Reedy Creek has filed permits that could be related to an expansion of the convention center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
The convention center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is likely to expand
The application says there will be a new stormwater management pond and expansion of another pond to accommodate future additions within Coronado Springs. Disney is not giving further details at this time.
While some have speculated that this addition would instead be a Disney Vacation Club wing, we are still hearing that the Moderate Resort DVC wing coming soon is for Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The reasoning behind expanding the already massive convention space at Coronado Springs would be to take the pressure off of the Disney’s Contemporary Resort facility which Disney is planning to eventually shutter. The ongoing Convention Center expansion at Disney’s Yacht and Beach club Resorts is also a part of this effort.
The Walt Disney World website notes that Coronado will be undergoing “a refurbishment” beginning Fall 2016.
On Friday, a few old friends came back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
The Discovery Island Trail located behind the Tree of Life reopened, allowing guests to walk under the Tree for the first time in almost 2 years. The trails around the center of the Island are still closed, but it is nice to have this small area back in the park. Personally, this has always been a space I have used to escape the crowds in the park.
There is some wildlife to see along the path, including some porcupines and a large tortoise.
We also have a short video walkthrough of the trail for you to enjoy:
Kangaroos have also been gone from the park for two years now, but they returned on Friday to a habitat located just behind the Flamingo area towards the front of the Tree of Life.
The zoom on my video camera is better for viewing the kangaroos (who are rather far away), so check them out in the video below:
It’s nice too ee these offerings return as work on the expansion of the park begins to wrap up, hopefully fully completed by the Summer of 2017.
The long delayed Elena of Avalor meet and greet is finally coming to the Magic Kingdom this November.
Beginning November 24, 2016, Princess Elena of Avalor – the first Disney princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures – will begin to greet Guests alongside other royal friends at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. At Princess Fairytale Hall, guests can choose between a meeting with Elena and Cinderella or a visit with Rapunzel and Tiana. FastPass+ reservations for dates that include Elena appearances will become available today, October 14, 2016.
Princess Elena of Avalor first made her grand debut at Magic Kingdom Park back in August, with Cinderella officially welcoming her to the kingdom in “The Princess Elena Royal Welcome” show. Guests can continue to experience this show throughout the fall.
Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill will be closed October 17th through mid-December 2016.
To accommodate guests, Grab ‘N’ Go meals will be available at Mizner’s starting at 7am. Mizner’s will return to its regular menu from 6pm till midnight.
The Beaches Pool Bar and Grill will offer service from 6AM until 9PM during this period. The Grand Floridian Cafe will also offer a “To Go” menu during the refurbishment.
Guests at Disney Parks will soon be able to wear classic theme park attraction posters and character on their feet with new socks coming from the Twenty-Eight and Main collection:
Disney Parks Attraction Socks
No exact release date for the socks was given, but among the items previewed were pairs featuring Expedition Everest, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and the world famous Jungle Cruise.
If you love vintage style attraction posters, you are going to love this new artwork being released this week at the WonderGround Gallery, inside the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs.
Artist Dave Perillo will be on hand at WonderGround Gallery, Marketplace Co-Op in the Disney Springs Marketplace for the release of this new artwork. Here is his appearance Schedule for the WonderGround Gallery inside Marketplace Co-Op:
October 21 & 22: 5-8 p.m.
October 23: 12-3 p.m
About the Artist – Dave Perillo
Living in Philadelphia, Dave Perillo works as an Illustrator. He draws inspiration from many notable television, film noirs, cartoons, and character advertising icons. Dave began his career working as an illustrator in the glamorous world of medical publishing. After countless drawings of dancing kidneys and otoscopes, he felt a need to feed his creative juices and began to create his own pop culture inspired art. This path launched him into a world of comic conventions, art galleries and freelance design.
Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the park’s expansion, PizzeRizzo, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, and more.
Welcome to Hollywood
Construction on the roadways around the park has expanded greatly, even beyond the main Walt Disney World Resort entrance on World Drive.
Entering Hollywood Studios from World Drive is quite the disaster currently as Disney prepares to move the entrance in the not-too-distant future.
There are currently two exit ramps to Animal Kingdom as the new one recently opened. No word yet on when the old one will close, but for now you can take two exits in a row to the same place.
The construction as seen from the World Drive road entrance.
