News & Rumors 12/21/09 - 1/17/10

Hello all and welcome to 2010!!!!! After a brief recess, I am now back ready to go with the latest and greatest WDW News and Rumors! There has been a lot of stuff that's come out over the last few weeks, so on with the show.


News

• A left handed store, Lefty's, has opened in Downtown Disney. The stand opened in the Marketplace section.
• The Backlot Tour, Studios Catering Co. and Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set at DHS is going to be closed for refurb Feb. 15- March 28th.
• A new quick service pizza restaurant is apparently being built in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot. No word on exactly when it will be opening.
• The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney will be closed from January 18 - March 5th.
• This year's Star Wars Weekends dates will be as follows: May 21 - 23 May 28 - 30 June 4 - 6 June 11 - 13
• The Animal Kingdom Picnic in the Park lunch program has now been placed on Seasonal Status.
• The Prince Caspian meet at DHS is now no more. The attraction, however, is still open.
• The Refreshment Port at Epcot's World Showcase is now offering Latin style food, serving up a variety of empenadas.
• The Cantina de San Angel has officially been boarded off and is ready for demolition and rebuilding (as I reported earlier in the year.)
• The Adventureland restrooms, located in the walkway between Adventureland and Frontierland (currently known as the gross bathrooms) is currently closed for refurbishment.
• The Sunshine Tree Terrace will be closed for refurbishment from Jan. 17th - Feb. 12th.
• Shrunken Ned's Boats are closed for refurbishment through Jan. 25th.
• Some new restaurants have been added to the list of those which are applicable for the Tables in Wonderland Discount. They include: Tokyo Dining, Kouzzina, ESPN Sports Cafe, Fultons Crab House, Portobello, House of Blues, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Il Mulino New York, Garden Grove, Kimonos, Shulas Steak House, and Todd English bluezoo.
• The Best Friends Luxury Pet Resort has finally broken ground across the street from Port Orleans Riverside. The "Resort" will provide park and resort guests a full range of pet hospitality services.
• The resorts are now offering in room character voicemails for people who have indicated that they are celebrating something.
• Stanley Company is now a sponsor for the Walt Disney World Resort, with their name now located on refurbishment signs and tools will be able to be found at Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show and Test Track.
• A new Muppets pre-parade has appeared, honoring those who Volunteer!
• Disney is once again doing their Armed Forces Salute. Tickets must be purchased by July 31st and used by Sept. 30th with some black out dates. For more information, please visit here.
• Disney has also released a 4 day Florida Resident Pass. For $99 plus tax, you'll get 4 one day park tickets. (Park Hopper and Water Park Fun and More options can be added for $26 additional each.) Some black out dates occur and for more info, you can visit here.
• WDW AP holders can now take a free ride on the Richard Petty Driving Experience course. From now until March 30th, guests can ride shot gun on the course. Guests must be at least 14 years old, with those from 14 to 18 needing to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
  

Rumors

• There may be another major rehab to Small World in the near future.
• Epcot's minimal Christmas decor has apparently been heard loud and clear. Look for more decorations starting next year with a new light display or show coming in the next few years.
• A possible Valentine's Day Party may be coming to the Magic Kingdom or DHS.
• During the Fantasyland refurb, I'm hearing that the facade for The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh attraction will change, from the current storybook facade it has now, to one that's more like a forest.
• I'm hearing that Splash may not be receiving lap bars this year. Instead, it appears the refurb is replacing all the lifts in the attraction. Expect lap bars possibly next year.
• The Jungle Cruise is still not getting a refurb. The money has been spent on the Fantasyland expansion. We may now see a Jungle Cruise refurb in 2012.
• I'm hearing rumblings about the Monsters Inc. Coaster at DHS is being considered seriously, yet again.