This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of August 3, 2014.
Here are the four biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days…
1. Maelstrom’s final day of operation may be September 27, 2014
The popular attraction at Epcot’s Norway Pavilion may be closing its doors on September 28, 2014. The reason for this speculation is because the attraction no longer appears in Disney’s Fastpass+ system after September 27. When an attraction is closed for refurbishment it will be indicated when making your Fastpass+ selections. In this case, the attraction has simply disappeared! Disappeared! Disappeared!
© Disney
This is no doubt in preparation for the Frozen makeover of Maelstrom. Don’t expect a simple and cheap overlay. The transformation is likely to take over a year with new set pieces and a reconfiguration of the queue and exit locations to accommodate the extra crowds.
Although Maelstrom is a must do for me when visiting Epcot, I have no problem in something new. I have visited Norway many times seeking peril and adventure, but more often find beauty and charm, and it will be interesting to see how the Imagineers pull this off.
Aside from the transformation of Maelstrom and a few more Frozen merchandise at the store, I don’t expect the theming of Norway to change much more. If you’re just an average guest strolling by, you might not even know anything has changed.
Remember, these are simply rumors until confirmed by Disney.
2. The Yankee Trader refurbishment has been extended
Image © Disney
Last week we reported the closure of the Yankee Trader so it can be transformed into a Haunted Mansion themed merchandise location. Originally the store was scheduled to reopen in October, but that is no longer the case. The renovation has been extended through the end of 2014, opening January 1, 2015. That is a three-month extension to the original plans.
3. The Haunted Mansion will briefly close for refurbishment
Starting December 1, 2014 the Haunted Mansion will be closed for refurbishment and reopen on December 20, 2014. This coincides with the new refurbishment dates for the Yankee Trader. It is highly expected that the closure is to add on-ride photos to the attraction. The location of the Yankee Trader will serve as a pick-up location for the photos.
For anyone wondering where the photos might be taken, the hitchhiking ghost scene is your best bet.
4. The It’s Tough to be a Bug refurbishment has been extended
Another refurbishment has been extended, but this time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s Though to be a Bug will now reopen to guests on September 28, 2014. That is an extension from the original reopening date of August 12.
It is likely that the closure of the attraction has nothing to do with the attraction itself. The Tree of Life was in desperate need of repair after a piece of a branch fell into the attraction queue two years ago. This refurbishment is likely to address that issue.
