Refurbishments - Part 10

View of Fantasyland Construction from the Contemporary

Saturday, September 24, 2011 PixieMichele 1 Comment

Our friends at wdwmagic have posted some “birds eye view” photos of the Fantasyland construction from the top of the Contemporary Resort.

Looks like things are coming along…look at all those rocks! Looks like Belle’s portion of the Fantasyland expansion is coming along nicely…but dear Imagineers and architects…PLEASE HURRY UP!

What part of Fantasyland expansion are YOU most excited about?!

P.S. – Chip posted pictures of the construction as well from his recent trip to Disney World. You can check them out here.

A Tour Through New Fantasyland Expansion at the Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)
Around the “Disney” World – Fantasyland (chipandco.com)

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Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule October 2011

Saturday, September 17, 2011 Chip No comments

Refurbishment information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available on the Disneyland Website.

Current

Blue Sky Cellar (DCA) closed through 9/23/11 for refurbishment.
California Screamin’ (DCA) closed through 10/14/11 for refurbishment.
Blue Bayou Restaurant (Disneyland) closed through 11/23/11 for refurbishment.
Pirates of the Caribbean (Disneyland) closed through 11/23/11 for refurbishment.
Frances’ Lady Bug Boogie (DCA) closed through Winter 2011 for refurbishment.

Upcoming

Muppet Vision 3D (DCA) closed 9/21/11-9/22/11 for refurbishment.
Mark Twain Riverboat (Disneyland) closed 9/26/11-9/28/11 for refurbishment.
Redwood Challenge Creek Trail (DCA) closed 10/3/11-10/28/11 for refurbishment.
“it’s a small world” (Disneyland) closed 10/24/11-11/10/11 for installation of holiday decor.
Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm (Disneyland) closed 10/24/11-11/10/11 for installation of holiday decor.
It’s Tough to be a Bug! (DCA) closed 10/24/11-11/11/11 for refurbishment.
Space Mountain (Disneyland) closed 11/1/11 to remove holiday decor.

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule September 2011 (chipandco.com)
Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule August 2011 (chipandco.com)

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Disney World Refurbishment Schedule October 2011

Saturday, September 17, 2011 Chip 4 Comments

Refurbishment/closure information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at the Disney World Website.

Current

The Lunching Pad (Magic Kingdom) closed through 9/16/11 for refurbishment.
Sturdy Branches Health Club (Wilderness Lodge) closed through 9/16/11. Guests can use the health club at the Contemporary Resort.
Muscles & Bustles Health Club (Boardwalk Resort) closed through 9/17/11. Guests can use the health club at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure (Hollywood Studios) closed through 9/24/11 for refurbishment.
Studio Backlot Tour (Hollywood Studios) closed through 9/24/11 for refurbishment.
The American Film Institute Showcase (Hollywood Studios) closed through 9/24/11 for refurbishment.
Magnolia Golf Course closed Tuesdays only through 9/27/11 for refurbishment.
Palm Golf Course closed Wednesdays only through 9/28/11 (except 9/21/11) for refurbishment.
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade (Magic Kingdom) closed through 9/30/11 for refurbishment.
It’s Tough to be a Bug! (Animal Kingdom) closed through 10/1/11 for refurbishment.
Osprey Ridge Golf Course closed Mondays only through 10/3/11 for refurbishment.
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed Thursdays only through 10/6/11 for refurbishment.
Magnolia Bend Leisure Pool (Port Orleans – Riverside Resort) closed through 10/7/11 for refurbishment. All other pools will remain open.
Yakitori House (Epcot) closed through 11/15/11 for refurbishment.
Swiss Family Treehouse (Magic Kingdom) closed through 11/17/11 for refurbishment.

