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

Just last week, we showed you that Imagineers were working on a new finale scene inside “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom. Well, for the most part, their work is done:

As you can see, the scene has been freshened up a bit. All 22 goodbye phrases are still there, but new accents and a few large postcard shaped signs have been added. However, just because the scene is now visible, does not mean that they are done working on it. The eventual plan is to have the large postcards replaced with screens that will say goodbye to guests personally after gathering their names off of their MagicBands. It is even possible that the long-rumored “create-your-own-doll” feature will be integrated to this scene whenever that may eventually come to fruition with the roll-out of MyMagic+.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available on this story.

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Long Lost Friends Week was the first big hit from Limited Time Magic in Florida

Scrooge McDuck and Ludwig Von Drake

The Pinocchio gang

Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Prince John, and the Sheriff of Nottingham

Clarabelle & Horace

BIG BAD WOLF!

Instead of sining autographs, guests were given autograph cards

The Cinderella Castle Dreamlights are coming down

Crane up behind the castle

Another crane up and working on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The queue was fixed up while the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was closed last week

Marie was out in Storybook Circus… this is not a normal occurrence

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is open while the exterior is being refurbished

Columbia Harbor House is still behind tarps as well

Some strange work going on at the Tomorrowland Speedway

Work continues on The Villas at the Grand Floridian

Looking good!

]]> http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/10701/feed 1 http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/10629 http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/10629#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:33:11 +0000 wdwntadmin http://wdwnewstoday.com/?p=10629

For over 41 years, 22 different goodbyes in different languages were the last thing guests would see on “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom. That scene was quietly removed a few days ago and black tarps were hung to cover work Imagineers are currently doing to the attraction. Rumor has it that when completed, the new scene will read guest’s MagicBands and RFID-enabled tickets to give them a personalized goodbye with their name in it. Here’s what the scene looks like now:

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as work progresses on this new scene for “it’s a small world”.

Here we see Princess Aurora with a backdrop from her film

Princess Tiana appears with a bayou-backdrop

Based on this concept art, what do you think of Princess Fairytale Hall?

More RFID entrances being installed at the Magic Kingdom

Kodak references still up at Town Square Theater

Plenty of Valentine’s Day treats available already

Some of the Hall of Champions facade is behind tarps again

The Adventureland Veranda is behind tarps now

This area next to Aloha Isle is behind tarps now too. We think it might be related to the Adventureland interactive game

Splash Mountain is closed until March

The ride is drained and a lot of the ride has already been ripped up

Seemingly overnight, props have been installed in the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue

We can see a lot of things labeled “explosives”

For a queue that has always been pretty bland, it actually looks nice now

FastPass+ kiosk in the queue

A look across the Rivers of America at the new Fantasyland/Liberty Square pathway

The Tangled restrooms are looking great

Looks like they are almost done

No visible progress on Princess Fairytale Hall

The Cheshire Cafe sign is back

A new Walt Disney pin set was released with images of him on luggage

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom now has a mystery pin set

The Magic Kingdom map has changed again and for the first time in my lifetime, it does not have a Kodak logo

PhotoPass now graces the back cover instead of Kodak

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday and took a ton of construction photos of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to share with us, so let’s see how the last large piece of New Fantasyland is coming along:

A lot of progress

A lot of new track installed

It’s starting to look like a ride…

The loading station

A whole lot of Imagineers out at Mine Train

Pssst… Adam… they can see you…

Imagineer Chris Beatty looks mad at Adam…

We also spot Imagineer Eric Jacobson – Senior Vice President, Creative Development

The back of the mountain

Triton’s Treasures on the back side of the mountain is coming along nicely

Shingles going up on the Tangled restroom area

Almost finished…

We say goodbye to Cinderella Castle Dreamlights for this year…

And goodbye to the Christmas season…

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?

RFID turnstiles are installed and being used at the Magic Kingdom

Looks permanent this time

More track has been installed for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Looks like WDW Resort Hotel carpet on the roof so workers don’t slip

A lift hill now installed

A lot of dirt…

More rockwork is about to appear

Something interesting happened to all the new screen-based wait times signs

Yep, that’s there…

Instead of being a generic font with a black background, all of them are themed and match in color now

The Pete cut-out at Silly Sideshow now tips his hat

TA-DA!

Guests were getting confused, so Pete got an added uvula that is a sign…

WAIT! Is that a Maelstrom reference? IT IS! “… seek peril and adventure, but more often find beauty and charm.”

Mine Train track

Triton’s Treasures is coming along nicely

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

Work also continues on the new Tangled area

We think there might be a small counter-service location (more of a cart in terms of size) over here that looks like the “Snuggly Duckling”

As we reported over a year ago, there will also be an area for guests to charge their electronic devices

One wall is done

Yankee Trader came out from behind tarps, this is on the Fantasyland side

You can start to see pathways taking shape

Art on Demand is now selling a ton of Fantasyland concept art under “Realms of Fantasy”

Plenty of New Fantasyland concept art available

Kodak references are still up at Town Square Theater

Should be gone soon

Moving to Gaston’s Tavern, we find a display with pastries

They are also serving Hot Cocoa

So, some names were added to the barrels behind the register

EIGERBOCK? Looks a lot like the Matterhorn too

Staggs Ale… absolutely brilliant

The Gaston’s Tavern steins are available again

I love this shirt…

More Adventureland interactive game props have been revealed

Now there is a treasure chest

And another…

Pirate skeleton under the water

Looks like the lock was busted off by a pirate

You can see the entire mechanism that raises the skeleton… hope they fix that

FastPass+ installed at Magic Carpets of Aladdin

The Grand Floridian DVC wing is coming along nicely

Moving to Downtown Disney, there is now a Wreck-It Ralph area in DisneyQuest

Plenty of Fix-It Felix machines

Adam then attended the Splitsville Parks Blog meet-up

The pizza is surprisingly good

These cheesecake bites were amazing

Let’s take a look at the drink menu

Ooooooo….

The kids balls have Mickey and Minnie on them

A mual downstairs depicts artwork from the old Walt Disney World shopping bags

Spaceship Earth is a bowling ball…

IT’S ALMOST HERE!

All of the Kodak picture spots will be removed soon as the sponsorship has come to an end

The Cheshire Cafe sign is missing for some reason

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Gaston’s Tavern now has hot cocoa

The Gaston’s Tavern stein is available again at Bonjour Village Gifts

2013 merchandise can be found just about anywhere at WDW now

2013 Duffy!

The Disney Afternoon pins are now available

2013 mystery pins were recently released as well

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure mystery pin set

FastPass+ testing was still going

It’s Christmas at the Grand Floridian!

The gingerbread house

Work continues on the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club wing

You can now see the roof being installed

It’s really starting to take shape now