Tidbits
February 2010




Re-Busing

2/25/10 joelkfla has provided additional information regarding the new ESPN Wide World of Sports transportation options here.


2/24/10 As part of re-branding the Wide World of Sports complex, transportation options to the complex have changed. Walt Disney World Bus Service between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex ended February 21, 2010. Effective February 21st, Walt Disney World Bus Service began offering bus service between Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort. This new route is aimed to better serve Guests staying at these resorts on packages related to events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. Standard operating hours for the new bus service is 7:00 am till 11:00 pm daily, but may vary to accommodate start and end times of special events at the sports complex.

Good Fortune for Shoppers

2/24/10 Guests will soon have more shopping options in Epcot’s China Pavilion. Epcot Cast have reported that a new retail location called “The Good Fortune Gift Shop” is being constructed along the World Showcase promenade at the China Pavilion. Based on the construction walls currently up in this area, it appears the new shop will be located next to the Joy of Tea kiosk. Details on the type of merchandise to be carried have not been announced. The new store is expected to open Spring 2010.

Vinylmation New Location

2/24/10 It appears that a replacement for the Planet Hollywood on Location store at Downtown Disney WestSide is in-process of being constructed. Windows of the recently vacated venue are now adorned with “Vinylmation” logos and many different designs of Vinylmation collectables. Although this preparation appears to indicate the new store will primarily sell Vinylmation collectables, the details of the new store have yet to be announced. It is currently unknown if the new store will be a D-Street store (currently open in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District) selling a large selection of Vinylmation collectables in-addition-to other niche products or if the location will be a new store selling only Vinylmation collectables.

New Adventures

2/17/10 Character Cast have reported that the UP Character Meet & Greet in the Magic of Disney Animation building at Disney's Hollywood Studios will end in Early May 2010. It has been further reported that Carl and Dug will begin new Meet & Greet appearance at Disney's Animal Kingdom once the Studios location closes. Character Cast have reported that it is currently planned for Russel to be retired when the UP Meet & Greet ends its Studios run.

Bye-Bye Buffet

2/17/10 Beginning February 23, 2010, the Maya Grill at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort will replace its buffet breakfast offering with an a table service breakfast offering. It has yet to be announced how the menu will be affected by the change in service style.

Summer of Stars

2/17/10 Character Cast have reported that Lotso is scheduled to start daily Meet & Greet appearances in Early May 2010 in the Disney of Animation building. Lotso will reportedly replace the spot vacated by the UP characters.

2/7/10 Two Stars of the Silver screen will be descending onto Disney’s Hollywood Studios this Summer. Character Cast have reported that Prince Dastan, from Prince of Persia, will start regular Meet & Greet appearances in May 2010. Character Cast have also reported that Lotso, from Toy Story 3, will start daily Meet & Greet appearances Summer 2010. Lotso is a purple teddy bear who will be introduced in the third chapter of the Toy Story trilogy.


Showcasing New Tastes

2/7/10 Construction for both new dining locations continues. Cantina de San Angel appears to have completed demolition of the former building. The entire work site is now covered with a tree-line scrim in order to reduce the visual impact for Guests viewing the World Showcase lagoon. Similarly, scrim has now gone up around the work site for the new pizzeria being added to the Italy pavilion.

11/19/09 Epcot’s World Showcase is set to offer a refreshed restaurant in Mexico and a new dining option in Italy in 2010. It has been internally announced that Cantina de San Angel will close for major renovations January 4, 2010. The Italy pavilion is also slated to offer Guests a new dining option in 2010. Additionally known at this time, is that the owner of the future operation has been listed as the Patina Restaurant Group-- who currently operates the Tutto Italia location

Downtown Close Down

2/7/10 The Planet Hollywood on Location store at Downtown Disney WestSide has closed. This shrinks the number of Planet Hollywood retail locations on Walt Disney World property from 4 to 3. Guests may still find Planet Hollywood merchandise at the store adjacent to the restaurant location, inside the restaurant itself, and at the Planet Hollywood Super Store in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Additionally, it has been internally announced that Ronald’s Fun House in Downtown Disney Marketplace will close April 30, 2010. This lightly themed McDonald’s location is the second to last outpost of the golden arches on Walt Disney World property. For Guests craving familiar fast food, the recently renovated, stand-alone McDonald’s location near the All-Star Resorts remains.

Character Curtain Call

2/7/10 Disney’s Hollywood Studios has retired one of it’s regular characters and is making preparations to retire two more in the coming months. On January 9th, Prince Caspian was retired from regular operational Meet & Greet appearances. In accordance with the retirement of this character, the dedicated Meet & Greet location has also closed. Despite the closure, the adjoined Journey into Narnia attraction remains open. Additionally, Character Cast have reported that Jojo and Goliath will be retired from regular operations Spring 2010. This change will affect the regular Meet & Greet appearances in Animation Courtyard and the Play-n-Dine Character Meals. Although not confirmed, it has been reported that Handy Manny will be added to the Play-n-Dine Character Meal line-up as a replacement offering.

Give the New Stands a Hand

2/7/10 Two new retail locations have opened in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Coincidently, both are “hand” related. Hand Art Memories has opened in Downtown Disney Marketplace replacing the angle art kiosk. This new retail location lets Guests turn their handprint into a work of art. After stamping their hand onto a sheet of paper, an artist will transform their unassuming print into a work of art. Lefty’s the Left Hand Store has opened a kiosk location at the Marketplace replacing the woodcarving kiosk. This kiosk offers a selection of merchandise for left-handed folk.

A Happening Hiatus

2/7/10 The current hiatus of the Wishes Dessert Party, may not be primarily due to low demand or seasonal crowd levels. Construction walls have recently blockaded the Tommorowland Noodle Station and significant work appears to be going on in the areas primarily used for the Dessert Party. Although there has yet to be a formal announcement, speculation among Cast is that the Dessert Party will return Spring 2010 with a refurbished location that will feature enhancements for the viewing of Wishes.

Refreshing the Refreshments

2/7/10 World Showcase’s nationality neutral dining spot has received some new flavor, although it seems a bit misplaced—geographically speaking. Epcot’s Refreshment Port, located near the Canada pavilion, now features quick Latin American cuisine. The kiosk now offers Beef Empanadas, Cheese Empanadas, Seafood Empanadas, and Tostones as entrée options. For dessert there is the Dulce De Leche Ice Cream Sundae and the adult beverage option of a Bacardi Frozen Mojito.

New House for the Mouse

2/7/10 Character Cast have reported that the Meet & Greet locations for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will move from Towntown Fair to the Exposition Hall in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom by Late Spring 2010. It has additionally been reported that temporary Meet & Greet locations will be set up in the Exposition Hall for the Fairy and Princess Meet & Greets while Fantasyland construction progresses. Although few details have been reported about the new permanent and temporary locations, it has been reported that they will replace the existing movie theaters located inside the building.