News and Rumors 8/9/10 - 8/15/10

News and Rumors are gathered from various different websites. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken as such.

News

• It had been said that Hollywood and Vine would be closed for refurbishment from Jan - March, but this is not true. There will work being done in the backstage area, but this will not effect the restaurant and it will remain open, contrary to what some Disney Cast Members were originally mentioning on the phones when people tried to reserve the restaurant.
• Flame Tree BBQ's refurb over at Disney's Animal Kingdom is expected to take until Sept. 25th now.
• Dates have been released for Disney’s seasonal Holiday D-Lights Tour which will be Nov. 29 and 30 and Dec. 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15.
  
• According to engadget.com, Disney is looking at using the Verizon phone, Droid Eris as a potential GPS and much more guide for the parks.
• If you were looking to use the payment plan for your WDW Annual Pass, you can now do so online. As a reminder, passes can only be purchased by Florida Residents.
• A new Build Your Own Lightsaber area will be coming to the Magic Kingdom. It's new home will be in Star Traders.
• The rumors were apparently true. There is some tweaking that is being done to the Fantasyland expansion. No word on what kinds of tweaks that are being made just yet.
• The American Heritage Gallery in the lobby area of the American Adventure is closed for an update. Expect it to reopen in Sept.
  
• Karamelle-Kuche, the new caramel shop that is being worked on in Germany will open up for business Sept. 22nd.
• The Diamond Horseshoe will be open during the Free Dining promotion period. A turkey style dinner will be served from now until Aug. 28th and Sept. 19th - Oct. 2nd. Hours of operation will be from 5 pm - 9 pm.
  
• El Pirata Y el Perico will be open as well during Free Dining for lunch from now until Sept. 4th.
• Some details have been deduced by WDWMagic about the savanna trekking experience that will be introduced at DAK. It is expected to be a 3 hour adventure with 2 guides and group sizes of around 10 or so. It will begin in Harambe with safety instructions and equipment distribution. This is expected to be a more strenuous adventure, so waivers may need to be signed. The trek will involve a lot of exploration on unmarked paths with viewing areas, rope bridges, and a possible zipline, however, it is unlikely that guests will have experience with the actual animals. The opening is planned for December of this year.
• This week, Disney released a nice video of some of the new destinations that may be visited as part of the new Star Tours attraction.
• Club 626, the dance party that took place in Tomorrowland at the recently built stage will last until Aug. 28th.

Rumors

• Vidia from the new Tinkerbell Movie will make her Pixie Hollow debut at Magic Kingdom on August 27
• Epcot may be seeing the next country coming sooner rather than later. Rumors are swirling that it may be Spain, but I've heard that may not necessarily be the case.
  
• The big rumors this week are of the discounts that may possibly be released. There may be as many as 3 discounts that come out. One is a free dining discount that will last until Sept. 2011. Another is a discount where if you stay 5 or 6 nights, you'll get some sort of Disney gift card. Third is a room only discount with 20 or 25% off value resorts (and possibly AKL or WL), 30% off moderates (and maybe a deluxe), and 40% off the remaining deluxes. There will of course, be some black out dates. Be on the lookout tomorrow for the deals.
• Tom Skaggs and Bob Iger may have possibly been looking at Discovery Island recently.