Both here at Rope Drop [dot] Net HQ and throughout Orlando, the events of the last week the events of the last week+ still leave a lasting impression. Though we continue to mourn for all the lives that were lost, we are going to try and talk once again about a place that we (and probably a lot of you readers) love. There’s not real “good” approach to moving on from something like this, so we’re going to do a symbolic “reset” and clear the deck of all our pending News Nuggets (even if some may be a little out of date, now.) Here is what we’ve got:

• 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Now 62 Days of Great Eats, Trend-Setting Beverages, Live Entertainment – This time, the festival runs from September 14 through November 14. Personally, I would love for it start over Labor Day weekend some year.
• Preview of Sprinkles Cupcakes at Disney Springs – Denise from Mouse Steps put together a really nice preview of one of the dessert-focused shops opening at Disney Springs. I’m not a big cupcake guy, but I don’t mind some good ice cream (and I’ve never forgiven Ghirardelli for getting ready of the peanut butter sundae.)
• New Food Kiosks Coming to The Studios. – This makes sense for the busy summer period. I am especially interested in the “waffle sandwich.” Will it be the famed sandwich that recently was cut from Sleepy Hollow’s menu? (UPDATE: It is NOT the Sleepy Hollow One)
• First Look and Review! B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. in Disney Springs – This kiosk might be the new Disney Springs food location I’m most looking forward to trying. The big question: Sweet Hot or Bavarian? (UPDATE: I did try the Sampler and it was fantastic.)
• Morimoto Street Food releases new Menu. – Though I’m most excited about B.B. Wolf’s, I know a lot of people are excited for this update to Morimoto’s quick service. Initial reviews have been promising.
• Disney files plans for first step toward new Hollywood Studios entrance. – There have been rumblings about this for a while, and it probably make sense with how they are going restructure the park.
• First Look and Review of Ample Hills Creamery Soft Opens on Disney’s Boardwalk – Speaking of new dessert offerings, Ample Hills is set to open. As someone who loves to spend time around Crescent Lake, I am really looking forward to this one. (UPDATE: It’s expensive, but really good.)
• Disney to Discontinue Disney Dollars – Everyone seems to be posting about this. I never really understood why anyone would buy Disney Dollars in the first place, so it seems to make sense to get rid of them (especially in a world where so many people pay with magic bands, cards, etc…)
• Flying Fish: New Name, New Chef, New Cocktail Lounge Next Door – I liked the old Flying Fish (Cafe), but I didn’t think it really held up against places like Cali Grill and Narcoossee’s. I hope this refurb helps with that. (Oh, and that bar name is ridiculous. I’m just going to avoid typing it since I’m sure I would mess it up if I tried.)
• Character location changes at the Magic Kingdom – Nice tip from Kenny the Pirate about how Chip & Dale have relocated, and Woody & Jessie have come to take their place.
• Magic Kingdom Area Roadways To Undergo Massive Overhaul and Expansion – These changes make a lot of sense. Make it easier for people to get in and out of the resorts near the Magic Kingdom, while overall improving the traffic flow.
• FastPass+ Booking Window Moving to 7am from 12am – I think I like this move. I never was really a fan of having to be up at midnight to grab the best Fastpass+ selections.
• June 2016 Disney World Operating Schedule Updated – Josh has a nice update on the schedule changes for June. I wonder if the rumors about the fireworks scaring the animals that are out at night are part of the reason that the fireworks are not every night.
• Name of new Wilderness Lodge DVC confirmed; existing units renamed – The new villas will be named Copper Creek while the existing villas will be called Boulder Ridge. I’m wondering when they’ll go on sale.
• Rumors of Sum of all Thrills Closing – A note about replays only being available until June 30, 2016 has fueled this rumor. It’ll be interesting to see when Disney addresses this.
• Rumors of The Muppets Are Getting Their Own Restaurant at Hollywood Studios – “Pizza Rizzo” – A classic “Huge, of true.” I’ve found WDW News Today has been fairly good getting restaurant related scoops, so I’m hopeful that track record continues. This could be a fun spot.
• Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar opening mid-summer at Disney Springs – The amount of cool places to eat at Disney Springs seems to grow by the month.
• ‘The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic’ Debuts May 28 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – It’s got to be tough to make a temporary show that’s good enough that people want to see it, but it’s not so good that people aren’t going up in arms when its removed. Denise from Mouse Steps thought the show lacked some of the grandeur of other night time shows at Disney World. WDW News Today suggests you just skip it all together..
• Soarin’ reopens at Epcot with third theater and new projectors – If you’re down in Orlando, this is your “last” chance to see the original Soarin’. (UPDATE: You missed it!)
