Weekly News Roundup 25th June - 1st July

Here's a weekly roundup of Walt Disney World news over the last 7 days. 

New costumes coming to the World Showcase pavilions at Epcot

Walt Disney Imagineering are working on a new costume linkup for the World Showcase. This is in response to guest feedback, feeling the World Showcase is feeling dated, with the costumes being one of the biggest issues. Disney are therefor planning on performing some updates to show am more up to date representation of the world, and remove the current 'historic stereotype' feel. It's said that the costumes will first be trailed in the American Adventure and Mexican pavilions with more to follow at a later date.

Jim Kearns, Imagineering Vice President has been assigned to Animal Kingdom

UT San Diego News reports that Jim Kearns, Disney's Imagineering Vice President is to be assigned to Animal Kingdom as his next project. It looks like this could be specifically for AVATAR Land, which means we are likely to see ground being broken in the near future. He recently completed the hugely successful Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.

"Brave" now at Disney parks

Disney have now completely rolled out the additions to promote the new Disney-Pixar film, "Brave". This includes themed merchandise such as Vinylmations, pins and clothing.

Off Kilter mark 15 years of Music at Walt Disney World

Epcot's Off Kilter band marked 15 years of performances at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase today (July 1)

New Vinylmations coming to Mickey's Circus Trading Event at Epcot

Disney announced that during this years Mickey's Circus Trading Event at Epcot (due to be held on September 9) there will be a number of new Vinylmation figurines on display, including limited editions with as few as 100 being made in some cases.

Fantasyland's Be Our Guest Restaurant menu revealed

Disney have today revealed some information about "Be Our Guest Restaurant", due to open in the new Fantasyland section currently under construction at the Magic Kingdom. Dining reservations can be made from August for the end of year holiday period, which is when they are hoping to open the restaurant.

Be Our Guest Restaurant is a quick-service location during lunch time, and a full table service at dinner time. On the Disney Parks blog, Disney explain that whilst lunchtime dining will be classed as quick-service, it will be an "elevated experience" where the food is brought to you on real china plates (instead of the fast-food paper plates at most quick-service locations). The restaurant will be on the Disney Dining Plan. It's not yet known if it will be part of any other...

Candlelight Processional bookings open for dinner packages

Guests can now make dinner bookings for the 2012 Candlelight Processional, held at Epcot between November 23 and December 30. Bookings can be made at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/candlelight-dinners/

We reported the celebrity guest lineup earlier this month:

Nov. 23–25: Isabella Rossellini (film/TV star and wildlife conversationalist)

Nov. 26–29: Neil Patrick Harris (Emmy Award-winner, Broadway star and TV host)

Nov. 30–Dec. 1: Whoopi Goldberg (television host, actress and comedian)

Dec. 11–13: Jodi Benson (singer and actress)

Dec. 14–16: Olivia Newton John (singer and actress)

Dec. 20–22: Trace Adkins (Award-Winning Country music artist)

Dec. 23–25: Gary Sinise (actor and musician)

Dec. 29–30: Marlee Matlin (Academy Award-winning actor and TV star)

Please note however that changes may be made to this list closer to the dates.

The dining reservations are offered at 12 restaurants around the World Showcase, including:

• Biergarten Restaurant (Germany)
• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (England)
• San Angel Inn (Mexico)
• La Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico)
• Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco)
• Tokyo Dining (Japan)
• Les Chefs de France (France)
• Nine Dragons Restaurant (China)
• Teppan Edo (Japan)
• Tutto Italia (Italy)
• Via Napoli (Italy)
• Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada)

Reservations are also offered at the following locations in Future World:

• The Garden Grill Restaurant (Located in The Land pavilion)
• Coral Reef Restaurant (Located in The Seas pavilion)

Typhoon Lagoon to remain closed today

Following on from our announcement yesterday, Typhoon Lagoon will indeed continue to be closed today (June 26) due to Tropical Storm Debby. Blizzard Beach will again remain open as usual, but may close if bad weather moves into the area.

