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Category Archives: Refurbishments
Behind the Tarps: Matterhorn Bobsled Refurbishment
The Matterhorn Bobsleds opened at Disneyland Park in 1959, becoming the first tubular steel track roller coaster in the world and setting the standard for future designs to follow. The attraction was overhauled in 1978, at which time the ride vehicles were replaced and minor enhancements were made. However, no major construction has been done since.
Until now.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds are currently under a scheduled six-month refurbishment. The repairs mark the first time since its construction in 1959 that the entire mountain has been covered in scaffolding. While the outside is completely covered, Disney allowed Guests a rare peak behind the tarps.
Watch that video again. This time pause at about the 1:13 mark. Did you see that? It’s the long-rumored basketball goal! Much lore has been told about this notorious net. One of the tallest tales states that a basketball court was installed to satisfy building codes for a structure of such height and size. In reality, it was simply a makeshift hoop where workers passed idle time. Nevertheless, yes, it really is there! Enjoy this slight glimpse, though. The only folks likely to see it in person are mountain climbers, repairmen and Tinker Bell.
The Bobsleds will reopen June 15, 2012, featuring new three-rider cars—six riders per train—a new loading station to accommodate single riders and Guests with disabilities, a shimmering paint job and a refreshed interior.
Related articles
- Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule March 2012 (chipandco.com)
- Inside the Matterhorn with New Ride Vehicles and a Basketball Court? (thedisneyblog.com)
Disney Confidential – Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop Closing
Here there guys and gals Anonymouse here.
I have some interesting news/gossip from one of my favorite sites WDWMagic. Before you gather up your pitchforks and torches keep in mind this is not official YET!
According to their website the Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop with be closing down from 11am till around 6pm in the month of March. The reason for the closure is due to the construction going on at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, You might remember me mentioning a few months ago about them adding on a DVC resort to the Grand Flo. So with all the construction they are needing to bring in a crane that would interfere with the Monorail line.
If you are heading to Disney World in the month of March you might want to use some of the alternative forms of transportation to get to the Magic Kingdom. Chump Chip does a good job trying to keep people informed of the various Closures and Refurbishements in his monthly series here. I know big surprise right? Mark your calendar as that is the only nice thing I will say about him this year 
In all seriousness I would rather take the Dumbo Ferry to the Magic Kingdom instead of the monorail. There is just something about the view you get when you see the castle getting bigger and bigger, not to mention you’re not wedged in a small area with 30 other smelly people and that one crying baby.
Anywho that is all the Disney Gossip I have right now. For my past Gossip articles be sure to check them out here.
Got any good rumors? Please email me at AnonyMouse@chipandco.com or on my Facebook Page
Related articles
- Accessible Transportation – Magic Kingdom Ferryboats (disneyonwheelsblog.com)
- The Best Things in the “World” are Free (chipandco.com)
Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus Will Open By Late March, Snow White Closing May 31st
Great News! Disney is reporting the first elements of Storybook Circus will open by late March, marking the first in a series of progressive openings for the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history.
Among the first experiences to open will be one carousel of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, a re-themed Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini and the Fantasyland Station of the Walt Disney World Railroad.
In designing Storybook Circus, Imagineers were inspired by Disney’s animated film, “Dumbo.” When complete later this year, the area will be filled with multicolored circus tents and other nods to the film. The section will also feature Casey Jr., the famous locomotive from the movie, who has rolled into town, bringing the circus with him.
Beyond Storybook Circus and as they mentioned in a previous post on the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney Princesses will be getting a new home at the location where Snow White’s Scary Adventures is today. The last day of operation for this attraction will be Thursday, May 31.
Related articles
- Magic Kingdom: Fantasyland Construction, Dumbo Testing, Barnstormer Sign, New Trees in Town Square plus Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Mardi Gras Parade – Photos and Video (jefflangedvd.com)
- Disney World Refurbishment Schedule March 2012 (chipandco.com)
Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule March 2012
If your heading to Disneyland soon be sure to check out the Refurb/Closure list below. 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
- Star Tours (Disneyland) will have reduced capacity through 2/16/12, 2/27/12-3/1/12 and 3/5/12-3/8/12 due to refurbishments.
- Sailing Ship Columbia (Disneyland) closed through 2/20/12 for refurbishment.
- Refreshment Corner (Disneyland) closed through 2/24/12 for refurbishment.
- Redwood Pool and Slide (Grand California Hotel) closed through 2/24/12 for refurbishment. The Fountain and Mariposa pools remain open.
- Grizzly River Run (DCA) closed through 3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- Tomorrowland Railroad Station (Disneyland) closed through 3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
- Candy Palace (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds (Disneyland) closed through 6/14/12 for refurbishment.
- Blue Ribbon Bakery (Disneyland) closed through 7/13/12 for refurbishments.
- Carnation Cafe (Disneyland) closed until Summer 2012 for renovation/expansion.
Upcoming
- Mark Twain Riverboat (Disneyland) closed 2/20/12-3/5/12 for refurbishment.
- Donald’s Boat (Disneyland) closed 2/27/12-3/2/12 for refurbishment.
