This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of November 16, 2014.
Here are the four biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days…
1. Flame Tree Barbecue is closing for refurbishment next year
My favorite quick service dining location in all of Walt Disney World will be getting a three month refurbishment in 2015. Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be closing on January 5, 2015 reopening sometime in April.
The refurbishment will bring major improvements to the outdoor seating area. Disney will be expanding the covered seating area and also covering the walkways. The roof of the restaurant will also be expanded to cover the rest of the queue.
This is a welcome change, especially during the 10 months out of the year when there are afternoon thunderstorms on a daily basis. The food offered at Flame Tree will be served at various kiosks around the park during its closure.
2. Disney’s Contemporary Resort gets ready for the holidays
The annual gingerbread display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is now showcased and themed around, drum roll please… Frozen. Although no Frozen hate here. It’s just too cute.
Here are some fun facts about this year’s 17-foot tall display.
Made with:
- 311 pounds of honey
- 514 pounds of flour
- 212 eggs
- 67 pounds of spices
- 222 pounds of icing
- 423 pounds of chocolate
- 1,500 gingerbread shingles
- 14 hidden Olaf’s
If you are on the monorail make sure to look out the window as you pass through the Contemporary to get a glimpse of the display.
3. Spice Road Table is now taking reservations
After almost a year of disappointing attendance, Spice Road Table at Epcot will now be taking reservations. The restaurant is located in the Morocco Pavilion and opened earlier this year in January. The restaurant serves small-plates (tapas) and has been walk-up only since its inception.
Being nearly always empty every time I walk by, it’s a no brainer that Disney is looking for ways to beef up its attendance. Guests can make reservations for dates starting on December 2, 2014, with operating hours from 11am to 9pm.
4. The Disney Springs West Side parking garage is now open
Praise the Disney gods, parking has arrived to Downtown Disney (Disney Springs). The opening of the garage is a new chapter in the transition from Downtown Disney to Disney Springs. Now that the West Side garage is operational the Marketplace parking lot will soon close to begin construction on the Marketplace parking garage opening in 2016.
The new parking garage is still unfinished with much of the exterior and walkways still needing completion. The parking garage will also feature light indicators to notify a driver if a space is available.
The relief may not last long, so enjoy the next few weeks of parking.
