Old West Eatery Coming to Hollywood

WDWNT on June 16, 2008

The new small counter-service/outdoor vending location across the street from Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be called the “Hey Howdy Hey Take-Away” and will offer a number of small food options, most of which will be accepted by the Disney Dining Plan as a snack. The space will continue the Pixar Place theming, much like that of the Toy Story Midway Mania queue and the other toys related items around the Pixar Studios. We should have some pictures of the soon-to-open location later this week, so stay tuned!!!

Pixar Place Update

WDWNT on June 10, 2008

With Toy Story Mania now operating, bigger plans for the entire Pixar Place area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios are firming up. Imagineering is already beginning to work on upgrades for Toy Story Mania, with holiday version of the ride planned to debut in 2011 and an updated Toy Story 3 inspired version coming Summer 2010.

Across the street, the new shop, small-scale food service area, and the “top secret” Toy Story meet and greet spot are all nearing completion. According to Disney, the waiting area for the meet and greet will feature something they “have never done before”, to quote an Imagineer. Also slated to debut on the street, around the same time in June as the other Pixar Place offerings, is the Wall-E interactive living character animatronic. Plans are to have the “living” character roam the street now through January 2009, where he will be put away until work is completed on the second phase of the Pixar Place project.

Already rumored for the next phase of the project is a Monsters Inc. roller-coaster to fill in soundstage 1 and a smaller-scale version of the Car’s inspired Radiator Springs Racers attraction debuting Disney’s at California Adventure park in a few years, replacing the Studio Backlot Tour. By the end of the project, Pixar Place will extend from the Narnia exhibit to New York Street, wrapping around the northeast end of the Great Movie Ride. Other minor changes include some minor theme changes, including changing the Honey I Shrunk The Kids Movie Set into a set from “It’s Tough To Be a Bug”, changing the Backlot Caterers food location into a Monsters Inc. or Ratatouille themed eatery, and changing the theme of the small store that used to be “The Loony Bin” to a Monsters Inc. themed shop.

While most of these points are still completely rumor, many of these plans should eventually be executed. The current plan has the final pieces of Pixar Place (the Cars E-Ticket attraction and Monsters Inc. roller-coaster) being put into place by 2015, with the minor pieces all completed by 2011. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more info on Pixar Place progress becomes available.

John Corigliano WDW Photo Update 6/1/08

WDWNT on June 2, 2008

Hi everybody, John Corigliano here to provide you with some photo updates of my wild weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort, visiting both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Hope you enjoy it!!!

Spaceship Earth's wait time was for 20min today

Spaceship Earth’s wait time for 20 minutes today. Does that look like 20 minutes?

They've added this sign to tell guests how to trade and also a screen that will soon tell guests how much pins are just by scanning the UPC bar code.

They’ve added this sign to Pin Central at Epcot to tell guests how to trade pins. They’ve also a screen that will soon tell guests how much pins are just by scanning the UPC bar code.

Here's the new Price Pin Guide that's being implemented at the EPCOT's Pin Central. Each color is a different price.

Here’s the new Price Pin Guide that’s being implemented at the Epcot’s Pin Central. Each color is represents a different price.

Here’s what the UPC Bar Codes on the back of the pins look like. This pin has a blue sticker denoting that the price is $8.95.

Here’s another example. The price here is $6.95.

Rumors were circulating that Nestle had their signs removed at The Land, for the time being that is totally and completely FASLE. Here’s the proof.

The only thing that’s gone is the Jr. Chef station.

Here’s the “NEW” EPCOT Center shirt that’s been released around Epcot shops.

The only difference is that there’s a 25th Anniversary logo on inside where the tag would be.

Here’s some of Father’s Day merchandise being sold around Walt Disney World.

Here’s a billboard for Toy Story Mania! that’s just down the street near my home.

Now we move over to the actual attraction and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

TSMM had a 90 minute wait on opening day (May 31). Sadly, I one got on the ride once since the ride had technical difficulties after I got off it.

Here was my one and only score. Not as good as Tom Corless who actually holds the all-time high score at the moment.

Here’s the newly unveiled directional sign showing where Toy Story Midway Mania is.

Here’s the only reference to the Disney-MGM Studios that I could find in the entire park. I miss you MGM.

