Back in the early days of the internet Walt Disney World featured live Web Cams at the parks. Then sometime around the turn of the millennium they went off line and never came back. It was a big loss for theme park fans who used them to keep a little of the magic alive in between vacations.

For a long time Fans consoled themselves with a weather web cam erected at the Swan & Dolphin that was pointed toward EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth. It wasn’t good for much, but checking weather conditions, and the status of the Yacht & Beach Club after a hurricane rolled through. Then last year, that web cam, too, disappeared.

Well, the Swan & Dolphin has turned it back on. But it’s pointed in a new direction, this time at the Dolphin Hotel. It is still useful for weather observations, but now features a view of the Starwood brand property instead of Disney’s.

This leaves a void for the Disney fan again. Something the folks at Disney Parks and Resorts can easily fill. All we ask is one camera at each park. They don’t even have to show crowds or sensitive areas. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom (or the Lodge) there should be a Savannah Cam. At Hollywood Studios show the Light’s Motor Action stage (with the big blue hat behind it, so we can keep an eye on the Imagineering promise that it will shortly go away). At EPCOT the beautiful shot from the top of the American Pavilion across the lagoon to Spaceship Earth would be perfect. At the Magic Kingdom a view looking from Splash Mountain to the Castle or from the Contemporary at the Magic Kingdom itself, would be perfect.

All these angles avoid showing guests or maintenance vehicles in the parks. None show backstage areas that might tip off unwanted actions from guests. But they all capture a part of the magic that means a lot to Disney fans for a very small cost investment.

What do you think? Should Walt Disney World flip the switch? Are there any other views you would rather see?

We had to upgrade The Disney Blog this weekend and I’m still seeing some minor problems around. If you notice anything please let me know.

Meanwhile, it’s time to close some open tabs in the latest trip Around The Hub.

• The ‘final’ schedule for the D23 expo has been made available for download. Those attending look to be kept very busy. What do you think? Are they trying to do too much for the inaugural event?
• Attractions Magazine has posted concept art for “The Sum of All Thrills” attraction coming to EPCOT’s Innoventions. Looks like Disney found a loophole in the robocoaster exclusive Universal Studios has. Guests will be able to design their own thrill experience and ride vehicle and then go on a simulation of the attraction.
• An arrest has been made in a sexual assault case that occurred at Fort Wilderness back in May. Neither party appears to work for the mouse, but still a bit troubling that this would occur on property.
• Still trying to plan your Halloween costume for this year? Instructables has your back with these EVE and WALL-E costume How-tos. Best of all, most of the materials you probably have around your house already.
• Don’t dress yourself up as Luxo Jr, the famous icon for Pixar Studios, or you might get sued. Apparently Luxo and Pixar’s relaxed relationship has tensed up a bit after Disney*Pixar started making the iconic lamp part of its theme parks and product mix. Now there’s a lawsuit. Did someone forget to get a license for that character?
• Rumors are that we’ll soon see and hear more about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction and Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure. Here are some recent photos from the construction. Hogwarts is really beginning to take shape.
• Worth1000’s Disney Vs. Marvel Mashup contest has received 52 entries. Fun with Photoshop, for sure.

The Food & Wine Festival returns to EPCOT this year September 25 – November 8 for the 14th time. As with last year the even is slightly downsized from the height of 30+ countries, but the flavor and experience is all there. During the six-week event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from top “foodie” cities of the world and enjoy entertainment from musical acts that will bring back memories of yesteryear.

Festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade highlighting tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2 to $7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.

I personally hope that this year’s festival will include more of a street food element. It is a trend in food service right now, and it works well with the ‘foodie’ cities theme they have this year. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Follow the jump for more festival highlights:

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Out in Los Angeles the ABC station is in danger of losing their broadcast towers to the wildfires out there. Smoke is a persistent smell across the county. So everybody out west please be safe and take care of yourselves, okay.

• Wall-E Tattoo. Very cool, but I do not want.
• Mike Walters, the very first guest author here on The Disney Blog, has posted his review of Miyazaki’s PONYO, as distributed in the US by Disney.
• Foxxfur has turned her critical eye into a director’s eye and released a lovely atmospheric video from around EPCOT and the Boardwalk area. Let’s hope she makes more.
• The Disney Cruise Line has announced their plans to expand Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, to handle the larger guest load that the new larger ships will bring. One of these days I’ll be able to afford a Disney cruise, hope it’s soon.
• Fans of Fantillusion will want to read DLRP Magic’s interview with Disney composer Bruce Healey. Heck anyone who likes Disney parade and show music would learn something. I keep hoping Disneyland will get Fantillusion one day, but it sounds like MSEP will be coming back instead once World of Color opens at California Adventure.
• I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading this story in the GlobeInvestor about how the dreams of Dubai’s desert theme park megaopolis have crumbled into so much sand. I do feel sorry for the people whose dreams have been crushed by the change in tide, but I can’t help but feel it means better things for Orlando.

I’m beginning to sense a trend at Walt Disney World and that trend is Tequila. Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney opened earlier this year and now the much anticipated La Cava del Tequila bar at the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT has opened. I’m betting there will be a trifecta in the future.

