PHOTOS: Even More Minnie-Inspired Rock the Dots 2019 Merchandise Released at WDW
Jessica Figueroa
First came the sequin ears. Then came the spirit jersey. Minnie’s been working hard these past few months on her 2019 Rock the Dots collection and it shows! Even more Rock the Dots merch has been released in preparation for numerous shopping events, featuring collaborations with Loungefly! Let’s browse the latest releases in this fun-filled …
New Photo Offers Insight into ‘Toy Story 4’
Iain
The Russian calendar that gave us our first look at Elsa and Anna as they will appear in “Frozen 2” is now providing a new look at “Toy Story 4.” Instagram user @mmdismey200 on Thursday posted a photo from the calendar, which showcases Disney movies that will be released in 2019. The image shows Woody, …
PHOTOS: Rock the Dots Spirit Jersey Released at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Jessica Figueroa
Last week, we saw this pair of sequin-dotted Minnie Ears at Epcot, but we weren’t quite sure they were part of this year’s Rock the Dots campaign or not. However, the appearance of a sparkly new spirit jersey may lead us to think this is in fact CONFIRMED. The latest spirit jersey to hit the …
Locations, Characters from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Featured in New Novel
Matthew Soberman
Fans who can’t wait to visit Black Spire Outpost on Batuu can read about it early in a new Star Wars novel. The new book, Star Wars: Pirate’s Price, features the notorious pirate Hondo Ohnaka, who will be seen in the attraction Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. In an excerpt posted to StarWars.com, readers will notice that at …
PHOTOS: Cast Member Magazine Reveals Better Look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Ride Vehicles
Matthew Soberman
A Disneyland Cast Member magazine has given us the best look we’ve had so far on the ride vehicles of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Twitter user SWGalaxysEdge posted these images, which give us a glimpse at more of Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. We get to see the cockpit and secondary area of the famed ship, which …
Bob Iger Says Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Open June 2019 at Disneyland
Matthew Soberman
A galaxy far, far away isn’t far away at all. In an interview with Barron’s, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger let it slip that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland will invite guests in starting June 2019. Based on Deluxe Annual Passholder and Southern California Annual Passholder blockout dates, it’s anticipated that the land …
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder “Get Your Ears On” Shopping Event Coming 1/7
Matthew Soberman
Disneyland annual passholders will be the first to have the chance to get merchandise inspired by “Get Your Ears On – A Mickey & Minnie Celebration” this Monday. On January 7th, passholders will get exclusive early access to shopping opportunities throughout Downtown Disney from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM. Select shops will be open for …
REVIEW: Vegandulgence Ice Cream at Downtown Disney’s Salt and Straw
Iain
Vegan guests rejoice! In an effort to commit to more plant-based options, Salt & Straw in Downtown Disney has introduced a new line of Vegandulgence “ice cream” flavors. Salt & Straw’s plan is for their menu to be at least twenty percent plant based by the first half of 2019. And they are beginning the …
Kevin from Pixar’s “Up!” Is Coming To Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Iain
Heads up, Wilderness Explorers! Looks like an old friend will soon be at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reports say that Kevin is to arrive at the parks sometime within the next month. It is unclear in what capacity she will be appearing. This isn’t the first time that Kevin has been spotted in Disney Parks. She …
New 3-Day Disneyland Ticket Option for SoCal Residents
Ali
Starting January 7, 2019, Disneyland will offer a special price on 3-Day tickets to Disneyland for SoCal Residents for a limited time. Tickets may be purchased at the main Disneyland gates or online where guests may print their tickets at home. Online tickets will be available at www.Disneyland.com/SoCal on Jan 7.  A valid form of ID …
Ed Moriarty, Former Walt Disney World Vice President, Dead at 77
Matthew Soberman
Ed Moriarty, one of the first cast members hired for Walt Disney World who rose through the ranks to become a vice president of the resort, died on December 28th, 2018. He was 77 years old. Moriarty was hired by Disney in 1967 to prepare for the resort’s opening. He drove the creation of The …
New Character Posters Released For “Dumbo”
Joe Hogarty
Entertainment Weekly has just released brand new character posters for Disney’s “Dumbo”! Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when …
PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 1/4/19 (New Year’s Eve, Odyssey Remodel and More!)
