Grand Marshall Pre-Parade Downsizing

WDWNT on August 15, 2008

It’s cost cutting time once again! Beginning this Sunday (August 17th), the Grand Marshall Pre-Parade to Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams will not have the dancers, Year of a Million Dreams banner, or Disney characters, & will just feature the Grand Marshall car with the chosen guests & the Mayor of Main Street riding in it.

Here are a couple of pictures of what is being removed, for those of you who are unaware of it:

So no more dancers or characters… Sad, truly sad.

The Vineyard Room Officially Closing

WDWNT on August 15, 2008

Last week we shared with you the rumor that the Vineyard Room restaurant at Disney’s California Adventure may be closing, & sadly enough, that rumor was made official by Disney yesterday. According to the OC Register, the restaurant will permanently close on August 31st, 2008. Disney spokeswoman Betsy Sanchez said that “In the short term, the area will be used as additional seating for the popular Wine Country Trattoria. Long-term plans are still being considered”.

The closing of this restaurant will leave California Adventure with just 2 table service restaurants, them being the Wine Country Trattoria & Ariel’s Grotto.

Food & Wine Fight

WDWNT on August 15, 2008

Culinary greats will put their spatulas to the test in an elaborate cook-off Sept. 26-27 – during the opening weekend of the 13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – in a quest to represent the United States at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest.

Eight two-person teams will turn up the heat in the kitchen at Walt Disney World Resort in the hope their culinary creations land them a top spot representing Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest – commonly called the “Culinary Olympics” – in Lyon, France, in January 2009.

Walt Disney World guests can attend the competition and observe the chefs performing their culinary wizardry and savor the flavors. Each of the eight teams will serve up elaborate fish and beef dishes before a live audience and prominent panel including the country’s top chefs: Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Charlie Trotter, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Georges Perrier, Michel Richard, Laurent Tourondel and former Bocuse d’Or USA competitors.

The eight finalists competing for a spot on the U.S. Team include:

  • Timothy Hollingsworth, Sous Chef, The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.
  • Chef Hung Huynh, “TopChef” Season 3 Winner, Executive Chef, Solo, New York City
  • Rogers Powell, Instructor, French Culinary Institute, New York City
  • Chef John Rellah Jr., Executive Chef, Hamilton Farm, Gladstone, N.J.
  • Richard Rosendale, US Culinary Olympics Team Captain, Chef/Owner, Rosendales, Columbus, Ohio
  • Michael Rotondo, Chef de Cuisine, Charlie Trotter’s, Chicago
  • Kevin Sbraga, Culinary Director, Garces Restaurant Group, Philadelphia
  • Percy Whatley, Executive Chef, Delaware North Parks, Yosemite, Calif.

    • The competition at Disney culminates Sept. 27 with a Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony recognizing the first, second and third place teams. The evening will feature a silent auction, live musical entertainment, dancing and a chance to meet and mingle with some the world’s top chefs, including the Gala Dinner Chefs, as well as Paul Bocuse, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and the Deans of The French Culinary Institute, Alain Sailhac and Andre Soltner.  The star-studded dinner includes hors d’oeuvres, a four-course tasting menu, and a dessert reception prepared by Chefs Daniel Boulud (Daniel, New York City), Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter’s, Chicago), Patrick O’Connell (Inn at Little Washington, Washington, D.C.), Michel Richard (Citronelle, Washington, D.C.), Georges Perrier (Le Bec Fin, Philadelphia), Laurent Tourondel (BLT, New York City), Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park, New York City), David Myers (Sona, Los Angeles) and Traci des Jardins (Jardiniere, San Francisco), and will be paired with Diageo Reserve Signature Cocktails and Moët Hennessy Champagnes.  The highlight of the evening will be a Dom Pérignon toast and theannouncement of the Bocuse d’Or USA winning team.

    The newly selected Bocuse d’Or USA team will go on to compete among 24 teams from around the world at the Bocuse d’Or World Competition in Lyon, in the gold standard event held every two years.

    Tickets for the Gala Dinner are $450 per person, plus tax including gratuity, and can
    be purchased beginning Aug. 25 by calling 407/WDW-FEST, with proceeds benefiting Bocuse d’Or USA (a not-for-profit organization sponsoring the competitors’ training, travel and culinary education).

    Throughout the six-week-long Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Sept. 26-Nov. 9, guests can sample food and wine from around the world at international marketplaces and specialty dinners, attend seminars and wines schools and meet guest chefs. For more information, contact www.disneyworld.com/food.

