Mouse Extra

Earlier this month we reported on a new waterfront dining spot at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase.  Now, it seems that is not the only exciting new, and hopefully somewhat affordable, restaurant coming to Epcot.

The official Disney Parks Blog reported yesterday that we can expect the Italy pavilion to add a new “authentic pizzeria” to the list of dining options for guests. 

The new 300-seat restaurant will have traditional Florentine architecture, vaulted-ceilings and outside dining. And the food will be authentic — Italian dishes (complimenting the offerings at Tutto Italia ) and pizza from wood-burning ovens.

The pizzeria will be the newest flagship restaurant in the Patina Restaurant Group’s portfolio. And one of the special touches at the Epcot location will be the water. It’ll be imported from a source where the composition most resembles water used in Naples, Italy, to make the authentic Italian dough.

The pizzeria is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010, as apparently construction has already begun.  If anyone has any info about where exactly in the pavilion this is going to be located, please post it in the comments sections.

Along with the aforementioned addition to Mexico, this looks like it has some serious potential.  For one thing, finally being able to get a decent slice of pizza at Walt Disney World would be a welcome change.  But really, whether this is truly a big deal all comes down to how expensive it is going to be.  If these two new restaurants represent something somewhat more affordable then the average Epcot table-service offering, then they may really be on to something here.

Many people look for ways to experience some of that “Disney Magic” at home. One of the more popular ways to do that is the Disney on Ice shows that are constantly touring the country. I know, for example, one show Lets Celebrate came through my area in November and just this past weekend another show, 100 Years of Magic, was here. I was able to take my two kids to Disney on Ice for the first time.

 And I would have to say, it was OK. First of all, I am not a figure skating fan. I find it very dull. So, I would take this over professional figure skating any day of the week. However, there was portions of the show that were that kind of boring to me. Some parts were way too long, like the drawn out princess ice dancing stuff. Other parts, like the Incredibles scene, were just down right dumb.

Basically, Mickey and the gang come out and introduce abbreviated 10 minute versions of a few Disney movies to short snippets of songs from those movies. They had sequences on Nemo, Alladin, Beauty & the Beast, Toy Story, the Lion King the Incredibles, and Pinnochio. The best of these was probably Mulan. It had the right tempo to it. The Pinnochio scene was well done, as well. I particularly liked the Monstro.

My vote for the best scene in the entire show was the Its a Small World scene where Jiminy Crickett comes out to transport Mickey & the Gang to Disneyland. The skaters were dressed as various dolls from around the country. This was followed by a SpectroMagic parade with lit up vechiles and Mickey floating over them in a balloon. I suppose the good outweighed the bad, and you’re child will likely love the show. Just be prepared from some boredom.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

It seems that every time I go on vacation to Walt Disney World, especially during my longer trips, I find something else that blows my mind, something new that I happily place on my “you must go back here” list.  This year, that place was Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I had been to the main Jambo House portion of the lodge a few times in the past, but never stayed there.  During those visits, we went there just to eat at Boma, and maybe added in a few extra minutes to wonder around the place.  But we never stopped really to appreciate it.  However, earlier this month as fate would have it, thanks to not being able to book our first choice of the Disney Vacation Club resorts for our stay, we finished our vacation with three nights in a Savanna view room at Kidani Village, and I didn’t want to leave.

Things couldn’t have worked out better for me.  Our entire vacation was spent during a historic cold-snap in Florida that made touring the parks difficult, and spending anytime at a pool was out of the question.  Daytime highs rarely eclipsed 50 degrees during our stay, so by the end of a week I was pretty much frozen solid and ready to relax indoors.  Plus the marathons that weekend made getting to the parks in the morning an impossibility, so we were stuck in the hotel.  But thankfully Kidani Village, and the entire Animal Kingdom Lodge complex, supplied the perfect setting for just such a lazy weekend.

