Tidbits November 2012

[Figment!]

Tidbits
November 2012

Epicurean Expansion

11/17/12 The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios have announced extra dining options for the 2012/2013 Holiday season. The Diamond Horseshoe in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland will offer a counter service lunch from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm on select dates and table service lunch/dinner from 11:00 am – 9:30 pm on Thanksgiving. The quick service offerings will be available November 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, & 24. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be offering a Fantasmic! Boxed meal package December 22, 2012 thru January 5, 2013. The boxed meal is priced at $15.99 for adults and $5.49 for children and include reserved seating in the Fantasmic! Stadium. The adult boxed meal includes a 20z beverage and choice of entrée/dessert pairing: cold-cut roast beef & chocolate cake, tuna sushi roll & spicy pecan chocolate cluster, cold fried chicken and blueberry cheesecake, Cajun shrimp salad and mandarin orange cheesecake, veggie sandwich and chocolate cake. The children’s meal includes a turkey wrap, children’s beverage, apple slices and carrot sticks, strawberry yogurt , and seven-layer cookie bar. The meals can be reserved 24 hours in advance of the show date via 1-407-WDW-DINE.

Dead Men Tell New Tales

11/17/12 Attraction Cast for The Legend of Jack Sparrow have reported two interesting details regarding the new attraction. To read the details highlight the section below:

(Although there are no major spoilers regarding the story or experience events, if you wish to be completely surprised by the new attraction do not highlight below)

- The Skull and Cross Swords from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction is represented in the new attraction and uses most of the original script from that portion of the ride.

- Johnny Depp recorded visual and audio that is presented in a high-def projection.

Wi-Free

11/17/12 With the addition of the free Wi-Fi service to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this week, all four theme parks at Walt Disney World now offer the service. Expansion to the Downtown Disney area has been internally announced to be complete by the end of 2012.

10/7/12 Earlier this week the Walt Disney World resort rolled-out its complimentary Wi-Fi service to its third theme park. Guests are now reporting accesses at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.


Say Spaaaa

11/17/12 More details have been internally announced regarding the transition of the Disney Resort Hotel Spas to the new Senses brand. Effective January 16, 2013; all spas at Disney owned and operated hotels will transfer back to Disney Parks and Resort’s operation. It has been reported, although not confirmed, that the locations will be re-named on that same date. Additionally, the spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort will be closed for renovations January 16, 2013 till Summer 2013 as part of the re-branding.

11/14/12 The Spa at the Grand Floridian has now been tentatively scheduled to re-open from renovations on December 17, 2012. The Spa will reportedly re-open with additional Victorian era theming and a new name. The new spa will be formally called, “Senses - A Disney Spa”. Additionally, it has been reported that this renovation will be the first in a property-wide series that will re-name all spas at Disney owned and operated hotels as part of the “Senses” brand. The changes will reportedly go beyond a name-change to include a transfer of operation from third-parties back to Disney Parks & Resorts and will include the addition of children’s packages. It has not been reported if the re-branding will require closures at the other locations, nor has a time table been reported for the changes.

New Cheer

11/14/12 Guests at the first Very Merry Christmas Party events at the Magic Kingdom have reported several changes this year. For the 2012 parties, Guests can experience the newly themed Club Tinsel dance party located at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe and can participate in a new parade pre-show. Prior to the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Guests along Main Street USA can learn Christmas inspired dance moves from the Kringle Crew. The new entertainment starts at parade kick-off and ends shortly before the parade arrives on Main Street.

An Extra Treat

11/14/12 Guests now have a second exclusive holiday card to seek out for their Sorcerers collection. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Guests can now receive an exclusive Christmas Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom playing card by showing their party ticket & wristband at Firehouse 71 during the party hours.

10/7/12 Guests who visit Firehouse 71 during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom can get an extra treat. During the party, Cast are distributing an exclusive Halloween Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom playing card.

