Today at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, work began to remove the sandy shoreline where the alligator attack took place and replace it with more rocks, just like those that line the shore of the Disney Vacation Club wing.
The rocks are located just beyond the fences recently installed. There has been no word yet on if the beaches at the Polynesian Village Resort will receive a similar treatment.
Disneyland Reporter Conner Purzycki brings us back to the Disneyland Resort today in his latest photo report:
Star Wars Land construction rages on…
The small cart outside of the Plaza Inn apprently will be a new Disney Vacation Club sales cart
If you haven’t seen it yet, the Cars Precision Series model in Sarge’s inside of Cars Land, it is pretty cool
The actual play-sets are a bit expensive, but they light-up and are fairly accurate to the movie counterparts.
I just wish they made the Cadillac Range so I could build my own Cars Land…
A Funko Pop! vinyl figure inspired by Indiana Jones is coming to select merchandise locations at Disney Parks on July 22. This Funko Pop! figure is part of a collection of figures created especially for Disney Theme Park Merchandise. Other figures in this collection include four Haunted Mansion-themed Funko Pop! released in November 2015.
The packaging for this figure includes a nod to the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction in Adventureland at Disneyland park.
This Indiana Jones figure is different than one being released at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2016. The Comic-Con figure (#199) was inspired by “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” whereas the Disney Parks figure (#200) was inspired by “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.”
The Disney Parks Exclusive figure will have a retail of $19.99, and it will be released at the following Disney Parks merchandise locations:
Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney World Resort
Guests may also have this figure shipped directly to home using the Shop Disney Parks mobile app.
Chase today announced that as part of its multi-year agreement with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, U.S., it continues as the presenting sponsor of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Running for a record 62 days from September 14 through November 14, 2016, Guests attending the Festival will be able to discover delicious global cuisines, wines and beers, as well as enjoy tastings from celebrity chefs and music from legendary artists. Chase debit and credit cardmembers, including Disney Visa Cardmembers, will receive exclusive access to the Chase Lounge at the Festival.
The Lounge, located on the third floor of the American Adventure Pavilion within Epcot World Showcase, will offer cardmembers an inviting place to relax, enjoy complimentary, non-alcoholic refreshments, and access charging stations, among other amenities. It will open daily during the Festival from 11 a.m. until Park close.
Disney Visa Credit Cardmembers also have the opportunity on July 19 and July 20 to book reservations for special events offered at this year’s Festival before sales open to the general public on July 21. Call 407-939-1870 to book reservations with your Disney Visa Credit Card.
“We are thrilled to continue as the presenting sponsor of this year’s Festival and provide all Chase cardmembers an exclusive retreat at the Chase Lounge,” said B.J. Mahoney, general manager, Chase Card Services. “Not only will Chase cardmembers taste their way around the world, but they will be able to relax, recharge and refuel at the Lounge.”
The sponsorship of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival extends Chase’s relationship with Disney as the issuer of the Disney Premier Visa Credit Card, Disney Rewards Visa Credit Card and Disney Visa Debit Card. Disney Visa Credit Cardmembers earn Disney Dream Reward Dollars on all card purchases. In addition, all Disney Visa Cardmembers have access to amazing perks 365 days-a-year, including a Disney Character Meet ‘N’ Greet at a private Cardmember location at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort and special savings at Disney’s U.S. Theme Parks, Disney Store and DisneyStore.com. Cardmembers can also choose from various Disney card designs.
The 45th Anniversary of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort is only a few months away, so today Disney is previewing some of the items guests will find to celebrate the occasion this Fall:
The Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary assortment contains a variety of apparel items for adults including short and long-sleeved shirts, and lounge pants covered with logos from attractions that have opened at Magic Kingdom Park since 1971.
Guests will also find two Dooney & Bourke handbags that will each contain a 45th Anniversary leather hangtag. The pattern pairs Mickey Mouse with other attraction icons and characters such as Madame Leota from The Haunted Mansion, a bird from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and Dumbo.
