Some new construction and other updates 9/22

[Travisma 1,317]

 

Construction walls are now installed in the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT. The walls surround the side of the Italy pavilion closest to The American Adventure, where there was an outdoor vending kiosk serving beer and soda as well as a pin cart. Both have been removed for the work.

 

Cast Members in the area weren’t sure what the work was for, but we noticed some pavement work nearby in the Italy pavilion.

 

 

Grand Floridian Reopening: Cleaning Up After the NBA, Magic Kingdom Walkway Not Open

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort reopened to guests today after being closed to house some of the NBA teams competing in the “bubble” season restart. With all of the teams now eliminated from the playoffs that were staying there, the resort is opening back up to guests today. We took an early morning stroll around the resort to take a look at some of the cleaning up that Disney has to do now that the NBA is gone as well as to check in on the Magic Kingdom walkway. Let’s take a look around!

We’ll start with the cleanup associated with the NBA bubble utilizing the resort. The biggest issues appear to be from the fencing that secured the bubble. Crews were actively tearing up grass that had died as a result of the fencing, and there were patch jobs around the walkways where the fencing was drilled into the pathway.

Some NBA related activity is still taking place in Boca Chica, where signage inside the building said “Welcome NBA Families”, and we saw personnel walking in and out of the building with NBA credentials. It is likely that this could be used for some overflow for anyone who would be on-site, but outside of the “bubble” as this is a guest accessible area now.

 

 

Magic Kingdom Walkway

Also of interest is the ongoing work for the Magic Kingdom walkway. While there was a possibility that the walkway could have opened today, it was still closed to guests and crews were actively working on it.

 

 

Reunion Station at Wilderness Lodge Now Closed

Despite multiple attempts to reinvent itself, Reunion Station at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has now closed its doors. This news was confirmed by Cast Members working at the resort earlier this past weekend.

Servicing both Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek Villas, Reunion Station acted as a community hall for Disney Vacation Club members and their guests. Since its opening in April 2018, however, it has struggled to find an identity that attracted members to the space.

Reunion Station has offered guests over the years a variety of workshops, including wine tastings, photography classes, cake decorating, and more. Special member events have also been held at this location, including New Year’s Eve parties, and most recently, the ‘Game Day Lounge‘ for enjoying some tailgate food and catching the week’s best football match-ups. Members also had the opportunity to rent this space for parties or special occasions.

It is not immediately clear when this area will reopen or what it will be repurposed into. The most logical choice could be to expand upon the adjoining Geyser Point Bar and Grill and provide some indoor seating to this popular establishment.

Let us know in the comments if you ever visited Reunion Station at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and what you thought of this member exclusive area while it lasted!

 

Walt Disney Imagineering Files Permit for Graphics Installation at “it’s a small world” in Magic Kingdom

A new permit indicates that Walt Disney Imagineering will be replacing some graphics at “it’s a small world” in Magic Kingdom. The permit is to “remove and reinstall graphic” at 1460 Magic Kingdom Drive, the street address of the attraction.

Without more information, it’s unknown what exactly Imagineering is planning on replacing at the ride. It could be any signage, inside or out. The “it’s a small world” queue also recently received a complete refurbishment. As we reported on just last year, the attraction was slated or a character overlay (similar to Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Park) for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, but it’s unknown if these plans are still underway given the impacts of COVID-19.

Prep For New EPCOT Starbucks Officially Underway

Electric Umbrella, once a counter-service restaurant in EPCOT’s Future World area, officially closed over six months ago as part of the EPCOT theme park reimagining.

For quite some time, however, remnants of the building, including the umbrellas on top of it, remained visible to Guests at the Disney park. Now, demolition of the former Electric Umbrella space is underway.

A new EPCOT Starbucks location and another, as-yet unannounced quick service restaurant will occupy the area when the Future World reimagining is complete.

What else is happening in Future World?

Although certain EPCOT construction projects, including the Space 220 restaurant, have been put on-hold, many of the previously announced work in Future World is continuing.

The PLAY! Pavilion, for example, has seen a great deal of progress recently. Located in the new World Discovery area, the PLAY! Pavilion will house interactive experiences for the entire family, including a sketching academy with The Incredibles’ fashion icon, Edna Mode.

The upcoming Moana water attraction is also on-track for its scheduled opening in the new World Nature neighborhood.

 

2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and 2021 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Cancelled, Will be Hosted as Virtual Events