News and Views around Walt Disney World-third week of May, 2014

I have my eye out for the Stormtrooper Stein! The Guide says “with fountain beverage. Sold at most quick service restaurants.” I was able to find one at Peevy’s, but nowhere else.  You can purchase a non-alcoholic icee drink that comes in a plastic cup that fits inside the Stormtrooper Stein $9.99, sales tax not included. The icees come in these flavors: Coca-Cola, Blue Raspberry, Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade, Wild Cherry or Strawberry.  I have to say that this frozen drink was much better than the last time I tried Peevy’s. It was flavorful, did not separate, and was enjoyable to the very end.

I just saw someone with a Darth Vader Popcorn Bucket and I know I have to get one of those! These are easier to find than the mugs.  It comes with caramel corn, $14.00 or regular popcorn $12.50, tax not included. This is great!!  If you want to try one of the special Star Wars Weekends cupcakes we better head over to Starring Rolls Bakery next to the Brown Derby.  They are sure to have them but they close at 3PM so go early. (They are also sold in Darth’s Mall)  Both cupcakes are here! The Darth Vader Cupcake is a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake $5.19. There is a chocolate 3D chocolate head of Darth Vader on top of a thick peanut butter icing covered with chocolate jimmies and a chocolate curl. He even has a little red light saber! The Yoda cupcake is Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Hazelnut Buttercream, $5.19. A pale green Yoda head in a chocolate sculpture sits upon a thick chocolate hazelnut buttercream and has a little green light saber of his own. You cannot go wrong with either of these cupcakes, they are delicious!

Now with belly’s full of frozen concoctions and cupcakes, let’s go check out Darth’s Mall.  There is a line out the door and one that winds around inside before entering the actual marketplace.  Along the way we are treated to photo props and tantalizing displays of some of what we will have the chance to purchase inside. There are collector pins, key chains, lanyard sets, figurines, racers, and, this is awesome, Lightsaber Umbrellas! Here is Obi Wan Kenobi’s, Darth Vader’s, and Anakin Skywalker’s. I can’t decide. There is a figurine of Chip and Dale as Ewoks that comes with a collector pin that is totally adorable, $95.00. How about Pluto Atat Medium Figurine with collector pin, also $95.00? Stitch is not left out; he is Sith Emporor, with a pin, also $95.00. Ok, we’re in! This place is big! There is a café for food and drinks, huge area of merchandise, photo ops, meet and greet areas, efficient check out system, and guess who is lurking on a balcony? Yep, Darth himself.  There is merchandise in here you won’t find anywhere else in the park. There is too much to list it all.  A big favorite in here is the apparel like the Ewoks or Boba Fett sleeveless hoodies, about $40. There are two dress styles also for about $50. There are a lot of t- shirts, two costumes for Duffy, hats, loads of Disney Star Wars Racer cars, a wall full of Star Wars Lego’s, Lunch sacks, Backpacks, gift cards, totes, even a special autograph book, all the items we saw in cases while waiting in line to get in. Ask to see the collectibles for Annual Passholders.  Now don’t forget to visit all of the Star Wars characters, and take in some of the great shows at the Premier Theater.  Figure out which things are the most important, and stay on target! Ok, that is my nerd report. For this week. I can’t wait to go back again next weekend!

We have been hearing a lot of guessing about soft openings for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but it has not happened.  There have been Magic Kingdom Cast Members riding, by invitation only, as they are in the testing/training phase for the CM’s for the ride.  They are working on the timing of the brakes, loading and unloading, running consecutive trains, all with bodies on them.  They have to stop often, do many repeated functions, practice evacuations, etc. all the things that have to function seamlessly before guests are riding.  There has been no scheduling of “soft openings” and the CM’s from the other parks have not been invited yet as they usually are.  Following CM’s has traditionally been an invitation to Annual Passholders, but we are only about a week away from opening, so it looks unlikely that AP’s will have a special invite.  There were many bags of mulch being spread the last couple of days and not very many trains running.  There were some recalculations being made perhaps as parts of the track were being re-measured. There is so much that comes down to timing on a ride like this.  There is the ride itself, the music, the audio-animatronics, the factors of people loading or unloading efficiently, etc.  and that is just with people who know how to get on and off a ride or deal with any situation that comes up.  They are making sure the ride is safe and presents the story of the ride without problems or inconsistencies.  The ride is now scheduled to open on May 28 and that is when I hope to ride.  Is anyone coming for the opening?