More Disney’s Hollywood Studios merchandise continues to come in.

Already, Imagineering has a Toy Story Midway Mania wait time sign pin. Tom wants this pin so bad.

Progress on enclosing the old Hunchback Theater is almost done.

As you can see from looking over the wall.

Nothing really new over at the old ABC Theater, future home of the American Idol Experience.

Does it seem like something is missing?

Anyone know the answers?

Here’s the new DHS watch design by Jason Zucker, only 50 of them available.

One of Jason’s amazing drawings for Star Wars Weekends.

Here’s one of Jason’s unreleased Star Wars Weekends artwork designs featuring Donald Duck.

Here, again you can see the new Playhouse Disney sign at the entrance.

A lot of progress as gone on over at the DVC Tower.

I finally got to eat here for the first time….on the last day in operation. Too bad I can’t come back for seconds.

So, as we end this WDW Update, we say good-bye to the Concourse Steakhouse.

Lights, Camera, Rumor Control!!!

WDWNT on May 30, 2008

Just wanted to take a moment to clear up two rumors about the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

-The space next to Toy Story Midway Mania (known as sound-stage 1) is not being prepared for Pixar Place area expansion at this time. As we reported in April, the space will be the merchandise location for Star Wars Weekends at the Studios beginning in June. I even took a peek inside the studio this week to be sure, and all that I saw were boxes and shelves full of merchandise.

-Of course there has been another leak about the new Star Tours attraction in development (as if there was any doubt this was happening) this week. From what I have been told, the attraction will either close later this year or right after the conclusion of the 2009 Star Wars Weekends at the Studios. Either way, the current feeling is that the attraction can not miss a Star Wars Weekend event during this lengthy refurbishment, so It can only be closed for a year at the most.

Checking In From The World

WDWNT on May 28, 2008

Hello everybody, Tom Corless here reporting from the Walt Disney World Resort in Orland, Florida. It has been a fun and hectic nine days here, but I’ll be returning home to New York tomorrow evening. I apologize for the lack of news lately, but here are some tidbits to tide you over until we are fully operational again on May 29.

-Toy Story Midway Mania was operating perfectly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios the first few days of my vacation, but has suffered greatly from the addition of the fastpass system this past weekend. The stand-by line moved very fast prior to the changes, but wait times after the changes went up to 2 hours in length, despite what the estimated time was stated to be. Expect either limited fastpass distribution or the removal of the system from the attraction sometime in the near future. Also expect the new store and dining location across the street inside the Pixar Studios area to open during the later part of June.

-Work on Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa continues as the entire pool area is slated to be refurbished over the next week or so. In addition, the now delayed new flooring for the main building will be arriving in September and should be in place before the holiday season.

-The Mad Tea Party will be closed for refurbishment May 28th, 2008.

-The Jungle Cruise, Ariel’s Grotto, and Cinderella’s Golden Carousel re-opened from refurbishment recently and are all looking great. The Carousel has received new loading gates that are really well themed and decorated. Expect pictures from me later this week of all of these changes plus other items from my ten day trip.

5/9/08 Walt Disney World Update

WDWNT on May 21, 2008

WDWNT was at the Walt Disney World Resort the weekend of May 9th, & as usual, we snapped some lovely pictures. Here are a few of them:

Here’s the Build Your Own Lightsaber stand at the Once Upon a Toy store in Downtown Disney.

A look inside the newly refurbished Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney.

A look at the track layout for Toy Story Midway Mania.

Prince Caspian Is Coming

WDWNT on May 13, 2008

Multiple sources have confirmed that the new Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be opening this Friday as the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie is released in theaters. The opening of this exhibit marks the conclusion of 5 months of total inactivity for the right-east corner of the park as Toy Story Midway Mania enters a full-time soft-openings schedule beginning, as well, on Friday. 

