closed to accommodate construction

Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

This appears to be the drop-off area

Iron Man-O-Rail running

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the Main Street Bakery

The new Dumbo popcorn bucket available on Main Street

Purty

Work continues on the exterior of the Adventureland Veranda

The glass canopy on the other side of the building is still missing

Some work happening at the Swiss Family Treehouse while it is open

Kodak picture spots are still up around the parks

Some new Splash Mountain shirts have come out

Work continues on Columbia Harbor House

The other side looks completely new

More rock-work appearing everyday on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

A new shirt featuring Main Street U.S.A.

Some new sports shirts

They put a cardboard popcorn bucket inside the Dumbo popcorn bucket

Moving over to Epcot, work continues on the facade of Mission: Space

Walls are already up and work has begun on the Spice Road Table restaurant in Morocco

A temporary stage is now up for Mo Rockin’

Work continues on turning the old France bakery into an ice cream parlor

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

Kodak signage is gone from Muppetvision 3-D

A dance party truck was rolled out on Streets of America to deal with the heavier crowds recently

The Disney Truck Shop at Downtown Disney

The latest pin in the 2013 poster collection was released last week

Huey, Dewey, and Louie are now 75 years old

Disney-PIXAR Vinylmation pins are now on sale

Tom Corless & Dirk Wallen’s 3/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on April 24, 2013

Things have been so crazy around here at WDW News Today lately that we’ve had some minor news stories slip through the cracks. In an effort to get you up to speed on some of the stories we haven’t covered on the site lately, here are newsworthy photos from myself and Dirk Wallen taken earlier in March:

Some new “flat” snowglobes for sale

There are some new hot sandwiches in Liberty Square

Most of the arcades at Walt Disney World are replacing their prize counters with one of these

An automated prize machine is a pretty cool concept

The new purchase with purchase item for sale is an expandable duffle

Wriost gift cards are available for the Flower and Garden Festival

Work continues on expanding the Boardwalk Bakery

The arcade next door is gone

The sign is still up and the door still enters the small ESPN shop

The arcade section is covered by a curtain

A few weeks ago, Test Track introduced a new car type guests can choose

Triton’s Treasures behind the Mine Train now has shutters on it

An ADA compliant ramp was installed on the Yankee Trader

Some of the new Haunted Mansion merchandise is for sale in Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Picture frame

Hourglass

Coasters

Work continues on installing A Pirate’s Adventure in Adventureland

Work continues on the exterior of the Adventureland Veranda

Rumors indicate that this may finally become a Pirate restaurant in 2014 once the Disney Fairies move out

More tarps on the front of the building

St. Patrick’s Day shirt

Spring Break and graduation merchandise out

Two new Oswald shirts for sale

Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny are in town square

Awwwwww

More Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

Some trees up on the mountain

We can finally see some rock work

In preparation for FastPAss+, a large section of the Pirates of the Caribbean queue has been re-routed

Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian

Thanks for reading!

Dirk Wallen’s 2/2/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and has some fantastic pictures of new progress on the Big Thunder Mountain interactive queue, A Pirate’s Life: Treasures of the Seven Seas, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and more, so let’s take a look:

While the Main Street Bakery is closed, guests can head to the Tomorrowland Terrace

Plenty of options at Tomorrowland Terrace, including beignets!

The flowers in the hub have gone to Valentine’s Day colors and the ducks love it…

Valentine’s Day cupcakes available at Big Top Treats

I’ve heard of panning for gold…

More props and interactive elements have been installed in the queue at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

The “exploding” crates are no longer under tarps

These huge machines popped up in the second-half of the queue over the weekend

It looks like guests will play some sort of game where they turn a lever

Spinning handles on the back of another machine

The refurbishment of Splash Mountain continues

Lots of painting going on

Golden Oak Outpost is closed again

Work continues on the Adventureland Veranda building

Another area of the building is also walled-off

The Crow’s Nest is out from behind tarps and it looks quite different… we expect it to play a role in “A Pirate’s Adventure”