Of all the hotels I have stayed in on Disney property, none possesses that “magic” we all love as much as the Animal Kingdom lodge.  It is a totally immersive experience from the minute you walk through the lobby doors.  The Jambo House is gigantic, and very, very impressive.  But I actually enjoyed Kidani Village a bit more.  It has a more intimate atmosphere which brings the African theme and details into more focus for the guests and enhances the overall experience.  Also, even though the Savanna and the viewing areas may be larger at Jambo House, at Kidani Village you feel like you are right smack down in the middle of it.

During our lost day, when getting to the parks was impossibly difficult and it was too cold and rainy anyway, my wife and I made a day out of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  We took a free guided tour of Kidani Village where our cultural representative talked about the artwork and artifacts, the African design influences and inspirations, as well as some information on the animals at the Village’s two Savannas.  He was informative and entertaining.  It really made us appreciate how above and beyond the normal designing of a resort Disney’s Imagineers went when dreaming up this amazing place.

Both sections of the Animal Kingdom Lodge are filled with amazing pieces of artwork and artifacts, most of which come directly from Africa.  At Kidani Village, the details are presented within a theme in different areas of the resort.  You will find beautiful shields, masks, and even a belt worn by a king.  Inside the Palace Library, a wonderfully warm area off the lobby with a terrific fireplace and panoramic view of the Savanna, you will find so many incredible details that it is almost too much to comprehend without asking a few questions of a cast member. 

If you get there, check out these large tapestries hanging next to the fireplace pictured below.  Even though they look authentically African, these were made especially for the Disney Vacation Club as the names embroidered on them are the first 600 DVC members.  It’s a terrific tribute and act of appreciation.

Later in the afternoon, my wife and I spent some time at the bar in Sanaa, the Indian and African inspired restaurant at Kidani Village.  Unlike the more popular restaurants at the Jambo House, Sanaa has a gorgeous ground level view of the Sunset Savanna.  As strange as it may seem, it makes you feel like you are eating alongside the giraffes and zebras.  The bar itself is set off the windows a bit, but still has a great view.  Unlike the open and noisy Victoria Falls in the main building, Sanaa’s bar is cozy and very inviting.  I would recommend it alongside any other drinking space found in the Disney Resorts.

What you will realize is that you become attached to the animals and completely fascinated by these magnificent creatures.  Every time you enter your room, you will head straight to the sliding-glass door to see who is out there.  Every time you walk down the hallways or enter the lobby, your gaze will find its way out to the Savanna.  The animals are outside 22 hours of the day, so even when you get up late at night to head to the bathroom or get a late-night snack, you will somehow find it necessary to take a peak outside.  There is nothing cooler than peering through the darkness and seeing the white stripes of a zebra strolling along outside your window.  There is no doubt you are in someplace you have never been before.

Sure, there are resorts with better access to the theme parks, but the Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth the extra ten minutes in travel time, especially if you want to take some time away from the parks to relax and really enjoy what the Imagineers and Mother Nature can do.

Enough is enough with this event. I have to tell everyone that I absolutely positively hate the marathon and want to see Disney remove it from its list of special events. Because unlike all the other events they have, this one impacts everyone else’s vacation in a negative fashion. And in some cases, in a significant manner.
 
Case in point, me. First of all, we had a grand gathering event for breakfast at Tony’s Townsquare on the day of the half-marathon. We got ready to leave early from Kidani Village knowing the potential traffic delays. We had no idea how bad it was. Not only were buses taking nearly an hour to make to the trip to the Magic Kingdom. They weren’t even taking you to the normal bus stop but instead were dropping you off at the Ticket and Transportation Center, which, of course, was mobbed from the extra bodies. Apparently, the situation was even worse if you wanted to go to Epcot.
 
Then, on Sunday, the day of the dreaded full marathon, we made sure we headed to the Studios early. Traffic wasn’t too bad, but the stupid race, for some reason, has to go right through the middle of the park making park crossing and sensible touring logistically impossible. Whoever decided to put this race through the park itself should be fired. Right now.
 
Worse off still were the poor folk who had to get home by Magical Express on Sunday morning and early afternoon. The buses were way behind schedule. People were being picked up more than an hour after their alloted time and then had to sit in bumper to bumper traffic. Hopefully, no one missed their flights but I know there was a lot of anxiety out there.
 
