VIDEO: 1989 Buildings Turn to Rubble, PizzeRizzo Gets Even Cuter, and Streets of America Disappears at Hollywood Studios
Tom Corless
It’s time once again to check in on the latest progress of the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios! This update includes the latest progress on PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard, the demolition of the Streets of America & Studios Catering Company for Star Wars and Toy Story Land, and more! Enjoy: Tom Corless
Opening Date Set for Magic Kingdom’s “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History”
Tom Corless
Since the announcement of “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History”, we have been asked many times when exactly the new show in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom would debut. Today, we have that information. While not yet released to the public by Disney, internal documents state that the show will debut on October …
BREAKING: Festival of Fantasy Parade Lunch Package to Replace Electrical Parade Offering
Tom Corless
The Magic Kingdom will be introducing a dining package for Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade, starting October 10th, 2016. The package replaces the one offered for the Main Street Electrical Parade. The Main Street Electrical Parade will conclude on October 9th, so rather than cancel the program, Disney will move it over to the afternoon …
VIDEO: Part Two Of The Superfan Created #GOROGUE Video Series
Joe Hogarty
CHAPTER 2 STARS NEW TOYS FROM “ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY” What happens next? Find out in Chapter 2 of the fan-created Go Rogue YouTube series. Written, directed and produced by a team of Star Wars superfans, the original four-part stop motion story stars key toys from the new “Rogue One” line before they hit stores Sept. 30. With the first …
PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 9/12/16 (Hatbox Ghost, Innoventions Closures, New Merchandise, ETC.)
Tom Corless
Our latest photo report brings us to Epcot, just days before the Food and Wine Festival takes over for its longest run in park history. Crowds are light now, but things are just starting to heat up… Immediate Boarding Soarin’ Around the World was posted at a 5 minute wait, so I decided to time …
Disney Enchanted Tales “Beauty and the Beast” Game Out Now for Mobile
Staff Writer
Clear up some storage on your phone because Disney has just released another mobile game. Disney Enchanted Tales is a new free-to-play game available now for iOS and Android that let’s players create their own unique kingdoms. The game features stories, worlds, and characters from Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, and Frozen. Essentially players choose …
VIDEO: Take a Ride on the 2016 Version of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland
Tom Corless
Over the weekend, the 2016 version of Haunted Mansion Holiday debuted at Disneyland Park as part of the HalloweenTime festivities. New for 2016, guests will find a new gingerbread house, as well as a new moving Sally figure in the graveyard scene. Enjoy: Tom Corless
“Disney Magical World 2” is Getting a Frozen Pre-Order Bonus
Staff Writer
Disney Magical World 2 is coming out sooner than expected. During Nintendo’s recent Direct, the date for Magical World 2 was moved up to October 14, so you’ll be able to play it in just a few short weeks. Also announced, players that choose to pre-order the game (both digitally and physically) will receive some …
“Scoop Sanderson” Main Street Reporter & Pin Expert Character to be Discontinued
Tom Corless
Main Street USA’s roving reporter character, Scoop Sanderson, will no longer be regularly appearing at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Holland Hayes, who has portrayed the character for as long as I can remember, revealed on Facebook that his entertainment contract was not renewed and that his last day will be October 8, 2016. Comments …
“Finding Dory” Coming Home To Blu-ray & 3D November 15th; Plus Target Exclusive
Joe Hogarty
Pixar’s “Finding Dory” is coming home and will be available for purchase on November 15th in both a standard Blu-ray version, which will include a Blu-ray disc, DVD and Digital Copy and an Ultimate Collector’s Edition, which will include a 3D Blu-ray, a Blu-ray disc, DVD and and a Digital copy. Amazon is currently accepting …
PHOTOS: Imagination Pavilion’s ImageWorks at Epcot is Literally Falling Apart
Tom Corless
While walking through the ImageWorks at the exit of Journey Into Imagination with Figment at Epcot last night, the floor felt a little strange. It felt as if the tiles were lifting off of the ground as I stepped on them. Then I looked down… We found entire sections of tile had to be taped …
Radio Free Disneyland – Episode 1 – The Discovery of Disneyland
TimPat McRaven
Radio Free Disneyland is a curated music podcast that tells the stories of the Disneyland Resort in a unique and tuneful way. Using Disney music, not-so-Disney music, and definitely-not-Disney music to tell the stories of the “lands,” their origins, and their citizenry. Real and imagined. Usually with a backbeat. PLAY THIS PODCAST LOUD! Act 1 Show Notes: Show Opening Sound …
PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 9/9/16 (Honey Playground Demolition, PizzeRizzo, Aerosmith, ETC.)
Tom Corless
Our latest trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios takes us from exciting new merchandise, to the thrill of speedy demolition throughout the Backlot section of the park to make way for Star Wars and Toy Story Land. But first, let’s start with something weird… In The Year 2016… Prepaid phone cards and Sim cards still exist …
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Tomorrowland Entrance at The Magic Kingdom Gets A Shiny New Look
Tom Corless
For several weeks now, we have been updating you on the painting of the entrance to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. The rock-work in the front of the land is now about halfway done as the entire left side has already received the new shiny, metallic look. The other side has only been primed for …
SNEAK PEEK: New Additions to Haunted Mansion Holiday for 2016
Tom Corless
The Haunted Mansion Holiday opens today at Disneyland Park, this year featuring a new but familiar face! An all-new Sally figure has been added to the graveyard scene, as seen above. Also new this year … This year’s all-new gingerbread house – a Haunted Mansion Holiday tradition – and today guests will be able to see this monstrous …
Moana Island Life Coming Soon to Mobile
Staff Writer
A new mobile game called Moana Island Life is coming to iOS and Android in the near future, and for those living in Canada the game is out now. The game appeared on the Canada iTunes store yesterday and has been available for download since. It is not uncommon for apps to release in the Canadian …
PHOTOS: Classic EPCOT Center Logos and Figment Adorn 2016 Food & Wine Festival Merchandise
Tom Corless
Artwork for this year’s event merchandise was created by Disney Design Group. Drawing on the success of previous festivals, the team created new designs for popular merchandise programs such as “Brews Around the World,” and a character program featuring Figment. Guests will also find new art for the “Taste Your Way Around the World” program …
Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort to Discontinue Valet Service
Tom Corless
Downtown Disney Anaheim, located at the Disneyland Resort, will be discontinuing valet service on September 10th, 2016. Disney is not giving any reason for the change, although it is likely related the the expansion of the resort, including a new resort hotel being constructed nearby. The space is rumored to be home to a new …
VIDEO: Nick Yells at Kids, We Preview Radio Free Disneyland, and A BIG Announcement on the Latest WDW News Tonight
Nick LoCicero
Last night on WDW News Tonight… Tom described how he and other guests are being asked not to take photos of Avatar Construction from guest accessible areas at Animal Kingdom. See the “controversial” photos here. We made some horrible political jokes while talking about the current contest at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort …
PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 9/8/16 (New Jasmine Costume, Gators & Crocs Still Missing, Dreamfinder, ETC.)
Tom Corless
Our latest report brings us to Epcot where Food and Wine Festival prep is in full swing, Living with the Land is still missing a number of its reptilian residents, and Jasmine is covering up… Welcome to Epcot The pin trading tables were packed. What year is it, 1999? A glass with both the Spaceship …
REVIEW: Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom – The Most Overrated Counter Service at Disney World
Tom Corless
For years, I’ve been told by hundreds of other Disney World guests that their favorite counter service restaurant at the resort is Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Heck, it was the winner by the largest margin in “The Top 10” segment’s history on the WDW News Today Podcast back in the day (in …
Radio Free Disneyland Podcast to Begin Saturday, September 10 on WDWNT
TimPat McRaven
Radio Free Disneyland, a curated music podcast that tells the stories of the Disneyland Resort in a unique and tuneful way, is set to debut here on WDWNT.com on Saturday, September 10. Using Disney music, not-so-Disney music, and definitely not Disney music to tell the stories of the “lands,” their origins, and their citizenry. Real and imagined. Usually with a …
VIDEO: This Special Effects Video For “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Will Blow You Away!
Joe Hogarty
So you think that you’ve seen “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” so many times that you are pretty confident that you can tell what is CGI and what is not. Think again. Industrial Light & Magic has just released a brand new video showing us some of the magic that was used to bring the …
TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight – Halloween Party Review, Food & Wine Preview, Josh of EasyWDW, Radio Free Disneyland
Tom Corless
Tonight on WDW News Tonight, WDWNT: The Map Game returns, we interview Josh of EasyWDW.com, talk to the host of Radio Free Disneyland, and make another major announcement… If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be …
The Haunted Mansion Closing for Refurbishment in November/December 2016
Tom Corless
The Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom will be closing for a short refurbishment in late November/early December 2016. It is unknown if the work is at all related to the facade and queue work that has going on at the attraction for a few weeks now. The attraction will be closed November 28th, 2016 …
PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 9/7/16 (Tower of Terror Farewell, Star Wars Land, AP Days, New Character Heads)
Tom Corless
Conner Purzycki brings us a fairly news-heavy photo report from the Disneyland Resort on the first day of its transition from the Diamond Celebration into HalloweenTime. Heavy promotion has started for the Tower of Terror final check-in, Star Wars land continues to rise from the dirt, Mickey and Minnie are getting an entirely new look, …
Trader Sam’s Celebrates Mahalloween 2016 with The Haunted Mansion Themed Tiki Mug
Tom Corless
Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel will be celebrating “Mahalloween 2016” with a special mug and drink… The mug looks like a tiki totem featuring the Hitchhiking Ghosts from The Haunted Mansion. The mug will be released as a part of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort sometime in the next few days. Tom Corless
Swan & Dolphin Hotels Giving Away a Presidential Suite Stay for Election Season
Tom Corless
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort to “Elect” a Candidate for a “Presidential” Vacation One contest winner will be awarded a stay in the resort’s luxurious presidential suite Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – August 31, 2016 – As the nation prepares for the next race to the White House, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin …
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Cabins & Dining Take Shape at New DVC Copper Creek Villas, Wilderness Lodge
Tom Corless
While no opening date is set yet, work continues at a blistering pace on the Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the latest Disney Vacation Club property announced by the company. I went to check out the construction site yesterday and found that many of the cabins are in place and the …
RUMOR: Is Vekoma Constructing A Revolutionary Flying Roller Coaster for Epcot’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” Ride?
