It seems that the WDWNT Christmas Podcast Parade was not the only parade taking place yesterday :), there was of course the 25th annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade on ABC. Disey has put a number of clips from the parade and the holiday season on Youtube, so I thought I would share them with you:
You can also download this version of “Celebrate You” HERE
Robert Ashburn of Figment’s Media.Net and FTN has provided us with some his trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday. Let’s take a look at some newsworthy items using this new gallery option:
Space in Tomorrowland being prepared for Stitch’s Supersonic Dance Celebration that will debut in the Spring
The old Skyway building is also getting some much needed TLC during this time
Haven’t seen these signs in a while, I guess this still is 1994 Tomorrowland
Sign directing guests to the restrooms around the walls during this refurbishment
The entire building is not under tarps
A closer look
Resort-wide sales continue through the holiday season
The refurbishment of the second half of Tinker Bell’s Treasures reveals a new shop, Castle Couture
Some great new decor can be found in the new shop
Aurora’s dress changes colors as Fauna and Merryweather fight over red and blue
This seems to be an extension of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, selling the princess outfits that parents can purchase
There is a section for each princess
The work on the upper level of Pinnochio’s Village Haus is complete and it looks great
Work on the lower section continues
The exterior of the Hall of Presidents is now being refurbished in preparation for the July 2009 re-opening
The self-service kiosks at Pecos Bill’s have been moved to the center, surprising when the entire restaurant closes for refurbishment in January
It seems people are still afraid to use them
We’ll end this report with a nighttime picture of the new food vendor replacing the Frontierland Fry Wagon
Matt Paul was at the Magic Kingdom on Sunday to attend the Very Merry Christmas Party, and shares with us some very interesting photos:
A huge vending location of some kind is rising up behind the construction walls in the location of the former fry wagon
You can see fixtures for signage and an awning in this picture
construction materials behind the building on the hill
A few interesting developments from the last few days to note in this mixed-bag report:
-Matt Paul is reporting that the Mickey Mouse float in the Disney Dreams Come True Parade at the Magic Kingdom has been removed from the parade to be converted to the opening float for the latest version of the parade that will debut around January. The rumored name of the new parade will be the Celebrate Disney Dreams Come True Parade and it will most likely welcome in a slightly altered soundtrack for the parade using the “Celebrate You” theme song of the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign. In the meantime, Mickey is appearing in a familiar spot on the castle finale float, where he once stood in his sorcerer’s apprentice costume during the Remember the Magic Parade. Matt will provide us with some pictures of this change once he returns home. Stay tuned for more information on this change as it becomes available.
-Disney has put up a number of new YouTube videos for the holiday season that you can view below:
-WDWNT Podcast Episode 72 is now available for download. Here’s a short synopsis:
Join me, Tom Corless, and a cast including Jason Diffendal, Justin Heyman, Matt Paul , Jose Castillo, Adam Roth, and Luke Manning for a show that Bridges the Gaps Between You and the Walt Disney World Resort. I hope you enjoy all of the Walt Disney World information and fun we have to offer on this “missing mountain” edition of the WDW News Today Podcast.
To kick off episode 72, we have all the recent happenings from the last week to discuss in our Walt Disney World Resort News and Rumor Report. This time around, we’ll be talking about some early changes to the “What Will You Celebrate?” entertainment line-up for 2009, a major Magic Kingdom E-Ticket attraction that may go missing next year, and just what attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios may not be operating next time you visit the park.
Following that, we’ll have the third edition of “What were they thinking?”, where we will try to examine why certain decisions are made by Walt Disney World management. This time around, we’ll be discussing the presence of famous celebrities in Disney attractions and if it is a good or bad thing for the parks.
Finally, Town Square Talk is back this week, highlighting the hottest topics around our WDWNT Network of websites. First up, Matt Paul is here to highlight some new Disney Park videos you can download from the WDWNTube (wdwntube.com). I’m also making some Town Square Talk this week, with news on some upcoming segments for the podcast that you can vote for as part of WDWNT Interactive. Jason Diffendal also drops in and informs us about the next WDWCelebrations event coming up in May 2009 that has a lot to do with the segment that follows this one.