Toy Story Midway Mania Fun Facts

WDWNT on May 8, 2008

Here are some little know facts Disney has released about the new Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • Each ride vehicle weighs as much as 8,580 Woody dolls.
  • It would take 5,026 toy soldiers lined up end-to-end to make up the total track length.
  • Toy Story Mania! is the first time that Walt Disney Imagineering is creating an attraction for two Disney Parks simultaneously.
  • It has been estimated that, each day, guests may break over one million virtual plates using the spring-action shooters.
  • Riders in the Sky, the award winning group that wrote the songs that Mr. Potato Head performs as part of the attraction, is the same group that wrote “Woody’s Roundup” for the “Toy Story” feature films.
  • This is the first attraction that Walt Disney Imagineering designed where the Imagineers had to wear 3-D glasses to art direct all the black-light paint elements.
  • The murals located in the load area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the biggest murals painted since Epcot was built.
  • In order to create a show that responds not only to every pull of a guest’s spring-action shooter, but also every move their midway tram makes, there are over 150 computers communicating over multiple networks throughout the attraction.
  • At Toy Story Mania! every guest gets to experience life at the size of a toy. So in Andy’s room, a 5 foot 6 inch person will feel about 14″ tall.
  • More time was spent programming Mr. Potato Head than for any other Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.
  • Mr. Potato Head will be able to say more lines of dialogue than any Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.
  • The Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronics figure is the first time that an Audio-Animatronics figure can remove a body part and re-attach it (in the case of his ear).
  • The Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronics figure has new, highly expressive and animated eyes that can look directly at a particular guest in the queue when speaking to him/her.
  • Mr. Potato Head marks the first Audio-Animatronics figure whose mouth appears to form words and vowel sounds.

Game:

  • In each of the Toy Story Mania! games, there is at least one “easter egg” — targets that can trigger the appearance of bonus high-value targets and other changes in the scene.
  • Toy Story Mania! is the first time that Woody and Buzz Lightyear (along with some of their friends) from the Disney-Pixar “Toy Story” films appear together in a ride-through attraction.
  • Watch for loose change in the prize scene — Hamm is carrying more than $6 in coins when his cork pops.

Nice to Know:

  • Because of the indoor nature of the attraction and to keep the guest experience fun for all, flash photography or video is not allowed on Toy Story Mania!
  • Everyone can play! There is no height or age restriction for guests to experience Toy Story Mania!
  • Actual ride time aboard Toy Story Mania! is a full five minutes.
  • Ready, aim, fire! Players have 30 seconds in each game play area to score points.
  • A beeline to fun! Toy Story Mania! utilizes Disney’s FASTPASS, a return voucher offering little or no waiting time at select attractions. Single riders also have their own queuing option for Toy Story Mania!

 

Interact With The World

WDWNT on May 8, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When Walt Disney World guests “shrink” to the size of the toys they play with at home (or remember from their childhood) and become the star performers in the midway-game world of Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they are experiencing the essence of Disney Parks: engagement in such an immersive and interactive way that guests become part of the show.

Every day, Disney cast members invite guests to play special roles in entertainment throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Other immersive experiences include such roles as starring in a parade down Main Street, U.S.A., learning dance moves from the Disney Channel sensation “High School Musical 2,” dueling with Darth Vader and many more.

“These experiences transport our guests deep into the magical realms of what Disney parks are all about,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Rather than imagine being in a Disney parade or what it’s like to sail with Captain Jack Sparrow, these transformational experiences put our guests right in the heart of their dreams.”

It’s a Disney tradition that goes back to the very beginning of Disney Parks — the opening of Disneyland in 1955 — and is a consideration every time the famed Disney Imagineers huddle to fathom new magic.

In the latest immersive-entertainment experience, Toy Story Mania! guests are transported into a 4-D world where they compete in virtual midway-style games hosted by characters from the Disney-Pixar films “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Donning 3-D glasses and using spring-action shooters, guests launch virtual darts at balloons, rings at aliens and eggs at whimsical barnyard targets to see who can rack up the most points. Guests may even experience some special 4-D effects during different parts of the game.

And the interactive fun doesn’t stop when guests put down their toy shooters. Here’s a sampling of other immersive experiences happening every day at Walt Disney World Resort:

