Dirk Wallen’s 8/16-19/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen was all over the Walt Disney World Resort this weekend, visiting Downtown Disney, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He took some great photos on his trip and has them to share with us in this photo report:

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Looks like the Earful Tower is being painted or repaired

At the Magic Kingdom the Bakery has been out from behind tarps for a while now

The old Swan Boat dock is getting refurbished at the moment

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

The Castle Walls are approaching completion

We still can’t go on the second level of Village Haus to take photos…

More grass being placed on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The structure for the new Fantasyland restrooms is coming along nicely

The Yankee Trader is open but behind tarps

The Crow’s Nest is still being worked on

Next-Gen FASTPASS has been installed at Haunted Mansion, but it is still covered

Work is wrapping up on the Tomorrowland bridge and we can now see new futuristic railings have been installed

Another look at the Swan Boat dock

Another look at the work on the new bathrooms

Moving over to Epcot, Habit Heroes is still closed!

Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise is starting to hit shelves, like this awesome lanyard!

Perry the Platypus/Phineas and Ferb snacks are available, but I’m more interested in what’s on those Epcot-only popcorn buckets and cups…

A permanent DVC booth is being built next door to the Canada pavilion

Phineas and Ferb topiary still up

A quick stop at Downtown Disney shows us the progress on the new Rainforest Cafe volcano

Moving to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s a Frankenweenie ad in the parking lot

The first sign of work on The Legend of Jack Sparrow is this blue coat of paint on the building matching the colors now used for the Superstar Television Theater complex

Oz billboard behind the Great Movie Ride

Frankenweenie as well

Wreck-It Ralph and Frankenweenie up in the Animation Courtyard

Finding Nemo banners hanging in the courtyard

At the end of PPIXAR Place, you can find this Finding Nemo billboard

Halloween merchandise is out!

Awesome shirt featuring the Haunted Mansion and the Fab 5

Another shirt has the Hatbox Ghost

Our last stop is a look at Grand Floridian DVC wing construction

It’s coming along…

A Few New Details Emerge for “Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure”, Opening June at Epcot

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

We now know that “Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure” will open in June at Epcot, replacing the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. The following video doesn’t reveal much, but there are some interesting sound-bites as an Imagineer gives the show creators and voice of Phineas a tour of World Showcase:

The video does confirm that not much will be changing with the attraction as far as physical props, except where it is absolutely necessary (like Doofensmirtz replacing the Kim Possible villain inside the Glockenspiel in Germany). The video portions at the recruitment centers and on the communicator devices will be all new, obviously.

Stay tuned to WDWNT as more information on this upcoming attraction becomes available.

Tutto Italia Re-Opens with Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Patina Restaurant Group officially opened Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and re-opened Tutto Italia at Epcot earlier today.  Located in a reproduction of the Medici Palace in the Italy pavilion, the new wine cellar is a space that was “discovered” as Tutto Italia was being built. This “unearthed treasure” features 200 Italian wines and a selection of authentic Italian small plates.

“Tutto Gusto offers a refreshing place to relax and sample authentic tastes of Italy during a day at Epcot,” said restaurateur and CEO of Patina Restaurant Group, Nick Valenti. “It is a welcome addition to the popular dining options at the Italy pavilion.”

“We are always looking at ways to keep Epcot fresh and vibrant for our Guests,” said Erin Youngs, vice president of Epcot. “The new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and refreshed Tutto Italia are excellent enhancements to World Showcase. Both nicely complement Via Napoli and offer Guests a chance to enjoy the richness of Italian culture as they savor the authentic flavors of Italy.”

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar offers a variety of delectable small plates, perfect for sharing, to pair with its wines.  Menus feature sections devoted to simple, flavorful piccoli piatti such as bruschetta di Capri, pizze fritte, polenta funghi e taleggio. Artisanal Italian cheeses are on offer in the formaggi section, with everything from soft, creamy La Tur to salty-sweet aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Fresh hand-crafted mozzarella will be made in bufala and fior di latte styles.  Also featured are cured, sliced meats in the affettati section – including prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, sopressata and more. The corkscrew-shaped cavatappi pasta is highlighted in its own section, with different preparations.

Chef Renzo Barcatta grew up in Cavalese, Italy and honed his skills in restaurants in Venice, Milan and Rome. He will prepare authentic dishes with choices sourced across Italy, offering the best of each region. In addition to pairing well with wine, Chef Baracatta’s creations also match nicely with family-friendly agua frescas and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar was unveiled as part of Tutto Italia’s grand re-opening.  The architecture of both properties reflect classical antiquity and symmetry emblematic of the Italian Renaissance period.  Tutto Italia has been completely refurbished along with a new enclosed patio to offer al fresco dining.  Both the restaurant and wine cellar are furnished with authentic design elements directly from Italy: chandeliers, marble and limestone floors, wall hangings and more.

