News & Rumors 8/2/10 - 8/8/10

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

News

• Via Napoli is officially open! The restaurant will be open for walk ins up until Sept. 10th. Reservations can now be made for dates from Sept. 10th and beyond.
• The Tomorrowland Noodle Station will be open on select Sunday evenings during free dining for Table Service meals from 5:30 pm to 9 pm. The dates are Aug. 22 and 29 as well as Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Adult meals: $37.28, Child meals: $19.17 (includes tax). The buffet will include:
  Salad
  Tropical Fruit and Cous Cous Salad
  Pasta Primavera Salad
  Tomato, Cucumber and Buffalo Mozzarella Salad
  Fall Harvest Garden Gourmet Greens
  with Seasonal Vegetables and Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette
  
  Entrée
  Carved to order Chimichurri Beef Strip Loin
  with Grilled Onions and Mushrooms
  Rotisserie Chicken and Pasta
  Whole Wheat Penne Pasta
  tossed with Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce and Baked Meatballs
  
  Dessert
  Assorted Mini Pastries, Cakes, and Fruit Salad
  
  Side
  Vegetable Fried Rice
  Sauteed Seasonal Vegetables
  Butter Herbed Bread Sticks and Foccaccia Bread
  Assorted Baked Multigrain Rolls and Butter
• Dinosaur will be operating under diminished capacity until the end of Oct. Work is being done on the load/unload area.
  
• Ticket prices have increased. See my Wed. post for more information.
• The Tomorrowland Transit Authority has a blast from the past. The name is now called the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover.
  
• Disney may be considering Princess and Haunted Mansion themed rooms, at least according to survey info posted on WDWMagic. For more info and to see concept art, visit WDWMagic.
  
• It appears the rumors were true. LeCellier is expected to become a 2 Table Service Credit meal on the Disney Dining Plan starting in March. This change is only expected to take place at dinner. Lunch will remain one credit. (For now).
  
• Speaking of dining, The Disney Food Blog has all the PDF files for 2011's Disney Dining Plans. (Thankfully the rumor that the dessert would be removed from the Dining Plan was false.)
• Some Candlelight Processional info is out. First a partial list of narrators, which of course, is subject to change:

1. Isabella Rossellini – 11/26 – 28
2. TBD – 11/29 – 12/1
3. TBD – 12/2 – 4
4. TBD – 12/5 – 6
5. Jodi Benson – 12/7 – 9
6. Whoopi Goldberg – 12/10 – 11
7. Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/12 – 15
8. Thomas Gibson – 12/16 – 18
9. Trace Adkins – 2/19 – 21
10. Brad Garrett – 12/22 – 23
11. TBD – 12/24 – 27
12. Marlee Matlin / Jack Jason – 12/28 – 30

• Also, Candlelight Processional dinner packages go on sale Aug. 26th. The packages includes one meal at select table service restaurants and one a priority admission to the American Gardens Theater. (Note, you will still need to stand in line. Seats are not reserved. Once priority seated guests are seated, general public will be admitted into the theater.)
• For those running in the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, here is a look at the course.

• Also for those running the 5K during Wine and Dine Weekend, here's what your course map will look like:
  

• The Launching Pad in Tomorrowland has new gourmet hot dogs and now we know what they are! The offerings are a Ruben hot dog, and Philly Cheesesteak hot dog, and a Taco hot dog.
• Beginning Sept. 19th a change will be made over at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boitique. Boys will no longer be able to get the "Cool Dudes" Package. Instead they will be able to have the "Knight" Package with a hair makeover and a sword and shield. Guests already booked with the "Cool Dudes" package will have the option of upgrading to the "Knight" Package or stick with the "Cool Dudes" package if they have already booked and their appointment is after Sept. 19th.
• Disney's Grad Nights are expected to take place April 29th and 30th and May 6th and 7th, 2011. Grad Nights will return to the MK once again.
• Passholders who want to see the new Tinker Bell movie can preview it on Sept. 11th and 12th at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests must register on the AP Page to get to experience the special viewing.
• A new position will be introduced as part of the Monorail system. This person will receive a higher pay scale and will who will be responsible for overseeing traffic along the system.

Rumors

• Yet again, the rumor alarm is going off about the on again/off again Monster's Inc. Roller Coaster that is slated to be built at DHS. Rumor is it's on again, but not expected to open until 2014.
  
• Also have heard that a new Yeti is being built, but it will not have the same types of movements the old broken one had. It isn't expected to be put into place until 2011. No word on if this new Yeti would be permanent or a replacement while the old one is being fixed.
• Buzz and Woody's meet and greet times will be extended from open to close at DHS while Midway Mania is closed (8/16-8/28).
• Agent Oso is expected to join the Hollywood and Vine Character Meal starting Oct. 3rd, replacing JoJo.