R.A. Pedersen's Blog, page 14

Will Redesigned Test Track Be EN-V of Epcot’s Future World?

Ever since Disney bowed to guest pressure over not-acknowledging the closure of Test Track on their website and decided to toss everyone a bone by putting the world’s vaguest piece of concept art it has been mulled over by thousands of eyes. Here it is again for one more look:

Do you see what we see? Well, perhaps it’s a matter of context and knowing what you’re looking for.. and stalking the new pavilion sponsor – Chevrolet – obsessively for indicators of which way the wind is blowing interna...

Epcot to get Starbucks!

UPDATE: Reactive FAQ given to CM’s now state that “Existing partnerships will be honored” meaning that the kiosks in Epcot and around Walt Disney World that sell 3rd party coffee (Joffrey/Joeffreys [sp?]) will continue in addition to Starbucks additions.

We have absolutely nothing more on this other than “because Disney said so” to back this up – but.. Epcot is getting a Starbucks! Oh, well, and Disney put out this blog blurb about California Adventure and June.. but really, who gives a crap a...

Tree of Life Loses Limb and Tough To Be Bug Closed

Update: FAQ’s from the Mouse House! See below the original blog post!

Original post: We’ve gotten some basic first reports from cast members that the Tree of Life icon at the Animal Kingdom park at the Walt Disney World Resort had some sort of damage or incident reportedly involving one of the smaller branches falling off the tree itself. While Disney investigates – as it’s not a real tree, but a massive metal structure – the It’s Tough to Be a Bug attraction and Tree of Life walkways are clos...

Twinkle Lights to Return to Castle Hub Trees

Disney filed permits today to reinstall the Twinkle Light system in the Crape Myrtle trees in the central hub in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World resort. This long-forgotten effect has been sorely missed since it removed when several of the larger trees were removed from the hub to allow better viewing of the castle itself during fireworks shows.

We weren’t able to find any good photographs or videos of the old trees at the Magic Kingdom for referenc...

Innoventions VISION House Home Automation Giveaway

Click and follow the link to their Facebook page to enter to win. Contest ends May 11th, 2012. The VISION House in Epcot’s Innoventions opens to guests on April 22nd.

New Fantasyland and Skyway Bypass Photo Update

Time for more photos of the construction over at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World! First a quick look at the new walkway and restrooms being built around the backside of Yankee Trader that replaces the old Skyway Ride Station. As you can see, there’s a sheer wall being built that will be a sort of berm – that will b heavily covered in foliage to hide the ride buildings or Haunted Mansion and Small World that are peeking out from behind it right now. Also, there will be a waterfall featu...

Mission SPACE Patch Job and a Growing Hole at Seas while Odyssey is Blue

A quick photo follow-up on some developing stories we’ve touched on in the past around Epcot. First, we had previously shown you shots of the Mission: SPACE entry in desperate need on repainting and repairs. Well, Disney has at least tried to patch the poor thing – somewhat.

On an operational note – closing Test Track next door actually seems to have cut off crowds from attending Mission: SPACE in some manner. Either people simply don’t head to that side of the park or they just don’t access M...

Updated New Test Track Concept Art Pops Up

UPDATE: Well, it looks like the Disney World Website finally did something right regarding the Test Track closure. After weeks of misinforming people, Disney has finally got the website updated to reflect the closure, and further, has thrown up some concept art to placate all of us who are wondering just what this new overhaul will look aesthetically. Here’s a hint:

And… looking at the art further, we bring you this detail:

That’s the new entrance to the building. Notice the trees/curb on the r...

Test Track Closure Photos and Random Singing

Being the intrepid and dedicated research team that we are, we wandered into Epcot at a mostly reasonable hour today to get some photos of Test Track’s first day as a non-entity. You see, it’s last full day of operation really isn’t an event, as it’s pretty much the same as the day before that and the day before that one as well. No, the magic comes when the start putting up the refurbishment walls and tearing things down. Look, there’s a wall now.

Let’s do the grand circle tour shall we? Firs...

Last Dance for Plaza Gardens at Disneyland April 30th

Disney has updated some of their calendars over at the Disneyland resort and things aren't looking good for fans of swing dancing on Saturday nights at the Plaza Garden Stage. As of April 30th, the Plaza Gardens Stage will be closed for the transformation into the new Fantasy Faire princess themed area.

If it's closed and under construction, you obviously can't dance in the middle of it. Well, we suppose you could try, but it just doesn't seem terribly feasible. The construction on the...