Tidbits
November 2009
Epicurean Expansion
11/22/09 To accommodate the peak Thanksgiving period, the Magic Kingdom park has begun to offer several additional dining options that will continue into Thanksgiving Weekend. On November 20th, The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon began serving a Counter Service style Lunch from 11:00 am to 4:00pm. Starting November 25th, the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon will also offer a Family Style Dinner from 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Starting today, (November 22nd) The Tomorrowland Noodle Station will offer a Counter Service Lunch with its Quick American menu from 11:00 am till 4:00 pm and will offer a Counter Service Dinner with its original Quick Asian menu from 5:00 pm till 10:00 pm. Due to the Wishes’ Dessert Party, seating at the Noodle Station is expected to be limited for dinner service after ~8:00 pm. Also Starting today, (November 22nd) El Pirata Y el Perico Restaurante will offer a Counter Service Lunch from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm. Pricing and detailed menus for these offerings were not available at the time of the announcement. These offerings will continue daily through November 28, 2009.
A Costume Change
11/22/09 Those seeking out assistance from Character Cast may need to look a little bit harder to find them. Character Attendants and Greeters now have new costumes that are considerably more subtle than their previous garb. Earlier this month, Character Cast discontinued wearing their yellow and white outfits clad with sketches of Mickey Mouse and started wearing light blue collard shirts with dark blue trim and light khaki pants/shorts.
Early Launch?
11/13/09 Space Mountain started a soft-opening period today (11/13/09). Initial reports are that the queue has received some significant aesthetic changes and a new StarPort 75 theme.
11/12/09 Construction walls are now down around the perimeter of Space Mountain, seeming to indicate the home stretch of the Magic Kingdom icon’s multi-month refurbishment. Some Attraction Cast are reporting a small chance of limited soft-openings yet this week with a better chance starting next week. As with all previews, these soft-openings may only last a few hours and/or may not be conducted every day. Attraction Cast have also reported that they do not expect full operation of the ride prior to the scheduled November 22nd official re-opening date.
Nemo Newness
11/12/09 The Finding Nemo: The Musical Dining Package at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has recently been expanded to include a second performance. Guests who reserve a meal at the Tusker House between 1:00 pm and 1:40 pm will be eligible for reserved seating for the 3:15 pm performance the same day. Guests who reserve a meal at the Tusker House between 1:50 pm and 2:45 pm will be eligible for reserved seating for the 4:45 pm performance the same day. The seating area and queue/arrival procedure remain reportedly unchanged.
A Ruckus River
11/12/09 Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee debuted late last month. Current times for the new show are 12:15 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:45 pm daily.
8/7/09 The Walt Disney World resort has announced that Tiana's Showboat Jubilee will be offered at the Magic Kingdom park October 26, 2009 through January 3, 2010. According to the announcment, the Magic Kingdom version of the show (Disneyland will have its own version) will start as a jazzy processional through Frontierland, into Liberty Square, and then aboard the Liberty Belle. Princess Tiana and otannouncementher Princess and the Frog Characters will conduct an exclusive Meet & Greet with pre-selected Guests prior to the Liberty Belle departing from the dock. The Liberty Belle will sail around the Rivers of America and make a few show stops in viewable areas along the riverfront where songs from Princess and the Frog will be performed. The show is currently planned to conduct "several" showtimes each day.
A Fickle Friar
11/12/09 The Friar’s Nook dining location at the Magic Kingdom has been removed from the park’s daily operation. The Fantasyland counter service location will now only operate during peak crowd periods. The decision to operate the location is expected to be made on a day-by-day basis.
Out with the Star, in with the Miss
11/12/09 A new retail location has come to the Downtown Disney area with little fanfare. Little Miss Matched has opened in the spot of the former Starabilias location in Downtown Disney WestSide.
8/4/09 Starabilias in Downtown Disney Westside has closed. At the time of the closure, there was no announcement of the planned future use of the space.
A New Stitch on the Block
11/12/09 MouseGear at Epcot debuted personalized embroidery services for Mouseketeer Ears at the beginning of this month. Personalized embroidery is available in Gold, White, Black, and Magenta. Basic style stitching is priced at $3.00 per Ears and premium style stitching is priced at $7.00 per Ears.
So-Long Station
11/12/09 The renovations to the former Tommorowland Skyway Station appear to be complete. Construction has appeared to cease and the restrooms located in the building have re-opened.
7/20/09 Demolition has begun on the long dormant Tommorowland Skyway Station. Although details of the project are still sketchy, it has been internally announced that the renovations are planned to be complete November 2009 and will included refurbished Guest restrooms.
A Scary Stamp
11/12/09 The Scarefloor Meet & Greet location located in the Streets of America section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has recently debuted a new feature. In addition to meeting Mike and Sully, Guests can now have their autograph book or other paper media stamped by a Scarefloor time clock. The stamp reads, “Official Scream Team Member” with the signatures of Mike and Sully below. This new features replaces receiving autograph stamps from the characters themselves.
