Tidbits March 2009

[Figment!]

Tidbits
March 2009

A Reversed Route

3/30/09 After a brief test period, the Celebrate A Dream Come True parade at the Magic Kingdom has permanently changed its route effective March 30, 2009. The daily afternoon parade will now start on Main Street USA and end in Frontierland, essentially reversing the former route. While this change will no longer permit photo opportunities of parade floats with Cinderella Castle as a back-drop, park management has determined that this route improves Guest flow down main street and through the hub by shortening the time period in which parade watchers wait in these areas.

A Golden Goodbye

3/30/09 The Friar’s Nook has opened in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Despite the mention of “tropical refreshments” in the official description, the location is reportedly serving only hot dogs, French fries, soft drinks, and carrot cake as of the first several days of operation.
3/25/09 More details have become available regarding the forthcoming refurbishment and menu changes at the Fairfax Fries location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The location has closed for refurbishment and is scheduled to re-open April 4, 2009. According to construction permits, the new name for the location will be Fairfax Fare. Construction permits have also been filed for the installation of warming ovens which appears to indicate a more significant change in the menu than a one-for-one replacement of the McDonald’s brand items with non-branded items.

3/17/09 It has been internally announced that the Refreshment Port will be discontinuing its McDonald's branded offerings and re-opening with a new theme and new menu as part of the on-going refurbishment. In fact, it will be part of the final stage in phasing out the product completely from inside Walt Disney World theme parks. Fairfax Fries and the Village Fry Shoppe have been announced to under-go similar renovations. It has been internally announced that the Village Fry Shoppe has closed for renovations and will re-open as the Friar's Nook on March 26, 2009. The following is the official description of the new location:

Located in Fantasyland, across from Pooh's Playful Spot, next to Mrs. Potts' Cupboard, in the Magic Kingdom®, Friar's Nook offers tropical refreshments with outdoor seating.

Dates and details for the replacement of the Fairfax Fries locations have yet to be announced.

3/2/09 Epcot's Refreshment Port may soon be following in the footsteps of PetriFries and Fronteirland Fries. The World Showcase snack location features McDonald brand food items and has recently been scheduled for refurbishment. Although no specific changes have been reportedly announced, construction permits have been filed for a new sign marquee and the last two refurbishments to locations that featured McDonald's Brand food items has resulted in the change over of their menu. The location is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment March 15 – April 4, 2009.

Epicurean Expansion

3/30/09 In order to accommodate Guests during the Peak Easter period, the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in the Magic Kingdom will offer a family style dinner April 4 through April 14, 2009. The dinner will be offered from 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm daily during the offered time period. The meal will include roasted turkey breast, pork loin, carved beef and mashed potatoes served family style. Pricing will be $33.99 for Guests 10 and up and $16.99 for Guests Ages 3-9.

Pool Re-Tool

3/30/09 Contemporary Feature pool has re-opened to reveal a few new features. A geyser-like fountain and a sunken whirlpool have been added into the pool. The whirlpool is at water level with the pool, but connected to the pool edge for entry. The perimeter ledge of the whirlpool, that separates it from the pool, is covered in a series of small fountains. Construction permits for the renovations indicated “interactive water features” being added, it has yet to be confirmed if either of the added fountains are indeed interactive or not.

A Dimmed Umbrella

3/30/09 Epcot’s Electric Umbrella did close due to the scheduled refurbishment. The location is scheduled re-open April 7, 2009.

2/17/09 The Electric Umbrella in Epcot's Future World has been tentatively scheduled to under-go a refurbishment from February 23 - April 7, 2009. It has yet to be reported how the restaurant's operation will be affected during this time period.

Character Change-Ups

3/30/09 Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios have recently undergone several changes in their Character line-ups. The Stitch and Daisy Duck Morning Meet & Greet at the Sorcerer’s Hat in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has moved to the Leave a Legacy area in Epcot. A Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore Morning Meet & Greet is planned to begin at the Sorcerer’s Hat as a replacement for the former offering. Reappearing in Future World after being removed from the Epcot Character Spot in July 2008, a Chip and Dale Meet & Greet has begun outside of Innoventions West. Two characters have been retired from the daily World Showcase line-up. Dopey has been retired from accompanying Snow White at the Meet & Greet in the Germany pavilion and Mushu has been retired from accompanying Mulan in the China pavilion

New Narration

3/30/09 The Studio Backlot Tour reopened from refurbishment over the weekend with a change in the presentation. The trams now feature a pre-recorded spiel instead of a live narration from a tour guide. Despite the change, initial reports are that the tour guide is still present on the tram during this portion of the attraction.

