Tidbits May 2007

[Figment!]

Tidbits
May 2007

Tides of Change

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.

5/8/07 Disney has internally announced that they are in the process of finalizing several third party operational agreements to complete Phase II of their Pleasure Island refurbishment. These contracts would be to operate the several former retail locations that are currently unoccupied. The identity of the operators and anticipated time lines are expected to be released once contracts have been finalized.

Studio Street Work

5/22/07Operations has announced that Toy Story Mania construction will soon be expanding into portions of Mickey Avenue. The expansion will reportedly be for the construction of the attraction entrance and exit areas; as well as, a staging area for further facade work.

Beyond potential disruptions in Guest flow along Mickey Avenue, the only operational change currently reported is the displacement of all 4 current Mickey Avenue Character Meet and Greet locations. The Kim Possible location is currently planned to be moved to the Streets of America, the Friends of JoJo's Circus and Little Einsteins locations are currently planned to be moved to the Animation Courtyard near Playhouse Disney Live on Stage! and the Mickey Mouse location is currently planned to be moved to the Sorcerer Hat. At this time it is unknown if these locations will be temporary during the construction or if these are new permanent homes.

Character Re-Connection

5/21/07 The Epcot Character Spot opened today (5/21/07). As announced, the meet and greet features characters with individually themed areas that reflect a division of science or technology. The meet and greet operates by Guests visiting each character area in an ordered succession guided by Cast Members. Current operating hours have been reported as 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

The 5 themed character areas currently are (in order of visiting):

• Transportation--Mickey Mouse
• Space--Goofy
• Energy--Chip and Dale
• Agriculture--Pluto
• Communication--Minnie Mouse

Backstage Buzz

5/17/07A peak into a real working Studio has returned to the Disney-MGM Studio's Backlot Tour attraction. The Daily Buzz is currently broadcasting from the theme park and has also become a temporary feature of the Backlot Tour attraction. The show's editing bays can be seen on the Backlot Tour through a yet-to-be specified date in June 2007. In addition to the editing bays, a video about the show is also on display.

Swap Meet (and Greet)

5/17/07Character Cast have reported that Remy (from Disney's upcoming feature film Ratatouille) is scheduled to start Meet and Greet appearances at the Magic of Disney Animation sometime during the first half of June 2007. This Meet and Greet is tentatively planned replace the current Meet the Robinsons location.

Kwaheli, Researcher

5/17/07 Attraction Cast have reported the following general changes regarding the ride audio of the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction:

~Removal of the Miss Jobson character
~Scaling back of Warden Wilson's Lines
~Removal of Big Red and Little Red names, still a mother and baby elephant characters, just no unique names
~Scaling back of Poacher role

Attraction Cast have reported the following changes regarding the finale of the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction (highlight below to read):

{Please note, if you want to be completely surprised by the new ending do not highlight below}
~Warden Wilson and his plane are removed
~The poacher's abandoned vehicle is found with the baby elephant on-board. (rather than the poachers captured)
~Warden Wilson (still in the air) assures that the poaches will not be able to make it out of the reserve
On the whole, it appears that the poacher storyline will be simplified and scaled back adding more of a focus onto the safari itself.

5/14/07 In addition to seating expansions, it appears that Kilimanjaro Safari will be receiving some storyline changes as well. Attraction Cast have reported, that as of June 1, 2007, the attraction will debut a new ride audio devoid of Wildlife Researcher Miss Cathrine Jobson . Additionally, it is also reported that the finale scene of catching the poachers will be replaced by a new scene. Although details of the new script and finale scene have yet to be made clear, it is reported that several of the ride vehicles are currently being used to preview the new audio track.

InnovenChange

5/14/07 The current refurbishments at the House of Innoventions Exhibit in Epcot's Innoventions pavilion appears to be more than just upkeep or cosmetic refreshment. Several items from the exhibit have started to appear on eBay suggesting that the exhibit is either undergoing replacements of its displays or may be undergoing other drastic changes. So far two of the products from the bathroom section have been evidently removed--the "Jacuzzi La Scala Whirlpool Bath Hot Tub with 43" Plasma TV" and the "Toto Automatic Neorest Elongated Tankless Toilet Bidet". The exhibit is scheduled to conclude its refurbishment May 24, 2007.

