Tidbits
May/June 2016
Summer Shutdown
6/23/16 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has extended the multi-month refurbishment of one of its most popular attractions. The refurbishment of Dinosaur is now planned through October 16, 2016.
5/31/16 Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Magic Kingdom have both announced Multi-Month refurbishments starting in second half of the Summer period. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dinosaur is planned to be closed for refurbishment from July 25 through September 29, 2016. At The Magic Kingdom, The Swiss Family Treehouse is planned to be closed July 6 through September 24, 2016.
Factory Shutdown
6/23/16 The Walt Disney World resort has made a general public announcement for the multiple month refurbishment for the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory food court. The official operational schedule has been updated to indicate a closure from July 11, 2016 through November 25, 2016.
6/18/16 E-mails to Guests with stays Mid-Summer through Late October indicate a closure of the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory food court. Resort Cast have reported that the closure will be July 11 - Fall 2016. Resort Cast reports and the e-mails to Guests indicate that Scat Cat's Cafe will re-open during the refurbishment offering select Guest favorites like po-boy sandwiches, jambalaya, gumbo, and beignets. Despite the e-mails to many Guests, there is no confirmation yet on the official operational schedule or a general public announcement.
Bonus Bounty
6/23/16 Swashbucklers at the Magic Kingdoms can now hunt for more tangible treasure. Effective, 6/22/16 Guests who complete three A Pirates Adventure - Treasures of the Seven Seas interactive games are awarded a bonus FastPass+ for Pirates of the Caribbean. Guests seeking this theme park “gold” should consider that three of interactive games may take a total of 60 minutes to complete on average.
Steins of Light?
6/18/16 Rivers of Light may have been mysteriously postponed, but that doesn’t mean Guests can’t buy collectible beverage steins from the yet-to-debut show. Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks is offering two varieties of Light-up souvenir beverage steins for $13.99 each. One is a stein that features the forthcoming show’s signature Lotus Blossom and glows multiple colors; the other looks like a paper lantern and flickers with a candle-like-glow.
Royal Movers
6/18/16 With the impending opening of the Royal Sommerhus Meet & Greet Location in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion on June 21st, The Magic Kingdom has modified its Character line-up at Princess Fairytale Hall. The featured characters are now Cinderella and Rapunzel. Guests will currently find Tiana and Aurora as the “visiting” princesses with the two featured princesses.
Popping Up
6/18/16 Guests and Cast have reported that the Main Street Popcorn line of pre-packaged popcorn have added 7 new flavors. Guests can now take home (or enjoy during their stay) bags of Butter Toffee Almond, Churro, Kettle Corn with Red Alaea Salt, Maple Bacon, Parmesan Garlic, Sriracha Kettle Corn, and Truffle flavors.
New Whispers
6/18/16 The House of the Whispering Willows in China’s Epcot pavilion has debuted a new exhibit. The Tomb Warriors exhibit has been replaced by the new Inside Shanghai Disney Resort exhibit. The new exhibit offers displays describing the park and some of its signature attractions.
Floating Away
6/18/16 As the summer heats up, there are more frozen adult beverages popping up around Epcot. Test Track Cool Wash has recently added some high octane to its frozen offerings. Guests can now choose between a Whiskey and Frozen Coke with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey for $8.50 or a Rum and Frozen Coke with Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum for $7.75. Guests can also choose between a Vodka and Frozen Raspberry Lemonade or Vodka and Frozen Blue Rapberry Fanta both with Grey Goose Vodka for $9.50. Guests can also find another frozen concoction with Grey Goose in World Showcase. The Refreshment Cool Post in Epcot’s Outpost pavilion is now offering the Outpost Oasis comprised of lemon soft-serve and Grey Goose Vodka for $10.75.
5/31/16 Epcot has recently become an epicenter for frozen adult concoctions. Already having more alcohol per square acre than the rest of Walt Disney World, one World Showcase counter service restaurant and one nearby Resort restaurant have jumped on the latest trend in libations. Liberty Inn has recently added a Frozen Coke with a Float of Buffalo Trace Whiskey for $10.50. If that frozen twist on a whiskey and Coke isn't enough to quench your thirst and sweet tooth, take a stroll out the International Gateway to the nearby Beach Club resort. The Beaches & Cream Soda Shop has added a line of decadent frozen alcoholic beverages priced between $11.25 - $12.00. The five flavors are Classic Root Beer Float, Grasshopper Float, Tropical Sunrise Float, Stout Float and a S’mores Shake.
As the Mill Wheel Turns
6/12/16 Les Parfaits Inconnus began their daily performances on June 10, 2016. Epcot Cast have reported that the new act is currently performing 20 minute shows at Noon, 1:15 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:50 pm, 5:00 pm, & 6:15 pm.
6/9/16 The Mill Stage in Epcot’s Canada pavilion is continuing its trend of rotating musical groups. Alberta Bound has recently concluded its performance run and a new group is scheduled to begin “Mid June” 2016. The new group is reportedly Les Parfaits Inconnus, a Canadian troupe that combines “circus, music and theater within a single performance structure”.
Magic on the Move
6/12/16 Guests looking for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney Springs will find that it has closed its World of Disney location and recently re-opened in a new spot. The Disney Springs Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is now located in the rear section of the Once Upon a Toy building. Cast have reported that the new location features a larger “transformation” area and new interactive features.
Seating Switch-Up
6/12/16 One of Magic Kingdom’s table service restaurants is changing their reservations and seating policy this Summer. Effective July 17, 2016; The Plaza Restaurant will only accept Advanced Dining Reservations for the Early Lunch Period between 11: 00am and Noon each day. All other seatings through-out the day will be by walk-up only.
Shining Again
6/9/16A breakfast option has returned at Epcot. After ceasing breakfast service in January 2016, Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion re-launched its breakfast service on May 27, 2016. The re-launched breakfast menu includes Assorted Bakery Items, an Adult Breakfast Platter (Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes, and Cinnamon French Toast Bread Pudding), Cinnamon French Toast Bread Pudding with Bacon, Bircher Muesli, and a Breakfast Panini severed from 9:00 am till 11:00 am daily.
Island Hopping
6/9/16 Guests at Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort are finding reduced quiet pool options this Summer. The quiet pool in the Martinique section is currently closed for refurbishment through July 1, 2016. The quiet pool in the Trinidad South section has remained closed from its 1 month refurbishment that started May 2nd and the closure has been extended through June 10, 2016.
Adios Margaritas (for now)
6/1/16 Epcot’s World Showcase will be down one adult beverage kiosk heading into the hot summer months. It was quietly announced through La Cava Del Tequila’s social media that the Margarita Kiosk ‘s final day of operation would be 5/31/16. The kiosk is presumably closing in connection to the Norway pavilion expansion that is occurring on a plot of land behind the current kiosk location.
An announcement on the Margarita Kiosk's Facebook page has indicated that a new "bigger and better" kiosk will open "in a few months". It is somewhat confusing that the Operator of the location would post the more permanent closure announcement on their Twitter account, however; this would coincide with two construction permits filed earlier this Spring to move a "kiosk" at Epcot's Mexico pavilion.
Sweet as Pie
5/31/16 Sweet Spells in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has recently added a new style of treat. The confectioner on the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd has added four varieties of Whoopie Pies. Maple Bacon, Orange Cream, Banana, and Cookies and Cream varieties are available for $4.99 each.
It’s a small refurb after all
5/31/16 The Magic Kingdom has announced that "it's a small world" will be closed for a multi-week refurbishment after the 2016 Summer period. The Fantasyland attraction is planned to be closed August 22 through September 15, 2016.
