Jose Eber’s 4/6/09 Mini-WDW Update

WDWNT on April 6, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber took a short trip to the Walt Disney World Resort this morning and has a few photos to share:

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The Characters in Flight balloon at Downtown Disney looks ready to take off any minute now

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The Virgin Megastore is almost gone, rumors suggest that this may become an AMC-Imax location

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Work continues on “Paradiso 37”, not much progress on the exterior in the last few days

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The finishing touches are being applied to the entrance of the Bay Lake Tower wing of Disney’s Contemporary Resort

No Popcorn For You!

WDWNT on April 5, 2009

While this news isn’t really Disney news, I thought it would be interesting to note that the AMC Theatres in Downtown Disney has lost its permit to sell food, due to major plumbing issues:

NAME: AMC Theatres Disney 12
ADDRESS: 1565 S. Disneyland Dr.
CITY: Anaheim
MAJOR VIOLATIONS: Plumbing In Disrepair
PERMIT SUSPENDED: 3/26/2009
PERMIT REINSTATED: “

I’m sure guests will still be able to bring in outside food, but for the time being at least, no food can be sold at the AMC.

Celebration Round-up and Barbecue Opens at Disneyland

WDWNT on April 3, 2009

From the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

“Toy Story” heroes Woody, Jesse and Bullseye are the stars at the Celebration Roundup & Barbecue, a new Disneyland outdoor restaurant located in the Frontierland area.

The stage hosts constant entertainment featuring country music acts and seven different skits starring Disney-Pixar characters.

The restaurant serves food family style, which means big portions are taken to each table in containers that can be passed around to everyone in the party.

Oregon resident Ken Patchett and his family had lunch today at the Celebration Roundup & Barbecue. He said the cost for the meal ($28.99 for ages 10 and up; $18.99 for ages 3-9, plus tax and gratuity) was high, but he liked the food, the open space and the festive atmosphere.

“The ribs rock,” said Ken Patchett.

“The cornbread is awesome,” said his wife, Audrey.

Planning for this venue started about a year ago, keeping the “What will you celebrate?” promotional campaign theme in mind.

The menu consists of corn, coleslaw, beans, barbecue ribs and chicken, cornbread and dessert. As part of the celebrate campaign, all restaurants in the resort feature a special “celebration” item, and the Cowboy Cone Cakes, which come in four flavors and are served inside a waffle cone filled with mousse, are an example.

Reservations may be made in advance by calling 714-781-3463. Walk-up reservations are also available.

Annual Passholder Appreciation Days

WDWNT on April 3, 2009

The Disneyland Resort will be appreciating its annual passholders with special food and merchandise discounts at Downtown Disney from April 19th through the 25th (you can click on either of the images to be taken to a bigger pdf file):

Deserted Island Becomes “Paradiso”

WDWNT on April 2, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber has provided us with the following video featuring the on-going construction of the “Paradiso 37” restaurant on a rather empty Pleasure Island, currently scheduled to open Spring 2009 (The video is available in high definition by clicking the HD button on the bottom of the video window):

We’re Serving Up Fun, Family Style!

WDWNT on April 2, 2009

Disney has released more information on Celebration Round-up and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch, which is scheduled to open tomorrow:

“Hey, howdy, hey y’all!” On April 2, as part of “What will you celebrate?” Big Thunder Ranch will transform into Celebration Roundup and Barbecue. Serving up family-style barbecue dishes, live entertainment and Disney characters, Guests can celebrate their special occasion with a unique outdoor entertainment experience, filled with western Disney flair.

Stepping into the newly enhanced ranch, Guests will be greeted by Woody or Jessie at a special Disney’s Photo Image location near the entry. Also on hand to welcome everyone is the “owner” of Big Thunder Ranch, Miss Chris, who helps create the festive atmosphere. While interacting with the crowd and finding out who’s celebrating what, Miss Chris and the musicians will sing songs and invite a few young Guests to ring the bell (an old western-style bell mounted on the stage) to commemorate their special occasion.

Hot off the grill and fresh out of the oven is a new line of tasty treats for everyone to enjoy. From chicken and ribs, and vegetarian dishes to Miss Chris’ Celebration Sensation Cupcakes and everything in between, the new restaurant is sure to create a party for your taste buds.

Here’s a sampling the menu items:

  • Barbeque Chicken & Ribs – with Miss Chris’ Special Secret Sauce
  • Cookie’s Cole Slaw
  • Corn Cob Wheels
  • Ranch Beans
  • Cornbread (with real corn!)
  • Barbeque Tofu and Vegetable Skewer – mushroom, red onion, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, squash, zucchini, potato and tofu with Miss Chris’ Barbeque Rub and tangy sauce
  • Lil’ Buckaroo Watermelon Slivers
  • Miss Chris’ Celebration Sensation Cupcakes

“The overall thought is that Guests can come to the park and enjoy all the great things Disneyland® has to offer as part of the celebration, but if you really want to make the moment special, come to the ranch,” said Joey Michaels, Entertainment producer.

Meanwhile, over at the critter corral, merriment of a different sort will be going on as the barnyard animals recognize their own milestones. Whether a cow has been declared a State Fair Winner or a goat has lost his first tooth, the critters will be celebrating up a storm with Chip ‘n’ Dale at the forefront to greet everyone and pose for photos. Guests will also be able to pet goats in the petting farm at the corral.

Celebration Roundup and Barbeque was brought to life by a varied group of Cast Members from Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Photo Imaging, WDI, Circle D Corral, Horticulture, Custodial, Resort Enhancement, Sales, Safety, Special Events, Environmental Affairs, Industrial Engineering, Architecture & Facilities Engineering and Facilities Asset Management.

Numerous activities, entertainment and interaction with Disney characters and Cast Members ensure there is never a dull moment at Celebration Roundup and Barbecue. Whether it’s an actual holiday or a Guests’ birthday, there’s always a reason to “Celebrate Today!”

Mickey’s Face-lift Postponed

WDWNT on April 2, 2009

Some of our sources have reported that Mickey’s Fun Wheel is a couple weeks behind schedule, and is now scheduled to open on May 8th, as opposed to the originally scheduled April 24th date. We’re not exactly sure on the reason of the delay, but it’s most likely due to the Mickey face, as it hasn’t even arrived at the Resort yet.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest on the Paradise Pier make-over.

Characters in Flight and in HD

WDWNT on April 2, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber has provided us with the following video featuring the Characters in Flight balloon still in its testing phase on Downtown Disney’s West Side (The video is available in high definition by clicking the HD button on the bottom of the video window):