Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights Dances with “Phineas and Ferb” in 2010

WDWNT Author on November 10, 2010

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year with a few new additions and some changes:

-In between some of the dance sequences, a staged radio interview with the creator of the spectacle, Jennings Osborne, takes place
-One building has a falling snow effect in the windows, you’ll see this in our video during one of the dance sequences
-Two new sequences starring characters from the Disney Channel original series “Phineas and Ferb” have been added. In the first, Phineas and Ferb fix some technical problems with the lights and then have them dance to “Christmas is Starting Now” from the Phineas and Ferb Christmas Special. The second skit has Dr. Doofenshmirtz attempting to take over the display before being foiled by Perry the Platapus.

WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee brings us a video of the Spectacle with all of these new additions, courtesy of the WDWNTube:

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” Coming March 2011

WDWNT Author on November 9, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida will celebrate the premiere of Disney Channel’s new multiplatform brand, Disney Junior, with “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” next year. The lively show in the Parks will debut with new characters, some new adventures and a new marquee.

Children and parents who now enjoy the popular “Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!” at both Parks can look forward to sharing this new production, which brings back three audience favorites (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins) and also introduces a brand new segment based on Disney Junior’s newest series that will debut in February 2011, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.”

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” will air on Disney Junior in February 2011 and will share the magical and adventurous world of Never Land with preschoolers. Children will be drawn to the main character Jake, an enthusiastic young boy who leads a team of kid pirates (Cubby and Izzy, along with their faithful pirate parrot, Skully) in fun adventures that encourage interactive responses from young viewers. The clever premise provides kids and families with a fun way to learn teamwork.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” on Disney Junior

Stories from the show will come to life in the Parks with colorful, puppet versions of some of the most popular Disney Junior characters, bright visuals, whimsical scenery that fills the stage, catchy songs and interactive moments.

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage” is scheduled to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure park in March 2011.

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” Coming March 2011

WDWNT Author on November 9, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida will celebrate the premiere of Disney Channel’s new multiplatform brand, Disney Junior, with “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” next year. The lively show in the Parks will debut with new characters, some new adventures and a new marquee.

Children and parents who now enjoy the popular “Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!” at both Parks can look forward to sharing this new production, which brings back three audience favorites (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,Handy Manny and Little Einsteins) and also introduces a brand new segment based on Disney Junior’s newest series that will debut in February 2011, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.”

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” will air on Disney Junior in February 2011 and will share the magical and adventurous world of Never Land with preschoolers. Children will be drawn to the main character Jake, an enthusiastic young boy who leads a team of kid pirates (Cubby and Izzy, along with their faithful pirate parrot, Skully) in fun adventures that encourage interactive responses from young viewers. The clever premise provides kids and families with a fun way to learn teamwork.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” on Disney Junior

Stories from the show will come to life in the Parks with colorful, puppet versions of some of the most popular Disney Junior characters, bright visuals, whimsical scenery that fills the stage, catchy songs and interactive moments.

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage” is scheduled to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure park in March 2011.

Neil Patrick Harris Confirmed as New California Screamin’ Voice

WDWNT Author on November 9, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

On Friday, Guests riding California Screamin’ at Disney California Adventure park may have noticed a familiar new voice as they prepared to board the longest and fastest roller coaster at the Disneyland Resort.

Disney Imagineers recently worked with actor Neil Patrick Harris to make new recordings for California Screamin’. These new themed recordings recall a carnival sideshow barker, in keeping with the theme of all the boardwalk amusements in Paradise Pier.

Neil Patrick Harris is the New Voice of California Screamin' at Disney California Adventure Park

Have you heard Neil yet? What do you think of the new spiels?

Here is a short video of some of the new spiels:

2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade Taping at Disneyland

WDWNT Author on November 8, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Earlier today, we completed some segments for the 2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade at the Disneyland Resort and I wanted you to be the first to see some fun pictures from the taping.

First, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was joined by “Dancing With the Stars” professional dancers Tony Dovolani, Chelsie Hightower, Kym Johnson, and Louis Van Amstel in a rousing performance of Phineas and Ferb’s favorite holiday song, “Christmas is Starting Now.”

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Joined By “Dancing With the Stars” Professional Dancers Tony Dovolani, Chelsie Hightower, Kym Johnson, and Louis Van Amstel

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Joined By “Dancing With the Stars” Professional Dancers Tony Dovolani, Chelsie Hightower, Kym Johnson, and Louis Van Amstel

Selena Gomez then sang the classic,“Winter Wonderland.” Selena is always so much fun and I think her fans are really going to love this performance.

Selena Gomez Singing Winter Wonderland”

During a break from the show, Chip and Dale got a chance to visit the “Wizards of Waverly Place” star and we took this fun photo.

Selena Gomez with Chip and Dale

Joining us at the Disneyland Resort for the first time this year is Nick Cannon, who was joined by lots of familiar faces during the taping.

Nick Cannon with Lots of Familiar Faces

We’ll bring you more updates on the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade in the coming weeks, but for those of you making your plans now, here’s when you can catch the show on ABC all around the country on Christmas Day:

  • Eastern Time Zone: 12 p.m. 2 p.m.
  • Central Time Zone: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Mountain Time Zone: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Pacific Time Zone: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Los Angeles: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Disney Vacation Club Slips On Disney’s California Coast Hotel

WDWNT Author on November 5, 2010

An interesting document has leaked onto the internet confirming Disney Vacation Club will be building another resort at Walt Disney World in the next few years. Earlier this year, rumors of a California-themed resort to be located between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort began circulating. Well, it seems those rumors are true:

DISNEY VACATION CLUB CALIFORNIA COAST HOTEL – ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Disney Vacation Club decided to extend its hotel experience with their new California Coast Resort at H1, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, Florida. George Coon was invited by the DVC Design Team to work under the direct supervision of GSB Architects, and Mr. Wing Chao, providing design direction for this next and possibly best of the DVC properties in Orlando. California’s remarkable coast offers an experience of recognizable icons which were chosen to be represented in separate hotel experiences including; Venice Beach, Casa del Mar, Montage, the Balboa Pavilion, Laguna Hills, Newport Beach, and Santa Barbara. The project is presently in the Schematic Design Phase.

COMPLETION DATE: Estimated 2012

SIZE: Estimated 1,208 units

PROJECT COST: To Be Determined

No more details are available at this time, but stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this breaking story.

Pixar Play Parade to be on Hiatus Due to Construction

WDWNT Author on November 4, 2010

Some more sad news from DCA this week. Due to construction, it was announced on the Disney Parks Blog yesterday that the 2011 and 2012 Food and Wine Festival will not be held, but that is not all that DCA is losing from the expansion.

From the LA Times Website:

The ongoing expansion, derisively dubbed by some as “Disney’s Construction Adventure,” has proven a continuing nightmare for DCA planners, who have been forced to ship the Main Street Electrical Parade to the Magic Kingdom when construction shrank the parade route and holding queues had to be created to accommodate the thousands of visitors waiting to view the popular “World of Color” water show. And the ramped-up construction will force the Pixar Play Parade into hiatus beginning Jan. 3, with the parade characters continuing to appear in pop-up “dance parties” throughout the park.

It is rumored that the Ratatouille float (if not more) may be shipped to Walt Disney World for the new “Pixar Parade” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuting early next year.

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream Re-Opens with New Exhibits

WDWNT Author on November 4, 2010

While it was delayed for a few hours, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream re-opened from it’s refurbishment that began in August with a few new exhibits and a general refreshing. Here’s what’s new:

-1964-65 World’s Fair display featuring Mr. Lincoln animatronic and the “it’s a small world” facade

-The exhibits featuring work from after Walt’s life are called “The Legacy Continues”, the walls are now lined with pictures from all different arms of the Walt Disney Company in a running timeline

-A new display featuring EPCOT Center animatronics such as the Horizons butler robot, Figment, and some of the characters from Kitchen Kabaret

-Movie props from “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid”, “TRON”, “The Rocketeer” and more are now on display

-The Re-Imagined Paradise Pier model that once appeared at the Blue Sky Cellar in Disney California Adventure is now on display

-Small models of some of the fountain statues from Hong Kong Disneyland are on display

-More “Legacy Continues” exhibits are listed as coming Fall 2010, it is possible that a lot of what you see may still change at that time

In the meantime, here is what the exhibit looked like today when it re-opened and WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee was on the scene to capture it on video:

2011 and 2012 Food and Wine Festival Canceled

WDWNT Author on November 3, 2010

Sad news today from the Disney Parks Blog:

As many of you know, we are in the midst of a multi-year expansion of Disney California Adventure park. Our first key milestone occurred this past June with the premiere of “World of Color,” and next year, we’ll open The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. As we shared with you last Friday, Cars Land is well on its way to opening in 2012, and we’ll continue to share news and take you behind the scenes throughout the expansion here on the Disney Parks Blog.

While we are extremely excited with all of the progress to date, we have had to make some changes to accommodate our growth, and today we want to let you know we will not be hosting the 2011 and 2012 Disney’s California Food & Wine Festivals in Disney California Adventure park. This was not an easy decision, but expansion work over the next two years in some areas of the park present significant logistical challenges around scheduling the hundreds of festival offerings. This work includes transforming the park’s entry plaza as well as the hub area where the event main stage has been located. When the work is completed, it will be reminiscent of the Los Angeles that Walt found when he arrived in the 1920s, complete with Red Car Trolleys. Below is a rendering that we’ve not yet released on the Blog that shows what the area will look like when completed.

Rendering of Los Angeles in the 1920s

We realize the festival has been a guest favorite but feel it’s most important to ensure our park experience is the best it can be during this exciting time. After the expansion is completed and we open Cars Land in 2012, we will continue to look at opportunities for special events and festivals. Please stay tuned to the Blog for the most up-to-date information.