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Magic Kingdom Update – Part II

Tonight I’m continuing my walk through Magic Kingdom and a bit of Downtown Disney. Part One covered much of the Fantasyland Expansion, problems with Splash Mountain, Skyway Station Removal, and more. Part two looks at some of the details that Disney is getting right.

When the Fast Pass for Mickey & Minnie and The Princesses first opened there were signs over head indicating which of the four machines gave out tickets for which queue. However, the machines themselves had no signage. This led Disney to a very simple indicator. Just place a Princess Mickey Hat on the Princess machines and a regular black Mickey Mouse Ears on the Mickey & Minnie machines. While cute, that was probably not the most effective way to do it. They’ve finally added new permanent signs to the FastPass machines.

As nice as these signs are, they’re still not doing much for traffic to the Town Square theater. Both fastpasses were running barely 40 minutes into the future and the wait times for the Princesses were never longer than 35 minutes and Mickey never much longer than 15.  I’ve heard that they’re already considering adding a tent to Storybook Circus for Mickey and Minnie and returning Town Square theater to meeting space for special events.

A new food cart appeared in Fantasyland a bit ahead of schedule for its eventual location in the Beauty and the Beast section of the Fantasyland Expansion. Maurice’s Amazing Popping Machine is great because it tells the story of Maurice being an inventor. It also has a wonderful specially themed menu and other fun touches. If they have to have outdoor vending, I hope it looks like this instead of…

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Magic Kingdom Update – Part I

Since moving here in 2005, I can’t remember a busier time for construction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. I’m always happy to see tarps up around a building because it means that building is getting some much needed TLC. But buildings have two sides and it seems the insides of certain attractions are being allowed to fall into disrepair. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here’s part one of a two part pictorial romp through the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney this weekend.

The tarps are down around the Main Street Confectionery. It features a new red, white, and blue scheme, which works well in Town Square. The roofing appears to be more detailed as well.

There is some art deco/nouveau work on its neighbor facade that’s evocative of the seaside pier. I like it, but the bright colors really stand out considering its pale green neighbor.

I always keep my eyes open for new t-shirts and such. I really liked this new one from Space Mountain.

And this one from Splash Mountain caught my eye as well (although it may not be exactly new). There was a time not too long ago when Disney was ending all the attraction specific merchandise. But it’s back and better than ever.

Lots more below the jump:

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Magic Kingdom Changes

As we’ve been documenting here on The Disney Blog, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is in the middle of some major changes. Most are focused in and around Fantasyland, but change is coming to other sections as well. The Storybook Circus area is scheduled to… Read More »Magic Kingdom Changes

EPCOT’s Germany Update

Last year EPCOT Center’s Germany Pavilion opened Karamell-Kuche, a new candy shop from the folks at Werther’s Original Caramel. In the new store you can find this new unique EPCOT collectible. It’s a beautiful tin from Werther’s that may just look familiar to you.

Yep, it’s actually a slightly modified version of this building from right across the Germany Pavilion courtyard.

If you remember Werther’s filmed their recently commercials in the Germany Pavillion and it looks like that the Toy Store has become the official candy store for Werther’s. A bit confusing, but it’s a nice collectible anyway.

More Germany changes below the jump:

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Magic Kingdom Update

Okay, there’s quite a lot to cover in this update from the Magic Kingdom, including some big rumors, so let’s get right to it. First off, the “Let The Memories Begin” campaign has begun and new ephemera is beginning to roll out. First Napkins,

and then cups… and also guide maps (not pictured, alas).

The tour guide courtyard is behind tarps, pretty tarps at least.

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T-Shirt Update

I’ve remarked a few times before how I think that Disney’s crew of Tee-shirt designers hare doing an excellent job. Here’s another batch of pictures from the last few weeks.

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A report from Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDW is trying out the new tram doors that have been at Disneyland for about a year. There is one of Disney’s Florida theme parks I’ve been neglecting. I haven’t been to Disney’s Animal Kingdom since April. Turns out DAK was much as I left… Read More »A report from Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Weekend Update – Roundup

Have a few links I think you’ll definitely want to check out:

Vintage Disneyland Tickets has scanned in a 1963 Popular Science article that features Imagineer Rolly Crump, the model for Ford’s Magic Skyway and the working test environment for the attraction. It would debut at the 1964 World’s Fair. Then the technology would lager become the People Mover attraction at Disneyland.

I’ve really been enjoying the blog “The Best Possible Job” by former Disneyland cast member Anne. Easy to read and full of insight.

I missed this the other day, but USA Today had a great interview with Aaron Kelly after was voted off American Idol. Kelly talks about his experience with Disney’s American Idol Experience and how it helped prepare him for the real thing. I imagine we’ll see even more idol hopefuls on stage at AIE as word gets out about it’s role in Kelly’s journey.

The OC Register has been doing a great series of articles on the upgrades Disneyland’s Rivers of America recently received. There are now new scenes and plant life that ties into actual American rivers. A great idea I hope they attempt to replicate out east.

Every few years Disneyland highlights it’s after-dark crew and this year the LA Times got the honor of writing up the story. It’s a good one.  If you like this stuff, I recommend you track down the book “One Day At Disneyland“.

Disney Theatrical has been regularly adding new videos to its YouTube Channel. Some great behind the scenes stuff there. I’ve put the most recent one, The Lion King: Meet The Characters – Zazu/Rafiki, below the jump

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