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  1. #1
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    Lightbulb Tidbits July 2008

    Tidbits
    July 2008




    Summer of Citricos

    7/31/08 The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has announced that that Citricos will continue its expanded 7-night week schedule through March 29, 2009. This announcement is a 6 month extension to the previous 3 month extension announced earlier this month.

    7/13/08 The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has announced that Citricos will continue its expanded 7-night week schedule through September 28, 2008. The restaurant was originally scheduled to return to its Wednesday through Sunday schedule July 7, 2008; this has now been postponed till September 29, 2008.

    A Bit Smaller Buffet


    7/31/2008 Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort has modified its Lunch buffet offerings at its Trails End dining location. As of July 23, 2008, the buffet has introduced a buffet featuring assorted soups, salad and sandwiches only. The buffet previously included fried chicken, pulled pork and pizza in addition to the current offerings.

    A Fairyly New Meet & Greet

    7/31/08 Character Cast have reported that the Disney Fairies Meet 'n' Greet at the Magic Kingdom is tentatively scheduled to open October 26, 2008--the same day as its Disneyland counter-part. According to Cast, the Meet 'n' Greet line-up will rotate between Tinkerbell, Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta and Silvermist.

    7/18/08 The previously reported retrofit of the Disney Pals room into a Disney Fairies Room in the Toontown Hall of Fame appears to be in motion. The Walt Disney World resort has announced auditions to be held July 23, 2008 to be "friends" of the Disney Fairies. Auditions of this nature are typically held relatively close to the start of a Meet & Greet, although there have been yet to signs of work beginning to convert the room. With the Disneyland Fairies Meet & Greet announced to Open October 2008, the yet-to-be-announced Magic Kingdom location is still expected to open shortly after its West Coast counterpart placing an anticipated opening in Late 2008/Early 2009.

    Exiting Stage Left?

    7/26/08 Rumours have been circulating among Entertainment Cast that further entertainment offerings will be scaled back or retired in Late 2008/Early 2009 in addition to the already announced retirement of Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends and variable scale back of Fantasmic!. It is being rumored among Cast that Woody's Cowboy Camp will be retired Fall 2008, The Main Street Family Fun Day Parade will be retired Fall 2008, and The Disney/Pixar Block Party Bash Parade will be scaled back to 5 days-a-week in January 2009. Currently, none of these changes have been confirmed nor has any concrete evidence been cited in support of these rumours.

    Drawn-Out Changes

    7/23/08 The Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground has announced changes to its horse drawn holiday activities for 2008. Haunted Carriage rides will debut in October 2008 replacing the Haunted Hayride offering. The new offering is described as, "Roam the woods of Fort Wilderness on your Haunted Carriage Ride while hearing the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Each carriage can accommodate up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children and is priced at $60 per ride. The Haunted Carriage rides will be offered October 3 - November 1, 2008. Each night three carriage rides will be available every half hour from 7:30 - 10:30 pm, with an extra 7:00 pm time slot added October 19 through November 1. Although dates have yet-to-be announced, Fort Wilderness has confirmed that its Holiday Sleigh rides will return for the 2008/2009 Holiday Season. For the 2008 offering it has also been announced that prices will be raised from $35 to $60 per ride. Both activities can be reserved 90 days in advance via 407-WDW-PLAY.

    Restaurant Resurrection

    7/23/08 Two of the Magic Kingdom’s typically dormant dining locations will be offering extra dinning options to help accommodate peak summer crowds. The Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree has extended its temporary lunchtime snack service. The eatery will continue to serve sandwiches and other snacks 11:00 am till 4:00 pm daily through July 31, 2008. The Advenutreland Veranda has re-opened after years of dormancy. The location is now serving a variety of beverages, cold sandwiches, and fruit daily through August 2, 2008.

