On my way to see the final Electrical Parade in the Magic Kingdom, I decided to stop for lunch at Contempo Cafe, located on the 4th Floor of the Grand Canyon Concourse at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. When I arrived, I was greeted by a greatly revised menu.
I of of course had to do my duty for you, the reader, and try one of the new options.
Braised Beef Grilled Cheese ($10.99)
Pot-braised shredded beef, cheddar cheese, vegetable slaw, cheese sauce and barbecue sauce on brioche toast. Those are apparently the ingredients to happiness.
In my experience, most beef-based quick service options are not great, but this was incredible. The toast was perfection, soft, yet crunchy and flaky. The beef, barbecue sauce, and cheese offered a great flavor, reminding me of the kind of grilled cheese sandwiches my mom would make me at home, but combined with a flavorful beef and BBQ sauce combination.
Now, this is technically a melt as it includes more than just cheese, but we won’t get into this now. If this is what the new Contempo Cafe has to offer, I’ll be back to try more of their new dishes as soon as possible.
In our latest photo report, we travel to the Magic Kingdom and the surrounding resort area to see the latest progress on the Tomorrowland repainting, the continuing rock installation at WDW beaches, and the Disney Vacation Club cabin additions at Wildenress Lodge.
Cinderella Castle Crane Returns
Cinderella Castle Crane
The crane is back at Cinderella Castle for the installation of the Dreamlights for the holiday season (yes, it is still August).
Cinderella Castle Crane
Cinderella Castle Crane
Tomorrowland Repainting
Tomorrowland Entrance Repainting
The repainting of the Tomorrowland entrance is now visible on the front side, as a grey/silver soat has been started at the bottom of the rocks by the water.
Alligator and Snake warning sign in the Magic Kingdom
Spotted this sign by Big Thunder Mountain, in the designated smoking section.
Sofia the First ear hat
There is now a Sofia the First ear hat on sale in the parks.
Sofia the First ear hat
New Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise
More Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise featuring the Fab 5 continues to be released.
New Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise
New Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise
The line is geared towards children, so there are plastic placemats available.
Magic Kingdom Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
When “Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It!” is cancelled for inclement weather, it also get the Magic Kingdom rainy Day Character Cavalcade treatment. This replacement offering drives up and down Main Street in this case, at least giving guests a look at their favorite characters. It also has a really catch soundtrack, which you can hear below in an older recording of the parade we have:
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade
Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
In traveling to Trail’s End at Fort Wildnerness, we decided to take a boat, which provided some spectacular views.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This is one of my favorite pictures I’ve ever taken at Walt Disney World…
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
What are all these bags backstage at the Contemporary? ROCKS. HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF ROCKS.
While still a few years off, early design has begun on a new tower for Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The exact location of the new wing is still in-flux right now, but the competing sites range from the planned site of the Persian Resort (a cancelled original hotel planned for the Walt Disney World Resort back in the 1970’s) and the space currently occupied by the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The Persian Resort site seems far more likely at this time, but other sources are speculating that the convention center would be the site of the new addition.
Separately, the convention center is set to be removed in the coming years in favor of an expanded convention center at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
Proposed site for 2nd Bay Lake Tower type wing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
While the building would have a very different look from the existing Bay Lake Tower, it should have a similar height and size to that of the first addition made in 2008.
The new hotel wing would boast better views of the Magic Kingdom than Bay Lake Tower if constructed, as it would be even closer to the park. Rumor has it that the price point at this new wing would be much higher than Bay Lake Tower, rivaling or surpassing the Polynesian Village Resort DVC additions.
Again, the project is not formally announced by Disney, but is in the design phase at this time. The new resort wing could be more than 5 years from completion at this point and could easily be cancelled at any point prior to construction, but sources close to the project say it is as good as green-lit at this point in time.
Within the next 5 years, guests traveling to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort will no longer have to make a stop at the Magic Kingdom toll plaza. A flyover will take resort traffic past the current-day Magic Kingdom toll plaza when completed. The changes will be part of a major overhaul of the Magic Kingdom parking area and vehicle main entrance that will be accommodated by the removal of the Walt Disney World Speedway.
