Category: WDWNT News

The WDWNT Network has always been dedicated to providing its followers with quality information and entertainment. In continuing this tradition, we are happy to announce a few additions and changes to the WDWNT Network that are taking place in the coming days, weeks, and months:

-For the first time ever, an existing podcast is being added to the WDWNT Network family. “Mr. Frank’s Wild Ride” has been a popular podcast & radio show since it was introduced, and now it is being added to the WDWNT Network roster. Frank Rogers hosts the variety show along with co-hosts Heather Nichols and Margaret Fries of the Disney World Moms Panel. “Mr. Frank’s Wild Ride” will soon reside at www.MrFranksWildRide.com, and can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, and its own section on the WDWNT Network Community Forums. The podcast actually began as an online radio show beginning September 2009 and ran through January 2010, switching to a podcast format this month. “Besides how nice the WDWNT Network staff has been to me, this move for Mr. Frank’s Wild Ride offers an enhanced connection to Disney, and great technical support,” said Frank, “We’re excited about the move to the WDWNT Network for the opportunity to offer a wonderful podcast product.”

-Multiple upgrades are on the way to the WDWNTube Disney Parks video site. You have probably already noticed the new layout that we introduced to the site a few weeks ago, but that was only the beginning. We have already begun converting many of our existing videos to full 1080P resolution and all new videos to come will be uploaded at this resolution as well. Followers will also soon be able to watch WDWNTube videos on their smart phones and various other mobile devices. Other enhancements are on the way as well, so stay tuned!

-Since WDWNTunes was launched in June 2009, it has been a tremendous learning experience for the WDWNT Network staff. Not only were we finally able to conduct live interactive programs with our listeners and followers, but we have also been able to provide great original programming and music from the Disney Parks and Resorts all around the world. Beginning Saturday, February 20, WDWNTunes will launch a completely revamped schedule filled with original programming, great Disney Parks music both past and present, and signature WDWNT Network Podcasts. For complete details on the new schedule, be sure to check the newly added WDWNTunes section of the WDWNT Network Community Forums.

-WDWNT: The Weekend is the WDWNT Network’s first ever fan event at the Walt Disney World Resort, taking place August 26th through August 29th, 2010. The event was officially announced June 2009 and registration opened for the event opened January 2010. Today has registration opening for our Live Podcast Recording/Catered Breakfast at the Seas with Nemo and Friends Lounge on August 28th from 10:00AM-12:00PM. This event will be the very first time a WDW News Today Podcast is recorded in front of a live audience, also allowing the audience in attendance to be part of the program. For more information on the entire event, be sure to visit www.WDWNTtheWeekend.com.

If you have any questions about these changes or additions, feel free to leave a post in the WDWNT Network Community Forums or email us at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com. Thank you for your continued support and we hope you enjoy these additions and changes.

Tom Corless
Owner of the WDWNT Network

Two years ago today…

Let me welcome everyone to DL News Today! DL News Today is the offspring of WDW News Today, dedicated to the place where the magic began, the Disneyland Resort. This daily updated news and information website will be dedicated to covering all the happenings at Disneyland Park, Disney’s California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney shopping district, and the three resort hotels that make up the Anaheim, California vacation destination. Stay tuned for daily news, rumors, articles, and podcasts as we present “Ideals, Dreams, and Hard Facts”.

Hard to believe it was two years ago that Disneyland News Today launched, on the anniversary of Disney’s California Adventure. February 8th seemed like a fitting day to launch “DLNT”, since the opening came about at the beginning of the huge expansion period for Disney’s California Adventure theme park. The DLNT website has covered many historic openings, debuts, and events from the Disneyland Resort in its short existence. But the website has only been one part of the equation. The Disneyland News Today Podcast has been revolutionary in that it is still the only podcast dedicated to news and current events at the Disneyland Resort, a concept WDW News Today readers and listeners wanted to see fulfilled in a 2007 year-end survey.

I would be remiss to not acknowledge the rolling changes as of late to the Disneyland News Today brand of the WDWNT Network. The website and podcast you enjoy have probably been the greatest learning experience for the WDWNT Network, learning the hard way that what worked for a Walt Disney World fan, probably won’t work for a Disneyland Resort fan. The lessons were valuable, and have led to many changes in the staff and operations of our website and podcast. Just 5 weeks ago, we launched the NEW Disneyland News Today Podcast to rave reviews. The show might be young, but has already proven popular, entering the top ten in the iTunes top travel podcast list regularly over the last month. The Disneyland News Today website also introduced a new lead reporter last week, the first step in returning news updates to a regular flow.

