Let’s go to Chef Mickey’s for ….. Lunch?

WDWNT Author on August 24, 2010

It would seem that as WDW expands it’s free dining promotion to allow more guests the pleasure of dining at the great restaurants around the resort, changes are being made to keep up with the high demand.

For just 14 days in August and 14 days in September-October, Chef Mickey’s restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is adding a lunch buffet, complete with Disney Characters to meet and greet diners.

High demand for the free dining package necessitates the expanded dining time, but anyone (not just guests on the package) can make a reservation at 407-WDW-DINE or here. Cost is $28.75 including tax, $15.97 ages 3 to 9, under 3 free.

Dates are now through Aug. 28, and Sept. 19-Oct. 2. Lunch hours are 12:30-2:30 p.m. Breakfast and dinner are still offered as usual.

It will be interesting to see what happens to restaurant schedules next year as the free dining promotion is available for most of year with just a few blackout dates if you book before mid-december. As always stay tuned to WDW News Today for this and more news as it becomes available.

Haunted Mansion and Princess Rooms Coming to WDW?

WDWNT Author on August 10, 2010

In a recent survey sent out to guests who recently completed a Walt Disney World Resort hotel stay, guests were asked about their interest in two particular vanity resort rooms (similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean themed rooms now available at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort). The following pictures are from that survey emailed to particular guests:

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The first room is themed to The Haunted Mansion

The second room type is Princess themed

Will these rooms be built? And where? Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available.

Hotel Guests Get Speical World of Color Privilege

WDWNT Author on July 4, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

We have some exciting news to share this holiday weekend. Starting tomorrow morning, Sunday, July 4, the Disney California Adventure park gate at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will open at 9:00 a.m. exclusively for Disneyland Resort Hotel guests so they can get in line for Disney’s FASTPASS tickets to each evening’s performances of “World of Color.” The Disneyland Resort hotels include the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.‬ The main entrance will open, as scheduled, at 9:30 a.m. for all other day guests.

While Park hours may vary, please check disneyland.com for the most up-to-date schedule. The early access for Disneyland Resort Hotel guests at the Disney California Adventure park gate at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will be 30 minutes earlier than the opening listed for main entrance.

This is a great benefit for guests staying at Disneyland Resort Hotels, but guests not staying at the hotels will still have access to Disney’s FASTPASS tickets for “World of Color.

New Hotel Tour Announced

WDWNT Author on June 25, 2010

With The Disneyland Hotel going through some many changes right now, this may be your last chance to see some of the hotel’s biggest landmarks.

From The Disney Parks Blog:

Disneyland Hotel
If you have a passion for Disney history, then you will definitely want to take the “The Happiest Hotel on Earth” Tour at the Disneyland Hotel.

Did you know that the Dreams Tower (formally named the Sierra Tower) was Orange County’s first high-rise when it opened in 1960? Or that the Disneyland Hotel, built in 1955, was owned by the Wrather Corporation until it was officially acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 1988?

This tour will give you a glimpse of the history and magic of the Disneyland Hotel and how it all began nearly 55 years ago.

If would like more information or want to sign up for this complimentary tour, visit the Guest Services Desk at either hotel.

Jose Eber’s Memorial Day WDW Video Update

WDWNT Author on June 2, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber has provided us with a video update of construction projects all around the Walt Disney World Resort including Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the Best Friends Pet Resort, the Four Seasons Resort, and Pollo Campero at Downtown Disney:

Fires All Around The Resort

WDWNT Author on May 19, 2010

Today there was a small fire at the Grand Californian Hotel in the Storyteller’s Cafe at about 8:30 a.m.

From the OC Register:

A fire broke out in a pizza oven in the hotel’s Storytellers Cafe, where French toast was being prepared, Sabol said. The heat prompted a sprinkler to go off, spraying water into the oven and creating smoke and steam, Brown said.

About 1,000 hotel guests and employees were evacuated from the restaurant and that wing of the hotel, leaving through the lobby to the valet drop-off area, Brown said. Firefighters searched all the floors.

No injuries were reported and the hotel once again open to the public.

And then there was a second fire alarm today this time located in New Orleans Square.

Pirates stopped sending new boats and Blue Bayou closed it’s doors for 10 minutes. The cause was found to be a false alarm on a elevator.  They re-opened shortly after