Finally, to end this weeks program, we kick start our countdown of the 20 Biggest Moments in Disney’s Hollywood Studios History as voted by you with a look at what took the #20 spot. We’ll also be examining just how important this moment is in the 20 year history of the park. We hope to see this segment improve as it continues with a larger group of participants, we were a little short on staff this week because the holidays are quickly approaching.
To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on Itunes, go to this link. If you do not have Itunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows
This episode is also available in an enhanced version. An enhanced podcast is a podcast with added features that standard podcasts don’t have. Enhanced podcasts include many features like Chapter listings, this lets you skip through chapters or see what is in store for this weeks show. Enhanced podcasts also have images to let you differ the chapters by. Enhanced podcasts have one negative feature, you can not play them on most MP3 players. The file format for this is a .m4a which can play on Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s Zune. You will also need iTunes or Windows Media Player to be able to skip through chapters. If you need or would like the standard edition, download the normal edition listed below this file both on Itunes and in our podcast directory.
I just received the 2009 Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD in the mail yesterday and here are some notes on what I found inside:
-The package and DVD is littered with balloons, it looks like a seasonal overlay of the 2008 DVD, very similar:
-The WDW brochure inside has also been updated for the celebration:
-More interestingly, this brochure features a map of the Magic Kingdom missing one of its signature attractions…
Notice there is no mention of Space Mountain, it simply sits there as a mystery structure
As many of you who follow this site are well aware, Space Mountain is scheduled for a still “unannounced” refurbishment in 2009, and the fact that the attraction is missing from this pamphlet and the DVD itself should remove the doubt from anyone’s mind about upcoming changes over at Space Mountain next year. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on this rumored refurbishment.
Even though we are just about three weeks away from the beginning of the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign at the Walt Disney World Resort, we have already had a major change in plans. Now don’t panic just yet, it’s actually quite a positive one. Instead of taking the same exact concept that Disneyland park is going to use for what they are calling “Celebrate! A Street Party” on Main Street U.S.A. like was originally planned, the Magic Kingdom will be receiving a larger and more extensive version of this mini-parade/show beginning Spring 2009. Here is a release on the new offering:
At the Walt Disney World® Resort, the “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party” will come to life in early spring 2009 at the Magic Kingdom® Park. It will feature multiple floats (in this case, “party boxes”) each hosted by a Disney Character with fantastic upbeat music that will have you dancing and celebrating in front of Cinderella Castle. Hosts include Genie (from Aladdin), Lumiere (from Beauty and the Beast), Timon (The Lion King), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) and the Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland ).
The concept sounds much stronger than the Disneyland version, as you can see here:
Beginning in spring 2009, the heart of Disneyland® Park will rock to the beat of some of the best party tunes of all time during “Celebrate! A Street Party.” Balloons and streamers fill the air on Main Street, U.S.A.®, while crazy conga lines, swing dancers and Disney Characters take to the street to celebrate with you!
It should be interesting to see how this “Main Street Family Fun Day Parade” replacement does when it debuts next year at the Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this new entertainment offering becomes available.
Just thought we would take a moment to look at some recent commercials the Walt Disney World Resort has put together for a variety of topics:
Holidays at WDW
A more recent “What Will You Celebrate?” commercial
3-D Theaters on the Disney Cruise Line
We have some very interesting news and notes from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter sent to annual passholders for Winter 2008. It appears that another new element has been added to this year’s installment of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just for those with an AP. Here is the news straight from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter:
“Experts at Disney say Passholders may be seeing things this holiday season. Quite Literally. Courtesy of special 3D glasses Passholders can pick up at the Park between November 28 and December 20 and wear when taking in The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The glasses will enable Passholders to see special hidden images like angels and snowflakes throughout the display of five million lights. Once again making being a Passholder pretty darn cool this holiday season. Passholders can pick up their glasses at the Package Pick-Up location near the Park entrance.”
The next piece of news is on the continuing speaker series being held just for Passholders at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park:
“We’ve got something special as part of the exclusive Disney Passholder Speaker Series: a delightful Disney’s Animal Kingdom presentation, “Disney Holiday Magic: From Toyland to the Jungle.”