While it has been a rough two years at Disneyland News Today, it has also been a fun and rewarding experience. We would like to thank all of you who stayed with us through the rough times and promise you that 2010 will be a HUGE year for Disneyland News Today and the NEW Disneyland News Today Podcast. In a way, it all begins again for DLNT today, and we’ll be revealing some major changes in the next few weeks that we think you’ll enjoy. So here’s to the future and our continuing effort to bring you “The Ideals, Dreams, and Hard Facts” of the Disneyland Resort.

Tom Corless
Owner of the WDWNT Network

It’s hard to believe this is the 1000th story to be published on the WDW News Today website, but it also is harder to believe that we surpassed our goal set from the very beginning. This website was created on July 8th, 2007, with the sole intention of being the internet’s first daily updated Walt Disney World news site. When that dream began, it started with a post, and a post alone. There were no thoughts of podcasts, forums, online radio stations, or anything of the sort. Our idea was to post at least one Disney-related news story a day. While it may be unrealistic to think (or claim) that we have posted every single day since our inception, we have posted 1000 times in just 890 days, which I consider a great success. Instead of rambling on as I usually do on the site, I decided it would be better to turn the spotlight on our WDWNT Network staff and see what was their favorite or most memorable posts from WDW News Today have been. Here is what they picked:

WDWNT Network Technical Director Justin Heyman – The First Video of Toy Story Midway Mania

“This is what WDWNT was all about from the beginning, bringing our fans breaking news. That’s what this video did, presenting a new attraction to the world just hours after it opened for the first time.”

WDWNT Network Owner Tom Corless – The First Video of Toy Story Midway Mania

“Thinking about the most important post we have made to date, it has to be this video. The unbelievable amount of people who came to the website to see the first video of what has become my favorite attraction at Walt Disney World is still a great memory. I’m not sure if we’ll ever top it, only time will tell.”

WDW News Today Photographer and Videographer Matt Paul – Announcement of Star Tours II and Fantasyland Expansion

“These announcements are in my opinion, the biggest news in the most recent years of Disney Parks.  This was also the first time Disney Parks announced huge changes to Disney Fans in Person.  The Expo was phenomenal, and this post just about sums up the highlight of my trip!”

WDWNT Network Technical Services Jose Castillo – Epcot’s 25th Anniversary Happening

“I first entered the Disney online community around the time of Epcot’s 25th anniversary. This was a real fantastic event for me and this was the time I found out about WDW News Today. This is what changed everything for me and I’m very glad so many years later the website is stronger than ever.”

WDW News Today Editor in Chief Jason Diffendal – Spaceship Earth Refurbishment Begins

“It marked a turning point in the history of Epcot.  Looking back on it, it is a little bittersweet.  We all loved the fact that the wand was coming down, and we had much hope for the refurbishment of Spaceship Earth.  But unfortunately the reality of Judi Dench and the blackened descent disappointed all of us.”

WDW News Today Podcast Staff Member Scott Smith – The 2nd Annual Christmas Podcast Parade 2008

“I chose this because the Christmas Podcast Parade is when WDWNT proved that, without a doubt, it is something unique and special among the Disney podcast community. It immidiately became my favorite, and the self depriciating humor and intense Disney inside-jokery made me realize this is something that I wanted to be a part of. And since then, WDWNT has become a wonderful part of my life. And I owe it all to the first Christmas parade. That sounds pretty wierd, doesn’t it?”

WDW News Today Podcast Staff Member Anthony Yacullo – Fantasyland Expansion Announced

“My choice is the Fantasyland expansion post. It’s the biggest piece of news to be announced since I joined the site and podcast in March. I think it sounds absolutely amazing and I cant wait to see it in person when it is completed.”

A very special thank you to all the staff and readers who have made our journey to this point possible and so much fun. Here’s to the next 1000 posts on WDW News Today, may we continue “Bridging the Gaps Between You and the World”.

Tom Corless
Owner of the WDWNT Network