Iain
New Year’s Eve at Epcot is a sight to behold. I had other plans for that evening, though, so I decided to check it out during the day instead! Let’s see what they have set up for this year. The were expecting the biggest possible crowd, so the first people who arrived at the parking …
Disney Springs AMC Dine-In Theaters to get Major Upgrade
Iain
It has been announced that the AMC at Disney Springs 24 is due for some exciting new upgrades! The upgrades will include an expansion on the number of dine-in theatres at the complex, whilst the existing dine-ins will benefit from new recliner seating, an update to MacGuffins bar, remodeled restrooms, and a revamp of the …
New Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Details – Guests Will Haggle with Animatronic Merchants, Buy Blue Milk, and Likely Stand at Oga’s Cantina
Tom Corless
Thanks to a new piece from Barron’s, we have some interesting new tidbits to tide us over until the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge later this year at Disney Parks. As far as the open air markets of Black Spire Outpost (inspired by those of Morocco and Istanbul)… Building exteriors in Galaxy’s Edge are …
New Magnet, Dining Discounts and Events for Annual Passholders in January 2019 at Walt Disney World
Tom Corless
January 2019 is full of annual passholder perks and events you’ll want to know about at Walt Disney World… The first Walt Disney World Passholder event of 2019 will be the Purple Potion Premiere Pop-Up Event in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park on Thursday, January 10 from 5-7 p.m. At this event, you can be …
Pandora: The World of Avatar Theme Park Album Released
Matthew Soberman
Disney parks fans can now take the sounds of Pandora wherever they go. “Pandora: The World of Avatar,” a soundtrack album featuring music from the land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, was released very early this morning for streaming on Apple Music and for digital purchase on iTunes ($9.99 for the whole album, $1.29 for each track …
Concept Art For Country Bear Jamboree Dark Ride Released
Iain
Howdy folks! Welcome to what could have been the one and only, original, Country Bear Jamboree dark ride, the Critter Country 500! Concept art for this attraction has been released from Kirk Hanson, showcasing a very different attraction for these bears instead of the beloved musical show. This ride would have been located in Disneyland where …
Second Image From ‘Frozen 2’ Appears Online Along with Plot Description
Iain
One week after the first leaked image from “Frozen 2” popped up online, we are getting another sneak peak at the new looks for Elsa and Anna. Instagram user @the.cursed.price on Thursday posted a photo of Elsa and Anna in their new outfits, with Olaf by their sides. The image is similar to an image …
PHOTOS: Baseline Tap House Souvenir Cup Now Available at Hollywood Studios
Annie Wilson
We’ve seen a lot of new souvenir cups, bowls, and popcorn buckets lately. Baseline Tap House at Hollywood Studios is jumping on the trend, too, with a new glass for 2019. If you’ve been looking for a new plastic souvenir cup to take home for your collection, look no further. Baseline Tap House now has …
Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle to Undergo Refurbishment to Repair Damage Left by Diamond Celebration
Matthew Soberman
While not as massive as what’s going on at Hong Kong Disneyland, the original Sleeping Beauty Castle is set to undergo a refurbishment of its own. A recent permit issued by the City of Anaheim shows that Disney is looking to re-roof the castle, replacing the material with fibre-reinforced plastic on the turrets. The permit, …
BREAKING: Slinky Dog Dash Coaster Train Tails Removed Due To Safety Concerns at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Tom Corless
Less than 6 months after opening, another problem has arisen in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This morning, the tails on the back cars of the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster trains were removed due to safety concerns. The bouncing, springy tails are gone from each back car, but the ride remains operational. …
CONCEPT ART: New Rendering, Logo Revealed for Disney’s Riviera Resort
Iain
Walt Disney World on Thursday gave us a new look at what the Riviera Resort will look like when it opens this fall. A video posted to the Disney Vacation Club Facebook page shows a rendering of the hotel, followed by the phrase “Inspired by Europe, Imagined by Disney.” The short video ends with a shot of …
PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 1/3/19 (New Year’s Eve, Construction, and Crowds)
Iain
New Year’s Eve is the consistently the busiest day of the year at Walt Disney World. Let’s see what Magic Kingdom looked like this year. I walked in at about 8:00 am. The park had been open since 7 for resort guests. Surprisingly, the crowds at the TTC didn’t seem worse than normal. It was …
Discover Disney Discount Tickets Return for Florida Residents in 2019
Matthew Soberman
Florida residents can enjoy Walt Disney World at a very special rate with the return of Discover Disney tickets. The tickets cost $175 plus tax for three days of admission, one theme park per day. For an addition $20 plus tax, a fourth day can be purchased. The tickets can be used on consecutive or …
Guest Car Parking Re-entry No Longer Free at Disneyland Paris
Iain
As pointed out by ED92, a discreet change in Disneyland Paris’ car parking policy from last November states that free re-entry is no longer available. This means that if guests pay to park and then leave the lot for any reason, they will have to pay the full fee again to re-enter. According to the …
ParksCenter – A Look to 2019… and Beyond! – Ep. 37
Ben