    Driving Up Prices

    7/23/08 Guests wishing to live out their race car dreams will have to pay a little more to do so starting this November. Effective November 1, 2008, the Richard Petty Driving Experience program will be raising prices on 3 of its 4 packages. The price of the Rookie Experience package (8 laps) will raised from $424.94 to $478.19 per Guest, the price of the King's Experience package (18 laps) will be raised from $850.94 to $904.19, and the price of the Experience of a Lifetime package (30 laps) will be raised from $1,330.19 to $1,383.44. The price of the Ride Along Package will remain at current pricing.

    Reflections of Upgrades

    7/18/08 After months of delays, a date has been set for the start of the Illuminations Earth Globe refurbishment. Those involved in the project have reported that the refurbishment is currently scheduled begin August 13, 2008 and end in the Late September to Mid October time frame. During the refurbishment, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is currently scheduled to be shown with alternative show elements in-place of the Earth Globe float.

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  3. #2
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    What’s Up Dock?

    7/18/08 Work to replace the Dock Stage at the Downtown Disney Marketplace appears to be starting in motion. Construction walls have been raised around the Dock Stage site.

    A Tastier Transit

    7/13/08 A new snack kiosk named “Coffee . Espresso . Pastries” has opened at the Ticket and Transportation Center. The location currently offers Coffee, Iced Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha, Flavored Latte, Iced Flavored Latte, Tea, Iced Tea, Hot chocolate, Frozen Mocha, smoothie, Bottled Water, Bottled soft Drink, Juice and Milk beverages priced $2.50 - $6.00; and Assorted pastries priced at $3.00 each.

    Surfing Suspension

    7/13/08 Craig Carroll’s Cocoa Beach Surfing School classes have been suspended from July 10, 2008 through Typhoon Lagoon’s annual refurbishment. Classes are schedule to resume when the park re-opens from refurbishment at a yet-to-be specified date in January 2009. During the suspension, the wave pool will continue normal operation during scheduled operational hours for all regular Guests.

    Shopping of the Stars

    7/13/08 The Legends of Hollywood store in the Sunset Blvd. section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has recently changed its merchandise offerings. The retail location now features High School Musical and Hannah Montana merchandise.

    A Peking Placeholder

    7/13/08 The China pavilion in Epcot has opened a temporary “Nine Dragons” counter service kiosk while the table service location by the same name is under refurbishment. The location offers Mongolian Beef, Honey Sesame chicken, Shrimp Fried Rise, Pot stickers, Sesame Chicken Salad, and Egg Roll entrees priced $4.25 - $8.50; a Beijing Barbeque Drumstick Children's Meal priced at $7.00; and Bottled Soft Drink, Bottled Water, Mango Smoothie, Strawberry Smoothie, Tsing Tao Beer, and Plum Wine beverages priced $2.00 - $6.00.

    High School Hiatus

    7/13/08 The High School Musical Pep Rally will be dark September 14, 2008 through October 23, 2008. The mobile show will return as a new “Senior Year” version on October 24, 2008, subsequently making September 13, 2008 the final day for the “Schools Out” version. Although the exact differences between the two versions have not been announced, it can reasonably be expected that the new version will contain songs and dance numbers from the forthcoming “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” movie.


    A Whirl Wind of Change

    7/7/08 It appears that the plans for a semi-major refurbishment of Primeval Whirl are continuing. Operations has announced that the attraction is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment September 2 through November 15, 2008. At the time of the announcment, it was not specified if this closure would still be to conduct the previously announced (albeit unspecified) "retrofit" or not.


    10/22/07 It has been internally announced that Primeval Whirl at Disney's Animal Kingdom is slated to under go semi-major renovations for a 45-60 day time period in Fall 2008. Although details of changes were reportedly not announced, the announcment reportedly stated that the aim of the renovations is to "retrofit" the attraction.


  4. #3
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    Spot Shuffling


    7/7/08 Character Cast have reported that the Epcot Character Connection will be changing its VIP line-up in Fall 2008. Starting at a yet-to-be-announced date this Fall, the Chip & Dale meet and greet location inside Epcot Character connection is planned to be replaced with a Donald Duck meet and greet location. Currently, it is reportedly unknown if a permanent Chip & Dale meet and greet location will re-open in another location or not.



