Disney Quote – 5/16/13

Walt Disney World Closures and Refurbishments

Magic Kingdom

• Main Street Bakery has closed for conversion to a new Starbucks location expected to open June 19.

• Mad Tea Party will be closed for refurbishment from April 10 through May 22.

• Updated – Pirates of the Caribbean will be closed for refurbishment from July27 through July 30.

• Pirates of the Caribbean: Treasures of the Seven Seas, a new interactive game is set to debut in the Magic Kingdom summer 2013. in the game, the fate of piracy in the Caribbean rests in the hands of new pirate recruits, who, armed with magic talismans and treasure maps, embark on five different pirate raids throughout Adventureland to collect valuable treasures, while Captain Jack Sparrow’s magic compass guides them.

• The Fantasyland Expansion is currently underway and is scheduled to open in phases through 2014.  Fairytale Hall will open in late 2013 in the former spot of Snow White’s Scary Adventure.  A new roller coaster called the Seven Dwarves Mine Train will open in Fantasyland sometime 2014.

Epcot

• Temporary Character Spot location near the current location will be open for Guests to greet Mickey, Minnie and Pluto. The temporary location can be found between the restrooms and Club Cool. Relocation back to Innoventions West is to be determined.
• Spice Road Table, a new restaurant in the Morocco Pavilion is currently under construction and is expected to open by the end of 2013. Spice Road Table will feature various small plates and refreshments inspired by the cuisine of the Mediterranean with seating both indoors and out. The new restaurant will sit at the water’s edge and offer another great view of Illuminations.

• Fountain View Ice Cream Shop closed April 8 for conversion to a new Starbucks location, expected to open August 2.

• L’Artisan des Glaces, a new artisan ice cream and sorbet shop, is slated to open June 2013 in the France Pavilion where the bakery was previously located. The new ice cream parlor will serve 10 flavors of ice cream and 6 flavors of sorbet – and for grown-ups, there’s the option of adding liqueurs.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Both the Disney Channel Rocks! show and the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade ended permanently on April 6.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• The Anandapur Ice Cream Truck, located on the walkway to Expedition Everest, will be closed for refurbishment from April 14 through May 24.
• Wilderness Explorers, a new interactive quest aimed at guests 7-10 but fun for the entire family, is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom very soon. Taking the official pledge, armed with field guides and earning sticker badges along the way as they complete their challenges, guests explore the park at their leisure. Wilderness Explorers will be self-guided and encourage more “up close and personal” time with the animal inhabitants of the park.

• Disney Parks has announced a long-term relationship with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Animal Kingdom Park. The new Avatar land will feature multiple attractions, entertainment, merchandise locations, restaurants and other immersive elements to bring the world of Pandora to life. Construction expected to begin by 2013.

Disneyland Closures and Rehabs

• Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries has opened at Innoventions. The new exhibit features actual set pieces from the film “Iron Man 3,” opening in theaters May 3. Guests will have the chance to see Tony Stark’s Hall of Armor, featuring Iron Man suits Mark I-VII – the same suits featured in “Iron Man 3.” And you will even be able to virtually “suit up,” yourself!

• Market House closed on April 15 for conversion to Starbucks opening this fall.

• Fantasyland Theatre will be closed for refurbishment and the addition of a new show until May 25. When the theater reopens, it will offer a spectacular live entertainment experience, “Mickey and the Magical Map.”

• Troubadour Treats will be closed for refurbishment through May 22.

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment from January 7 through October 30

Disney’s California Adventure Closures and Refurbishments

Currently there are no scheduled refurbishments

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon closes October 27 for it’s annual refurbishment.

Outside the Theme Parks

All Star Movies Resort

• Feature icons at the resort will be refurbished through September 20

All Star Music Resort

• Feature icons at the resort will be refurbished through September 20

All Star Spots Resort

• Feature icons at the resort will be refurbished through September 20

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will close for refurbishment on February 2, 2013 that will included a tweaked menu and enhancements to the interactive kitchen. The restaurant is scheduled to reopen late summer 2013

Grand Floridian Resort

• The Beach Pool Slide will be closed for refurbishment May 27 through June 1

• The Beach Pool will be closed for refurbishment May 30 through June 1.

• Victoria & Albert’s will be closed for a kitchen refurbishment from June 30 through July 21

Pop Century Resort

• Feature icons at the resort will be refurbished through October 2

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort:

• Grandstand Water Pool will be closed for rehab from May 13 through May 31. High Rock Spring Pool will remain open during this time.