On Saturday, December 13, two-time Grammy-nominated Disney Writer Greg Ehrbar will take you on a fun-filled journey from early Disney holiday entertainment and music to perhaps the most jumpin’, jivin’, joyful experience of all, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade–with prizes for some lucky winners–and a special VIP viewing of the parade itself!
Space is limited! Visit disneyworld.com/passholder now to sign up for this event.”
We also have more information on the upcoming Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, opening to all guests later this month:
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to transform your family into secret agents and help save the world from super-villains during the new Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, based on the Disney Channel animated series, Kim Possible!
Beginning in late fall 2008, you can embark on an exciting mission throughout one of seven World Shocase Pavilions (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France or the UK).
When you defeat the villains, a super-secret finale event signals the end of your adventure, so you can return your Kimmunicator knowing you’ve done your part to save the world–and come back later to save it all over again. Find our more at disneyworld.com/kimpossible.”
To begin, just pick up a Mission Pass at any of four locations (Innoventions East and West, the Odyssey Bridge or International Gateway). You’ll be told how to proceed to your field station to pick up your “Kimmunicator,” a hand-held wireless controller that gives you secret assignments and activates special effects and events throughout your pavilion!
Annual Passholders were also given a description of what is going on at Disney Parks in 2009 and what they will get rather than free admission during “What Will You Celebrate?”:
Birthdays. Anniversaries. Personal triumphs. Reunions. Promising new beginnings.
Imagine celebrating a birthday in a land of pure magic, marking your anniversary in a fairy tale kingdom come true. Or reuniting with friends and family in a place where everyone gets to be a kid again.
It’s a great way for you to celebrate almost anything in your life, and starting in January 2009, Disney will make it easier for you to magnify those moments in incredible Disney style! Disney is making this the year to gather with the people who make you the happiest and celebrate at the place where dreams come true. And we’re magnifying the magic with new entertainment and unique experiences.
“We’ve got some very special surprises for anyone coming to celebrate with us–including ONE VERY BIG ONE,” said Faron Kelley, Project Development Director for Disney Desinations.
Perhaps you’ve heard what Faron was talking about, the most magical birthday present of all: free admission to one of the Theme Parks of the Walt Disney World(R) Resort on your birthday during 2009 and thought to yourself, “Wait a minute. I’m a Disney Passholder. What about me?” Well don’t worry, we’ve got you taken care of too.
Passholders with Theme Park admission that they will use on their birthday in 2009 can choose one of three great birthday treats.
If you use your Pass for Theme Park admission on your birthday in 2009, choose from one of the following birthday treats:
-A special birthday FASTPASS for select attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or
-A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use on your birthday for select merchandise, recreation, other gated attractions or for Disney’s PhotoPass on-site services at select participating locations at the Walt Disney World Resort; or
-A 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.
Just go to disneyworld.com/celebrate to register for your birthday treat.Durring this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.
“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”
So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”
Disney has also come up with ways to make your memories even more vivid. “This year, we’ll also be giving our Guests an opportunity to mark their reunion or any special time with customizable t-shirts, Mickey ears, pins and special Disney’s Photopass images,” Faron told us. “It’s a wonderful memory to share and take home–all personalized by you.”
During this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.
“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”
So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”
The final piece we have indicates that we should see the first WDW Passholder previews of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by January. In addition, you will need to sign-up to take part once registration opens:
“Because Passholders are like our “idols,” we’re getting ready for a preview of The American Idol Experience for you! Space will be limited, so keep an eye on disneyworld.com/passholder for the registration announcement so you can sign up!”
Some very exciting stuff coming up for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, it’s about time that this group started getting some special treatment!!!
Here are 3 press releases that have recently been released by Disney. The first is on the opening of Pixie Hollow:
To celebrate the animated film “Tinker Bell,” Disney’s most famous fairy and four of her best friends are featured in an all-new meet-and-greet experience at Disneyland Park.
To meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, guests enter a magical forest called “Pixie Hollow,” a special place deep in the heart of Never Land.
