Tidbits
March 2009




A Reversed Route

3/30/09 After a brief test period, the Celebrate A Dream Come True parade at the Magic Kingdom has permanently changed its route effective March 30, 2009. The daily afternoon parade will now start on Main Street USA and end in Frontierland, essentially reversing the former route. While this change will no longer permit photo opportunities of parade floats with Cinderella Castle as a back-drop, park management has determined that this route improves Guest flow down main street and through the hub by shortening the time period in which parade watchers wait in these areas.

A Golden Goodbye

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:
Quote Originally Posted by Walt Disney World Resort
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.

Epicurean Expansion

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.

Pool Re-Tool

3/30/09 Contemporary Feature pool has re-opened to reveal a few new features. A geyser-like fountain and a sunken whirlpool have been added into the pool. The whirlpool is at water level with the pool, but connected to the pool edge for entry. The perimeter ledge of the whirlpool, that separates it from the pool, is covered in a series of small fountains. Construction permits for the renovations indicated “interactive water features” being added, it has yet to be confirmed if either of the added fountains are indeed interactive or not.

A Dimmed Umbrella

3/30/09 Epcot’s Electric Umbrella did close due to the scheduled refurbishment. The location is scheduled re-open April 7, 2009.

2/17/09 The Electric Umbrella in Epcot's Future World has been tentatively scheduled to under-go a refurbishment from February 23 - April 7, 2009. It has yet to be reported how the restaurant's operation will be affected during this time period.

Character Change-Ups

3/30/09 Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios have recently undergone several changes in their Character line-ups. The Stitch and Daisy Duck Morning Meet & Greet at the Sorcerer’s Hat in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has moved to the Leave a Legacy area in Epcot. A Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore Morning Meet & Greet is planned to begin at the Sorcerer’s Hat as a replacement for the former offering. Reappearing in Future World after being removed from the Epcot Character Spot in July 2008, a Chip and Dale Meet & Greet has begun outside of Innoventions West. Two characters have been retired from the daily World Showcase line-up. Dopey has been retired from accompanying Snow White at the Meet & Greet in the Germany pavilion and Mushu has been retired from accompanying Mulan in the China pavilion

New Narration

3/30/09 The Studio Backlot Tour reopened from refurbishment over the weekend with a change in the presentation. The trams now feature a pre-recorded spiel instead of a live narration from a tour guide. Despite the change, initial reports are that the tour guide is still present on the tram during this portion of the attraction.

Pre-Flight Construction

3/25/09 The new Characters in Flight experience at Downtown Disney is drawing close to opening to Guests. The ticketing kiosk is nearing completion and testing of the balloon itself is underway. The marquee on the ticketing kiosk confirms that the official name is “Characters in Flight operated by Aerophile”, confirming that the most recent press release for this experience erroneously published the name of the operator as the name of the experience. Other signage on the kiosk indicates that the balloon will reach a maximum height of 400 ft and that tickets will be $10 (including tax) for Guests Ages 3 -9 and $16 (including tax) for Guests ages 10 and up. The experience is currently scheduled to open to Guests April 1, 2009; contingent upon the current testing.

3/2/09 Construction continues to progress for the forthcoming Characters in Flight experience at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Although work continues, the pier for the hot-air balloon appears to be mostly constructed. The effective footprint for the new experience has also expanded. The Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations kiosk has been shuttered in preparation of transforming the building into the ticketing office and queue area. West Side Guest Relations has been re-located inside Disney Quest.