WDWNT Reporter Tom Corless visited the Walt Disney World Resort last week and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

There is now an official Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card book, $34.95

Work continues on the Tangled restrooms

Lanterns now hang over the area

A poster featuring Vladamir from the movie is hanging on the wall

There is now a wait time sign for the Express Monorail

Tarps are up on the guitar at Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

Angry Birds: Star Wars stuff now available in Tatooine Traders

Moving to Downtown Disney, you can now see the pinsetters working through the windows at Splitsville

Taco truck is back on West Side

The Little Mermaid shirt from California is available

A painting of Beast’s Castle from New Fantasyland for sale

Work continues on the new volcano at Rainforest Cafe

A monorail pen now for sale, $9.95

The Segway experiences at Epcot were quietly shutdown this week

All tours were refunded and suspended permanently

No word yet on why this is happening, but we expect a new Innoventions exhibit will replace this soon

Work walls up on the Duffy Store, otherwise known as Disney Traders

A Piston Cup clock is now available at Art of Disney

Work continues on Splash Mountain

No more tarps and scaffolding up

The black spot is gone!

Some work still going on at the bottom of the drop

A fire extinguisher and a coke…

Work continues on Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain will re-open in March

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Pinocchio’s Village Haus has the Lemonade with Wil Berry Foam from Be Our Guest, but in a Pinocchio stein

The Adventureland Veranda is behind tarps

The roof is being replaced in this often neglected section of the building

Another wall up in another section of the building

The stage for Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial is being worked on

The show is still being performed though

The interactive queue is being constructed at Pirates of the Caribbean

Work continues on The Villas at the Grand Floridian

Some work going on in the drop-off area at the Grand Floridian

The Courtyard Pool is still closed until March

Concept art for the new zero-entry pool

Concept art for the Villas at the Grand Floridian

For the first time, we see concept art of the lobby for The Villas

RFID Entrance installation rolls on at Epcot

You can still pick up some Epcot 30th pins

President’s Day pin is out

Muppets mystery set was just released

Lady and the Tramp Valentine’s Day pin

Cupid Vinylmation

St. Patrick’s Day plush out already

Easter plush as well

They are finally cleaning up the Mission:Space facade

A look underneath

The Oz: The Great and Powerful playground is almost finished

RFID entrances being installed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well

Sofia The First and Doc McStuffins are on the Disney Junior facade now

Ads for Wreck-It Ralph on Bluray now up in the Animation Courtyard

The Epcot Center charm bracelet is now available

The “Oz The Great and Powerful” playground fro the Flower and Garden Festival is being constructed near Imagination!

The FastPass+ queue seems to be finished at the Seas with Nemo and Friends

Yes, the cut a hole in the mural…

The Main Street Bakery is closed until May to convert to Starbucks service

Tomorrowland Terrace has breakfast for now

FastPass+ scanners uncovered at Tomorrowland Speedway

Also uncovered at the Barnstormer

The umbrellas have finally arrived for the tables in Storybook Circus

The construction walls at the Grand Floridian now sport concept art for the Villas at the Grand Floridian

The FastPass+ scanners at Toy Story Midway Mania are tinker-toys!

The exhibit area at the Magic of Disney Animation now has a poster up for Frozen

There is also a poster for Planes

A Walt Disney World charm bracelet has also been released

There’s a ticket from 1981 on it

They also sell a large charm with this artwork

There is a Dumbo New Fantasyland board game out now

New magnet clips, including the Orange Bird

The kids cups at restaurants now match the light-up character they come with

A temporary banner has gone up at the Animal Kingdom turnstiles to let resort guests know they can enter here with their RFID tickets

Fab 5 figurines have been released, they are only $12.95 each

A new surprise release pin set has been started celebrating extinct attractions. The first pin is the Mickey Mouse Revue!

Peter Pan blu-ray billboard in the parking lot

We’re still letting the memories begin…

More RFID entrances are being installed in preparation for the rollout of MyMagic+ and MagicBand

Plenty of Kodak references still up all over the park

The stage is finally down in front of the hat

Peter Pan and Frankenweenie billboards in the Animation Courtyard

The Monsters Inc. 3-D billboard is now a billboard for Monsters University

Comedy Warehouse is gone…

Muppetvision 3-D is still presented by Kodak currently

Osborne Lights are coming down

Princess Fairytale Hall

Disney princesses including Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Jasmine, Tiana and Rapunzel will have a new home for meeting their loyal subjects when Princess Fairytale Hall opens in 2013 in the shadows of Cinderella Castle. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows leading to a large, high-ceilinged room where portraits of the princesses adorn the walls. When summoned, Magic Kingdom guests will proceed to elegantly furnished chambers to meet the princesses.

