Exclusive Interview w/Co-Creator of the Main Street Electrical Parade, Ron Miziker!

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing one of the co-creators of the Main Street Electrical Parade (and the creator of the the Polynesian Luau, Hoop-De-Doo-Review, and Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue, among many other Disney World entertainment offerings), Ron Miziker. You can hear the entire interview on Episode 140 of the WDW News Today Podcast, … Read more

WDWNT: The Wallpapers #1

In our continuing efforts to provide you with unique and fun content beyond a wealth of Disney World information, we’re introducing a new feature to WDW News Today that we are calling “WDWNT: The Wallpaper” (Yes, we are still running with this joke, it’s still funny to us). Thanks to the amazing talent and generosity … Read more

Windows of the World – Part I by Chuck Mirarchi

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Whether you approach The Magic Kingdom by monorail, boat, bus, or on foot, the sight of the train station and what waits just beyond it always brings a smile to even the most seasoned of park travelers. Part of the magic (and genius) to the design of the Magic Kingdom, as well each of the parks, is the amount of detail that is given to each and every object. Nothing was put there by accident, but is part of a very well thought out plan to create the most immersive and realistic experience for every guest; even those who have been there many times.

If you have taken “Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom” or “Backstage Magic” Tours you learned about how and why the Magic Kingdom is laid out the way that it is (If you have never taken either one of these tours – you should make a point of doing so on your next trip). According to the tour guides, the Magic Kingdom is laid out very similar to the way a movie is constructed, with the train station acting as the entrance of a movie theatre or the curtain on the screen.  As you walk through the breezeway tunnels to Main Street, there are posters on the walls acting as the “coming attractions.” Then as you exit the tunnel, Main Street unfolds before you as the opening sequence of the movie with Cinderella’s Castle becoming the “start” of the movie.

One of the things that is in the opening credits of every film is the title of the movie, the name of the producer, and the key people who were involved in bringing the movie to life.  This is the same layout for The Magic Kingdom.

The “title” for the park is found on the front of the Main Street train station, The Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney World.  And if you look up above the sign you will find the name of the “producer” on the window, “Walter E. Disney – Chief Engineer – Keeping Dreams on Track”.

Walking down Main Street USA, when guests look at the second and third floors, they will see names of various people accompanied by their “titles” and “business” on the windows.  These are the other production credits to The Magic Kingdom “show”.

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Brandon Struve’s 4/20/10 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

Big things are happening at the Magic Kingdom right now and WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve visited the Magic Kingdom last night to see exactly what’s going on at the world’s leading theme park:

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‘Tis a stormy night on the Seven Seas…. lagoon….

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‘World of Color’ debuts on June 11th

From The Disney Parks Blog: Lights, water, fire, music and animation will come together like never before on June 11 when “World of Color” makes its dazzling debut at Disney’s California Adventure park. You will get to experience some of your favorite Disney stories – from the charming to the adventurous – in a magical, new way. Many of you, … Read more

In Case You Missed It…

Since there have been a few minor news stories in last week that have gone without posting, I figured we should just share all of them in one giant post: Night of Joy moves back to the Magic Kingdom this year: Past Christian music “Artists of the Year” Third Day, mercyme and Chris Tomlin and … Read more

A Look Back at the Exposition Hall

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul recorded and edited a video of the now-extinct theater and exhibits of the Town Square Exposition Hall on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom:

Chris Lastrapes’ 4/10/10 DCA Photo Report (Includes Paradise Park Unveiling)

DLNT Reporter Chris Lastrapes took a quick trip to Disney’s California Adventure to catch a glimpse of the unveiled Paradise Park viewing area for World of Color and has plenty of photos to share with us:

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Food and Wine Festival is almost here

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Robert Ashburn’s 4/3/10 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

Our friend Robert Ashburn from FloridaThrills.net visited the Magic Kingdom on “Easter Saturday” and has some great newsworthy photos to share:

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As Robert enters the Transportation and Ticket Center, we see a new promotional sign for upgrading Park Ticket

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Nick Corjay’s 4/2/10 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Nick Corjay visited the Magic Kingdom on Friday and he took a number of newsworthy photos to share with us:

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TRON-o-rail!!!

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Brandon Struve’s 3/29/10 Hollywood Studios Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve made a trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios just to see (or hear) Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carrey, since it is a seasonal attraction and only opens a few days a year. I think Brandon may have forgotten what Sounds Dangerous is. Anyway, here are some photos from Brandon’s latest trip to the Studios:

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Matt Paul’s 3/27/10 Fantasyland Update

Matt Paul made a visit to the Magic Kingdom a few days ago and has some photos of Fantasyland to share with us. While the larger construction projects for the Fantasyland Forest expansion have not begun, there is plenty going on in the area:

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Tree clearing behind Fantasyland is visible from the Walt Disney World Railroad

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Video of “World of Color” Fountain Testing

DLNT Reporter Chris Lastrapes was able to catch some “World of Color” fountain testing on his latest trip to Disney’s Californai Adventure, and he even recorded a short video to share with us:

First Look at New Epcot Eateries

The Disney Parks Blog offered a look at the new World Showcase restaurants in both Mexico and Italy earlier this week: As a pizza lover, I raved when we announced plans for an authentic pizzeria at the Italy Pavilion at Epcot but now I’m really craving a first slice after seeing what’s coming later this … Read more

Summer Nightastic Heating Up

Disney has updated the press release for Summer Nightastic to include the “Rock N’ Glow Dance Party” and the rather generic name for the new fireworks show that will run at the Magic Kingdom: LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” will light up the streets of Magic Kingdom, headlining a season … Read more

Matt Paul’s 3/25/10 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul’s trip to the Walt Disney World Resort continued on Thursday, and once again he has a number of photos to share with us:

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Blizzard Beach has re-opened from its annual refurbishment

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