Walt Disney World Resort - WDWNT Archive 2007-2010

Contemporary Rumors

WDWNT Author on July 12, 2007

As most of you are aware, the north wing of Disney’s Contemporary Resort was demolished a few months ago so that a new, possibly Disney Vacation Club, building can be added to the resort. I just wanted to let in some inside information on the project. The project may or may not be a DVC resort, but it is most certainly a major addition to the hotel. The new building will be connected by an elevated walkway to the Grand Canyon Concourse of the main building, connecting where the old pin shop used to be. When you go on this level to the new building, you will find some high end shopping and dining which is a welcome addition to the Magic Kingdom area. This new concourse inside the new U shaped building will outshow the Grand Canyon Concourse in detail, but not in size. On the very top of the new structure will be a small, very exclusive dining spot that will be probably the most expensive dining experience at the World. This is all about the project that has been leaked to me, but i should have more information shortly.

Soarin’ While You Wait

WDWNT Author on July 10, 2007

As most of you are probably aware already, the Soarin’ standby queue has recieved some motion sensored screens on which large groups of guests can play games together and against other groups of guests. Games include piloting a bird, growing grass, and other activities. The motion sensor technology used here is unlike anything I have ever seen and is certainly a welcome addition to a queue that often has waits over an Hour or two.

Yak and Yeti Restaurant Behind Schedule

WDWNT Author on July 9, 2007

Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, work on the Yak and Yeti restaurant is picking up as the rush is on to be finished by the original October deadline. Don’t be surprised if the restaurant doesn’t open until November/December of this year.

Spaceship Earth Closed

WDWNT Author on July 9, 2007

The big news this week is the removal of the infamous Epcot wand and the refurbishment of the Spaceship Earth attraction that both began today at Epcot. Expect the entire finale of the Spaceship Earth attraction to be completely different from it’s current form when it re-opens in mid-November 2007.

DisneyGeek DLR Picture Update

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

Our friends over at DisneyGeek have posted a new Disneyland Resort Update, & here are a few of the most interesting pictures:

Some of the trams are getting new seats, which have a rougher feel to them

A rare Downtown Disney update… The Pirates room in the World of Disney has been replaced with a Toontown room

A bunch of drawings like this have been placed on the shelves

More pictures of the Toontown room can be found here

A bunch of signs for the Food & Wine Weekends have been placed around DCA. Let’s take a look at a few of them…

The main entrance to the Golden Vine Winery

These signs are on various lamp-posts & light-towers through-out the park

Along the pathway near the Golden Vine Winery

The entrance to Pacific Wharf

Pretty self-explanatory

Quickly over to Disneyland we go… A better look at the new Grand Marshal vechicle

And finally, this sign appears outside the Dream Suite if it is occupied

Thanks again to DisneyGeek for these pictures! For many more, check out their latest Disneyland Resort Update!

DisneyGeek DLR Update

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

Let’s take a look at some various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from the latest Disneyland Resort Update on DisneyGeek:

A new banner up at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure

One of the counters & some seating at the Bengal Barbecue are behind walls

Apparently this is new wood for the Pacific Wharf Bridge

One of the shop windows in Downtown Disney now displays Disney’s Fairytale Weddings

It’s Tough to be a Bug is closed until May 23rd

And Corn Dog Castle is closed until May 22nd

Finally, it seems the Carnation Cafe restrooms are getting some work done

Week In Review

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

Here are a few of the more interesting happenings from the week, that have popped up on the internet while I was in Las Vegas:

Halloween merchandise has started rolling out in Disneyland Park, & Dateline Disneyland on MiceAge has complete coverage of merchandise.
According to the OC Register, two Cast Member “heroes” were honored in the Grand Marshal Pre-Parade yesterday afternoon. “Robert Olvera, an ager & painter at the Disneyland paint shop, & Juan Morales, a server at Hook’s Pointe, have both been called heroes for saving the lives of two different men.”
Also according to the OC Register, Auditions for the ABC show Wipeout are to be held at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney tomorrow from 10am ’til 2pm. Applicants should be “fun, strong-willed, outgoing & have a great sense of humor,” & must be able to swim. For additional information, shoot an email to wipeoutcasting@gmail.com.
The OC Register also has a complete listing of what roads will be closed when this Sunday due to the Disneyland Half Marathon.
Finally, a permit was filed this week by Disneyland to build a so-called “giant teapot” as part of Pixie Hollow. You can see the permit for yourself here.

Be sure to check back tomorrow, as we still have tons more catching up to do!

Some Very Interesting Rumors…

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

The latest Disneyland Update on MiceAge as always provides a great look at what could possibly be coming to the Disneyland Resort in the near future. Let’s take a look through some of the more interesting details brought up in this update:

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln could very well be coming back in 2010, for Disneyland’s 55th anniversary, but with some very drastic changes. Some changes would be made to make the show very similar to the new version of the Hall of Presidents that will debut this July in Walt Disney World, that being the addition of George Washington & Barrack Obama with speaking roles, even though the attraction will still be just Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. The exit & entrance would be switched around so that guests can exit out into an expanded Disneyland/Walt Disney memorabilia exhibit. And the new location of the Disney Gallery is rumored to be connected next door in the current home of the Bank of Main Street, with the AP Processing center that is currently housed in the bank moving over to the Plaza Pavilion.
It’s a Small World Holiday will be opening officially this Friday, with soft openings planned to happen tomorrow & Thursday. The attraction will basically be the same overlay as it has been for the past 11 years, with-out the Disney characters or the new Americana room (that area will be covered in black drapes as always). The only change for this year’s holiday overlay will be the addition of the characters from the old Rainforest room to the South Seas room off in one corner of that room. The attraction will then close from January 5th to February 14th where the Americana scene will be unveiled & the Disney characters will be added. Apparently there are plans to incorporate these 2 new additions into next year’s holiday overlay.
Even though we here at Disneyland News Today have heard strong rumors that the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through would be opening at the beginning of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort this Friday, it’s now more likely that it won’t open until Thanksgiving at the absolute earliest, maybe even later.
Disney is thinking of adding another parking structure to Resort on the site of the current Pumbaa parking lot, that will be desperately needed if attendance really does pick up at DCA. This structure is currently planned to open sometime in 2011, if all goes according to plan.
It seems Disney has finally nailed down a good plan on just how to refurbish the Disneyland Hotel. The plan at the moment is to first build a completely new 4th tower on a currently un-used site, & once that is complete, tear down 2 of the current towers & rebuild one from that, & then finally tear down & rebuild the 4th tower.

For more information on the topics above & plenty more, check out the Disneyland Update.