- Disneyland Monorail (Disneyland) closed 2/27/12-3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- Pluto’s Dog House (Disneyland) closed 2/27/12-3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- King Arthur Carrousel (Disneyland) closed 3/6/12-3/7/12 for refurbishment.
- Goofy’s Sky School (DCA) closed 4/9/12-6/1/12 for refurbishment.
- Frontierland Shooting Exposition (Disneyland) closed 4/30/12-5/25/12 for refurbishment.
Current
- Star Tours (Disneyland) will have reduced capacity through 2/16/12, 2/27/12-3/1/12 and 3/5/12-3/8/12 due to refurbishments.
- Sailing Ship Columbia (Disneyland) closed through 2/20/12 for refurbishment.
- Refreshment Corner (Disneyland) closed through 2/24/12 for refurbishment.
- Redwood Pool and Slide (Grand California Hotel) closed through 2/24/12 for refurbishment. The Fountain and Mariposa pools remain open.
- Grizzly River Run (DCA) closed through 3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- Tomorrowland Railroad Station (Disneyland) closed through 3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
- Candy Palace (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds (Disneyland) closed through 6/14/12 for refurbishment.
- Blue Ribbon Bakery (Disneyland) closed through 7/13/12 for refurbishments.
- Carnation Cafe (Disneyland) closed until Summer 2012 for renovation/expansion.
Upcoming
- Mark Twain Riverboat (Disneyland) closed 2/20/12-3/5/12 for refurbishment.
- Donald’s Boat (Disneyland) closed 2/27/12-3/2/12 for refurbishment.
- Disneyland Monorail (Disneyland) closed 2/27/12-3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- Pluto’s Dog House (Disneyland) closed 2/27/12-3/9/12 for refurbishment.
- King Arthur Carrousel (Disneyland) closed 3/6/12-3/7/12 for refurbishment.
- Goofy’s Sky School (DCA) closed 4/9/12-6/1/12 for refurbishment.
- Frontierland Shooting Exposition (Disneyland) closed 4/30/12-5/25/12 for refurbishment.
Source Mousesavers Newsletter
Related articles
- Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule February 2012 (chipandco.com)
- Carnation Café Closes for Renovations at Disneyland (chipandco.com)
Disney World Refurbishment Schedule March 2012
Here is the Refurb and Closure Schedule for Walt Disney World for March 2012 and beyond. 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
- Jamaica Village Pool (Caribbean Beach Resort) closed through 2/17/12. The feature pool and other leisure pools in each village will remain open.
- Pool slide (Contemporary Resort) closed through 2/17/12. The pool will remain open.
- Meadow Feature Pool Slide (Ft. Wilderness Resort & Campground) closed through 3/2/12 for refurbishment. The Meadow Feature Pool will remain open.
- Beach Pool Slide (Grand Floridian Resort) closed through 3/2/12 for refurbishment. The Beach Pool will remain open.
- Studio Backlot Tour (Hollywood Studios) closed through 3/10/12 for refurbishment.
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure (Hollywood Studios) closed through 3/11/12 for refurbishment.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Magic Kingdom) closed through 3/12/12 for refurbishment and move to Storybook Circus.
- Piano Pool (All-Star Music Resort) closed through 3/16/12 for refurbishment. The Calypso Pool will remain open.
- Typhoon Lagoon closed through 3/17/12 for annual refurbishment.
- Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (Magic Kingdom) closed through 3/27/12 for refurbishment.
- Nanea Volcano Pool Slide (Polynesian Resort) closed through 4/1/12 for refurbishment. The pool will remain open.
- Tutto Italia Restaurant (Epcot) closed through 4/30/12 for refurbishment.
- Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) closed through 5/20/12 for refurbishment.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) closed through 5/27/12 for refurbishment.
- Innoventions: House of Innoventions exhibit closed through May 2012 for refurbishment.
- Grand Floridian Spa (Grand Floridian Resort) closed through 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.
Upcoming
- Bay Cove Pool Slide (Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary Resort) closed 2/20/12-3/16/12 for refurbishment. The pool will remain open.
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Magic Kingdom) closed 2/26/12-3/11/12 for refurbishment.
- Magnolia Bend Leisure Pool (Port Orleans Resort – Riverside) closed 2/27/12-3/1/12 for refurbishment. The feature pool and all other leisure pools will remain open.
- Ranchos Leisure Pool (Coronado Springs Resort) closed 3/11/12-3/14/12 for refurbishment.
- Boardwalk Inn leisure pool closed 3/19/12-3/22/12 for refurbishment. The feature pool and villas leisure pools will remain open.
- Test Track (Epcot) closed April 2012-September 2012 for transformation to the Chevrolet Design Center.
- Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) closed 4/16/12-5/20/12 for refurbishment.
- Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show (Hollywood Studios) closed 4/29/12-5/2/12 for refurbishment.
- Cape May Cafe (Yacht & Beach Club Resorts) closed 7/9/12-8/3/12 for refurbishment.
Source Mousesavers Newsletter
Related articles
- Disney World Refurbishment Schedule February 2012 (chipandco.com)
- Top Five Off the Beaten Path Must – Dos at Disney World. (chipandco.com)