Disney Datebook

11/10/12 For the benefit of those who may have missed the individual updates, The Walt Disney World resort has recently announced the opening dates for the Legend of Jack Sparrow attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios and the debut of the Celebrate the Magic projection show at the Magic Kingdom. The Walt Disney World resort has announced that Celebrate the Magic will make its Grand Debut on November 13, 2012. Additionally, it has been announced that there will be a Special Preview performance during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on November 12, 2012. The Walt Disney World resort has announced that the opening date The Legend of Jack Sparrow will be December 6, 2012. Studios Cast expect General Guest Previews (soft openings) to begin in late November 2012. For those keeping score at home, that means there will be three grand opening events at three different parks on December 6th; New Fantasyland Phase I at the Magic Kingdom, Re-Imagined Test Track at Epcot, and Legend of Jack Sparrow at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

There you are, Perry

11/10/12 Guests visiting Epcot’s KidCOT Fun Stops in World Showcase now have a new option. In addition to the color-me Duffy figures, Guests can now also choose color-me Agent P figures.

Lost Appeal

11/10/12 Fresh-A-Peel recently closed at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. The counter-service location sharing building space with Pollo Campero and BabyCakes NYC, was recently replaced by “Bodie’s All American”. The new location offers a cuisine of burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and salads; but still has some gluten-free and organic options like its predecessor.

A Princess Preview

11/10/12 The Magic Kingdom appears to be giving Guests a preview of the royal inhabitants of the forthcoming Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland. The construction wall outside the future location displays Tiana, Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella, and Jasmine with an opening date of “2013”.

[Figment!]

Pricey Parking

11/10/12 Disney Resort Cast have reported that valet parking price at Walt Disney World Resort hotels has recently increased. Cast have reported that the new valet parking price is $15, up from $12.

Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty

11/10/12 Fans of the Little Mermaid can find new merchandise in Fantaysland. Sir Mickey’s is now carrying a line of merchandise presumably for the new Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction. The new line of merchandise includes plush, drinkware, apparel, and hair accessory products.

RFIDisney

11/10/12 Cast at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort have recently reported that RFID room locks are being rolled out across the resort. These new room locks allow Guests to tap their Key to the World card to enter the room, rather than sliding it in and out of a slot. The Polynesian Resort reportedly received the same upgrade earlier this Fall. Although this upgrade is expected at all resort hotels as part of the “Next Generation” program, a schedule for the project has not been announced or reported.

Update: INTERCOTee's have also reported the locks at the Boardwalk Villas, Bay Lake Tower Villas, Saratoga Springs, Coronado Springs, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Port Orleans Riverside.

--Thanks for the updates Mel, Linda, Steve, eam, Cindy,Laura, and EpcotRescueRanger !

[Melanie]

We had RFID locks at both BLT and Boardwalk VIllas last week.

[faline]

We had the new locks at Saratoga Springs as well. Initially, we were stumped as the card looks exactly the same and still has an arrow which seems to indicate it should be slid into the door. It took us a few minutes to figure out how to operate the thing!

[Fangorn]

We also had the new locks at Coronado Springs when we were there for ICOT-15. Much more convenient.

Steve

[Melanie]

Oh, we had bad issues with the covering for the RFID things both places we stayed. Barely hit the covers and they came off. We even asked a maintenance guy about it one day at BLT (since maintenance was in our room every day ) and he said they were made that way.

[eam]

We have the RFID keys at WL.

[AgentC]

Oh, we had bad issues with the covering for the RFID things both places we stayed. Barely hit the covers and they came off. We even asked a maintenance guy about it one day at BLT (since maintenance was in our room every day ) and he said they were made that way.

Mine at the Yacht Club came off once, but I got it back on. I thought it was the kid's fault. Guess I owe them an apology.

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[missastrocat]

The POR rooms has the RFID locks. It's nice not to have to take it out of our lanyard pouches.. just touch it and open sesame!

Thanks for the updates!

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Jason!

[EpcotRescueRanger]

I stayed at the Beach Club in October and had RFID locks. And mine had the same issue with the cover!

[Figment!]

**Update**

[faline]

Thanks, Jason

[vizsla]

Thanks for the updates.

[Figment!]

**Update**

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Jason!