Starting May 20 2014, the Magic Kingdom's Tinker Bell meet
and greet will be relocated to Town Square Theater on Main Street U.S.A. Inside
the new Garden Theater at Town Square Theater, you will shrink down to the size
of a fairy where you will find a magical portal to be transported to Tinker
Bell's Magical Nook.
FastPass+ will be available for the new meet and greet, but
unlike at the Adventureland location, only Tinker Bell will be available for
meet and greets.
Mickey Mouse will also continue to meet and greet at Town
Square Theater.
The once thought dead Flamingo Crossings project has sprung
back to life. Plans for two Marriot hotels have been submitted for permitting.
The permit applications call for two hotels on one site, the
first is a 'TownePlace Suites by Marriott,' and the other a 'SpringHill Suites
by Marriott.' Both hotels operate on the low to mid side budget of the market.
Marriot describes the 'TownePlace Suites' as "designed for comfortable
long-term stays, featuring full- sized kitchens, high-tech amenities and
more." SpringHill Suites are described as "Style and space.
Beautifully priced."
When announced back in 2007, Flamingo Crossings early
development plans included 4,000 - 5,000 low- to mid-rise, value-priced lodging
units and 300,000 - 500,000 square feet of commercial space. Designed around a
retail village, the development was expected to become a convenient shopping
and service center for Cast Members, nearby residents and Central Florida
visitors. Flamingo Crossings is located outside Disney's gateway around the
interchange where Western Way meets the Western Beltway.
Should the projects get the go ahead, potentially a whole
host of new hotel options would become available to guests staying at Walt
Disney World. Located right at the Western entrance, the hotels would be
situated just minutes form the parks, and the nearest Disney hotel, Coronado
Springs Resort. It would also seem likely that once the hotels begin
construction, other amenities would quickly move into the area with the site
anchored by the hotels.
Disney has not yet made any official announcements about the
project.
Donald and Daisy began a new meet and greet at Disney's
Animal Kingdom May 11 2014. Replacing the Winnie the Pooh and Tigger
meet and greet, you will be able to meet Donald and Daisy at
the Character Landing on Discovery Island.
Initially, only a standby line will be available, with no
FastPass+ being offered.
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| Image courtesy Disney Parks Blog |
The unprecedented popularity of the Frozen character
appearances and merchandise has caused a change to the Magic Kingdom's morning
rope drop procedure. In an attempt to stop those guests desperate to be first
in line for the Frozen meet and greet from running through the park, guests are
now slowly walked along Main Street U.S.A. behind a rope, all the way through
to Fantasyland. Previously, guests were free to walk along Main Street U.S.A.
and would stop at ropes at the entrance to each land prior to opening.
Before this new rope drop procedure was put in place, guests
were sprinting along Main Street U.S.A., cutting through stores and doing
whatever it took to be first in-line at Princess Fairytale Hall, and even the
merchandise locations selling Frozen items.
The stores are frequently selling out of merchandise, despite
having a 5 identical item per person limit. The Frozen meet and greet with Elsa
and Anna routinely has standby wait times in the 200 minute region, even though
FastPass+ is also now available.
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| Polynesian Village Concept Art |
Guests staying at Disney's Polynesian Resort during the main
Nanea Volcano Pool refurbishment will receive a complimentary day at Blizzard
Beach water park. The refurbishment is expected to begin in late July 2014
through to early 2015, although precise dates are not yet available.
Here is an excerpt from the letter sent to guests staying at
the Polynesian Resort.
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| Images Courtesy Disney Parks Blog |
aterslides, a wave pool, water play areas for the kids and more, will be given to each member of your party. To ensure you have a seamless visit to the Park, we will provide transportation to a dedicated check-in at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park where you will receive your complimentary tickets and towels.”
The newly refurbished children's activity center at Disney's
Polynesian Resort will be opening to guests on June 17 2014.
Formerly known as the 'Never Land Club,' the new activity
center is inspired by classic Disney Little Golden Books. Children will be able
to take part in crafts, dress-up and story time. The Never Land Club closed in
early January 2014 to begin the refurbishment.
