Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
The Liberty Square location for Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom has now closed. Guests wanting to participate in the experience can still visit the Main Street location inside the Firehouse.
The Diamond Horseshoe is becoming a new table service. The new fixed price offering will cost $33 plus tax for adults, and $19 plus tax for ages 3-9. The meal will begin with a Frontier Salad then each diner will have a choice of one of the following entrees.
- Barbeque pulled turkey, served over corn bread with seasonal vegetables
- Spit-roasted ham, served with country beans and seasonal vegetables
- Stewed beef, served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
For dessert, guests can choose between a campfire brownie or apple tart.
Epcot
The expanded Flower and Garden Festival begins March 2 at Epcot. New this year are the La Isla Fresca and Cider House Outdoor Kitchens which will bring a record 13 festival kiosks to the World Showcase Promenade. Huey, Dewey and Louie, make their topiary debut with Donald and Daisy in the park’s signature front-entrance garden. Xylophones, drums and chimes will take child’s play to tuneful levels at the new Harmony Gardens play area featuring “leader-of-the-band” Mickey Mouse topiary.
This weekends Garden Rocks performer is The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (Evil Woman). The concerts occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the American Gardens Theatre.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Reports are circulating around that several of the “Citizens of Hollywood” streetmosphere performers will be cut. While this is just one of the many “efficiencies” Walt Disney World is undertaking, the fact that many of the performers have become fan favorites has made this one tougher to take for many people.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
John Frost at The Disney Blog has shared some images of the new LED lighting system that will illuminate Kilimanjaro Safaris at night. The LED will emit either a yellowish sunset glow or a blueish moonlight color. These nighttime Safaris are a way to increase the park’s nighttime capacity as Rivers of Light and Pandora will drive more guests to the park after sundown.
Disney Springs
Disney has announced over 30 new retail and dining concepts that are coming to Disney Springs. You can get more info here, but here is a list of the newly announced locations.
|
|
In addition, it was revealed that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will be moving out of World of Disney and into its own stand-alone location near Once Upon a Toy.
Events
This weeks schedule of Atlanta Braves Spring Training games at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.
March 1: Vs Orioles 1:05pm
March 3: Vs Tigers 1:05pm
March 5: Vs Pirates 1:05pm
Merchandise Events
March 2 – 6: Check out the latest releases from long-time Disney artist Larry Dotson appearing at Art of Disney in Epcot each day.
March 2 – 6: Check out some of the newest fragrances and cosmetics from Guerlain at La Signature in the France Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase.
Quick Takes
Phil Smith, Walt Disney World’s First Employee, Passes Away at 83
The 50 Greatest Walt Disney World Quotes – Past and Present
Walt Disney World Refurbishments
Magic Kingdom | |
Monorail The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. Guests should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available. |
Now – April 2016 |
Jungle Cruise | Mar. 1 – 3, 2016 |
Epcot | |
Soarin’ | Jan. 4, 2016 – Summer 2016 |
Circle of Life | Feb. 7 – Apr. 2, 2016 |
Disney’s Hollywood Studios | |
Pizza Planet | Jan. 19 – Late 2016 |
Toy Story Midway Mania – 1 Day Only | Mar. 15, 2016 |
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
Disney’s Animal Kingdom | |
Kali River Rapids | Jan. 4 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
Flights of Wonder | Jan. 25 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
Warung Outpost | Jan. 25 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
Boneyard | Feb. 22 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
Isle of Java | Feb. 22 – Mar. 5, 2016 |
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park | |
Annual Refurbishment | Jan. 4 – Mar. 19, 2016 |
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort | |
Bay Cove Pool | Feb. 1 – Mar. 18, 2016 |
Soft Goods Refurbishment | Apr. 2 – Oct. 14, 2016 |
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge | |
Concierge Lounge Closed for refurbishment. An alternative lounge location will be available during this time. |
May 7 – 22, 2016 |
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort | |
Schoolyard Sprayground | Jan. 4 – Mar. 11, 2016 |
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn | |
ESPN Club: Yard Arcade & Retail Closed to make way for a new experience. (Does not affect ESPN Club dining area.) |
Jan. 6, 2016 |
Flying Fish Restaurant | Feb. 1 – Sep. 30, 2016 |
Seashore Sweets’ Closed to make way for a new experience. |
Feb. 1, 2016 |
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas | |
Guest Villa Renovations | Through Spring 2016 |
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort | |
Old Port Royale – Path of Travel Impacts Guests in some parts of Martinique and Trinidad North may experience some construction noise. |
Jan. 3 – Feb. 28, 2016 |
Aruba Pool | Feb. 22 – Apr. 15, 2016 |
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort | |
General Construction During this time, Guests will observe construction taking place and certain pathways and buildings may be unavailable. |
Through Spring 2016 |
East Pool Closed for enhancement. Guests may see or hear work in progress. |
Through Spring 2016 |
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside | |
Ol’ Man Island Pool | Jan. 11 – Mar. 4, 2016 |
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Villas | |
General Resort Refurbishments Due to multiple resort refurbishment projects, Guests will notice construction work in various areas. Noise may be overheard while this work is being completed, but construction will not begin until after 9 a.m. Certain pathways, including the nature trail, will be unavailable. The Hidden Springs leisure pool area (the leisure pool atThe Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge), resort beach, playground, Marina and Recreation fire pit will be unavailable. |
Through 2017 |
Cub’s Den (Children’s Activity Center) – unavailable | Through 2017 |
Sturdy Branches Health Club | July – October 2016 |
Disney Springs | |
Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Disney Springs and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences. |
Through May 2016 |
Planet Hollywood | Jan. 6 – Summer 2016 |
Mickey’s Pantry / The Spice & Tea Exchange | Feb. 29 – Mar. 14, 2016 |