Toy Story Mania and WDW News Today in the News

WDWNT Author on March 18, 2008

All of us here at WDW News Today were over-joyed to discover that we were recently mentioned and linked to by the Los Angeles Times pertaining to Toy Story Mania. The article also features the very first review of the attraction, even though it is a review of the California Adventure version rather than the Walt Disney World version that will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May. You can read the LA Times review and check out our link by going HERE.

Details Emerging on Toy Story Mania

WDWNT Author on March 17, 2008

Here are some details emerging on Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, opening soon:

-The vehicles for the attraction will be called “Toy Story Trams” and will be equipped with “Spring Action Shooters”.

-Each vehicle will feature the name and picture of a different Toy Story film character.

-The inside queue will reportedly carry on the theme of the real-life Pixar Studios.

-A new Pixar Studio Store will be located on Pixar Place, selling a lot of merchandise from the new attraction and other Disney-Pixar films.

While none of the previous notes are confirmed, they are all highly likely. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on Toy Story Mania becomes available.

Living Robot Initiative

WDWNT Author on March 17, 2008

The latest in the line of “living characters” at Walt Disney World (Such as Muppet Mobile Labs, Lucky the Dinosaur, and Mr. Potato Head) will be debuting soon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Rumors are swirling that a living character of Wall-E from the upcoming Disney-Pixar film of the same name will begin roaming the streets of Pixar Place within a few weeks. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more info becomes available on this story.

Block Party Bash Review

WDWNT Author on March 14, 2008

To hear the Orlando Sentinel’s review and see a short video highlighting the new Block Party Bash parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head on over to this link. Even though guest reviews have been mixed, the Sentinel has nothing but good things to say.

Toy Story Mania Preview

WDWNT Author on March 12, 2008

Here is a video previewing the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, scheduled to open “summer” 2008:

The video features the ride vehicles in motion and gives you a pretty good idea of how the spring action cannons operate. Rumors suggest soft-openings for the attraction should begin by April 2008, with an expected opening sometime near Memorial Day weekend.

Block Party Bash Coverage

WDWNT Author on March 9, 2008

For complete coverage of the first public showing of the new Block Party Bash parade/show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head on over to Epcot Servo’s coverage HERE. The parade runs the opposite route of the now defunct Stars and Motorcars Parade, as it starts on Hollywood Blvd. and makes its way to the Star Tours area, making two lengthy stops along the way. We will have our review and explanation of the parade in the news and rumors section of episode 34 of the WDW News Today podcast.

Change of Plans and Parades

WDWNT Author on March 5, 2008

It appears that the final performance of the Stars and Motorcars Parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be Saturday March 8, 2008, not March 9th as originally reported. The reason for the change seems to be that the new Block Party Bash parade is ready ahead of schedule and will make it’s first “soft” performance at 3pm on Sunday March 9, 2008. WDW News Today will have coverage of both of these parades throughout the weekend into Monday, be sure to stay tuned for more details on these two major events.

News & Notes From Mickey Monitor

WDWNT Author on February 10, 2008

Here are some notable news bites from the annual passholder publication, The Mickey Monitor:

-In Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, vehicles will make full stops at various booths, giving guests a little more time to experience each of the attractions various shooting games.

-As stated a few months ago, some of the Toy Story Mania attraction’s show scenes will feature special effects that are activated as you hit various targets, such as blasts of air and water.

-Dates for Annual Passholder previews of Toy Story Mania should be announced soon. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information.

-Annual Passholders can purchase discount tickets and get VIP fireworks seating during some upcoming Pirate and Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom by going to disneyworld.com/passholder

-Using four vouchers in the Mickey Monitor, passholders can pick up a set of four special lithographs made just for them at all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Toy Story Mania Update

WDWNT Author on February 3, 2008

News has been slow about the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but here are some small bits of information we have been able to pick up on:

-The new Pixar Place area is expected to be open sometime between March 20 and April 1, 2008.

-Soft Openings for Toy Story Mania are expected to begin between April 15 and May 1, 2008.

-The official opening of the attraction should be during the second week of June at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.

We will try to provide more on the attraction as we get closer to opening day. None of the notes above have been officially confirmed, but are highly likely.

News From Around the World

WDWNT Author on January 28, 2008

Random news from around the Walt Disney World resort:

-The new Monsters Inc. meet and greet location near the Backlot Tour is now open. The former location behind the ABC Theater has been stripped of all Monsters Inc. signage.

-Mater and Lightning McQueen from Cars are now appearing in front of the Pixar Place construction wall facing the Backlot Tour. The automotive duo will find a new home along with some other Pixar characters when Pixar Place opens in Spring 2008.

-The Dreamfinder and Figment meet and greet characters at Epcot may make their triumphant return by the end of the summer, all depending on when the attraction closes for it’s HUGE refurbishment. The Journey Into Imagination with Figment attraction is currently closed so that Imagineering can survey their future job site.