More props for “A Pirate’s Adventure” have been installed throughout Adventureland

Jack Sparrow’s compass

This was the first prop installed a few months ago

A cannon

Ball and chains

Some props by the Jungle Cruise

Nearby, a pirate skeleton lies under the water near a treasure chest

It appears these skulls near the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance will talk

Another strange set of props

Gun powder

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is open while the exterior is refurbished

Walls up outside of the Haunted Mansion and Yankee Trader

Tarps still up on Columbia Harbour House

The latest progress on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day lanyards are out

As is the new Test Track logo pin

Over at The Villas at the Grand Floridian, we can start to make out windows

Dirk Wallen’s 2/23/13 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen takes us to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks this time around, stopping to check progress on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train, the Tangled restroom area, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the Big Thunder Mountain interactive queue, and more! Let’s take a look:

RFID entrance installation continues at the Studios

The large electronic scrolling sign at Sounds Dangerous is now gone, looks like we can finally officially say the attraction is dead

The new Disney JuniorL Live on Stage debuted a few weeks ago

Doc McStuffins was added to the show

As was Sophia the First

Whoops…

It was up there for some of the show…

The Epcot 30th reveal/conceal pin set came out recently

New Spring pins

85th anniversary of the Plane Crazy short

EASTER DUFFY!

New Muppet shirt

Moving over to Animal Kingdom

Kodak picture spots are still up…

RFID entrances still being installed at Animal Kingdom as well

More Kodak

Hard to believe, but they are still installing the nets at Tree of Life

This is taking forever…

Some areas look completed

Others look like no work has even started

Beastly Bazaar will soon open as the Adventurers Outpost, a Mickey and Minnie meet and greet

The Character Landing will soon host Donald and Daisy, Pooh and Tigger are heading to Camp Minnie-Mickey

Pocahontas has already moved out of Camp Minnie-Mickey

The old theater for Pocahontas and Her Forrest Friends is still stroller parking

Some walls up in Camp Minnie-Mickey

We believe they are installing FastPass+ behind these walls at Theater in the Wild

Moving to Epcot, Flower and Garden Festival preparation is in full swing

Some scrims still up near the Oz playground

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs near Germany

Toy Story characters in the American Adventure

Lady and the Tramp in Italy

All of the booths are up… it’s so weird to see these out so early in the year…

They are giving out seed packets to promote Oz: The Great and Powerful and the festival

The Mission: Space facade is being refurbished, the ride is open still

Don’t try to park at the Polynesian Resort, there is a ton of construction equipment sitting there…

Work continues on The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. There’s some strange tower rising on the right…

Another somewhat similar structure is rising outside the building on the other side

It’s starting to look like the Grand Floridian

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Main Street Apparel is behind tarps again

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Work continues on the Tangled restroom area

You can see the tree-stump shaped charging stations gusts can use to charge electronics

Work is nearing completion on the exit of “it’s a small world” that has been behind tarps

Columbia Harbour House is still behind tarps

Work continues on Splash Mountain which is closed until mid-March

More and more progress is being made on the interactive queue at Big Thunder Mountain

I see Marc Davis and Blaine Gibson references…

The detail on the new props is stunning

A nod to Western River Expedition, the attraction originally designed for this space

Most of the work on the mountain looks complete

A few tarps still out there…

This looks like way too much fun…

YES… MUST BLOW STUFF UP!

Tag: The Villas at the Grand Floridian

Dirk Wallen’s 5/13-5/20/13 WDW Photo Report

Dirk Wallen’s 5/10-11/13 WDW Photo Report

Tom Corless’ 4/16-4/26/13 WDW Photo Report

Dirk Wallen’s 4/17/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

Dirk Wallen’s 4/5-7/13 WDW Photo Report

Tom Corless & Dirk Wallen’s 3/13 WDW Photo Report

Dirk Wallen’s 2/2/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

Dirk Wallen’s 2/23/13 Walt Disney World Resort Photo Report

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