May 22, 2013

For those of you wondering when you might be able to buy into the Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, it will be May 23rd for DVC members and June 19th for non-members: This video also provides our first-look inside a model villa. So, what do you think of the Villas at the Grand...

May 21, 2013

The DINOSAUR attraction at Animal Kingdom has been somewhat notorious for vanishing effects since it opened as Countdown to Extinction in April 1998. Some of the more fabled effects were laser-related and were located at the very beginning and end of the attraction. Well, for some reason, laser effects returned to the ride this week: So, what do you think of the return of the laser effects at...

May 20, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen has been all over the Walt Disney World theme parks over the last week and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: We begin at Downtown Disney To Pleasure Island while it is still a thing… While nothing is going on at Adventurer’s Club… Walls are already up for Disney Springs at the former Comedy Warehouse The walls from inside Pleasure Island Work happening at the Sassagoula boat dock on Pleasure Island It’s closed, so you have to get off at Marketplace Soon this will be The Landing The Truckeria taco truck is at Downtown Disney Not sure how long this has been a thing, but there is a snow-cone cart in Marketplace They also have glazed nuts Some new pins are out at Pin...

May 19, 2013

As always, the highlight of Star Wars Weekends this year was the Hyperspace Hoopla show at the end of the day, featuring the always popular “Dance Off With the Star Wars Stars”. The show this year was excellent in my opinion and the surprise ending was one of the cooler moments in the history of the show. Take a look for yourself: So, what do you think of this year’s Hyperspace...

May 18, 2013

I can’t wait for the upcoming all-night party that will kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks on May 24, 2013. I had a blast at last year’s 24-hour party with my fiancée, so I imagine this one will be even more “eye-mazing!” As part of Limited Time Magic, Disney Theme Park Merchandise has created some commemorative items featuring Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, stars of Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film “Monsters University.” Here are some things you can expect starting May 24. We will have a new logo shirt featuring Mike, created just for the 24 hour party. The shirts will be similar on each coast except for a small logo change on the sleeve (either “Magic Kingdom” for guests in Florida or “Disneyland Resort” for guests in...

May 18, 2013

Unique food, treats and snacks are being added to many locations around the Disneyland Resort for the Monstrous all-nighter event and Disney is sharing a few of these items to whet our appetite. Of course the Disney chefs had to get in on the Memorial Day weekend fun to kick off a Monstrous Summer atDisneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park, Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24, to 6 a.m. May 25, – which gives us 24 hours to nosh our way through the delightful bites. We won’t give away all the ideas the chefs have planned, but here are a few:                                                                The cupcake craze gets a nod at Gaston’s...

May 18, 2013

Disney has given us a sneak peek into the entertainment schedule for the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and California Adventure for the special 24 hour event on May 24th, 2013. We’re just one week away from our next Limited Time Magic event, the huge Disney ParksMonstrous Summer All-Nighter on May 24! Pam Brandon and Steven Miller will be along later to share details about some of the great food and merchandise you can expect to find, but first I’d like to tell you more about the special entertainment we have in store. Everything kicks-off with special opening moments in front of the parks, leading up to 6 a.m., and then you’re off and running for 24 hours of fun!* Many of your usual favorite characters and shows will be happening throughout the day, but we...

May 16, 2013

On Saturday and Tuesday I visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (respectively) and took some newsworthy photos to share with you, so let’s take a look: The canopy is missing from the Haunted Mansion Should be back soon work progresses on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train in Fantasyland The steak sandwich is gone from the Be Our Guest lunch menu, replaced with a prime chuck roast beef sandwich For some reason, a Disney Visa card kiosk has been built near the Haunted Mansion Signage for A Pirate’s Adventure has been uncovered Pins are once again gone from Uptown Jewelers, replaced with ladies’ accessories Moving over to Hollywood Studios, the Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket from Cars Land is being used at Backlot...

May 15, 2013

With the closure of Camp Minnie-Mickey eminent, we were promised a new home for Mickey and Minnie somewhere in Animal Kingdom a few months ago. The location turned out to be the former Beastly Bazaar shop that reopened today after some delay as Adventurers Outpost, supposedly Mickey and Minnie’s exploration headquarters. Take a look: The entrance A temporary sign in place until the entire experience is complete The interior queue There are many pictures of Mickey and Minnie out on adventurers through the queue This is one fo the two holding rooms. There are two rooms where guests can meet Mickey and Minnie, however the second room was not ready for guests today The actual meet and greet has Mickey and Minnie in front of a large map with some...

May 14, 2013

Animal Kingdom Opening Day Remembered by Ron D’Anna For the Disney Parks fans, there can be no greater event than the opening of a new theme park.  The last time this rare event occurred at Walt Disney World was April 22, 1998. I was there–a senior in high school skipping class to attend. Earth Day was an apt choice to birth a new park based on conservation and the natural world. Disney’s Animal Kingdom officially debuted that Wednesday at 7 AM. Animal Kingdom had already been in soft openings for weeks for Cast Members and annual pass holders, but the official opening still felt like something special. Arriving to the plaza in front of the turnstiles a little before 6AM, I was already so far behind in the sea of people I could not see any of the actual...