RUMOR: Disney Restaurants at Walt Disney World to be Added to OpenTable for Reservations

WDWNT on December 21, 2017

If you want a reservation at a Disney-owned restaurant at Walt Disney World, you currently have to call 407-WDW-DINE or use the Disney website/mobile application to do so, but in the near future, it appears guests may be able to use OpenTable.

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OpenTable allows people to make reservations for restaurants just about anywhere, in fact, several 3rd-party restaurants at Disney Springs use the service as well as the DisneyWorld.com system. Disney would add the restaurants to OpenTable as well in hopes of gaining more attention with diners in the Orlando area, as the app showcases nearby restaurants when you open it.

OpenTable does have the capability of requiring a credit card hold for restaurants, so the same reservation parameters that currently apply at Disney restaurants would still be in place if this happens.

There is no set time frame for this service to roll out, but it should be fairly soon if it clears all of the appropriate channels.

Bon Voyage Tangled & Little Mermaid Breakfast at Boardwalk Expanded to Offer More Reservations

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Soon, Guests will have even more opportunities to dine with Rapunzel and Flynn and Ariel and Prince Eric at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

REVIEW: Trattoria Al Forno Bon Voyage Character Breakfast Brings Tangled & Little Mermaid Couples to the Table

Beginning Sunday, December 17th, 2017, The Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno will offer dining one hour longer, operating from 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Additional reservations during the extended dining hours are now available for dates beginning December 17th and beyond. To place a reservation, Guests should call 407-WDW-DINE.

As part of the new “Bon Voyage Breakfast,” Guests have the opportunity to meet beloved Disney characters while enjoying plated breakfast entrées. Please check out our full review to see if the experience is right for you.

Narcoossee’s Brunch and Las Ventanas Dinner Set to End Soon at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Two Walt Disney World restaurants will soon be concluding two of their meal services.

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Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa will no longer offer brunch after January 27th, 2018. The brunch service began in November 2015 and was offered only on Sundays.

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Las Ventanas at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will no longer offer a dinner service following December 30th, 2017. They will continue to offer breakfast and lunch.

Reunion Station at Wilderness Lodge to Offer Disney Vacation Club Members Paid Lounge Experience

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

When Reunion Station opens at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in 2018, it may offer a first-of-its-kind paid lounge experience for Disney Vacation Club Members.

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The space located adjacent to Geyser Point Bar and Grill (it’s connected to the same building, located just behind the dining venue) is planned to offer:

  • A paid lounge access option that includes select food and beverages daily during specified morning and evening hours. The option will be available to entire travel parties for the duration of stay, based on availability for an added fee.
  • A variety of premium experiences with a participation fee.
  • Open time for members to visit the space to play family games, etc.

So basically, this would be a paid, add-on, club level style offering for Disney Vacation Club members, but the lounge would only be available during set times. During other times, the space will be used for the aforementioned paid activities and general activity time for all members.

Disney Vacation Club exclusive accommodations typically do not offer a club level option.


Reunion Station is set to open in 2018 at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

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CONCEPT ART: First Look at New Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Shutters, Centertown Market, Banana Cabana Lounge, Lobby, ETC.

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Hiding in the hallway to the restrooms in the Customs House, guests will now find several pieces of concept art for the reimagined Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, a massive project scheduled to be completed by Late Summer 2018. The Old Port Royale Food Court, Shutters, Banana Cabana Pool Bar, and Calypso Trading Post at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort all closed May 1st, 2017 to begin the project.

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The board features nine pieces of concept art that we have not seen before. Sadly, Spy Glass Grille was not included.

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A reimagined outdoor courtyard area should be rather pleasant to stroll around.

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The new new food court, Centertown Market, will feature indoor and outdoor seating. It will take up most of the space that was the old Shutters restaurant.

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The interior will be quite the departure from the old look.

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The Porte Cochere and lobby are moving to Old Port Royale, with the Customs House set to be demolished once the new check-in area is complete.

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It should be nice to finally have everything in one building here.

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The lobby cuts through what was the Calypso Trading Post store.

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Shutters is moving to an entirely new location on the waterfront which should offer fantastic views. Banana Cabana Lounge will act as the bar for the dining venue.

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The interior of Shutters does leave a little to be desired as the exterior is just way more vibrant.

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The interior of Banana Cabana looks pretty fun.

The reimagined Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is set to open Late Summer 2018, with the Disney Skyliner and adjacent Disney’s Riviera Resort (also part of this project) coming online sometime after that.

To relive what Centertown Old Port Royale once was, be sure to check out our tour of the area from just before it closed:

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Dates Announced for 2018 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will return in 2018 for its ninth year and tickets are already available.

