Call for Information: Seriously, What Big WDW news have I missed?

[DrTomorrow]

Greetings!

Due to a minor bout with reality I haven't been on any Disney-themed web site since my WDW trip in May (I'm pleased to announce that I have once again defeated reality!)

Have I missed any big Disney news? Any changes in EMH? Have they finally announced VCR? Can 10 people (all over 3) stay in a studio and refill mugs from any resort and any year?

How's ME working? Truely magical or long waits until you get to your resort?

Thanks so much for any updates!

Be well.

[tjkraz]

If you want to do some reading, two of my favorite websites are www.mouseplanet.com and www.jimhillmedia.com. MousePlanet posts weekly WDW updates and has an archive that goes back 3-4 years. Jim Hill's site is a bit more story-driven, but it's still worthy of your daily reading list.

DME is reportedly working pretty well now, but the airport is coming under fire for allowing Disney greater access than the other livery services. Apparently Disney employees had been allowed access much closer to the passenger gates and were allowed to recruit passengers who hadn't even signed up for the service in advance. Now, they are limited to staffing their desks and just accepting passengers who pre-registered for the transportation.

This change just occurred in the past couple of weeks, and I'm sure there will be more trouble before all is said and done since the taxis/limos/rental cars are really taking it on the chin.

There was an important change to Priority Seating a couple months ago. First, I believe they are now called Advance Reservations. More importantly, you can now book ARs 90 days out from your CHECKIN date if staying on-site. So, if you are staying for a week, you can book all of your ARs 90 days out from your arrival day. A room confirmation number is required to do this, and the DVC numbers do work.

The big attraction news is the current closure of The Living Seas. It's undergoing a 3-month rehab. For comparison's sake, that's the same amount of time The Land was closed, and you can see how nice of a job was done there. Strangely, nothing official has been released about the rehab. What is known for certain is that there will be more Nemo theming added. The goal is to give a more cohesive look to the entire pavilion, rather than the current "slapped in place" look of the small areas that added Nemo theming.

Now, here's the fun part. Again, this is all speculation, but "where there's smoke, there's fire" would seem to apply--I've read similar stories EVERYWHERE. According to rumors, guests will soon enter the pavilion through the current EXIT. The Hydrolator concept is being removed. At least one of the two pre-show theaters will be removed and that space will be used to add additional track to the old Sea Cab route turning it into a legitimate Disney "dark ride." The rumor mill also speculates that Disney may integrate the same holographic technology developed for the 20,000 Leagues lagoon at DL to project images of "Nemo" characters INSIDE the tanks as guests make their way through this new ride.

If the above really happens, I think it's a damn inventive way to breathe some life into that pavilion.

The pavilion is completely closed now, and will re-open to guests in late-November. But work on the sea cab portion will reportedly run into the spring.

That's the only big ride news, other than Expedition Everest. EE is reportedly on course for February soft opening and April grand opening (AK's 8th anniversary is 4/22/06).

Pooh's Playful Spot (playground) recently opened on the old 20K site. I've read mostly disappointing reviews (not big enough, not enough to do.) In a sense, that's good. Disney has officially maintained that this playground is only temporary until they commit to long-term plans for that section of the park. (Reportedly there is room for at least 2 rides in this new real estate.) If the playground opened to rave reviews, it could easily become more permanent than temporary.

Oh, and the Wonders of Life appears to be permanently DOA. It has been closed for over a year and is now absent from Epcot park maps.

On the resort side, the Contemporary is getting a huge refurb. The South Garden Wing is completely closed. The Tower is getting refurbished floor-by-floor. Allears.net has photos of the model rooms. Very modern. Flat screen TVs and such. Oh, and nothing has been announced for the North Garden Wing, meaning that rarely does a day go by without someone claiming that a CM / Imagineer / Bus Driver / Boat Captain claimed that DVC will be taking over that space.

The Poly is also getting room refurbs similar to the CR, but no DVC rumors yet.

DVC opened sales kiosks in Disneyland earlier this year, leading to more rumors of a DL DVC.

There's a new DVC Cruise scheduled for 2006.

An Irish Pub, "Raglan Road", will be opening soon at Pleasure Island. Paid admission to PI is not required.

Oh, and some news regarding SSR. According to a news release from Allears, the Turf Club will be turned into a table services restaurant. New name: The Turf Club Bar and Grille. If I understand the plans correctly, they will begin offering table service in November '05. Also in November, they will begin construction to expand the exterior deck right outside of the current Turf Club, making for a much larger facility. The outside deck will be completed by Summer '06. This could be rather nice. If you think about the lay of the land, the deck will look out toward the water where the boat docks. Sounds like it will be a great casual dining location.

Strangely, DVC has not formally announced the above change. I looked for it in the Member Clubhouse I received earlier this week, and there was nothing.

Did I forget anything?

[TW1]

I've given up on the refillable mug and have instead turned my entire head into a refillable jug. I simply top off in the morning and am good to go for the day.

Send me a few 8x10 glossy's of yourself and I'll fix you up.

Its lots of fun and adds a whole new dimension to 'brain freeze."

http://www.communitymade.com/images/products/twin-oaks-faces-8oz-mug-B-large.jpg

[cruise-o-matic]

There is a new dining plan....but onmly if you book through CRO and buy a MY ticket....stays on DVC points aren't eligible

Don't speed on WDW property...the law dogs will get you

Eisner's gone

My post would be longer but TJ beat me to it :p

[kathleena]

I've given up on the refillable mug and have instead turned my entire head into a refillable jug. I simply top off in the morning and am good to go for the day.

Send me a few 8x10 glossy's of yourself and I'll fix you up.

Its lots of fun and adds a whole new dimension to 'brain freeze."




OH, man where IS that hysterical laughing smilie????? :D

DrT - I used ME in August and it was great! Very much recommend it!

[DrTomorrow]

Thanks, all - tjkraz in particular. Yeah, I'm working through the MousePlanet park updates; doing it backwards, so it's kind of interesting (DrT. just loves to muck about with time ;) ).

Good to hear about the Living Seas - that was originally one of my faves (being a Pisces and all) but the old routine had made it all to easy to skip.

The expansion of the Turf Club seems to be a sound idea. The old set-up was sort of a 'neither fish nor fowl' situation - is it a bar? is it a restaurant? Still, as a steak eater, I'll now need to be extra careful to look for whip marks....

By now, I'm pretty resigned to the fact that even if they DO make a DVC at the CR, no one will admit it until 6 months after it's open (except, of course, for the Guides)

Thanks again!