Howdy Hey! This morning I started my day in Disney’s Grand Floridian, where the lobby is currently under some serious refurbishments. I then went to Magic Kingdom where I started to get paranoid that someone from Magic Kingdom may be reading this. I ended my day in Disney Springs with some light shopping.
Good Morning from a Happy Anhinga
This bird haunts every body of water near and in Walt Disney World. Often you’ll overhear the average tourist confuse this bird for a snake when it’s swimming in the water because all you can see is its skinny head poking up above the waves. The Anhinga has to dry its feathers after a swim because it is not blessed with more waterproof feathers like ducks.
It’s a weird-looking creature without a doubt, and I have seen it snap at those who want to play Crocodile Hunter with the local wildlife.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Lobby Renovation
I started my morning on the walking path to Magic Kingdom because I wanted to check out the progress made on the birdcage area of the lobby in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. I was shocked to see almost every wall of the lobby was blocked by construction walls.
The check-in, concierge, and anything else you might have found at the front desk are now located in the front half of the lobby sitting area. The space is roped-off with red ropes and golden stanchions. For a more detailed look be sure to visit our construction update article.
I was shocked to see that the construction crew members were already starting to rip the wallpaper off the walls behind the front desk. I’m not nostalgic for this resort past the fact that Princess Diana stayed here, but it still felt icky to watch.
Good Morning from Magic Kingdom
I spoke too soon when I said that the parks were dying down in crowds. Word got out. It was a pretty busy day in Magic Kingdom for a day that really had no business being busy. The weather was perfect and barely reached the eighties by the afternoon.
Town Square Theater Banners Are Back
Last week, the banners on the Town Square Theater were removed. I was worried that they might change the design, but luckily it appears that it was just a deep clean because the same banners are hanging there now. This is just the beginning of today’s saga of Disney combing through the details that eat at me.
Stitch 626 Day 2025 Plush – $34.99
In the Emporium, I was a bit bummed that there wasn’t more new merchandise. But, the one thing I did find was wonderful. This 626-Day Stitch Plush for 2025 is adorable. I love that he has his antennas out but just has four legs.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree Posters Refreshed!
UPDATE! The entrance posters at Grizzly Hall where the Country Bear Musical Jamboree performs daily have been refreshed. Recently I noticed that the posters were a bit grimy-looking. For whatever reason, likely bad behavior from guests, the posters started to peel at the edges and revealed some icky yellow gunky glue underneath. Today, I noticed that they were back to their reopening appearance and securely glued on all edges of the frame.
Do you give people the death stare or mom stare when you see them misbehaving? I was bad about it when I was a kid.
Haunted Mansion Disappearing Pathway
At the Haunted Mansion, I was grateful last week to see that the ghostly dog bench had returned refreshed, but I feel like it’s been ages since this board was installed at the exit.
Now there is another section of the pathway behind the hearse that is also covered in black boarding. Is there something going on with the cobblestone? Is it too difficult for guests to traverse, so they are working on something easier? Whatever it is, I hope this is not the end of the cobblestone, because I think it fits the vibes perfectly. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Gaston’s Tavern Fountain Busted Stein
What the heck am I looking at? Blame it on the lack of caffeine and sleep, but it took me longer than I care to admit to figure out what was wrong here. I don’t know how, but I imagine this is similar to the damage on the middle cup. Back in March, I noticed there was some weird deterioration in a right-angle shape on the middle cup.
Now it appears that the bottom cup has an issue with its base, causing the water to pour directly through the bottom rather than bubbling over the lid. It’s a wonky fountain, and there always seems to be something strange going on with it.
Triton Look’n Good
King Triton is doing well. I’m thinking of pitching a company shirt featuring Daddy Triton like the one Ashley Eckstein made for Darth Vader. Let me know your thoughts and if you would buy one if it was designed well.
Pete’s Silly Sideshow Banners Disappear
The Disney people have to be watching us, right? One of you reading this? I’m suspicious. Because after a few weird coincidences, like the Triton Statue saga when I literally tracked his disappearance for almost an entire year then he was just retouched where he was missing paint… Then there were the Country Bear Posters…
Then there were the Pete’s Silly Sideshow banners that I called out last week for being entirely washed-out and sort of embarrassing. It was almost illegible on the right side. Now they are missing. I’m sure this is a refurbishment and new ones with vibrant colors will take their places soon.
Cement Work Continues in Magic Kingdom
This project has been an interesting one to follow. As far as I can tell it’s just concrete work, but I have to believe there is more than meets the eye. I wonder if there is some pipe work below the cement, given how close the restrooms are to this area and how long it is taking them to complete this space.
Big Thunder Railroad Refurbishment Update
OH NO! THE FIRST LOVEBUG SPOTTING OF THE SEASON! BRACE YOURSELVES!
Joking aside, I had a lovely ride on the Liberty Belle this afternoon. Be sure you ride it before the new lands move in to take its place. On the ride, I got a great view of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, where I noticed even more tracks had been installed and crews were hard at work painting areas of the mountain.
I think it’s so cool seeing the end of the track that will eventually connect to the next piece. It’s just not something you see in the parks often.
From the train, I was able to see the other side of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and I noticed that crews were still working in the hard-to-see spot just before the load and unload area. I also spotted a few crew members painting the Gold Dust Saloon a brighter green.
It’s not pictured here, but the bighorn sheep, the final animal remaining in the theming of Big Thunder, has been removed from the top of the mountain. Hopefully this is just a temporary removal. I loved the animals. As always, you can stay most up to date with this construction and more on our website.
Express Monorail Ride
After my boat and train ride, I decided the only logical next step would be to ride the monorail. I opted for the express monorail back to the Transportation and Ticket Center, TTC, where I parked my car.
On the walk out to the parking lot, I always check to make sure the Mickey’s Gift Station sign remains in place. I have a lot of fond memories of emergency buys before entering the park, or worse, on the way out. The sign itself is iconic and just screams nostalgia.
Disney Springs Updates
At Disney Springs there was Yin and Yang. Disney gives and Disney takes away. In this case, it’s not Disney’s fault, but the Volcom store has closed its doors indefinitely at the Disney Springs location. Recently the business was having everything-must-go sales, and in the last few weeks everything left was $5.
BUT… STK has opened their new outdoor upstairs patio which has to have some cool views of Disney Springs and vibes, although costly, would be a nice escape from the crowds.
Disney Style Finds
In Disney Style, I found a cute new embroidered purple shirt featuring Winnie-the-Pooh’s iconic line, “Oh Bother!” with a small honeypot for the O. The shirt is available for $34.99.
There is also a green athletic skort featuring similar images to the Walt Disney World collection we’ve seen trickle in. The skort is pleated, but I found the two small images a little strange and would have preferred one or the other. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. This skort is available for $44.99.
House of Blues Hosts Isabel Larosa – Psychopomp Tour
Isabel Larosa is performing at the House of Blues tonight. I was listening to her music on the way home, and I think it’s really fun. I’m certainly adding a few to my gym playlist. But I also have to open a park tomorrow morning, so I will be sleeping and not partying with Isabel Larosa this evening.
I hope you enjoyed our day at Walt Disney World. My favorite moment of today was finding that adorable 626 Day 2025 Stitch Plush in the Emporium at Magic Kingdom. Like one of our writers said, it’s almost the exact opposite color combo of Grogu and his frog from “The Mandalorian.”
Let me know in the comments below if there is anything that you enjoyed hearing about or would like me to cover next time!
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