Reservations can be made now for June 17 2014 and onwards by
calling 407-WDW-DINE.
Disney has also confirmed more changes coming to Disney's
Polynesian Resort. 'Pineapple Lenai' food and beverage kiosk will be opening
later this year, offering tropical treats, including the Dole Whip.
The Nanea Volcano pool is set to receive several
enhancements, including expanding to include a new aquatic playground with
slides for children, a hot tub, and a larger deck with more seating for guests.
The pool area will close at the end of July for the upgrades that will last
through until early 2015.
Disney has just announced the Eat to the Beat concert series
performer line-up for this year's Food and Wine Festival.
Part of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival,
concerts take place daily between September 19 and November 10 2014, and are
included with park admission. New acts coming this year to the Eat to the Beat
concert series include the Jo Dee Messina, Fuel and Los Lonely Boys.
Sept. 19-21 – Jo Dee Messina
Sept. 22-23 – The Pointer Sisters
Sept. 24-25 – Rick Springfield
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| Image courtesy Disney Travel Professionals |
Sept. 28-29 – Hanson
Sept. 30-Oct. 2 – Air Supply
Oct. 3-5 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
Oct. 6-8 – Sugar Ray
Oct. 9-10 – Fuel
Oct. 11-12 – Sister Hazel
Oct. 13-14 – TBD
Oct. 15-16 – Billy Ocean
Oct. 17-19 – Night Ranger
Oct. 20-22 – Smash Mouth
Oct. 23-24 – Jim Brickman
Oct. 25-26 – Los Lonely Boys
Oct. 27-28 – Wilson Phillips
Oct. 29-31 – Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX
Nov. 1-2 – 38 Special
Nov. 3-5 – Boyz II Men
Nov. 6-7 – David Cook
Nov. 8-10 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
New this year on the World Showcase promenade will be
Patagonia Marketplace, which combines the flavors of Argentina and Chile
featuring a salmon dish with a kick. Florida Local Marketplace will be replaced
with the new Farm Fresh Marketplace, featuring a new “Bacon and Eggs” dish with
applewood-smoked, pepper-coated bacon, sweet corn, potatoes, Hollandaise and
pickled jalapeños. Finally, the Brazil Marketplace will feature Mocequa de
Pescado, a fresh tilapia dish featuring coconut lime sauce and steamed rice.
Along with the new marketplaces, expect to see your
favorites return when the festival begins on September 19 2014. This year's
event is the longest in its 19 year history, running a total of 53 days,
through to November 10 2014.
Also new this year will be Back to Basics series at the
Festival Welcome Center. The complimentary weekend series will feature guest
presenters with epicurean tips and tricks from the pros. Culinary
demonstrations and mixology and wine seminars will continue to offer new tastes
and sips for a nominal fee.
Other festival highlights include:
More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary
stars from across the country.
Party for the Senses grand tasting events Saturday evenings
showcasing tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and
live entertainment.
Premium events include the back-by-demand “Parisian
Breakfast” on Saturdays; new “Sunday Mornings with…” plated brunch starring an
acclaimed pastry chef or baker crafting three favorite desserts for sampling;
and new “Boot Camp Series” interactive experience with epicurean challenges to
hone your “inner chef.”
Opening night through Sept. 21, new festival act Jo Dee
Messina will rock the house at America Gardens Theatre as part of Eat to the
Beat. Other new beats on tap include Rick Springfield (Sept. 24-25); Fuel (Oct.
9-10); Jim Brickman (Oct. 23-24); Los Lonely Boys (Oct. 25-26); and David Cook
(Nov. 6-7). The Pointer Sisters (Sept. 22-23), Christopher Cross (Sept. 26-27)
and other fan favorites will return to play the festival stage. Big Bad Voodoo
Daddy (Nov. 8-10) will close the event.
Renowned chefs such as Warren Brown, Rock Harper, Jennifer
Hill Booker, Erika Davis, Paula DaSilva, Gale Gand, Dana Herbert, Jamie Deen,
Jerome Brown, Dean Max, “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro, Allen Susser, Duskie Estes
and John Stewart will share their talents during culinary demos and premium
events.
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