Tidbits March 2016

[Figment!]

Tidbits
March 2016

See Spot Meet

3/12/16 The new addition to Epcot’s Meet & Greet line-up has been delayed, but is now publicly announced. The park has announced that Joy and Sadness will begin a Meet and Greet location inside the new Epcot Characters Spot section in “April 2016”. The new Meet & Greet area will be themed to Headquarters from the film. The new Baymax Meet & Greet and the original Epcot Characters Spot remains operating unchanged.

2/1/16 After recently expanded across the breezeway to add a Baymax Meet & Greet, the Epcot Character Spot may be growing again. Character Cast are reporting that Joy and Sadness from Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out are planned to be added in Mid – Late February 2016. Epcot has not made any public announcement regarding another expansion.

12/21/15 The Epcot Character Spot has expanded across the breezeway in Innoventions West. The second Character Spot has opened featuring a Baymax Meet & Greet. The original Epcot Character Spot remains operating unchanged.

Shopping Shakeup

3/12/16 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has announced that Disney Outfitters will re-open from its current refurbishment with a new name and theme. On March 15, 2016; the location will re-open as Discovery Trading Company. Although the new back story has not been announced, it has been announced that the store will feature souvenirs and Disney Character merchandise.

12/21/15 It has been announced that Disney Outfitters will reopen from its refurbishment in Mid March 2016. During the renovations, Guests will be advised that most merchandise typically found at Disney Outfitters will be available at the new Riverside Depot.

12/6/15 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has announced a new retail location for the Discovery Island section of the park. The Riverside Depot store has been announced to open on December 8, 2015. In addition to this opening, the park has announced a renovation of another area store. Disney Outfitters has been announced to close for renovations in Late December 2015, although a re-opening date has yet to be announced.

Epicurean Expansion

3/12/16 In addition to the recent Breakfast expansion, ‘Ohana has announced it will be expanding its Dinner seating. The popular Disney’s Polynesian Village resort restaurant has announced its Dinner seating will begin at 3:30 pm effective March 13, 2016.

2/1/16 ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village resort has announced a one hour extension to its popular breakfast character meal. The Best Friends Breakfast has extended its seating period till Noon daily effective January 31, 2016. The popular character breakfast buffet features Lilo, Stitch and friends.

Co-Op Change-Up

3/12/16 The Marketplace Co-Op in Disney Springs has debuted a new section. Zoey and Pickles has closed and TAG (Travel-Accessories and Gear) has opened in its place. The airport themed store-in-a-store carries a large selection of Disney travel luggage and accessories. Additionally, the section also carries a small amount of Marvel luggage.

Not Just Small Screens After All

3/26/16 As INTERCOTee's Carolyn and Lizzy reported, the personalized goodbye messages appear to have been deactivated shortly after their debut. It is not yet clear if there were technical issues or if the initial offering was a test/preview.

3/12/16 Circa March 9, 2016; “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom park debuted a new show element. The previously installed screens in the Goodbye Tunnel now display personalized goodbye messages for the Guests wearing Magic Bands in each boat. The messages reportedly use the first name entered on your My Disney Experience account. Similar screens in the exit area of Expedition Everest and in the Muppet-Vision 3-D pre-show area are expected to become operationally shortly.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the info!

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

Thanks for sharing! The screens in it's a small world could be interesting. Really, ANYTHING needs to be better than the old flower signs in that last room.

[Lizzy]

I was just there on Sunday the 20th and didn't see the screens on IASW, the flower farewells were still in there.

[Figment!]

Thanks for the report, Lizzy.

It looks like the initial offering was either a test or a preview of the coming feature. It was no longer active when Carolyn checked it out too (video on the INTERCOT instagram).