Some Sweet Additions to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on June 24, 2011

From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

Mickey Cake Pops at Disney Parks

I started my Disney career as a merchandise host on the Walt Disney World College Program in the summer of 1997. I worked in several locations at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island including D-Zerts, a former merchandise store that once contained a “show kitchen.” That is a term we use to describe merchandise locations that offer both pre-packaged consumable items (think boxed candy) and freshly made sweet treats like cookies, coffee or other desserts (basically my ideal meal each day). You may have visited other show kitchen locations likeMarceline’s Confectionary at Downtown Disney District in California or Candy Cauldron at Downtown Disney Westside in Florida. Patrice Guy, product developer for consumables at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, recently shared with me some details about the new yummy treats appearing in the show kitchens this summer. Patrice only had to say three words to grab my attention – “Mickey Cake Pops!”

“Cake pops are hot items in the consumables marketplace,” explained Patrice. “I wanted a Mickey-shaped cake pop but faced the challenge of how to execute the design. I contacted the Candy Cauldron team in Florida and, for the past two months, we worked to create the new pixie-dusted pop. It’s delicious!”

Yes – it is delicious! I had the rough assignment of testing treats for this article. The pops come in a variety of colors and are currently being offered at Candy Cauldron and Goofy’s Candy Company at Downtown Disney in Florida. They will be introduced at additional park locations soon and eventually at the Disneyland Resort.

Mickey Mouse-Shaped Cookies Coming to Disney Parks in July

Patrice also shared with me some new cookies that are coming to locations in July. I love the “chocolate ear hat” decorations on them (and of course, that is what I ate first – just like a chocolate Easter bunny).

Concession Candies at Disney Parks

I love chocolate, particularly dark chocolate (which is supposedly good for my health but only in moderation), and it appears I’m not alone. Patrice introduced a new line of concession candies this past spring that featured a variety of boxes that had me laughing. My favorite box is “Please Stand Clear of My Chocolate,” but the most popular one has been the “Mood Chocolate.” Patrice mentioned a second wave of concession candy boxes featuring different artwork is currently in the design phase.

'Nostalgia Candy' Display in the Heritage Manor Gifts Location at The American Adventure at Epcot

Meanwhile, I now have another place to get my candy fix. The World Showcase team recently set a “nostalgia candy” display in the Heritage Manor Gifts location at The American Adventure. Wow! There were all sorts of candy that I recall enjoying as a child at my grandparent’s house.

After writing this article, I think I should contact Pam Brandon to see if she has any new meals to try. I’m sure there is a delicious one waiting for me when Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, opens in August. I probably should eat something besides all these yummy treats (or not).

Art of Animation Resort Construction Photo From Above

WDWNT on June 23, 2011

Our own Adam Roth also does a fair amount of work over at Theme Park Review, and while taking an aerial tour of Walt Disney World for the site, he came across this:

This is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort which will be opening in phases beginning May 2012

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The Finding Nemo buildings opens in May 2012, Cars in July 2012, The Lion King in September 2012, and The Little Mermaid buildings in December 2012. If you compare the two photos, you’ll see that the Nemo buildings are indeed the furthest along, so it’s not hard to believe that area will open first.

The back of the building has already been decorated with the character sketches we saw in concept art:

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The buildings in the Cars wing seem to be on the same track:

Meanwhile, vertical building construction is still going on in The Lion King section, making it hard to believe that will open only 4 months after the Nemo building:

Unfortunately, The Little Mermaid buildings are not in the picture, but they were pretty far along last time we looked. Another thing to take notice of is that the facade of the main building is really coming along. Here is the concept art:

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Here’s what it looks like now:

It certainly will be fun to watch this new resort grow over the next year! Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

Art of Animation Resort & Royal Guest Rooms Now Available!

WDWNT on June 17, 2011

From Charles Stovall on the Disney Parks Blog:

Two new ways for guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels to live like their favorite Disney characters are now on sale. Building on the success of Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, new “Disney Story Rooms” are now available for guests booking vacations in 2012 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

Opening in early Spring 2012, the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside allow princes and princesses of all ages to stay where Disney royalty have stayed. Guests find regal touches left behind by some of their favorite Disney characters like fiber optics special effects above ornately decorated beds with gold and crystal accents; custom linens and drapes; and in-room art and details including princely banners and princess friends. The 512 Royal Guest Rooms start at $189 per night.

Walt Disney World guests also can now book rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, a brand new Walt Disney World Value Resort opening in early Summer 2012. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will immerse guests into their favorite Disney stories – including Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” and “Cars,” as well as Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid.”

The one-of-a-kind resort will feature more than 800 standard guest rooms and more than 1,100 family suites (which sleep up to six people) at its completion. Standard rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort start at $94 per night and family suites start at $248 per night.

Walt Disney World guests have more than 20 uniquely-themed resort hotels from which to choose – something for just about every taste, family size and budget. Walt Disney World Resort hotels offer convenient transportation and access to Walt Disney World theme parks and other entertainment options.

For more information on Walt Disney World Resort hotels or to book a Walt Disney World vacation, guests can check out disneyworld.com or call 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or their local travel agent.

