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Significant Disney News

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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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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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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New Attractions Opening For the First Week of December

22 Nov

Good Morning Readers,

Walt Disney World Resort has announced this week the opening date for the new Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 6th, 2012.  This is coinciding with the grand opening of the New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom and the Refurbished Test Track in Epcot.

I have been wondering what Disney was going to do with the area that once housed the Journey to Narnia attraction that had closed last year.  I imagine that during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and the days leading up to the official grand opening, there will be previews and limited operations to make sure that all is ready for general run.

I look forward to seeing the new attraction while I am down at the Disney World Resort at the beginning of December to cover the grand opening of Fantasyland and other events.

 
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Posted by on November 22, 2012 in Disney News

 

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Disney Buys Lucas Films

31 Oct

In a Investor Conference call yesterday, Disney and Lucasfilms announced that Disney will be purchasing Lucasfilms from George Lucas for a combination stock and cash transaction purchase worth over $4 billion dollars.  As with the acquisitions of Marvel and Pixar, the staff of Lucasfilm Ltd will remain separated at the different facilities.  Also announced in this conference was the next Star Wars Episode number 7 that will come out in 2015.  

I think that this will be another boom for the Disney company in its film division.  It’s surprising that the rumors did not start flying on this sale sooner.  From the looks of it, this has been in the works for a while and a lot of the approvals have already been made for the purchase.  

What will this mean for the Star Tours rides in the parks and the presence of the Star Wars characters like Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers around the Star Tours Attractions and during Star Wars Weekends in May and June.  Only time will tell and I will look forward to seeing what comes from the new acquisition.  

 
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Posted by on October 31, 2012 in Disney News

 

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Walt Disney World Resort Selects Ambassador’s for the 2013/2014 Term

16 Oct

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October 12, 2012 — Walt Disney World Resort — Walt Disney World Resort announced today in a ceremony held at Epcot the new Ambassador’s for the next term starting January 1st, 2013 and ending December 31st, 2014 for the Walt Disney World Resort.  This announcement is in keeping with a tradition started by Walt Disney himself 47 years ago at the Disneyland Resort.  The two new Ambassadors are Rich Tamayo of Queens, NY and Tye Arnold of Northeast Arkansas.  Congratulations to bot Rich and Tye in their selection.

(edited 10/16/2012  for formatting issues)

 
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Posted by on October 16, 2012 in Disney News

 

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