Tidbits July/August 2018

Tidbits
July/August 2018

Belle of the Refurb

7/29/18 The Magic Kingdom park has internally announced that the Liberty Belle Riverboat refurbishment is being extended and a previous offering is not returning. The on-going refurbishment, begun in January 2018, is now scheduled to conclude in “Early Fall 2018’. It has been additionally announced that the Tiana’s Riverboat Ice Cream Social with Festival of Fantasy Viewing offering will not return when the Riverboat returns to operation.

A Bester Western

8/12/18 Subsequent permits have been filed revealing a larger planned project and one that may not include the current tenant. The new permits refer to the project as the "Black Lake Hotel" (so named for the adjacent Black Lake) and further indicates that ownership will switch to Drury Hotels as part of the renovations and expansions. The documents filed by Drury Hotels include that the new property will be part of the Drury Plaza Hotel brand.

7/29/18 The Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort near Disney Springs is planning a potential expansion. Recent permits indicate the resort is considering building a second tower to expand the hotel. An exact location for the expansion was not outlined in the filings.

What’s in a Time

8/12/18 For the second time in recent punditry, the 3 O'clock Parade is moving to another time slot for a significant stretch of time. From August 17 , 2018 till January 2019; the Magic Kingdom’s afternoon presentation of Festival of Fantasy will start at 2:00 pm daily.

Growing Garages

8/12/18 More details are becoming concrete for the third parking garage at Disney Springs. The Lemon Garage’s pedestrian bridge has recently been raised and appears it will connect Guests near the Basin store as its point of entry to Disney Springs. The Lemon Garage is currently schedule to open in 2019.

4/2/17 New stores and dining spots aren’t the only things still springing up at Disney Springs; there’s still more infrastructure work to come. Construction has begun for the Third Parking Garage for the shopping, dining, and entertainment area. The Walt Disney World Casting parking lot closed on April 1st as part of the project commencement. The third garage will be connected via a pedestrian bridge across Buena Vista Drive. The new garage will reportedly be mixed use for both Guests and Cast Members.

El Grande Refurb

8/12/18 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is continuing its re-imagining with new areas of the resort closing for rennovations. The Lost City of Cibola pool is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment September 4 - December 13, 2018. The Dig Site hot tub, Iguana Arcade, and Siestas Cantina pool bar are scheduled to be closed for refurbishment September 4, 2018 - January 6, 2019. Guests wishing to use a pool during this time will be directed to use one of the resort’s three smaller leisure pools.