As part of the big refurbishment that the Chapeau on Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom recently went through, the shop has expanded into the former Disney Vacation Club area next door. In response to the removal of this DVC information location, a new Vacation Club kiosk with a Circus theme will be added across from the Dumbo the Elephant attraction in Fantasyland. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more info on this as it becomes available.
As we catch up on the last two days, here is some Walt Disney World news that has come out since our site difficulties:
-As reported on our forums, the Figment’s Place meet and greet and the Figment walk around character have been retired at Epcot. Expect Dreamfinder and his “little” purple dragon to return to the park sometime in the next few months, probably late 2008/early 2009.
-The “Partners” statue depicting Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom has been repainted with a new look. Some of the Mickey (his face, pants, and shoes) has been repainted gold. The new look is very nice and we hope to have a picture of it up soon.
As part of the refurbishment of The Chapeau on Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom, they now provide you with the opportunity to create your own ear hats. The process is quite simple as guests select their cap, ears, ear emblems, and then their special embroidery. To see picture of the new system, head over to coverage at Laughingplace.com by going HERE.
As we reported a few weeks ago, the bridge that connects Liberty Square to Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom is in horrible shape. Because of this, the bridge will now have to be completely replaced and may seriously jeopardize the operation and means of operation of the many Magic Kingdom’s many parades at some point. To view the permit that was recently filed to rebuild/replace the bridge, go HERE. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for updates on parade operations as they become available.
Rumors are beginning to circulate about the “Indy” name dropping from the Tomorrowland Speedway at the Magic Kingdom. While we cannot confirm this at this time, I did want to share a rumor I have been hearing about the location. Sources have been telling me that before Walt Disney World celebrates it’s 40th Anniversary in 2011, the attraction will undergo a huge refurbishment to add electric cars and new scenery. To quote our source:
“The idea behind this refurbishment would be to make our speedway similar to the Autopia attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, while also including scenery that tells the story of our Tomorrowland.” (ex. Stitch, Wall-E, Buzz Lightyear, and Monsters Inc. character and theming references)
While this still may be a few years away from happening, keep your eyes peeled for details on any coming changes to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. Tomorrow looks very promising.Â
The following temporary dining changes are being reported by Laughingplace.com:
Some Spring Magic Kingdom dining changes:
- Cosmic Ray’s will serve breakfast from 8:30a to 10:00a daily, March 16 through 29.
- Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station will be open for lunch and dinner March 16 – 29, 11:00a – 10:00p
- The Diamond Horseshoe will be serving quick service lunch March 16 through 29 from 11:00a to 4:00p. In addition, a full service traditional turkey dinner will be offered from March 17 through 27. Dinner will be served between 5:00p and 9:00p on those dates.
- El Pirata y el Perico Restaurante will open daily for lunch March 16 through 29 from 11:30a to 4:00p
- Sleepy Hollow will open for waffles daily at 8:00a, offering another great breakfast option for Guests!
- Plaza Ice Cream Parlor will open at 7:00a daily for “Coffee Express,” offering coffee, hot cocoa and pastries.
In addition, some temporary carts will be set up around the park:
- Tomorrowland: Kiosk will serve burgers, turkey sandwiches and a salad.
- Tomorrowland: Another cart will serve hot wings and nachos.
- Fantasyland: a cart will serve wraps, sandwiches and fruit.
- Main Street: The Center Street Hog Dog cart will return to on March 16.
- Adventureland: Turkey legs
Coming to McDonald’s Happy Meals this Friday, March 15, are toys themed to Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom. There are going to be 16 toys to collect in all, with 8 Pirates inspired toys and 8 belonging to Disney Princess brand. Each toy will also come with one of eight collectible cards and a chance to win a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort during the Year of a Million Dreams. To check out all the toys being released, go HERE. Click on the Pirate or Princess side of the image to see the corresponding kids meal inserts.
Our friend Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media is reporting about some changes that may be coming to the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents attraction in the next year. According to Jim’s report, whoever the new president of the United States may be, they will not be receiving a speaking part in this latest addition. Instead, Disney may be going for a much shorter show that would cut the current president’s speech from it’s lineup and add the reading of the Gettysburg address by Abraham Lincoln. This would allow the attraction to run three shows an hour and shorten the length of what many say is the most boring attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort. To read the entire report, go HERE.
Here is what we missed during our short downtime:
-Splash Mountain is once again operating at the Magic Kingdom. The ride was not suppose to re-open until February 18th.
-The Earful Tower at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is recieving its new logo:
Hi Definition Video (720p): Â Click Here
-The Pirate and Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom may be recieving a new name in the near future, Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party.
After a short period of closure this week, Spaceship Earth at Epcot has re-opened with an enhanced descent portion.
-The descent now features some triangle panels that light up above you (again matching the panels on the outside of SSE).
-A new video has replaced the stars and trivia segment while you wait for your future to be created on the touch screen.
-The interactive map has returned, and now adds your ride photo to the giant globe in the Project Tomorrow post show area.
-There are some new kiosks near the globe that are not yet operational, but once they are, you will be able to email photos and even the “your future” video from the attraction to anyone.
We will obtain some pictures of these updates as soon as we can, but as you know, we are having our own refurbishment problems.
Here are some notable news bites from the annual passholder publication, The Mickey Monitor:
-In Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, vehicles will make full stops at various booths, giving guests a little more time to experience each of the attractions various shooting games.
-As stated a few months ago, some of the Toy Story Mania attraction’s show scenes will feature special effects that are activated as you hit various targets, such as blasts of air and water.
-Dates for Annual Passholder previews of Toy Story Mania should be announced soon. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information.
-Annual Passholders can purchase discount tickets and get VIP fireworks seating during some upcoming Pirate and Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom by going to disneyworld.com/passholder
-Using four vouchers in the Mickey Monitor, passholders can pick up a set of four special lithographs made just for them at all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.
