News Nuggets from Around Disney World

It’s time for another edition of the News Nuggets, and the biggest news of the past few days might be that the complete menus of the Epcot Food & Wine festival have been released. Thankfully, it looks like the chocolate truffle from last year is coming back.

Of course, there was a whole bunch of other Disney World news stories to cover, so let’s get right to the News Nuggets!

New Anna and Elsa “Frozen” meet and greet in the Royal Sommerhus opens at Epcot – The new area looks pretty awesome. I hope it’s well received. If you want more here, here are some pictures from AllEars.net.
WDW News Today’s Review of the new Star Wars Fireworks – As a lot of people did, this review mentions how the Fireworks seemed to be “off center” for people who are viewing down Hollywood Blvd. Here’s a video from WDW Magic, if you want to see the show.
Changes to Princess Meet & Greets at the Magic Kingdom. – Tiana moving into Princess Fairytale hall was kind of a surprise. I had rumors it was going to be Merida.
2017 Disney Dining Plan, Quick Service Dining Plan and Deluxe Disney Dining Plan details – Kenny the Pirate breaks down the changes to the plan. I admit, the whole “snack” thing is something that I’ve never really taken a lot of time to understand or analyze (especially since the Dining Plan isn’t accepted at any Orlando Chick-Fil-As.)
EasyWDW on Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire at Magic Kingdom Viewing Tips and Review – Really good tip from Josh here about viewing the show for a little further back to take advantage of the natural incline that’s built into the area in front of the castle.
Celebrity Chefs and New Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels Set for the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – This is just one of (what is to be) many posts from Disney about the Food & Wine festival. I might consider giving the Trader Sam’s “behind the scenes” thing a shot (if the price is in any way reasonable.)
A Sweet Lesson: Macaroons vs. Macarons – Information for life.
Morimoto Asia Forbidden Lounge late night menu now available – I can think of worse ways to finish the night than closing down Morimoto’s at 1 a.m.
Most Disney World Resorts Show Surprisingly Low Price Increases for 2017 – Great analysis from Dave over at yourfirstvisit.net. I wonder if the large increase at the Port Orleans resorts is related to their proximity to Disney Springs.
WDW Swan and Dolphin Resort hosts Sandtastic Weekends – Events like these are always interesting to me. I doubt anyone would book a stay because of it, but it might be cool if you’re already there.
Frontera Cocina by Chef Rick Bayless Now Open at Disney Springs – DFB’s Review is positive, their reviews seem to always be positive, so take it for what it’s worth…. (WDW News Today’s Review was also very positive.)
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Revamps Menu, Favorites Change, New Items Added – Interesting modifications. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the food items have reached BOATHOUSE level, yet.
Coca-Cola Store & Rooftop Tasting Bar Opens at Disney Springs – THEY HAVE CANS OF SURGE!! (Talk about burying the lede.) Here is some video and Images from Inside the Magic
Tink is *not* happy with having to wait so long for her News Nuggets
Kali River Rapids to Test Single Rider Option – I’ll ride Splash Mountain a 100 times, but the thought of getting soaked on Kali River Rapids just doesn’t appeal to me.
Disney Testing Automated PhotoPass Cameras at Non-Attraction Locations – Remember that feeling you get when waiting for someone to use an ATM? I imagine this is going to be worse for me.
Ring in 2017 at the New ‘Disney Countdown to Midnight’ New Year’s Eve Celebration – I always wonder if they’ll sell out an event like this that costs $225 per person. That just seems way too steep to me.
WDW News Today Rumors of Universe of Energy at Epcot Likely to Close Soon for Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction – This rumor is really going out on a limb. If it turns out to be true, WDW News Today will have a nice feather in their cap. If not, it’s going to be pointed to for a long time as big miss.
Updates to Epcot’s Extra Magic Hours offerings – You had to know they were going to add Frozen Ever After to this.
2016 Candlelight Processional at Epcot Dining Packages On Sale – It’s tough to book a package when the announcers aren’t known for so many dates. Also, with them offering packages for Captain’s Grill and Trattoria Al Forno, there’s going to be a lot of spots filled up package buyers.
New Items at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion – I wasn’t going to link to this article, then I saw the cinnamon loaf. I think I’m going to have to try that.
Tiffins Introduces New Lunch Offerings – I wish more Signature restaurants did this (like Le Cellier used to).
Da Mouse’s 2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Preview – As always, some really good images here from “Da Mouse”.
Mouse Steps Coverage of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade – I love that Denise covers this. It’s so fun to look at the photos.
Disney Vacation Club Safari Spectacular on Select Dates in September – This sounds like a good way to get people to try out the new Animal Kingdom at Night stuff. I also wonder how long it will take a complimentary event like this to sell out.
Caribbean Beach DVC Rumors Resurface – This move seems to make sense (at least to test out the waters.)
Belly Dancing returns to Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion with Musique Aramenco – I don’t have a really strong opinion on this, but I feel like it’s the right move.
A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas Now Offering FastPass+ Bonus – If there’s a long wait for Pirates, why not try this instead?
Uber Updates the way that it processes Requests at Disney World. – Hopefully, the only thing this change does it make it easier for people to get quick Uber pick-ups while visiting Disney World.
Celebrate Halloween at ‘Club Villain’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – They’re bringing back this event on Friday and Saturday nights from September 2-October 29 (and also on October 31). With this timing, it’s an alternative option to Mickey’s Not So Scary (but on different nights.) I know this event has gotten good reviews, but $129 a person seems just so steep for something like this.
Reservations for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Premium Events available starting July 21 – Set your alarms if you want to make sure you’re first in “line” to book some of these events.
Inside look at 2016 DVC Beach Bash – Got to love lines like: “When the ice cream cart was wheeled out, it was like ‘The Hunger Games’ with people grabbing Mickey Bars by the handful!”
PizzeRizzo Opening This Fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This post originally said “September”, but I guess Disney wanted to give themselves some leeway. I’m hoping they have the new flatbreads that from Pizzafari Josh over at easyWDW speaks so highly off.
Disney Springs Currently Testing Temporary Rental Phone Chargers – While I think Fuel Rod is a waste, this might be useful for some people.
Disney Early Morning Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Start August 1 – On first glance, not having Tower of Terror or Rockin Rollercoaster makes me wonder if this will be a good value, but I’m going to reserve judgment until some people actually experience the event.
Eat to the Beat Lineup Announced for 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – No real surprises, but probably a band or two you might like to check out if you’re a fan of music from the 90s.
Height test balloons over Epcot today as plans for Epcot’s Future World take shape – A little more fire to the rumor about an updated attraction coming to Future World.
Hands-on with the new ‘Get Directions’ feature of My Disney Experience – It’s not really something that I’ll probably take advantage of, but it could be nice.
The Polite Pig Restaurant to Open at Disney Springs in Spring 2017 – Interesting dining options just keep coming to Disney Springs. WDW Magic has a preview of the menu, which is interesting, but might not align with what Elyssa and I normally like to eat on vacation.

As you might imagine, there have been a bunch of ride-through / experience videos of the new attractions. I don’t think I’m going to watch any of them, but if you’re interested, here are a few: