Howdy! Today I spent the morning exploring Magic Kingdom before running to Hollywood Studios for a quick visit. Along the way, I also visited Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to check on the status of the lobby refurbishment, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campgrounds where I found a new cabin-inspired line.
Good Morning from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
This morning the security lines were pretty steep so I opted for the walking path from the Transportation and Ticket Center parking lot to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It was a quiet morning in the lobby which was a bit surprising given that it is currently under construction. Disney is calling it a refurbishment, but removing the iconic birdcage feels like a bold starting choice.
Good Morning from the Magic Kingdom
Good morning from an already busy Magic Kingdom. I don’t know what it is about this Friday that brought everyone out but they are all here believe me. The sudden crowding made me wish to be back on the pathway from the Grand Floridian here.
Missing Banners!
I would love to write something worthy of clickbait like “Someone stole the banners off Town Square Theater,” but alas, they are simply in refurbishment or being replaced entirely. I liked the art so hopefully it is just a clean up or whatever replaces it is equally nice. As always stay tuned to our website.
Emporium Updates
There isn’t much to update you on in the Emporium yet. The walls remain up in the remaining section near Casey’s. We expect more of the same that we have seen in the previous areas of the shop. It does sound like this is going to be an ongoing project throughout the shop entirely.
Why do kids get the best merchandise? Slap this art on the back of a cream-colored cropped t-shirt and I’m in. Anyway, this is a youth shirt and it is available for $21.99.
Grizzly Hall Posters in Rough Shape
I honestly believe after watching the ratty behavior of a few guests over the years that this nasty presentation is thanks to those culprits. However, in theory, this is an easy fix for Disney. I don’t know why but I do get icked by the yellow exposed glue edges. This is why we can’t have nice things.
Merry Christmas!
Only 245 days left until Christmas Day! It still feel like yesterday it was still in the 300’s but I guess that was 55 days ago now. In other news or lack thereof, the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe sign is still missing from the facade. Stay tuned to our website for when the refurbished sign returns.
Momento Mori Boo Bench
Okay, there is nothing truly spooky about this bench to call it a boo-bench, but the Haunted Mansion is spooky. I don’t remember this bench being here, and it doesn’t appear to have experienced any ratty behavior yet. Peep those little red eyes on the dog armrests, pretty cool. Good detail work there Disney.
Silly Sideshow and the Storybook Circus Banners
Welcome to my soap box. Disney, please fix these faded banners in Storybook Circus. This land is meant for the little ones and when it opened it had vibrant bright colors. You’d think when the Scenty Smellephants opened they would’ve refreshed the place, but no.
You can’t even see the sign above Donald and Goofy. Embarrassing.
Youth Story Play Stitch Dress – $49.99
Again, kids get the coolest merchandise. I love this kid’s line, Story Play because the fabric isn’t the same as that itchy hot costume I lived in as a child so willingly and even fought to wear. I love that the line is coming out with dresses that feature other Disney characters and not just the princesses.
Adult Walt Disney World Tank Top – $31.99
I don’t even need to say much about this. I love this entire line. I love the simplicity, the nostalgia for retired designs, and the palm trees. I’m not big into wearing tank tops but I can totally see this on both men and women.
Rejoice! Walls Are Down!
I’m dramatic but I do think it’s worth a mini dance party when walls come down at Walt Disney World. The Magic Kingdom has been in a state of progress in small areas of the park. The walls have finally been removed from outside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe and Cheshire Cafe.
Dapper Dan Moment
This is just a moment of appreciation for the legacy and performances of the Walt Disney World Dapper Dans. Getting to go to the park so often is certainly a privilege and I would love to say I never take it for granted, but moments like I had today make me appreciate what has become so normal to me.
These guys are fabulous and if you ever get the opportunity to take a moment of your Magic Kingdom day to see them you certainly should. Entertainment is hard to come by and these guys are top-tier.
Railroad Rides and Updates
Before I left the Magic Kingdom for the day I wanted to check in on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I hadn’t seen much action from the crane today so I wasn’t expecting much. I noticed there were a few crew members in the red structure backstage.
At Big Thunder Mountain I noticed crews working near the end of the track. It’s hard to get an unobstructed view of the space, but this is where the trains used to come back in to load and unload guests.
Fort Wilderness Campground Construction
The Lakeshore Lodge construction is moving quickly. There was even more framework for rooms in place when I boated by this afternoon. I also noticed that crews on the beach were setting up more frameworks for what looked like cabins. As always stay tuned to our website to stay up to date with Disney’s newest resort.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins Merchandise
In the Settlement Trading Post, I found new merchandise featuring the new Cabins logo. There is a limited-release pin available for $19.99, a Corkcicle tumbler for $54.99, a throw blanket for $69.99, and a sweater for $64.99.
I like the sleek design, it gives me more glamping than camping which is sorta what the cabins are anyway. Let me know what you think of the collection in the comments below.
Detour to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
I took a detour to Hollywood Studios to check out the new Hollywood Studios collection. I’m not a fan. I won’t sugarcoat it. I think the red logo looks like a Chevrolet logo. Hollywood Studios is brought to you by Chevy, not really but I can’t unsee it. Stay tuned to our website for a full merchandise breakdown.
In Walt Disney Presents there are currently four screen-used costumes from Disney’s ‘Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires’. I don’t know anything about the Zombie movie franchise but the costumes were cool.
Keystone is still behind walls, but there is small and slow progress being made.
I hope you enjoyed our adventure today. My favorite moment from today seeing the Dapper Dans singing down Main Street U.S.A. No, there wasn’t anything special about their performance today, but it was as nostalgic and perfect as usual. Sometimes it just hits you differently.
Let me know in the comments below if you have ever gotten to see the Dapper Dans perform in Magic Kingdom.
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