  • “Block Party Bash” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). A new traveling show that lets guests play, dance and party with favorite Disney-Pixar characters from smash-hit animated films like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.” Block Party Bash rocks and rolls throughout the park, putting guests in the middle of an impromptu party during one of the wildest, most interactive street spectaculars ever.
  • “High School Musical 2: School’s Out!” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Wildcat fever has guests dancing in the streets in the new interactive show presented multiple times daily. Inspired by the Disney Channel’s record-breaking, original film, “High School Musical 2,”the high-energy cast invites guests to join the fun as they sing and dance along to the movie’s hit tunes, including “What Time Is It?,” “All For One” and “I Don’t Dance.”
  • Jedi Training Academy (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Taking a cue from the popular Star Wars Saga, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine for an original and intergalactic entertainment experience. Young Jedi hopefuls — known in ‘Star Wars-speak’ as “Padawans” — learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi Master before facing off in a final test against the evil Darth Vader. Created with Lucasfilm Ltd., Jedi Training Academy is presented multiple times daily, adjacent to the popular Star Tours attraction.
  • “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Some of the most beloved characters from the Disney Channel lineup are featured in a singing, clapping and be-bopping show designed for preschoolers. The show stars favorites from popular Disney Channel programs including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more.
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland). Armed with infrared lasers, Magic Kingdom guests join forces with Buzz Lightyear to defend Earth’s supply of batteries from the evil Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, a spinning, brought-to-life Tomorrowland spin-off of the hit movie “Toy Story.” The shoot-’em-up fun triggers sight and sound gags, while a lighted display inside toy-spaceship ride vehicles allows guests to keep score.
  • Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (Magic Kingdom Adventureland).Looking for new recruits, Captain Jack and his mate Mack lead guests through a series of pirate skill tests to prove their mettle. Who is craftiest at wooden swordplay? Who can flash their most menacing pirate grimace? Faster than you can say “Yo, Ho! Yo, Ho! A Pirate’s Life for Me!” the big moment arrives: getting officially sworn in with the Pirate’s Oath to become honorary buccaneers of Captain Jack’s famous Pirate Crew.
  • Woody’s Cowboy Camp (Magic Kingdom Frontierland). There’s a rootin’ tootin’ good time in store as Woody, Jesse and Bullseye invite everyone to Woody’s Cowboy Camp! Ridin’ in on a wagon are some of their best cowpoke pals, along with Sam the Singin’ Cowboy who leads a rollicking hoedown. Led by Bullseye and saddled up on wooden stick horses, kids giddy-up their way through a cowboy obstacle course — maneuvering around parents donning hats shaped like cacti, mountains and mine shafts. It’s kick-up-your-spurs, hootin’ and hollerin’ fun as the cowboy spirit comes to life on the dusty streets of Frontierland.
  • “Main Street Family Fun Day Parade” (Magic Kingdom Main Street, U.S.A.). For the very first time, guests are able to parade down Main Street, U.S.A. alongside favorite Disney characters. It’s a pennant-waving, drum-beating rush for guests when they join characters and march alongside parade floats, a marching band and an old-timey fire truck. There’s even a stroller drill team to accommodate little paraders and their parents. When the parade hits Town Square, guests join the performers for a flag-waving patriotic finale.

Also happening in the theme parks every day:

  • “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” (Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland). Guests laugh, joke and match wits with the beloved animated characters from Disney-Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” in an engaging and interactive attraction created by the Disney Imagineers. “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” features one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski, who has opened a comedy club to collect laughs that will generate power for the future. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits two comedian wannabes whose slapstick humor delights and engages audiences. Guests even get to text-message jokes on their cell phones for possible use in the show.
  • “Turtle Talk With Crush” (Epcot). Crush, from Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” has made a different kind of screen debut in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot — as a chatting, joking quipster who engages guests in conversation from his movie-screen undersea environment. “Turtle Talk With Crush” showcases real-time animation using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation.

And that’s not all! Coming in winter 2008:

  • “American Idol” Attraction (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Starry-eyed Disney guests will get a taste of TV’s pop culture phenomenon — up close and personal — when Disney’s Hollywood Studios unwraps an “American Idol” attraction in winter 2008. Guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive setting modeled after the “American Idol” set. There will be multiple show times daily. Guests advancing through the screening process have the chance, in the nightly final competition, to win a guaranteed reservation for a regional audition for the “American Idol” TV show.

 

Exclusive: Toy Story Midway Mania Ride Video!

WDWNT on May 3, 2008

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber was able to grab an on-ride video (Warning: its a little bit shaky, as is expected with a ride of this nature containg spinning vehicles and 3-D effects) just before Toy Story Mania closed down for the day. Included is video of the queue, handicapped load area, and a special surprise at the end. Enjoy!!!