| | |

Disney testing new meet-and-greet queueing procedures, may point to upcoming Fantasyland changes

In Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom this week, a few of Disney’s Imagineers and cast members held a test at Pooh’s Playful Spot, the playground located across from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh dark ride. Pooh characters were made available for meet and greets, but new queueing rules were attached. Parents were instructed,…

| | | | | |

More photos and video from Disney's Christmas Day Parade taping 2009

After a couple of days delay, the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade television taping finished up yesterday at the Magic Kingdom. We brought you photos from the first day of recordings featuring Yanni and Kris Allen last Thursday, and the tapings were to continue the next two days, but Mother Nature had other ideas with…

| | | | | | | | | |

Winter 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine now available for preview and pre-order

The Winter 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now available for preview and pre-order. Feature articles in this issue include: • COVER STORY: A Whole New World Reimagined and expanded Fantasyland to deliver more magic than ever before. • Blast Off Into Superspace Disney’s Space Mountain reopens with new enhancements. • Star Tours II:…

| | | | | |

Photos: Kris Allen and Yanni perform at the Magic Kingdom Christmas Day Parade taping

“American Idol” winner Kris Allen and composer/pianist Yanni performed at the Magic Kingdom on Dec. 3, 2009 as part of this year’s taping of the annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. Taping continues on Dec. 4 and 5 and will be aired on Dec. 25 on ABC. Here are a few photos of today’s performances,…

| | | | | | |

Video: Mickey's Christmas Carol animated windows displays at the Magic Kingdom

For the 2009 Christmas season, Disney has installed into the Magic Kingdom’s Emporium windows along Main Street U.S.A. the long out-of-view animated window displays based on the holiday favorite, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” Six scenes tell the classic story of Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit and Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge. These scenes were originally on…

| | | | |

Space Mountain full ride video and refurbishment report

Upon hearing of Space Mountain soft opening to guests yesterday after a seven-month refurbishment, I rushed over to the Magic Kingdom only to be denied a ride as the roller coaster was shut down for further maintenance and testing. I returned to the Magic Kingdom today at around 1 p.m. to find Space Mountain once…

| | | | |

Video, Photos: Space Mountain soft opens to guests with enhanced queue, video games

At around 4 p.m. today, Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom reopened for the first time to guests since closing for refurbishment in nearly seven months. Still in testing, the classic roller coaster remained open for roughly two hours before being shut down once again due to technical difficulties. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance…

| | |

Space Mountain update includes on-ride photo, new colors, overall darkening

The official Disney Parks Blog has release a new image from within Space Mountain’s newly-updated queue along with new information surrounding the ongoing refurbishment of the classic attraction. Most importantly, Disney has now announced that Space Mountain will officially be reopening on Nov. 22. Soft openings have reportedly already begun with cast members and guest…

| | |

Official photos from within Space Mountain's newly-enhanced queue

Following our refurbishment update last night, Disney has posted this pair of images on their blog showing what the newly-enhanced interactive queue looks like inside Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom. From disneyparks.disney.go.com: As you know, with any Imagineering project, the story comes first. And the updated Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World Resort is…

| | | |

Video, Photos: Space Mountain Construction Update – Almost ready for lift-off

The construction walls have come down around the front of Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom as its lengthy refurbishment begins to wind down. Bright green is the new accent color of choice, replacing the strong orange color closely associated with the attraction’s former sponsor, FedEx. New additions to the outside of Space Mountain include…