Update for September 20 – 26, 2010
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News and Views
Block Party Bash saying goodbye in the New Year | Viva La Hacienda y La Cantina del San Angel! | Say hello to Duffy | Art of Animation Resort gets its own web page | Splash Mountain closed briefly due to not-a-fire | Construction update | Quick takes
Block Party Bash saying goodbye in the New Year
If you’re a fan of the Block Party Bash Parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ve only got a little over three months to catch it before it is retired from the park. The last performance of the parade will be at 3:00 p.m. on January 1. Two weeks later, on January 16, the Pixar Pals Cavalcade (working title) will debut. The new parade will feature three existing floats, three new floats, recycled music from the current Pixar Play Parade at Disney California Adventure park.
Remy and Emile from Ratatouille and Carl and Russell from “Up” will be added to the parade. We’ve also heard a rumor of a dance number to “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” the song from Hello, Dolly! that was used extensively in WALL-E. We’ll know for sure when the new parade debuts on January 16.
During the changeover, there will be no parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from January 2-15.
Viva La Hacienda y La Cantina del San Angel!
This story was originally reported on Jeff Kober’s blog last Thursday.
Last night Epcot celebrated the bicentennial of Mexico with the opening of La Hacienda and La Cantina del San Angel.
La Cantina and La Hacienda del San Angel officially opened last Wednesday evening. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Like any good Latin gathering, more people showed up than were probably expected. The place was full of invited guests, including many former Disney executives.
Outdoor dining for La Cantina. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Just add Mariachis and you have one grand fiesta. The only one that seemed to be missing was the Disney fire marshal.
Beyond the Mariachis is just a hint of the view overlooking World Showcase Lagoon. Photo by Jeff Kober.
But there was a great sense of friendship and camaraderie present. Many were former executives of Disney such as Dick Nunis, as well as old friends of Palmas Services. For those of you who may not know, Palmas Services is the operating partner for not only the eateries at Mexico, but all of the food and beverage locations in Disney’s Coronado Springs.
Beaming with pride was Richard “Ricky” Debler, who has been in the restaurant business since he was 16, and has been involved with creating food & beverage experiences with Walt Disney World since 1980. To date, this organization takes care of eleven different table, counter, and kiosk service offerings across Disney property. And Ricky has played a hand in all of them, even lending his name, as in Rix Lounge and Cafe.
For the ribbon cutting, Mickey and Donald accompany Dan Cockrell, VP of Epcot (left) and Ricky Debler, President of Palmas, LLC. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Of all of the eateries, the most popular has been the San Angel Inn, located beyond the walls of the Mayan temple icon within the Plaza de los Amigos. The San Angel reference is taken from Ricky’s own rich family tradition. In the 1960’s their family took over a popular Mexico City restaurant built from an old inn known as San Angel. That inn was originally created from an old hacienda established way back in 1692.
Ambiance still holds reign at the San Angel Inn at Mexico in Epcot. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Now San Angel Inn has serious but familial competition with La Hacienda del San Angel across the way. As opposed to the twilight experience of the Inn, here you find a home filled with light looking over World Showcase lagoon. The decor speaks of a someone who not only loved food, but loved the arts and crafts of Mexico.
Arte, Alimento, Amigos declares the mission of the Hacienda. Photo by Jeff Kober.
The food is strikingly different than what you’ll find in San Angel Inn. Ricky and Dan Cockrell, VP of Epcot, traveled back to their family’s original restaurant in Mexico City to look at how contemporary Mexican dining is provided today.
I sampled from over half a dozen foods served in both the Hacienda and in the Cantina. I am no food critic, but they were all delicious, and unique in their own way. The menu takes its roots from traditional Mexican food, and not from typical Mexican food restaurants. Rather the menu was more in alignment with out of the way eateries my son (who lived in Mexico for two years) likes to take us to (though considerably upscaled), rather than a typical Tex-Mex type experience. For instance, I was asked to rate the salsa. There are a couple of salsas available on the menu. But none of the dishes served as appetizers style on the menu last night really played to it, nor did they need it. Likewise, unless you went with the Chiles toreados and chorizitos, nothing was too hot–and even those where sweet peppers mixed with lime and sea salt.
