PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom (Fun Finds, New Watches, and More) 9/12/2024

Hello again from the Magic Kingdom! I found some fun details around the theme park and noticed new ornaments and watches on sale. Let’s get to it!

Large Morning Crowds

A group of people walking in a large, mostly empty parking lot beneath an elevated monorail track on a cloudy day.

When I parked at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) this morning, I was surprised to see so many other guests awake and ready to rock. Usually, I get here early enough to beat the crowds, but someone must have heard about my secret and shared it with the class.

Security Cameras in TTC Parking Lot

Two images of an empty parking lot on a cloudy day. One shows blue traffic barriers and orange cones, and the other features a tall surveillance camera tower.

There used to be an old security box tower where the blue barriers are. Now, it seems that Disney is opting for more CCTV security cameras, as there was a new temporary pole in the handicapped lot. It’s safe to assume that while on Disney always has eyes on you while you’re on property.

Town Square Theater

When I arrived at Magic Kingdom I stopped in Town Square Theater to see if they had any new art pieces or figurines. They didn’t, but my stop reminded me to admire some of the often missed details at Disney Parks.

For example, the Town Square Theatre schedule at the exit of the Mickey Mouse meet-and-greet is loaded with fun details. On Wednesday, three little pigs are moving into the theater, which means there better be so NO HAM on the menu at the Sunday cast picnic!

Disney Watches – $95 each

A display case featuring four wristwatches with various designs, including black, white, and beige faces, and leather straps. Pricing tags are visible, with one showing $95.

Disney released some new watches in Uptown Jewelers on Main Street, U.S.A. Each of these watches costs $95. There is a Haunted Mansion watch with a black band, a Mickey and Friends watch with a black band, an “Alice in Wonderland” watch with a brown band, and a “101 Dalmatians” watch with a black band.

Plaza Restuarant Refurbishment

People sit at tables with yellow and white umbrellas in front of a green building with Victorian-style architecture.

The Plaza Restaurant refurbishment has made some progress. The scrim has been entirely removed from the facade, while the green walls surrounding the main entrance remain in the same place.

The Liberty Square Doll

A doll wearing a striped dress is visible through a rain-speckled window with pale green shutters.

The Liberty Doll remains locked in the same position as my previous update. I still can’t decide if I’m creeped out by her or not. She doesn’t have any Universal Horror Nights vibes, but it is the season for spookiness. Maybe she’s just waiting on the right opportunity to startle some unsuspecting passersby.

Adventureland Themed Pavement

A wooden entrance sign reading "Adventureland" and a Victorian-style building surrounded by palm trees, connected by a roped-off pathway.

The Adventureland-themed pavement continues to expand past the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. Yesterday, we reported that the themed pavement had expanded through the entrance of Skipper Canteen. Today, it has taken over another few feet just before the restrooms and the first cut-through to Frontierland.

The Jungle Cruise Refurbishment

A collage showing lush tropical plants on the left and a group of people, some in costumes, gathered in an outdoor setting with palm trees on the right.

Jungle Cruise is still under refurbishment. Cast Members were at the top of the hill before the attraction entrance. If you try hard enough you can see construction equipment in the ride path beyond the tropical flora. The refurbishment is expected to conclude on October 17, and the attraction will reopen on October 18.

New “Star Wars” Ornaments – $26.99 each

Three hand-held Star Wars ornaments are shown. The first features Rey with BB-8, the second shows Kylo Ren and Rey, and the third depicts Chewbacca and Han Solo in a spacecraft interior.

In Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, I found three new “Star Wars” ornaments. One features Rey and BB-8 and another features Kylo Ren and Rey. My personal favorite is Chewbacca and Han Solo.

I prefer the original saga over the new, but I love all of these ornaments simply for the silly faces on the characters. If Kylo and Chewbacca’s faces don’t make you giggle you’re lying. Which is your favorite silly face? Let me know in the comments below.

Disney Character Water Art

A sidewalk drawing of a cartoon duck face on a paved surface. A person's legs are partially visible walking nearby.

I spotted some water art by a very talented Custodial Cast Member. Donald Duck is a family favorite in my household, so the number one really made my heart happy.

King Triton Statue

Stone building with two arched doorways, a wooden sign reading "Seamers Wood Carving," and a display stand holding colorful brochures in front. Two lanterns are mounted on the wall.

We are on day 331 with no Triton Statue. If this is the first photo report of mine that you’re reading, welcome to the hill I’ve chosen to die on. I have been devastated for 331 days. Every time I come to Magic Kingdom I think today is the day Triton is back in Fantasyland, but alas no dice.

Storybook Circus Splashpad

A small train ride with a red engine and animal-themed carriages, surrounded by a fence. Children and adults are nearby, with buildings, trees, and string lights in the background.

Over in Storybook Circus, I was welcomed by more disappointing news. The Casey Jr. Splash Pad area was not turned on. I asked a Cast Member in Big Top Souvenirs if it would be turned on later, but they told me that it would be turned off for a while, as maintenance teams completed work on the area.

You can still walk around the static characters with no water spraying. This does take away the fun of the anxiety-inducing experience you can have when you have no idea when they might turn on.

Moth Waiting in Standby at TRON Lightcyle / Run

A brown and yellow moth with a striped pattern rests on a textured black wall near a horizontal white stripe.

I went to see how the TRON standby was going and found that it was again around an hour in the early morning. I also found this little guy (about the size of my palm) hanging around the Enterprise Green Team area. He was straight chilling and was not bothered at all by my extensive photoshoot.

Joffrey’s Revive – Tomorrowland Location

Three views of "Joffrey's Revive" coffee stand with "Coffee", "Espresso", and "Pastries" signage. People standing in a queue in front of the kiosk. The sky is overcast.

Annoying reporter moment – I know. Details like this tend to scream at me, and this is certainly not newsworthy but, it’s still funny. I guess whoever fixed the filling at the top of the letter “P” in Pastries hadn’t had their Joffrey’s Coffee yet as it appears to be backward.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

A wheelchair entrance sign points toward a designated area next to a blue building. A person in a wheelchair and a companion are partially visible near a teal umbrella and purple door.

At Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Cast Members were still utilizing the unloading area to load guests using wheelchairs. It isn’t uncommon for guests requiring more time to enter a vehicle to be loaded in an unloading area of a Disney attraction, but it does make me wonder how long Buzz’s will be doing it this way.

Stitch Keychain Set – $19.99

A hand holding multiple keychains of a blue cartoon character wearing sunglasses, each with different colored flower designs in the background.

I have no use for five keychains, but I wish I did. These new Stitch keychains are precious. It would be entertaining for a family to share a singular theme in something usually mundane like a keychain. I found these at Star Traders in Tomorrowland.

Sonny Eclipse is on Vacation

A café with circular tables and chairs, centered around a stage labeled "Starlight Café" with a "Sonny Eclipse" sign. Patrons are seated and a stroller is visible on the right. Large windows surround the space.

Sonny Eclipse is still on vacation while the Disney Jr. Jam takes his place for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It kills the vibe of the Starlight Cafe to not have the headline entertainer in his place.

Monorail Yellow Ride

A yellow and white monorail train arrives at an elevated outdoor station surrounded by trees and greenery on a cloudy day.

After a pretty calm day in Magic Kingdom, I took Resort Monorail Yellow to the Polynesian.

Polynesian DVC Island Tower Construction

A multi-story building under construction beside a body of water. Scaffolding, construction equipment, and materials are visible, and the sky is overcast.

At the Polynesian DVC Island Tower, lots of progress has been made as the building gets ready for its grand opening. I noticed some additional plants, windows, and concrete surrounding the pool area. Stay tuned for more detailed updates. I think the pool area is going to be very cool. Are you excited to see this tower open? Let me know in the comments below.

Polynesian Village Entrance Sign

Entrance sign and driveway of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort surrounded by palm trees, with a car approaching the gate under a cloudy sky.

On the way back to the parking lot, I saw that the Polynesian Village Resort entrance sign was hidden by a lookalike scrim. There was a Cast Member behind the scrim wiping and cleaning the existing letters. I wonder if they are adding the DVC Island Tower to the entrance sign.

Do you enjoy quiet Magic Kingdom days? What are your must-do’s and must-see’s at the park? Let me know in the comments below.

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