Tidbits January 2008

[Figment!]

Tidbits
January 2008

Nullifying North

1/28/08The replacement structure for the North Garden Wing at the Contemporary resort has now risen past the height of the South Garden Wing. The structure is now 6 stories tall and shows signs of continuing to build further stories. This construction appears to semi-confirm leaked models of a potential replacement for the North Wing almost as tall as the main Tower.

12/12/07 The replacement structure for the North Garden Wing at the Contemporary resort continues to rise. The structure is currently 3 stories tall and shows signs of continuing to build further stories.

Crusin' to Stars

1/28/08 The CARS Meet & Greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios has undergone a name and location change. The Meet and Greet has changed names from CARS Go Crusin' to The Stars of CARS. Although the Meet & Greet still features Lightning McQueen and Mater, they are now meeting Guests between the Coca-Cola Cool Station and the construction walls for Pixar Place (near the entrance to the Backlot Tour). The current Meet & Greet times are 10:00 am, 10:55 am, 11:50am, 1:30 pm, 4:00 pm & 5:00 pm. It is speculated that this move is in preparation of the duo moving their meet & greet location to Pixar Place once the construction walls come down.

InnovenChange

1/28/08 Epcot's Environmentality Corner exhibit closure, scheduled to start February 24th, has been revealed to be due a full exhibit replacement. It has been internally announced that the Innoventions East exhibit will be replaced with a new exhibit entitled "Storm Struck" when it re-opens from renovations on August 1, 2008. The Sponsor and details of the new exhibit have yet to be announced.

The new Velcro exhibit started Limited Guest Previews for portion of the exhibit last week. The exhibit tested a comical, educational show about Velcro and interactive games with limited Guest audiences. These elements are expected to only be part of the exhibit, the whole exhibit is expected to open in February 2008.

1/15/08 Progress on Innovention's forthcoming exhibits continues. The facade for the new Velcro exhibit has started to be revealed from behind construction walls over the past several weeks. The facade depicts a cartoon-esque townscape. The Waste Management exhibit appears to be progressing although not as visibly. While lacking in any notable aesthetic progress, paper work has recently been filed for the future exhibit's marquee.

A Monster Move

1/28/08 The new Streets of America Monster's Inc. Meet & Greet has opened. The new meet and greet is located near the AFI Showcase in the space formerly occupied by the Goosebumps HorrorLand FunHouse. The Meet & Greet appears to be themed to the Scare/Laugh Floor and features a dedicated queue. The Meet & Greet is currently open daily 11:00 am - 1:30 pm and 3:25 pm - 6:00 pm.

1/15/08Due to the ABC Theater being reclaimed for a future attraction, the Commissary Lane Monster's Inc. Meet & Greet location has been internally announced to be moved to the Streets of America in "Late Winter 2008". Studios Cast have reported that the move is needed due to the loss of the (formerly dormant) theater as a backstage and storage area for the Meet and Greet location. Details of the new Meet & Greet location were reportedly not announced.

[Figment!]

A Bustling Backlot

1/15/08 Work on overhauling the Backlot Theater continues, most visibly over the last several weeks when a crane has been brought in. The crane has reportedly been used to replace the roof on the theater. While all of this effort may seem to imply preparation for a new show attraction, Studios Cast have reportedly been informed the theater is currently not planned for general operation post the renovations. Rather, Studios Cast have reported that the location is currently planned to only be used for special events and shows following the major renovations.

9/16/07 The demolition at the Backlot Theater will apparently be done in time for the 2008 Night of Joy. It has been internally announced that the Backlot Theater will be one of the stage locations for the annual event when it moves to the Studios.

Change on Parade

1/15/08 Entertainment Cast have been notified that Disney's Parade of Dreams will be the Magic Kingdom's next day-time parade. Disney's Parade of Dreams is currently operating daily at the Disneyland park. Although a replacement date has yet to be announced, Disneyland Cast have reported that the Parade is tentatively scheduled to end its west coast run in November 2008 just prior to the start of the park's 2008/2009 Holiday Season. Given this tentative date, it is expected that the Disney's Parade of Dreams will be replacing the Disney Dreams Come True Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Winter/Spring 2009.

