mcdonald’s all stars reopening 2009 photo recovery_1

WDWNT Author on February 12, 2009

Walt Disney World re-launched the official American Idol Experience attraction website this morning, just as a huge media blitz descends upon Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a weekend of publicity festivities. The website now features a 3-D model of the stage, some video clips, and a number of other features. The most vital feature has to be the online audition registration system that has been introduced. Guests will now be “required” to reserve an open audition time on the official website if they plan on trying out for the show after Saturday, when it officially opens to the public. As of right now, guests can register to audition up to two weeks in advance. Don’t expect Disney to hold to this concept too much, as there would probably then be a long line of frustrated idol hopefuls at guest relations who were turned away from auditioning because they were not aware of this pre-arrival registration system. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this audition registration becomes available.

In case many of you missed it, the attraction was featured through-out Good Morning America on ABC earlier today. The coverage concluded with a live performance in front of the Superstar Television Theater by Idol winner David Cook that didn’t entirely make it onto the program thanks to some technical difficulties. The celebration continues later today with live blue carpet coverage from the huge media event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The events will be broadcast between 4:30 PM and 6:45 PM and can be viewed at that time at the link provided HERE.

Live from the Blue Carpet?

WDWNT Author on February 12, 2009

Walt Disney World will actually be providing live blue carpet coverage from the American Idol Experience media event tomorrow afternoon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The events will be broadcast between 4:30 PM and 6:45 PM and can be viewed at that time at the link provided HERE. The attraction officially opens to guests on Saturday, February 14th.

Walt Disney World Entertainment Updates

WDWNT Author on February 10, 2009

There are a ton of entertainment changes that will be taking place at the Walt Disney World theme parks this week, so I thought it would be useful to provide a list for those of you visiting in the next few days:

  • The “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party” at the Magic Kingdom will debut on Friday, February 13th and will perform three times daily at 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, & 5:15 PM
  • The times for Dream Along with Mickey will change on Friday to make way for the “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party”. The new performance times will be 9:35 AM, 10:35 AM, 11:40 AM, 1:15 PM, 2:15 PM, and 4:00 PM
  • On Thursday February 12th, there will be an American Idol parade and press event. The motorcade featuring Ryan Seacrest and a number of former American Idol performers will take place t 4:30 PM and will be open to the public. Following that, there will be a special press event closed to the general public. (Don’t fret, WDWNT will be represented at the event)
  • As a result of the American Idol festivities, Block Party Bash will not be performing on Thursday, February 12th
  • Fantasmic! will perform 4 times this week with 7:00 and 8:15 PM shows on both Monday and Friday
  • The Schedules for the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular”, “Voyage of of the Little Mermaid”, and “High School Musical: Right Here! Right Now!” will be altered on Thursday. Consult a times guide for exact times.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on these entertainment changes become available.

Inside the Experience

WDWNT Author on January 26, 2009

The Orlando Sentinel has just published a photo album with 20 fantastic pictures of the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can view the entire album by going HERE. Even though we provided you with plenty of photos from this show when I was at Walt Disney World earlier this month, I think these pictures are worth taking a good look at. Don’t forget to read the captions at the bottom of each photograph for more information.

DVC Member Previews for American Idol Experience and Kim Possible

WDWNT Author on January 9, 2009

Disney Vacation Club Member Previews for The American Idol Experience and Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure have been announced.  DVC Members must register in advance at this link for The American Idol Experience previews.  The Kim Possible Challenge is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Disney Vacation Club Members have a special opportunity to sign up to be part of a sneak preview of The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ at the Walt Disney World® Resort before it opens officially to Guests.  The sneak previews have limited availability, so sign up today to watch one of the live shows.

Dates: Feb. 5-8
Duration: Show will last approximately 30 minutes
Location: Superstar Television Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Each Disney Vacation Club Member with a valid Disney Vacation Club Member ID Card who registers to watch one of the live shows may bring as many as five Guests along to watch the show.
  • Due to limited capacity, advance registration is required.
  • Members must present their confirmation slip, their valid Member ID Card (or Key to the World card displaying a Member designation) and a photo ID at check-in.
  • Check-in begins one hour prior to the event, and Members must be checked in at least 30 minutes prior to the event.
  • As a courtesy to others, Members who register for the event and are unable to attend for any reason should re-visit the Web site to cancel their reservation and give other Members the opportunity to participate. Likewise, Members may revisit the Web site periodically to see if space has opened up to reserve their preferred time.

Disney Vacation Club Members have a special opportunity to preview Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure at Epcot®, an immersive new experience designed to turn Guests into crime-fighting secret agents. This is a chance to experience the adventure before it opens officially to Guests.

Disney Vacation Club Members may embark on missions available Jan. 23-25 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Missions begin every 15 minutes.) Missions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Members and their Guests will begin their missions by reporting to the Team Possible Recruitment Center located on the bridge leading from Future World to World Showcase at Epcot. Members must present their Member ID card or their Key to the World card displaying a Member designation.

Update:  We have just received word that the official opening date for the Kim Possible World Showcase Challenge is being advertised in Innoventions as January 28.

Live Report from the WDW Resort

WDWNT Author on January 8, 2009

Tom Corless, our man on the ground, called in with this report today about Dinoland at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

As part of the tech rehearsals that have been going on for the American Idol Experience, the preshow in the queue area is operating and can be seen on the overhead monitors.  However, CMs are stationed in the area politely asking guests not to look in through the windows from outside the building.

Continuing with the removal of McDonald’s as a sponsor in the parks, all signs of McDonald’s have been removed from Dinoland.  Dinosaur, which was formerly sponsored by McDonald’s, is now sponsorless with all traces of the golden arches removed from the attraction.  In addition, the sign at the entrance to Dinoland, which previously showed McDonald’s as a sponsor, now claims Dinoland is sponsored by The Dino Institute.

As we here at WDWNT Headquarters receive more live reports from the WDW Resort, we’ll keep you updated as often as we can.

Coming Attractions

WDWNT Author on December 31, 2008

Even though we are a few days removed from it, here are some interesting pictures taken from the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade of some new attractions on the way to WDW:

Concept art of the “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party”, debuting in February 2009

The stage inside the Superstar Television Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Original Concept Art

Original Concept Art

Real stage under construction

Theater and stage

Completed stage with some rules at the bottom