Bistro de Paris set to reopen in December with a new menu

Epcot's Bistro de Paris located in the France Pavilion is currently close, and is set to re-open on December 1 2012. Disney provided some details , noting that upon reopening, the restaurant will feature a completely new menu along with all new interior decor. 

The official Disney Parks Blog conducted an interview with Jermoe Bocuse, owner of the three restaurants in the France Pavilion.

What’s the biggest change guests will see in the new upstairs restaurant? 

Jerome Bocuse: It’s all new – new name, new dining room, new costumes for the servers, new menu. We’re still aiming for haute cuisine, but with a less formal atmosphere. Guests are in the park with their families, so we want to create an elegant, nice ambience, but not stuffy. Our guests want to experience true French cuisine. 

Tell us a little about the new décor. 

JB: Servers will be in less formal attire – no more tuxedoes – and the room colors will be fresh and bright. The theme is our family history, as we’ve been in the culinary business for two centuries. We have a long tradition of French chefs in the Bocuse family. 

And cuisine? 

JB: We want to offer a taste of the true cuisine of France – classical, but with an approachable, affordable twist. We brought a chef over about a year ago from a Michelin 3-Star restaurant in France, so he’s ready to go. 

Bistro de Paris has lots of fans, why change the restaurant now? 

JB: We’ve never changed the restaurant since it opened more than 25 years ago, and it’s time for a new look and new theming based on our family’s history. 

How about the Chefs de France downstairs, any changes? 

JB: It is a classic brasserie, and will stay the same.

Details on Epcot's Boulangerie Patisserie expansion

Disney shared some new details on the planned expansion of Epcot's Boulangerie Patisserie, located in the France Pavilion.

The new bakery is set to offer sandwiches, salads as well as the current selection of baked goods. A new seating area is also being added, with 90 seats. The new building is located towards the back of the pavilion. The old building is to become home to a new Glacier ice cream parlour.

It's expected that the expansion will completed by late fall 2012.

Significant Imagineering staff reshuffled in preparation for upcoming projects at Walt Disney World

We've learnt that Walt Disney Imageneering, the brains behind the magic and creation at Disney Parks have made some major staff changes, seemingly in preperation for some upcoming projects. This shows that there will be some significant development activity at Walt Disney World in the near future.

The changes include:

• Kathy Magnum, a veteran Imagineer with over 30 years of experience, who recently oversaw the Cars Land project at Disneyland Resort has been relocated to Florida, with the title of "Executive Producer, Walt Disney World Portfolio". In her new role, Kathy will be parnering with creative producer Jack Blitch, and will continue to report to Bruce Vaughn, WDI Chief Creative Executive.
• Joe Rohde will continue as the creative director of Disney's Animal Kingdom.
• Eric Jacobson will continue with his creative roll of overseeing the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

It's expected that these changes are in preperation for AVATAR Land, a new themed land planned for Disney's Animal Kingdom. With Joe Rohde continuing as the park's creative director it's likely that we'll see more respected WDI staff joining him as the project gets underway in the near future.

Additional details for the confirmed November preview of the new Fantasyland

Following on from the official news that the new Fantasyland will be open for previews in November, Disney have issued a press release detailing the planned preview and December launch. The full text from the press release can be found below:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Magic Kingdom guests blink back in amazement at the scene: not one, but two colorful Dumbos spinning through the sky above Storybook Circus. 

To the delight of fans of the beloved Dumbo, the Flying Elephant attraction, a second Dumbo flies alongside. The playful pachyderm is joined in Storybook Circus by the Barnstormer Coaster re-themed to the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station water play area and the Fantasyland Train Station — all part of the multiyear, largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. 

There’s more to come as the expansion of the New Fantasyland – nearly doubling in size — continues at Walt Disney World Resort. In fact, so many more attractions are coming on line later this year that Dec. 6, 2012 has been set as the Grand Opening of Fantasyland. Previews begin Nov. 19. 

Slated to make their debuts:

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a major attraction where guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves – all against a musical backdrop of songs from the film. The new attraction combines the enduring appeal of a classic Disney “dark ride” with wonderful technological innovations to offer guests a personal journey into the scenes of the film. Adventurers will feel as if they are descending below the ocean’s surface. Once “under the sea,” guests will find themselves immersed in the story of “The Little Mermaid,” sharing Ariel’s adventure through a magical cast of characters and a captivating musical score that will entice everyone to sing along. The fun continues at “Ariel’s Grotto,” a meet-and-greet with the mermaid heroine herself.
• The castle of the Beast stands majestically upon a hill across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. With seating for 550, this magnificent facility will offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle’s Village, guests will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
• Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: guests will be transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”

“Fantasyland is a place where a very special kind of memory is made: where children just old enough to understand the moment come in contact with princesses and heroes and meet their most beloved friends,” said Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France. 