    Spectroblackout

    7/708 Due to construction work on the Liberty Square bridge, the Magic Kingdom has announced Spectromagic will be dark August 15 through August 29, 2008. During this time the park will offer an additional 7:00 pm showing of the Disney Dreams Come True Parade. Due to the loss of the bridge, Entertainment Cast have also reported that the parade route is currently planned to be altered to begin on Main Street USA, loop around The Hub, and return down Main Street USA during this time period.

    Waiting for Wall-E

    7/7/08 A Wall-E themed photo spot has opened in the Magic of Disney Animation post-show area at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The location is currently comprised of a backdrop and a photo-cut-out of Wall-E. Character Cast have reported that the location will likely remain in it's current incarnation until at least October 2008. Reportedly, the current plan is to conduct a limited-time meet and greet with the interactive Wall-E character at the current location beginning October 2008 and lasting for an unspecified duration. The current delay is reportedly to allow the character to complete its current promotional tour. The Wall-E location has re-placed the Ratatouille meet and greet location.


    A Talking Timon


    7/3/08 The Festival of the Lion King show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has recently unveiled a new enhancement. Timon is now an articulated character that can move his mouth and blink his eyes. This enhancement has been expected for many months, as the Disneyland Paris version of the show has had an articulated Timon for a quite a while. This is the second implementation of this technology in a permanent attraction at the Walt Disney World resort, the first being the Dream Along with Mickey Castle show.


    Restaurant Reductions


    7/3/08 The Garden Grill and Epcot and Liberty Tree Tavern at the Magic Kingdom are reducing their offerings in October 2008 and January 2009, respectively. Effective October 6, 2008, The Garden Grill will only be open for Dinner service daily staring at 4:30 pm. Effective January 5, 2009, Liberty Tree Tavern will discontinue Goofy’s Liberate Your Appetite Character Dinner. See Garden Grill Lunch Ends 10/08 & Liberty Tree Tavern Character Dinner Ends 1/09 for details an on-going discussion.



    Toy Snackery

    7/3/08 The Hey-Howdy-Hey Take-Away snack location opened last week. The new snack location features larger-than-life sized Woody’s Round-Up merchandise and food items. In addition to the previously noted frozen beverages, the location also serves ice cream, bags of chips and bottled Coca-Cola products. The “Wheezy’s Breezy Freey” frozen beverages is priced at $3.29, the “Molli Coolz” brand Ice Cream is priced at $2.69, the assorted bags of chips are priced at $2.39 . All of the items served are eligible to be redeemd per one Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit.


    Epicurean Expansion


    7/3/08 The Walt Disney World resort will again be offering expanding dining options during its "Free Dining Plan" period. From August 24 – September 27, 2008, Chef Mickey’s, ‘Ohana and Whispering Canyon Café will offer expanded meal services. Chef Mickey’s will offer a special character lunch seating from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm daily during the period. ‘Ohana will offer expanded dining hours starting breakfast seatings 7:30 am and dinner seatings at 4:00 pm daily during the offering. Whispering Canyon Café will offer expanded dining hours starting dinner service at 4:00 pm daily during the period.


    Bye Bye Barn


    7/3/08 The Toy story Friends Meet and Greet has moved from Al’s Toy Barn to a new location inside the Pixar Place section of the park. Ironically contained in the Camera Department labeled building of the Pixar Studios themed section of the park is the new “Woody’s Picture Shootin Corral”. In addition to the indoor meeting area, the new location also reportedly features the enhancement of more elaborate backdrops for pictures.

