It may be Halloween, but we have a first-look at the Very Merry Christmas Party guide for 2012 (Click image twice for full size): Not too much new this year, but note there will be a special Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card just like there was at the Halloween Party. Merry Christmas! I mean Happy Halloween!

I am in shock as I write this, but Disney is going to acquire Lucasfilm, Star Wars and all… Burbank, CA and San Francisco, CA, October 30, 2012 – Continuing its strategy of delivering exceptional creative content to audiences around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. in a stock and cash transaction. Lucasfilm is 100% owned by Lucasfilm Chairman and Founder, George Lucas. Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012, the transaction value is $4.05 billion, with Disney paying approximately half of the consideration in cash and issuing approximately 40 million shares at closing. The final consideration will be subject to [...]

For those of you wondering what the facade of Test Track will look like when it is completed, wonder no more: If you look closely, you’ll even see the World of Motion pavilion logo in the giant T on the canopy. Test Track presented by Chevrolet opens December 6th at Epcot. So, what do you think of the new look for Test Track?

The Country Bear Jamboree returned to operation at the Magic Kingdom on October 17th following a 2 month refurbishment. As expected, all of the lighting, audio, and audio-animatronics were upgraded or fixed and all of the technical aspects of the attraction are working and looking better than ever. However, rumors of cuts in the show to make it shorter and increase the theoretical hourly capacity also came to fruition. We have video of the show to share with you so you can see the multiple songs, verses and lines fo dialogies cut from the show: For those either unfamiliar with the show or in case you forgot what the show formerly was, I have compiled a list of everything that [...]

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 [...]

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen did some park hopping this weekend, so let’s take a look at some newsworthy photos from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and 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 [...]

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Downtown Disney on Friday and has a few newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. Let’s take a look: FOOD TRUCK! The new Characters in Flight balloon California Adventure attraction posters are now available through “art on demand” at Art of Disney locations Wreck-It Ralph merchandise available at World of Disney A lot of this is stuff you can find at your local Disney Store The shirt is unique to the parks… wonder if 1982 is an Epcot or Tron reference… OCTOBERFEST! Specialty drinks available It’s “Fall at Downtown Disney” Irish step-dancers are out by Raglan Road It’s Fall! More musicians entertain pretzel-filled guests Recycled Not-So-Scary decorations all around Adam sees seafood Adam [...]

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 [...]