• The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort will be closed from January 16 through Summer 2013.

Upcoming Events at the Walt Disney World

• Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, March 6 – May 19, 2013
• Star Wars Weekends, May 17 – June 9, 2013
• Night of Joy, September 6 & 7, 2013
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, and 29 October 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, and 31 November 1
• Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, September 27 – November 10, 2013
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler Weekend, October 4-6, 2013
• Wine and Dine Half Marathon, November 8-9, 2013
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, and 22 December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20
• Walt Disney World Marathon, January 9-12, 2014
• Princess Half Marathon, February 21-23, 2014

Upcoming Events at Disneyland Resort

• D23 Expo, August 9 – 11, 2013
• Disneyland Half Marathon, August 30 – September 1, 2013
• Tinkerbell Half Marathon, January 17-19, 2014

Park Events and Refurbishments – 5/16/13

Our Disney Wedding at the Polynesian with the Castle in the background (Submitted by Phinion W.)

Magical Memory – 5/16/13

When you get in trouble and you don’t know right from wrong
Give a little whistle! Give a little whistle! – Jiminy Cricket

Q.  I am so excited that they posted the dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2013. But which day is the best to go?  Our trip is the week of Nov 17 – 24. The party is going to be held on the Sunday that we arrive and also on the Thursday and Friday nights that we are there.  When should we consider going?  (Melanie)

A.  Hi Melanie!

First of all, you are correct!  Disney just released the dates, as well as tickets for both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! These are both extremely fun, hard ticket events.

As far as your question, in regards to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the nights for the event are November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22 and December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20.  So, you must be talking about party nights on either Nov. 17, 21, or 22.

There are a couple of options I would suggest for you and your family.  First, you will be going at a great time, because crowds will be a bit smaller since it is the week before Thanksgiving.  The week after, the parks will certainly pick up.  Personally, I would tend to avoid the Friday night option.  Friday and Saturday party nights are always busier because both locals, as well as nearby states often come down for weekend trips, increasing crowds.

I would strongly suggest either the Sunday option or the Thursday option, as either would be less likely to be as busy.  For your circumstance, I may actually steer more towards the Sunday option.  Why?  Because you are arriving that day, so it would be a great event to take part in to kick off your vacation.

In addition, you would not be burning an extra park ticket. Typically (although things can always change), guests who have party tickets are allowed in the park at 4 pm.  This means that instead of buying an extra day, you can just buy the party tickets.  By going on Sunday, that means that if you wanted to go to the park on Thursday, you won’t be using up a day’s tickets for a partial day either, should you have wanted to visit the parks that day.

Either way, no matter what option, you’ll have a wonderful time.  A couple of tips:  Make sure to dress up!  It really is fun.  Also, bring your own bag for candy!  I love trick or treating!

For more information about the event, please check out:  http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwparks/annual/mvmcp.shtml

Give a Little Whistle – Tackling Your Disney Dilemmas – 5/16/13

Star Wars Weekend Tip:  Don’t miss the Stormtroopers that stand on top of the entrance marquee at park opening. It’s great fun to watch them interact with guests waiting in line for the park to open. You’ll have to get there early to see one of Star Wars Weekends’ best shows.

Each issue we will feature a snippet of what you could learn by listening to the Be Our Guest Podcast. Be sure to check back each issue for more fun.

Be Our Guest Podcast Featured Tip:

From Episode 542: Listener Questions

Did you know that we recently added a third weekly show answering your listener questions?  On this episode, we discuss how to best take a large family on the Disney Cruise Line, tips for renting ECVs and our favorite Counter Service and Table Service items.

Make sure to tune in AND send us your questions!

Listen to the podcast every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Be Our Guest Podcast !

Worldly Tips – 5/16/13

Ms. Lost got lost in the circus, finding Casey Junior and his Splash Zone in the Storybook Circus section of New Fantasyland!  Congratulations to Tammy T.!
Ms. Lost found herself swimming with the fishes…where can you find her?

If you think that you can help, please email your answer to us. lost@themouseforless.com

Send in your guess by May 25. Please be as specific as possible, noting not only the park but the specific ride, attraction, or section where the picture was taken. For instance, instead of saying, “Epcot,” say, “At Epcot at Maelstrom” (which isn’t this week’s answer). One random entry from all correct entries will receive a Disney trading pin.

Lost in the World – 5/16/13