News and Rumors 6/13/11 - 7/3/11

Well, I'm back after an amazing trip!  :)  It appears that I've missed out on a lot, so let's get cracking.




News


Magic Kingdom

• The Firehouse Gift Station will close on July 10th to be re-purposed.
• Flynn Rider will no longer be doing meet and greets on a daily basis.  Guests who do want to meet Flynn will apparently be able to do so at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. 
• The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse will be closed for refurb Sept. 8th - Nov. 18th. 

Epcot

• During the Food and Wine Festival, the Odyssey Lounge will be open serving specialty cocktails and wines.  In addition, the area will provide games, internet access, and mobile charging stations.
• Disney has announced the narrator line up for the Candlelight Processional:    • Mira Sorvino (“Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion”) Nov. 25-27
  • Michael W. Smith (Christian singer) Nov. 28-Dec. 1
  • Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”) Dec. 2-3
  • TBD Dec. 4-6
  • Isabella Rossellini (“Alias”) Dec. 7-9
  • Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”) Dec. 10-12
  • TBD Dec. 13-14
  • TBD Dec. 16-18
  • Trace Adkins (country singer) Dec. 19-21
  • Susan Lucci (“All My Children”) Dec. 22-24
  • Blair Underwood (“The Event”) Dec. 25-27
  • Marlee Matlin (“Celebrity Apprentice”) Dec. 28-30
   

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Fantasmic will be shown nightly throughout the summer.
• Lightening McQueen will be added to Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show later this summer now.  Lightening and Mater are currently doing meet and greets in their standard location with a new Cars 2 backdrop.
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights dates will be Nov. 10th - Jan. 3rd. 

General WDW News

• A new test for concierge guests is being tried out.  Called the Concierge Club Connection, it gives guests personalized assistance during their vacation via phone, email and text.  Access to dining reservations, and park information will all be available from 7am to 10pm, with messaging service outside these hours.  This is only available at the Grand Floridian and it's by pre-selection only.  This test is expected to continue through the end of July.  
• The relocated Harley Davidson store is now open.
• Apricot Lane has been confirmed to open at the location of the former Harley Davidson store.  The store is expected to open later this summer.  The store is expected to sell branded fashion apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories and gifts.
• The Four Seasons Hotel's opening has been pushed back to 2014. 
• Hoop Dee Doo Review will be trying out new show times starting Nov. 13th - Feb. 11th.  The new times will be adjusted to 4 pm, 6:15 pm, and 8:30 pm, 

Rumors

• It appears that the Little Einsteins may be phased out.  It seems that for sure they will no longer being doing meet and greets at DHS starting in August.  It also appears that they may be removed from the Play and Dine experience at Hollywood and Vine sometime later this year.
  Also hearing a brand new meet and greet location might be built for Darth Vader. 
• Attractions that are rumored to be open during the Wine and Dine Half Marathon After Party include Soarin, Test Track, and Mission Space.  
• Ohana may be trying a new seating procedure starting in August. Group seatings will be done with four seating done per night.