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Ears the News with Richard


The opening of Adventurers Outpost at Disney's Animal Kingdom has been moved back a few days. Originally expected to open on 5/12/2013, it is now planned to open on 5/15/ 2013. The new indoor meet and greet will be home to Mickey and Minnie.

The first of the new construction walls for Disney Springs are now up on Pleasure Island. Entering from the West Side, most of the right side up to Curl is now completely walled off and ready for the first wave of Disney Springs construction, which is expected to include some demolition of the former Pleasure Island structures. 

The Pirates of the Caribbean refurbishment that was scheduled for 6/17/2013 to 6/20/2013 has been rescheduled. The new dates are 7/27/2013 to 7/30/2013.

The refurbishment of Prince Charming Regal Carrousel that was scheduled for 5/28/2013 to 6/10/2013 has been postponed. No word yet on when it will be rescheduled.

Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
The Star Wars Weekend celebrity list looks to be complete.

Weekend 1 May 17 - 19
Ray Park - (Darth Maul - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Jeremy Bulloch - (Boba Fett - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi)
Dee Bradley Baker - (Voice of Captain Rex - Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend 2 May 24 - 26
Ray Park - (Darth Maul - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Warwick Davis - (Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick)
Jim Cummings - (Voice of Hondo Ohnaka - Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend 3 May 31 - June 2

Warwick Davis - (Ewok, Wicket W. Warrick)
Tim Rose - (Admiral Ackbar - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi)
Sam Witwer - (Voice of Darth Maul - Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend 4 June 7 - 9
Billy Dee Williams - (Lando Calrissian)
Peter Mayhew - (Chewbacca - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope,Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi)
Tom Kane - (Voice of Yoda - Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
All Weekends
James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein will attend each weekend serving as celebrity hosts.

New this year will be a photo opportunity with Jabba’s pet rancor. A few posts in the WDWMagic forums seem to indicate that this enormous 700 pound, 17 foot long rancor is none other than Roxy the rancor built by members of the 501st Legion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tSpWREo4y_4

The operating hours for Splitsville have been updated - with most days having slightly reduced hours. The new hours are:
Sunday – 10:00 AM to 12:30 AM
Monday to Wednesday - 10:30 AM to 12:30AM
Thursday and Friday - 10:30 AM to 2:00 AM
Saturday – 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM

Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
MyMagic+ 'Touch to Pay' lets guests charge to their Walt Disney World Resort room by simply

touching a Key to the World RFID card or MagicBand. So far this has been restricted to payments made at fixed register locations, which includes shops, kiosks, and quick service restaurants.

Disney is about the begin testing mobile 'Touch to Pay' which will allow guests to make 'Touch to Pay' payments at Table Service restaurants and other mobile locations, such as boat rentals and other recreation activities. Beginning in the last week of May, Disney's Contemporary Resort will allow 'Touch to Pay' payments at the The Wave restaurant and at outdoor recreation locations. Guests will be able to touch their RFID Key to the World card (and later the MagicBand) to the Cast Members mobile device, enter a pin number, and complete the transaction.
As well as handling payments, the system allows servers to access any Disney Dining Plan information, which helps the server advise the guest on the dining entitlements that are available.

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