Matt Paul’s 2/8/09 Magic Kingdom Video Update

WDWNT Author on February 9, 2009

WDWNT Videographer Matt Paul has provided us with a fantastic video update (opposed to a photo update) from his latest trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday. This update includes a look at:

  • Continuing construction inside the Grand Canyon Concourse and of the new Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Construction of the stage for Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration in Tomorrowland
  • Continuing refurbishment of the Tomorrowland Restrooms between Merchant of Venus and Mickey’s Star Traders
  • Demolition of the Galaxy Palace Theater to become temporary character meet and greet area
  • the new Main Street Philharmonic pre-show for the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade (performing “Celebrate You” theme song)

The video is embedded from our WDWNTube Disney Parks Video Site and will require you to download Divx if you haven’t already. The download is quick and easy, and will allow you to watch High Definition videos from the WDWNTube, as well as any future videos we may embed on this site.

“What Will You Call This Promotion?”

WDWNT Author on February 3, 2009

Just when you thought the name problems plaguing the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction were as confusing as it gets, Disney has outdone themselves. Many of you probably remember when we first reported in May 2008 about the marketing campaign for Disney Parks that would revolve around celebrating special milestones in life and would be titled “Magical Celebrations”. Since that report 8 months ago, the campaign has begun at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts under the already conflicting titles “What Will You Celebrate?”, “Celebrate Today!” and “Celebrate Everyday!”. Now, one month into this “celebration”, we have Disney actually using the “Magical Celebrations” title for a new sweepstakes. Despite all this brand confusion, there is a bright spot. Those who enter daily throughout the month of February in this “Magical Celebrations Sweepstakes” have a chance to win one of five dream vacations to the Disney Parks, including:

  • Limo Transportation to and from the Airport
  • Special Guided Tour of Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort
  • Disney’s Photopass PhotoBook and PhotoCD
  • $200 Disney Gift Card
  • and more!!!

To enter the sweepstakes, just visit disney.com/celebrate daily, and remember, you can also enter by texting MAGIC to DISNEY (347639). Along with daily entry, those who enter online will be granted a different virtual prize everyday throughout the month of February. Good luck!!!

News from the February 2009 Mickey Monitor

WDWNT Author on February 2, 2009

The latest edition of the Mickey Monitor annual passholder publication is now available for viewing and offers a number of newsworthy announcements on some upcoming Walt Disney World attractions and special events. Here are some highlights:

-Passholders are being informed that Space Mountain will be closed for a “Space-Lift” beginning in April 2009. The article confirms that the track layout and the exterior look of the Mountain will not be touched during the refurbishment. While no reopening date is given, an opportunity to own a piece of the classic Magic Kingdom attraction is. For all the details on how to win a piece of Space Mountain, consult the Mickey Monitor and WDW Annual Passholder website.

-The article with top billing in this issue has a lot of information on the 2009 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, including a complete list of performers for the Flower Power concert series.

-Another article has more details on the upcoming “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party”. The parade/show will feature contemporary Radio Disney music, as well as some classic Disney tunes as characters emerge from large party boxes around the hub to party with guests in front of Cinderella Castle. The parade/show will perform multiple times daily at the Magic Kingdom beginning February 12th.

-Star Wars Weekends 2009 will be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 22 and June 14, 2009.

More information on all of these special events and attractions, plus much more, can be found in this month’s issue of the Mickey Monitor which can be found HERE.

“What Will You Celebrate?”: Winning the Super Bowl

WDWNT Author on February 2, 2009

It’s never too early to celebrate. I guess that’s why the Super Bowl champions will be appearing at the Magic Kingdom today:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – So how are Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger celebrating their heroic play in Super Bowl XLIII? In the frenzied moments just after their team claimed the National Football League championship Sunday night in Tampa in dramatic fashion, they stood in front of a TV camera and shouted five words that have become an almost iconic reaction to milestone achievements: “I’m going to Disney World!”

Their pronouncement, part of the production for one of TV’s most enduring and celebrated commercials, was captured after the Steelers’ 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals – a game during which Holmes earned the MVP honor, catching nine Roethlisberger passes for 131 yards, including a game-winning 6-yard TD reception with 35 seconds left. Roethlisberger finished with 21 completions in 30 attempts for 256 yards. During Pittsburgh’s decisive 78-yard drive in the final 2:37, the pair connected four times for 73 yards as the Steelers earned an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl victory.

On Monday (Feb. 2), Holmes and Roethlisberger will go to the place where millions of vacationers celebrate their personal milestone moments. They will be joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth Football players from Jacksonville, Fla., who will participate with the Steeler stars in a Super Bowl celebration parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

This latest commercial is the milestone 40th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “ I’m going to Disney World” commercial, featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Holmes and Roethlisberger join a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m going to Disney World” commercials.

And this latest installment, airing just hours after the conclusion of the game, followed a similar script just ahead of Holmes’ and Roethlisberger’s visit.

Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade Video Debut

WDWNT Author on January 25, 2009

With the launch of our new WDWNTube video site just a few days ago, we are still testing a variety of features, including the ability to embed videos from that site right here on WDW News Today. While our amazing technical department is working on that, we will direct you over to that site to watch our newest video in high quality (scratch that, we got it to work, look below). Without any further delay, here is the debut video of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade” at the Magic Kingdom taken by Robert Ashburn:



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Celebrate a Parade of a Slightly Different Name

WDWNT Author on January 18, 2009

It appears that the new/updated parade debuting at the Magic Kingdom park on January 23, 2009 has had a name change from what we have previously reported. According to upcoming entertainment schedules for the month of February, the parade will be titled the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” Parade. This slightly different name is shorter than the previously reported “Celebrate Disney Dreams Come True” moniker and actually sounds a whole lot better. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on this updated Magic Kingdom parade as it becomes available.