    Chris Lastrapes’ 8/14 Photo Report

    WDWNT on August 15, 2008

    Our new staff member Chris Lastrapes is at the Disneyland Resort today & tomorrow, & he’s got some pictures for us from his first day:

    The It’s a Small World logo sign is back… New colors once again folks


    Here are a few construction shots of It’s a Small World


    As previously reported, the Small World flume has been painted


    The rather unpredictable goat is currently at Big Thunder Mountain


    A look at the Monorail/Railroad roundhouse… Can’t see any of the Mark VII’s


    As usual, Monorail Purple was the only Monorail running today


    No visible progress over at the Plaza Pavilion


    The Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries is due to end after Labor Day


    And to end off this photo report, a few shots from the Disneyland Hotel


    A nice few out of Chris’ hotel room


    I’m guessing this is on the hotel room windows

    Stay tuned tomorrow, as Chris should be giving us some more pictures from his day at the parks tomorrow. Also we’re going to have a special video podcast up for you!

    New Walt Disney World Resort Discounts Now Available

    WDWNT on August 14, 2008

    Here are some details on some new discounts Walt Disney World will be offering for those visiting in the fall this year:

    If guests purchase a provided 5-night, 6-day Magic Your Way package, they’ll get accommodations for five nights at a select Disney Value Resort or a select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort and a 6-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for just –

    $49* per person, per day for a family of four in a standard room at a select Disney Value Resort (total package price is $1,168). These vacation packages are valid for stays most nights Sept. 28 – Nov. 25, Nov. 29 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 13-23, 2008.

    or

    $94* per person, per day for a family of four in a studio at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney’s Old Key West Resort (total package price is $2,236). These vacation packages are valid for stays most nights Sept 28 – Oct 1, Oct 24 – Nov 1, Nov 10 – Nov 25, Nov 29 – Dec 3, Dec 13 – 23, 2008.

    Discount Booking Codes Are:
    DGL – Magic Your Way Package Discount
    QXD – Magic Your Way Plus Dining package discount
    UVL – Magic Your Way Plus Deluxe Dining Package Discount

    *Rates are based on two adults, one junior and one child. The number of packages available at these rates is limited. Theme Park tickets are valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply.

    You can get more information and book these special packages through Magical Travel, or get more information by participating in the Trip Planning area of the WDW News Today Community Forums.

    Hotel Strike Tonight

    WDWNT on August 14, 2008

    You might wanna watch out if you’ll be at the Resort tonight, becuase Unite HERE Local 681 will be holding a protest to the Disney Company:

    Police to Arrest Mickey Mouse
    Clergy and Community Leaders to Join Hotel Workers and
    Supporters dressed in Disney Characters in Civil Disobedience

    WHO: Orange County Religious and Community Leaders, Labor Leaders, Students, and Hotel Workers

    WHAT: A 1,000 person march from the Paradise Pier Hotel to Harbor Blvd. The marchers will block traffic at Harbor Blvd. Approximately 30 people (including workers, Supporters dressed in Disney characters, and clergy) will participate in civil disobedience as they call Disney to “be faithful” to the workers and the community.

    WHEN: Thursday, August 14th

    LOCATION:
    4:30pm — Picket Line at the Paradise Pier Hotel
    5:00pm – March from Paradise Pier Hotel
    6:00 pm – Civil Disobedience blocking Harbor Blvd.

    WHY: DISNEY IS UNFAITHFUL. Approximately 2,300 employees of the Disneyland Hotels, including bellmen, dishwashers, room attendants, and cooks, have been working without a contract since February 2008. Disney is unfaithful to the community and the workers because they do not uphold their espoused family values. Many hotel workers who have given years to the company will be faced with increased difficulty in obtaining healthcare for their families due to the proposals of Disney. The company is proposing to increase both cost and eligibility requirements to these low wage workers for benefits like healthcare, vacation and seniority. This will cause suffering to many workers and their children.

    New Pavement, No New Music

    WDWNT on August 14, 2008

    Earlier this week we had reported that the planned repaving of Main Street that is to be done this winter was shortened from a 2 month job, to just a 2 week job. Well it now seems that it will last 4 weeks, which gives them time to fix up the areas in dire need of work.

    We also said that once the repaving of Main Street is done, Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams would return with changes at the beginning of the parade, as well as new show stop music. At the moment, that idea has been scrapped, but you never know what could come up in the rumor mill between now & the winter.

    Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today to find out what happens with Main Street’s pavement & Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams!

    A Deceiving Orange

    WDWNT on August 14, 2008

    Various reports have said that Monorail Orange arrived in the Pongo lot approximately an hour ago. Now we’re not sure if it really did arrive or not, however our new on the spot reporter Chris Lastrapes will be at the Resort tomorrow, & he’ll try find out the latest on the Monorails & the rest of the happenings around the Disneyland Resort!

    44 Days To Go!

    WDWNT on August 14, 2008

    Disney has put up a interactive countdown to Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. It has the same old descriptions as seen from year to year, & also has an old Official Disneyland Resort podcast on Halloween Time linked to. The only really interesting thing is that Golden Screams is not listed, which pretty much confirms that the show will not be returning this year. Could that mean that construction on Little Mermaid will begin this fall? Likely.

    Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for coverage on Disney’s Halloween Time, as well as the conversion of Golden Dreams to The Little Mermaid attraction.