Mouse Extra

One of the more popular dining spots for people who want to sit down but not spend a boat load of cash has always been the Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness. In theory, its not that far from the Magic Kingdom although getting there by car is a bit of a trick. It used to be a buffet known for its comfort foods like fried chicken, ribs and the like.

Personally, I didn’t understand why everyone loved this place. It was OK. Now, according to WDW magic, the place is trying out a new lunch a la carte menu keeping the buffet for breakfast and dinner. It appears that southern food is the order of the day with things like chicken and waffles, and catfish. I always thought the food there was no better than a KFC. Maybe this will be a step up.

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

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting a little party started in mid-July, as the theme park adds to this year’s Summer additions at Walt Disney World. As noted in the Mom and The Mouse, there will be a new Taste of Africa Street Party to spice up late afternoons at the park.

The Party will include street vendors selling unusual food and drink, along with music and dancing with Wasslou, the african band, and Harambe’s DJ Khalifa.  There will also be animal education experiences, beer and wine tastings, and event specific merchandise.

The Taste of Africa Street Party will apparently begin just after the Mickey’s Jammin Jungle parade and will run until the park closes, continuing through Extra Magic Hours as well. It will take place daily in Harambe and will launch on July 9.  The event is only scheduled to last about 2 weeks but if popular that could be extended or perhaps brought back for the holiday busy season.

The economy is shaking theme parks across the state of Florida. Universal Florida in Orlando has lost 12 percent in attendance which translates to about 1 million less visitors in 2009. The attendance at WDW dropped a mere one percent but that doesn’t reflect the lost profits from the tremendous amount of discounting that Disney has employed over the last calendar year. The situation is getting desperate for both players. Universal is, of course, counting on the heavily promoted opening of their Harry Potter land. So what is Disney doing?

 
It is not the purchase of Marvel nor is it the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade. Instead, its the return of an old friend (or enemy depending on your point of view). My sources indicate that Michael Eisner has been hired as a consultant to oversee an operational overhaul of Walt Disney World and maybe even the other parks. The title as is stands now is Director of Park Promotions, which is somewhat innocuous. But the power is greater than the title. Michael Eisner, is now basically in charge of Walt Disney World and if he can work his magic there, that might spread to California.
 
Yes, I know that Eisner did not exactly leave on good terms, but some time has passed. And adveristy makes strange bed fellows. Eisner was able to save the company from a big down turn once before. The brass at Disney is hoping he can do it again. I have heard through the grapevine that the Beastly Kingdomme is again at the top of the list of priorities. Pixar Place, however, is not. (Probably out of spite). Instead, that area will get a new Roger Rabbit coaster, not the long rumored Monsters Inc coaster.
 
No official announcement has yet been made at Walt Disney World but that will come in the next few weeks. Some of the other changes that could be coming are the end of the Disney marathon, the limiting of restaurant outsourcing and the cancellation of the Flamingo Crossing project.

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.

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

One of my favorite counter service meals in Epcot is at the Cantina in Mexico. I like the churros and combination plate. Those little deep fried quesadillas are great. I sometimes just ask for a handful of the things. I also like the setting as you eat by the lagoon (which is surprisingly rare at World Showcase).

Well, according to some reports, the Cantina is going down for a major refurbishment. This is coming hot off the heels of the successful opening of the tequila bar inside the pyramid. Apparently, the building is being demolished to open up a whole new counter service spot. There is no word on the menu changes (if any) so stay tuned. One thing that apparently is to be accomplished is an improvement on the congestion in that spot which can be a problem with the shops and especially when the mariachi band is playing.

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