Pre-Flight Construction

3/25/09 The new Characters in Flight experience at Downtown Disney is drawing close to opening to Guests. The ticketing kiosk is nearing completion and testing of the balloon itself is underway. The marquee on the ticketing kiosk confirms that the official name is “Characters in Flight operated by Aerophile”, confirming that the most recent press release for this experience erroneously published the name of the operator as the name of the experience. Other signage on the kiosk indicates that the balloon will reach a maximum height of 400 ft and that tickets will be $10 (including tax) for Guests Ages 3 -9 and $16 (including tax) for Guests ages 10 and up. The experience is currently scheduled to open to Guests April 1, 2009; contingent upon the current testing.

3/2/09 Construction continues to progress for the forthcoming Characters in Flight experience at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Although work continues, the pier for the hot-air balloon appears to be mostly constructed. The effective footprint for the new experience has also expanded. The Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations kiosk has been shuttered in preparation of transforming the building into the ticketing office and queue area. West Side Guest Relations has been re-located inside Disney Quest.

[Figment!]

House (of Treasures) Remodeling

3/25/09 Significant changes appear to be on the way to a former Adventureland retail location. Construction permits have been filled for significant construction to the Magic Kingdom’s dormant House of Treasures store. Permits have been filled for an undefined “addition”, but also include the following general description of work, “demolition of existing plaster arches, columns and ceiling; demolition of stone flooring; and demolition of existing wood beams as needed for integration of the new walls. Relocation of fire sprinklers as required. Installation of new plaster wall assemblies as designed. Modification of HVAC system as designed. Installation of conduits and cable for power connections and conduits for data, phone and audio cables. Themed painting and plastering of new and existing wall surfaces.”

A Watery Return

3/25/09 Epcot’s Future World has recently become free of the large ring of construction walls surrounding the Fountain of Nations. The multi-month refurbishment of the aesthetic attraction ended over the weekend. The Fountain of Nations typically undergoes an annual refurbishment for upkeep in the early part of each year; however, this refurbishment was unusually long. Despite the unusual length of the refurbishment, there have yet to be any reports of significant changes to the fountain or its performance.

A New Chef

3/25/09Earlier this month, Les Chefs de France debuted the Remy living character. Remy and his maitre d' friend are currently scheduled to appear intermittently in the restaurant dining room from 12:30 pm till 6 pm daily. Daily appearances are scheduled to continue through September 5, 2009.

2/13/09 Les Chefs de France in the France pavilion is reportedly scheduled to debut new dining room entertainment March 1, 2009; however, the details have yet to be confirmed. It is currently rumoured amongst Cast that the restaurant will add the Remy living character that previously debuted at Walt Disney Studios park at the Disneyland Paris Resort. Guests unfamiliar with the Remy living character should be able to find a video of it by searching for “Remy live at Walt Disney Studios Paris” on YouTube.

Spring into Changes

3/17/09Entertainment Cast are reporting that the Celebrate A Dream Come True parade will debut some minor changes sometime in Spring 2009. Cast have been reportedly informed that the "Face The Darkest Fears" float and associated troupe will be removed from the parade and replaced by a new Character Troupe. Neither details on the replacement nor an exact date for the change have been reportedly announced.

A More Contemporary Tower

3/10/09 Chef Mickey’s continues to undergo a partitioned refurbishment. Although an end date has still not been reported, there have also been no reports of the refurbishment impacting Guest's experiences

[Figment!]

A Life-Like Light?

