Tidbits
June 2007
Ring in the Year with Rehabs
6/29/07 It is currently rumoured that the Jungle Cruise rehab may be pushed back and replaced time-wise with a Space Mountain rehab. It is currently rumoured that Space Mountain may under-go a 6 month rehab starting January 2008, with a Jungle Cruise rehab to start in June 2008 directly following the Space Mountain rehab completion. At this time, this schedule has not been confirmed by attraction Cast of either attraction or Operations.
6/2/07 Attraction Cast have reported that the Jungle Cruise is tentatively scheduled to close for a major rehab in Early 2008. While no specific details or duration have been reported at this time, the rehab has so far been described as a multi-month maintenance and refreshing rehab.
Tides of Change
6/29/07 It has been internally announced that the new Sammy Duval Watersports shop will be called "Curl". It was further announced that the shop will feature surf-wear and surfing accessories.
5/23/07 Disney has filed a Leasing Agreement for one of its currently dormant Please Island retail locations. According to the documentation, Sammy Duval Watersports will lease the former Superstar Studios retail location. No date was documented for the beginning of the lease period nor its contractual length.
Coming Soon ... at The Studios
6/29/07 Recent internal meetings have confirmed that the "2009 EarMark" is still scheduled. Recent reports indicate that the time table for the new attraction has been broadened to 2009-2010 time frame, but that plans are still on the table. It has also been confirmed internally that the current location considered for this attraction is Soundstage 1. Given the forthcoming re-theming of this area, it is being speculated that the attraction will have a Pixar content theme.
10/10/06 Cast Members have reported that, at recent “town hall” meetings, Disney has internally announced that 2008-2009 is EarMarked for the Disney-MGM Studios. Reports indicate 2008 is EarMarked for one attraction and 2009 is EarMarked for a second attraction.
EnterChanges
6/26/07 A number of changes and additions have been internally announced for the Disney-MGM Studios over the next 11 months.
The Jedi Training Academy is planned to be added as a regular entertainment offering with a permanent stage. While a debut for the offering has yet to be announced, the stage installation has been announced to start July 9, 2007.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid is tentatively scheduled to receive a refurbishment Late Summer / Early Fall 2007. The nature of the refurbishment was not announced.
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage! is scheduled to receive show revisions debuting in February 2008. The revised show will reportedly add Little Einsteins and Mickey's Clubhouse segments in place of the Bear in the Big Blue House, Stanley, and The Book of Pooh segments.
The Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade has been announced to be replaced by a new version of Block Party Bash in March 2008.
A new show attraction is planned to debut in the ABC Theater May 2008.
A Movie Dive-In
6/26/07The Yacht and Beach Club has recently added a Beach Campfire & Movie offering. The entertainment features a campfire on the beach at 8:00 pm followed by a movie 9:00 pm. Guests should check with Guest Relations for a current schedule of this new offering.
Rockn' Rehab
6/26/07 Attraction Cast have reported that Rockn' Roller Coaster is tentatively scheduled for a month long rehab Fall 2007. The attraction is tentatively scheduled to be closed for an operation refurbishment from Early September through Early October 2007.
A Castle Christmas
6/25/07It has been internally announced that Cinderella Castle will be receiving a Christmas Overlay for the 2007 Holiday Season. The overlay is scheduled to be complete November 15th, 2007. The addition of the overlay will require the use of a crane near the Castle September 12th through November 14th, 2007. As usual, it is anticipated the use of the crane during normal operation hours will be minimal. While the details of the overlay itself were not announced, it is expected to mostly (if not entirely) consist of Christmas Lights.
Horseshoe Happenings
6/25/07 Disney has recently filled several work permits for minor work at the Diamond Horseshoe location in the Magic Kingdom. According to Dining Cast, these permits are to prepare the location to re-open as a Dining location albeit Seasonal and sans a show. While this location was used once before as a Peak Holiday Season buffet location, its future operation is being reported as operating as a Counter Service option during multiple Peak Crowd times of the year. It is not clear when the location will re-open in this new operation, but it is speculated it may not be until the Peak Holiday Season 2007.
A Grand Refurbishment
6/25/07The Grand Floridian started a resort wide Soft Refurbishment earlier this month. June 2007 through January 2008 the resort will replace the all the furnishings and most of the furniture in each room. As with its other accommodation category counterparts, these soft refurbishments will include the addition of flat-panel t.v.'s.