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Magic Kingdom Update – Rolling in the Park (Part 3)

With Part three, we’ve reached the end of this week’s Magic Kingdom update. See part one and part two if you missed them. But there was some breaking news today about New Fantasyland that will help fill up our calendar over the coming months.

First Disney World announced the closing date for Snow White’s Scary Adventures in Fantasyland. May 31st is the final day to ride this 1971 original attraction. It will be replaced later this year with “The Princess Fairy Tale Hall.” Snow White will still have a presence in the park when the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens in late 2013 or early 2014. I’m very sad to see the dark ride go, particularly to make way for a meet and greet, but I am excited about the new roller coaster.

Another major timeline update was released today. The plan has always been to open New Fantasyland in stages, even Storybook Circus will open in stages. But now we know that late in March 2012 Storybook Circus will open with one of the two new spinners at Dumbo, the Great Goofini (formerly Goofy’s Barnstormer) and the Fantasyland Train Station. This should help with the flow around Fantasyland and add some much needed kid friendly attractions back into the mix at the Magic Kingdom as summer approaches.


Notice the trees. These new skinny trees replaced the more round ones that have been there for at last 8 years. It’s definitely a different aesthetic, doesn’t look as ‘home town’ as I would hope.


Facade work is still going on here and on the Main Street Bakery.

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Magic Kingdom Update – Rolling in the Park (Part Two)

We’ve started our tour of the Magic Kingdom in part one of this photo update, but today we get to see even more. Let’s get right to it.


Yeah, so this still happens. When is WDW going to do something with all these bricks? They’re starting to age poorly. Might be time to gear up for a 50th anniversary effort to replace the bricks with new ones… with RFID chips in them so you can find your brick by pointing your phone at it.


Click to embiggen. Not too much more demolished here, except for one unfortunate change.

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Kelly Clarkson visits Walt Disney World

Singing sensation Kelly Clarkson was spotted at Walt Disney World having fun with friends and family. While there she took the time to post with a pair Disney characters who are also familiar with transformation — Beauty and the Beast. Clarkson was in town to… Read More »Kelly Clarkson visits Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom Merchandise Update

When I’m visiting the World, I do try and keep an eye out for what’s new. But it’s more than just construction and repairs, it’s merchandise too. The last few weeks at the Magic Kingdom has brought out a bunch of great new collectibles and apparel. Here are a few of the pieces that caught my eye. I think you’re really going to like my ‘Find of the Week.”

First up is a cute Saint Patrick’s Day outfit on Duffy the Bear. Say what you want about the merchandise team manufactured character, he has a good fashion consultant.

Mickey, on the other hand, while always cute, definitely eeds some fashion help in this un-inspired piece.

A lot more merchandise below the fold, including the ‘find of the week’. Come and see:

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Magic Kingdom Photo Update – Making Progress to New Fantasyland Opening (Part 2)

In part one of this week’s update we visited The Main Street Firehouse which has its firefighter badges back, Storybook Circus which is moving steadily toward a spring opening, and then the construction across from Peter Pan where new restrooms will go. We’ll pick up right there, remember the photos have larger versions if you click on them…


This brown wall is where a second access to Fantasyland will be located. I’m a bit unclear how traffic patterns are going to work in this area with the haunted mansion queue often taking up this whole space in the summer. But I’m sure they’ve thought of that… right?


That foliage clearing has made the pet cemetery decidedly less spooky.

Read More »Magic Kingdom Photo Update – Making Progress to New Fantasyland Opening (Part 2)

Magic Kingdom Photo Update – making progress to New Fantasyland opening (Part 1)

Have a long update from our visit to the Magic Kingdom this weekend. So long it’s going to take at least two posts (Update: here’s part two)  to get it all in. Nearly every pic has a larger version if you click on it to help you see the detail since some of the photos are taken from a distance due to construction walls and what not.

There are still many tarps and bridges under construction around the park. I didn’t take new photos of Main Street or Adventureland, but there is still work under way in both locations.


Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was option for play testing again today. They continue to refine the check-in process. Remember to bring your Sorcerer’s Key along with your deck. You an ask for five cards for every member with a valid admission, but they default to just give you five cards per party. While it’s still only on the ‘easy’ level, if you have a 4-10 year old this is a lot of fun. For older kids (adults too) it’s a great collectible. Addicting, really.


The good news is that the Firefighter patches have been returned to the FireHouse.

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Eli Manning Visits Walt Disney World as two-time Super Bowl MVP and NFL World Champion

NFL World Champion New York Giant’s & two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning managed to put in an appearance as scheduled after winning Super Bowl XLVI and recording the world famous “What Are You Going To Do Next?” commercial. Why go to Walt Disney World, of course.

“I’m going to Disney World!” proclaimed Manning Sunday shortly after his team scored a dramatic 21-17 win over the New England Patriots to capture Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. In a gala parade Monday at Magic Kingdom, Manning made good on that promise, waving and smiling alongside Mickey Mouse from a red convertible in the shadow of Cinderella Castle.

Four years ago the scene wasn’t the same as Manning left Pop Warner players to ride the parade route alone after deciding to stay at the Super Bowl scene. Even though Manning still has childish good looks, he has matured and was at the park for a full parade and an interview session.

Fans of the Giants and Manning, including those sporting team jerseys Monday, got to see their hero up-close as he rode the route. New York Giants balloons mixed in with red, white and blue balloons along the parade route, Mickey Mouse was joined by other Disney characters and confetti in the shape of the Lombardi Trophy (awarded to the NFL champion) rained down on the happy scene. Manning was later joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth football players.

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Expressions – A Day at the Magic Kingdom

With this latest video I’m continuing my Expressions series. This series is about capturing the details of the parks that help make the magic and provide memories of a lifetime. If you can’t be at the parks today, perhaps watching an Expressions video will at… Read More »Expressions – A Day at the Magic Kingdom