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Downtown Disney becoming Disney Springs – Construction Update for November

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We have a really big update from Downtown Disney for you today. There’s a whole raft of updates to report as the popular shopping, dining, and entertainment district prepares to become Disney Springs.

In a previous update we explored the newly open Exposition Park Food Truck lot and we had our first peek inside the new parking structure.

The entrance to Downtown Disney is forever changed as a giant parking structure now occupies the former main parking lot for the westside. There’s still plenty of working going on, even on the parking garage itself. Eventually two walk-ways will connect the garage with Disney Springs. For now, there’s some extra construction walls to help corral pedestrian traffic into the West Side.

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The biggest change is the re-opening of the walk-way through the former Pleasure Island area. This area will soon be known as “The Landing.” But for now, it’s still a mess of walls and storefronts that aren’t quite ready to open. You’ll note that they added some fake trolley tracks to the ground at the top of the hill and some concept art to show what that area will look like when finished.

There’s also been quite a lot of work on The Hanger and The Boathouse, two of the first dining experiences expected to open in The Landing.

Behind the Landing is “The Springs” and work is going on there too, with what looks like some of the first vertical structures being erected already.

More photos below the jump:
Read More »Downtown Disney becoming Disney Springs – Construction Update for November

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Christmas Gingerbread House

Every year, I make a special trip to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to see their giant Christmas Gingerbread House. There are new details everywhere you look, and yet it’s big enough for a full store to be housed inside. So be sure to check out… Read More »Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Christmas Gingerbread House

Harambe to expand with Africa Marketplace at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The keen folks over at WDW Magic have gotten their hands on a piece of concept art for a new expansion coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Africa Marketplace will open in Spring of 2015 in the Harambe area of the park. It will be part… Read More »Harambe to expand with Africa Marketplace at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Spring Will Bring 75-day International Flower & Garden Festival to EPCOT

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Winter isn’t even technically here, but already I can smell the faint aroma of fresh flowers and giant topiary. It will all snap into place on March 4-May 17, 2015 as EPCOT blooms with a fresh take on lush gardens, inspired flavors and lively entertainment during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. At 75-days, the festival is nearly as long as Spring itself.

This year there will be new Disney character topiary, including a nod to the blockbuster animated film, “Frozen,” which will offer colorful #selfie and family photo ops. Outdoor Kitchens will serve a fresh take on sweet and savory noshes. And guests can get “hands-on” with festival fun during Disney-led gardening seminars.

More details are below the jump:Read More »Spring Will Bring 75-day International Flower & Garden Festival to EPCOT

Magic Kingdom Plaza Improvement – November 2014 Construction Update

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The Plaza (or Hub) at the Magic Kingdom is undergoing a major renovation in order to improve guest flow during the busy show and parade times. We’re back with another look at the progress made so far. We had two updates in September, but we actually skipped October. So there’s been quite a bit of progress since we last checked in.

The side closer to Crystal Palace is closer to completion. You can start to see where the viewing area/garden area will take shape as well a the new path that will lead from near Crystal Palace into the hub. The Tomorrowland Terrace side is a bit further behind, and there’s more work to be done as they also have to build a new seating area in front of the Plaza Restaurant.

The end result of this construction will be a wider area leading from Main Street to the Hub. There will be two garden areas that can be used for fireworks viewing parties, expanded outside seating for Casey’s Jr and some much needed seating for the Ice Cream Palace and Starbucks.

Continue the tour below:Read More »Magic Kingdom Plaza Improvement – November 2014 Construction Update

Creating Gingerbread Houses at Walt Disney World

Matt Avery, pastry chef for Boardwalk Inn, helped make some of this year’s amazing life size Christmas Gingerbread Houses you can find in many of Walt Disney World’s great resorts. He also helped create some of the delicious treats you can buy at the nearby… Read More »Creating Gingerbread Houses at Walt Disney World

7 Walt Disney World Upgrades I would like to see.

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There’s a lot of talk about a major upgrade coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting a whole land based on James Cameron’s Avatar. Both big projects that will help Disney stay relevant for another generation. But there are some smaller projects Disney could implement on a shorter timescale that would also have a big Impact.

1. Night time parade at the Magic Kingdom – With “Festival of Fantasy,” the Magic Kingdom finally has a modern day parade, now it’s time to re-light the night. It’s time to ditch the 70s era tech of the Electrical Parade and paint the street and sky with a parade as-yet unseen in the states. There are a couple candidates out there in Asian parks, but I’d also be happy to see something original.

2. Rivers of America – First, Disney needs to bring back more boats to the river, something like a steamboat from “The Princess and the Frog” would do nicely. Then they need to upgrade existing show scenes and add more to make a cohesive story. Ideally, the River would transform at night into a dinner or dessert cruise with a Jazz Band aboard the new ship.

3. Conservation station/ Rafiki’s Planet Watch – Update the animal care message, include more success stories (Disney has a ton of them), remove train and add more up close animal encounters with new-to-the-park animals. I suggest animals from Polynesia / Australia to capitalize on upcoming movies and Finding Nemo.Read More »7 Walt Disney World Upgrades I would like to see.

Magic Kingdom Merchandise Line

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Sometimes the merchandise Disney creates is a home run and it flies off the shelf as fast as Disney can stock it and sometimes it just fails to move. Take a look at this recently released collection of Magic Kingdom souvenirs and tell me which category you think it belongs in.

Head below the jump for my thoughts and a closer look at some of the souvenirs.

Read More »Magic Kingdom Merchandise Line