November 2016 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites
Feature Article
This article appeared in the October 25, 2016 Issue #892 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)
Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.
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STEP BACK IN TIME
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We rummage around in our archives for this monthly featurette, which indulges in a bit of nostalgia, taking you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company through the ages. This month, we flashback 16 years to take a look at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, which opened on November 15, 2000.
When the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge opened, much was made of the new Disney Vacation Club resort's "railroad-oriented" theme, which capitalized on Walt Disney's love of trains. It housed 181 units and was situated in a five-story building adjacent to the original lodge.
The architecture of the Villas was designed to actually predate the Wilderness Lodge and is reminiscent of late 19th-century hotels built by railroad workers in the Old West.
The "back story" of the new Villas was documented in a Disney press release at the time: "Adjacent to Disney's Wilderness Lodge a team of railroad workers discovers a spectacular property — complete with lakes, trees and majestic mountains rising in the distance (Splash Mountain and Space Mountain, that is!). These intrepid explorers decide this is the spot — the perfect spot to set up camp as they build the transcontinental railway. They build themselves a new homestead and when it's time to move on, they leave it behind to be 're-discovered' by Disney Vacation Club… and so the story goes!"
A focal point was The Iron Spike Room, located next to the lobby, which contained a collection of railroad memorabilia and artwork. In a special case, there were two of Walt Disney's original Carolwood Pacific Railroad cars (a gondola and a cattle car), as well as a piece of the original train track. The Iron Spike Room, specially designed by a team of Walt Disney Imagineers, had a fireplace, photos of Walt with his backyard railroad train, game tables and a seating area. The room still exists today, but is now called the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room.
Other facilities that opened along with the Villas included a quiet pool called Hidden Springs, a hot tub and the Sturdy Branches Health Club. Sturdy Branches, adjacent to the Villa's atrium, featured stacked and free weights, cardiovascular equipment, massage and sauna.
Today, the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, and the Wilderness Lodge itself, are undergoing a significant transformation and expansion. In fact, on May 24, 2016, Disney Vacation Club announced a new name for the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. The Resort's new name — Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge — gives that rustic community a more distinctive identity and allows Walt Disney Imagineers to bring the community's story to life in new ways, including through the re-imagined (and soon to be renamed) Hidden Springs Pool area.
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RELATED LINKS
Boulder Ridge Villas Fact Sheet
VIDEO: Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room
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HIDDEN MICKEYS ALERT
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Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys books and webmaster of HiddenMickeyGuy.com, enjoys searching for Hidden Mickeys at the Disney Resorts, as Hidden Images at the Resorts tend to stay in place for a long while!
1. Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. On the third painting from the left behind the registration counter, an upside-down classic Mickey is on a man's crown. (Thanks to Tina Brannen.)
2. Contemporary Resort. Unless you glance up high, you might overlook these subtle images: large white classic Mickeys frosted into glass partitions that support the curved roof covering the vehicle drive-through entrance area to the hotel. (Thanks to Alan Brainard, and Jason Gall.)
3. Near Old Key West Resort. Classic Mickey holes are in the railing around the white Disney Vacation Club tower that stands at the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Bonnet Creek Parkway. (Thanks to Nicholas Elardo, and Sharon Dale.)
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You can find an archive of past Hidden Mickey Alerts HERE.
And check out our latest Searching Disney with Steve blog.
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MONTHLY REMIND-EARS
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NOVEMBER EVENTS
Through November 14: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival — Top celebrity chefs, brand new Disney resort cooking and dining experiences and Eat to the Beat concerts highlight the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase. The annual Disney celebration of global flavors features more than 30 marketplaces and special dining events.
Beginning November 7: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. during select nights, will bring Christmas joy to guests of all ages with festive decorations, towering Christmas trees, and wintry wonderful entertainment. The 2016 dates are: November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27 and 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 22.
Beginning November 14: The new Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! holiday spectacular will be performed at Disney's Hollywood Studios through December 31. The facade of the Chinese Theater will be the focal point for the show, which will feature state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks and even snow, on, above and around the theater. The show's storyline follows a search-and-rescue mission for Santa Claus led by Wayne and Lanny from Disney's "Prep and Landing" holiday special, while holiday moments from Disney films will be included. A pre-show dessert party in the theater courtyard, with holiday-inspired snacks, desserts and specialty beverages, is also available. Cost is $69 for adults and $39 for children, including tax and gratuity. Book by calling (407) WDW-DINE or online.
Beginning November 24: Princess Elena of Avalor — the first Disney princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures — will begin to greet guests alongside Cinderella at Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom.
Beginning November 25: Candlelight Processional at Epcot, through December 30. A Disney tradition now in its 46th year, the Candlelight Processional is a moving presentation of the Christmas story in readings by a celebrity narrator and music by a choir and 50-piece orchestra.
November 3-6: Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend — The two-park event features the inaugural Wine & Dine 10K and Luminere's Two-Course Challenge plus Mickey's Holiday 5K and runDisney Kids Races. Participants can expect on-course Disney entertainment. To top off the evening of the half marathon, runners are invited to the exclusive Post Race Party at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.
November 19-20: D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures, exclusively for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, celebrates landmarks of the past, present, and future, from the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean to the planet of Pandora.
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Check our Events page for a full schedule of upcoming events.
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Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur and the Dino Institute in Dinoland USA are closed for refurbishment through November 19, 2016.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Pizza Planet is closed for refurbishment until Fall 2016, when it will reopen as PizzeRizzo, themed after the Muppets character Rizzo the Rat. The casual Italian-American dining experience will feature pizza and other Italian specialties, with updated indoor and outdoor seating areas, a banquet room, and a special booth designated just for Rizzo's celebrity friends.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is closed for refurbishment through November 9, 2016.
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment through November 19, 2016.