“We are excited about sharing our treasured stories in new ways and giving guests the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters like never before.” 

Beyond 2012, there’s more in store for Fantasyland guests:

• Located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows, opening up into a large gallery – an airy space with a high ceiling, where portraits of the Disney princesses adorn the walls. When it’s time for their audience with a princess, guests will proceed to elegantly finished rooms to meet Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel (2013).
• The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its-kind ride system with a train of vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs (2014).

Preview and grand opening dates announced for the new Fantasyland

After over 2 years of planning and building, Disney have today announced the preview and grand opening dates of the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Earlier this year the first phase of the expansion, Storybook Circus was opened.

Disney announced that Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel's Grotto, Gaston's Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts will open for preview on November 19 2012, with the land's grand opening set to take place on December 6, 2012.

The remaining sections of Storybook Circus are also set to open before the grand opening.

From the official Disney Parks Blog:

Today we’re thrilled to announce that the grand opening of New Fantasyland will take place on December 6, 2012. Attractions included in this opening are Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Previews of these attractions will begin November 19.

As previously planned, the New Fantasyland expansion will continue with the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall in 2013 and the debut of a new Disney “mountain” in the form of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014.

The Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland expansion, which includes Barnstormer – Starring the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash & Soak Station, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, opened to guests in July.

PHOTOS: Big-Top Tent at Storybook Circus to house Pete's Silly Sideshow greeting

Disney have today announced that one of the two Big-Top Tents in the new Storybook circus (as part of the Fantasyland Expansion) will be home to Pete's Silly Sideshow, a character meet and greet, where the characters will "show off their special talents". The characters will be in circus atire, in keeping with the Storybook Circus land theme. Characters will include The Great Goofini, Minnie Magnifique, The Astounding Donaldo and Madame Daisy Fortuna. 

As guests enter the tent, they will have an option of following one of two lines. The first will take them to Minnie Magnifique (Minnie Mouse as a circus star) and Madame Daisy Fortuna (Daisy Duck as a fortuneteller). The second line will take guests to see The Great Goofini (Goofy as a daredevil stunt pilot) and The Astounding Donaldo (Donald Duck as a snake charmer).

Along with the announcement, Disney also released some concept artwork for the new attraction. Click the link below to view the full post and the concept artwork images!

Pirates of the Caribbean to be closed for the day on October 9

Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom has been scheduled to close for a single day on October 9 2012. Disney have, in recent weeks been doing work on the queue area (without closing the ride). It's expected that this is part of the 'NextGen' system planned to be released across the parks. The single day closure could be the final step in getting the ride compatible with the NextGen system.

Splitsville interior concept art released

Disney have released two new pieces of interior artwork for Downtown Disney's Splitsville Bowling Alley, set to open later this year. The two pieces of artwork show a traditionally themed bowling alley with a twist. There appears to be a lot of seating and a red and chrome style, reminiscent of 50's style bowling alleys.

Click below to view the full-sized images!

Kiosk Menus for the 2012 Food and Wine Festival Released

We've got a complete list of the Kiosk menus for the 2012 International Food and Wine Festival, being held at Epcot's World Showcase from September 28 to November 12 2012. During the Food and Wine Festival, a number of 'kiosk' food stands are put up around the World Showcase for countries that dont have their own dedicated 'land'. This means that there will be cuisine from over 24 different countries around the world, in addition to speciality kiosks offerering alcoholic beverages and deserts.

WDWFans.com will be attending, and reporting on the 2012 Internaltional Food and Wine Festival with our exclusive look into some of the delicious offerings from around the world.

Click below to view the full kiosk menus!

Contemporary Resort 14th floor refurbishment set for January 2013

Disney plan to refurbish the entire 14th floor of the Contemporary Resort between January and the summer of 2013. This will include the complete renovation of rooms, suites, corridors, hallways and the concierge lounge. The plans for the previously announced "Wellness Suites" have been scrapped, so it is expected that the design of the 14th floor will remain very similar and in some cases completely unchanged.  Some more up to date elements are likely to be added to rooms and suites to bring them more in line with the newer resorts around Walt Disney World.

At the same time, California Grill will be closed from January 6 through to late summer 2013 and is set to feature a completely new interior decor and an updated menu.