Archive for June, 2008
Changes in character dining options
In October 2008 the Garden Grill at Epcot will no longer offer a character lunch, though dinner will continue.
In January 2009, the Liberty Tree tavern will no longer be a character dining experience.
300ft tethered balloon coming to Downtown Disney
Amid the news of the closure of the clubs at Pleasure Island, Disney has announced it intends to install a 300ft tethered balloon ride to Downtown Disney similar to the one at Disneyland Paris.
Pleasure Island to close all clubs
Effective September 27th, 2008, the clubs at Pleasure Island will cease to operate. The venue will be heading in a new direction of retail shops and restaurants instead of the dance clubs previously featured.
Yaht/Beach renovations
Renovations to replace four sets of double doors and repair 29 windows at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort are coming soon and may cover the whole front side of the resorts with refurbishment walls during the project.
Idol pushes back
Despite initial press releases stating that American Idol attraction would open at the end of 2008, it now being reported that the attraction will not open prior to January 2009.
Minor Morocco Work
Morocco’s Gallery of Arts and History in Epcot’s World Showcase will be closed for refurbishment from July 14 to September 24, 2008.
Deadliest Catch Star goes to Epcot
The Norway pavilion at Epcot will host Sig Hansen. He is one of the stars on the reality series on The Discovery Channel, “The Deadliest Catch.” He will appear in-park July 10-13, 2008. Hansen will be inside The Puffin’s Roost, the pavilion’s merchandise location, each day. He will be joined by his brothers, Edgar and Norman Hansen, who also appear on the show.
Spaceship Earth Watch
The missing paper boy animatronic is still missing, but this past week the pair of musicians returned to the renaissance scene.
Some are quite happy with the overall result of the refurbishment of the iconic attraction, while others are still disappointed – rumors indicate among those are imagineering and the sponsor Siemens. There is a strongly rumored suggestion that the ride in its current form is incomplete.
When will it be finished? We’re not privy to that information, but if past refurbishment have been indicators it may be months if not years.
Bucs return
Is bowling a sport?
Disney apparently thinks so. Expansion plans include adding a large bowling alley to the Wide World of Sports complex in order to accommodate bowling tournaments.
