Howdy! I had a beautiful, albeit hot, day in the Magic Kingdom. I was surprised by some of our favorite Disney characters, devastated by the update on King Triton’s statue, and compensated for my grief with the most delicious chocolate treat in Walt Disney World.
Good Morning from the Magic Kingdom Resort Area
I started my morning by walking to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Along the way, I stopped in Disney’s Polynesian Resort Lobby, The Grand Ceremonial House. Boutiki is currently under refurbishment, and it looks like Disney has almost entirely sealed the far right side of the shop.
I continued my journey over to Disney’s Grand Floridian, where I was disappointed to see very little progress has been made in any of the walled-off spaces. I also noticed that one of the sets of sliding doors for the security area to get to the monorail on the second floor has been entirely blocked. Hopefully there is going to be some sort of big movement in this space soon. It’s too beautiful to be littered with construction walls.
Monorail to Magic Kingdom
On the monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom, I noticed that Disney had cleared out a lot of space. Likely this will be a staging area for new ‘Cars’ themed land coming to Magic Kingdom. We don’t really report on backstage stuff much, but this was visible from the monorail. Hopefully we will get to peak at something cool from here.
Main Street Train Station Update
Upon arrival to the Magic Kingdom, I was shocked to see the amount of scrim that now adorned the facade of the Main Street U.S.A. Train Station. This project has been going on for literal months at this point. The cream scrim is kinda gross after a week of being up and taken down.
I appreciate and understand that the parks need love and care, I just wish it didn’t take so long.
Curtain Call ALSO Now in Refurbishment
Before I even stepped foot in the first shop, I was greeted with even more scrims, yay. Curtain Call is the shop where you can have your merchandise embroidered and the exit shop after meeting the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse. The entire ramp’s decorative railings have been covered, and only the right side of the railing toward the doors is visible.
Disney has zero chill when it comes to covering this park in cream scrims and walls.
Confection Fun
In the Main Street Confectionery, I found a new Monsters Inc. Boo door-themed treat. The box of candy flowers can be yours for $6.99. On my way out, I was gifted a lollipop by one of the fabulous Cast Members.
Sleepy Beauty Harvey Tote – $228.00
In Uptown Jewelers there is a new Harvey tote available featuring the most silent princess, Sleeping Beauty. I especially loved the color palette and the gold Disney charm. I don’t have any Harvey bags. Are you a fan of the brand? Let me know in the comments below, because these purses are an investment.
The Dapper Dans and the Valiant Titan
I hadn’t even gotten off Main Street when the Dapper Dans came rolling by, thanks to their valiant steed, Titan. I love it when the Cast can tell the guests the animal’s name. I don’t know why, but there is something to knowing a creature’s name that makes it that much more special.
Plaza Restaurant Missing Iconic Piece
The Plaza Restaurant is missing the iconic image of the woman on the check-in counter. I wonder if someone needed a park souvenir, or if this was Disney replacing it with something more fitting to their refurbishments on Main Street. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
It’s Always Awkward Like This
When I stopped in to see how Sonny Eclipse was this morning, I was very upset to see he was in another dissociative state. No music was played or sung, but I suppose I was the only one there anyway. Still spooky to be in the Starlight Cafe with no sounds.
Astro Orbiter Refurbishment Wraps Up But…
The Astro Orbiter refurbishment is definitely wrapping up. HOWEVER. Through all this re-beautification, Disney couldn’t replace the black filling in the “R” of “Astro” on the attraction sign. I know they aren’t done and it hasn’t reopened, but we all know this isn’t getting fixed before the ride reopens. I bet a steak at Le Cellier. For legal reasons, this is a joke.
Tron Identity Program Figure SALE!
In Launch Depot, I noticed that Disney is offering a sale on the popular Tron Identity Program Figures. Usually, these personalized figures will cost you about $100 after tax, so this is a steal for anyone who has wanted to give this a shot. I am definitely debating it.
Character Suprise
When I was shopping in Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus, the last thing I expected to see was a series of our favorite characters entering the shop. It’s always cool when these guys sneak up on you. As someone who’s in the parks a lot I still enjoy seeing the characters, but enjoy hearing the nearby families react more.
Has a Disney character ever snuck up on you? Tell me about it in the comments below.
King Triton Statue Has Been DAMAGED!
King Triton has been damaged and I am VERY UPSET! Like a young mom at midnight in the middle of Magic Kingdom with a mad mother-in-law. King Triton is missing a chunk of his stomach on the right side and his hand is still scratched up. UNACCEPTABLE GUEST BEHAVIOR, but Disney please help the man soon.
Be Our Guest Damaged Wooden Medallion Now Missing
This is why we can’t have nice things. I’d like to think it was Disney that ripped the phony medallion off the Be Our Guest menu board, but given the damage made, maybe not. Doesn’t really matter, it wasn’t a themed wooden medallion, the blank one is the one missing now.
THE BEST TREAT and Captain Hook Photo Bomb
I went to Pinocchio Village Haus to try the new Pinocchio Cookie Tart. For my full review of the literal best treat I’ve ever had in Walt Disney World, you can visit our website or Instagram. The point of bringing up the review here is that I was photobombed by Captain Hook. Horrifying how easily these characters were sneaking up on me today, but more terrifying was a crowd of excited fans that was following him. Perhaps I was in his way.
The Sword in the Stone Covered and Roped Off
After enjoying my delicious treat and recovering my heart from all the character ambushes, I wandered over to the Sword in the Stone. I have never seen this blue cover on the sword before. There was also a rope up, preventing guests from entering that space.
I don’t know what’s up here, and the Cast didn’t have much intel past the fact that it was currently unavailable.
Sleepy Hollow Reverts Back To Classic Menu
I guess the Sleepy Hollow menu was not performing as well as what they had hoped. SO GOOD NEWS! The regular fruit waffle and Nutella waffle are back at Sleepy Hollow. I volunteered as tribute, but I already had my treat for the day. Maybe next time.
This was my favorite Magic Kingdom treat until Disney took it off the menu, but then I had that Pinocchio Cookie Tart and now that’s my favorite. So really, it’s for science to find out which one is the real winner. Stay tuned.
Liberty Square Doll and Hall of Presidents Moment
THE LIBERTY DOLL HAS MOVED. She has shifted her weight, all 1 gram of it, to the right. Maybe she’s preparing for the Hall of Presidents to fully reopen. Disney recently reopened the lobby area to offer guests an escape from the elements.
Train Rides and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Updates
I rode the train from the Frontierland Train Station. I noticed that progress is being made on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishments. It looks like the building behind Tiana’s restrooms is a vehicle barn for Big Thunder Mountain. This was all I could see from the train, but it does look like some tracks are poking from the windows.
Lakeshore Lodge Resort Progresses but at What Cost?
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is making steady progress, but some of the sightlines from Pioneer Hall look less like the wilderness than it used to. I’d like to remain optimistic about this project, but I just don’t think this was the right place for this resort.
There is a new A-frame cabin being built on the far right of the property closer to Fort Wilderness. Previously we reported the frames on Clementine Beach.
Magic Kingdom Appreciation Moment
I hope you enjoyed our day in Magic Kingdom and a few of the resorts. My favorite moment from today was being surprised by the characters in Storybook Circus while shopping in Big Top Souvenirs. It’s always so shocking to see their familiar faces when you aren’t expecting it.
Let me know in the comments below what your favorite moment was from today’s adventures.
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