Tucked away in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, La Cava del Tequila beckons guests with more than 70 types of authentic tequila, ranging from the simplest to the rarest of them all, aged to perfection and made from the finest distilled spirits from the agave plant. This new experience offers Epcot guests a chance to explore the heritage and tradition of tequila-making in Mexico.

Amid warm décor, art work and original artifacts all celebrating the Mexican heritage, a “Tequila Ambassador” is on hand to educate Walt Disney World guests on the history of tequila-making.

Also on the drink menu: Exotic and uniquely blended margaritas, introducing a variety of flavored salts, spices and tropical fresh fruits masterfully prepared by experienced mixologists. A variety of quick tastes, tapas style, will be available, including freshly made guacamole and ceviche as well as mahi mahi tostadas with diced mango and avocado and blue crab tostados with chipotle mayo and Valentina sauce.

The 30-seat La Cava del Tequila is open from noon until Epcot park closing time. It is connected to the famous San Angel Inn as part of the Mexico pavilion.

A couple of celebrity pictures to pass along today. First, for all you American Idol fans… David Cook stopped by the Magic Kingdom with his niece and nephew. The season seven champion of American Idol, Cook enjoyed a ride aboard the Magic Carpets of Aladdin attraction.

Joining Cook on the family vacation to Walt Disney World were his nieces and nephews: Pictured are Gracie (right), age 6 and Marshall (held by Cook), 18 months. (Garth Vaughan, photographer)

Also visiting the world was news legend Dan Rather. Rather was on vacation and stopped by EPCOT for a photo with another legend – Mickey Mouse. Looking good Dan! (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Neil Patrick Harris (aka NPH) narrates at the 2008 Candlelight Processional

From fifth grade into college I spent much of my free time performing in a choir event of some sort. The holidays were our busiest times, of course, I was always on stage performing instead of spending a special moment with loved ones. Now that my performing days are behind me, I draw on my memories to find some extra level of enjoyment in watching others performing in choirs. Based on that experience I can safely say, the Candlelight Processional shows (both at Disneyland and EPCOT) are two must experience events for anyone who loves the holidays or choirs.

Although the story is rooted in the Bible, no religious background is required to enjoy the great music and the performance of the narrator. Speaking of which, so much of the CP depends on the quality of the narrator’s performance. I think I’ve seen nearly a dozen different narrators, and my favorite of all is Edward James Olmos, who just happens to be doing the Christmas nights set of shows at EPCOT this year. You might want to get those dinner reservations in now.

Scheduled celebrity narrators include (subject to change):

Nov. 27-29 Isabella Rossellini
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1-2 John O’Hurley
Dec. 3-5 Steven Curtis Chapman
Dec. 6-8 Anika Noni Rose
Dec. 9-11 Andy Garcia
Dec. 12-14 Vanessa Williams
Dec. 15-17 Abigail Breslin
Dec. 18-20 Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 21-23 Brian Dennehy
Dec. 24-6 Edward James Olmos
Dec. 27-30 Angela Bassett / Courtney B. Vance

Candlelight Processional at Epcot – A heartfelt holiday tradition led by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra showcases the reason for the season Nov. 27-Dec. 30. Presented at America Gardens Theatre at 5, 6:45 and 8 p.m. nightly, Candlelight Processional features celebrity narrators who retell the joyous Christmas story. The narration is interspersed with memorable music.

Performances are included with Epcot admission, and guests are advised to arrive early. Entertainment is subject to change without notice. Special dining packages that include guaranteed seating for this beloved event also are offered by calling 407/WDW-DINE.

Who are you looking forward to seeing?

Come for the food and wine, but stay for the ‘Eat to the Beat!’ concerts this year at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 25-Nov. 8. This year you’ll find a platinum lineup of popular music acts, including several Grammy-winning bands, featuring an eclectic mix of classic and current tunes. So grab some of your favorite eats and relax to the beats.

The Eat to the Beat! concert series will bring 17 acts – showcasing everything from rock to jazz, funk to pop – to the America Gardens Theatre stage during the 45-day festival. The lineup includes six performers playing the festival for the first time: Richard Marx, Better Than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite, Billy Ocean and “American Idol”-winner Taylor Hicks.

Concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, begin at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. daily. The lineup (subject to change) includes:

Sept. 25-27 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)”
Sept. 28-29 – Richard Marx (”Hold On to the Nights”)
Sept. 30-Oct. 3 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
Oct. 4-6 – En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
Oct. 7-8 – Better Than Ezra (”Good”)
Oct. 9-11 – Sister Hazel (“All for You”)
Oct. 12-13 – Kool & The Gang (“Celebration”)
Oct. 14-16 – Spyro Gyra (“Morning Dance”)
Oct. 17-18 – Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
Oct. 19-20 – Sister Sledge (”We Are Family”)
Oct. 21-22 – Vanessa Carlton (”A Thousand Miles”)
Oct. 23-25 – Taylor Dayne (”Tell It to My Heart”)
Oct. 26-28 – Boyz II Men (“Motownphilly”)
Oct. 29-31 – John Waite (”Missing You”)
Nov. 1-2 – Taylor Hicks (“Do I Make You Proud”)
Nov. 3-5 – Billy Ocean (”Caribbean Queen”)
Nov. 6-8 – Los Lobos (“La Bamba”)