 

Adam Roth’s 7/6/12 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot on Friday and has some great photos to share with us from his trip:

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Phineas and Ferb topiary went up as part of the “Summer to Remember”

I had no idea there was a summer promotion… I imagine guests had no idea either…

Large patches of grass back after Flower and Garden clean-up

The Test Track pizza truck and many props from the area are gone, but the tool sheds remain

Test Track is still closed of course

The signage from Inside Track is gone

A pretty bare exterior right now

I love the people checking out the car while Test Track All-Stars are performing…

Looks liek they are surveying guests about their experience with the new World Showcase Adventure

It’s themed too

The old Kim Possible carts are unrecognizable with the Perry the Platypus layover

Brave Highland Games was in its final days at this point, it closed on Sunday

The Flower and Garden play area looked really out of place…

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure does use a lot of existing game scenes from the old attraction

Don’t be scared, this is actually the olympic mascot

London 2012 olympics merchandise available in the U.K. pavilion

More props that stuck around

Still spells Kim Possible

A new logo on the phone drop locations

I’m sorry, but this attraction is already funnier and all I have seen is this sign…

The new zip-line for Agent P over the U.K.

That’s neat…

The bakery in France is being expanded due to high guest demand

So, they kept the strange baby robot in Japan?

I hope it fits well into the storyline

Have they always offered American Stripes ice cream with the funnel cake?

This seems new…

FLAG FESTIVAL!

FLAGS!

So, there’s something over here people are upset about?

Oh yeah… apparently the American Adventure cast members are getting new costumes that are a bit more modern

A cool new addition for the game

Work continues on the exterior of Maelstrom

The Organization With A Cool Acronym

The water feature outside of La Hacienda is being reapired

For what i recall as the last 8 years or so, the cultural exhibit in Mexico has been Animales Fantasticos. Finally, a new exhibit has opened!

Some displays aren’t quite finished

Some of the animals stayed as part of the new exhibit

They aren’t selling them up here anymore

The parrot people dancing is freaking me out…

OK, that freaks me out even more…

Same props in here

This freaks me out the most…

Work continues on the exterior of the Seas with Nemo and Friends and the new entrance for Turtle Talk

Innoventions is a mess right now…

Innoventions West is practically empty

The old Kim Possible stations are still walled-up

On the East side, Habit heroes is still covered

At least something new just opened to keep it going

A neat little play area for kids was added to the exterior

Lave a Legacy getting some TLC

Soarin’ is now on the cover of the map,but this time it has a logo. I guess people thought it was Test Track or something…

Goodbye Epcot!

Tom Corless’ 7/25-26/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

I don’t often get to contribute with a photo report, but I took a short two day trip to Walt Disney World stopping at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom so I took some photos. Let’s take a look at a rare Tom Corless photo report:

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Work continues on the separate entrance to Turtle Talk

One of the exhibits in the Turtle Talk pre-show is being fixed up

Some work happening between the Refreshment Port and the Canada pavilion in World Showcase

On to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the former Skyway site, expected to soon be home to restrooms, a new pathway, and the Tangled meet and greet

The castle walls are coming along nicely

This section looks nearly complete

A beautiful lighting fixture has been installed in the passageway

If you were worried about being able to see the corner of the show building for Enchanted Tales with Belle, don’t be, they have covered it with rock-work

More castle wall work

The work to remove a planter in back of the Carousel is complete

The walls have expanded and scaffolding has gone up on the former Snow White’s Scary Adventures, soon to be Princess Fairytale Hall in late-2013

Despite 101-degree temperatures, construction workers are out and about

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Be Our Guest Restaurant off in the distance

More Mine Train

Heading into Storybook Circus, you get plenty of notice that Dumbo FASTPASS is available near Philharmagic

With a little paint, the facade for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid will be complete

The backstage entrance is pretty much done

Big Top Souvenirs

I decided to check out the Dumbo queue

Pictures don’t do it justice, it’s really nice inside

Pull the string and it sets off LED fireworks!

This lights up above the box

Your “ticket”

Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak was awesome!

I took these photos early on Wednesday, but on Tuesday afternoon there was at least 100 guests playing in here

Even the little merchandise cart is intricately themed

These work walls have been here since Storybook Circus opened

I don’t think it is anything of substance as it is simply on the back of the storage shed for the Barnstormer trains

VIDEO: HOLY GUACAMOLE! Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure In Mexico

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure recently debuted at Epcot replacing the former Kim Possible version of the attraction. The new version is eerily similar at times, but the saving grace has to be the writing for the new scenes. Phineas and Ferb is a show heavy on comedy and the attraction is no different. Each mission really is a mini-episode of the Disney Channel show, following the usual story arc. The first mission I had a chance to try out was Mexico. Again, most of the effects were the same, but it felt fresh and exciting with the new characters, story, and comedy bits. Take a look for yourself:

What do you think?

VIDEO: GREAT GLOCKENSPIEL! Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure in Germany

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure recently debuted at Epcot replacing the former Kim Possible version of the attraction. The new version is eerily similar at times, but the saving grace has to be the writing for the new scenes. Phineas and Ferb is a show heavy on comedy and the attraction is no different. Each mission really is a mini-episode of the Disney Channel show, following the usual story arc. The second mission I had a chance to try out was Germany. Again, most of the effects were the same, but it felt fresh and exciting with the new characters, story, and comedy bits. Take a look for yourself:

A “Brave” New Attraction Comes to Epcot This Summer

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

From June 1-July 8, Epcot will be home to a special offering called “Brave – The Highland Games Tournament”. Being billed as a “kid-focused offering”, guests will get to play games like Mini Caber Toss, Cake Toss, Haggis Flip and archery. Also included is a small playground and a little something for the parents… FREE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS!

The event will take place on the Rose Walk (right where Future World blends into World Showcase), from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., daily.

Jose Castillo’s 5/29/12 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT on October 30, 2012

Contrary to popular belief, there is some newsworthy stuff going on at Epcot right now. Our good friend Jose Castillo has some photos to share from our journey to the park on Tuesday:

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Removal of Kim Possible has begun for the installation of Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

Habit Heroes is still closed

Test Track closed too, but not a surprise…

The Test Track All-Stars entertaining guests

Work continues on the exterior of Maelstrom in Norway

Brave sand artwork in progress at the time

So, one of the Universe of Energy ride vehicles got a new plastic body with a light and dark blue color scheme

It definitely wasn’t painted as it felt like brand new plastic

Not only is the Pizza truck gone, but the tables and props are gone too

Jose got a new camera, so he took some artsy shots…

Youy can clearly see the new automated door that will act as the Turtle Talk entrance

A new sign at the exit of the Seas with Nemo and Friends ride

We haven’t had this photo yet, but Chiquita has been sponsor for a few months now

Perry the Platypus ear hat!

Adam Roth’s 9/6/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot yesterday and has plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The parks are dead

You can see FastPass+ installed at the end

Probably a 5…

FastPass+ installed at Tower as well

Ummmm….

The old Carthay Theater on Sunset Boulevard

Eat your heart out DCA

How am I supposed to take a shortcut through Starring Roles if you are fixing the path?

Heading into Magic of Disney Animation

John Lasseter in Wreck-It Ralph form

Fantastic video game humor on dispaly

Ha

Artists working hard on the new Ink and Paint Cells

There is a Fix-It Felix machine on display, although it is behind glass 🙁

The movie ads on the wall have been updated

Will do a barrel roll? OK, I MUST see this film…

The Animation Gallery still has railroad merchandise

As well as 40th anniversary and “it’s a small world” merchandise

Neat!

Work continues on The Legend of Jack Sparrow

Some strange white markings have appeared on the walls

I’m guessing these are supposed to be the dotted line on a treasure map, but it is too early to tell

I originally thought they might be markers for something, but I don’t think so

We’ll find out soon enough

A crane backstage for some reason

NO WAY…

Yep…

Wow, a TRON penny machine

This machine probably made more money than the movie did… ZING

Phineas and Ferb merchandise has taken over the old Loony Bin

Wait…

Yeah, that isn’t what that was meant for…

The smoking section near Star Tours is behind walls

This planter in front of Sounds Dangerous is also behind walls

American Idol Experience is ready for FastPass+

Moving over to Epcot, Adam was so excited about the blue vehicles at Universe of Energy that he couldn’t hold his camera still

The Test Track facade is getting ripped apart

Wow…

Food and Wine Festival preparations are well underway

After months of work, the La Hacienda fountain is out from behind walls!

Ummm, you’re in the wrong area, Italy is behind you…

AHHHHH!

Wendell from the Country Bears was out as well

“Am I early? “

Cool World Showcase shirt!

Some work being done near the waterway in the France pavilion

Work continues on what is believed to be a DVC booth near the Canada pavilion

More walls up near the Refreshment Port

KHALUA PORK SLIDERS! SOON!