Tidbits March 2008

[Figment!]

Tidbits
March 2008

Reflections of Upgrades

3/21/08 Despite continual non-manifestations, reports persist that the Illuminations’ Earth Globe float will be refurbished. The most current reported time tables hold that the show piece is scheduled to be removed from the show for upgrades Early Summer 2008 for an unspecified length of time. A recent test of an alternative show using additional pyrotechnics to replace the Earth Globe was recently conducted which appears to support these reports. It should be noted; however, that at least one other alternative show has been tested in the past with out the reported refurbishment coming into fruition.

9/7/07 Epcot Cast have reported that the Earth Globe rehab has now been indefinitely delayed, although plans for the refurbishment and subcontractor contracts are still in place.

A New Journey

3/21/08 Paper work has been filed for the addition of structural steel and plaster rockwork to the currently-under-refurbishment Journey into Narnia attraction. Disney has also publicly announced the forthcoming form of attraction and a tentative opening date with the following press release:

Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) -- Guests can experience an exclusive opportunity to see behind-the-scenes footage, original concept art, storyboards, props and costumes from the latest installment of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” They can explore Aslan’s stone table chamber set recreated directly from the original molds, see blueprints used for the motion picture, and meet Prince Caspian. Opening summer 2008 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

6/5/07 Studios Cast have reported that Journey into Narnia is scheduled to close for a major rehab in Early 2008. During the rehab, the attraction will reportedly be changed to feature the next film in the Chronicles of Narnia series--Prince Caspian.

Future Fuel

3/21/08 Tests continue on the gas/electric hybrid ride vehicle on the Tommorowland Speedway. Full attraction Staff are reportedly scheduled to be trained on the new ride vehicle in the next few weeks with the first Guest preview of the new vehicle expected to take place prior to Late April 2008. There is currently no expectation on when the whole fleet of ride vehicles may be changed over.

12/12/07 Attraction Cast have reported that 2 new car types have recently been tested on the Tommorowland Indy Speedway. One test car is reportedly a gas/electric hybrid car and the other is a Ethanol-85 powered car. The tests were reportedly conducted during the last week of November and the first week of December, 2007. Neither a goal of these tests nor a time frame for any potential wide-scale implementations are reportedly known at this time.

An Annual Albumn

3/21/08 The 2008 Walt Disney World Official Album is scheduled to be released for sale in Early April 2008. The new album will feature 5 new tracks and retire 3 tracks from the 2007 line-up. Being added are new tracks from the refurbished Spaceship Earth, the Seas with Nemo & Friends, the refurbished Reflections of China, the refurbished O’Canada! and the Grand Fiesta Tour Staring the Three Caballeros. The “Old Betsy”, “Tree of Life Theme” and “Welcome To Tomorrowland” tracks have been retired.

Mixable Mouse Ears

3/21/08 The Le Chapeau store has re-opened from a moderate refurbishment offering a brand new program. The Magic Kingdom retail location now features stations for a “Create-Your-Own Ear Hat” program. The new program allows Guest to choose from a wide variety of hat bases, ears and patches to create their own customized “Mickey Ears”. A hat base and pair of ears is priced at $10.95, decorative patches are priced at $2.95 each and a package of letter patches is pried at $5.95 per pack. Computerized embroidery is available at an additional fee in gold, yellow and pink stitching. The hat bases are available in a wide array of colors including black, green, blue, gold, pink, lavender, white, gray and rainbow. Many styles of ears and decorative patches are available.

EnterChanges

3/22/08 The Figment's Place and Characters from Brother Bear Meet & Greet locations were reportedly put on an indefinite hiatus effective March 16, 2008. While Character Cast generally believe this hiatus status is temporary, there have not been any concretely reported timeframes for when they may return. No formal reason for the hiatuses were announced.

A Dino Dig

3/21/08 A new banner on the construction wall outside the T-Rex construction site now lists “Fall 2008” as a completion date.

11/15/07 Ground has recently been broken and site preparation work is underway for the forthcoming T-Rex restaurant.

10/22/07 The location of the forthcoming T-Rex restaurant has been publicly revealed. The walls that have been constructed for ground breaking now display advertisements for the new restaurant and an opening date of "Summer 2008".

A Magical Re-Meeting

3/21/08 Although ~ 6 months later than was originally announced, the new Sorcerer Mickey Meet & Greet has opened inside the Magic of Disney Animation post-show area. The new Meet & Greet location features a cartoonish backdrop of the Animation Courtyard arch displaying the 'Disney's Hollywood Studios logo" at night. This new location was added with-out replacing one of the exsting Meet & Greet locations in that area.

6/26/07 It has been internally announced that the Sorcerer Mickey Meet and Greet will re-open in the Magic of Disney Animation building Fall 2007.