• Tiffins has opened at the Animal Kingdom. – Early reviews seem promising
• STK Orlando opens at Disney Springs. – This “club-like” atmosphere doesn’t really line up with my sensibilities. If it’s your bag though, then it sounds like this might be a nice place for you.
• 3rd Track now Open at Toy Story Midway Mania. – WDW News Today has the complete walk through, and points out how much it impacted wait times during the first day it was open. It’ll be interesting to see how that continues.
• Magic Kingdom’s Skipper Canteen Now Accepting Full Advance Dining Reservations – I hope this increases the people that give this place a shot. Allowing a Tables in Wonderland discount wouldn’t hurt either.
• Dates for the 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival – Like Food & Wine, Flower & Garden is getting more dates. It’s interesting that they’re keeping it open through Memorial Day weekend (when people would show up anyway.)
• An Experience to Remember: Savor the Savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Not a surprise that they’re offering a “Wild Africa Trek-like” experience for the new night time Safaris. (Well, the riding / eating parts, it doesn’t involve the walking sessions in the bridge.) I wonder if there will be an AP discount for this one.
• Magic Kingdom extends park hours for June 2016 – If you’re planning on going to the Magic Kingdom on one of the days it opens at 8am, you can actually get some fun stuff done before the crowds really roll in.
• Epcot’s Margarita Stand closes, but may not be permanent – For reasons unknown to me, Elyssa actually likes this place, so I guess it’s sad that it’s closing?
• ESPN Club now offering reservations for lunch – I thought this might be paving the way for reservations all day, but I think there’s at least some chance that Disney wants a place that people can go without reservations to watch various sports-ball games.
• Early Morning Magic at Magic Kingdom Extended Through September – Friends of the site, Howie and Wes, really enjoyed this experience. If it’s still around next time Elyssa and I visit, we might give it a try.
• Disney “Drops” Plans for Tower of Terror Themed Bar at Hollywood Studios – The idea was a little strange anyway, but I guess I’m “sad” it’s not going to happen?
• New Animated Magic Shot at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – I admit, I’m looking forward to getting one of these with Elyssa next time we ride.
• New Summertime Eats Debut Today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Shaved turkey and Gouda, really? They couldn’t have gone with spicy chicken? Boo!
• ‘Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire’ Begins June 17 at Magic Kingdom Park – I admit, I think this is going to end up being pretty good. I’m not sure why, I just think it has potential. (UPDATE: It debuted today and was pretty cool.)
• New ‘Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular’ Fireworks Set To Make History at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Starting June 17 – I’m glad I got to see the previous show, because it was amazing. If the rumors are true that the goal for this show to is be a little less “explosion heavy”, I wonder how it ‘s going to compare.
• Frozen Ever After Attraction & Royal Sommerhus Set to Open at Epcot June 21 – I wonder how many people have their articles about this “just being a re-vamp of Malstrom” and “not true to Epcot’s vision” already written. (UPDATE: Sommerhus opened today!)
• FastPass+ Booking Window Time Change to 7am. – I like this change, since I’m always up at 7am, and rarely up at midnight.
• Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Moving Away From ADRs, Walk-Up Availability Only – There are rumors that the Plaza is going to be replacing Skipper Canteen as the new “no ADRs allowed!” option at the Magic Kingdom. I guess this fits a need for people who “didn’t know” you you have make ADRs in advance, but it also conflicts with everything Disney has trained people to do for years I’m interested to see how this plays out.
• Soarin’ to close early to prepare for new Soarin’ Around the World – It’s almost time for “New Soarin'”…
• Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter’s Food Court To See Refurbishment – Closing through the Fall is quite a long time. I wonder what kind of “reimagining” we’ll get out of this. I’ve already said that French Quarter is very appealing with it’s BOATRIDE to Disney Springs, and this could increase that.
• Typhoon Lagoon Expansion Planned with New Family Raft Ride – I’m not sure this a direct reaction to Volcano Bay, but the timing is curious. (That said, to people really stay at WDW v. Uni because of the water park options?)
• Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar Gets Ready to Open at Disney Springs – I guess I’ll try a meal that involves fried chicken and doughnuts.
• Epcot’s Disney Vacation Club Lounge Brings Imagination Pavilion’s Old ImageWorks Back to Life – I don’t hate that this exists. I wonder if it will get enough use to justify its existence, though.
• Reservations Open Tomorrow for New Dining Package at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park – Can I get a “dining package” that is just Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake and preferred seating for Tink in the MSEP for $10? That I would do. (Tony’s, I would not.)
• Les Parfaits Inconnus circus group coming to Canada Pavilion – I can’t say that I’m very excited about this one.

That clears all the pending News Nuggets. Hopefully, the next couple of weeks will bring some better news.