  5. #4
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    Deck the Halls with Extra Dining


    7/3/08 The Walt Disney World resort has announced a number of extended seating at many of its most popular dining locations during the Peak 2008/2009 Holiday period. From December 20, 2008 – January 3, 2009, Boma Dinner will begin at 4:00 pm, Cape May Café Breakfast will end at 11:30 am, Cape May Café Dinner will begin at 5:00 pm, Chef Mickey’s Breakfast will end at 12:30 pm, Chef Mickey’s Dinner will being at 5:00 pm, ‘Ohana Breakfast will end at 11:30 am, ‘Ohana Dinner will being at 4:00 pm, Spoodles Dinner will being at 4:30 pm, and Whispering Canyon Café Dinner will being at 4:30 pm. On Christmas Day only, Cape May Café will serve Dinner 2:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Chef Mickey’s will serve Dinner 3:45 pm – 9:30 pm, Chef Mickey’s will serve breakfast 7:00 am – 1 pm, and Whispering Canyon Café will serve Dinner 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm. On New Year’s Day only, Chef Mickey’s will serve breakfast 7:00 am –12:30 pm. On December 23rd and 30th 2008, Fort Wilderness will offer additional showings of Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.


    An On Target Activity


    7/3/08 Beginning July 3, 2008, Fort Wilderness is introducing a new activity for those interested in learning the skill of archery. The Ft. Wilderness Archery Experience will teach Guests how to use a Compound Bow by practicing on a range under the supervision of skilled instructors. The activity is held 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and costs $25 plus tax per Guest. Due to the use of bow and arrow, the activity is restricted to Guests ages 6 and up. The activity can be booked in advance via 407-WDW-PLAY or can be booked upon arrival at the Fort Wilderness Bike Barn.

    Figment! aka Jason ºoº
    INTERCOT STAFF
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    ~It’s what us storytellers do; we restore order with imagination, we instill hope again and again~

    ~We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things~

  6. #5
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    Thanks for the updates
    Vince
    aka. Vizsla

    INTERCOT Staff: Mousellaneous and Disney Vacation Club

    DVC Member 10/11/04

  7. #6
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    Thumbs up

    Thanks Jason!
    ºoº David, Lisa, Aaron and Allison
    98-PO
    00-CB & ASMo
    01-Swan
    02-CS
    03-POR
    04-POP
    05-PO / CR
    07-PO / CR
    08-ASMu
    09-AKL
    10-CR, CS & PP DL
    11-NB DLP & SSR
    12-BLT & BLT
    13-GC DL & BLT
    15-Aulani & BLT
    16-ASMu & GC DL
    17-BWI, THV, CSR, BLT
    18-BLT, OKW, OKW, CBR, GF & BLT

  8. #7
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    any reason in particular of why they are taking out the characters from the Liberty Tree Tavern??? i ate there for the first time in May and i really liked it.
    Fall 2004 College Program Alumni and Campus Rep.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by EpcotRescueRanger View Post
    any reason in particular of why they are taking out the characters from the Liberty Tree Tavern??? i ate there for the first time in May and i really liked it.
    $$$$$

    I also enjoyed the Liberty Tree Tavern, although I really don't care either way if there are characters, the food was good!

  10. #9
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    Are there plans to move The Incredibles, Lightning & Mater, Mike & Sully and other Pixar characters from around the Studios to the Pixar Place? They are all sort of scattered and this Pixar area would be a good way to consolidate them all in one spot.

  11. #10
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    Arrow

    **Update**

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug The Disney Man
    Are there plans to move The Incredibles
    Not at this time.

    Quote Originally Posted by Doug The Disney Man
    Lightning & Mater
    This is noted in the same item that talks about the Toy Story meet and greet ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Doug The Disney Man
    Mike & Sully
    Very unlikley, they were just moved to a new location near, but not inside Pixar Place.
    Figment! aka Jason ºoº
    INTERCOT STAFF
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    ~It’s what us storytellers do; we restore order with imagination, we instill hope again and again~

    ~We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things~

  13. #12
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    Hopefully we'll be able to meet the "real" Wall-E at the end of October . . . we loved the movie and I'd love for him to hear DH's impersonation of him
    Amanda
    Wishes. Dreams. Magic.

