Disney News Round Up - September 26, 2022
A lot has happened in the world of Disney this week! We’ve gathered up some highlights from the amazing teams at Disney Parks Blog and WDW News Today - two amazing resources to keep you up to date on all things Disney!
Photos: Disney Parks Blog, WDW News Today
October 1 marks the 40th anniversary of Epcot! Since its opening in 1982 the park has given guests the chance to explore the future, experience cultures from around the world and learn more about our planet! So to celebrate there will be special food and drink offerings on select days surrounding the anniversary!
Guests on the hunt for a sweet treat will love the Celebration Funnel Cake; Epcot 40th Liege Waffle at Connections Cafe; Figment Sponge Cake at Sunshine Seasons; or the Anniversary Flan at La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn!
Guests can also enjoy the Dan Dan Noodles at Nine Dragons Restaurant or Epcot 40th Kaisen Chirashi Don: Celebration Sushi Bowl at Tokyo Dining! And don’t forget the festive drinks! Try the 40th Fiesta Margarita at Choza de Margarita or the Epcot 40th Saketini (A drink that was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened!)
As part of the ongoing refurbishments at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Dundry’s Sundries will be closing on October 3 to make way for a new coffee shop! There will still be a merchandise shop available at the resort, Screen Door General Store, which should still have the same items available for guests.
https://wdwnt.com/2022/09/dundys-sundries-at-disneys-boardwalk-inn-to-close-permanently-october-3rd/
It appears that the Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar in Disney Springs has removed alcoholic beverages from their menu, at least temporarily. A cast member was reported as saying “Coke just decided not to renew the liquor license” however no official statement appears to have been released. The menu on Walt Disney World’s website still lists cocktails so it’s unclear if this is a permanent change or just a temporary lapse in offerings.
https://wdwnt.com/2022/09/coca-cola-store-rooftop-bar-not-serving-alcohol/
Over in Hong Kong Disneyland Elsa’s Ice Castle is starting to come together on the North Mountain! Arendelle: The World of Frozen is expected to open in the second half of 2023 at Hong Kong Disneyland and will offer guests a chance to step into the beloved films Frozen and Frozen 2!
Carol Stein, a long time cast member affectionately known as “The Piano Lady” will be retiring in November of this year. She announced her retirement on her Facebook page and let guests know she will be returning to Epcot for her final performances in the American Adventure Rotunda and the Rose and Crown Pub. She wrote a heartfelt message to the cast members and guests of Walt Disney World before signing off saying “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My heart is filled with pixie-dust and joyous tears.”
Refurbishments at both Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will begin this week and should be completed in November. Guests staying at these resorts during this time can expect to see and hear some refurbishment noise but it shouldn’t be too disturbing to their stay.
https://wdwnt.com/2022/09/refurbishment-wilderness-lodge-contemporary-resort/
Die hard fans of Disneyland history will notice a change on Main Street USA! In the window of Walt’s apartment above the fire station there is a lamp that stays on as a reminder of Walt’s constant presence in the park. This lamp has been changed to a style that closer resembles the original lamp that Walt and Lillian kept in the apartment. As the previous lamp was not the original Walt and Lillian had, this new one is no less significant and perhaps adds a touch more authenticity to the original decor of their Disneyland accommodations.
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