Limited Time Magic

Disney Parks guests will get an extra dash of pixie dust in 2013 with Limited Time Magic. Themed weekly surprises and special offers will surprise and delight Disney Parks guests with 52 weeks of the unexpected. Plans include everything from dance parties, new festivals and character meet and greets to culinary treats, special entertainment and commemorative keepsakes. The bicoastal offering — created to remind guests about the importance of family vacation time together — is full of unique, magical, memory-filled experiences – all available for a limited time only. Special experiences include Valentine’s week with enchanting dinners, or photo shoots with famous Disney character couples; a patriotic salute during July 4th week with red, white and blue lights adorning castles on both coasts and limited edition souvenirs; or the popular Dapper Dans barbershop quartet swapping their old-time melodies for surprise renditions of today’s boy band hits. Each Limited Time Magic offering will have a varying length from a day to a week to a season adding to the element of surprise.

The Kinsey Collection at the American Adventure

The American story of determination, courage, hope, struggle and inspiration will be told through more than 40 pieces of art, artifacts, books sculptures and documents on display at Epcot. The American Adventure Pavilion will be home to the Kinsey’s personal treasures of African-American art and history, amassed from their travels to 90 countries with some works dating to the 17th century. The Kinsey Collection is the intersection where art and history meet, a virtual history book opened wide, giving voice to untold stories of accomplishment and contribution. After previews during African-American Heritage Month in February, the Kinsey Collection is scheduled to open in March 2013. The Kinsey Collection, at the American Heritage Gallery, will be included in Epcot admission.

Disney Senses Spa Opens at Grand Floridian, Coming to Saratoga Springs
If the new year means a new you, the just-opened Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort welcomes Walt Disney World Resort guests to renew and rejuvenate in 2013. The newly-remodeled spa, owned and operated by Disney, blends Grand Floridian Victorian elegance with modern touches – plus a dash of Disney whimsy.

All the senses are engaged in an ultimate relaxation experience – flavorful and soothing elixirs, color variations in lighting and Disney orchestral music harmonize with the treatment selected. Spa-goers walk through the new Victorian-style entryway and indulge in the spa’s relax, renew, or imagine themes aimed at creating a custom experience. The centerpiece of the spa’s lobby is an original mural reflecting old Florida landscape and nature. Glass mosaic tiles in the Jacuzzi rooms further enhance the elegance and sophistication of the spa.

Fifteen treatment rooms offer pampering services such as water therapy, sugar exfoliation body treatment, rejuvenating citrus facial, a restorative hand and foot ritual with Chinese Jasmine oils, plus a Princess Pedicure or Magical Manicure for youngsters ages 4-12. Lounges, whirlpools and treatment rooms all provide rejuvenation through the healing nature of Florida citrus and botanicals.

The new menu of services also includes a signature 80-minute Grand Floridian treatment featuring a special aromatherapy massage.

Guests can book a spa appointment at the new Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort by calling 407-WDW-SPAS (407-939-7727) or learn more by visiting www.disneyworld.com/spas

All of the spas, salons and fitness centers will be owned and operated by Disney beginning Jan.16, 2013. On that same day the spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort will temporarily close for renovation and reopen in the summer as Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.

“Sophia the First” and “Doc McStuffins” join Disney Junior – Live on Stage
Disney Junior – Live on Stage! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure is periodically updated to feature the latest, most popular characters and stories from the Disney Junior line-up on television. In 2013, the top-rated “Doc McStuffins” and “Sofia the First” join the show. The new version of Disney Junior – Live on Stage! debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in mid-February and comes to Disney California Adventure one month later, in March 2013. “Sofia the First” as a regular series premieres Friday, Jan. 11, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

Starbucks comes to Magic Kingdom and Epcot
Starbucks will be opening locations at Disney theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The first two Walt Disney World locations will open in 2013. At Magic Kingdom, Main Street Bakery will close for refurbishment in January 2013. When it reopens in early summer, Main Street Bakery will keep its name and theming and continue to serve Disney favorites like cookies, brownies and seasonal cupcakes, in addition to Starbucks signature beverages and other menu items. At Epcot, Fountain View will temporarily close in March 2013. When Fountain View reopens in midsummer, it will serve Starbucks products. Each Starbucks location inside a Disney Park will reflect the theme of its surroundings. At Magic Kingdom Park for example, Cast Members will wear a costume consistent with the early 20th century look and feel of Main Street, U.S.A. At Future World in Epcot, the new Starbucks location and Cast Member costumes will be designed to match the park’s futuristic theme.

