New Test Track Preview and other Disney Updates 12.3.12

Previews has begun for Test Track at Epcot..

A look at the new entrance. Stand By on the right, Single Riders and FastPass to the left.

 Warning Signs:

The queue area has been re designed. did not go through the stand by queue so mainly pictures from the fastpass / single rider queue.

At some point after queuing you will reach a design station touch screen where you tweak and design your sim car. Was not able to do this on the first, out of 2 tries yesterday because the touch screens were down. Basically, when you get to a touch screen you have a few mins to tweak your sim car and adjust the style and look.... It is saved onto a card which you swipe on the glowing orb near the screen. Before loading onto the vehicle you swipe your card again to load your data on to the sim car.

Onto the ride, as previously mentioned the track layout has not changed, but, the visual and audio of the ride is completely different. On-ride photos are still available for the attraction.

 Ride the new Test Track:

Old Test Track:

After the ride, you can check on-ride photos, see how your sim car design scored, create a video of your sim car ( and send vid to e-mail ), games, and view the Chevy showroom.

Test Track Merch: top left is a kids shirt

Designers badges you can purchase at the photo booths near the exit.

At the Magic Kingdom, construction walls for the rest of the un-finished New Fantasyland has been changed. New photos of the 7 dwarfs are along the walls and also 2 areas where you can take a peek at the construction progress of the mine train attraction opening 2014

Construction progress:

You can now also see Rapunzel's tower behind the construction walls beyond the Small World and Peter pan attraction at the magic kingdom. No, it is not the same tower they have during the Flower and Garden Festival in previous years.

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Macy's Holiday Parade / Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure

Filming of the Disney parks Christmas Day Parade

@milkdidmybodygood

Disney Updates 5.31.12.

Big thunder Mountain railroad re-opened just a few days ago after months of refurb. The ride still the same.

Disney Update 4.30.12

At the Magic Kingdom Casey Jr Splash N Soak area near the Fantasyland train station is looking good. Since the last video update they have added some animals on top of the trains similar to the posters on the construction walls around Fantasyland.

At Animal Kingdom the poacher scene at the end of Kilimanjaro safari has now been removed. A few weeks ago Disney announced that they will be removing this scene out of the safari to make way for a new animal habitat. It looks like the area has now been cleared, cleaned up and  new grassy areas were put in where the poachers camps used to be. The truck holding little red has now also gone.  Each safari driver tells a different story but, all say that "the reserve is getting ready to introduce even more animals in to the reserve" One of the safari drivers said it would be ready around September.

Here is a look at the old poacher scene filmed about a month ago:




Today:




A few photos of the flowers below from the monorail... only 20 more days till the end of the Flower and Garden Festival.

 SeaWorld not the only ones with turtles...
Turtles at Epcot The Seas with Nemo & Friends attraction:


The view of the front of Test Track from the monorail.

Finally, got to see the new Vision House Exhibit at Innoventions. Pretty neat exhibit. My fav. out of the whole house was the keyboard and mouse made out of bamboo.

 Vision House website

 - A look around the new Turtle Trek 4.27.12. at SeaWorld

- Universal Update 4.29.12 Despicable Me / Cinematic Spectacular

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* I get e-mails regarding when photos on this blog are taken... Unless noted above or below the photo 99% of the photos were taken the same day I upload them on this blog =)

Disney pic update 4.21.12.

At Epcot, cast members were training for the new Vision House exhibit inside Innoventions. It will officially open tomorrow Sunday April 22nd. 

Last Sunday was the last time to experience Test Track before it closed to be updated, it is now been blocked off and a couple of cars displayed near the entrance. Disney added a musical entertainment group to entertain guest at different times during the day. Did not get to see this, due to inclement weather in the area yesterday afternoon but instead saw hail... Test Track is scheduled to re-open later this year.

Pea size hail coming down at Epcot:




At the Magic Kingdom work begins on getting Casey's JR Splash N Soak area ready; a small play area for kids which is scheduled to open soon.
 Video:

* Photos and videos from this post were taken 4.20.12


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-Universal preparing for the Universal Cinematic Spectacular lagoon show.

- SeaWorld's Viva La Musica event

Disney pic update 4.13.12.

This weekend is the last time you can experience Test Track before it closes to be updated this Monday. It will be closed for several months. If you cant come to the parks, I got you covered. Everyone pull on that yellow strap make sure your seat belt is securely fastened.

On-ride:

Also, just about a month left to see Epcot in full bloom as the Flower and Garden Festival ends May 20th.

Festival Overview:

 

Other:

-One of the cast members I asked does not expect the Habit Heroes attraction to re-open anytime soon.

Meanwhile, who's ready for  Big Thunder Mountain Ralroad to re-open? According to the Disney website it is still scheduled to re-open May 27th... From today's photos it looks like they are working on the queue area.

 On-ride:

Moving on to the New Fantasyland area. Just a few pics on Casey Jr splash "N" soak area.. Most of the lights are up, don't see anything that could splash or soak behind the walls yet.

Someone asked if they re-themed the water tower for the train station when it opened a few weeks ago. Not until just recently...

Before:

After:

 Disney also released a time lapse video of the Fantasyland area.

At Disney's Animal kingdom a few entertainment was added for the busy holiday week. A street party in  Africa and also a DJ Dance Party in Asia.

Finally, new sand art display at the front of AK simillar to the one at Epcot. 

Have a good weekend!

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