And for what? A marathon? Disney should stop the madness now. It was all I could do to stop myself from booing the runners as they blocked my way from using my Toy Story Mania fast passes. (I scored about 155,000 by way, a personal best). If Disney insists on doing this thing, why must it disrupt each and every park. Limit the nonsense to one, maybe two parks. If you know ahead of time that the runners traipse through Epcot causing all sorts of problems, fine I will go the Animal Kingdom.
 
And Disney MUST use their resort TV channels to warn guests that buses (especially for Magical Express) will be significantly delayed. If the guests know the extent of the problem, they can be prepared and it won’t cause as many headaches for paying guests.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

In a follow up to our January 6 posting regarding the possible changes coming to the Cantina at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, we can now report that early last week the entire area encompassing the outdoor counter service restaurant, and all of the seating surrounding it, has been closed and walled-off. 

It has created quite the bottleneck in that part of the World Showcase promenade, but this work has only just begun so it may be something guests will need to expect to encounter for some time to come.  In the mean time, you can find a few quick-service options just a few feet away on the other side of the promenade.  The same building used for the Food and Wine Festival is now open on a regular basis, I would imagine until the new restaurant opens.

Now this morning we have a report in the Orlando Business Journal that this project is definitely going to be more than just a fresh coat of paint, and perhaps something really exciting…

Cantina de San Angel, a quick-service eatery outside the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, began demolition work this week to prepare for a new 400-seat, waterside restaurant that includes both table service and quick-service options.

Lake Buena Vista-based San Angel Inn LLC, Walt Disney World’s partner on the Epcot pavilion, is razing the existing 3,500-square-foot, 288-seat restaurant and will build a new 12,000-square-foot one set to open by this fall. The project value was not released.

Besides creating a much larger restaurant, it is hard not to be intrigued by the idea of a “waterside restaurant that includes both table service and quick-service options”.  It does appear as though the Mexico pavilion is currently the one most aggressively raising its profile.  The new tequila bar, La Cava del Tequila, is a terrific addition to the pavilion.  But adding an outdoor, waterfront eatery may quickly turn Mexico into a World Showcase gem.

My hope is that the Imagineers responsible for the project recognize that this could be a perfect place to eat and watch Illuminations from.  If they make sure the sightlines are good, this would immediately become one of Epcot’s most popular spots.  Hats off to the Mexican Pavilion for all they have done to make this a better experience for guests.  Let’s hope other pavilions follow suit.

Personally, I will file this under the “I will believe it when I see it” file, but it is an interesting coincidence anyway. It seems several places in the Backlot area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios are undergoing some fairly extensive renovations in the coming weeks. Both the Backlot Tour and the nearby Studio Catering Co will be closed from the middle of February until Easter time for refurbishment. Disney followed that announcement with the statement that the Honey I Shrunk the Audience Playground is also being closed. And according to some, the refurbishments will be much longer than 6 weeks. Read: permanently closed.

It does seem strange that Disney will close all three places at once. They are all around the same area. Let’s face facts. They are some of the least popular spots in the park. Honey I Shrunk the Kids no longer has the appeal to kids that it used to. And, frankly, the Backlot Tour has been slowly dying for years now.

WDW News Today has a laundry list of possible replacements. A WDW version of Radiator Springs Racers, the oft-rumored Monsters Inc coaster, a Bugs’ Life Playground and a Ratatouille eatery are among the popular proposals. All make some sense considering any major changes in this area would likely be in an effort to increase the size of Pixar Studios.

I, for one, think there will be a day in the not too distant future where Disney will announce the closing of the Backlot Tour (and perhaps the other places mentioned) and replace it with an attraction or two based on Pixar movies. It’s quite possible we could see some of the proposed changes. It would take little effort, for example, to change the playground from Honey I Shrunk the Kids to a Bug’s Life. Ditto for the eatery. But I doubt the Backlot Tour is going down for the count now. Not with the extensive Fantasyland work and the Star Tours 2.0 on the menu. We may need to wait a year or so. I sense the next D23 convention would be a good place to start.

Today’s article is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.