Tidbits April 2009

[Figment!]

Tidbits
April 2009

A League of the Argh

4/22/09 The purpose of the major renovations to the former House of Treasures retail location in Caribbean Plaza has been internally announced. The location is scheduled to re-open in Late June – Early July 2009 as the tentatively titled “Pirates League” location. This new location has been described offering Guests Pirate transformations, similar to the princess, cool dude and pop star transformations offered at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The transformations will reportedly include pirate costumes, lessons on how to act like a pirate, and training to use a sword.

3/25/09 Significant changes appear to be on the way to a former Adventureland retail location. Construction permits have been filled for significant construction to the Magic Kingdom’s dormant House of Treasures store. Permits have been filled for an undefined “addition”, but also include the following general description of work, “demolition of existing plaster arches, columns and ceiling; demolition of stone flooring; and demolition of existing wood beams as needed for integration of the new walls. Relocation of fire sprinklers as required. Installation of new plaster wall assemblies as designed. Modification of HVAC system as designed. Installation of conduits and cable for power connections and conduits for data, phone and audio cables. Themed painting and plastering of new and existing wall surfaces.”

More Magic

4/22/09 The Magic Kingdom is launching new Extra Magic Hour Operational Line-Up’s effective April 23, 2009.

The new morning line-up is as follows:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
“it's a small world”
Mad Tea Party
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Splash Mountain
The Haunted Mansion
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The new evening line-up is as follows:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
"it's a small world"
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
Stitch's Great Escape!
The Haunted Mansion
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Speedway

A New Arghtivity

4/22/09 The Magical Fireworks Voyage has been internally announced to undergo some changes this summer. Starting July 13, 2009, the activity will change names to the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage. Although the name implies a new Pirate theme to this activity, it has yet to be announced how such a theme will be implemented.

Spring into Changes

4/22/09 Further details have begun to be reported from Entertainment Cast regarding the changes to the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade. The removal of the “Face The Darkest Fears” float may not leave the parade completely devoid of villains as Cast have reported that Jafar, Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anistasia will be included in the new version. Other characters being added reportedly include Abu and Genie. It has also been reported that the new version of the parade is tentatively scheduled to launch May 3, 2009.

3/17/09 Entertainment Cast are reporting that the Celebrate A Dream Come True parade will debut some minor changes sometime in Spring 2009. Cast have been reportedly informed that the "Face The Darkest Fears" float and associated troupe will be removed from the parade and replaced by a new Character Troupe. Neither details on the replacement nor an exact date for the change have been reportedly announced.

Up, Up and Greet

4/22/09 Character Cast have reported that characters from Disney | Pixar ‘s "UP" are planned to start daily Meet & Greets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Late May 2009. The meet and greet is reportedly planned to be held in the Magic of Disney Animation post-show area, likely replacing the current Bolt Meet & Greet location.

Epicurean Expansion

4/8/09The Magic Kingdom has announced several dining changes to accommodate the current peak Easter/Passover holiday period.
Now through April 14th, the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station will offer breakfast options of cereal, French toast, and scrambled eggs from 8 am to 10:30 am.

Now through April 18th, El Pirata y el Perico Restaurante will serve its standard lunch menu from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm; Sunshine Tree Terrace will offer Lunch and Dinner optionsofferings of sandwiches and burgers from 10:00 am – 9 pm; the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station will offer its standard Lunch and Dinner menu from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; Enchanted Grove, Sleepy Hollow and Liberty Square Market will offer Lunch options of sandwiches from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm; Corn Dog & Nacho carts will be operating in Tommorowland throughout the day; Sandwich carts will be operating in Fantasyland throughout the day; Sleepy Hollow will offer the breakfast option of waffles at Park Open for a limited time; the Main Street Bakery will offer continental breakfast items at Park Open for a limited time; and Casey’s Corner, Scuttles Landing, Wstward Ho and the Lunching Pad will offer breakfast options of coffee and pastries at Park Open for a limited time.

Beginning at sundown on April 8th, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café will offer traditional Passover meal options.

3/30/09 In order to accommodate Guests during the Peak Easter period, the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in the Magic Kingdom will offer a family style dinner April 4 through April 14, 2009. The dinner will be offered from 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm daily during the offered time period. The meal will include roasted turkey breast, pork loin, carved beef and mashed potatoes served family style. Pricing will be $33.99 for Guests 10 and up and $16.99 for Guests Ages 3-9.

Tides of Change

4/8/09Pleasure Island has recently created “Celebration Plaza” near the former Comedy Warehouse location. Beginning at 5:00 pm daily, a nightly dance party is held in Celebration Plaza that includes DJ’s, stilt walkers, and crowd interaction aimed at helping Guests celebrate their special occasion.

