Digital signboards have been popping up all over Disney property. These LED signs are not currently operational and it is uncertain still what their exact purpose will be.
At present, the digital signboards have popped up in three locations. We spotted two of them on World Drive near the Walt Disney Swan Reserve, and one near Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf.
More Sign Changes
Disney has been hard at work replacing signs all over Disney property.
Epcot has installed a fresh new marquee sign welcoming guests as they pass through the parking toll plaza.
Epcot Sign Sports New Look
The new signage sports all uppercase lettering which is a return to its look in previous years. Clean white lettering stands out and the Spaceship Earth Panels have also been removed. The new design has a bit of a retro feel to it.
Eight new characters have been added to the parking lot signs. They even divided the Epcot parking lot into two sides “space” and “earth”.
More Changes Coming Soon
A lot of new and exciting changes are still on the way. We have seen some sneak peeks of Te Fiti and had a few details released about the new upcoming Moana Journey of Water. This go-at-your-own-pace walkthrough interactive exhibit will entertain and educate guests at the same time.
This attraction is currently slated to open in Fall 2023.
All the new updates and changes are exciting and I am looking forward to seeing what Disney has in store for us next. I love seeing some of the more retro things coming back but also appreciate seeing some of the new fresh character experiences coming in.
What changes or updates are you most excited about? Share with us in the comments below.
Things are always happening at Disney from new merchandise to new attractions, events, and more. Make sure you subscribe to us on social media and check back often so we can keep you updated on all the latest Disney news.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk is now open. The innovative, original concept restaurant serves an extensive menu of brunch, lunch, and dinner items along with sumptuous milkshakes, desserts, and delectable confectionary treats, and is hosted by character ambassadors and world travelers Penelope and Jacques, to deliver an entirely new take on culinary inspirations for the entire family.
This uniquely inspirational restaurant is reminiscent of a Victorian steampunk chocolate emporium. Its interior is adorned with a collection from Penelope’s archives of chocolate research and various steampunk gadgetry and inventions complete with L.A.-based artisans’ paintings of steampunk airships journeying through the sky atop the interior dome. The dynamic exterior façade features a giant clockwork marquee and towering 97-foot smokestacks.
Within the eclectic space, guests can enjoy a full-service restaurant, a Dessert Foundry for grab-n-go over-the-top milkshakes and a Candy Smith counter to experience a cornucopia of sweet treats, including 30 different flavors of macarons, truffles, and an expansive offering of deliciousness, along with unique apparel and themed collectibles.
Executive Chef Carlos Garcia sits at the helm of The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen orchestrating a symphony of exquisite meals and desserts, prepared fresh to order within its two behemoth kitchens under the watchful eye of the restaurant’s skilled Sous Chefs.
From crisp salads and hearty soups to tasty burgers, flatbreads, and steaks, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen caters inspirational fare to every member of the family.
Sample tempting menus items include signature Chocolate Almond Bread, Avocado Bruschetta, Truffle Fries, Pork Belly Sliders, Coffee and Chocolate Stout Wings, Waldorf Chicken Salad, Toothsome Niçoise, French Onion Soup, Forest Mushroom Flatbread, Classic Margherita Flatbread, Southern Fried Chicken BLT, Chicken Cordon Blue sandwich, Red Ruben sandwich, Fork & Knife Ribeye Steak Sandwich, Croque Monsieur, Tour de France Burger, May Contain Bacon Burger, Brisket Burger, Teriyaki Burger, Wild Mushroom Chicken Risotto, Shrimp Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Teriyaki Salmon, Brisket & Wild Mushroom Meatloaf and Toothsome Signature Beef Tenderloin…to name but a few.
Brunch features such mouth-watering options as Nutella & Banana Crepes, Apple Pie Crepes, Beef & Mushroom Crepes, Berries, and Cream Waffles, Banana Foster Waffles, Chocolate Brioche S’mores French Toast, and several quiches.
Jacques Specialty Milkshakes include Red Velvet, Brownie, Cookie Jar, Espresso Buzzzz, Key Lime Pie, Heavenly Hazelnut, Marshmallow Crisp, Strawberry Cheesecake, That’s Mint, and Pineapple Upside Down.
Sweet Sundaes and Desserts include Brookies, Cookies & Cream, Apple Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Brownie Bark, Chocolate Crème Brulee, Classic French Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Potted Cream, Flourless Chocolate Gooey Cake, and Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal CityWalk
A kid’s menu and vegan Beyond Burger® options are available.
Hand-crafted libations include a Chocolate Old Fashioned, Spresso ‘tini, Cacao Nut Margarita and more are available for diners 21 years or older with valid photo ID.
Reservations can be made by visiting the website, and valet parking validation is available for diners.