Tom Corless
The plot is thickening for the rumored Epcot “Guardians of the Galaxy” attraction. Long time Disney roller coaster manufacturer Vekoma is now building a test track that may be the earliest version of a new coaster ride system that would replace the Universe of Energy. Vekoma has in many ways been the coaster manufacturer of choice …
VIDEO: Sneak Peek At The Table Read For Disney’s “Beauty And The Beast”
Joe Hogarty
Take a look at a new sneak peek of Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” from the bonus features of the upcoming release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. Relive the magic and the music of Disney’s beloved animated classic with four versions of the film plus all-new bonus features! Watch the …
FIRST LOOK: All Covers and Inside Peek at “Enchanted Tiki Room” Comic Series
Rob Page
Disney posted on the Parks Blog some first look images at the upcoming Enchanted Tiki Room comic book series from Disney Kingdoms. Here are some of the variant covers: The comic series will be presented as five unique stories that take place at the Enchanted Tiki Room which is located on an isolated island. Almost anything …
VIDEO: PizzeRizzo Signage Goes Up, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” Comes Down in Our Latest Hollywood Studios Update
Tom Corless
It’s time once again to check in on the latest progress of the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios! By popular demand (although I still don’t really understand why anyone wants to hear me talk), this edition is the first narrated by Tom Corless, as he explains what exactly you are looking at throughout the update. This …
VIDEO: Experience the New Entertainment (Including Zootopia) and Snacks of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2016
Tom Corless
On Friday evening, we attended the very first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2016 at the Magic Kingdom. While I am still composing my thoughts on the overall event this year, I figured I would share some video of the experiences we recorded during our night of fun, including a few short reviews of some …
VIDEO: Rogue Fireworks from Star Wars Show Strike Car at Walt Disney World
Tom Corless
You know how that new launch site for fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is located just across World Drive? Well, that means the launch site is a little closer to many major roadways at Walt Disney World than any other at the resort, so things like this can happen: In the above video, it seems …
PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 9/4/16 (Hatbox Ghost, Ride Models, Mosquito Repellent, ETC.)
Tom Corless
Our latest photo report brings us to Disney Springs for a look at lots of new merchandise, the addition of complimentary mosquito repellent stations, but mostly just for pizza… Complimentary Mosquito Repellent Disney Springs is home to several kiosks touting the complimentary mosquito repellent for guests to use. The Cutter bottles are now only being …
PHOTO: Disney World Changes Complimentary Mosquito Repellent Less Than 1 Week After Starting Program to Fight Zika
Tom Corless
Less than a week after introducing complimentary insect repellent to combat mosquitos and the Zika virus, Walt Disney World has changed the brand and the composition of the repellent they are providing to guests. The repellent is now a lotion that comes in industrial size containers. The repellent replaces the small bottles of “Cutter” brand …
Mama Melrose’s at Hollywood Studios To Offer Reduced Menu While Under Refurbishment
Tom Corless
Beginning September 12th, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will offer a temporary menu to accommodate a refurbishment of equipment in the kitchen. The flatbreads typically on the menu at Mama Melrose’s will not be available during this time. The project will take 4 weeks to complete. Tom Corless
REVIEW: Morimoto Asia Street Food Introduces New Daily Specials at Disney Springs
Tom Corless
Introduced in May, Street Food is the counter service component of the Morimoto Asia restaurant located The Landing at Disney Springs. Recently, the location introduced a line-up of daily specials that rotate day-to-day in and out of the menu. To celebrate the changes, we were invited to a small media event to try some of …
Disney Trying to Prevent Guests from Taking Pictures & Video of AVATAR Construction
Tom Corless
Over the last nine years, we have certainly made a name for ourselves at WDWNT.com by taking photos and video as often as possible of ongoing construction projects around the Walt Disney World Resort. In that time, I don’t recall ever being asked not to take pictures or video of such a sight. That being …