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Figment!
04-24-2011, 07:48 PM
Tidbits
April 2011




Market Replacement

4/26/11 Marketplace Fun Finds actually opened earlier this month. Base on initial Gust reports the store features merchandise $20 and under. The store carried-over the Grab Bag section from Mickey's Mart, but also features a new 5 for $20 section.

4/23/11 LittleMissMatched has recently re-opened in its new Marketplace location. Signage for the new incarnation of Mickey’s Mart has been installed, although the location has yet to open. The new bargain retail location will be named “Marketplace Fun Finds”.

12/27/10 Three Downtown Disney Marketplace retail locations are slated to close in the New Year, two permanently and one temporarily. Summer Sands, Pooh Corner, and Mickey’s Mart are slated to close January 15, 2011. After renovations to the building, new LittleMissMatched and Mickey’s Mart locations will open in Spring 2011. The LittleMissMatched Downtown Disney Westside location is planned to close and transfer operations to the new Marketplace location.

Finer China?

4/26/11 The Yong Feng Shangdian store changed names after re-opening from refurbishment. The store is now called, The House of Good Fortune. Additional Guest reports have indicated that the interior has been extensively refurbished cosmetically in addition to the more open layout.

4/23/11 The Yong Feng Shangdian store re-opened earlier this month . Based on initial Guest reports, the merchandise selection is mostly unchanged; however, the store now features a more open floor plan.

2/27/11 One of Epcot’s World Showcase stores has closed for a significant refurbishment. The Yong Feng Shangdian store in the China pavilion has closed for renovations. The reason for the renovations has not been reported, but the store is expected to re-open in Early April 2011.

Only Rehabs Can Prevent Inferno Fires

4/23/11 Epcot’s Illuminations nighttime show will be missing its signature inferno effects for part of this Spring. Show Cast have reported that the Inferno Barge show element will be undergoing major maintenance and refurbishments from April 27 through May 27, 2011. During this time period the show will proceed unabridged, but without the inferno barge element.

New Dog on the Corner

4/23/11 Casey’s Corner at the Magic Kingdom has made some new permanent additions to its menu. Several “gourmet” style hot dogs that had recently been offered for trail periods at the location have now become part of the regular menu. The gourmet styles include Chicago-Style with Tomato Slices, Dill Pickle, Chicago-style Relish and Banana Peppers; Chili Cheese-Style with Chili and Shredded Cheddar Cheese; and Barbecue Slaw-Style with Pulled Pork, Cole Slaw, and Barbecue Sauce. All three gourmet style hot dogs are priced at $8.09.

Character Change-Up

4/23/11 The Pirate Meet & Greet in the Magic Kingdom’s Advenutreland has been updated with a new swashbuckler. As of April 15th , Pirate Goofy has been replaced by Angelica from the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides. Angelica is currently meeting Guests intermittently from 10:00 am till 5:00 pm. Goofy is scheduled to begin a new Meet & Greet near Splash Mountain in Frontierland beginning April 24, 20011.

Wi-Free

4/23/11 The complimentary Wi-Fi internet access trial at Disney’ Contemporary resort, that began in Late March, has been expanded. Unlike the Contemporary resort trial, the expanded trial is being exclusively conducted in Guest room areas. As of April 16, 2011; Guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in the Sugarloaf Building and at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in the Casitas Building One may experience complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. The trail continues at Disney’s Contemporary resort in the public areas of the Wave restaurant, the lobby, the main pool area, and the Convention Center common areas. An end date for this trial offering has yet to be reported.

The Wine Place

4/23/11 Jiko has begun a new culinary experience for wine lovers. Every Wednesday from 3 - 4 pm, the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant will host a wine and cheese tasting showcasing the wine regions of South Africa. The experience includes sampling three vintages paired with cheese and fruit. The experience is $25 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are recommended and can be made directly via 407-938-7149.

ibelieveindisneymagic
04-24-2011, 08:59 PM
Thanks for sharing :thumbsup:

Casey's is one of our favourites, and the new gourmet hot dogs sound yummy :eat:!

Melanie
04-24-2011, 09:14 PM
Noooo! Love Pirate Goofy and have no interest whatsoever in the new character. :(

Take this from a non-Illuminations person, but the inferno effects being gone sounds just fine to me. When we saw the show a few weeks ago, I thought something was wrong. The whole 'effect' seemed out of control to me.

Dsnygirl
04-24-2011, 09:39 PM
Mmmm... those changes to Casey's is putting it back on the menu for August... :D

Not so thrilled to be losing Pirate Goofy, but glad he will be somewhere else, at least!!

And the wine tasting at Jiko sounds great... except for the price!!! $25 for 3 wine tastes and some cheese?? YIPES!! Granted, living near wine country might have me a little jaded, but we just spent $2.50 per person for 6 tastes, and they were phenomenal. Granted, no cheese... but still... not sure any cheese would be worth the extra $22.50.... :confused:

vizsla
04-25-2011, 05:06 AM
Thanks for the updates.