Haunted Mansion will close for a brief refurbishment November 28 – December 1, 2016.
All Star Sports Resort
Grand Slam Pool is closed for refurbishment through December 2, 2016.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Kidani Village villas are undergoing a "soft goods" refurbishment (replacing bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery) through January 2017.
BoardWalk Inn and Villas
BoardWalk Villas rooms are currently undergoing renovations.
Coronado Springs
The resort rooms will begin a "hard goods refurbishment" in November that will extend sometime into 2017.
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill is closed for refurbishment through December 14, 2016.
Pop Century
Resort rooms will undergo a "hard goods" refurbishment starting October 16; the refurbishment will run through 2017.
The Computer Pool will close for refurbishment October 31. It is set to reopen January 3, 2017.
Port Orleans French Quarter
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter closed for refurbishment on July 11. The space adjacent to the resort lobby is now serving some food items throughout the day. You'll find the temporary menus for Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory while it's undergoing refurbishment HERE. There is also a selection of grab 'n' go meals available for purchase. For guests wishing for more selection, bus transportation is provided from 7 a.m. to midnight to Port Orleans Riverside. In addition, the resort continues to offer its in-room pizza delivery service from 4 p.m. to midnight daily. The menu includes pizza, hot and cold sandwiches and pasta. The quick service food court will reopen sometime in the fall, but no specific date has been announced.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is currently undergoing the largest renovation in its 25-year history. The Swan rooms have been completed; the first phase of the Dolphin room renovations is underway, with the entire project currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.
Wilderness Lodge and Boulder Ridge Villas
General resort refurbishments and construction work in multiple areas will continue until 2017. Some pathways and the nature trail will be unavailable at certain times.
Hidden Springs leisure pool, resort beach, playground and recreation fire pit are unavailable.
Cub's Den Children's Activity Center is closed now through 2017.
The Yacht and Beach Club Convention Center is undergoing expansion and renovation now through February 1, 2018.
Blizzard Beach water park is closed for its annual refurbishment through December 24, 2016.
Disney Springs
Fulton's Crab House is closed for refurbishment. It is due to reopen in Fall 2016 with a new concept and name, Paddlefish.
Planet Hollywood is also closed for refurbishment. The restaurant is being transformed into a four-story stargazing observatory to match the design aesthetic of Disney Springs. The interior will feature spherical, planet-shaped lighting fixtures and will create a welcoming atmosphere for fans to celebrate a new generation of superstar entertainers, while retaining the old movie memorabilia. There will be a new outdoor terrace and an outdoor bar space called Stargazers that will feature live entertainment. The main dining room will include a DJ. Planet Hollywood's renovations will be completed in 2016.
Read HERE for more on Disney Springs.
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A complete list of known rehabs can be found HERE.
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MAGICAL MOMENTS
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Each month, we like to share a few heart-warming Magical Moments brought to us by the amazing Disney cast members!
Rachel B.: I spent the week in Walt Disney World with my boyfriend and his family this August. Throughout the course of the week, every time we went to the Magic Kingdom, which probably totaled 4+ times, I wore my Winnie the Pooh ears in hopes of meeting Winnie the Pooh. My boyfriend and I waited in line at his character spot three different times but had to leave before we could get to the front of the line due to dinner plans or FastPasses or a weather cancellation. Finally on our last day at the park, we made it to the front of the line and were talking to the cast member organizing the meetings with Pooh. He saw my Winnie the Pooh ears and organized a super special meeting. We took lots of pictures and shared lots of hugs and kisses before it was time for Pooh and Tigger to go back to their cast members only area for a break from the heat. While I thought we would be sent on our way, Winnie the Pooh actually grabbed my hand and led me out of the character meeting spot with him and Tigger and we all skipped down the road together holding hands. After a week of trying to meet my favorite character in Disney World, Disney went above and beyond my expectations for the most magical memory of the whole week that was well worth the wait!
Laurie M.: We were at Epcot for our final night and had a FastPass for Soarin' right before park close. My oldest daughter and I were trying to get there quickly so we could maybe ride twice, once in line as it was short and once with FP. My youngest daughter and husband were trailing behind, so we were bummed when we got to ride with 10 minutes to close. When we got close to ride entrance we requested front row as we like that best. The cast member was accommodating, but only had room for three, so my husband volunteered to take second row. After riding, the same cast member, I believe his name was Matt, offered to let us all ride again as he felt bad we couldn't ride together in same row the first time! Then he let us go one more time as there was still one final ride of night. We couldn't believe his niceness, it was such a great way to end our vacation!
Cliff J.: On our first trip to Disney with our twin daughters, we were not the Disney pros we consider ourselves now. Not being of the professional ranks, we did not plan dinner well on the Hollywood Studios night. We waited until after Fantasmic and did not have reservations at 50s Prime Time Cafe. We walked in and you could tell they were getting ready to close. The park was already closing and the restaurant was close to empty. My twin girls, age 4 at the time, were a dangerous combination of tired and hungry. It must have been obvious to the wait staff. They ushered us in and sat us down at a booth. My daughter Lilly was in tears. She was so tired, hungry and agitated. Lucie was handling it better, but again, the waitress could sense the distress in Lilly. She took our order and came back to the table with a gift card that she had sprinkled glitter onto and taped the glitter to the card. She told Lilly that Tinker Bell stopped by the kitchen to drop off that gift for her and hoped she would have a good dinner. She said she couldn't stay because she was needed at the castle, but wanted to leave a small gift for our girls. That turned Lilly right around! We were all tired, but the magic of that moment will forever be remembered!
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We just bet you have a story to tell about an unforgettable moment during your Disney vacation! Please send your favorite memory for inclusion in a future AllEars® to: allearsnet@yahoo.com Thank you all for sharing!
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Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.