Typhoon Lagoon closed today due to poor weather

Disney have informed us that Typhoon Lagoon will be closed today. This is due to poor weather expected throughout the day due to Tropical Storm Debby. It is unknown weather the park will be closed tomorrow. Blizzard Beach will remain open, however will close during the day if the weather conditions deteriorate in the area.

Weekly News Roundup

Here's a weekly roundup of Walt Disney World news over the last 7 days. 

Disney's Phineas and Ferb Agent P's World Showcase Adventure opens.

We reported that Agent P's World Showcase Adventure opened yesterday, replacing the former Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. The adventure launched with missions in Mexico, Norway, Germany, Japan, France and the United Kingdom. Guests can sign up at Norway, Italy, International Gateway and the walkway between Future World and the World Showcase. Disney have said that they plan to add additional missions around the World Showcase later this year.

Disney testing a Flying Dragon for the new Avatarland

The Bakersfield Californian reports that Disney Imagineers have been testing an ultralite/microlight type aircraft themed to look like a dragon. This is possibly for the upcoming Avatarland at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

President Obama visits the Contemporary Resort

The former Governor of Florida, Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama visited the Contemporary Resort on Friday for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon to feature Caribbean fun this summer

The Disney Parks Blog reports that each Friday to Sunday, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm through to July 15, Typhoon Lagoon will have The Calypso band, Tropicals performing Caribbean steel drum music, there will also be character meet and greets with Lilo and Stitch. Finally Tropicalamity will be open, a temporary food tent offering Chicken Jerk Pita Wraps, Citrus Chicken Salads and a selection of hot and cold sub sandwiches.

Disney Phineas and Ferb Agent P - Opens today

Disney Phineas and Ferb Agent P's World Showcase Adventure is set to open today, Saturday June 23rd. Set to replace the former Kim Possible attraction, Phineas and Ferb will be available at multiple locations around the world showcase; Mexico, Norway, Germany, Japan, France and the United Kingdom. Guests can sign-up at Norway, Italy, International Gateway and the walkway connecting Future World and The World Showcase.

Disney has previously indicated that additional missions will be added in countries not yet participating, later in the year.

Operating hours are 11:00 am to 8:15 pm daily.

Disney testing 'Flying Dragon' for new Avatarland

The Bakersfield Californian reports that several eyewitnesses have seen what can only be described as a "Flying Dragon" over Shafter Minter Field Airport. The device appears to be a modified ultralite or microlight , sporting a dragon theme built into its airframe.

It's expected that this is likely for the upcoming Avatarland expansion at Animal Kingdom. The airfield owners were only able to confirm that Disney was in town recently testing equipment. 

Reports from the ground say that the wingspan is around 15 feet. The full article and photos can be found at The Bakersfield Californian.

President Obama and Mitt Romney to visit Contemporary Resort

The former Governor of Florida, Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama will be visiting Disney's Contemporary Resort tomorrow, June 22, as part of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Traffic restrictions will be in place from today through to the 23rd around the local area. The Contemporary Resort parking lot is also restricted to resort guests only.

"Cars" section of Disney's Art of Animation Resort opens

The new "Cars" section of Disney's Art of Animation Resort officially opened to guests today, less than a month after the resort officially opened with the "Finding Nemo" section.

The Cars section is themed like the Cozy Cone Motel, featured in the original Cars movie. Each Cars resort building is themed to characters from the film, much like the Finding Nemo section. Themed areas feature characters such as Lightning McQueen, Sally, Luigi and Guido, and Mater. 

The Cars rooms are very much the same layout as the Finding Nemo rooms. They are all 'Family Suites', which offers accommodation for up to 6 guests, with three seperate sleeping areas. Here's a quick rundown of the features of the rooms:

• 3 separate sleeping areas, including a master bedroom with a queen-sized bed and a full-sized sleeper sofa
• Two bathrooms
• A small kitechenett with a coffee maker, microwave and mini-fridge
• Table and chairs
• Two televisions with a range of channels (including The Disney Channel and a resort information channel)
• In-room wall safe
• Voice mail
• Internet access point

With two sections of the new resort now open, we await the launch of the final two themed areas later this year. The Lion King section is due to open August 10 and The Little Mermaid section is due to open September 15.