Disney-4-Me
04-25-2011, 09:02 AM
Any chance of the complimentary wi-fi being expanded to the Polynesian by October? I'd love to write trip reports from my balcony each night.:thumbsup:

big blue and hairy
04-25-2011, 09:22 AM
Casey’s Corner at the Magic Kingdom has made some new permanent additions to its menu. Several “gourmet” style hot dogs that had recently been offered for trail periods at the location have now become part of the regular menu. The gourmet styles include Chicago-Style with Tomato Slices, Dill Pickle, Chicago-style Relish and Banana Peppers; Chili Cheese-Style with Chili and Shredded Cheddar Cheese; and Barbecue Slaw-Style with Pulled Pork, Cole Slaw, and Barbecue Sauce. All three gourmet style hot dogs are priced at $8.09.



But are the hot dogs back to all beef, or the terrible dogs that replaced them?:ack:

:sulley:

Mousemates
04-25-2011, 09:47 AM
love the updates.

On Caseys: at $8 plus a dog, I too hope they have returned to all beef dogs.

On Complimentary WiFi: its about time. Though I do wonder how much they will raise the room prices to make it free.

Ian
04-25-2011, 09:52 AM
Bummer about the inferno barge ... it will be missing for a good part of our May trip. At least it's scheduled to come back before we leave, though.

That wine and cheese thing at Jiko sounds pretty cool. We may try that out!

lindique
04-25-2011, 06:12 PM
Figment, As usual, thanks for your updates. I look forward to reading your column every month.

About the free wifi trial - I'm a bit confused. Why do they need a trial for wifi? I wonder what they are looking for in terms of results??

The Joker
04-26-2011, 06:18 AM
Thank you for the update! :thumbsup:

Regarding the Wifi trials, I think that they want a number of possible issues checked, before it's rolled-out on a larger scale, e.g.: stability & speed of the network when more users are added, required number of routers and replicators, required support compared to the current wired network, influence of/on other equipment (e.g. microwaves), etc.

I can only hope that they will expand coverage to other resorts soon, preferably SS early next month...

Dopey's Girl
04-26-2011, 07:09 PM
Mmm, those Casey's dogs sound great!!

Figment!
04-26-2011, 09:54 PM
Two updates above:

1) Marketplace Fun Finds is open.
2) The Yong Feng Shangdian is now The House of Good Fortune.


But are the hot dogs back to all beef, or the terrible dogs that replaced them?
I too hope they have returned to all beef dogs.The official menu only states "hot dog". One could reasonably assume if they were 100% beef, they would be promoted as such ...


Why do they need a trial for wifi? I wonder what they are looking for in terms of results?? It isn't entirely clear. It's unlikely they would perform any sort of Guest satisfaction survey as a result of the trial, other than "based on your experience what room price would you be willing to pay in the future". The reasons The Joker suggests are also very likely.

John
04-27-2011, 08:02 PM
Take this from a non-Illuminations person, but the inferno effects being gone sounds just fine to me. When we saw the show a few weeks ago, I thought something was wrong. The whole 'effect' seemed out of control to me.

Huh? The inferno barge makes the show. It will be sorely missed. Are you saying something about the effect was out of control compared to normal or that you don't like the effect in general??

Melanie
04-27-2011, 08:34 PM
Huh? The inferno barge makes the show. It will be sorely missed. Are you saying something about the effect was out of control compared to normal or that you don't like the effect in general??

If that's how it's supposed to be (and I don't see the show enough to know what's normal), then I guess I just don't like the effect in general.

I am just not destined to like this show. :D

John
04-30-2011, 01:17 AM
Wow - honestly, I think it's one of the coolest effects in any show anywhere on property. The representation of the creation of the universe with the fireworks, fire, and music is in my opinion - the best part of the show and does a great job of representing what it's supposed to be depicting. Now the yawn fest that comes after it with the overly slow and overly small globe trot out is a dissapointment - especially if the rumour is true that the globe was originally supposed to be roughly double the size it is.

Honestly though - as much as I like ROE overall, 11 years in - it's time for a new show, new music, new effects.

Ian
04-30-2011, 07:26 AM
Honestly though - as much as I like ROE overall, 11 years in - it's time for a new show, new music, new effects.Look ... I can go with you on the new show and the new effects, but bite your tongue calling for new music, my friend! The Reflections of Earth soundtrack is AWESOME!!

Melanie
04-30-2011, 10:51 AM
Look ... I can go with you on the new show and the new effects, but bite your tongue calling for new music, my friend! The Reflections of Earth soundtrack is AWESOME!!

And I'll agree on that. I do like the music.

Dsnygirl
04-30-2011, 12:48 PM
Look ... I can go with you on the new show and the new effects, but bite your tongue calling for new music, my friend! The Reflections of Earth soundtrack is AWESOME!!

I totally agree.... it still gives me goosebumps, no matter how many times I hear it, even driving around up here in my car. :) "We Go On" is one of my favorite songs they've done...

I do agree, though, that a new mix of fireworks, etc., would be nice... :thumbsup:

beksy
05-02-2011, 12:21 PM
Am I reading this correctly that the Pooh store in DTD is gone? That was one of the few reasons I went to DTD!

CU Tiger
05-02-2011, 01:12 PM
I hope they keep and expand the free wi-fi to other resorts and areas!:mickey:

Figment!
05-02-2011, 10:25 PM
Am I reading this correctly that the Pooh store in DTD is gone? Yes, Pooh Corner closed in January.

Although no plans have been announced so far, it seems unlikely that the former store's offerings will not reappear in some other incarnation--especially with the impending Winnie the Pooh movie.