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 7, 2013

While visiting Epcot on Monday to see the Three Caballeros, I managed to take pictures of a few other newsworthy items around the park, so lets take a look: The “toothpick holder” set was updated with a retro Figment shot glass now included Some new shirts out in Mouse Gear Work continues on turning FountainView into a Starbucks location Work is just getting started on Spice Road Table in the Morocco pavilion The latest Good Luck/Bad Luck pin has Yoda, which is interesting because the set until now has consisted of classic Disney characters A new retro Journey Into Imagination keychain came out...

Apr 30, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios last week and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: The Kodak sign is still up, too bad the waterfall isn’t… Just imagine it is there This seating area in Innoventions is now being used as office space as far as we can tell Segway Central hasn’t changed since closing Probably should take this down Monsters University merchandise in Mouse Gear MU iPhone cases Scare Pig plush Art plush Open edition pin Kids shirt Ummmmm…. Graduation Duffy! AHHHHHH! Moving to Studios, there is a Monsters University billboard in the parking lot Kodak letters gone from the Darkroom facade, but are still on the sign FastPass test...

Apr 11, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen has been all-over the Walt Disney World Resort as of late and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: While most of the new parking lot at the Grand Floridian Villas is open, some is still closed to accommodate construction Work continues on the Villas at the Grand Floridian This appears to be the drop-off area Iron Man-O-Rail running Moving to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the Main Street Bakery The new Dumbo popcorn bucket available on Main Street Purty Work continues on the exterior of the Adventureland Veranda The glass canopy on the other side of the building is still missing Some work happening at the Swiss Family Treehouse while it is open Kodak picture spots are still up around...

Mar 28, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot on Monday and has some newsworthy photos from his trip to share with us: BUTTERFLIES!!! Who wants generic Easter crap? The KODAK picture spots are still up around the parks The Future World Easter Egg Hunt is in full swing Bunny Ring Toss Nothing stranger than the Epcot font on an egg… Tarps are still up on the Mission: Space facade Some filming being done, BE SURE TO PUSH THE DUFFYS!!! MORE...

Mar 3, 2013

Test Track: First Impressions by Ron D’Anna December 11, 1998 was a landmark day at Epcot. While not officially open, it was the first day Test Track saw riders. After over two years of waiting and delays, Epcot received its first thrill ride. While official Cast Member previews would begin the next day, Epcot cast members and their guests got to experience the attraction before anyone else. However, though I wasn’t working at Epcot, I managed to get in with a group of friends that night as well. After years of waiting for the ride to open, I was there for its first night, and what appeared to be its first breakdown. Just as I pulled into the unload area, the ride suddenly stopped and the Imagineers who had been lining the platforms scattered. It was a truly...

I know it is a few days late, but I decided that I should share some newsworthy photos from my last trip to Walt Disney World with you, so let’s take a look at a couple of interesting things happening around the resort: The Epcot Center charm bracelet is now available The “Oz The Great and Powerful” playground fro the Flower and Garden Festival is being constructed near Imagination! The FastPass+ queue seems to be finished at the Seas with Nemo and Friends Yes, the cut a hole in the mural… The Main Street Bakery is closed until May to convert to Starbucks service Tomorrowland Terrace has breakfast for now FastPass+ scanners uncovered at Tomorrowland Speedway Also uncovered at the Barnstormer The umbrellas have finally arrived for...

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot earlier today to see the newly remodeled Boulangerie Patisserie in France and the IBM Think exhibit inside Innoventions, so let’s take a look at what’s going on around the park: Guests with RFID tickets are using the new entrance area all the way to the right, meanwhile more of the new RFID scanners are being installed Kodak picture spots are still up Daisy got a new meet and greet backdrop near the front of the park a few weeks ago, it is pretty retro-tastic Epcot Character Spot is still being remodeled Preparations underway for the Flower and Garden Festival The new IBM exhibit quietly opened today inside Innoventions The new exhibit is simply called Think A look inside There is a theater portion to...

Test Track presented by Chevrolet is now officially open at Epcot and if you haven’t had a chance to check out this great new offering, well, we have you covered. First up, we take an in-depth look at the car and truck design process: Then we have video of the on-ride portion where you take your car for a ride on the Sim Track: One of the post show features that was added a few days later was the Driving Tables, where you take you car you designed and race it against other guests: To top it all off, we have a comprehensive video that includes all the video from above, but also the facade, queue, loading area, and more post-show elements. Enjoy this comprehensive look at Test Track presented by Chevrolet: So, what do you think of the new Test...

With Test Track presented by Chevrolet officially opening tomorrow, we decided it might be a good idea to prepare you for thr rigors of designing your own custom car for ther Sim-Track. The following video will take you through the design process for both a car and a truck and will show you how each decision you make can affect your final score....