Upcoming

Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center (Animal Kingdom Lodge -Jambo House) closed 9/19/11-9/23/11. Guest can use the health club at Kidani Village.
Grand Floridian Spa (Grand Floridian Resort) closed 9/19/11-Mid-2013 due to construction at the resort. The Grand Floridian Fitness Center will remain open and guests may use The Spa at Saratoga Springs Resort.
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show (Hollywood Studios) closed 10/3/11-10/6/11 for refurbishment.
Palm Golf Course closed 10/10/11-10/23/11 for Children’s Miracle Network Classic and 11/3/11-11/13/11 for refurbishment.
Magnolia Golf Course closed 10/10/11-10/23/11 for Children’s Miracle Network Classic and 11/28/11-12/7/11 for refurbishment.
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed 10/24/11-11/3/11 for refurbishment.
Blizzard Beach closed 10/30/11-12/3/11 for annual refurbishment.
Beach Club Villas Leisure Pool closed 10/31/11-11/1/11 for refurbishment.
Osprey Ridge Golf Course closed 11/14/11-11/23/11 for refurbishment.
Typhoon Lagoon closed 12/4/11-3/17/12 for annual refurbishment.
Fantasmic! (Hollywood Studios) closed 1/5/12-2/12/12.
Tutto Italia Restaurant (Epcot) closed 1/8/12-4/1/12 for refurbishment.

Source Mousesavers Newsletter

Disney World Refurbishment Schedule September 2011 (chipandco.com)
Disney World Refurbishment Schedule August 2011 (chipandco.com)

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Port Orleans French Quarter – a Perfect WDW Getaway Spot For Adults

Monday, September 12, 2011 Catie 1 Comment

One of the biggest challenges in planning a Walt Disney World Vacation for adults is picking which resort to stay at. Personally, I know I am looking for someplace quiet, scenic, and moderately inexpensive when I go to book my vacation Port Orleans French Quarter is the WDW Resort that meets all these criteria and more:

Setting: The resort has a Mardi Gras/New Orleans theme, and it really showcases the New Orleans French Quarter style architecture and atmosphere. The resort is smaller (by about half!), quieter, and more beautiful than a lot of its comparable lodging counterparts.

Rooms: All the rooms were recently renovated to include 2 queen beds (a step up from other resorts that offer 2 doubles) as well as new linens and decor, and in total there are about 1,000 guest rooms spread around 7 buildings

Romance: The resort is sophisticated (without being too snobby) and quiet, with a lot of romantic spots. There are fountains, beautiful landscaping and soft lighting throughout the resort grounds that make a stroll along the cobblestone streets of the Sassagoula River a must for couples

Transportation: The resort has bus access to all major points of WDW (theme parks, water parks, etc), but it also has something that no other moderate resorts have – a ferry service directly to Downtown Disney (which makes it easy to hop over to Downtown Disney for some shopping or great restaurants and entertainment)

Recreation: The resort offers boat and bike rentals, as well as a swimming pool and walking/jogging paths, and it also offers nightly carriage rides and live entertainment on certain evenings in the hotel bar

Food: Port Orleans French Quarter is the only place at WDW that serves up authentic New Orleans style foods like gumbo and beignets (amazing pastries that are like a donut only fluffier!) at their food court. In addition, they have all the standard Disney food court fare (burgers, pizza, salads, sandwiches, pasta, etc)

Value: Being a ‘moderate’ resort means that POFQ is neither the cheapest, nor the most expensive resort on WDW property. I have, in the past, been a subscriber to the “who care what the room looks like you barely spend anytime in it anyway” philosophy, but once I saw Port Orleans French Quarter, I have to admit I changed my tune – it is definitely worth the step up in price from the value resorts, you get a lot more for not that much more money

Bottom line is, If you can’t decide where to stay at WDW and are looking for a slightly more ‘grown up’ place where you can relax and enjoy your serene surroundings, I urge you to check out Port Orleans French Quarter, you will be glad you did

My Top 5 Things to do at the Disney Resorts (chipandco.com)
Stranded at Walt Disney World and Loving It (chipandco.com)

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A Tour Through New Fantasyland Expansion at the Magic Kingdom

Saturday, September 3, 2011 Chip 6 Comments

One of my favorite moments at the recent D23 Expo was walking through the Carousel of Projects, an area full of displays, models and renderings of new projects coming soon to Disney Parks around the world. Inside, there were Cars Land ride vehicles, a model of Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theater at Disney California Adventure park, and much more. I have to say, it was a lot of fun to watch the reaction of expo attendees to all of the updated projects – especially to the model of New Fantasyland, which laid out just what this expanded area will look like when its complete.

The Carousel of Projects New Fantasyland display also featured a ton of previously unreleased renderings of the expansion, which Walt Disney Imagineering was happy to share with us. Check them out in the gallery below.

Which new attraction are you most looking forward to?