Chiles toreados y chorizitos. Photo by Jeff Kober.
Fresh homemade tortillas are the base for the various tacos. With some of these great dishes, it may be difficult to pay attention to the offerings of Epcot’s annual food and wine festival. Photo by Jeff Kober.
As always, the Cantina will continue to be popular for those looking for a bite to eat along their sojourn through World Showcase.
From the windows of La Cantina you can look directly into a very busy kitchen staff. Photo by Jeff Kober.
The interior of the Hacienda restaurant is designed to accommodate overflow from the patios of the Cantina during the day, while moving over to more formal sit down dining at night.
The patio of the Cantina overlooks Italy in the distance. Dan Cockrell says that some 20% additional capacity has been created in Food and Beverage offerings at World Showcase. Photo by Jeff Kober.
But my prediction is that demand for the offerings of the more formal Hacienda, will quickly push counter service Cantina seating outside the door and back onto the patio. I think the food offerings of La Hacienda, while perhaps a little on the pricy side for my tastes, provides a very different culinary experience then what you get elsewhere in Epcot. Definitely add it to your list of places to try. With the potential of viewing the fireworks of Illuminations at night, this location has the opportunity of becoming a “South of the Border” California Grill.
Say hello to Duffy
Duffy the Disney Bear, a huge hit at Tokyo Disney Resort, had his first re-introduction to Walt Disney World passholders on Saturday, as they got their first look at the bear, his accessories, and other Duffy-themed merchandise to the East Coast audience. Duffy was also introduced to Disneyland passholders yesterday. Duffy had previously been introduced as “The Disney Bear” in 2002 and again in 2004. However, since Duffy has become such a huge hit in Tokyo, Disney Parks & Resorts has decided to give him another try.
Art of Animation Resort gets its own web page
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which was announced in May, now has a web page on the WaltDisneyWorld.com site (link). The new page features a new rendering featuring the Finding Nemo-themed buildings of the resort, which will be located across Hourglass Lake from the Pop Century Resort.
Splash Mountain closed briefly due to not-a-fire
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix reported this last Wednesday on MousePad.
Just after Noon Florida time (9am West coast) the DIS reported that there had been a fire at Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain, and that Frontierland was evacuated.
A Walt Disney World spokesperson confirmed that Splash Mountain had closed briefly Wednesday, but denied that there had been a fire, or that any portion of the Magic Kingdom had been evacuated.
Tampa Bay Online reports that Reedy Creek Fire Department responded to “reports of a burning smell in the electrical room,” and that the ride was closed for about an hour as a precaution.
Update: I just spoke with Reedy Creek Fire Department Deputy Chief Richard LePere. He said that his department received a phone call reporting smoke in an electrical equipment room. They responded and found no smoke and no fire, but observed a “hot smell” from a electrical cabinet that contained some lighting dimmer switches. He said his department worked with Disney’s engineering department to remove the cabinet from service, and the ride reopened without incident. He characterized this as a routine response.
While this type of incident would normally go unreported here at MousePlanet, other than in passing, due to the spread of this story through the Internet and into the “mainstream” media, MousePlanet followed up to ensure that we got the accurate story out there.
Construction update
Here is the listing of interesting items from paperwork filed with Orange County in the last week:
- Magic Kingdom Goofy’s Barnstormer – general construction.
- Magic Kingdom Adventureland Verandah & Liberty Tree Tavern – backstage carpentry, painting and concrete work.
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – LED package.
- Downtown Disney Team Mickey’s Athletic Club – electrical work.
- Port Orleans Riverside Resort Ol’ Man Island feature pool – installation of new pool chair anchors.
- Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Magnolia Bend Buildings 90 & 95 – exterior repair & refinish.
- Coronado Springs Resort convention center kitchen – mechanical, electrical and plumbing work.
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – roofing repairs for Walt Disney Imagineering trailers.
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – installation of Operations Development trailer.
- All-Star Movies Fantasia pool – installation of pebble flex synthetic surface.
- Downtown Disney Hotels Best Western Resort – upgrade of pull stations and notification devices.
- Downtown Disney Hotels Holiday Inn merchandise location – carpentry work.
Quick takes …
…Pool slides around Crescent Lake are in for some refurbishment next year. The main slide and kiddie slide at Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed from January 3 through mid-February, and on the other side of Crescent Lake the Keister Coaster at Luna Park at the BoardWalk Resort will be closed from February 7 through mid-March. Guests at an affected resort that wish to use have a pool slide as part of their resort pool experience can cross Crescent Lake and use the pool at the other resort.
…If you’re looking for some family-friendly Halloween fun and don’t want to (or can’t) get tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom, then Downtown Disney is the place for you on October 30 and 31. There will be trick-or-treating at select locations from 5-9 p.m., as well as lots of live entertainment. You can enjoy storytelling, stilt walkers, a dance party and variety, magic and musical acts. There will be live music until midnight on Pleasure Island, and variety acts on the West Side throughout the night.
…A new Givenchy Boutique will open on Wednesday at Epcot’s France pavilion. The 400-square-foot store will be the only location in the United States offering the full line of Givenchy Le Makeup, skincare and fragrances.
…The new “Knight Package” at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is now available. Your son can now be turned into a brave knight with colorful hair gel, confetti and a sword and shield. It’s uncertain whether this will be more popular than previous boy-themed packages, but if you want to go for it, you can make reservations by calling 407-WDW-STYLE (407-939-7895) or at the Boutique’s website (link).
…Disney has released a new video about the construction of Aulani, the combination hotel and Disney Vacation Club resort currently under construction in Hawai’i. The video features Imagineer Joe Rohde, creative team leader, and Djuan Rivers, operational team leader for the resort. Check it out:
…We’re hearing rumors about Star Tours: The Adventures Continue that the pilot of our Starspeeder 1000 will be C-3PO, human-cyborg relations droid.
…A new “Skipping Ropes” act has joined Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba at Downtown Disney West Side. The pair of Japanese rope skippers perform in solo, due and group rope formations.
link), had an incorrect name listing. The “second version of the Reuben” hot dog with beef, onions, peppers and melted cheese is actually called the Philly Cheese Steak Dog. Also, the standard Reuben Dog was temporarily removed from the menu, but it should be back now.
…Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund announced the 2010 recipients of the Disney Conservation Heroes Awards at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums conference. You can read the stories of the six honorees—which include a reformed poacher—at the Disney Conservation site (link).
…The 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon is 65 percent full, the Half Marathon is 77 percent full, the Goofy Race-and-a-Half Challenge is 70 percent full, and the Disney Family Fun Run 5K is 50 percent full. If you’re interested in participating in these races, now’s the time to sign up! You can register at the official Walt Disney World Marathon web site (link).
…The Inaugural Disney Wine & Half Marathon and the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Relay have both reached capacity. The Kids Races have also reached capacity and the Mickey’s Halloween Family Fun Run 5K is 98 percent full. Both adult events will take place at the Walt Disney World Resort on October 2 at 10:00 p.m. on a brand new marathon course. For more information or to register, go the ESPN Wide World of Sports Web site (link).
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Coming up
- September 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, and 30, October 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, and 31, and November 1: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (link).
- September 10-11: Night of Joy (link).
- October 1-2: Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon (link).
- October 1 to November 14: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
- October 9. MouseAdventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (link).
- November 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30, December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 19. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (link).
- November 11-14: Children’s Miracle Network Classic (link).
- November 12-14: Festival of the Masters (link).
- November 25-28: Old Spice Classic (link).
- December 4-11: Pop Warner Football Championships (link).
