Tidbits August 2009

**Figment!** · 08-02-2009, 02:26 PM

Tidbits
August 2009

Stuck in Transit

8/30/09 It has been internally announced that the Tommorowland Transit Authority refurbishment has been further extended. The attraction is now scheduled to re-open September 12, 2009.

8/12/09 The on-going refurbishment of the Tommorowland Transit Authority has been extended. It has been internally announced that the attraction will reopen on September 1, 2009.

Arigato Tin Roboto

8/12/09 The Tin Toy Stories exhibit in Epcot’s Japan pavilion has closed for refurbishment. Although a new exhibit has not been announced for the Bijutsu-kan Gallery, there have been construction permits filed for general carpentry and electrical work. A sign currently outside the closed gallery implies a new exhibit will re-open at the commencement of the work. The sign reads as follows, “Konnichi-wa The Bijutsu-kan Gallery will re-open soon with new treasures from Japan. Arigato Gozaimasu!”

Kouzzina Cometh

8/12/09 As also noted in the responses below, Kouzzina is currently accepting Advanced Dining Reservations for its Soft Opening period of August 15 through September 16, 2009 .

8/4/09 Although still set to have its official grand opening September 17th, it has been internal announced that Kouzzina will have a soft opening August 15, 2009. From August 15 through September 16, the location is expected to accept walk-up's only.

The new location is tentatively set to offer breakfast seatings with such entrées as Eggs with Breakfast Potatoes, Spinach and Feta Scrambled Eggs, Ham and Cheese Omelet, Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive Toast, Artichoke Spread &Sweet Potato Hash, Turkey-Sweet Potato Hash, Scrambled Eggs & Roasted Red Peppers Vegetable Flatbread, French Toast, Waffle with Whipped Mascarpone Cheese, and Blueberry Orange Granola Pancakes.

The new location is tentatively set to offer dinner seatings with such entrées as Roasted Pepper and Chickpea Soup, Avgolemono, Spiro's Greek Salad, House Salad, Wood-grilled Flank Steak, Oak-fired Pork T-bone, Cinnamon Stewed Chicken, Fisherman's Stew, Char-grilled Lamb Burger, Traditional Whole Fish, Spiced Briami, Pastitsio, and Slow-cooked Lamb Shank.

Epicurean Expansion

8/12/09 The Magic Kingdom will be adding two temporary all-you-care-to-eat dinners for select dates between August 16 and October 3, 2009. The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station will offer a Dinner buffet on August 16, 23, 30; and September 6, 13, 20, 27 from 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm. The buffet will be priced at $35 per Guest ages 10 and up and $18 per Guest ages 3 –9. The Diamond Horseshow Saloon will be offering a Dinner served Family Style from August 16 through October 3, excluding September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29; and October 1, 2 , from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Although pricing was not announced, pricing for similar recent offerings were $29.99 per Guest ages 10 and up and $15.99 per Guest Ages 3 – 9.

Mexico Mixer

8/12/09 It has been internally announced that Cava del Tequila has been scheduled to officially open August 28, 2009.

7/27/09 It has been internally announced that the new tequila bar in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot will be called “Cava del Tequila”. While a hard opening date has not been announced, it has also been announced that the location will be open no later than September 25, 2009. The location will host a new event at the 2009 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. A “Mexico Tequila Tasting” event will be held at the new location on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the festival at 3:00 pm for $35.00, plus tax per person.

A Ruckus River

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 other 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.

7/29/09 Magic Kingdom Cast have reported that a new show has been internally announced to open Fall 2009 in the Liberty Square section of the park. The show will reportedly be held aboard the Liberty Belle Riverboat and will feature dancers and Characters from the upcoming Princess and the Frog. According to reports, the show is tentatively titled "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee".

**Figment!** · 08-02-2009, 02:26 PM

Caspian Curtain Call

8/4/09 Character Cast have reported that the Prince Caspian Meet & Greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios is in the final months of its tenure. Although a hard end date has yet to be reported, a tentative end date for the meet and greet offering has been reported as "Fall 2009".

Downtown Closedown

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.

Living with Larger Capacity

8/4/09 Attraction Cast have been informed that Living with the Land will re-open from refurbishment November 1, 2009.

8/2/09 Living with the Land has closed for the previously reported refurbishments. Epcot Cast have reportedly not been informed of a hard end date for the closure.

