Disney World July 2010 Updates
Confirmed Character Changes:
- DAK’s Good Times Gathering Spot is home to an interactive character experience this summer; June 13th-August 7th, 10:00a-3:00p daily.
- Power Rangers are leaving DHS on August 8th.
- Vidia is going to start making appearances at Pixie Hollow in August.
- Duffy the Disney Bear is going to start making appearances at Epcot in September.
Rumored Character Changes:
- Rapunzel, Mother Gothel and Flynn are expected to start making appearances in the Magic Kingdom in October.
- Phineas and Ferb have already made appearances in the Christmas Parade, a Disney 365 spot, and at the WDW Marathon, so when are they going to be available in the parks? Not this fiscal year. Disney has recognized the demand for these popular boys, but do not expect to see them until FY2011.
- Perry the Platypus and Agent Oso have popped up as characters, but no sign at WDW.
Fantasyland Expansion:
- Mickey and Minnie are moving to Exposition Hall once Toontown closes (announced for spring 2011). No word on if this will become their permanent greeting location, but most indicators point to yes.
- Princesses are moving to Exposition Hall as well. Once the Fantasyland Forest is complete, the princesses and fairies will move to their appropriate locations.
- Ariel is appearing in the Adventureland Veranda with Prince Eric. Once the Fantasyland Forest is complete, Ariel will move to her new grotto.
- Pooh and Tigger are moving to Town Square. No final word on if the new Fantasyland Forest will include the 100 Acre Woods.
- Fairies are moving somewhere once Toontown closes, possibly a different park. They will probably not fit in Expo hall as initially announced, more information to come.
Shows and Parades:
- Disney’s Electrical Parade (DEP) has returned to the Magic Kingdom, the currect expected end date is August 14th.
- The Hoedown has transformed into a Flash Mob in Frontierland! This change occurred on February 26th.
- The Pirate Tutorial is performing on a new stage in Adventureland! The stage was tested in summer 2009, but has become permanent as of January 5th.
- Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee was discontinued after January 3rd with little momentum to support a possible return.
- Totally Tomorrowland Christmas was considered a success in 2009 so there is a strong indication it will be back in 2010!
Contest gives away stay in Disney World’s Cinderella Castle Suite
Ever wonder what it would be like to spend the night in the super-exclusive Cinderella Castle Suite in the middle of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom? For one thing, it’s by invitation only; there is no price tag for guests who wish to reserve the suite.
During 2007 and 2008, lucky guests were chosen randomly just about every day from the Disney theme parks to stay in the suite as part of the Year of A Million Dreams campaign. Since then, recipients mostly have been winners of charity auctions and various contests or specially chosen guests.
Here is one of those opportunities: a contest sponsored by Liberty Travel that you can easily enter with a grand prize that features a one-night stay on Sept. 10 in the suite for four people. The prize also includes three additional nights at a Disney World hotel, breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table the morning after the winner’s stay, four three-day Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper option and a $500 Disney gift card. Airfare is not included.
Deadline to enter is Friday, June 25. One entry per household is allowed; click here to enter.
Disney Unveils Cutting Edge TRON-Inspired Toys & Electronics Line
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) today unveiled a first look at its unprecedented fall line-up of TRON: Legacy inspired electronics and toys (#TronMerch), including the first-ever action figures to feature impulse light projection technology.
Also unveiled were high-end lifestyle headphones and advanced computer peripherals for gaming enthusiasts, illuminated iPod® docks, high-quality ear buds and iPhone® cases; and break-through zero-gravity vehicles that travel up and down walls. Walt Disney Picture’s TRON: Legacy, starring Academy® Award winning actor Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde, will take audiences on a thrilling action-packed adventure in a unique virtual world when it hits theaters Dec. 17, 2010 in Disney Digital 3D(TM) and IMAX® 3D.
Check out this video
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It’s a Small World – Part 2
The famous song “It’s a Small World,” says it all. But no one knows it better these days than Alex and Donna Voutsinas. You might have seen their now-famous photo with Mr. Smee in the news recently, and today they visited Magic Kingdom park to recreate the snapshot. Read more
Toy Story Midway Mania Closing Confirmed by Disney.
Disney confirmed that Toy Story Midway Mania in Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be closing August 16th through the 28th. Rumors have persisted for a while that the attraction would shutter for a week or so after the summer rush, but Disney didn’t confirm until today.
Does this mean that Imagineers will add the much-anticipated holiday games for Halloween and December? Or is it simply to complete routine maintenance and repairs?
We’ll report back as soon as we know.
It’s a Small World
Fate And Destiny At Disney
Pictures, pictures and more pictures, lots of us have a drawer stuffed with photos from a childhood visit to Walt Disney World maybe it’s time to give them a second look. That’s what happened to Alex and Donna Voutsinas who discovered that they came remarkably close to bumping into each other — literally — when they were mere toddlers decades before.
Are You A Golf Fan?
During Memorial Day Weekend (Friday, May 28 to Monday, May 31) you can play all-day on select Walt Disney World Golf Courses for just $59 per person, per day. Plus, you can change courses for subsequent rounds if you choose!
The $59 rate includes golf cart rental and pre-round practice balls at Disney’s Palm, Disney’s Osprey Ridge and Disney’s Lake Buena Vista golf courses. If you are on vacation and don’t want the hassle of bringing your clubs, $15 will get you a rental set of Titleist or Cobra clubs.
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