More than just an eclectic restaurant, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen features an entertaining backstory whose origins are as enticing as the food. Unlike most dining establishments, the eatery is hosted by two highly regarded steampunk ambassadors, Penelope and Jacques.
As the story goes…the love of chocolate is at the core of Penelope’s family. Penelope, an innovator at heart, created Jacques, her trusty robot and confidant, to travel and explore the world. Upon returning to her small cottage home in London, England, after an extended trip abroad, Penelope discovered that her parents ventured out on a quest to find her, leaving a simple message – “We have set out to join you in your adventures. Surely the world isn’t so big that we can’t find you. We shall look for you wherever chocolate can be found.”
Thus, Penelope knew what she had to do. Armed with the insight she had on all things chocolate, Penelope created The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Her mission to share her passion and love of the sweet treat with the world was also grounded in the hope that one day her parents would find her.
Spectacularly dressed in Steampunk attire, Penelope and Jacques frequent The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen to await her parents’ arrival and to share their adventures and innovations with guests.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen is exclusive to Universal Parks & Resorts and is one of three worldwide locations, including Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Beijing Resort. The arrival of the restaurant coincides with the 30th anniversary of Universal CityWalk and is located adjacent to the popular Universal Cinema, an AMC® theater.
Whoopi Goldberg Wants Disney to Bring Back Song of the South. If we want to be very honest with each other, then we need to admit a conversation about race in this country is well overdue. Of course, that means in a civilized educated way. Not just regurgitating talking points that our politicians have created, but with an open mind and maybe listening to what the other side has to say. I mean let’s be honest there is a right side and wrong side of history to be on.
Just as relevant today as it was when originally written and discussed in 2017 Whoopi Goldberg, The View host, said “I’m trying to find a way to get people to start having conservations about bringing Song of the South back,” but for reasons that are just as important, she goes onto say “So we can talk about what it was and where it came from and why it came out.”
We know this is going to elicit a strong response from people who will make comments on the post, without even reading the article, but a discussion in an educated way is exactly what we need right now, especially after the recent closing of Splash Mountain in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. While some have no clue why others may be offended by a ride, others are outright demeaning those that think the ride is not a great idea to have around in this day and age we live in.
At the same time, this is a historical film and ride and is in the public mind right now, which could lead the way for people to become educated on the history of the Song of the South, Race, and why or why not an under-represented community would be offended.
Whoopi Goldberg Wants Disney to Bring Back Song of the South
Ms. Goldberg also discussed other racial depictions in Disney movies including Dumbo, pointing to the controversial crows in the 1941 animated classic Dumbo, the film’s “jive-talking” birds, one of which was named Jim Crow after the racial segregation laws.
“I want people to start putting crows in the merchandise because those crows sing the song in Dumbo everybody remembers,” she said, referencing the tune “When I See an Elephant Fly.” adding “I want to highlight all the little stuff people maybe miss in movies.”
Encanto Topped the Charts as Most Watched Movie in 2022. The streaming wars have heated up again. Netflix and Disney + have come out as the industry leaders with some of the biggest movies and show only showing on their platforms. The public viewers are the winners in this battle and we get the best entertainment. Viewers choose to watch both platforms according to the 2022 year-end most-watched list.
Disney + has six movies in the top 10 alone. The leader is Encanto released just over a year ago. Turning Red was number 2. Moana, Hocus Pocus 2, Frozen, and Luca round out the rest of Disney’s most-watched movies of 2022.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called Encanto.
The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel (voice of Stephanie Beatriz). But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.
Releasing on Nov. 24, 2021, the film features all-new songs by Emmy®, GRAMMY® and Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) and is directed by Byron Howard (“Zootopia,” “Tangled”) and Jared Bush (co-director “Zootopia”), co-directed by Charise Castro Smith (writer “The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez”), and produced by Clark Spencer and Yvett Merino; Bush and Castro Smith are screenwriters on the film.
Disney News Round-Up: Fort Wilderness Restaurant Closing, Monorail was down for an extended Time, New Mickey Head Balloon Popcorn Bucket, Coco on Broadway. Plus, more Disney100 news, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Queue.
Construction Update for Former Tarzan’s Treehouse in Disneyland
The treehouse in Disneyland (formerly known as Tarzan’s Treehouse) is currently under construction to transform into the Adventureland Treehouse. While previously, the work was hidden behind dark green curtains, it is now very visible to guests.
Guests can now see lots of scaffolding around the giant treehouse. Green construction walls block off the bridge over Pirates of the Caribbean and the walkway into Adventureland.
When the work is complete, the Adventureland Treehouse will pay tribute to the original treehouse that Walt Disney and his Imagineers built in 1962 for the hit movie, “Swiss Family Robinson”.