A Re-lit Umbrella

4/8/09 The Electric Umbrella in Epcot’s Future World re-opened from a multi-week refurbishment with a new menu. The new menu includes Bacon Double Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger, Toasted Turkey Sub, Caesar Salad, Greek Salad, 6 Count Chicken Breast Nuggets, and 8 Count Chicken Breast Nuggets priced $6.29 - $8.39; Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cheesecake, No Sugar Added Brownie, and a Fruit Bowl priced $1.79 - $3.59; and Coca-Cola Soft Dinks, Dasani Bottled Water, and Nestle Nescafe Coffee priced $1.25 - $2.39. The new children’s menu offers a Chicken Nuggets meal, Chilled Chicken Wrap meal or Kids Cheeseburger meal each priced at $4.99

[Figment!]

A More Contemporary Tower

4/8/09As a result of recent renovations, the entrances to the dining area on the Grand Concourse level have a more centralized look. The marquees for the Outer Rim Lounge, Chef Mickey’s, and the Contempo Café are all adjacent and in a line on the same triple arch structure. Passing under the marquees of the Outer Rim Lounge or the Contempo Café will lead Guests directly into the location, while passing under the marquee of Chef Mickey’s will lead Guests down a long carpet path back to the new reception podium and waiting area. The construction of the new Fantasia Marketplace retail location is appearing to near completion. The exterior appears mostly complete and the marquee for the new store has been added. Resort Cast have reported that they expect the new store to open prior to the end of April 2009.

3/10/09 Chef Mickey’s continues to undergo a partitioned refurbishment. Although an end date has still not been reported, there have also been no reports of the refurbishment impacting Guest's experience

A Golden Goodbye

4/8/09The Refreshment Port recently re-opened from renovations keeping its name, but changing its menu. The new menu features 6 Chicken Breast Nuggets French fries, 8 Chicken Breast Nuggets French fries, French fries, and Northern Blast ice cream treats priced $2.49 - $6.89 and Coca-Cola Soft Drinks, Minute Maid orange juice, Milk, Chocolate Milk, Dasani Bottled Water, Nescafe Coffee, Nescafe Froth Cappuccino, Nestle Hot Chocolate and Hot Tea priced $1.29 - $2.49. The new Northern Blast ice cream treat is described as soft serve ice cream with choice of blended topping. This menu change essentially replaced the McDonald branded menu items with non-branded items on a one for one basis.

3/30/09 The Friar’s Nook has opened in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Despite the mention of “tropical refreshments” in the official description, the location is reportedly serving only hot dogs, French fries, soft drinks, and carrot cake as of the first several days of operation.

3/25/09 More details have become available regarding the forthcoming refurbishment and menu changes at the Fairfax Fries location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The location has closed for refurbishment and is scheduled to re-open April 4, 2009. According to construction permits, the new name for the location will be Fairfax Fare. Construction permits have also been filed for the installation of warming ovens which appears to indicate a more significant change in the menu than a one-for-one replacement of the McDonald’s brand items with non-branded items.

3/17/09 It has been internally announced that the Refreshment Port will be discontinuing its McDonald's branded offerings and re-opening with a new theme and new menu as part of the on-going refurbishment. In fact, it will be part of the final stage in phasing out the product completely from inside Walt Disney World theme parks. Fairfax Fries and the Village Fry Shoppe have been announced to under-go similar renovations. It has been internally announced that the Village Fry Shoppe has closed for renovations and will re-open as the Friar's Nook on March 26, 2009. The following is the official description of the new location:

Located in Fantasyland, across from Pooh's Playful Spot, next to Mrs. Potts' Cupboard, in the Magic Kingdom®, Friar's Nook offers tropical refreshments with outdoor seating.

Dates and details for the replacement of the Fairfax Fries locations have yet to be announced.

3/2/09 Epcot's Refreshment Port may soon be following in the footsteps of PetriFries and Fronteirland Fries. The World Showcase snack location features McDonald brand food items and has recently been scheduled for refurbishment. Although no specific changes have been reportedly announced, construction permits have been filed for a new sign marquee and the last two refurbishments to locations that featured McDonald's Brand food items has resulted in the change over of their menu. The location is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment March 15 – April 4, 2009.

[ibrowse17]

Interesting, thank you

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[KODABEAR]

Thanks, your info is always useful!

[MinnieMommie]

Thanks for the updates Jason. As always they are appreciated!!

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the update Jason!

[Figment!]

**Update**

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates

[yjgirl32]

Thanks for keeping us updated!

[MinnieMommie]

Thanks Jason!

[DANAM]

Thanks great info!!! I can't wait to here more about the pirate's League

[Maleficent's Dad]

Thanks for the updates!

[BluewaterBrad]

Thanks figment!

[MaxPower]

I always love these updates.