September 2016 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the August 30, 2016 Issue #884 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

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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 go back to September 1984.

The Morocco pavilion opened in World Showcase on September 7, 1984, in what was then known as EPCOT Center, between the Japan and France pavilions. It was the first country pavilion to be added since the theme park opened in 1982, and is the only pavilion to be sponsored entirely by a government rather than by corporations.

The official dedication of the Morocco pavilion took place later in the month, with remarks made by Roy E. Disney: "This project is the culmination of the efforts of a great many talented people, both from Disney and Morocco. Our WED engineers and designers were certainly inspired by the architecture and scenery of Morocco, especially in the fabled cities of Fez, Marrakesh and Rabat. And they literally determined to capture not only the look, but the flavor and feel of a storybook land. But we also knew there were unique art forms and designs that could only be done by Moroccan craftsmen. So all the magnificent tile work, along with wood and plaster carvings and ceiling paintings within the pavilion were the creation of 19 outstanding artisans from Morocco. Their handiwork represents skills and techniques and creations that have been handed down, generation to generation, for more than a thousand years."

Have you visited the Morocco pavilion recently? Let us know your favorite aspects of this pavilion by dropping us a note HERE.

RELATED LINKS:

Morocco Attraction Page

Exotic Treasures of Morocco

Morocco Pavilion Dining

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HIDDEN MICKEYS ALERT
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Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys books and webmaster of HiddenMickeyGuy.com, encourages you to explore the Pop Century Resort for Hidden Mickeys and Hidden Surprises — you won't be disappointed!

1. Inside the Pop Century gift shop, near the exit to the bus stop, check the wall behind the cash registers to spot round gift boxes that form a classic Mickey. The image appears twice in faux package-locker windows. One image is in the second window from the top of the second column of windows from the right side. The other is in the third window from the left along the top row. (Thanks to David and Celia Berset, and Timmy Coogan.)

2. Two black classic Mickeys are on the keyboard of the huge computer outside near the Computer Pool. Both are on the lower row of keys. One is on the second key from the left and the other is on the second key from the right. (More obvious decorative classic Mickeys are in the computer monitor's screensaver.) (Thanks to Sharon Dale.)

3. "Mickey Mouse Club March" is choice "C2" on the giant jukebox near the Bowling Pool. (For a Hidden Surprise, "I've Got a Date at Disneyland" is choice "F10.") (Thanks to Jennah and Noah.)

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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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SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Club Villain at Sunset Showcase — Friday and Saturday nights from September 2 to October 29, and on Halloween night, October 31.

Great Irish Hooley — The 5th annual hooley will be held September 2-5 at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. New live music and dance entertainment, fresh menu creations and plenty of craft beer and cocktail options are on tap to celebrate the Hooley's fifth year. The complete entertainment schedule is posted at www.raglanroad.com and www.greatirishhooley.com.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party — From 7 p.m. to midnight on select nights guests can enjoy Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade; trick-or-treating throughout the Magic Kingdom at numerous locations; and the special Happy HalloWishes fireworks. Lots of characters are out in the park, wearing their favorite costumes. The September dates are: September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30.

AllEars.Net Meet and Mingle — On September 9, meet and mingle with members of the AllEars.Net Team from 10 to 11 a.m. at Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion! Your hosts Deb Wills, Scott Thomas, Linda Eckwerth, Kristin Ford and Jack Marshall will have swag, trading cards and warm hugs for all! RSVP not necessary, but you can let us know you're coming on the Facebook Event page.

Night of Joy — September 9-10. A two-night, ticketed event that features contemporary Christian music. In 2016, the event will expand and will be held for the first time at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival — Top celebrity chefs, brand new Disney resort cooking and dining experiences and Eat to the Beat concerts will highlight the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase. The annual Disney celebration of global flavors will run 62 days this year, from September 14 to November 14, featuring more than 30 marketplaces and special dining events. For the second consecutive year, ABC's Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series, "The Chew," will produce a full week of programs from the festival. "Chew" hosts Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz will share their Disney culinary adventures and tasty recipes before Epcot audiences October 5-7 in shows scheduled to air October 10-14.

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Check our Events page for a full schedule of upcoming events.

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REHABS AND CLOSINGS

Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur and the Dino Institute in Dinoland USA are closed for refurbishment through October 17, 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.

Magic Kingdom

Swiss Family Treehouse in Adventureland will be closed for refurbishment through September 29, 2016.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment through November 19, 2016.

"it's a small world" is closed for refurbishment through September 15, 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.

Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a soft goods refurbishment, which typically consists of replacing bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery. The refurbishment is expected to be completed by September 24, 2016.

Port Orleans French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter closed for refurbishment on July 11. During this time, the space adjacent to the resort lobby is featuring some beloved dishes, like jambalaya, gumbo, po' boys, and beignets. 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.

Port Orleans Riverside

Routine roof maintenance is ongoing through Summer 2016. During this time guests may see work in progress.

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 Hotel room renovations have just begun, with the entire room project currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.

Wilderness Lodge and Villas at Wilderness Lodge

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.

Sturdy Branches Health Club will be closed through October 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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Heart-warming Magical Moments brought to us by the amazing Disney cast members!

Robin Tater: Every year we head to Fort Wilderness to the campfire singalong to celebrate our daughter's birthday. As we were getting on the bus to head home I mentioned to our bus driver Cody that it was Katelyn's birthday. I figured he would push the button that automatically wished her a happy birthday. He did and had everyone wish her a happy birthday as well. She leaned over to me to tell me that it made her heart feel special. As we were getting off the bus he stopped her and gave her a choice of Mickey Ears. She picked her favorite characters, Chip and Dale. He took our simple birthday tradition and made it extra special. She twirled all the way to the car.

Dan: A few years ago I turned 40 in Disney World, storming the park by myself. I picked that date to do my first official dive in the Living Seas as a newly certified diver. After the dive I had a terrific dinner at the Coral Reef, followed by a showing of IllumiNations. On the way out of the park I stopped off at the Centorium (now MouseGear), and was enjoying watching Pluto playing with some kids — stealing their hats and running away, etc. I was standing next to Pluto's handler, and mentioned to her that it had been a great 40th birthday. The next thing I knew, Pluto was taking me by the hand, while his handler said that it was my 40th birthday, and Pluto wanted everyone to sing for me. So there I was, standing on a bench, while Pluto led a crowd of about 25 strangers in a rousing round of "Happy Birthday." It was just the perfect end to a really good day!

Janene K.: On a recent trip to Disney World we were lucky enough to be there on my son's 10th birthday. He was wearing his birthday pin and his Goofy hat. We had just missed the boat from the Magic Kingdom over to the Wilderness Lodge for dinner, so we ended up toward the front of the line. I kept seeing a cast member walking back and forth, acting like he was looking for someone. He came back and told us to come with him, he'd just gotten a text that he had an important phone call for us. We walked back to the beginning of the dock and he called someone and gave the phone to my son. My son's face lit up — he couldn't believe he was talking with Goofy! Goofy said that he and all his friends at the Magic Kingdom wished my son a very happy birthday and to have a magical time for the rest of his visit. My son was so happy that he still talks about the time Goofy called him for his 10th birthday. That's why we love the magic of Disney!

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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.