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Author Archives: Sikandar Durrani

New Restaurant at Morocco Pavilion in Epcot

25 Nov

Good Morning, 

Here is a great start to my come back with a preview of the new Spice Road Table Restaurant at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot.

One of the biggest anticipated events this year is the opening of the new restaurant at the Moroccan restaurant, Spice Road Table, this December.  I will be posting an update on an opening date when their is an announcement made by Disney.  According to a release earlier this month by Disney, this restaurant will not necessary be a replacement for the Restaurant Marrakesh that is already in the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot in regards to the variety of food being presented.  The release also makes note that there will be a variety of small dishes, I am presuming to be close to more finger foods than the sophisticated dishes that are available at the Restaurant Marrakesh.  One of the key designs of the new restaurant is the external patio area available for great Illuminations viewing while dining at the restaurant.  Stay tuned, I will be posting more information about the pavilion including photos and hopefully even reviews on some of the dishes that will be available at the restaurant soon.

Till then I will keep everyone posted on future announcements from Disney or even my own experience next month if they will be open.

Sikandar

 
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Posted by on November 25, 2013 in Disney News, Epcot, Walt Disney World

 

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My Return

21 Nov

Good Day All,

I have overcome some personal setbacks including replacing my main computer at home after a weather event fried the power supply.  I am glad to say that starting with today’s post I will be posting on a regular basis at least once a week with news around the world (Disney Parks) and will also come up with some tips for my fellow Disney guests with disabilities.  I will be in Disney World in early December and hope to be regularly post observations from the parks including my experiences with the new Disney Disabled Access Service (DAS) program that they have started with.  I will also be experiencing FastPass+ and MagicBands on the trip.

Ok Look towards the next couple of days for some updates on the holiday’s in the parks updates and also the new Moroccan Restaurant, Spice Road Table, that is expected to open by the end of the year.  Disney has also announced early details for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival for 2014.  Stay tuned and till then, hug your family members around you.

Sikandar Durrani

 
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Posted by on November 21, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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I’m back!!!

20 Sep

Hello all! I’m sorry for not writing for the last couple of months. I had some family situations and work got in the way to me being able to do much on my blog. Work will unfortunately still get in the way so the timing of my posts may vary.

Another change to the blog will be my focus. I’m in the process of designing a separate site for information on resources available for the disabled visiting the Disney parks. Stand bye for future announcements about it.

Till next time,

Sikandar Durrani

 
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Posted by on September 20, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

New Concept Art and Plans Released by Walt Disney World Resort for Downtown Disney

02 Apr

Walt Disney World Resort released this past month new sketches and plans for the Downtown District including Disney Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side.  The newly refurbished area will be renamed Disney Springs and will encompass all three districts and expand to enable more themed areas to focus on Florida’s waterfront heritage.

Many of the announced or at least envisioned improvements for the district will be a multi-level parking garage that will take up most of the parking of the Market place area and a enlarged Bus Stop area near West side and Pleasure Island.

Other improvements will be the addition of many unique anchor stores and other entertainment venues.  Tom Staggs, Chairman of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was quoted by the Disney Parks Blog as saying, “Disney Springs will be a timeless, vibrant place where Walt Disney World guests and local residents can relax, shop, dine and be entertained in an imaginative setting where they’ll instantly feel at home.  Featuring distinctive brands, world-class restaurants and unforgettable entertainment, Disney Springs will be brought to life with the same focus on storytelling and attention to detail that goes into our theme parks, resorts and cruise ships, resulting in a welcoming space that only Disney could create.”

In addition to Marketplace and West Side, there will be two new districts that will be replacing the Pleasure Island and adding on from there.  The first of the two districts is the Town Center District that by the looks of things will be in between the West Side and Marketplace.  This area will include both shopping and dining options and have a promenade area where guests can relax in. The second district is The Landing.  This area has a strong Waterfront dining and shopping theme with a waterfront view.

All these changes are expected to be completed in 2016.  Stay tuned for further details.

 
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Posted by on April 2, 2013 in Disney News, Walt Disney World

 

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New African-American Themed Kinsey Collection Opens at Epcot

01 Apr

The American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot is hosting the Kinsey Collection for the time being.  No end date has been given for the collection being present at Epcot.  The collection is a collection of 40 pieces of art, literature, documents and other priceless items that dates back since the 17th century.  These items were collected by the Kinsey family during their worldwide travels over the past 90 years.

The collection presents the story of determination, courage, hope, struggle, and inspiration of African-Americans world wide.

The collection is being presented in the American Heritage Gallery and is a part of the regular park admission for Epcot.

 
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Posted by on April 1, 2013 in Disney News, Epcot, Walt Disney World

 

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New Exhibit sponsored by IBM opens this week at Innoventions West Recently

01 Mar

Epcot teamed up with students from University High School in Orlando on February 21st in time to celebrate National Engineers Week. The students were the first to be able to use the Mobile App that was available as part of the exhibit and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Lesson plans for Grades 5 through 12.

