8/1 Denise’s Corner – Art of Animation Resort, Refillable Mugs, Kevin & Jody 40th WDW Merchandise
Hi everyone!
I’m a couple of days late again with my column – I knew my one challenge would be having it ready each Friday (I never know my schedule from week to week), but I’ll eventually have a weekly system down!
We had another big resort week! Our update of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort shows the vibrant colors on the Finding Nemo buildings, and I posted the Bonnet Creek Hilton and Waldorf Astoria photos that I promised. A Disney’s Vero Beach Photo Tour should be up next!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort – Finding Nemo Building
Our most popular resort articles and videos of the last two weeks have had to do with the refillable mug – and standard cup – test at Disney’s All Star Sports Resort. Our narrative video has over 5500 views, and my articles have thousands of views on them as well. The comments have ranged the gamut, from readers/viewers who are happy that Disney has cracked down, to those who feel that since Disney gets the soda for free (and I don’t know that they do), that it should be free for all. You can find my thoughts on my Denise’s Corner article from 2 weeks ago, as well as the article I posted a few days back that shows how the machines work.
New Refillable Mug Machines, All Star Sports Resort
We posted photos and video of the Grand Floridian construction wall that is likely the first step in the process to a new DVC add-on. You can see plans here on another website. Several DVC members have asked why we think it’d be a DVC project when Disney hasn’t announced it. Disney also didn’t announce the Bay Lake Tower until September of 2008, and I was taking photos of the Contemporary Resort’s “rumored DVC project” in spring of 2007 (we followed it from ground breaking to opening).
Grand Floridian Construction Wall
Contemporary Resort Bay Lake Tower Construction
The Grand Floridian update also included photos of Fantasyland and the Magic Kingdom, and we added a new Magic Kingdom update yesterday which also included Tinker Bell’s new Meet & Greet.
Tinker Bell at the Adventureland Verandah
Beast’s Castle
We were saddened to hear that Jennings Osborne passed away last week. He began the tradition of putting Christmas lights up at his house in the 80’s, before his neighbors sued him to have them taken down. He lost the battle, but hundreds of thousands of guests at Walt Disney World now get to enjoy the Osborne Lights every year!
On a lighter note, Kevin Kidney & Jody Dailey have created some wonderful merchandise items for Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary! They also shared that they’d be at Walt Disney World to sign their creations on October 1st. First Shag (I have an interview with Shag here!), now Kevin & Jody – it’s a great year for Walt Disney World fans!
Take a look at some of Kevin & Jody’s upcoming items:
A Beautiful Ceramic Vase Based on the Concept Art by Mary Blair for the Grand Canyon Concourse
Remember these Vintage Cups? Now You Can Own Them in Ceramic Form!
Boxed Dinnerware Set Based on the 1971 Preview Center Map
We own quite a few items by Kevin & Jody, and I expect we’ll own each of the items above as well! You can follow their work on Kevin Kidney’s blog.
One of the questions I received on Twitter this week:
Q: Have you heard of any new Walt Disney World discount codes for November?
I haven’t seen anything available to the general public yet past October 1st, but that can change at anytime! I recommend signing up for the Mousesavers newsletter for the most current and most complete deal listings.
Are you planning to go to the D23 Expo in California? There is a small food court at the Hilton that includes a Baja Fresh Express, and a coupon online for 10% off! There are other coupons in the area as well, including at Anaheim Gardenwalk.
Denise