The renamed AMC Downtown Disney 24 (Formerly Pleasure Island) debuted a new lobby and refreshment area a few days ago, including gourmet popcorn, Coke Freestyle machines, and a vastly expanded menu:
This is only the beginning of changes for the AMC 24. In January, the entrance across from Planet Hollywood will close to be turned into the entrance for “Fork and Screen” theaters which will include theater numbers 21-24 that will be remodeled. Meanwhile, the entrance in the middle of the West Side will be used to access all “regular” theaters, numbers 1-20.
While it doesn’t have much to do with the Disney Parks, we have always featured Disney film releases here on the site since we launched in 2007. We continue that tradition with the 50th Animated feature film, “Tangled”:
Here’s a sneak peek at the new film:
We usually try to keep opinions out of these reports, but I saw “Tangled” earlier today and wanted to leave a review and a bit of a disclaimer. First off, GO SEE IT! It is an incredible movie and a true Disney film. I had a warm fuzzy feeling walking out of the theater knowing this was the 50th film in the animated canon. It lived up to the tradition and might be the closest thing to the great films of the last golden age such as “The Little Mermaid” or “Beauty and the Beast”. I fully expect Rapunzel to become the favorite princess of many young girls and I even have a few new favorite Disney characters after seeing this one.
I know many fans were worried by the marketing campaign which reminded many of commercials for Shrek or some other Dreamworks animated films. Based on early projections right now, advertising like this might have been a good idea:
The movie was projected to make only $35-40 million over the 5-day holiday weekend, but early reports are claiming the film will make 1.5 to 2 times more over the first 5 days in theaters. If Disney needs to make shoddy ads that play to corny humor to get people to see great films like this, than I’m all for it. I’d hate to see another “Princess and the Frog” debacle, where a great animated film is lost because of lackluster trailers and horrible release dates.
For those deliberating between 2-D and 3-D shows, go for the 3-D if you can. For the first time, I felt like an animated film was made for Digital 3-D. There are actually a few sequences that rival moments from long-standing Disney 3-D attractions.
In summary, go see “Tangled”, it’s your duty as a Disney fan… and you’ll probably have a “hair-raising” good time. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Disney Tangled is now in theaters nationwide, in both Disney Digital 3-D and traditional 2-D.
After the last guest left Magic Kingdom Park one night last week, Walt Disney Imagineers unveiled some magic. While you slept, they removed construction walls surrounding The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and gave a first look at their amazing work.
The queue and exterior façade for the classic Fantasyland attraction have been completely re-imagined. You can now enjoy a fully immersive interactive adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood that includes visits to Tigger’s Bouncy Place, Rabbit’s Garden, Eeyore’s Gloomy Place and Pooh’s Hunny Hives. Here’s a peek at the work that took place. Enjoy.
WDWNT Reporter Cody Smith visited three of the Walt Disney World parks on Thursday (including Animal Kingdom) and he has a number of newsworthy photos to share from his trip, so let’s take a look:
The giant Mickey wreath is back on Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Some portions of the queue for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at the Magic Kingdom have opened following the recent refurbishment, revealing some new interactive elements in addition to a very elaborate theme. Banks Lee visited the Magic Kingdom earlier today and has some pictures of the queue to share:
Following a tradition that started with the inception of WDW News Today in 2007, we will once again turn our focus to raising money for Toys for Tots during the 2010 holiday season. In 2009, we were able to raise $1807.00 for the charity during our inaugural 24 hour “WDWNT Live!” show. In the hopes of raising an even larger amount for this charity in 2010, I’m proud to announce that we are once again hosting a 24-hour-long live program to benefit Toys for Tots.
The show will air on www.WDWNTunes.com beginning at 9PM ET on Friday, November 26, 2010, and running until 9PM ET the following day, November 27th. We hope that you will be able to join us and will make a donation to this great cause, making sure every child has a happy holiday season. If you can not make it to the show, you can still make a donation to Toys to Tots through a widget we will be adding to our sites following the program. If you can make it, I can guarantee you’ll be in for an entertaining time, whether you join us for 1 or 24 hours. We hope to see you at the show!
Thank You and Happy Holidays,
Tom Corless
Founder and CEO of the WDWNT Network
NOTE: We will be playing a game of Disneyland News Today’s “FAN-ly Fued” during the live show, please answer this survey and help us make this game happen.
WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee visited three Walt Disney World theme parks on Wednesday (take a WILD guess which one he did not go to) and took plenty of photos to share with us in a lengthy photo report:
The gingerbread house is up and open at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Beginning Nov. 26, Wine Country Trattoria will offer a “World of Color” prix fixe menu for lunch, which also includes reserved viewing for Disney’s “World of Color.” Reservations may be made by calling 714-781-DINE.
Take a look at the menu below. It looks fantastic to me!
Starters
Salad: Arugula, Fennel, Red Onion, Spiced Walnuts, and Goat Cheese with a Fig-Balsamic Dressing OR
Chef’s Soup Selection
Entrees
Tuscan Salad with Grilled Shrimp or Chicken – Blend of Romaine and Radicchio, Red and Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Celery, Green Beans, Cannellini Beans and Roasted Peppers tossed in Creamy Italian Dressing
Lasagna Rustica – Served with House-Made Bolognese
Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Herbed Chicken Breast, Arugula, Caramelized Onions, Provolone, and Walnut-Porcini Aioli on Toasted Ciabatta with a Green Salad
Broccolini Aglio Olio – Campanelle Pasta lightly tossed with Spinach, Arugula, Tomatoes, Garlic, Chili Flakes, and Olive Oil
Desserts
Trattoria Tiramisu
Mini Fruit Crostada
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Fresh Fruit
Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse with Lemon Cream
The price for the prix fixe lunch is $29.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3 to 9.
You can also get more details about our other dining options for “World of Color,” including picnic boxes and prix fixe dinners in our earlier post. We’ve updated the post with the latest information.
• More than 1,500 new restaurant seats will expand dining options by more than 25 percent.
• The new design makes the waterfront the focal point.
• In the next 30 days, AMC Theater guests will be able to purchase unique, upscale snacks and drinks from interactive, self-service food stations similar to a food court.
• The AMC Fork & Screen Theater will offer restaurant-style dining with seat-side service beginning in spring 2011.
• The projects are expected to create an estimated 600 construction jobs, 500 restaurant, retail and entertainment jobs, and support 100 vendor and supplier jobs.
Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on Hyperion Wharf becomes available.