There are several unique souvenirs for this celebration including a 1000-piece puzzle, a light-up ear hat ornament, an antenna topper, and a pennant with candy.
The arts and collectibles team is releasing two limited edition coins – a 39mm commemorative copper coin that is presented in a custom acrylic display; and a silver plated coin in a box. Both coins will feature the Magic Kingdom 45th anniversary artwork.
Speaking of things to collect, guests who enjoy trading pins will find a handful of new designs. There will be a mystery pin set containing eight different pins (each box contains two randomly selected pins). They will also release several open edition logo pins, a lanyard medal, and a commemorative pin for Passholders.
Look for these items and more this fall in select merchandise locations at Walt Disney World Resort. Once released, you may find select items available via the Shop Disney Parks app.
The Tomorrowland Terrace has had a tumultuous history at the Magic Kingdom. It has typically been closed seasonally for most of the last 20 years, reopening for filler table service a few times, or as the often despised “noodle station” which infamously served nearly inedible fast-food Asian cuisine that would make Panda Express seem like Victoria and Albert’s. In more recent years, it has reopened with a fairly forgettable menu, with options that could only be viewed as a minor improvement over half-cooked noodles. Recently, the venue reopened for counter service dining with a very different menu, so we decided to go check it out.
Spicy Chicken Sandwich ($9.99) – This was pretty solid. The patty itself had a nice flavor, complimented well by the spicy sauce. The bun could have been a little fresher, but otherwise a fine option here. SCORE: 5 out of 7.
Dipped Chicken Strips with Buffalo Sauce ($10.99) – These were everything I wanted them to be. I have been pretty sad since the removal of the buffalo chicken breast nuggets at Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but these are just as good if not better. Sometimes you just want something simple and cheap, and these deliver on a good quantity of food and good flavor from the sauce. I just wish I liked the fries more… SCORE: 7 out of 7.
Coconut Tres Leches Cake ($4.59) – I was pleasantly surprised how good this was. A nice lighter option to follow the strong flavors from some of the spicy entrees here. SCORE: 6 out of 7.
Rocky Road Brownie ($4.59) – Don’t buy this. It’s so chalky and bland that it is nearly inedible. It tasted what I imagine 5-year-expired chocolate frosting tastes like. SCORE: 0 out of 7
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this experience (outside of the brownie). The service was quick and the food was actually fantastic for what I would call a run-of-the-mill counter service. I would much prefer to eat here than fight the crowds at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, plus the options here are just much, much, much better. It may not be Be Our Guest, but Tomorrowland Terrace is a fine choice for a quick bite this summer when you visit the Magic Kingdom.
OVERALL RATING FOR TOMORROWLAND TERRACE (Summer ’16 Tour) – 6 OUT OF 7
I love The Plaza Restaurant. Wait, let me rephrase that… I loved the Plaza Restaurant. For many years I have enjoyed a soup, a turkey sandwich and some ice cream on a pretty consistent basis from this Magic Kingdom establishment, beloved for its fairly inexpensive table service options, good sandwiches, and stellar ice cream creations. When a new menu went into effect a few weeks ago, I decided a trip back was necessary to see what had been done to the menu. What I found was pretty disappointing…
Gone is the Turkey Sandwich I’ve enjoyed here most of my life (among other items). Newly added are the Loaded Fries, a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, and Honey BBQ Beef Brisket Burger.
Plaza Loaded Fries ($8) – Meant to emulate the old Figaro Fries once served at Pinocchio’s Village Haus many years ago, this new representation leaves much to be desired. First off, Plaza changed from thick steak fries to what are essentially the fries found at most Disney counter service locations, which is a bad start. The toppings also didn’t taste fresh. I would’t eat fries at Plaza anymore and I certainly wouldn’t order these again. SCORE: 0 out of 7.
