Tidbits
August 2007



A More Contemporary Tower

8/23/07 Concept art has been hung on construction walls for the new Fantasia Shop that will re-place the collection of Kiosks in the central area at the one end of the Concourse. The concept art depicts an elongated open air (no ceiling) store with large Mickey Mouse Icon Frame entrances at both ends. Besides the construction walls, no further work has progressed on the new store likely delaying the opening from its tentative "August 2007" date.

A New (Fountain)View

8/20/07The Fountain View Cafe has begun a test phase as a new form. The new test location dubbed "Fountain View Ice Cream" is presented by Eddy's and offers a variety of cool treats.

The current menu is as follows:

Hand-Scooped Ice-Cream
Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Chocolate Chip, Mint Chocolate Chip, Rainbow Sherbet, Dulce de Leche or No Sugar Added Butter Pecan

Single Scoop Cone $2.69
Single Scoop Waffle Cone $3.09
Double Scoop Cone $3.69
Double Scoop Waffle Cone $4.09

Ice-Cream Sundae $4.19
Old-Fashioned Vanilla with Hot Fudge or Carmel, Whippped Cream and a Cherry

Ice-Cream Sandwich $4.99

Root Beer Float $3.99
Hand Scooped Vanilla Ice-Cream with Root Beer

Coca-Cola Float $3.99
Hand Scooped Vanilla Ice-Cream with Coca-Cola

Milk Shake $3.99
Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry

Assorted Cold Beverages $1.25 - $2.39

Nescafe Coffee $1.89
All of the items minus the Sundae are marked as a Snack Item on the Disney Dining Plan (despite some of the items being price significantly higher than the normal Snack Item price). It has not been reported how long the test period is planned to last, but it has been reported that if it goes well park management is planning to make the new form permanent.

 Breakfasari

 8/20/07 To alleviate breakfast crowds now with out a Tusker House option, Pizzafari has begun to serve Breakfast. The counter service breakfast options reportedly include Assorted Pastries, Breakfast Pizza, Cinamon Rolls, Egg Platter with Bacon or Sausage and French Toast. It is currently unknown if this offering is temporary or permanent.

Mobile Muppets

8/13/07Epcot Cast have reported that the Muppet Mobile Lab will soon be appearing for a limited time at Epcot. It has been reported that the latest generation of the Living Character Initiative is currently being prepared to make a short term appearance in Epcot's Future World. Further details have not been reported at this time.

A Dining Delay

8/13/07 Operations has updated that Teppan Edo will not meet the already delayed September 15, 2007 opening.

See Teppan Edo has been delayed.... for a current discussion.

8/7/07 Dining Reservations has clarified the reservation status of Teppan Edo as follows:

9/15/07 - 10/30/07: Current Reservations valid, No New Reservations accepted.

10/31/07 - Beyond: Current Reservations valid, New Reservations accepted.

In other words, the 15th opening date is truly tentative. It would be advisable for anyone with a reservation for the second half of September or October to have a plan B ready in case the date does slip.

8/1/07Dining Reservations has reported that Teppan Edo will be opening later than announced. The location is tentatively scheduled to re-open September 15th, 2007.

A Sans Central Cinema

8/13/07Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom has announced that VMK Central will be ceasing operation inside of the Main Street Cinema on September 30, 2007. The Walt Disney World resort has yet to make an announcment on the Main Street Cinema post VMK Central's departure.

Below is the announcment from Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom:
Quote Originally Posted by VMK Newsletter
... on September 30th we're closing VMK Central at Walt Disney World.

...The game, very much like our theme parks, is always changing. We've always tried to experiment with unique ways of doing things, like in-Park Questing, and we'll continue to do that (for example, we'll still be doing cool stuff in the Parks, like the merchandise cards and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Quest) - but those things won't revolve just around VMK Central.
A Typhoon Test

8/13/07 Disney’s Caribbean Beach and Pop Century resorts have initiated a new test program at Typhoon Lagoon. From 8/4/07 – 9/8/07 (tentatively) Typhoon Lagoon is testing a new Children’s Activity Program for Guests 3- 9 that includes Lunch and activities such as volleyball, water balloon games, limbo, a pirate treasure hunt, a dance party and more.

The 40 child program runs from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm daily. The program is split into two age groups, 3-5 and 6-9, and is conducted by Ellis-trained life guards at a ratio of ~1 Guard per 5 children.

Guests can register through the Guest Services at the Caribbean Beach and Pop Century resorts, spots unfilled for the day will be available on a first come-first serve basis at Typhoon Lagoon. Check-in for each day’s program starts at 9:30 am near the Leaning Palms restaurant. The test program is included with Regular Park admission and all Guests must be potty trained to participate.


Studio Streetwork

8/7/07As Pixar Place construction continues on Mickey Avenue, the extent of the work has become more significant than originally anticipated. The renovated section of the street will apparently receive all new surfaces, as the existing surfaces have all been torn up. While the removal has so far been fairly visible, there is currently no clear indication of what the section will look like after the renovations beyond the placement of the Toy Story Mania! facade.

Studios Cast have reported that Phase II of Pixar Place is currently planned to involve the addition of a new Meet and Greet area. There is currently no clear time table on when Phase II may begin.

Horseshoe Happenings

8/7/07 The Diamond Horseshoe has been operating on and off as a Counter Service option this Summer. The location is offering a counter service selection of Grab 'n' Go style sandwiches, sides and soft drinks. Reports are sketchy on when exactly it has been operating, but it has been reportedly during "peak attendance days".

It is not clear if this operation is as a result of the afore-filed permits or if this is some sort of interim operation.

6/25/07 Disney has recently filled several work permits for minor work at the Diamond Horseshoe location in the Magic Kingdom. According to Dining Cast, these permits are to prepare the location to re-open as a Dining location albeit Seasonal and sans a show. While this location was used once before as a Peak Holiday Season buffet location, its future operation is being reported as operating as a Counter Service option during multiple Peak Crowd times of the year. It is not clear when the location will re-open in this new operation, but it is speculated it may not be until the Peak Holiday Season 2007.