Like drinking and eating? The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic offers guest the opportunity to dine at over 60 stations, featuring eats from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants. A selection of wines from around the world will be offered to pair with the array of dished, and taking place at the hotel’s causeway will be a lineup of entertainment to set the tone for the event.

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The event will take place on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, the 27. On Sunday, October 28, the Sunday Bubbles Brunch will be held. For an additional fee, guests will be able attend special seminars and enjoy Octoberfest-cuisine along with the chefs of hotels and certified beverage experts. To purchase tickets or book overnight packages for the event, head on cover to www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com. Overnight packages can also be booked by calling the number 1-888-828-8850.

One-night packages start at $445, and include room accommodations and two tickets to the outdoor festival

Two-night packages start at $865, and include room accommodations and two tickets to the outdoor festival for both nights

 

Next October is a while away, but to hold you over here are a bunch of photos of what you can expect from the event:

 

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BREAKING: New Concept Art & Details Released for the Disney Skyliner Gondola System & Park Stations at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Earlier this year, Disney finally announced the Disney Skyliner transportation system that will give resort guests an unforgettable journey and a picturesque view of Walt Disney World Resort as they take to the sky to travel from select Disney resorts to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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Today, Disney is sharing new details on what you can expect from the Disney Skyliner system.

Select Disney Skyliner cabins will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

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The design of the Disney Skyliner station at International Gateway at Epcot will be inspired by the park’s nearby European Pavilions, and will be covered with metal and glass canopies, hand-painted murals and ornamental steel structures that harken back to the early 18th century Art Nouveau style. Guests traveling to Epcot via the Disney Skyliner will be welcomed to the park with a rare birds-eye view of World Showcase.

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The Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station will be the hub of activity for Disney Skyliner. This station is inspired by the open air village marketplaces of the Caribbean and will showcase the nearby resort’s architectural detailing and color schemes. At this station, passengers will be able to transfer gondola routes to reach their destination, or are invited to sit and admire the waterfront resort setting.

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The design style of the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will fit with that of the park’s main entrance and bus stations. Passengers traveling here from the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station can expect a new aerial perspective of the park’s iconic attractions, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will share a Disney Skyliner station that feels whimsical and contextual with both resorts. Upon departing the gondola station, Skyliner passengers will ascend over Hourglass Lake and enjoy a panoramic view of these two colorful resorts.

Finally, cabins will slow down at the Disney Skyliner turn-station along Buena Vista Drive, where guests can see the mechanical and aerial components that make up the Disney Skyliner.

No opening date has been set for the Disney Skyliner as of yet.

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Minnie Van Transportation Expanded to Disney’s Old Key West Resort

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

While initially only available to guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts, Minnie Vans have since rolled out to the Wilderness & Animal Kingdom Lodge hotels, as well as the Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and Contemporary Resorts due to popular demand.

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Starting today, guests at Disney’s Old Key West can now go to the front desk at the resort to activate the point-to-point transportation service for their use.

Minnie Vans is a paid transportation service that is operated by Disney and summoned through the Lyft app. Please check out our review to see how it works and if Minnie Vans will be right for you.

PHOTOS: Remodeled Speedway Gas Station Opens Near Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

After being closed for a few weeks, the Speedway gas station near Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopened recently.

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The station had never closed after being purchased by Speedway. It was formerly a Hess station.

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Brand new pumps were installed with Speedway Secure systems in place. “Touch to pay” with credit cards and Apple Pay is coming soon.

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Much of the signage was redone.

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The Coke Freestyle machine is gone, so now there are these fountains featuring “flavor magic”. There’s also a slushy machine now.

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There’s also this psychotic looking milkshake contraption…

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Yes, this is a photo of Hostess snacks on WDWNT.com.

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They also serve Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee products.

New Spy Glass Grille Restaurant at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Set to Open in Early 2018

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Since the massive overhaul of Old Port Royale’s Centertown began a few months back at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, details have been scarce on exactly what the new dining options would be when they opened next year. Disney is now posting job opportunities at the new eateries, set to open in early 2018, providing some information on the new resort counter service location called Spy Glass Grille.

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While details on Spy Glass Grille are scarce, we know that it will feature Coca-Cola Freestyle machines and Disney is currently only looking for existing cast members to fill the roles at the new location. The Spy Glass Grille name had not been previously announced. The venue is rumored to be located between the pool and the beach at Trinidad South within the resort.

While no details are available yet, new table service venues, bars, lounges, and shopping venues will also be a part of the new complex when it is completed sometime next year.

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