Tidbits November/December 2015

Tidbits
November/December 2015

Epicurean Expansion

12/21/15 The Magic Kingdom park is expanding its dining options now through January 2, 2016. During this peak seasonal period, the Diamond Horseshoe will be offering Quick Service Lunch and a Table service dinner.

May the Merchandise Be With You

12/21/15 Disney Springs has opened a new Star Wars store with little fanfare. Last week, D-Street closed and was replaced by the Star Wars Galactic Outpost. The new store carries a wide range of Star Wars merchandise. Although no major structural changes were made to the store, the interior has been redecorated to match the new name and theme.

InnovenChange

12/21/15 The Epcot Character Spot has expanded across the breezeway in Innoventions West. The second Character Spot has opened featuring a Baymax Meet & Greet. The original Epcot Character Spot remains operating unchanged.

Shopping Shakeup

12/21/15 It has been announced that Disney Outfitters will reopen from its refurbishment in Mid March 2016. During the renovations, Guests will be advised that most merchandise typically found at Disney Outfitters will be available at the new Riverside Depot.

12/6/15 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has announced a new retail location for the Discovery Island section of the park. The Riverside Depot store has been announced to open on December 8, 2015. In addition to this opening, the park has announced a renovation of another area store. Disney Outfitters has been announced to close for renovations in Late December 2015, although a re-opening date has yet to be announced.

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Laughter

12/10/5 Disney’s Hollywood Studios has announced the return of a seasonal offering for the 2015/2016 Peak Holiday Season. The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special has been announced to make a seasonal run at the Premiere Theater December 19, 2015 through January 3, 2016. The approximately 20 minute improve show is an ode to the Comedy Warehouse night club of Pleasure Island yore.

Refurbing in the New Year

12/10/15 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Cast have reported two refurbishments for early 2016. Kali River Rapids has been internally announced to be closed for refurbishment January 5 through February 11, 2016 and the Maharajah Jungle Trek has been internally announced to be closed for refurbishment January 3 through January 21, 2016.

Table for Dr. Albert Falls

12/6/15 Magic Kingdom Cast have reported that the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is holding a Cast Only preview today (12/6/15). The invitations for the Cast Preview have revealed a few details for the forthcoming Theme Restaurant. The location will feature three dining rooms: The Mess Hall, The Jungle Room, and the S.E.A. Room. Also of note The Jungle Room is parenthetically listed as the "Falls family parlor”. For those unfamiliar, S.E.A. is the Society of Explorers and Adventurers and is a back story that ties together several attractions located in Tokyo DisneySea and Hong Kong Disneyland; it is more or less an extension of the Adventurer's Club. The invitation also previewed two menu items; Falls Family Falafel and Sugar-crusted Congee Pudding. The new Adventureland location is expected to begin Limited Public previews by Mid December 2015.

A Whole New World

12/6/15 The World of Disney store in The Disney Springs Marketplace has recently opened its new entrance and expanded area. In addition to the new entrance near Basin, the new expansion offers Men’s apparel, Women’s apparel, and accessories. The new area also features a store information desk.

For the Birds

12/6/15 Disney’s Animal Kingdom has added a show to its FASTPASS+ line up. Flights of Wonder was added to the park’s FASTPASS+ options on November 25, 2015.

Hit the Road Jack

12/6/15 In case you missed it streaming across social media, the Canadian Lumberjacks got the boot from Epcot’s Canada Pavilion in Late November. Epcot has announced that the show permanently closed on November 24, 2015 and a new offering will debut after the current Seasonal performances.

Star Gazing

12/6/15 Another restaurant is slated to close for a major renovation as part of the Disney Springs project. The previously announced conversion of Planet Hollywood into the Planet Hollywood Observatory will require a lengthy closure to refurbish the exterior and interior areas. Planet Hollywood is tentatively scheduled to close Early January 2016 and re-open Summer 2016 as the Planet Hollywood Observatory.

Birds of a Feather

12/6/15 Three familiar faces have returned to Walt Disney World after flying east to Tokyo Disneyland. The Three Caballero audio animatronics from the Mickey Mouse Revue were added to the grand finale scene of the Gran Fiesta Tour attraction in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion. The Mickey Mouse Revue was an opening day attraction at the Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland and ran until September 14, 1980. The attraction was moved to Tokyo Disneyland in April of 1983 and ran there until May 25, 2009.

Expedition Essentials

12/6/15 Guests will soon be able to fill-up on provisions before or after an expedition to mount Everest. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has internally announced a new “grab-n-go” snack location is being constructed in the former FASTPASS distribution area for Expedition Everest. The new location will be named Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks and is planned to serve snacks and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks is planned to open December 12, 2015.

Springing Up

12/6/15 Although yet to officially be announced, several retailers are beginning to internally recruit employees for new locations in Disney Springs. Vera Bradley, Sephora, and Lilly Pulitzer are being reported to have begun their staffing process for new locations in the Town Center area of Disney Springs.