- January 6-9, 2011: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (link).
- January 14-17, 2011: UCA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship (link).
- February 11-15, 2011: UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship (link).
- February 25-27, 2011: Disney’s Princess Half Marathon (link).
- March 1-31, 2011: Atlanta Braves Spring Training (link).
- March 3-6, 2011: ESPN The Weekend (link).
- March 12-13, 2011: UCA National All-Star Cheerleading Championship (link).
- April 28 – May 2, 2011: USASF Cheerleading and Dance Worlds (link).
- March 2 to May 15, 2011: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom
- Ariel’s Grotto – closed permanently to make way for the Fantasyland Forest makeover.
- Pooh’s Playful Spot – closed permanently to make way for the Fantasyland Forest makeover.
- Scuttle’s Landing – closed permanently to make way for the Fantasyland Forest makeover.
- it’s a small world – closed for refurbishment August 1 to October 22.
- Storytime with Belle – had its last performance on September 11. Will be replaced with a new “play and greet” with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled starting October 15.
- The Mad Tea Party – closed for refurbishment September 26 to November 11.
- Pooh’s Thotful Shop – closed for refurbishment October 25 to November 7.
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – closed for refurbishment October 25 to November 14.
- Astro Orbiter – closed for refurbishment December 5-9.
Epcot
- Cantina de San Angel – closed for major renovation, set to soft-open with a press event on September 15 and to the public on September 16 as two restaurants, both the returning Cantina de San Angel and the new Hacienda de San Angel. Taqueria Del Lago remains open.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Star Tours – closed for refurbishment September 8, 2010 through May 16, 2011.
- One Man’s Dream – closed for refurbishment August 16 through November 2.
- “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!” – final performance October 2; “Disney Channel Rocks!” begins performances October 22.
- Block Party Bash Parade – final performance January 1; Pixar Pals Cavalcade begins performances January 16.
Animal Kingdom
- Flame Tree Barbeque – closed through September 25.
- Beastly Bazaar – closed for refurbishment September 5 to October 2.
Resorts
- Saratoga Springs Resort – Paddock quiet pool closed for conversion to new feature pool opening in 2011.
- ‘Ohana – closed from January 17-20, 2011, re-opens for dinner on January 20.
- Yacht & Beach Club Resorts – The main slide and kiddie slide at Stormalong Bay are closed from January 3 through mid-February. Guests that wish to use have a pool slide as part of their resort pool experience can use the Luna Park pool at the BoardWalk Resort.
- BoardWalk Resort – the Keister Coaster slide at the Luna Park pool will be closed from February 7 through mid-March. Guests that wish to use have a pool slide as part of their resort pool experience can use the Stormalong Bay pool at the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.
Water Parks
- Typhoon Lagoon – closed October 31, 2010 through January 8, 2011 for refurbishment.
- Blizzard Beach – closed January 9, 2011 through March 19, 2011 for refurbishment.
Elsewhere
- Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
- McDonald’s at Downtown Disney – closed permanently; the location is being converted to Pollo Campero, opening this fall.
Current Discounts & Promotions
Room-only discount rates available for Passholders and the general public through October 2
Everyone can save 15 to 30 percent off your room rates for stays from August 15 through October 2. Rates vary depending on your dates of travel and the resort category at which you are staying.
For any stay from August 15 through October 2, you get some great discounts:
- Value resorts: 30 percent off
- Moderate resorts: 30 percent off
- Deluxe Resorts: 40 percent off
- Deluxe Villa Resorts: 40 percent off.
The deal can be booked from now through the day of your arrival. The number of rooms available at these rates is limited. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World Web site (link) or by using code ID6 if booking via the Walt Disney World Reservations phone line (407-939-7515) or through a travel agent. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
If you’re a Annual Passholder, you can get even deeper discounts. Passholders can save 35 to 42 percent off their room rates for stays at Walt Disney World this fall. Rates vary depending on your dates of travel and the resort category at which you are staying.