This is ParksCenter. We usually cover the top 7 stories from this week in Disney Parks news, in under 30 minutes, guaranteed… but not this week. Instead, we’ll be talking about 2019 and beyond – what we’re looking forward to, what makes us nervous, and what our hopes and dreams are. We’re also making the …
TONIGHT: ParksCenter – A Look to 2019… and Beyond! – Ep. 37
Ben
Tonight, January 2nd at 9pm Eastern, will be the next edition of WDWNT’s ParksCenter! We usually cover the top 7 stories from this week in Disney Parks news, in under 30 minutes, guaranteed… but not this week. Instead, we’ll be talking about 2019 and beyond – what we’re looking forward to, what makes us nervous, …
PHOTOS: Tomorrowland Speedway Now Closed To Accommodate TRON Roller Coaster Construction at the Magic Kingdom
Tom Corless
The Tomorrowland Speedway closed today to make room for the necessary construction of the TRON roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom. The roadways will be wide open for a few months. Barricades are being erected to keep cast and guests away from the construction site. The Tomorrowland Speedway will be closed now through May 18th, …
REVIEW: New Limited Edition Wreck-It Ralph Sundae Comes in a Championship Trophy at the Magic Kingdom
Tom Corless
It’s a new year and the Magic Kingdom is starting off right with a colossal new treat! Now available at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street U.S.A., guests will find the Limited Edition Vanellope’s Ice Cream Sundae for $24.99. The sundae includes five scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, “fruity cereal”, chocolate candy, hot …
Disney World Offering Up to 30 Percent Off Rooms With Latest Offer
Iain
Those who aren’t holding off on visiting Walt Disney World until Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in the fall can save some money on their resort stay beginning in April. Disney World on Wednesday announced the “Sun & Fun Room Offer,” which features up to 30 percent off rooms at select resort hotels for most …
VIDEO: Lightning Strike Changing Portrait Scene Gets An Upgrade in The Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom
Tom Corless
Going under the radar for some time, there has been work happening quietly in one of the earliest scenes of The Haunted Mansion attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Eagle-eyed guests may have noticed tarps hanging behind the existing changing portraits along the Doombuggy path, while the average tourist crept by not knowing that Imagineers were …
Try Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Ale Months Ahead of the Land’s Opening at Disney Parks
Jessica Figueroa
Concrete Beach Brewery is a beer brewery (naturally) located at the heart of the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, Florida. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because their craft beers are a staple of most Epcot festival drink menus. You may have also heard of their Kungaloosh Spiced Ale, available at Tiffins and Nomad Lounge …
Summer 2019 Free Dining Plan Offer Now Available for Walt Disney World
Tom Corless
“Free Dining” is back at Walt Disney World for 2019! Walt Disney World guests booking vacations between July 5th through September 30th, 2019 are eligible for the offer when purchasing a non-discounted 5-night/6-day vacation package that includes a room at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel and tickets with a Park Hopper or Park …
WDWNT’s Top 7 Things Coming to Disney Parks in 2019
Tom Corless
Well, it’s finally here: 2019. It’s the year in which Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens on both coasts. 2019 didn’t need any more than that to be important for the Disney Parks, but there’s a modest lineup of offerings on the way to the parks to accompany the game-changer that is the 14-acre planet of …
PHOTO REPORT: Disney California Adventure 1/1/19 (Holiday Crowds, Construction, Sparkly Ears, ETC.)
Ali
The holiday crowds have been rough at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks but at least there are a bunch of new sparkly ear headbands to help up celebrate the new year (and our monorail doors stay on…) A sunny morning in SoCal, the new Starbucks in Downtown Disney was busy. Windows look completed at Ballast …
January Pin Releases for Disneyland & Walt Disney World, Including Festival of the Arts
Iain
Mark your calendars, Disney pin collectors! The new releases for January 2019 have been unveiled! Between Pins of the Month, Mystery Pin Collections, Park and Annual Passholder Exclusives and Holidays, you’ll have a lot to look forward to. Below are the scheduled release dates for these pins at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Disneyland …
REVIEW: Up Close with Rhinos Experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Delivers on Its Name
Jill Diffendal
If you’ve ever wanted to know what a rhinoceros feels like, have I got the tour for you! Up Close with Rhinos is also a great choice if you love animals, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and/or the Kilimanjaro Safaris, and want to know more about what happens behind the scenes and how Disney contributes to animal …
D23 Significantly Raises Membership Rates for First Time in its History
Matthew Soberman
D23 kicked off its tenth anniversary celebration with a not-so-nice surprise for its members this morning, raising its annual membership rates for the first time since its inception in 2009. Effective today, the price of a Gold Membership is $99.99 per year, while Gold Family memberships are $129.99 per year, up from $74.99 and $99.99 …
PHOTOS: Disney Character Warehouse Outlet – December Merch!
Jessica Figueroa
We here at WDWNT braved the holiday crowds to bring you the last outlet review of 2018! Throughout the year, it’s always fascinating to see what makes it to the outlets, be it from mass-produced and under-sold items, to randomly returned park purchases. The layout of the store is always changing to accommodate new goods, …