"Too Small to See", Innovention's nanotechnology exhibit, has recently ended its Epcot tenure. The traveling exhibit, which opened in Mid-November 2006, has closed and is enroute to continue its national tour of science and industry museums and other science and technology related locations.

[Figment!]

Better Busses

5/10/07The planned on-board spiels and music have started to become operational on the Walt Disney World bus system. Buses traveling to and from Downtown Disney currently feature the new audio system. Buses traveling to and from Epcot are scheduled to receive the new audio system next, with the whole fleet tentatively scheduled to be upgraded over the next few months. Guests who have experienced the new audio system have described it as having informative spiels and music themed to each stop.

Please notice the new space, Advierta por favor los nuevos espacio 5/10/07 In an attempt to increase monorail capacity, Monorail Lime is testing a new prototype compartment arrangement. During a two week trial, Monorail Lime will feature 4 stand-alone leaning poles in the center of each car. This configuration replaces the central island with attached poles. During the trial period, Monorail Lime will be operating on the Express Loop.

Test Pass

5/10/07The Walt Disney World resort has started to roll-out a new pilot program for its Fast Pass system. Although the goal of the pilot is not completely clear at this time, it appears they are testing the following features:

• Larger Ticket Date printed on Pass
• Larger Return Time Window printed on Pass
• Barcode printed on Pass for data collection and/or enhanced features
• Reading system upgrade to allow for use of eTickets

The pilot program is currently in place at Kilimanjaro Safaris and is scheduled to roll-out to Expedition: Everest, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Rollercoaster in the near term.

An Epicurean Expansion 5/8/07In order to accommodate the anticipated influx of Guests wishing to dine at Table Service restaurants during the "Free Dining" period , the Contemporary resort has announced that it will offer Lunch service at Chef Mickey's Restaurant August 28 through September 8, 2007. During this time period the restaurant will offer a special character Lunch buffet daily from 12:30 pm – 2:50 pm. It has yet to be confirmed when advanced dining reservations will be available for these seatings.

A Seating Safari

5/8/07 Work continues to retro-fit the loading docks to accommodate an additional row of seating on the Safari trucks. The debut of the new seating is now expected by Mid- Summer 2007.

Downtown Dynamics

5/8/07Disney has internally announced the following near term construction projects for the Downtown Disney area:

• Ground breaking and construction of Landry's T-Rex Restaurant. The construction area has been described as the area in between Ronald's Fun House and the Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. (see INTERCOT's Downtown Disney Dining Guide map for visual)
  
• The expansion of outdoor seating for Wolfgang Puck Express.
• Installation of active Parking Signs that could provide continuous updates of lot capacity.

While not construction related, it was also announced that Disney has entered a merchandising agreement with the Rawlings Group to offer custom baseball equipment and clothing at the Team Mickey's Athletic Club retail location

A More Contemporary Tower

5/5/07 The following is in reference to a tentative timeline that has been internally released regarding further changes to the Tower section of the Contemporary Resort:

• August 2007 - Newly renovated Fantasia Shop will re-open.
• June 11, 2007 through November 2007 - The Lobby will undergo partitioned refurbishments to update the area's image and decor.
• July 2007 through October 2007 - The resort's grounds will undergo partitioned refurbishments to install new landscaping and re-route existing Guest paths.
• July 30, 2007 through April 2008 - The Food & Fun Center will be closed for major renovations. The location will re-open as a new table service option, "The Wave". During this time a temporary counter service location will be operating on the Grand Concourse level near the Outer Rim Lounge.
• April 2008 through August 14, 2008 -The Concourse Steak house will be closed for major renovations. The location will re-open as the new Counter Service location for the resort. During this time a temporary counter service location will be operating on the Grand Concourse level near the Outer Rim Lounge.

5/1/07 The new arcade is operational and also debuted with a different than expected name. Contrary to the concept art which hung outside the location, the new arcade is called "The Game Station". In line with the concept art, there is a prize redemption counter and much of the retro-futuristic decor is in-place. The games have been reported as a mix of old games from the Food & Fun Center, as well as; new games. Some of the new games are reportedly those that award tickets that can be redeemed at the prize redemption counter.