  14. #13
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    Thanks for the updates Jason!!
    Blythe

    Past trips -
    3x offsite,May 06 CBR,Oct 07 I'cot 10,Dec 08 CBR,Jan 09 ASMu,Oct 09 CBR/AKL,Jan 11 AsMu,Aug 11 CBR, Oct 11 AKL,Oct 12 I'cot 15,Aug 13 CBR,Aug '14 mini AKL trip

    Next -
    May '17 DL OR June '17 CBR

  15. #14
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    For the Whirl, what is meant by "retrofit"?
    May your lines be short; the magic be plenty; and may you always remember to gather your belongings before exiting your vacation.


    And many others ongoing....
    Poly/AKL Dec '09
    CSR: Dec '02
    WL: Dec '01
    WL: Oct '00
    BW: Oct '99
    Offsite(blech): '93

  16. #15
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    Thumbs up

    Thanks Jason!
    ºoº David, Lisa, Aaron and Allison
    98-PO
    00-CB & ASMo
    01-Swan
    02-CS
    03-POR
    04-POP
    05-PO / CR
    07-PO / CR
    08-ASMu
    09-AKL
    10-CR, CS & PP DL
    11-NB DLP & SSR
    12-BLT & BLT
    13-GC DL & BLT
    15-Aulani & BLT
    16-ASMu & GC DL
    17-BWI, THV, CSR, BLT
    18-BLT, OKW, OKW, CBR, GF & BLT

  17. #16
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    Thanks!
    "That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up." ~Walt Disney


    Disneyland 1987
    WDW 1992
    POFQ 6/25/01-7/1/01
    POP 6/26/06-7/1/06
    POP 8/4/08-8/9/08
    POR 8/5/09-8/12/09
    POR 10/27-10/31
    Next Trip- POR 6/23-6/28

  18. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Finiamh View Post
    For the Whirl, what is meant by "retrofit"?
    The cast member death on the ride may be behind part of this. I'm guessing there may be more permanent safety changes being made to the ride during this rehab.
    Steve (aka brownie)
    INTERCOT Staff: Accommodations & Mousellaneous
    ASMv 4/00, 10/01, 11/03, 5/21
    ASMu 8/12, 11-12/22
    AKL 6/18
    BC 9/94
    CSR 8/14, 3-4/22
    POP 11-12/10, 3/12, 10/12, 7/17, 4/22
    POFQ 10/01
    POR 9/04, 1/16, 11/19
    WL 12/03
    Disneyland 6/07, 1/15
    Disney Dream 8/14

  19. #18
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    Oooh! Oooooohhh! OOOOOHHHHHH!!!!

    I hope we get to see Wall-E in October!!! That will be awesome!!!
    NEXT TRIP - DCL Fantasy Oct. 2016
    Yacht Club - Oct. '14, Dec. '15
    Poly - Dec. '07, '09
    Grand Flo - Too many times to keep track!
    CBR - May '10, Oct. '10, Dec. '11
    POR - Sept & Dec '03
    AoA - Oct. '12, Dec. '13
    Pop - May '11

  20. #19
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    Thanks for the updates, am really wondering about the Primevil Whirl Changes. Good ride for a quick thrill!!
    Jeff, Tabatha, & Ian

    OKW Jan. '08
    OKW July '08
    DLR Sept. '08
    OKW Dec. '08

    "Phenominal Cosmic Power, in a Itty-Bitty Living Space"

  21. #20
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    Arrow

    Quote Originally Posted by Finiamh
    For the Whirl, what is meant by "retrofit"?
    Details have yet to be announced. Given the time frame, relatively noticeable changes could be reasonably expected. Typically, the term "retrofit" when applied to an attraction refurbishment means something maybe added or changed using a portion of the existing attraction to support the addition or change.

    Quote Originally Posted by brownie
    The cast member death on the ride may be behind part of this. I'm guessing there may be more permanent safety changes being made to the ride during this rehab.
    It is very unlikely that this refurbishment is related to the accident. The refurbishment was announced for the same duration over one month before the accident occurred.
    Figment! aka Jason ºoº
    INTERCOT STAFF
    News, Rumours & Imagineering
    Dining
    Vacations Beyond Disney

    ~It’s what us storytellers do; we restore order with imagination, we instill hope again and again~

    ~We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things~

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