Enchanted Tiki Room: Under Old Management

WDWNT on June 15, 2011

To publicize the return of the Enchanted Tiki Room to the Magic Kingdom in August, Disney has released a photo and a rather funny blurb to go with it:

SPREADING WINGS: The “new management” has been let go and the future of the Adventureland landmark is in the wings and wit of José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre – four crooning parrot hosts who ushered in sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology at California’s Disneyland in 1963 at The Enchanted Tiki Room.

Disney Provides a Detailed Look at the Storybook Circus!

WDWNT on June 14, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

I know it’s going to be a great week on the Disney Parks Blog when I get to start by posting a new Fantasyland update. Today I’m happy to share new details on the Storybook Circus area that’s planned as part of the new Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom Park.

With all the updates we’ve done on the “royal” side of the Fantasyland expansion – Beast’s Castle, Maurice’s Cottage and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid – the plans for Storybook Circus seemed to be a bit more mysterious. Until now.

Storybook Circus will be based on our animated film, “Dumbo.” Here, Casey Jr., the famous locomotive from the movie, has rolled into town and brought the grand Storybook Circus with him. The area will be filled with colorful circus tents and nods to the famous film. For example, guests – especially little ones – are welcome to cool down with Casey Jr., who can be found near the train station, getting splashed by playful circus animals.

Just past Casey Jr., guests will encounter big-top circus tents that lead to a “double” version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Also, in the tradition of classic air shows, Barnstormer will take on a new look and theme, becoming a spiraling stunt plane built by The Great Goofini.

What do you think? Will you be there when the circus comes to town?

UPDATE – Some quick observations about the concept art that we posted on Twitter:

-The large tent is Big Top Souvenirs, we’re not sure what the red Hall of Fame tent in the background is being kept for, maybe Pete’s Silly Sideshow?

-The new yellow tent in the back may be a counter service location, meet and greets, or even something else at this point…

-The Fantasyland Train Station is part of the Casey Jr. Roundhouse building, GREAT THEME!

-A new structure is visible out in the middle of the Barnstormer area, looks like a themed tower of some sort…

-With Timothy not on top of either Dumbo ride, we expect him to show up in audio-animatronics form somewhere in the interactive queue area

-Dumbo will finally have the water feature that is featured at the Disneyland and Disneyland Paris versions of the attraction!

Overall, it looks great! What do you think of the Storybook Circus?

First Details Announced for 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

WDWNT on June 13, 2011

From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

Details will continue to unfold between now and the start of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, themed “Passport to a World of Flavors,” but here are the early highlights for the 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

From Sept. 30-Nov. 13, Epcot World Showcase Promenade features a panoply of delicious tastes, wine and cocktail pairings and other drinks, live entertainment and special culinary fun. More than 25 international marketplaces feature tapas-sized portions ($3 to $8) paired with beer, wine and cocktails.

2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

What’s hot this year? Here are the headlines:

  • Hawaii, the Caribbean islands and Portugal all debut Marketplaces – look for Kailua pork sliders in Hawaii, ropa vieja in the Caribbean and calamari salad in Portugal.
  • The new Odyssey Lounge opens, where guests can check in with friends and family back home, play games and surf the web while enjoying a specialty cocktail or a glass of wine or beer. There’s even a charging station for mobile phones and other electronic devices.
  • Celeb chefs are back – top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio and more. All told, more than 270 chefs participate.
  • There’s always fun stuff at the Festival Welcome Center, from a wine bar to tasting seminars and free sessions with cookbook authors.
  • Eat to the Beat! Concert Series is back at America Gardens Theatre with first timers the Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Taylor Dayne kicks it off opening weekend.
  • Also back are First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29 (one time only); Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar, and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery. And of course the grand Party for the Senses!
  • A new Cranberry Bog display by Craisons tells the story behind the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs (Aug. 16 is the date you can start booking). Festival details are available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

Adventurer’s Club & BET Soundstage Coming Down as Hyperion Wharf Goes Up

WDWNT on June 11, 2011

That’s right, the Adventurer’s Club and the BET Soundstage buildings are about to come down at the former Pleasure Island. But what will be replacing them? For now, just grass:

“Seed & Mulch”, the same that can currently be found on the plots that were Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club and Motion. Now a new patch of grass will appear temporarily at the other side of the island. Fans of Comedy Warehouse will be happy to know that the building will remain in-tact and is labeled as a “Future Entertainment Parcel”.

You may recognize the photo above as the plaza and small elevated stage between Portobello and Fulton’s. Thankfully, this area is getting a new look as well:

A good portion of this project has already been completed (namely, the new bridge to Marketplace), but there is still a bit to go.

This layout shows the new park area on the waterfront between Paradiso 37 and the former Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club, as well as the new path that will allow guests to walk past the left side of Portobello directly into the heart of the island. Let’s take a closer look at the new park:

Expect to see much of this work begin very soon. The entire document with these plans can be found at this link. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we keep you updated on the transition from Pleasure Island to Hyperion Wharf!