The exhibit spans roughly 6,600 Square Feet of exhibit space and provides a education view on how technology has greatly improved our way of life. The exhibit starts off with a 12 minute presentation and moves on to a self-guided tour of the exhibit area that includes interactive displays and a 40 foot dynamic gesture wall. At the end of the exhibit guests are given the opportunity to download the mobile app that accompanies the exhibit and for teachers to get the STEM lesson plans.

More information regarding the exhibit is available at IBM THINK.

 
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Posted by on March 1, 2013 in Attractions, Disney News, Epcot, Innoventions West, Walt Disney World

 

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Epcot: Innovention’s Habit Heroes Reopens After Reimagineering

23 Feb

Earlier this year Disney reopened Habit Heroes after closing it down early last year after a startling number of complaints was received within the first month of the opening of the attraction. The reopening has not generated any strong response from the social media and fan community so far.

From what I have been able to make out with the YouTube videos available, there seems to have been some changes made to the attraction and it involves guests also venturing into to Future World to search for clues to bring back to the attraction.

Other things that are apart of the attraction is the demonstration of simple workout techniques that could be used by anyone even from a sitting position. I hope that this attraction lasts long enough for me to see it on my next trip to Disney World.

 
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Posted by on February 23, 2013 in Attractions, Disney News, Epcot

 

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20th Annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Dates and Details Released

22 Feb

Disney released the details for the 20th Annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. The festival will run 75 Days this year, running March 6th through May 19th, 2013. This will be the events 20th year and Disney Festival planners have added some interesting new additions to the festival.

For the first time in the history of the festival, Disney has added a food and drink element to the festival. Similar to the Food and Wine festival that happens in October and November, these culinary and drink options will be arranged around the World Showcase and will represent many different styles of food and drink. Many examples of the type of food that is being anticipated to be made available during the festival will be Smokehouse Barbecue, Shrimp with Grits, and Frushi, made with Fresh Fruit. There will be many different drinks that will different then what is presented at the Food and Wine festival. Some of the drinks are with alcohol, so I suggest that one checks with the cast members before ordering to see the ingredients in the drinks.

There will be a play area that will be themed after the new Disney Film, “Oz, The Great and Powerful”, that will be released on March 8th, 2013. This will be a interactive play area for Kids to play in with larger the life flowers and other items to help stretch the imagination of kids.

Another change will be at the front of the Epcot park just inside the turnstiles. This year the imagineers have replaced the princess topiaries with Fab 5 Disney Characters (Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck) plus Daisy Duck making a cameo appearance. This will be themed to look like a cookout, that makes me think that this plays in with the presentation of food to the festival this year.

The appearances of the HGTV Designers and the different workshops will be at the Festival Center that is located in the old Wonders of Life Pavilion between Universe of Energy and Mission: Space. The Designers will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the duration of the festival. Chris Langton of “Going Yard” will start the festival on its opening weekend, March 8th through the 10th.

For more information about the festival check out the official website for the festival Epcot in Spring or call (407) W-Disney (934-7639).

This year’s festival really looks interesting and makes me want to go out for a weekend to take a look at it. If I decide to do so I will cover it for my readers while I am there or at least when I come back.

 
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Posted by on February 22, 2013 in Disney News, Epcot, International Flower and Garden

 

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My First Ride

19 Dec

Good Afternoon,

I thought I would pass along my first experience riding the Dueling Dumbo Attraction at the Magic Kingdom on my last trip.  Having never been on Dumbo I wanted take a look at the attraction up close   To be honest I am not sure why I never rode the attraction before other then maybe being scared that I would not be able to get in and out of the attraction easily.  I realized that there had to be a way guests that are in wheelchairs are able to easily transfer to the attraction with out having to be literally lifted into the poor elephant.  I talked to one of the cast members that said that they had one Dumbo elephant car on each spinner that was set up with a door that could be lifted up to allow guests with disabilities to easily either slide in or in my case climb in.  Being the inquisitive mind and I was really there to research the options for my fellow readers, I asked if there was a way I could take a look at one of the elephants with the added doors to see how easy it would be for someone like me to climb in and out of the car.  Long story short the Door actually gave a guest the ability to slide into the car easily.  This gave me the opportunity to actually ride Dumbo for the first time and I can honestly say I loved it.

Sadly I wish I got a picture of myself on the ride or of the elephant with the additional door to it.  I’ll hopefully get a picture the next time I am there.

Till next time.

Sikandar Durrani

 
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Posted by on December 19, 2012 in Guide Post

 

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The New Fantasyland has Officially Opened This Morning

06 Dec

Good Morning Readers,

It’s official, the new Expanded part of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom of the Walt Disney World Resort opened this morning to a great fan fair.  Mickey Mouse and Tom Staggs were among the guests that were given the honor to cut the ribbon to officially open the new expansion area for guests beyond the walls of the Cinderella Castle.  

The new attractions that are officially open for the guests to now ride or visit are the following:  

  • Under the Sea:  Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Be Our Guests Restaurant
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle
  • Story Book Circus
    • Dueling Dumbo, The Flying Elephant
    • The Great Goofini:  Barnstormer Coaster
    • Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station Water play area
    • Pete’s Silly Side Show 
    • Fantasyland Train Station

This is one of several openings that are scheduled this week so stay tuned for further announcements about other openings.  

 
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Posted by on December 6, 2012 in Disney News

 

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