WDW News Today » Pirates of the Caribbean

VIDEO: The Legend of Jack Sparrow Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

wdwntadmin — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:29:21 +0000

Despite being billed to open on December 6th, The Legend of Jack Sparrow has now soft-opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction is located on Mickey Avenue between Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream and Toy Story Midway Mania and is pretty hard to miss with its spiffy new facade:

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:

VIDEO: Mermaids Swim Into Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom

wdwntadmin — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:29:11 +0000

After many months of speculation and Disney teasing us that something from “On Stranger Tides” would be added to Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom, the mermaids have arrived. A new projection effect has been added making it appear that the mermaids are in the water, accompanied by a physical effect that pushes water up to simulate the fin moving just beneath the water’s surface. A lot of this can’t be seen in out video, but you can get a good idea of what to expect:

The projection effect is joined by mermaid singing and a new mermaid skeleton on the beach.

What do you think of this addition to Pirates of the Caribbean?

Adam Roth’s 10/22/12 WDW Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:15:39 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and the surrounding resorts on Monday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Work continues on RFID turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom

Walls up on the other side too

Holy…

That’s more like it…

That isn’t Osh Popham…

These “black and white” plush have been out for a few months now

We look at Wreck-It Ralph stuff for the 40th time

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom shirts are selling well

Still gross…

Wow…

Magic Carpets of Aladdin closed for refurbishment

A lot of guests want to see mermaids!

Walls still up at the Crow’s Nest

Golden Oak Outpost closed

I’d rather not…

This would be why

Holy lines Batman

You know what doesn’t have lines?

The new, shorter Country Bear Jamboree!

It will never break 12 again…

Lobby wasn’t touched

The theater is another story

New lighting is quite noticeable

These guys look brand new

All of the bears got new fur and clothing

They look incredible

The bad part of all this is the cutting of much of the show

The Five Bear Rugs no longer sing “Devilish Mary”

“Fractured Folk Song” was also cut, then the song order was changed as well

Lines from some songs were even cut

HE LOOKS AWESOME!

A lot of dialogue was cut as well…

It’s great that the attraction was completely restored, but it’s a shame we had to lose so much of it

The Gaston’s Tavern mugs are being repurposed at Sleepy Hollow

I think it’s a neat idea

Work continues on the new restrooms on the former Skyway site

There’s a chimney

The construction walls now extend to the “it’s a small world” exit tarps

Tarps still up at Village Haus

Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction

Cast Member previews are currently taking place

Guests are confused! EVERYONE SAID IT WAS OPEN!

I hope something will be done with pavement land at some point

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

The exit test is still happening

Work continues on the Grand Floridian DVC addition

A beautiful sight at your wedding!

The parking lot is just about finished

Let’s head over to the Polynesian

RFID is in full use over here

Let’s go shopping

A lot of the 40th anniversary merchandise has been rebranded

Toothpick holders!

Let’s go eat

BACON CUPCAKES!

IT’S BACON! Well, not completely…

Adam had to get one…

A nice secluded spot to enjoy a Dole float

A look across the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian DVC

We have our first wall

I think it will blend nicely

Adam Roth’s 10/15/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:59:17 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom again on Monday and has some photos of New Fantasyland and other assorted newsworthy items to share:

The castle walls have been completely revealed

No bushes now

Scuttle is a living character in the Under the Sea queue, so he can interact with guests

He also talks to the crabs

Sleepy…

We think these crabs are going to become beloved

We have to stop here…

PORK SHANK!

and some LeFou’s Brew

Souvenir mug

Still awesome

Yep…

There are books titled for the land in the Magic Kingdom next to the Donald service statue

Some Haunted Mansion wallpaper in the background as well

I don’t think Phil Holmes asked for the tribute, I’m pretty sure it was just a gesture from the Imagineers

This is the souvenir goblet that will also be available at Be Our Guest Restaurant

A lot of decorations in this store

Some work took place of the roof of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Gaston greeting guests in the town

Some filming going on

No more walls over here

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

A look at progress on the old Skyway site

Ummm…

Castle Dreamlights installed

Orange Bird ear hats available in Adventureland

Work continues outside of Magic Carpets of Aladdin

It’s worth mentioning that this attraction goes down for refurbishment in a few days, at which point we expect FastPass Plus to be installed

Some work has been done to the Pirates of the Caribbean queue over the last few months

Some staircases were refurbished

New lighting all around

The new merge point in place

Some work still being done

It is well-themed. It looks like toe fort was damaged in battle

The Crow’s Nest is still behind walls

Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats is gone

Now just stroller parking

Some work still being done

It is believed this all ties into a Jungle Cruise refurbishment happening in 2013

So, we’ve been staring at this thing a lot…

So, here’s what reader Chris Currie believes it is…

My guess is it is more for people counting than security. The white rectangular box on the left side is whats called a precision stereo camera and is dedicated to people counting. The second device in from the left is an Axis Dome camera, third device in is an outdoor laser measurement device from SICK AG, another Axis Dome camera and then another box style camera.

The two dome cameras are likely used for verifying the data from the precision stereo camera and the laser management device. The box style camera could possibly be used to test people counting analytic’s in a Video Management System.

That sounds about right

But no, it has nothing to do with them using RFID for park entry, this is simply an exit test

We’re exiting… goodbye!

Dirk Wallen’s 10/9/12 WDW Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:30:44 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Tuesday and he has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

A strange large canopy has appeared near the Magic Kingdom turnstiles… Not sure if it is RFID related or for something else…

Magic Carpets of Aladdin is open while some exterior work is being done

The Yankee Trader is still behind tarps

A view of the new walkway and restroom area from the front of the Haunted Mansion

A look at the former Skyway site

Princess Fairytale Hall construction

The Crow’s Nest is still behind walls

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom shirts are now available and they offer aid in the playing of the game!

OK… if you are buying more than that for Ebay, you are pretty dumb as they are not a limited edition item…

Frankenweenie flopped at the box office, but the shops at the parks are full of movie merchandise

It’s like they knew what the box office would be like…

I would expect to see all this stuff at the outlets and Cast Connection very soon…

Work continues on the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club wing

It is now set for a late-2013 opening

The parking lot is almost done

Moving over to Epcot, work is being done on Innoventions Plaza and the Electric Umbrella exterior

Test Track is now set to open December 6th

I expect these signs to vanish soon…

Jeff Lukas’ 4/15/12 Downtown Disney Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:13:57 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited Downtown Disney on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

They are pretty much rebuilding the entire top portion of the building

Concept art of what it will look like when completed

The conversion of this section to the Lava Lounge has begun

The signage around marketplace was freshened up not too long ago

I can’t believe this is still open…

The former trading area outside of Disney’s Pin Traders is now a Ridemakerz demonstration area

New shirts with the fab five…

It’s a bit strange that Goofy looks modern and the others have a more classic look

Some new tropical-themed shirts

Phineas and Ferb shirts

New Pirate shirts

I really like these 2012 shirts

Weird…

That’s funny…

Still cool…

Still closed…

KUNGABUSH!

One fo the few things open in Pleasure Island

This is scary…

I hope so…

Blink by Wet Seal opened recently

No visible changes to the Splitsville facade

PEOPLE!

Adam Roth’s 11/11/11 WDW Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:21:35 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney on Friday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Some of the turnstiles at Epcot are behind walls

The Epcot Christmas tree is up!

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy closing out Eat to the Beat 2011

Christmas all around Epcot

Tree at the American Adventure

The small Christmas village is already being set up

Christmas merchandise is everywhere

Everyone is scrambling for the last taste of the Food & Wine Festival

Holiday merchandise in abundance at MouseGear

The store is decorated

The gift of Vinylmation

New gift with purchase bags and watches available

A strange looking castle hybrid on some merchandise

The latest in the 40th anniversary pin of the month series

The Christmas Party sold out

Ummm, they’re sold out…

Disney Universe ad at the TTC

We start our trip to the Magic Kingdom with a look at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The Toontown tents are still bare

The Dumbo building in Storybook Circus is coming along nicely

The train station and Casey Jr. Roundhouse have really taken shape

More Mermaid construction

The Enchanted Grove is out from behind tarps and is now the Cheshire Cafe

Nice sign

Menu is the same

It now fits the Mad Tea Party theme

Mermaid

Dumbo

A wide shot of construction

Looks like a large tree has arrived on-site

The Beauty and the Beast mountain range is almost done

Another look at the tree

We’re starting to see the finished detail on Be Our Guest restaurant

A wide shot

A wide shot of Mermaid

The cottage for Enchanted Tales with Belle now has some details

The chimneys are decorated!

Still no progress on the Castle Wall

Planters still being eliminated

The Skyway station still being eliminated

Another Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom window in Liberty Square

Hidden speaker

Another game window

Another new game station

The Shootin’ Arcade is back and looks great!

Work continues on the Pecos Bill’s facade

That Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment couldn’t come sooner, the train tracks have looked like plain coaster tracks for too long

Golden Oak is back, but now only has hot dogs, drinks and desserts….

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The endless refurbishment continues on the Adventureland/Frontierland passage

The covering is no longer on the Sorcerers window near Pirates of the Caribbean

Exterior refurbishment on Sunshine Tree Terrace continues

Another finished Sorcerers window

Work continues on the Swiss Family Treehouse

Apparently this window is finished

Space Mountain gets into the spirit of the Christmas Party

Rocketower Plaza Stage decorated

The sign now has the stage name

Beautiful

Muppetvision 3-D decorated as we move over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Posters for The Muppets are now up

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back!

They have completely replaced this canopy with new lights that can be individually programmed to dance with the music

A billboard for Once Upon a Time

The windows tested last year are back with some cool functions

Prep and Landing characters now appear

Coral Rivera’s 9/2/11 WDW Mini-Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 20:57:15 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Coral Rivera is back with a few quick updates from the Magic Kingdom & Epcot, so let’s take a look:

Halloween decorations up at the Magic Kingdom

New menu at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (AKA Tomorrowland of Confusion), gone is the cheese steak sandwich, replaced with an angus pizza burger

Reportedly, these cannons on top of Pirates of the Caribbean are new for the “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” interactive quests coming soon… the may fire some smoke…

Big crowds…

New Pirates of the Caribbean thermos & glass

Moving over to Epcot, you can now find GnoMickey all year round!

Stopping at the new Kakigori stand at the Japan pavilion

You can get some fruity toppings on your shaved ice! Maybe I should rephrase that…

A look at the menu

The Yakitori house is still closed, but will return as a new counter-service location soon…

Some new postcards for sale in Mitsukoshi

Oooooo, we’re getting artsy now…

I love this one

Adam Roth’s 7/23/11 Epcot & Magic Kingdom Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:39:22 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited The Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Saturday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us (including Fantasyland Expansion progress), so let’s take a look:

A good portion of Epcot was being rented out for a party

Bad day to visit this park…

Unless you’re going to the party of course…

An interesting look inside The Land

Rainforest?

Even all of the railings were decorated

Snakes… Why did it have to be snakes…

This must be one expensive party…

Dollar Tree? Maybe…

I hate to say it, but the pavilion looks better

Soarin’ Under Foliage…

Ah, it is a rainforest

They even rented that…

If I had to guess, Donald was probably rented out for the party…

Looks like the party has started!

Plenty of THOR merchandise at the Norway pavilion…

Hammer time!

At least Bill and Sherry weren’t rented out…

“When your brakes lock up…”

Don’t try this at home

Trippy…

Trippy again…

Awww, we just missed the crash

Never really noticed how cartoony the wall artwork actually is, looks like a scene from Roger Rabbit

A beautiful day for a test drive

I guess GM doesn’t have many cars to showcase because now Disney has used some space for a Richard Petty Driving Experience ad

They simply placed a brochure under the glass

At least there is something to look at

More party screens

“Hello Figment, we need you to stay open, they didn’t rent you out”

The new screens and projectors still look great

The giant Simon game is now just being used as a lighting feature

Adam was very bored…

No comment

These shirts have been out for a while now

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, it’s time to check on Fantasyland! First stop: Storybook Circus

Not much progress on the Dumbo queue as of late

Meanwhile, much of the Barnstormer building is being rebuilt

Construction towards the back of the Circus

The top layer of rock-work on Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid looks complete

Notice the painted grassy patches

Eric’s castle is progressing nicely as well

Beast’s Castle sits in the distance

The rock-work wire mesh continues to form around the Be Our Guest restaurtant

The roof is now on Bonjour! Village Gifts

More rock-work forming

Enchanted Tales with Belle has looked like this for a while now

Looks like some grassy patches are coming in over here as well

No visible progress on the castle wall

Walls have come out by Pinocchio’s Village Haus

Fantasyland is now California Adventure… at least Electrical Parade doesn’t squeeze through here…

Guests are intrigued

The roof on Village Haus is being replaced again

I feel like this has been done at least twice already in the last 2 years

Over at the Haunted Mansion, these busts still don’t do anything

Master Gracey’s plot has grown in nicely

BUBBLES!

If we look close enough, we might get a look at the elusive…

Wait, I think it’s him! (Kind of blurry)

It is, Captain Mumblebears… I mean Blackbeard!

In the merchandise department, something strange is going on…

Is there really a need to sell Nightmare Before Christmas stuff in Caribbean Plaza?

Especially under the Pirates movie logo…

This store was this large in 1973 before you had a movie franchise, now with the franchise you can’t fill the store with just Pirates merchandise?

The dog with the key disapproves

More of this please…

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel was closed after a boy who was jumping up and down managed to knock a horse off of the ride. The ride has since re-opened

WISHES!

The queue room at Space Ranger Spin has finally been restored! It looks brand new!

Adam got a perfect score for the first time

He was very excited to be a Galactic Hero… afterwards, he celebrated with ice cream

Robert Ashburn’s 6/8/11 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

wdwntadmin — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:05:19 +0000

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited the Magic Kingdom back on Wednesday, today we share some newsworthy photos from his latest trip:

The construction walls at the Enchanted Tiki Room now stretch beyond the entrance

Thee restrooms near Pirates of the Caribbean recently re-opened… yeah, we’re going in…

They are beautiful and actually well-themed! Disney is back and focused on details, this is definite proof!

Some Halloween cups left over…

The walls on the second level of the Castle were taken down, but a new set has appeared at the bottom

Work continues on the Fantasyland Expansion, more on that later…

The Fantasyland Skyway building is almost history

There is some work happening on a nearby Fantasyland rooftop as well

Back to Skyway

Soon, a restroom and widened path will stand here…

“My home, what are you doing to my home! Where will I live!” I’m sure the duck will be fine…

The duck unhappily watches the demolition

Have tow wonder id the clock tower will remain as an homage…

Over to New Fantasyland! YAYYYYYYYY!

Work has picked up in the Beauty and the Beast area

What could possibly be going in that hole?

Some of the rock-work is still just a frame

The food cart that popped up late last year which we stated belonged to Maurice from Beauty and the Beast indeed does

His name now adorns it

The rock-work has a cape? MARVEL TIE-IN!!!

Prince Eric’s Castle takes shape outside of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The big top of the Dumbo queue went up in a hurry… perhaps Storybook Circus will open before the rest of the expansion?

The canopy over what will be the Dumbo entrance

Something is up in the Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin queue

All of the decorations in this queue room have been gone for months

The “Delta Dreamflight” batteries are gone!

Club 626 is still rockin’

If you were interested in any of the artwork released at Disneyland’s 55th anniversary, some of it has made its way over to the Main Street Cinema