WDW Clicks #13 - Spice Road Table, Smokehouse, All Star Sports dining area

WDW Clicks #13 is now online!


We visit the new counter service Smokehouse at House of Blues, then also drop in to finally sample (and photograph) Spice Road Table, which opened a couple of weeks ago. We tour the new dining room of All Star Sports, which includes a very cool tribute to a Disney fan (rather than a Disney insider) for a change. Finally, we unveil a (small?) spoiler about the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster, so skip the last part of the video if you don't want to hear of something I assume they want kept as a surprise.

Direct link: http://youtu.be/LI1sBZzB-gA

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Spoiler: An unexpected ride feature on Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster confirmed by photo

As construction has proceeded on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster over the months, I've come to suspect that the big drop from the mountain (which faces the Be Our Guest castle) has a double drop to it. My telephoto shots of the area, taken while holding the camera over my head many yards back from the construction wall, seemed to imply that the visible drop coming out of the tunnel was preceded by an earlier, short drop while still inside the tunnel. But the light was always tricky and it was hard to see inside the tunnel.

This last weekend I finally happened to be there when the interior work lights were on, and it was clear to see even without the telephoto lens that indeed, we're looking at two drops for this thrilling moment of the attraction.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

WDW Clicks #10 - Farewell to MK Parade, Heritage House, Seven Dwarfs Mine shop

We say goodbye in pictures to three things this week: Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, Heritage House (exit to Hall of Presidents), and Seven Dwarfs Mine shop near the Princess exit in Fantasyland. Plus, we peek at ongoing mine coaster construction and see what's new at Fun Spot.

Direct link: http://youtu.be/KK3qnaLJaqE 

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

WDW Clicks #6 - Norsk Kultur, Mine Coaster Theming, MK Bus Loop, DHS updates, more

This week we bring the telephoto lens to Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster, explore the Norsk Kultur stave church gallery in Norway, tour the new bus loop at the Magic Kingdom entrance, see the Christmas tree in Be Our Guest, look at the new Joffrey's coffee carts in DHS, see the altered AFI store and Sid Cahuenga's, gawk at new Disney posters in Magic of Disney Animation, sample some new holiday food items at World Showcase, and glance quickly at Spice Road Table.

Direct link: http://youtu.be/ysX9WxZ31dc

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Photo Essay of new vulture props atop Seven Dwarfs coaster

The first props are now visible on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster, on the exterior of the mountain. The props in question are near the top, on the side facing Dumbo.

When you zoom in, you see two vultures atop posts, connected to mining equipment of some kind.

It's not clear if the bucket and mine cart (?) are completely themed and painted, or if there is more to come.

The vultures, though, look fully painted and bright and shiny.

Doesn't that look like some space on the neckline? As if the heads might move around?

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster construction - new angles (pics)

Here are a few angles you've probably not seen before on the construction of the mine coaster. All pictures were taken 6/22/13.

And here are some from the 'traditional' angles:

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Peeking through the fence at 7 Dwarfs Mine Coaster (pics)

A couple of weeks ago they altered the construction fences at Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster, giving not only a few more new scenes to look at, but also a few places to peek through to look at the mountain's construction. 

Have a peek! (click for larger pics)

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Storybook Circus Updates and New Details

As Dumbo and Casey Jr. get closer and closer to finished, a few new touches are appearing in Storybook Circus. 

Trees have been planted around the "outside" of Dumbo 2. In time, this will provide a barrier to the Tomorrowland Speedway.

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster. You can see more of a themed hill going into place. Work continues as well on Under the Sea's caves.

One of the construction walls near the front of the land has been replaced by a more temporary wall.

In the back of the land, there's a building under construction beyond Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak. Will it have something to do with Pete's Silly Sideshow? Or Humphrey somehow? The other characters promised for this land are already accounted for.

Around the backside of the restrooms is a series of trunks and bags, there to provide some theming. They aren't new, but they used to be unlabeled. Now there are mentions of several Disney characters.

 

Finally, two Hidden Mickeys to show you. The one stamped into the ground has been there since opening day of the land, but the one made up of stones, close to the exit of the trains, is more recent I think. It may not be "official" either.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.