Tidbits
March/April 2015


Rekindling the Flame

4/19/15 The on-going refurbishment of the Flame Tree Barbecue has been extended a second time. The popular Disney’s Animal Kingdom dining location has been re-scheduled to open from refurbishment on May 23, 2015. Like the previous extension, a reason was not given at the time of the announcement.

2/22/15 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has announced an extension to the on-going refurbishment of the Flame Tree Barbecue. The popular counter service location has been rescheduled to open on April 23, 2015. This is a several week extension from the original reopening date. A reason for the extension was not included in the announcement.

1/11/15 Construction walls are up around the Flame Tree Barbecue as the multi-month refurbishment is underway. During the refurbishment, Disney's Animal Kingdom has announced the following signature menu items will be available at alternative locations:

  • 1/2 BBQ Chicken available at Beastly Kiosk and Garden Kiosk in Discovery Isle
  • Jumbo Turkey Leg available at Trilo-Bites in Dinoland
  • Pork Sandwich available at Trilo-Bites in Dinoland
  • 1/2 Slab of St. Louis Style Ribs available at Beastly Kiosk and Garden Kiosk in Discovery Isle

Stooooooore!

4/19/15 After vacating its storefront in Downtown Disney West Side last month, United World Soccer has opened another retail location. Guests can now get their futbol fix at the United World Soccer kiosk located near the Cirque du Soleil arena.

3/28/15 United World Soccer in Downtown Disney Westside has closed to make way for a new retail location. It has been internally announced that United World Soccer closed on March 25, 2015 in order to prepare the location for a Marvel superhero store. The tentatively named Super Hero Headquarters store is scheduled to open Early May 2015.

5/17/14 A new temporary store has been announced for Downtown Disney West Side. United World Soccer has been announced to open on May 22, 2014 in the location that was vacated by BLINK at the beginning of May.

El Río de Música

4/19/15 Epcot’s Mexico pavilion has recently made a change to its music line-up. Mariachi Cobre now performs Wednesday through Sunday with a new musical act, Marimba Trio, on Monday and Tuesday. Both groups perform 25 minutes at 11:30 am, 12:15 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:15 pm & 5:00 pm

In the Loop

4/19/15 Transportation Cast have reported that a new bus loop will be offered for a four week test period beginning April 20, 2015. During this time, Guests will be offered direct bus transportation between the Magic Kingdom park, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge resort, and the Settlement Depot at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground from 4:00 pm till 11:30 pm. This new loop will be of particular convenience for Guests spending the day at the Magic Kingdom and attending a dinner show at Fort Wilderness.

Springing-Up

4/19/15 Three more locations have been announced for Disney Springs forthcoming Landing area. Scheduled to open Spring 2015 are Erwin Pearl, Joffery's Tea, and Vivoli Gelateria. Erwin Pearl will operate as a jewelry retail location; Joffery's Tea will operate as a retail-dining mix location for specialty teas; and Vivoli Gelateria will operate as a dining location serving espresso, Panini, and gelato.

2/23/15 Ten new retail locations have quietly opened as part of the Disney Springs project this month. In the forthcoming Landing area; The Art of Shaving, Sound Lion, Sanuk, APEX by Sunglass Hut, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC and Chapel Hats have opened. On the newly opened Marketplace Causeway four new kiosks have opened; Icon Jewellery by Bico, Florida Bath Co., Flour and Sugar, and Kate and Leo. The new kiosks offer jewelry, bath products, gourmet cookies, and toys; respectively.

Land of the Rising Seat

3/28/15 Earlier this month Epcot’s World Showcase opened an expanded seating area for one of its counter service locations. Katsura Grill, located in the Japan pavilion, has opened a new deck area with additional seating. The new area is located behind the counter service location and features padded stool seating with umbrellas on the tables.

Co-Op Change-Up

3/28/15 The Marketplace Co-Op, located in the Downtown Disney Marketplace, recently updated its retail line-up. The Beautifully Disney section has been replaced by a new WonderGround Gallery section. The small center section vacated by WonderGround Gallery has been replaced by a brand new “location”—The Sign Shop. The new Sign Shop features signs inspired by current and former Disney Theme Park locales from both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Of probable note for Disney Theme Park enthusiasts, are signs inspired by The Adventure’s Club, Walt Disney’s Grand Circle Tour, Casey’s Corner, and the Blue Bayou.

Red Light, Green Light

3/28/15 Flying low on the Guest report radar is an experience change at a popular resort dining location. Whispering Canyon Café quietly introduced participation cards in Late 2014. The popular dining location at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is equally known for good grub and Guest interaction. The new participation cards allow Guests to easily communicate to Cast if they wish to participate or not. The green side reads "Jump in and play" and the red side reads "Watch from the fence".

Is That Load-Bearing Coral?

3/28/15 Ariel's Under Sea Adventure re-opened from a refurbishment earlier this month debuting several changes to the show scenes. The Fantasyland attraction overhauled the “Under the Sea” show scene while making minor enhancements to others. The “Under the Sea” show scene is now primarily black-lit. The new mix of lighting provides a more immersive experience by greatly reducing the amount of utility elements visible in the show room. In addition to static figures in some of the transitional scene areas, the “above water” figures have also been enhanced with more realistic, fibrous “dry hair” appearance.

11/2/14 A “New Fantasyland” attraction is scheduled to close for a month long refurbishment in the New Year. It has been internally announced that Ariel's Under Sea Adventure in the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment February 2 through March 6, 2015.

In the Shades

3/28/15 In addition to the Singapore Shades “store-with-in-a-store” at Typhoon Lagoon, Sunglass Hut has opened another “store-with-in-a-store” at Blizzard Beach. As part of the recent annual refurbishment, Sun Shades by Sunglass Hut opened inside the Beach Haus store. These two “store-with-in-a-store” locations join the two other recent stand-alone store openings of Island Supply by Sunglass Hut at the Magic Kingdom and Apex by Sunglass Hut at Downtown Disney.