Dramatic Changes

1/4/08 While no further details have been announced regarding the on-going work inside the dormant ABC Theater, a project name has started to circulate with regard to the project. While it may or may not be the name of the forthcoming attraction, the project is currently being internally referred to as "The Stars of Hollywood Hills". According to those close to the project, the retrofitting of the Theater is scheduled to be complete February 2008, although the originally announced May 2008 date is still considered likely for the actual debut of the show.

9/16/07 Construction walls have gone up around the ABC Theater to start the previously filed work. Studios Cast are still reportedly in the dark as to what the refurbishment is for or how long it will last, but they are reporting that it is for the future attraction announced back in June.

Ringing in a New Grille

1/4/08 In addition to the name change of the location, the Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club Resort has announced the following new meal offerings:

Breakfast offering American classics from steak and eggs to our all you can eat breakfast buffet

Lunch offering signature steak salad, lobster roll sandwich, or classic Angus chuck burger

Casual steakhouse for dinner serving steaks, chops, and seafood.

Despite the announcement of 'new' offerings, the announcement appears to indicate minimal changes from the previous offerings. Presuming that further items are offered in addition to what was announced, the only notable change between the announcement and the previous menu is the addition of the lobster roll sandwich to Lunch the offerings.

12/21/07 Disney's Yacht Club resort has announced a nomenclature change to one of its dining venues starting in 2008. Effective January 1, 2008 the Yacht Club Galley will be renamed Captain's Grille. It has yet to be announced with this name change will bring any menu changes as well.

[Figment!]

Crystal Changes

1/4/08 Late last week, the internal construction walls were removed from the Crystal Arts location on Main Street. The additional expansion to the retail location has been revealed to be an intricately themed blown glass section. The new section carries a variety of blown glass pieces as well as featuring blown glass demonstrations.

12/3/07 Crystal Arts located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom has recently undergone a few changes. The store has recently undergone a minor expansion and still present construction walls inside the retail location appear to hint that the location will expand even further. The retail location's merchandise has also expanded. Much of the medieval art items (including swords) that were offered in the King's Gallery shop have now appeared at the Crystal Arts location.

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Jason!

[Crow]

thanks for the update

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[Caroleh]

Thanks, Jason!!

[Not2Loud]

Thanks!

[RedheadWriter]

[Figment!]

**Update**

[ctdisfan]

Thanks Jason!

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[JPL]

Very interesting with Parade of Dreams since other sources from Disneyland are claiming the parade will be retired at the end of it's run and the floats dismantled.

Other reports claim the floats are built on a much smaller scale to accomadate Disneyland and would not work at WDW.

Now the question really is which report is true and is this just a cost cutting measure since a new parade was suppose to go into development for the MK.

[Crow]

thanks for the updates!

[BklynChick]

Please, please, PLEASE put "Share a Dream Come True Parade" out of its misery already. They have decimated a really wonderful parade, to a shell of its former self.

I enjoyed Parade of Dreams at DL, can't see why the floats wouldn't work at WDW.

[Jeany031]

Thanks for the info! Jason!

[KylesMom]

Jason, thanks for all the information. I do have a question:

the project is currently being internally referred to as "The Stars of Hollywood Hills". According to those close to the project, the retrofitting of the Theater is scheduled to be complete February 2008, although the originally announced May 2008 date is still considered likely for the actual debut of the show.

Will this attraction be opening in 2008, or 2009? I am curious because another Tidbit post mentions that Monsters Inc. will be moving in "Late Winter 2008" to a new location. Does that mean this February?

[Figment!]

**Update**

[Celestria]

Epcot's Environmentality Corner exhibit closure, scheduled to start February 24th, has been revealed to be due a full exhibit replacement. It has been internally announced that the Innoventions East exhibit will be replaced with a new exhibit entitled "Storm Struck" when it re-opens from renovations on August 1, 2008. The Sponsor and details of the new exhibit have yet to be announced.

The new Velcro exhibit started Limited Guest Previews for portion of the exhibit last week. The exhibit tested a comical, educational show about Velcro and interactive games with limited Guest audiences. These elements are expected to only be part of the exhibit, the whole exhibit is expected to open in February 2008.

did they just close the section for the storm thing or the entire half of the pavilion?

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.