House of Change?

5/9/07 Disney has made both public and internal announcements confirming the conversion of the Tusker House to a buffet location.

5/1/07 With last week's announcment of Tusker House being closed for refurbishment August 20 through November 16, 2007; the previously reported plans of its conversion to a Table Service location have resurfaced. The announcment itself held no details beyond a standard refurbishment.

Nullifying North

5/1/07The demolition of the North Garden Wing at Disney's Contemporary Resort is complete. The entire footprint of the former building has been razed.

[faline]

Thanks for the updates!

I have very fond memories of the Contemporary Arcade and very mixed feelings about seeing it in a different location!

[GothMickey]

Will Tusker House become a character meal, as was rumored a while back?

[BrerSchultzy]

Are there any pictures of the Contemporary's changes anywhere? Just curious...that hotel played such a major part in my youth (and adulthood, to be honest)....I'd just love to see what has happened to it...or maybe I wouldn't.

[Crow]

thanks
been debating between Tusker and Flame Tree to try for a cs since i havent tried either.

[Caroleh]

Thanks, Jason!!!!

[Dsnygirl]

Thanks, Jason - can't wait to hear more about Tusker House...

[DisneyDudet]

You know.. that REALLY bothers me about Tusker House. They bragged about it on the Food Network, how its not conventional counter service food, and now they might go and get rid of it. How dumb. Its our favorite and will be closed when we're there. Yeah, I'm mad it will be closed when were there, but that happens.. But if its gone forever, that will make me very unhappy.

[wendy*darling]

Thanks Jason!

I'm sure moving the The Game Station to the main concourse will bring in a lot more traffic- especially with all the kids coming, going and waiting for Chef Mickey's. Although with the noise from Chef Mickey's and now the arcade- that floor will be a zoo!

Sad to hear Tusker House will be closed for our August trip. Last summer we took our friends to Flame Tree, and this summer was to be Tusker House. Guess we will have to repeat at Flame Tree again this year. Tusker House was a great CS location- hope it's still there after the renovation.

[Figment!]

Will Tusker House become a character meal, as was rumored a while back?

Firstly, its currently a mater of "might"not "will".

Although reports of a character meal were attached to the conversion reports during its initial circulation, the character meal portion appeared to be considerably less credible.

The character portion of the report seemed more likely to be the propagation of someone's personal speculation evident by a) no specification given to which or even what genre of characters and b)no evidence cited for that portion of the change.

That being said, a buffet inside a Disney theme park could likely be assumed to be a character meal by precedent alone; so that portion of the report may not be incorrect, just not well founded at this point in time.

[FriendsofMickey]

Though, I would really like to see more TS meals offered at the Animal Kingdom, I hope the rumors are not true about Tusker House changing. We liked it as a CS meal. It is our favorite at Animal Kingdom. In fact, it is our favorite CS throughout the parks.

[mudpuppysmom]

I'm glad we're going before Tusker House closes.....I may even eat there twice in one day I like it that much!!!! In fact, I think it's my most favorite CS in all the parks.....not your normal burger and fries place, which they seem to have a lot of still.

Thanks for the updates Jason!

[Maleficent's Dad]

Thanks for the updates!

[DisneyDudet]

How are they going to compensate for such a popular CS restaurant? Are they thinking the YaY will help with it? I don't think so. TH has ALWAYS been packed when we've gone.. any time of day.. and in Jan.

All that on top of Free Dining?

Yeah right...

[celebrationasheley]

I told him Cosmic Rays has the same roasted chicken. But he insists Tusker house is so much better. And to make things worse my parents had to cancel their trip due to me being put on bed rest. And they rescheduled for October but to see Tusker House may never be the same..... I am never going to hear the end of that one!

[celebrationasheley]

I heard you can get the cakes from Altamonte Springs Fl, just 30 minutes from Disney.

I really am in trouble.....

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the update Jason!

[Figment!]

**Updated**

[Pop Centurion]

Sad that Tusker House will be closed during our visit. AK is in need of more TS restaurants so it's not a bad idea IF it does become one.
Thanks for the updates.