New Dining

• California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort gets a major makeover and will be closed from February 2, 2013 until late-summer 2013. Chef Brian Piasecki also is tweaking the menu, but the focus will remain on fresh, seasonal creations.
• Upstairs at the France pavilion, Bistro de Paris has reopened with a new name and a completely refurbished dining room and new menu. Still haute French but a bit more casual, with a nod to famed chef Paul Bocuse in the décor and the name – Monsieur Paul. In the meantime, Boulangerie Patisserie bakery is a brand-new building at the back of the pavilion, opening in January 2013.
• Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa now offers a private dining experience in The Chef’s Domain for up to 10 guests. Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, cost is $155 per person plus tax (includes gratuity) for six courses.

Other 2013 additions Disney has not confirmed at this time include The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Tapaz (a waterside restaurant to be constructed in the Morocco pavilion at Epcot), and a rather large refurbishment project for the Jungle Cruise. We’ll have more on these projects as they become available.

So… what are you most excited for in 2013?

Just a few days ago, we showed you video of the Mr. Spell prop near Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios actually displaying text. Well, now there is some audio to go along with it. It still isn’t exactly working properly, but it seems we are getting closer and closer to a fully operational Mr. Spell:

Once you log-in, each guest can choose a character avatar (only 8 available now) and mark if they are celebrating anything

The current test allows one day at Magic Kingdom and one day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

You pick the day you want to visit that park…

The current test allows you to pick one experience from the first category and 2 experiences from the second

You will then get 4 options with different times for each experience

You can always make changes based on availability

You can change times or experiences, you can even change it for individual guests in your party

All other available times are listed if you want to change times

The main menu has a variety of options

We will be out in the field testing FastPass+ this weekend, so stay tuned for complete coverage!

The attraction begins with a short pre-show where guests are introduced to the narrator: a talking pirate skull that should be recognizable from the original attraction at Disneyland and from the film’s logo:

Guest then enter the main show room, a circular set where projection mapping (think Cinderella Castle during Celebrate the Magic) is used to bring scenes from the films to life for about 8 minutes. After recreating some famous scenes from the film series, guests finally get to see Captain Jack Sparrow via projection technology very similar to what brings talking fish to life in The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot. In my 3 experiences, I have seen differences in this portion of the show, meaning you will see a different Jack Sparrow introduction portion in the show from time to time (think Star Tours randomization).

Personally, I think the attraction is very well done. Guest interactions throughout thew show are a bit corny, but the projection technology that brings you into each scene is amazing. Bullets leave marks on walls, sails swing and sway, and the entire room even becomes submerged at one point, all simply through projections. The computer animation is spotless and the novelty of living envoronment around you is sure to entertain guests for years to come. I was ready to hate this attraction based on previous experence with various movie-set walkthroughs that have existed within this soundstage, but I have to say I really enjoy this one. It’s not just publicity for a movie, it’s actually a fun show with great modern technology that does its very best to leave guests smiling. It’s not going to be something you do every time you visit Hollywood Studios, but it is another worthwhile attraction in a park that probably needs some more.

This attraction is a bit of a challenge to film, but we have video of the entire attraction which may help you judge it a lot better. Regardless, you should see this next time you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

Princess Fairytale Hall

Work continues on the upper-level of Village Haus

Work continues on the new restrooms coming to the former Skyway site

Modifications are taking place at “it’s a small world” related to new guest flow for when stroller parking once again moves next door at the old Skyway site

More metal guardrails are being installed on the Tomorrowland bridges

Magic Carpets of Aladdin is closed for refurbishment

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC wing

EVEN THE WALLS HAVE WALLS!

Moving to Epcot, work continues on in Innoventions central

Still nothing up on the canopy at Test Track

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the facade of Legend of Jack Sparrow is looking much better than when we first checked in

A large mural of the circular map from “At World’s End” covers most of the soundstage

Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope will start greeting guests on October 28th

AWESOME

Guests can color while the meet and greet is being installed

Plenty of Wreck-It Ralph merchandise available at Mickey’s of Hollywood

children’s shirt

Most of this stuff can be picked up at your local Disney Store

Scented plush

At the very end of this video of the Parks Blog meet-up from this weekend, you can catch a quick glimpse of the Wreck-It Ralph character that will be greeting guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting in November: