So it appears that there will be a few new physical set pieces added to the game. We now also know that the cellphone device will be renamed “F.O.N.E.”, or Field Operative Notification Equipment. Guests will be battling the evil Dr. Doofensmirtz through all seven countries currently in the game: Mexico, Norway, Germany, China, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom. Stay tuned for more information on this new Epcot attraction as it becomes available.

You may recognize this as the large model of New Fantasyland that was shown at the 2011 D23 Expo. Well, starting tomorrow, it can be seen daily inside the One Man’s Dream attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Having seen the model in person, I can tell you that you will want to stare at it for a while to inspect every last detail. Clear up some time in your schedule for your next trip to the Studios, you’re going to be staring at this for a while…

Vinylmation news got off to a wicked start this week with a much anticipated preview of two figures from the Vinylmation Villains #3 series, and they did not disappoint! The two designs released feature Chernabog from Fantasia and the coachman from Pinocchio.

The detail on these figures is tremendous. The light and shadows on Chernabog are perfect, and the large wing accessories are impressive. The coachman is equally detailed and once again demonstrates one of the best aspects of Vinylmation, the penchant to showcase obscure Disney characters that don’t usually appear in merchandise. These figures will be released at Disney Stores on June 18, and will retail for $9.95 each. With Father’s Day on June 17, what more could you ask for as a gift? Just saying.

Although they have been available at local Disney Stores, on Friday, May 11, Urban Series #9 was released along with the combo topper set at D-Streets and online at DisneyStore.com.

It is interesting to note that this series is selling for $9.95 each for the blind boxes, a nice decrease in price since the last Urban series. The combo set is selling for $24.95, which is two dollars less than the last Urban combo set. Typical for Urban series, there is a lot of variety of designs for the figures in this set, which includes two variants.

Finally, Disney announced the release of an all new series of open edition three-inch figures called Vinylmation Mascots. This window boxed series will be coming to Dstreets and Disney Stores on June 22. Artwork for this set has been circulating around the internet, but Disney hasn’t released anything official. The mascots appear to be original stylized designs featuring the Fab 5. They do not represent any particular team, but have been designed in the spirit of rugged, retro looking sports mascots. We will share the artwork for this set in an upcoming report.

In the meantime, check your midichlorian counts. The Force will be strong with Vinylmation collectors next week when the Vinylmation Disney Characters as Star Wars Characters set is released on May 18!

]]> http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/9407/feed 1 http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/9397 http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/9397#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 19:03:21 +0000 wdwntadmin http://wdwnewstoday.com/?p=9397

On Sunday, April 29th, the Little Red audio-animatronic became history and now guests riding Kilimanjaro Safaris over the Summer will have to stare at construction walls as the ride through the finale of the Animal Kingdom attraction. You may recall Disney announced changes to the ride a few months ago, stating that the poacher storyline would be replace with new savanna space to showcase Zebras.

All of the plants hazardous to the Zebras that will be moving in were removed prior to April 29th and many parts of the forest are already the grass fields where the animals will graze. The attraction’s pre-recorded spiels are gone, now you only hear background music and sound effects while traveling along the route. No more Mr. Wilson!

Imagineer Joe Rhode (“Mr. Animal Kingdom” as we refer to him around here) recently spoke to cast members at the attraction about the upcoming changes. While Wilson is gone for now, he may return to the ride or be replaced with a new character. For now, the Wilson and Dr. Jobson characters remain in the queue area in the pre-show film.

Disney is scheduled to be done with the basic changes this coming fall with larger changes to the Safari taking place over the next 3-4 years according to Rhode. Among the changes being discussed is the institution of permanent night-time Safari ride. From what we understand, the night safari will be completely different from the daytime version, adding a completely new experience for guests later in the day.

Imagineers recently tested lighting effects for night time safaris with a number of large video walls and intelligent moving headlights mounted on large lifts. Why use giant video screens? Well, it appears they mounted large video walls on the Wild Africa Trek trucks and tested using night vision and infrared technology to enhance the guest experience for the possible night-time version of the ride.

While it is uncertain if any of these changes will happen, it isn’t a far-fetched idea. In 3-4 years, Animal Kingdom will have an AVATAR-land and possibly a few other new offerings, so it is more than possible that the park will be open late on a regular basis.

We’ll keep you updated on this story as it develops. For now, we leave you with some immortal words from our now-gone friend… “TOMMIES!”

September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 and 30
October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31
November 2

The dates for the Christmas parties are:

November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21

Tickets are available for purchase at DisneyWorld.com

As we rapidly approach the 5th anniversary of the WDWNT Network this Summer, it’s hard not to get lost in the excitement happening at the Disney Parks right now. The Summer is theme park season, and there is that excitement in the air as out favorite special events return and some incredible new adventures prepare to unfold before us. WDWNT: The Magazine will be there for all the excitement starting next issue, so think of this issue as the “pre-show” to what will undoubtedly be a Summer to Remember.

For some, nothing means Summer more than just hanging out by the pool at your favorite Disney resort hotel, and Art of animation may very quickly be yours. We have a fantastic preview of the Finding Nemo wing of that resort for you to enjoy this month, just to wet your appetite. While we say hello to a new resort, we say goodbye to two beloved attractions as well this month: Test Track and Snow White’s Scary Adventures. In between, many of your favorite reoccurring articles and some other pieces for you to meander through abound.

We hope that this latest issue will get you ready for the blistering excitement of Summer 2012. If you have any suggestions or feedback, we are always happy to hear from our readers. Just send an email to WDWNTthemagazine@wdwnt.com and share your thoughts.

As a reminder, the magazine is available in digital form from our website (http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com) or in printed form from MagCloud (http://www.maglcoud.com). If you like what you’re reading, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. No one likes someone who doesn’t share.

Construction has gone vertical on the Disney Vacation Club wing of the Grand Floridian

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

There are two of these posters in the tunnel now… not only is it not an attraction… but it has more posters than any others…

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom sign near Town Square Theater

Work continues on the Confectionary and Chapeau facades

Work still going on near the Main Street bridge

This new railing was installed during the work

Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to touch trash-cans?

Still not a whole lot of theme to this walkway between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus

Work on the water tower at Fantasyland Station is complete

A look from the Barnstormer reveals that the second Dumbo spinner is nearing completion. We can also see the true height of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

The mountain of the Mine Train will be pretty tall

The second Dumbo is fully decorated

Workers on top of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The covered part is the lift hill as the train will roll out of the mountain

Work continues on turning Tigger’s Bouncy Place into something else

Some tarps now up in front of the Castle Wall construction

A second set of walls now makes for a tight passage

They are working on the back end of the Village Haus facade now

It’s still quite a mess back here

Now “it’s a small world” has tarps up

Work continues on the former Skyway site

Next-gen FASTPASS testing at the Haunted Mansion

It will be interesting to see what this looks like when they are done

They were forcing guests down the graveyard side if you weren’t using FASTPASS, but you could still bypass the interactive queue

Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Everything looks fantastic!

GOAT!

Package Pick-Up still behind tarps

Awesome shot of the Avengerail in action… I hope you’ve seen the movie by now…

A look at the Grand Floridian DVC construction from across the water

They’ve installed a rocky shoreline

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it looks like the Sorcerer Mickey topiary is on the move again as walls are up

Stage for Star Wars Weekends is going up

Citizens of Hollywood recently had a character shuffle. This is the “new” Mimi Kaboom

Things got heated…

ACTING! BRILLIANT!

I don’t think the security booths are coming back…

Props and decorations slowly vanish from the exterior of Test Track

The exterior queue is gone and various pieces are being thrown away… I know plenty of people who would want whatever you are throwing away…

The old sign is history

Innoventions just seems to get darker…

Habit Heroes is completely walled-off from the world

I assume this means there is work going on inside

We hope…

A little overdramatic? Sure, but if you’re looking for a few days of fun this Summer, the New York City area can offer it…

It was 5 years ago here in New York that it all began for WDW News Today. What began as a small blog dedicated to covering any and all news at the Walt Disney World Resort is now a network of popular websites and podcasts that are viewed by thousands of Disney fans each and every day. Before we move the entire operation to Orlando later this year, we plan to go out in style and celebrate the improbable 5th anniversary of the WDWNT Network right where it got started.

Over 4 days, we are planning excursions to some local amusement parks, to New York City to experience Newsies on Broadway during its limited engagement and the new Disney Store in Times Square, and to Flushing Meadows to see where it all began for the Florida Project, the site of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Here’s the schedule:

Thursday, July 12 (Optional Add-on Day):
Six Flags Great Adventure Group Outing (Park tickets required)

Friday, July 13:
10:00 AM – General Reception, Disney Pin & Vinylmation Trading
5:00 PM – Rainforest Cafe Group Dinner (Tickets required)
8:00 PM – Live recording of WDW News Today Podcast Episode 250

Saturday, July 14:
9:00 AM – Group trip to Times Square – Disney Store
2:00 PM – Newsies on Broadway (Tickets required)
11:00 PM – Live video recording of “See Ya Real Late with Tom Corless” talk show

Sunday, July 15:
8:00 AM – WDWNT: The Game Shows (Win prizes!)
1:00 PM – History Walk at site of 1964-65 World’s Fair
3:30 PM – Group trip to Luna Park, Coney Island

The base of operations for the weekend’s events will be the Hampton Inn in Somerset, NJ. All of the live programming and games away from the excursions will be held in the convention space in the hotel. We also have special hotel rates available when booking with Janis from Travel Dreams at 856-768-2511 or jltraveldreams@cs.com. Rooms with King or 2 Doubles are $79.00 a night and Suites are available for $90.00.

You do not need to book a room to attend any of the events, but you do need to register for the event. Registration is now open at WDWNT.com and only cost a nominal fee (this fee is sued to cover event credentials and other necessary items for your enjoyment at the event).

Space for Newsies on Broadway at the group ticket price is limited, so we advise that you act fast. Space is also limited for the Rainforest Cafe group meal and it is going fast. If you know you are attending, please act quickly. Tickets for both of these are available as add-ons during the registration process. Park tickets for Six Flags Great Adventure at the group price are not limited, but there is a time limit on this offer. This is a great deal as all tickets include free parking and the Wild Safari.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com. We hope to see you at the event!

Welcome

We’re still letting the memories begin…

Work continues on the Main Street Bakery facade

Tangled characters meeting in Town Square until a new home in Fantasyland is ready

Pillow pets everywhere!

Still funny

Something for the ladies

That’s… different…

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is looking great following the refurbishment

Everything looks brand new inside

The Tangled meet and greet is being turned into the home for Merida from Brave

More steel rises for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster

What appears to be a large weathervane appeared on the roof of Maurice’s Cottage, Enchanted Tales with Belle

We just keep moving ours…

The second tent is Storybook Circus is slowly being covered

No more steel frames to see at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is coming along nicely

Just a peek over the walls and we can see Casey in all his glory! This looks fantastic for being just a water play area.

RFID FASTPASS scanner outside the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The crane, the crane!

Most of the framework for the Castle Walls is standing now

“I wonder what they are building…”

Stroller parking now happening outside of Village Haus

It’s been quite a shuffle the last few years

Some facade work happening on “it’s a small world”

Work continues on the former plot of the Fantasyland Skyway Station

Work is wrapping up on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment

Everything out in the queue looks good

Bigger changes are expected for the indoor queue, at the very leas most of it has been rebuilt

I know it’s blurry, but you can see that the railroad ties are back

The new track should be a nice adjustment

Oooooooo….

Booooooooo….

The Robo-News man in Tomorrowland returned to service recently

He looks brand new!

Some new shirts at Philharmagic, I LOVE both of them

This shirt has been around, but still cool!

Center Street looks great as does all of Main Street following the 3 years of facade work that has been going on