AOTAS Hall of Fame Removal?
Rumor has it that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame is being removed outside of the Hyperion Theater.
This and That
To make sure everyone knows they are back, a large sign was placed on the top of Oasis Canteen advertising the menu.
Celebrity Spotlight was averaging about an 11 minute wait, so Disney cut the capacity in half and now waits have been double the length at least.
Star Wars Land Construction
Two facades are all that remains of the Streets of America as land clearing is full speed ahead for Star Wars land.
For a better look, check out this week’s expansion video update:
PizzeRizzo and Gonzo’s Royal Flush
Gonzo’s Royal Flush opens a few weeks ago, but some signage was recently added to the exterior.
Work continues on PizzeRizzo which should be opening soon.
Some flags were recently hung, including the PizzeRizzo logo.
Tables and some wall art were recently installed inside.
Gone are the old planters, railings now separate the outside dining area from the walkway.
Some new lamps were installed by the staircase.
Dr. Strange and the Mystery in One Man’s Dream
The Doctor Strange sneak peek has finally begun inside the One Man’s Dream theater.
Walls are still up in The Legacy Continues area of the exhibit. It is still unknown exactly what the work is for.
The model of the fortress from Tokyo DisneySea is now gone. This model had been in the exhibit for a number of years.
More permanent walls are now up. The door was left open at one point, so I peeked in. There is literally nothing there except some ladders and other work tools.
The Doctor Strange preview is not much more than two of the film trailers put together, but the film looks interesting enough.
Toy Story Land
The tarps are back up over by the former Jack Sparrow location, so we no longer have a clear view of construction down on this side.
Land clearing continues back by Toy Story Midway Mania.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
As discussed in an earlier post, the ark from Raiders of the Lost Ark is now on display at the Great Movie Ride.
New Merchandise
Some new ladies shirts are available in the Disney Boutique collection.
Every now and then, the props in the queue of the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are switched out. Over the years, the exhibit space has been home to hundreds of legendary pieces of film history, from the chess table in Star Wars: A New Hope, to actual costuming pieces from Gone with the Wind, and so much more. This week, a new prop arrived for display. Some people call it “a transmitter… A radio for speaking to God…”
The Ark from Raiders of the Lost Ark, now at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The actual Ark of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark is the latest addition to the queue at the Great Movie Ride. Talk about a prop with some film provenance…
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones with the prop in Raiders of the Lost Ark
We also have a show video overview of the prop in its new home for you to enjoy:
So, what do you think? Are you excited to see this piece of film history on your next trip to Hollywood Studios? You should probably hurry up and tell Jock to get the plane going so you don’t miss it.
This week, PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard is nearing completion as the land clearing and demolition continues in the Backlot area of the park for Star Wars and Toy Story Land in our latest video expansion update from Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Often, when I find myself craving ice cream in the Epcot resort area, I will either stop by Beaches & Cream or Ample Hills. On my way home last night, I came across the funnel cake booth at Disney’s Boardwalk. Now, I knew that this kiosk existed and that it sold funnel cakes, but I was unaware of the presence of fried ice cream. Need less to say, I had to try it.
The Cookies ‘N Cream Funnel Cake sounds good, but not what we are here for this time…
Fried Ice Cream ($5.50)
Fried Ice Cream ($5.50)
What is fried ice cream?
Fried ice cream is a dessert made from a breaded scoop of ice cream that is quickly deep-fried creating a warm, crispy shell around the still-cold ice cream.
The dessert is commonly made by taking a scoop of ice cream frozen well below the temperature at which ice cream is generally kept, possibly coating it in raw egg, rolling it in cornflakes or cookie crumbs, and briefly deep frying it. The extremely low temperature of the ice cream prevents it from melting while being fried. It may be sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and a touch of peppermint, though whipped cream or honey may be used as well.
The Boardwalk version keeps it simple. While the vanilla ice cream is fairly standard, the fried breading makes it above average. In fairness, I’ve never had fried ice cream before so I don’t know how this stacks up against the competition. I have had fried Oreos and assorted candy bars at some small fairs back in New York, and I will say I would rather have had any of those than this. I would also rather have Ample Hills ice cream, which is just steps away.
If you are looking for something different, this really isn’t bad, but you will probably want to splurge on the funnel cake or just stop for ice cream somewhere else nearby.