Fried Green Tomato Sandwich ($16) – This too was awful. The counter service version at Hollywood Studios is significantly better than this offering at the Plaza. The bun had no flavor, the tomato itself was way too greasy, to the point where it was slipping out of the breading it was in, and the toppings tasted a bit off. SCORE: 0 out of 7.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich ($17) – This was more of what I expect from Plaza, solid and satisfying. Nothing crazy about this, but there didn’t need to be. If you are going to get a side with your entree here, stick with the chips for sure. SCORE: 3.5 out of 7.
Honey BBQ Beef Brisket Burger ($19) – This was just OK. The BBQ sauce was just alright, it was honestly no different than getting the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich from Flame Tree BBQ (which I’m not a big fan of either though) with a burger in it. SCORE: 2 out of 7.
Overall, I was massively disappointed with Plaza Restaurant. This was a place I often visited once a trip and the experience we had food-wise was pretty awful. Our server was amazing, but the cuisine just wasn’t as good as it had been in years past. The change in fries and the new dishes are all changes for the worse, and I honestly would not recommend this place for anything more than dessert anymore. We would have had dessert on this visit, but everyone was pretty uninterested in eating more after getting through the entrees.
The prices are significantly higher than they have ever been and the value just wasn’t there. I would rather spend $10-20 more a person just to eat at a different table service in the park (or even hit a good counter service location like Pecos Bill’s or Tomorrowland Terrace) than eat an entree or appetizer here again. As I said before, this is really a shame because Plaza was often a favorite of mine, and to see the menu tank so rapidly is hard to stomach, almost as hard to stomach as the loaded fries were…
There are still a few valid entree options here, but not enough for me to recommend this restaurant to anyone.
OVERALL RATING FOR PLAZA RESTAURANT – 1.5 OUT OF 7.
Since we reported on the beginning of the new paint scheme a few weeks ago, I know many readers have been anxious to see the finished product on the Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom. Well, it finally appears that the project is nearing completion:
The doors now feature the original pavilion logo used at the park, although the arrows are going the wrong way… (we are nitpicking though)
The design is loosely based on concept art John Hench created for the Disneyland version of the attraction.
Any remaining gear-related signage should be leaving shortly, probably during the short refurbishment next week.
If you want to see the new facade in action, we also have a video to share with you today:
The parents of the 2-year-old boy who was attacked by an alligator at Disney World last month have issued a statement today, claiming that they “will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney.” They will however be starting a foundation in honor of their son’s memory.
With the opening of Frozen Ever After approaching, the Mexico and Norway pavilion have been testing out their new 9AM opening time with some new breakfast options. Over in Mexico, La Cantina de San Angel now opens with the park and offers four breakfast plates (and no margaritas before 11am, before you even ask me):
The tamal verde con huevos was a good sized dish for the price. The tamale was a little dry, but not bad. The scrambled eggs (or huevos) served with each dish are pretty good, slightly better than the Disney-made counter service scrambled eggs elsewhere.
The chilaquiles was the best of all of the dishes in both presentation and taste. Similar in texture to the tamale, this did not have the same dry taste. This would be my recommendation if you are eating here.
The pambazo de chorizo is a weird dish, almost tasting like a hamburger covered in marinara sauce. It wasn’t bad, just strange, especially for breakfast.
The huevos revueltos kid’s meal is a good size dish and includes a beverage and fruit. The potatoes had a good flavor, and all of the fruit tasted very fresh.
Overall, La Cantina serves up a solid breakfast. I’m not sure if they are adding this out of necessity, but I don’t think this is where I would get breakfast at Epcot if given a choice. The bakeries in France and Norway have a really solid pastry lineup I would likely choose over this, and I might even be more likely to go for an adult breakfast platter from Sunshine Seasons over this location. The lack of indoor seating for breakfast doesn’t help the cause in the summer months either. Personally, I would skip this in favor of almost any other breakfast option at Epcot, even if it is on the way to Norway.