You might be able to get here a lot faster soon…
Other major road changes are coming to Walt Disney World according to the Orlando Sentinel:
A reconfiguration of Osceola Parkway at Victory Way, southeast of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and north of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. A traditional intersection will be replaced with a flyover design similar to that at state roads 50 and 436 near Orlando. The flyover would take Osceola Parkway traffic over Victory Way.
An extension of Western Way to Avalon Road, or County Road 545. Currently Western Way ends around the Flamingo Crossings development under construction.
A Center Drive bypass to the west that will allow traffic heading south off Reams Road more direct access to Floridian Way.
These changes are in preparation for several years of major expansion ahead for the resort, including Star Wars and Toy Story additions to the Studios, AVATAR and a new nighttime show at Animal Kingdom, and the conversion of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs.
Monorail maintenance has been a fairly frequent thing the last few years as Walt Disney World has been testing and installing a possible automated system of running the Monorails. More infrastructure for the system will be installed over the next few months, leading to following Monorail service changes:
From 11 AM to 7 PM on 2/3-5, 2/9-12, 2/23-26, and March 2-5, the resort Monorail beam will take guests between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and the Magic Kingdom. The express beam will offer a third stop on these days, stopping at Disney’s Contemporary Resort between the Transportation and Ticket Center. Busses to Epcot will be offered at all of the Monorail Resorts during this time.
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
The free Jingle Cruise posters may be gone, but you can still snap a shot of this one…
New souvenir holiday cup
Some tarps are up on the top of the buildings that house Country Bear Jamboree and the Enchanted Tiki Room
Walls came down in front of Pinocchio’s Village Haus revealing a new planter/bench
It seems this will also serve as some overflow seating for guests at the restaurant on busy days (the seating area was also expanded slightly)
The paint is still drying in some areas
Walls are still up on this section
The giant Mickey wreath is now up on the Contemporary
Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Christmas tree has been installed replacing the long-running Monsters University display
Yummmmmm…
A sparse collection of celebrity autographs now hangs in Sid Cahuenga’s at the Studios, no longer a store and now a MyMagic+ service center
Phineas and Ferb wearing holiday attire
Much of the Sid Cahuenga’s merchandise has moved to the AFI Showcase by the Backlot Tour
The final display in the AFI Showcase from Life of Pi is now gone
Inside the Magic of Disney Animation building, posters are now up for Big Hero 6 and Inside Out
As well as The Good Dinosaur and Planes Fire and Rescue
Next door to the Cars meet and greet, a new quick service coffee and pastry stall is going up
The web at the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playset Adventure is under refurbishment
Some sort of permanant stall is going up at the front of PIXAR Place as well…
I made a few visits to the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Downtown Disney over the last couple of weeks and have been taking quite a few photos to share with you, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting at Walt Disney World:
Disney Infinity store displays can now be found in the parks
The gingerbread display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is once again “it’s a small world” themed
There’s a tiny Contemporary made of out of gingerbread
Some of the offerings have Monorails filled with children of the world
There are even 5-legged goat crispy treats…
They also have a hidden Mickey cupcake!
Belle’s Village at the Magic Kingdom has been decorated for Christmas
Gaston uses antlers in all of his decorating…
There is now a Gaston’s Tavern antler hat
Also now for sale at the parks are these Disney food magnets
Moving to Downtown Disney, the path in the front of the West Side is now closed to guests
Pleasure Island is now the Walkway to the Marketplace…
The new bridge around Pleasure Island opened recently
Disney Springs artwork can be found on the construction walls
It seems all of the buildings not staying have been removed at this point and construction should go vertical soon
Captain Jacks and the marina should be removed very soon
Some new iPhone 5 cases with a better safety bumper came out recently
Also, we found the Master Gracey lenticular phone case
Another bumper case
Starbucks is coming to the West Side, replacing Wetzel’s Pretzels
Another look at Disney Springs construction
Another bumper case featuring Mickey Mouse
The food trucks have moved…
They can now be found between Disney Quest and La Nouba
Disney’s Contemporary Resort announces the Grand Re-Opening date for the California Grill – September 9th! Guests will be able to call for reservations starting August 26th.