For any stay from August 15 through October 2, you get some great discounts:
- Value resorts: 35 percent off
- Moderate resorts: 35 percent off
- Deluxe Resorts: 42 percent off
- Deluxe Villa Resorts: 42 percent off.
The deal can be booked from now through your day of arrival. The number of rooms available at these rates is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World Passholder Web site (link) or by using code SIA if booking via the special reservations phone line for this offer (407-939-7617) or through a travel agent. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
Free dining through September 29, 2011
Free dining is back, with the same split-level implementation as has been the case recently. Those staying at value resorts will get the Quick Service Dining Plan for free, while those in moderate, deluxe and deluxe villa accommodations will get the standard Disney Dining Plan for free. Free dining is available on select dates from this October through next September:
- 2010
- October 1-7
- October 22-28
- November 12-18
- November 27 to December 2
- December 10-21
- 2011
- January 1-5
- January 9-13
- January 21 to February 3
- February 11-17
- February 25 to March 3
- May 27 to June 2
- August 19 to September 29
You must book free dining by December 20. The rooms available at these rates is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World web site (link), by calling Walt Disney World at 407-939-7926, or your travel agent and using booking code NL7. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
Room only discounts through February 16, 2011
Room-only reservation discounts are available for selected nights from October through mid-February. Guests receive discounts of 25 percent at value resorts, 30 percent at moderates, 25-40 percent at deluxes (varies by resort) and 40 percent at deluxe villa resorts. Discounts are available:
- October 3 to November 23
- November 27 to December 25
- January 1 to February 16
You must book this discount by November 21. The rooms available at these rates is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World Web site (link), by calling Walt Disney World at 407-939-7926, or your travel agent and using booking code AK9 for 2010 reservations and MM2 for 2011 reservations. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
Free Disney Gift Cards through February 16, 2011
If you book a room-and-ticket package and would prefer a Disney Gift Card to free dining or a room discount, you can get a $500 gift card for stays of 5 or more nights at deluxe or deluxe villa resorts, $300 for moderate resorts or $200 for value resorts on a non-discounted Magic Your Way room and ticket package. This offer is valid for the same dates as the room-only discounts:
- October 3 to November 23
- November 27 to December 25
- January 1 to February 16
You must book this discount by November 21. The rooms available at these rates is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World Web site (link), by calling Walt Disney World at 407-939-7926, or your travel agent and using booking code ZH9. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
Passholder discounts through December 25, 2010
Passholders can save 30 to 42 percent off their room rates for stays at Walt Disney World from October through the end of the year. Rates vary depending on your dates of travel and the resort category at which you are staying.
For any stay from October 3 through December 25 (except for the Thanksgiving weekend of November 24-26), you get some great discounts:
- Value resorts plus Animal Kingdom Lodge – 30 percent off
- Moderate resorts, including Fort Wilderness Cabins, plus Grand Floridian Resort – 35 percent off
- Remaining Deluxe Resorts – 42 percent off
- Deluxe Villa Resorts – 42 percent off
You can book the deal from now through your day of arrival, through the rooms may go fast. The number of rooms available at these rates is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Reservations may be booked through the Walt Disney World Web site (link), by calling Walt Disney World at 407-939-7420, or your travel agent and using booking code XO7. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
Kids sail free on certain 7-night cruises
Children ages 17 and under traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom sail free on most 7-Night Caribbean cruises from January 8, 2011 through March 5, 2011, excluding the February 19, 2011 sailing.
There are definitely some restrictions and exclusions. The discount applies only to verandah staterooms (except concierge and suites), and it cannot be combined with any onboard credit discounts. Taxes and fees are also not included for the free children.
The number of cabins available at these rates is limited. Reservations may be booked through the Disney Cruise Line website (link), by calling Disney Cruise Line at 800-951-3532, or your travel agent and using booking code KFO. MousePlanet’s preferred Disney travel providers are MouseEarVacations.com (link), Small World Vacations (link) and Get Away Today (link).