7/27/09 Epcot Cast have reported that Living with the Land is scheduled to debut some changes in Fall 2009. The attraction in Epcot’s Land Pavilion is scheduled to implement larger boats that can hold more Guests and better accommodate those in wheelchairs. In order to implement the larger boats, it is reported that the attraction’s ride path will need to be modified in certain areas. It is currently expected by Attraction Cast that the attraction will close for refurbishment to make the changes to the ride path, but such a closure has been yet to be concretely scheduled. The overall benefit of these changes has been reported to be a higher Guest capacity for the attraction.

**Jeff** · 08-02-2009, 03:36 PM

THanks!

**T-Belle** · 08-02-2009, 05:22 PM

Wow, thanks for the info. Looking forward to the tequila bar!

**BluewaterBrad** · 08-02-2009, 05:52 PM

Thanks figment!

**tadshome** · 08-02-2009, 06:04 PM

Sorry if this sounds silly but does this mean that the ride is closed and also the tour? We were scheduled to do the tour in 3 weeks time

**Figment!** · 08-02-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by tadshome

Sorry if this sounds silly but does this mean that the ride is closed and also the tour? We were scheduled to do the tour in 3 weeks time

The internal announcements have only cited the Living with the Land ride as being closed.

Only certain sections of the boat canal are under renovation. When I did the Behind the Seeds Tour a few years ago, I don't recall ever being that close to the boat canal.

If your tour has been affected by the planned construction you should be contacted, but you could call 1-407-WDW-TOUR to check on the status of your tour reservation.

**tadshome** · 08-02-2009, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Figment!

The internal announcements have only cited the Living with the Land ride as being closed.

Only certain sections of the boat canal are under renovation. When I did the Behind the Seeds Tour a few years ago, I don't recall ever being that close to the boat canal.

If your tour has been affected by the planned construction you should be contacted, but you could call 1-407-WDW-TOUR to check on the status of your tour reservation.

Thank you, I will give them a call

**Figment!** · 08-04-2009, 02:46 PM

**Update**

**Aggie97** · 08-04-2009, 04:16 PM

Thank you for the updates!

**Ian** · 08-04-2009, 05:22 PM

Where will Kouzzina be located?

**Aggie97** · 08-04-2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ian

Where will Kouzzina be located?

I believe it is in the former Spoodles location.

**Ian** · 08-04-2009, 06:48 PM

Cool ... the menu sounds awesome ... I'll have to try it out.

**vizsla** · 08-05-2009, 05:14 AM

Thanks for the updates.

**BelleCiavo** · 08-06-2009, 09:37 AM

That Kouzzina menu sounds so good.

Thanks Jason

**GrumpyFan** · 08-07-2009, 12:06 PM

Looking forward to trying Kouzzina. Cat Cora's influence on this restaurant will hopefully be a plus.

**Figment!** · 08-07-2009, 01:01 PM

**Update**

**Dsnygirl** · 08-07-2009, 01:36 PM

I am so sad that Living with the Land will be down until Nov. 1st, as that is our "leaving" day. I've only been once, and the rest of my family never has -- and of course, I've gone on & on about how much they will love it. Sigh... guess it'll go on the list for next time...

So, also wondering how the new Riverboat show will choose it's "pre-determined guests" who get to go on the boat with the CM's...

**big blue and hairy** · 08-08-2009, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Figment!

Kouzzina Cometh

8/4/09 Although still set to have its official grand opening September 17th, it has been internal announced that Kouzzina will have a soft opening August 15, 2009. From August 15 through September 16, the location is expected to accept walk-up's only.

The new location is tentatively set to offer breakfast seatings with such entrées as Eggs with Breakfast Potatoes, Spinach and Feta Scrambled Eggs, Ham and Cheese Omelet, Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive Toast, Artichoke Spread &Sweet Potato Hash, Turkey-Sweet Potato Hash, Scrambled Eggs & Roasted Red Peppers Vegetable Flatbread, French Toast, Waffle with Whipped Mascarpone Cheese, and Blueberry Orange Granola Pancakes.

The new location is tentatively set to offer dinner seatings with such entrées as Roasted Pepper and Chickpea Soup, Avgolemono, Spiro's Greek Salad, House Salad, Wood-grilled Flank Steak, Oak-fired Pork T-bone, Cinnamon Stewed Chicken, Fisherman's Stew, Char-grilled Lamb Burger, Traditional Whole Fish, Spiced Briami, Pastitsio, and Slow-cooked Lamb Shank.

Just wanted to let you know that I made an ADR for Kouzzina today for August 22nd.