Downtown Disney is showing good progression on the parking garages and I am very happy to see that! There is another building going up behind Cirque de Solei, that does not have anything identifying what it is. It is a large two story concrete building with a 1 story side addition on it. Perhaps it is something for the Cast as Disney Springs will be adding thousands of cast members to operate it. Walking up past Cirque I see additional trailers and construction walls.  On the outside of Disney Quest I can see the new Wetzel’s Pretzels and Haagen-Dazs locations have been completed and they are open for business! This is exciting for me to have more quick service options in this end of Downtown Disney.  I plan to visit these locations often.  Walking down toward the old Pleasure Island we pass the new Starbuck’s location under construction that is getting a lot more attention today.  The Food Truck Park is located in this area too and it says it will open this summer.  There is a highliner structure that has begun that will add an elevated dining area, much needed shade below it and a great viewpoint.  When all of this is done it is going to be great.

We cannot walk through the old Pleasure Island area, it is walled off. When we get to the other end you can see scaffolding around all the existing buildings.  We then run up on more construction walls where two of the Disney Springs restaurants are being built here. There is a sign outside of Raglan Road announcing that they were voted Best Restaurant 2014 MWAH Orlando.  Congratulations! In front of Portobello there are two back hoes and we can’t see what they are up to behind those construction walls. On the other side of Fulton’s we can see clearly the causeway is progressing. The concrete circle, which is clearly seen in the concept art at the midway point, is complete. Now comes the connecting of the ends to the center.  It is going to be a great addition. I am hungry, let’s go to Earl’s.  There are four new items for a limited time, they are calling them the “Four Amigos”: Fajita Chicken Sandwich $6.49; Chicken Tortilla Soup, sm $3.49, Reg. $4.49; Cabo Chicken Citrus Salad $.49; Dulce de Leche Brownie $2.49.  I saw some other menu additions; at Planet Hollywood they are now serving Korean BBQ Short Ribs, Chargrilled Chili-Ginger Corn, and Lobster Tempura Eggrolls.  There is now a fully operating Starbucks at World of Disney, here in Downtown Disney Marketplace.  We are awaiting the opening of the Co Op Marketplace, which now has a sign but does not give an opening date or season.

Animal Kingdom has been busy preparing to offer their nighttime attractions. The Saturday night hard ticket event Harambe Nights has been selling out of the premier seating and it does look like an exceptional event.  There will be African and Indian food and beverages served, the celebrity narrated special edition of the Lion King in the brand new Lion King Theater and then a dance party in the streets of Harambe; it sounds like a great evening.  It begins on June 7 and goes through August 9.  Premium seats are sold out for all nights. Regular tickets are $119.00 For adults, $79.00 for children, tax not included. The event begins at 7PM and advance reservations are strongly encouraged.

The big “Rock Your Disney Side” 24-hour event is just day or two away and it looks exciting! The entertainment includes the Celebrate it parade with regular cast, the second one will be with the Disney Villains which should be priceless.  A special Villains pre-parade will take place prior to the Electrical Light Parade.  Costumes, 24 hours to play, so many attractions and restaurants open, rare Disney Villains appearances, Magic Kingdom where there is more space for people to move in, special entertainment, food, meet and greets, ah, what is it missing? You! Are you coming?

Thanks for coming along with me this week.  I hope you enjoy the photos and the report about what is happening around here.  Disney is growing and getting even better.