Matt Paul’s 5/19/10 WDW Photo Report
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
Disney Cast Member Passes Away Monday From Thursday Fall
Some unfortunate news coming from the Orlando Sentinel:
A performer at Walt Disney World died Monday, days after he was injured during a show at the Magic Kingdom.
Mark Priest was performing Thursday in a “Pirate Tutorial,” an interactive show in which actors lead guests through a series of “pirate skills” tests. Priest fell and broke his neck, according to colleagues, and he had been hospitalized since the accident.
Disney said it was not given any indication that the injuries Priest suffered in the initial accident were life-threatening. But the resort said it contacted both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after learning of his death.
“Today, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our fellow cast member,” Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. “Our hearts go out to his family and fellow cast members, and we are offering our support to them during this difficult time.”
A deputy sheriff is being sent to Disney this evening to take an initial report on the incident, spokeswoman Cpl. Susan Soto said.
Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the cast member.
WDWNT Podcast Episode 94 Now Available for Download
Join me, Tom Corless, and a cast including Scott Smith, Chris Lastrapes, Kyle Duffield, John Rick, and Lee Arenberg for a variety show that celebrates the Walt Disney World Resort and its many fans. So what are you waiting for? Let’s celebrate another week of Walt Disney World information and fun on the WDW News Today Podcast!!!
To kick off episode 94, we have your Walt Disney World Resort News and Rumor Report. In this latest report, we will be discussing an exclusive D23 member event coming to the Walt Disney World Resort later this month, what’s “Up” at the Magic of Disney Animation in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and how you can now get your share of Disney theme park merchandise at the click of your mouse.
Following that, we have a huge interview conducted by myself and my fellow Disney Pincast co-host John Rick, with a huge star from the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Lee Arenberg. The interview is a bit lengthy, but I have a feeling you’ll enjoy the insights into just what it’s like to be an actor in a major film series, as well as being a part of a Disney theme park attraction.
To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on iTunes, go to this link. If you do not have iTunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows.
This episode is also available in an enhanced version. An enhanced podcast is a podcast with added features that standard podcasts don’t have. Enhanced podcasts include many features like Chapter listings, this lets you skip through chapters or see what is in store for this weeks show. Enhanced podcasts also have images to let you differ the chapters by. Enhanced podcasts have one negative feature, you can not play them on all mp3 players. The file format for this is a .m4a which can play on Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s Zune. You will also need iTunes or Windows Media Player to be able to skip through chapters. If you need or would like the standard edition, download the normal edition listed below this file both on Itunes and in our podcast directory.
Official Details Ahoy!!!
The Walt Disney World Resort website now has a page dedicated to the upcoming Pirates League in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. Here is the info provided from Disneyworld.com:
Transform yerself from a land lubber into a true buccaneer! Captain Jack Sparrow is looking for pirates of all ages to join the crew of the Black Pearl. Starting June 29, 2009, visit their “secret” recruiting center in the Magic Kingdom Park. Jack’s crew has pillaged the East India Trading Company’s office in Adventureland, loading it up with plundered booty to create The Pirates League, where you can get yerself a whole new identity complete with name, look and pirate portrait!
It’s a Pirate’s Life for You!
Ahoy, mateys! Begin your piratical transformation when you receive your Official Pirate Name as recorded from the leather-bound captain’s log. Next, stop by the Muster Station and leave your old self behind as the Pirate Masters perform a marauder’s makeover. Hear the ways of the scurvy sea dogs as they apply yer buccaneer beard, scars, earrings and eye patches. Or even be ye a boney pirate and wear your skeleton on yer skin!
Once you have fully transformed, enter the Secret Room where your Pirate Portrait is taken for posterity and the Pirate Masters reveal their hidden treasure.
But the fun is just beginning. With your new pirate identity and map case folder, hoist yer colors and embark on a challenge in Adventureland that will shiver yer timbers!
Choose a Package
The Pirates League offers 3 packages—”The First Mate Package,” “The Empress Package” and “The Captain’s Package”. All packages include a sword and sheath, earring and eye patch, tattoo, exclusive pirate coin necklace, map case folder, and a personalized pirate oath!
