DisneyQuest Rings in 2011 with a New Hard Ticket Event

WDWNT Author on December 19, 2010

Disney World has announced a new, hard-ticket New Year’s Event event taking place in addition to the usual festivities at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

New Year’s Eve Special Event

Come to Downtown Disney for a cyber celebration of New Year’s Eve at DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park. Ring in the New Year with favorite games like Virtual Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear’s Astroblasters and CyberSpace Mountain.

The party starts at 8:00 p.m. and goes until 1:00 a.m. Your night includes access to all DisneyQuest attractions and video games, a DJ Dance Party with a New Year’s Eve countdown, party favors and a coupon for a personal pizza and soda at FoodQuest.

Tickets for this family event are available for purchase online or by calling 407-WDISNEY (407-934-7639). Advance purchase tickets are $39 per person (includes tax). Day of the event tickets are $45 (includes tax). Tickets may also be purchased at the DisneyQuest Box Office.

This is an interesting alternative to the larger celebrations at the other parks and actually isn’t a bad value. If you consider that pizza and a soft drink would probably cost somewhere between $8-10, the ticket price for the DisneyQuest attractions is actually between $29-31. For those who have already experienced New Year’s Eve in the parks or are looking to escape the crowds, this may be a good idea.

AMC Downtown Disney 24 Raises Curtain On New Refreshments

WDWNT Author on November 28, 2010

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.

More Details on Hyperion Wharf

WDWNT Author on November 18, 2010

We have a few updates of the Hyperion Wharf project replacing Pleasure Island. First, a few new pieces of concept art floating around the web:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

As well, Orlando Attraction Magazine has gathered the following 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.

Goodbye Pleasure Island, Hello Hyperion Wharf!

WDWNT Author on November 18, 2010

Huge announcement from the Disney Parks Blog today:

How about that? New dining, shopping and entertainment experiences are in the works for Downtown Disneyand today we’re sharing a first look at what to expect in the future for the 120-acre complex. Look closely and you’ll see that Pleasure Island will evolve into a vibrant waterfront district called “Hyperion Wharf.”

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The district will come to life with a nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier. By day, stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants will draw you in and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.

Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district will also feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. And its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

Along with the new wharf district, other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including:

  • An extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square-feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies.
  • Enhancements at AMC Theatres that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a Concession Stand of the Future and Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater; and…
  • Numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.

Construction on the district begins immediately and it’s scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Pretty exciting, huh?

World of Gaming at Once Upon a Toy Opens 10/23/10

WDWNT Author on October 22, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

The Wonderful World of Gaming

On Saturday, October 23, 2010, at Downtown Disney Marketplace inside the Once Upon A Toy, Disney Interactive Studios is proud to present the grand opening of the newest gaming destination at Walt Disney World Resort – The Wonderful World of Gaming.

This amazing location is the ultimate family gaming destination at Walt Disney World. There are three state-of-the -art Wii stations where guests can test their skill on the most recent Wii releases from Disney Interactive Studios; games like Cars Toon: Maters Tall Tales and Disney Sing It: Family Hits.

Is the Nintendo DS more your style? We’ve got you covered. Come to the Wonderful World of Gaming and you’ll find seven DS interactive units ready for you to get your game on! Hot Disney games like Toy Story 3, Club Penguin: Herbert’s Revenge and fan favorite, Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again are featured and ready for you to play. In addition, Once Upon a Toy boast the most extensive collection of Disney Interactive video games in all of Walt Disney World.

To help ring in the grand opening of the Wonderful World of Gaming, Once Upon a Toy is offering a $5 Disney Gift Card with any purchase of a Disney Interactive video game! On top of this special offer, we’ll also have activities and surprises throughout the entire day.

So grab the entire family and come out to Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney Marketplace on Saturday, October 23 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. to test your skills on family friendly video games, receive special savings on Disney Interactive Games and much more!

Friendly Disclaimer: Offer valid only at Once Upon a Toy store on in-stock titles only, and not valid on previous purchases. While supplies last. $5 Disney Gift Card is activated at time of purchase and must be returned in the event the Disney Interactive video game is returned. Offer subject to change without notice

“That’s Some Spicy Meatball Bar!”

WDWNT Author on July 22, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Meatball Bar - Portobello at Downtown Disney

Burgers are out, meatballs are the hot new dining trend, and Portobello at Downtown Disney takes the idea a step further, pairing affordable meatball sliders with seven microbrews from Orlando Brewing – a satisfying summer combo.

Levy Restaurant Chefs Steven Richard (executive chef at Portobello) and Tony Mantuano (Portobello consulting chef) dreamed up the meatball-beer bar. “The meatballs are fun to eat,” Mantuano said. “And what’s better with a meatball than beer?”

Belly up and take your pick: beef and veal with parsley, spicy pork, chicken with sage or salmon with tarragon. Each is served on a soft mini roll and topped with tomato-basil sauce and freshly grated Parmesan. Affordable too: just $1.95 for a sizeable meatball slider (the salmon is $2.95). Our hands-down fave was the spicy pork. Least favorite was the salmon. Pair with locally brewed and organic beers including ales, European Pilz, Olde Pelican E.P.A. and Blackwater Porter, each $5.95.

The bar seats 30, with 10 more seats at adjacent cocktail tables. And you can order from the full menu at the bar (we love the eggplant fries for a decadent side). Portobello is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.