The Adventureland Treehouse will showcase wonderous new environments created amongst the branches of a giant tree on the shores of the Jungle River, where guests will once again enter by the giant waterwheel and follow the wood rope stairways up, up, up into the boughs.
We hope the work is finished soon so we can see a beautiful treehouse rather than ugly scaffolding. Are you looking forward to the new treehouse opening?
If you’d like to visit the Disneyland Resort, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Pixar Place Hotel Construction Update at the Disneyland Resort
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is currently under construction and being transformed into Pixar Place Hotel. Guests are still able to stay at the hotel but work is ongoing with no exact completion date.
One side of the hotel looks like the new paint job is complete. The hotel is now white with red, blue, and yellow stripes down the building.
The front entrance of the hotel is still blocked off with a sign that says, “Welcome to Paradise Pier Hotel”. You can see the front of the hotel is still being painted black and silver panels are being added in between the floors. It looks like the hotel is getting a more modern look.
Are you looking forward to the new Pixar Place Hotel opening?
If you’d like to plan your next visit to the Disneyland Resort, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Undergoing Refurbishment in Downtown Disney
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney is undergoing a refurbishment and renaming. This location will soon be called Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio.
Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy the open, warm and welcoming ambiance across the outdoor patios, veranda and dining rooms. In fact, recent diners have already begun to enjoy the updated second floor space! Jazz Kitchen’s “all-day” menu will feature the popular Pasta Jambalaya and Gumbo Ya-Ya, plus fresh riffs using coastal-inspired ingredients like the new open-faced Grilled Lobster BLT Po’ Boy. Signature hand-crafted beignets will continue to be a staple, with an expanded menu including specialty glazed beignets that are dipped, drizzled and sprinkled in jazzy signature and seasonal flavor combinations.
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen closed for a short time to accommodate continued work in the first floor dining space but has since reopened so guests can still enjoy dining there while work is ongoing.
Have you ever dined at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen?
If you’d like to visit the Disneyland Resort, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are free. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
“At the Disneyland Resort we are always innovating and changing as we work on new ways to delight and entertain our Guests. With that in mind, we want to share that the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band program will be taking a hiatus at this time.
The All-American College Band has had an incredible impact not only on the thousands of participants who have been part of the program since 1971, but also on the countless Guests who have experienced their performances each summer. We are proud of that legacy and want you to know that the Disneyland Resort remains committed to offering unique educational and performance opportunities for college students across the country, and we look forward to sharing those opportunities as the program evolves.
We invite you to follow the Disneyland Resort social media channels and blogs for information on future offerings.”
The Disneyland All-American College Band is made up of 21 members that are chosen from over 300 applicants from US colleges. The band was suspended during Covid-19 and just returned to the resort last year. The band typically performs on Main Street USA in the summer.
Will you miss the Disneyland All-American College Band?
A new, interactive dinner show, Country Nights Live, is coming to I-Drive in Orlando. Grab your cowboy boots and get ready for a good ole Southern time – A new dining experience is coming to Orlando this spring.
Presented by Orlando Dinner Entertainment – the creator of Pirates Dinner Adventure – Country Nights Live was created with families in mind. Featuring live music, dancing, and delicious food, this interactive experience will transport you from the big city to a classic Southern hoedown.
From Feb. 2 to Feb. 25, guests can get an exclusive look at the new show during a sneak peek performance. During this time, tickets are available for 50 percent off. To redeem this offer, visit www.countrynightslive.com and use code CNL502023 at checkout.
Country Nights Live isn’t your average dinner show. After you enjoy a mouth-watering spread of country cooking, it’s time to get ready for a knee-slapping, foot-stomping good time! During the show, you become part of the action and learn how to do real country dances.
“City lights have nothing on our country nights,” said Nick Kroger, Show Director for Country Nights Live. “Pirates Dinner Adventure has been offering family-friendly entertainment to Central Florida for more than 25 years and we’re always looking for new experiences to bring our guests. Country Nights Live allows our guests to become part of the show and is sure to create memories that last a lifetime.”
Mickey shaped popcorn has debuted at the Disneyland Resort! Now, it’s not real popcorn you can eat but it is super cute and a hidden Easter Egg you’ll want to check out.
In the queue for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway guests will find a concession stand. While checking out the candy options, you’ll smell popcorn and see some at the counter.
Look close and you’ll notice the popcorn is not your average shape. You’ll find Mickey shaped popcorn and Donald Duck shaped popcorn and even some shaped like Minnie Mouse!
What do you think of the Mickey shaped popcorn? Cute right?!
If you’d like to visit the Disneyland Resort, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are free. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
