Tidbits June/July/August 2017

Tidbits
June/July/August 2017

Cruz In

6/17/17 The Cruz Ramirez Meet & Greet began June 16th, 2017 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new meet & greet is located in Pixar Place near Toy Story Mania.

5/28/17 Disney’s Hollywood Studios is expected to debut a Character Meet & Greet from Pixar’s upcoming film—Cars 3. Character Cast have reported that a Cruz Ramirez Meet & Greet will debut in ‘Summer 2017’.

Epicurean Expansion

7/30/17 A counter service location in Disney’s Animal Kingdom has recently added Breakfast operation. Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes, located in the Asia section of the park, is now serving breakfast from 9:00 am till 10:30 am daily. The brief breakfast offering features a variety of breakfast sandwiches and French toast sticks.

Shopping Shake-Up

8/3/17 Marketplace Fun Finds has re-opened as the Star Wars Trading Post. The new incarnation of the store features a large variety of Star Wars Merchandise including a "Droid Factory" station.

7/30/17 Two Marketplace area stores in Disney Springs are undergoing changes. Marketplace Fun Finds closed on July 24th for a refurbishment to transform the store into a new Star Wars themed retail location to open on August 3, 2017. With the new dedicated store nearby, the Star Wars section in Once Upon a Toy is slated to be removed for a yet-to-be-announced new experience.

A Cure For what Ales You

7/30/17 Disney’s Yacht Club has announced a change for its table service restaurant. Captain’s Grille has been announced to be transformed into the Ale & Compass Restaurant completing a trifecta with the new Market at Ale & Compass and a soon to be expanded Ale & Compass Lounge. The new restaurant has been announced to feature New England-inspired comfort food with a gastropub ambience. The new restaurant and expanded lounge are set to open in October 2017.

Stoooooore

7/30/17 A store in Disney Spring’s West Side has a new identity. United World Soccer has been re-branded as Pelé Soccer. The store continues to offer nearly the same merchandise with a new highlight of Pelé jerseys.

Falling into Changes

7/30/17 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has announced that it will change one of its Character Meet & Greet Locations this Fall. Effective September 30th, 2017; Tarzan will be retired from the park’s Daily Operation and vacate the current Discovery Island Meet & Greet Location. Starting October 1, 2017; a new Timon Meet & Greet has been announced to take over the Discovery Island location.

Springing Up

7/30/17 More details have been announced for the replacement to Portobello Country Italian Trattoria. The new restaurant will be named Terralina Crafted Italian and feature an open kitchen, re-imagined dining rooms, and a new veranda bar. The Landing area eatery will feature new wood-fired artisanal pizzas, a new signature mussels dish, and a new signature grilled pork chop; while retaining the antipasti platter and signature pastas from the Portobello Country menu.

4/2/17 The last original Pleasure Island venue has announced the beginning of its Disney Springs transformation. Portobello Country Italian Trattoria (opening as the Portobello Yacht Club in 1989) has announced it will close for refurbishment on April 24, 2017 for major renovations. The location is slated to re-open in Fall 2017 keeping the Italian cuisine, but enhancing the experience with a new family style menu, craft beers, and Italian wines developed by James Beard Award-winner Chef Tony Mantuano.

Lounging by the Pool

7/30/17 A new lounge has recently opened near a popular Disney Hotel pool bar. The Singing Spirits Pool bar at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort has opened a new lounge area that operates daily from 5:30 pm till 1:00 am.

A Serving of Greens

7/30/17 Disney Vacation Club Members and Annual Passholders can now save more at select restaurants through September 30, 2017. Up from 20% to 30%; the new discount is available for dinner seatings prior to 6:30 pm and dinner seatings after 8:30 pm at Artist Point, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Captain’s Grille (temporary location), Citricos, Flying Fish, Grand Floridian Café, Jiko, Olivia’s Café, The Turf Club Bar & Grill, and The Wave…of American Flavors.