It’s an overcast midwinter’s day in central Florida… the perfect time to go to Magic Kingdom! Let’s see what’s new.

I was welcomed to the park with this charming little iOS alert. It truly is the future, where Cast Members don’t just welcome you to the park––your phone does!

Construction Updates

The Tomorrowland Speedway has been down for a refurbishment and track realignment since early January. Today, however, was the first day that the queue has seen any work.

According to the Cast Member stationed out front, the walls went up overnight.

There was audible construction work happening behind the walls. It sounded (and smelled) like they were cutting metal. I even saw some sparks flying, and you can see them ever so slightly in the above photo.

Some serious work is underway now. They brought out the heavy machinery.

They chopped down almost all the trees in the area. It looks like the logging scene in Kali River Rapids.

This area will be unrecognizable in a couple years. Lots of dirt getting moved around.

I have to say, even with active construction going on with the track and beyond, it’s so quiet over here now. No car engines, no exhaust fumes, no “please don’t bump the car in front of you” automated spiel… I’m going to miss the peace when the Tomorrowland Speedway reopens.

Bay 1 in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is still behind walls. The floor replacement should be almost finished, I should think.

Back in Tomorrowland proper, a couple things seem to be missing…

Both the news robot and the futuristic phone booth are missing in action. Is this a result of their mention in our weekly maintenance report? Or is this another victim of the slow de-cluttering of Tomorrowland? Only time will tell.

The crane is still behind the castle. It should be nearing the end of its job, it’s been here for a while now.

A quick look at the upper spires of Cinderella Castle shows that just a few areas still have the holiday light netting on them. Yup, almost finished!

No one else may find this as interesting as I did, but look: new pavement in Liberty Square!

Merchandise

The new pink donut Minnie Mouse ears have finally arrived! These work double duty––you can wear them in a Disney Park or at Universal Studios when you meet Homer Simpson.

We also found this new popcorn bucket at the popcorn stand in the hub. More pictures can be found here.

I don’t think this popcorn stand sells anything unless you can put a picture of it on Instagram.

New hot dog of the month for February at Casey’s Corner! I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list.

Speaking of February, new month means new pins! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.

In celebration of Lunar New Year.

I can’t tell if this is ‘haute couture’ or just plain ugly. I found it in Sir Mickey’s in Fantasyland.

The Pooh Bear collection we found at Epcot a while back is now available in Fantasyland as well! Found in Hundred Acre Goods, at the attraction exit.

These are still available, folks, only $50. What a bargain!

Kermit pillows seemed like a strange choice to sell at a mobile cart at first, but when I realized they don’t sell any Muppet merchandise anywhere else in Liberty Square anymore, it made a bit more sense.

Last but not least, I took a trip to visit Tinkerbell on Main Street to see the new automated PhotoPass box. It’s been installed, but oddly they still had a human photographer at my session. I’m not complaining, the pictures usually turn out better with a live person pulling the trigger. What confuses me, though, is why they camouflaged the box? I feel like guests won’t know where to look.

Well, that’s it from me! Tinkerbell said she’s going to help me try to find the rest of the Lost Boys. Neither of us seemed to know where they had run off to. See you next time!

Henry Taylor