Open and Close

WDWNT Author on January 28, 2008

While Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom and the new and improved Playhouse Disney Live! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios re-opened today, some other attractions have been shuttered for refurbishment. Among the latest attractions to close for refurbishment are Journey Into Imagination with Figment at Epcot, Imageworks at Epcot, and Snow White’s Scary Adventures at the Magic Kingdom. These new attraction closures come in addition to ongoing refurbishments of Splash Mountain, The American Adventure, and Journey Into Narnia. Remember, you can always check our attraction closures page to see what refurbishments are occurring now and in the future.

Upcoming Evolution of Pleasure Island

WDWNT Author on January 21, 2008

Christopher Boyd | Scott Powers and Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel
The slow evolution of Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island continues with the recent opening of a second specialty apparel shop, the impending shutdown of a live-music nightclub, and the anticipated reuse of a long-closed building. Opening shortly before Christmas was a new, two-story shop called Curl by Sammy Duval, named after the water-skiing legend and featuring name-brand surf and skateboard fashions, boards and gear. Closing Feb. 3 will be the Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Club, a venue known for its nightly live music. Along with Raglan Road, which often features solo musicians or acoustical combos, the Beach Club has been Pleasure Island’s live-music venue.

Nearly completed is the overhaul of a retail and venue building, along Village Lake, which has been vacant since the Orlando Harley-Davidson clothing store relocated and two other stores closed in 2006. Renovations appear to provide four retail storefronts plus side entrances for a multistory venue behind them. Disney officials would not discuss plans except to say something will be announced soon. Together, the three changes are consistent with a more than 2-year-old strategy pursued by Walt Disney World to broaden the appeal of Pleasure Island beyond nightclub patrons. Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez declined to elaborate on plans for the Beach Club building, which features a panoramic view of Village Lake, though she dispelled rumors that the building would be torn down. All employees are being offered jobs elsewhere in Disney World, she said.

The Beach Club building has undergone major change before. It opened in 1989 as the XZFR Rockin’ Rollerdrome, with a roller rink inside. The rink was deemed too dangerous and was removed in favor of a beach-club theme, according to The Official Encyclopedia Disney A to Z, by Dave Smith.

More Than A Refurbishment

WDWNT Author on January 12, 2008

It has just been announced that both Journey Into Imagination with Figment and Imageworks at Epcot will be closed from January 28 to February 24. While some minor refurbishing will be done, there will also be testing of some new effects for a BIG planned refurbishment of the attraction in the coming year. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this in the coming weeks.

John Corigliano’s 12/31/07-1/11/08

WDWNT Author on January 12, 2008

Here are some pictures of some notable happenings at Walt Disney World during my trip from December 31 to January 11:

Due to the stage in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat at DHS, High School Musical was performing in the Fantasmic entrance forecourt.

Playhouse Disney is closed until February as it prepares for an all new updated show.

The old Hunchback Theater at the Studios is being demolished for some future development.

 Here is a look at the major refurbishment going on at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

The following pictures show the layout and new design the marble floors of the lobby will be showcasing:

Out with the old…

In with Disney’s Hollywood Studios!!!

Here is the final part of my photo report, sorry it has taken so long:

Splash Mountain is closed for some general refurbishment until February 17, 2008.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant is closed until January 27 while its kitchen receives some upgrades.

City Hall on Main Street U.S.A. remains open during it’s exterior refurbishment.

Donald Duck has received his wish and has become a real boy.

I hope you enjoyed the photos!!!

Grand Floridian Refurbishment

WDWNT Author on January 10, 2008

If you visit Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you are sure to notice some major renovations going on. In the resort’s main building, a giant tarp spanning two floors has engulfed all of the hotel lobby. On the upper level, most of the floor tiles have been ripped up for the installation of new flooring. This refurbishment is only the first step in a lengthy refrbishment that will see every building of the resort upgraded. All of the resort’s changes should be complete by early 2009. I will have pictures available after I return from WDW this weekend.

Oops!!!

WDWNT Author on December 29, 2007

It appears Walt Disney World made a mistake when they announced the upcoming refurbishment of Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, they forgot how heavy crowds will still be for the three days following the New Year’s holiday, The refurbishment of Splash Mountain will now be from January 4, 2008 until February 15, 2008.

If It Ain’t Broken, Don’t Fix It

WDWNT Author on December 28, 2007

The upcoming refurbishment of Minnie’s Country House in Mickey’s Toontown Fair has been pushed back until sometime in 2008. Small children who will soon be visiting the Magic Kingdom are very grateful.

Backlot Theater Demolition

WDWNT Author on December 26, 2007

The Backlot Theater at the Disney MGM Studios, formerly home to the Hunchback of Notre Dame show, is now being demolished in preparation for a future attraction. The announcement of this new attraction and some others could come as early as January 7, 2008, where it is believed a press event will be held to mark the shift in the park’s name to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Break The Walls Down

WDWNT Author on December 23, 2007

The walls surrounding Spaceship Earth at Epcot have finally come down and the attraction is officially open to the public, despite multiple signs noting the official opening still as February 2008.

It’s Done!

WDWNT Author on December 21, 2007

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Epcot’s iconic white sphere, Spaceship Earth, closed for nearly six months, will reopen to the public Friday with a new story line and digital enhancements. The show’s producer Bob Zalk says the new story is about innovations and how they inspire the next generation. The ride features new show scenes, lighting effects and costumes with a new musical score narrated by Judy Dench. The ride’s vehicles remain the same, but include new touch screens. There will also be an interactive component. Disney officials expect to make minor changes before the ride’s formal reopening in February.