Tinker Bell, made famous in the 1953 Disney animated classic “Peter Pan,” for her “hostess” role in Disney television specials and for “flying” above the Disney theme parks, is joined inside Pixie Hollow by four fairy friends: Fawn, an animal fairy; Iridessa, a light fairy; Rosetta, a garden fairy; and Silvermist, a water fairy.
In addition to meeting the Fairies guests can learn more about the Disney Fairies at disneyfairies.com.
The second is on the new High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now! show at Disney’s California Adventure:
Fans of the “High School Musical” can join the fun as “High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!” is rockin’ at Disney’s California Adventure.
The new, interactive street show invites Guests to dance, sing along and celebrate the music of the new theatrical motion picture “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”
Featuring a cast of 14 dynamic singers and dancers, the Disney show takes place on a traveling stage that creates a live-concert experience, complete with stacks of speakers and rows of lights. Entertainment featuring six new songs from the movie will draw guests into the streets of Disney’s California Adventure for an exciting, high-energy dance party.
Three shows will be perfomred daily at Sun Plaza, near the main entrance, and the Golden State Stage.
Teens and tweens who are big fans of the “High School Musical” score will sing along with two of the movie’s hottest numbers, “A Night to Remember” and the theme song, “High School Musical.”
And the final press release is on the new personalized merchandise that is available, & will be available as part of the upcoming What Will You Celebrate? campaign:
It’s Time To Celebrate “You!”
Celebrate “you” every day. Stand out in the crowd with our personalized t-shirts commemorating special celebrations in your life (i.e Happy Birthday, Just Married, Family Reunion), or maybe we can lend you a hand or even better an “ear” with our Create-Your-Own ear hat program. But if its pins that are your “trade” then be sure to find that special character pin and personalize yours today.Personalized T-shirts
Beginning November 14, 2008, be sure to stop by our newest personalization location on Main Street, U.S.A., Celebration Custom Printers – Specializing in Wearable Memories. Here you can have your name imprinted on specially designed commemorative t-shirts. So, whether you are celebrating your birthday, commemorating your recent nuptials or identifying your family members with our special “Family Reunion” tees, you’re sure to come away with a special memory that will last a lifetime. And for our younger Jedi Knights in Training or Disney Princesses to be, now you can choose to personalize your own t-shirt with our special kids only imprinted tees.An Ear-Ful of Fun!
You’ll be grinning from “ear” to “ear” with our Create-Your-Own Ear Hat program. It’s just FOUR (4) easy steps: Find An Ear Hat Base, Select Your Desired “Ears”, Accessorize, and last but not least, remember the signature of any ear hat, to have your name embroidered on the back. To learn more or to create-your-own ear hat, visit The Gag Factory located in Mickey’s ToonTown at Disneyland® park.Personalize Your Pin
Celebrate friends, family or even yourself with a variety of Disney character pins, names and phrases, including Happy Birthday, Feliz Cumpleanos, #1 Mom and more. Base pins will retail between $6.95 to $8.95 (plus tax). The PVC Nameplates will retail at $2.00 each (plus tax). Personalize your own pin is available at select locations at the Disneyland® Resort, including Little Green Men Store Command and Disney’s Pin Traders. Here’s How it Works!1. Start by choosing a base pin
2. Next select a PVC name or phrase plate
3. Attach the magnetic base plate to the base of the pin
4. Congratulations! Your pin is completeFor more information on personalized pins, please click here.
The very popular Dream Along with Mickey stage show that currently performs in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom will be going under the knife in January for reasons that are still unconfirmed at this time. As part of a two week long rehab, it is rumored that the show will be receiving a few minor costume and music changes to better fit the 2009 “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign (or at the least not clash with the new theme). These changes would probably have to take place since the show was designed for the Year of a Million Dreams that began in October 2006 and will be ending on the last day of this year. Because of this, it is completely possible that a totally new show may debut later in the month of January. To keep up to date on this and other refurbishments coming up soon at the Walt Disney World Resort (*cough* Space Mountain *cough*) stay tuned to WDW News Today and our fantastic attraction updates page.
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