3/10/09Rumours swirling among Studios Cast regarding a new character feature for Pixar Place have begun to become more concrete. During construction of Pixar Place there had been some loose rumours among Studios Cast that a Luxor Jr. Audio-Animatronic would debut in the Pixar Place section in October 2008. According to these rumours, the audio-animatronic would appear intermittently through-out the day on a ledge in the upper section of the Lighting Building. Although the rumours never manifested, recent construction permits appear to indicate work is continuing on the project. About a month ago, a construction permit with the general description of work of "Luxo Speakers Package" was filed. More recently, construction permits were filed with the general description of work as "Luxo at Mania Building; Add aluminum structure includes all electrical" and "Pixar Street Figure Masking Package". While these fillings do not indicate any update to the timetable for this potential project, they do appear to indicate that progress is likely continuing.

No Mama?

3/10/09 Although not completely confirmed at this point, there have been several reports of Dining Reservationists stating that the 2009 Epcot Mother's Day Brunch has been canceled. The annual event was announced for May 10, 2009 at the time of other 2009 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival dates, however; subsequent reports from Guests trying to book Advanced Dining Reservations indicate the event may have been canceled.

Bringing More (Cost) to the Table

3/10/09 Membership costs for the Tables in Wonderland dining discount program have increased as of March 1, 2009. The cost of an annual membership is now $75 for passholders and $100 for Florida residents. Florida resident membership renewal is now $90. A spouse or partner membership is now $50 for passholders and Florida residents.

A Marionette Meet

3/10/09 Character Cast have reported that they Pinocchio’s Marionette Garden Party Meet & Greet location will continue to operate until April 3, 2009.

Only Rehabs Can Prevent Inferno Fires

3/10/09The issues encountered in the refurbishment of the Illuminations Inferno Barge were not as lengthy as estimated. The showpeice reportedly returned to the the show during the March 9th showing. This return was only a week behind the originally scheduled return date.

3/2/09 Epcot Cast have been reportedly informed that the refurbishment of the Illuminations Inferno Barge has encountered significant complications. The refurbishment of the pyrotechnic showpiece is tentatively schedule to return Early July 2009. The show will continue to be shown as scheduled during the refurbishment with-out the Inferno Barge.

Ranger Switcher-roo

3/2/09Character Cast have reported a recent line-up change in the Power Rangers Meet & Greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The White Dino Thunder Ranger has reportedly been replaced with the Green Shark R.P.M. Ranger.

Italian Entertainment

3/2/09 Recent advertisements have implied that Viva Venezia’s performances at Tutto Italia are only temporary. The advertisements list their performances as part of the restaurant’s celebration of the Carnival of Venice which ends March 4th. It is not clear at this time if the group will end performances March 4th or will continue after the end of the on-going special event.

2/13/09 Tutto Italia in the Italy pavilion is reportedly scheduled to debut a new musical trio to serenade Guests starting February 23, 2009. The group will reportedly be named Viva Venezia, however; their planned appearance schedule has yet to be reported.

Bye Bye Breakfast

3/2/09 Boatwright's Dining Hall at Disney's Port Orleans-Riverside Resort has discontinued breakfast service. See Boatwright's cuts breakfast for details and on-going discussion

[Maleficent's Dad]

Great updates as usual, Jason!
Thanks much!

[Maleficent's Dad]

3/2/09Boatwright's Dining Hall at Disney's Port Orleans-Riverside Resort has discounted breakfast service.

"discounted" or "discontinued?"

[Figment!]

"discounted" or "discontinued?"

Both, although they discounted it after they discontinued it

[Dsnygirl]

Thanks for the updates, Jason!

[Crow]

thanks
the INferno Barge is bad news...im going in APril and always watch Illuminations a few times a trip.

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[DisneyDoug2]

Thanks!

[WDWFanatic]

Any idea when the hot air balloon rides will be available and for how much?

[like2workout]

does anyone know if the "Characters in Flight" will be real hot air balloon rides??? thanks!

[brownie]

I'm going to miss Boatwright's breakfast.

The Characters in Flight looks like something I'll have to try.

Thanks for the updates!

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Jason!

[Crow]

just saw something about the Inferno Barge being back?

[Figment!]

**Update**

just saw something about the Inferno Barge being back?

Yes, see the most recent update.

[Figment!]

**Update**

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[GothMickey]

Don't forget to mention that the Move It, Shake It Parade is changing routes on 3/23 to 3/28. They are testing the flow. Instead of starting in Frontierland, the parade will start from Town Square. This is just a test, so don't worry. From what I heard, the test on 3/10 worked out very well.

[Figment!]

**Update**