Kona Cafe’s Big Kahuna sails off into the Sunset

by John Dining, Resorts

It’s a “sad”* day at Rope Drop [dot] Net HQ, as it is being reported that Kona Cafe has removed the Big Kahuna from its breakfast menu. Anyone who follows Elyssa and me on Twitter knows that one of our “go to” breakfast options is Elyssa with her Big Kahuna and me with my Tonga Toast at Kona (We pretty much always get a coffee press pot when it’s available at a Disney restaurant as well.) As Elyssa pointed out on Twitter, she isn’t even sure how she’s supposed to go on now. Here’s hoping that when we ask our server for a Big Kahuna next time we’re at Disney World, they just make it anyway.

Elyssa's beloved Big Kahuna — Elyssa’s beloved Big Kahuna

Don't ever leave me... — Don’t ever leave me…

* In case you can’t tell, there’s supposed to be some humor in this post. Obviously, we are aware of things that have more impact than a beloved breakfast option being removed from one of our favorite breakfast restaurants.

News Nuggets from Around Disney World

by John Disney Springs, Epcot, Events, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

They're going to bring this back to Food & Wine, right? — They’re going to bring this back to Food & Wine, right?

The biggest “news” since we last shared a helping of News Nuggets is the announcement of the details of Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival. This year’s festival runs 75 days from opening Aug. 31 through Nov. 1. It was also have 35 booths (“marketplaces”) this year. For more details, check out Disney’s press release about what’s to come.

Now, from the rest of the nuggets:

The New “Minnie Mouse Loves Dots” Collection is Now Available at UNIQLO at Disney Springs – In a surprise to no one, Elyssa has already picked up a few things from this collection.
The Rock Working with Disney Imagineering to Update The Jungle Cruise Attraction for Upcoming Film – I think I’m going to need Dwayne to skipper a boat for Elyssa and ,e before I can fully evaluate these changes. (Sadly, it looks like this rumor wasn’t true.)
New MagicBand 2 Colors Unveiled at Walt Disney World Resort – The headline for this article is weird, since it mentions the colors (which aren’t available separately), but the article is really about the custom designs.
New Mickey Mouse Celebration Cakes Coming Soon to Walt Disney World Resort – These look like monochrome versions of the Amorette’s Patisserie cakes, but are cheaper and available in the Disney restaurants.
Reservations Now Open for ‘The Music of Pixar LIVE!’ Dining Package at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Dining packages are all the rage. I wonder if this show will actually require on, though.
Incredibles Super Dance Party Being Replaced in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom; Limited Time Meet & Greet – I admit it: Elyssa & I have had fun at the Incredibles Dance Party in the past.
Celebration at the Top – Savor, Sip, and Sparkle extended to select Sundays through August 27, 2017 – No real surprise, here. I’m still not sure this event is something I’ll do, though.
Disney Store Introducing “Fantasyland Football” Theme Park Merchandise in Fall 2017 – I own a couple of the basketball shirts, so I hope they make the football ones as nice.
Mickey Mouse races around London in promotion of his new animated series “Mickey and the Roadster” – Adorable.
Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek to Reveal What’s Next at D23 Expo 2017 – It’ll be tough to top last year’s announcements. Maybe just some more details about things they’ve already talked about?
Alcoholic Milkshakes & Floats Arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Just In Time for Summer – That’s one way to spend some time during the heat of the summer at The Studios.
Sound Lion now closed at Disney Springs – Huh. I actually wandered into the store the other week while waiting for Elyssa. I imagine it was tough to get the kind of volume necessary in “high end headphones” to cover the Springs rent.
Rumors point to a possible Haunted Mansion restaurant at Magic Kingdom – Friend of the site Ken Storey writes about the latest dining rumor.
Walt Disney World plans to deploy driverless shuttles in Florida – These seem inevitable, especially since Disney can just map every square inch of its property to plug into its driverless system.
WDW News Today Rumor about Walt Disney World Looking to Build Volcano-Themed Resort Hotel at the Magic Kingdom – I thought the rumor of the volacno coaster (I first heard from Jim Hill) was a little extreme, but this takes it up a notch.
This Mother’s Day, Pamper Mom at Disney Springs – If you’re going to be down at Disney World over Mother’s Day, maybe you want to check out a special gift for your mother.
Baby Groot & Star Lord of MARVEL’s Guardians of the Galaxy Now Meeting Guests at Walt Disney World – I enjoy Disney feeling out the edges of the Universal deal. That said, it’s not exactly Chris Patt meeting as Star Lord. (Baby Groot seems promising, though.) Here’s a video of the experience:

Disney Springs to host free yoga session ‘Yoga By the Springs’ for small group of guests – Again, if you’ll be at Disney World on May 9th and like yoga, why not give this a shot?
Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom to be Closed Summer/Fall 2017 for Refurbishment – All of September, and October, and the first half of November? That’s a long refurb.
Kenny the Pirates’s Rumor Round Up of the Character Changes at Walt Disney World – Moana seems like a natural fit for Adventureland. Also, Rey in the BB-8 meet-and-greet would be awesome, but the queue would need to get much bigger.
Paddlefish at Disney Springs Offering Unique Mother’s Day Special – $48 is a lot for a pasta dish, even if it has Lobster (though I probably pay that much for a good steak a few times a year).
Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie Extended through August – It’s a “different” experience, but $129 is still more than I would value it.
Catch a Sneak Peek of Disney·Pixar’s ‘Cars 3’ Now at Disney Parks – You can just look at the Disney movie release schedule to see what’s coming up. (Thor after this, right?)
Member creates DVC Investment Calculator – Seeing the overall investment over the length of a contract can be pretty daunting.
May 2017 Monorail service adjustments – Check this out: “From 11:30am to 6:00pm on May 16, 17, 23 and 24, stops at the Contemporary will be switched to the Express Monorail line. During this period, the Resort Monorail will shuttle between the Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom only. The Express Monorail will make stops at the TTC, Contemporary and Magic Kingdom. ” I’m sure that won’t confuse anyone.
Savor a Taste of the Pacific Northwest at Geyser Point Bar & Grill – Nice little promotional video for Geyser Point. Unfortunately, the food and service don’t really live up to the location. (At least from out experience.) Maybe when Roaring Fork is back open, there will be less stress on Geyser Point and the service will improve.
Creators Ready ‘Happily Ever After’ for May 12 Debut at Magic Kingdom Park – I’m still apprehensive about this show, but I’ve got my fingers crossed that it’s going to come together at the end. I’ll embed the preview video at the end of hte post.
Additional Backstage Viewing Area Being Opened for “Wishes” Farewell and “Happily Ever After” Debut at Magic Kingdom – Disney is anticipating a pretty big crowd for the end of Wishes and the start of Happily Ever After. I think they’re probably right to expect that.
Typhoon Lagoon closing for maintenance mid-May – Looks like you shouldn’t plan on visting Typhoon Lagoon on May 15 and 16.
Disney is about to revive one of its classic theme park ride systems – Has it really been 30 years since Disney built an all ages BOATRIDE in the US?
Fittings and Fairings Clothes and Notions – Between this and the Captain’s Grill, there’s a lot closed at the Yacht Club.
Disney World gondolas would connect parks, hotels, documents confirm – It really looks like this whole gondola system is going to happen, huh?
Rumors of Disney Creating Star Wars “Starship” Luxury Resort & Experience Attached to Disney’s Hollywood Studios – What’s interesting to me about this rumor is how far it’s spread. I’ve had a number of people I wouldn’t consider diehard Disney fans bring it up to me.
Frozen Summer Games Coming to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park Starting May 26 – Interestingly, this is still the only place that you can meet Kristoff on Disney property.