Tidbits
April 2007
A More Contemporary Tower
4/25/07The arcade section of the Food & Fun Center has closed. The existing consoles and games are in-transition to the new Contemporary Games location on the Grand Concourse level. The transition is expected to last through April 27th; during this time the resort plans to offer Guests alternative arcade options. Contemporary Games is schedule to open to Guests for previews April 28 until the Grand Opening April 30, 2007.
The earlier reported "Early Summer" completion date appears to refer to the completion of a new Fantasia Gifts shop.
4/19/07 An "Early Summer" completion date has been reportedly set for the conversion of the Fantasia Shop to the new Contemporary Games. It is currently unknown if this date refers to the only the completion of the construction or when the new arcade will be open for operation.
1/14/06 The first major step toward the "new" Grand Concourse level at the Contemporary is underway. The Fantasia Store has now closed and construction walls have enclosed the store. On the construction walls are concept art depicting the new arcade that is to replace the store.
The art depicts a new arcade named "Contemporary Games" and shows a retro-futuristic style of decor. In addition to the expected arcade games, the art also shows what appears to be a prize redemption counter.
The attached Sundries store has remained unaffected by this change. Some merchandise from the Fantasia store can be found at kiosks that have been installed in the open Concourse area near the closed store.
A Perennial Parrot
4/24/07The World of Disney's Adventurer Room has undergone a recent update. Rusty Blade and Pollyanna have been removed from the room's centerpiece and in their place the Barker Pirate Parrot has taken roost. The gabby Audio-Animatronic was removed from the exterior of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Spring 2006 as part of the "version 2" refurbishment.
Dining in Andapur
4/24/07Dining Cast have reported that the Yak & Yeti Restaurant is tentatively scheduled to open Early October 2007.
4/5/07Construction is progressing on the future location of Landry's next Disney Dining Location. The First sign of the Yak & Yeti buildings (or at least facades) have started to peak up behind the construction walls. Despite this visible progress, the opening date has yet to be officially specified from "2007".
IL Replacemento
4/19/07 Disney has internally announced that the Patina Restaurant Group (the group behind 3 Disneyland restaurants) will indeed replace the L'Originale Alfredo di Roma in Epcot's Italy pavilion. Differing from the rumours, the announcement states that the location is scheduled to open "Fall 2008", with an interim "showcase of Italian Fare" starting in September .
4/17/07 Rumours have started to surface regarding the replacement of L'Originale Alfredo di Roma in Epcot's Italy pavilion. It is currently rumoured that the new location will be operated by the same group that is behind such Disneyland establishments as The Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar, Tortilla Jo's and (most notably) Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria. It has been speculated that the Alfredo replacement will feature a Southern Italian cuisine similar to that of the Naples Ristorante and Naples 45 (the latter a New York city restaurant by the same group). Adding some support to these rumours, are previous rumours that circulated in September of 2004 that a "Naples" style location was being considered for the Walt Disney World resort. While no specific branding of the new establishment has been rumorued this time around, it has been rumorued that the new location is schedule to open the weekend of September 15/16, 2007.
Los Changes
4/17/07 Disney's Coronado Springs resort is undergoing some fairly drastic changes to it's light dining and retail options during the second half of this year. The resort is currently in the process of adding a new refreshment location called "Laguna Bar" to the resort's promenade area. The new watering hole is scheduled to open April 29, 2007. In addition, the resort's current lounge is also undergoing an expansion. Francisco's closed for refurbishment April 16 and is scheduled to re-open in a larger form October 13, 2007. The newly expanded location will take over the space currently occupied by the Jumping Beans Arcade and La Tienda. It has been reported that La Tienda will be relocated during the same time period, but there has been no reports on the future of the Jumping Beans Arcade. When Francisco's re-opens it will reportedly be a Cafe & Lounge location. Not to be left out of the action, Panchito's Gifts and Sundries will be undergoing renovations May 28 - June 29, 2007--but will remain open in some capacity during the work.
Epicurean Expansions
4/12/07 The Animal Kingdom has converted a refreshment location and a snack location into two new counter service options. Drinkwallah, which was removed from normal operation in April 2001, appears to have rejoined the regular line-up of dining locations located in the Asia section of the park. In addition to refreshments, Drinkwallah now offers Turkey Sandwiches and Ham Sandwiches. Tamu Tamu Refreshments, located in the Africa section, has now added Chef Salads, Hamburgers and Tuna Sandwiches to it's line-up of refreshments and soft serve ice cream. It has yet to be confirmed that these are permanent changes (and not temporary ones for the peak spring crowds), but at this time all indications point to them being a permanent change.
Raglan Road at Pleasure Island has restructured it's operations re-adding a Lunch seating. The location now serves Lunch 11:00 am - 2:45 pm and Dinner from 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Advanced Dining Reservations are being accepted for the both seatings. Bar Service is still expected till 2:00 am, although it was not specifically mentioned in the operational updated.