The First Mate Package at $49.95 plus tax includes:
Bandana (reversible)
Choice of Facial Effect look: Cursed Pirate, Captain Hook or Captain Jack
Fake Teeth
One (1) 5×7 pictureEmpress Package at $49.95 plus tax includes:
Bandana (reversible)
Shimmering Makeup Makeover
Face Gem
Nail Polish
One (1) 5×7 picture
Additional pirate costumes for this package are available for purchase at The Pirates League.The Captains Package at $124.95 plus tax includes:
Choice of pirate costume
Choice of Facial Effect look: Cursed Pirate, Captain Hook or Captain Jack
Fake Teeth
Three (3) 5″ x 7″ pictures
Make Your ReservationsFor ages 3 and up. Starting May 11, 2009, The Pirates League is accepting reservations when you call (407) WDW-CREW (939-2739). Theme park admission required. Open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Join the crew—it’s a pirate’s life for you!
More Details on the Pirates League
Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel has more details on the “Pirates League” coming to Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom this summer, including pricing, an opening date, and when you can start making reservations:
The new Pirates League will try to do for buccaneers what the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has done for little princesses at Disney World.
The attraction, which will open at Magic Kingdom theme park June 29, will perform swashbuckling makeovers. Participants will receive pirate names before receiving a variety of accessories, including beards, eye patches, scarves, scars, earrings and gold teeth. These will be applied by a “veteran pirate” with sea-sailing tales.
After taking a sacred oath and an official portrait, guests will be part of Jack Sparrow’s gang.
There will be three pirate packages.
+ First Mate Package ($49.95): bandana, choice of facial effects, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, 5×7 photo and a “personalized pirate oath.”
+ Empress Package ($49.95): bandana, “shimmering” makeup, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, 5×7 photo and a “personalized pirate oath.”
+ Captains Package ($124.95): choice of costume, facial effects, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, three 5×7 photos and the personalized oath.
The League will be located in the area between the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and the Pirates Merchandise shop. (Disney says this is currently backstage territory.)
But hang tight, mateys: Reservations cannot be made until May 11.
Dead Men Tell No Tales in June
Our attraction closures page has been updated to include a short refurbishment of Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kindom during the middle of June 2008. Be sure to check our attraction closures page to see the date for this and other upcoming closures at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Happy Meal, “Hard-Ticket”
Coming to McDonald’s Happy Meals this Friday, March 15, are toys themed to Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom. There are going to be 16 toys to collect in all, with 8 Pirates inspired toys and 8 belonging to Disney Princess brand. Each toy will also come with one of eight collectible cards and a chance to win a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort during the Year of a Million Dreams. To check out all the toys being released, go HERE. Click on the Pirate or Princess side of the image to see the corresponding kids meal inserts.
Podcast Pirates Special Now Available for Download
To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on Itunes, go to this link. If you do not have Itunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows
Join host Tom Corless and a cast including John Corigliano, Adam Roth, Luke Manning, Jose Castillo and Jim Hill for a show that Bridges the Gaps Between you and the World. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the Walt Disney World news, information, and fun we have to offer on this special episode of WDWNT.
After months of delay, its finally here, our Pirates of the Caribbean spectacular. We kick off this week’s show with audio from the original Disneyland attraction, the Pointer Sisters, and the beloved series of films. After that, we have the round table discussion that launched a thousand ships, as Adam Roth, Jim Hill, Jose Castillo, and Luke Manning join me to talk about the Magic Kingdom attraction, the movie trilogy, and everything inbetween. Did we forget something??? Stay tuned to the very end to see what audio we left out.
To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on Itunes, go to this link. If you do not have Itunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows
All Pirate and Princess Tickets On Sale
The remaining dates for the after-hours Pirate and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom are now on sale if you call 407-WDW-AHOY. Those new dates that have just gone on sale are:
April 1, 4, 6, 11, 16, 23
May 2, 9, 16, 21, 26, 31
June 2
Let’s Party!!!
The dates for the 2008 Pirate and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom are as follows:
January: 21, 26, 29
February: 2, 5, 9, 14, 22, 26
March: 1, 6, 11, 14
April: 1, 4, 6, 11, 16, 23, 29
May: 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 21, 26, 31
June: 4
It’s hard to believe, but there will be almost 6 months of these parties this year. It looks like there will be some kind of after hours hard ticket event at the Magic Kingdom through almost all of 2008.