[Figment!]

A Pre-Bash


3/10/08 Block Party Bash started a preview period at Disney's Hollywood Studios park yesterday (3/9/08) that is scheduled till run till its Official Grand Debut on March 14th. During the preview period, Guests are being notified of the parade via the Disney's Hollywood Studios Times & Event Guide. The Guide lists the preview parades as starting at 3:00 pm, the same time the parade will start for and after its official debut. According to reports of the first preview, the parade runs along the Studios parade route starting on Hollywood Blvd. and exiting near Star Tours. The reportedly parade makes two show stops , the first one is along Hollywood Blvd. and the second is in the Echo Lake area. Due to the size of these show stop viewing areas, it is not anticipated that Guests will be informed of "party zones" as they were at Disney's California Adventure; the Hollywood Studios version should ensure that everyone along the parade route will see one show stop.

A More Contemporary Tower


3/10/08 Resort Cast have reported that the last day of operation for the Concourse Steakhouse at Disney's Contemporary Resort has been delayed till May 31, 2008. Resort Cast have also reported that The Wave has been given a opening date of "June 2008". See Contemporary Resort Restaurant Renovations for discussion.



Preview Mania

3/10/08 A tentative start date for previews of Toy Story Mania! has been internally announced. It has been internally announced that preview period of the attraction is tentatively scheduled to start April 25th, 2008. While this date still remains very tentative, applications for the attraction's first Cast Members were opened at the end of February, which generally fits an opening timeline to start previews in Late April. The attraction is still anticipated to have an Official Grand Opening in Mid-June 2008.

[Figment!]

A Re-Newed Noddle

2/28/08 The Tommorowland Noodle Station re-opened for regular operation in Mid-February 2008. The Counter Service Dining location is serving Dinner daily from 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm or park close (which ever is earlier). The location is planned to operate daily through August 23, 2008.

An Epicurean Expansion

2/28/08 A number of the Walt Disney World Resort's most popular dining locations will be offering special extended hours during the 2008 Peak Spring Period.

From March 15 through March 18, 2008: 1900 Park Fare will present Cinderella's Gala Feast Dinner from 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Cape May Cafe will present the Beach Blast Breakfast from 7:30 am - 11:30 am and Chef Mickey's Restaurant will serve Breakfast 7:00 am - Noon and Dinner 4:00 pm - 9:30 pm.

From March 15 through March 28, 2008: 'Ohana will present the Mickey & Friends Breakfast from 7:30 am - 11:30 am and will serve Dinner 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm and Whispering Canyon Cafe will serve Dinner 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm.

From March 16 through March 22 and March 24 through March 29, 2008: Tony's Town Square Restaurant will serve Dinner 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm.

On Easter (March 23, 2008): Chef Mickey's Restaurant will serve Breakfast 7:00 am - 1:00 pm and Tony's Town Square Restaurant will serve Dinner 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

From April 18 through April 25, 2008: 1900 Park Fare will present Cinderella's Gala Feast Dinner from 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Cape May Cafe will present the Beach Blast Breakfast from 7:30 am - 11:30 am, Chef Mickey's Restaurant will serve Breakfast 7:00 am - Noon and Dinner 4:00 pm - 9:30 pm, 'Ohana will serve Dinner 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm, and Whispering Canyon Cafe will serve Dinner 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm.

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the update Jason!

[shadowden]

Thanks Jason. Always look forward to your updates!

[adoptionislove]

Thank you Jason!

We will be arriving friday for 10 days and that is helpful to me!

Michelle

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[MickeyChick]

You rock, dude!

[Nascfan]

That "mid-June" for Toy Story Mania worries me a little. I really hope it's up and running when we are there. I don't want to have to wait unitl 2010 to ride it.

Thanks for the update though, Jason!

[Dsnygirl]

Thanks Jason!

[DizneyFreak2002]

I have seen video online of BP at Hollywood Studios.... Awesome!!!!! I can't wait to see it...

[johnO]

Thanks for the info..........

[SurferStitch]

Ooooohhhh.....

We may get a preview of Toy Story Mania when we're there from 5/4 - 5/10!!! We'll have to check on it when we're there!

Thanks!

[bucky at disney]

Ooooohhhh.....

We may get a preview of Toy Story Mania when we're there from 5/4 - 5/10!!! We'll have to check on it when we're there!

I was hoping for this! We will be there 4/27-5/3.

Thanks!

[DisFan01]

Thanks for the updates!

[Figment!]

**Update**

[Crow]

thanks for the updates.
Ill be looking out for Illuminations updates

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[Caroleh]

Thanks, Jason!!!

[Dsnygirl]

Thanks Jason!