Tidbits
May 2014



Shopping Shakeup

5/29/14 A Disney’s Hollywood Studios store is slated to close for an 8 month refurbishment starting this Summer. It has been internally announced that L.A. Prop Cinema Storage is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment June 16, 2014 through February 28, 2015. Due to the location’s position at the high-traffic Hollywood Boulevard/Sunset Boulevard intersection and the existing patio area; it is being strongly speculated among Cast that the refurbishment is to convert the space to the the park's previously announced Starbucks location.

Tasty Tasty

5/29/14 Animal Kingdom Cast have reported that Tamu Tamu Refreshments has recently added Dole Whips to its menu. The Quick Service venue, located in the Africa section of the park, has reportedly added the original Dole Whip priced at $3.79 and a Dole Whip with a shot of coconut rum or dark rum priced at $6.09.

Fair-Weather Fairies

5/17/14 The Magic Kingdom has announced the grand opening of the Tinker Bell Meet & Greet on Main Street USA. The “Garden Theater” will officially open to Guests on May 20, 2014 inside the Town Square Theater.

3/23/14 Character Cast have reported several changes regarding the Tinker Bell Meet & Greet at the Magic Kingdom. It has been reported that Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook in Adventureland will permanently close Late Spring 2014. Coinciding with this closure, a new Tinker Bell Meet & Greet with FASTPASS+ option will reportedly open in Town Square Theater on Main Street USA. In addition to the location change, Cast have reported that only Tinker Bell will be available at the new Meet & Greet. The new Meet & Greet will use the space formerly occupied by the Disney Princess Meet & Greet.

Stooooooore!

5/17/14A new 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. Although a closure date has not been announced, area Cast are expecting that the new store will only operate through the 2014 World Cup Tournament.

That’s Just Cheesy

5/17/14 The Friar’s Nook has recently updated its Macaroni & Cheese centric menu. The Fantasyland quick service location has replaced the Blue Cheese Macaroni & Cheese with Pot Roast Macaroni & Cheese. The location has also added a Truffle Macaroni & Cheese Hot Dog priced at $8.59.

3/9/14 The Firar's Nook in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland has recently updated its cuisine. The Quick Service location now offers three varieties of Macaroni and Cheese. The venue offers Bacon Cheeseburger and Blue Cheese varieties priced at $8.99 and a more traditional version topped with panko bread crumbs priced at $5.99.

Character Change-Up

5/17/14 The Character Landing meet & greet location in the Discovery Island section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom has changed its offerings. On May 11, 2014; Winnie the Pooh and Tigger were replaced by Donald Duck and Daisy Duck. Character Cast have reported that, with this change, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger have been retired from the park’s regular daily offerings.

A Tale of Two Sinks

5/17/15 The famed Kitchen Sink at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop now has two little siblings. The Walt Disney World resort has recently introduced the Mini Mickey Sink at Disney’s Beach Club resort and Mickey’s Kitchen Sink at The Magic Kingdom. The Mini Mickey Sink is offered at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. This smaller alternative to the Kitchen Sink contains three scoops of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream topped with pineapple syrup, strawberry syrup, hot fudge, peanut butter sauce, whipped cream, a brownie, Oreo cookies, sprinkles, chocolate & peanut butter chips, chocolate shavings, and cherries. Mickey’s Kitchen Sink is offered at The Plaza Restaurant and the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. This decedent sundae contains three scoops of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream topped with hot fudge, strawberry syrup, caramel sauce, whipped cream, chocolate & peanut butter chips, and cherries. Both behemoths are served in a souvenir sink dish priced at $22.99. The sink dish is comprised of Mickey’s iconic red shorts for a basin and Mickey’s iconic white gloves for handles.

Refurbs in Paradise

5/17/14 Disney’s Polynesian Resort has announced further details relating to the resort’s major renovations. The children’s activity center is scheduled to re-open from a major renovation on June 17, 2014 with a new name; Club Disney. Additionally, the Nanea Volcano pool renovation has been announced to add a hot tub, children’s water playground, and an expanded pool deck. Resort Cast have updated that the pool renovations are tentatively scheduled for Late July 2014 through Early 2015.

The Final Jam

5/17/14Disney’s Animal Kingdom has confirmed an end date for Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade. The daytime parade has been announced to cease operation after May 31, 2014. The park has also confirmed that there is no immediate replacement planned for the daytime parade offering.

Let’s Re-Charge

5/17/14The Magic Kingdom has recently introduced smartphone charging stations at two locations in Tommorowland. Guests can find 6 charging stations near the Tomorrowland Arcade and 12 charging stations in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. The stations offer Apple 30pin, Apple Lightning, and USB charger options. The charging stations are complimentary, but use a credit card as your “key” to lock and un-lock the door to the charging station.

A Tropical Treat

5/17/14 Disney’s Polynesian Resort has announced a new snack location. Pineapple Lanai has been announced to open later this year and will feature Dole Whips. It was not announced if this new location will become the exclusive home of the pineapple treat at the resort or if Captain Cook’s will also offer them again post-renovations.

Springing Up All Over

5/17/14 Three new restaurants appear to be planned to help convert Pleasure Island into The Landing section of Disney Springs. In February, The Boat House Orlando LLC filed permits for a new dining location in the current Pleasure Island area. Construction for this new restaurant appears to be underway on the site formerly occupied by Motions and an expansion onto Village Lake. In March, permits were filed by the Patina Group to renovate the space occupied by the former 8 Trax and Mannequins clubs for a new restaurant. In Late April, concept art was released for another new restaurant tentatively named “The Hangar”.