The California Grill’s metamorphosis comes with a new look for the dining room, complete with a modern California design and a decor with fresh colors of oranges and yellows. Artwork adorns the walls; artwork by Disney Legend Mary Blair will please guests and Disney fans alike. Her artwork designs are even incorporated into the carpets!
In the lobby, an impressive wine display houses 1,600 bottles of wine. In the dining room, two new communal tables, with seating for 10, will be positioned at the north end of the dining room for optimal fireworks viewing.
And as before, the fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom will still dazzle guests nightly. In addition to the giant windows along the outer walls of the restaurant, there are now two outdoor fireworks viewing areas – one on the northwest side, and another new deck on the southwest side.
Seasonal ingredients will be the highlight on the new menu, as well as flat breads cooked in the wood-burning oven. Chef Piasecki will also be using the ovens for entrees such as baked prawns with charred lemon and savory meatballs with orzo.
But don’t fret, your longtime favorites, such as the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, has been transformed into Pork Two Ways – grilled tenderloin and pork belly, with goat cheese polenta and mushrooms. Another favorite, the oak-fired filet of beef, makes a return, accompanied with heirloom tomato risotto, marinated tomatoes and basil.
At the new sushi bar, the new omakase menu includes 12 courses of seafood — and all courses are the chef’s choice! Each night, guests will be surprised with the sushi chef’s heavenly creations. The sushi menu may also feature ama ebi (sweet shrimp) tempura, lobster sashimi, crunchy Japanese bone marrow with sesame beef tartare and red onion marmalade, and spicy-crusted oysters.
To accompany these tempting entrees, guests can choose from 250 choices of wines, 10 types of sake, and 8 varieties of craft beers and ciders. The California Grill, of course, still has its own unique signature cocktail list that are only available on site.
The restaurant opens daily at 5 p.m. For reservations, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE (3463).
Parting is such sweet sorrow, but the California Grill’s grand reopening will be much sweeter! Guests have been missing the California Grill for months now, but the re-opening date is close approaching (rumored to be around August 25th).
Pastry Chef Jeff Barnes gave a preview of a few of the new desserts for the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The new dessert menu will feature several new additions that Chef Barnes and his artistic team have been creating.
“You’re going to see a big change with some new concepts. This is our chance to create a new menu with a fresh infusion of California, and it’s coming together nicely,” says Chef Jeff, stating that the new theme of the menu is “artful and playful.”
New to the California Grill menu is a dessert trio with a Coke float, strawberry sundae and caramel corn sundae, “too good and tempting to have such great flavors on one plate,” Chef Barnes says.
The chocolate pudding cake is made with a 70% Dark Chocolate from Belgium
Banana fritters, dusted with sugar, are served with chocolate and marshmallows
And don’t forget the Lemon Meringue Cheesecake! Served with fresh fruit, it’s light and refreshing
Keep checking with wdwnt.com for more details about the California Grill’s grand reopening date; we will be sure to update you as more information becomes available.
The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is shuttering for refurbishment on February 1st and will be closed until late Summer 2013. The interior of the restaurant is being remodeled with a design by the Puccini Group in San Francisco and will feature a wall of wines at the entrance and spectacular views from every table. Here are some renderings:
Chef Brian Piasecki recently previewed some of the new menu options. The pork and polenta dish will become “Pork Two Ways” with wood-fired tenderloin with goat cheese polenta, and braised lacquered pork belly with country applesauce.
Creative new sushi tastes include the Spicy Kaza roll with tuna, shrimp and scallops with tempura crunch and fireball sauce; Japanese-style bone marrow with crunchy panko, sweet onion jam and beef tartare; and Sea Urchin Nigiri with mamanori (soybean paper), salmon roe and freshly grated wasabi root.
Also, there is the new 24-hour braised beef short rib with truffle whipped potatoes, vol-au-vent (puff pastry) with roasted vegetables and natural jus.
Stay tuned for more details on the California Grill refurbishment as they become available.
