WDWNT’s Jason Diffendal was visiting the Walt Disney World Resort earlier this month and has some news-worthy photos to share with us from during WDWCelebrations‘ Holiday Hoopla:
The Epcot Christmas Tree
Read More about Jason Diffendal’s 12/1-12/5/10 WDW Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee visited three Walt Disney World theme parks on Wednesday (take a WILD guess which one he did not go to) and took plenty of photos to share with us in a lengthy photo report:
The gingerbread house is up and open at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul visited the Walt Disney World Resort yesterday and has a plethora of newsworthy photos to share with us:
Getting ready for Star Wars Weekends at the Studios
Brandon Struve made an early morning excursion to see Muppetvision 3-D opening from it’s three week refurbishment, so here are some photos from his trip:
Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is closed for refurbishment 5/15-5/20
Read More about Brandon Struve’s 5/15/10 Hollywood Studios Photo Report
WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve took a special trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Mother’s Day to see the debut of Lotso from Toy Story 3 in Block Party Bash and in his own meet and greet experience, so let’s look at “Lots-O'” photos from today:
Read More about Brandon Struve’s 5/9/10 Hollywood Studios Photo Report
Disney stated at the D23 Expo in September that 2010 would be the year of the Muppets. Not only are the Muppets the stars of the Disney Parks “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” campaign in 2010, but their presence in the parks might be a bit greater. Along with the refurbishment of Muppetvision 3-D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios scheduled for next year, the Muppets will be proceeding down Main Street U.S.A. in a daily pre-parade. Starting January, The Muppets “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” themed pre-parade will come down the Magic Kingdom parade route, preceding the 3:00 PM Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade. The Muppets guests will be seeing in the park will not be the giant Muppet characters that appeared at Hollywood Studios a few years ago, but ACTUAL Muppet characters.
Other changes to the Magic Kingdom parade in early 2010 may include the permanent removal of the show stops that were added to the parade during the name change from the Disney Dreams Come True Parade in January 2009.
As usual, anything not announced yet by Disney should be taken as a rumor, but these reports are from reputable sources inside the company. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on this breaking story.
Disney has released a youtube version of the short clip that was shown of Star Tours II (in 3-D) at the D23 Expo. The video is also available in high definition by clicking the appropriate button below:
Since I have received a number of questions by email about this updated attraction, I decided it would be best to list what we know about Star Tours II thus far:
-Star Tours will close October 2010 and Star Tours II will open late summer/early fall 2011
-Star Tours II will be presented in Disney Digital 3-D (A change also being made at Muppetvision 3-D at both DHS and DCA in 2010, this was announced at the Expo as well)
-While we are not sure how it will work, pod racing (as seen in Episode I) will not be the only outcome of the attraction. It was revealed that there will be multiple films/destinations for Star Tours travelers
I’d like to remind everyone about our upcoming fan meets at the Disneyland Resort on Saturday August 1st and Sunday August 2nd. First up on Saturday:
Come enjoy an evening of fun on Saturday, August 1st, with the WDWNT Network and Disneyland News Today staff at Disney’s California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort. Among the fun and surprises, here is a schedule of group gatherings that will be a part of the unofficial fan meet:
4:00 PM – Meet outside the Blue Sky Cellar for distribution of “free gift” Group walk through the Blue Sky Cellar
4:30 PM – Meet directly in front of the Blue Sky Cellar to watch the Pixar Play Parade
5:30 PM – Group meet n’ mingle (and possibly some eating) at Bountiful Valley Farmer’s Market
6:30 PM – Meet for group photo and showing of MuppetVision 3-D in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot
7:15 PM – Meet for group ride on Mickey’s Fun Wheel in Paradise Pier
8:00 PM – Meet in front the former Orange Stinger attraction (Silly Symphony Swings construction walls) to watch Disney’s Electrical Parade
Then on Sunday:
Come enjoy an afternoon of fun on Sunday, 8/2/09 with the WDWNT Network and Disneyland News Today staff at Disneyland Park. Among the fun and surprises, here is a schedule of group gatherings that will be a part of the fan meet:
3:00 PM – Meet n’ mingle and group photo at Carnation Gardens on Main Street U.S.A.
3:30 PM – Meet for group showing of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland
4:15 PM – Meet for group ride on the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland
5:00 PM – Meet for group ride on Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square
5:45 PM – Meet for group ride through the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square
6:30 PM – Group meet n’ mingle (and possibly some eating) at the Hungry Bear Restaurant
7:30 PM – Meet for group ride on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country
8:00 PM – Meet in the hub on Main Street U.S.A. to view “Magical – Disney’s New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical Celebrations In the Stars”
You can R.S.V.P. (although not necessary to attend) and get more information on Facebook about the Saturday meet at this link or our forums at this link and the Sunday meet at this link or our forums at this link. These will be the first fan meets the WDWNT Network has done at the Disneyland Resort, and we hope you come by and enjoy the fun with us!
