Skip to main content

Ears the News with Richard

Disney has just rolled out an upgrade to the Wi-Fi infrastructure across all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

The update aims to increase performance and network stability for the ever-increasing number of guests trying to use the service. Part of the upgrade has been made possible by removing support for old devices that were connecting on the 802.11b band. This means that owners of some early Wi-Fi phones and iPods will no longer be able to access the Disney Wi-Fi service in the parks.

Due to the importance of accessing My Disney Experience, access to the Internet in the theme park has become a critical part of a day in the parks. AT&T has also been working at improving cell based data services as an alternative to Disney's Wi-Fi service.

Image courtesy Disney Parks Blog
D-Tech Me expands figurine line-up with TIE Fighter Pilot and Jedi Knight.
The Pilot and Jedi Knight are joining the existing lineup of Carbon-Freeze Me figurine, Alderaan
Princess figurine, and male and female Stormtrooper and X-Wing pilot figurines.

D-Tech Me uses a high resolution 3D face scanner to capture your facial features, and then a 3D printer to produce the figurine.
The Star Wars – D-Tech Me 7-inch figurines are $119.95 each, plus shipping and tax. 16-inch figurines are $999.95 each, plus shipping and tax.
Reservations can be made now by calling 407-939-8324, with the experience only available during Star Wars Weekends days.





Image courtesy WDWMagic
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace opened on Saturday bringing the hugely popular concept from Disneyland to Walt Disney World.
Trader Sam's brings two new lounge areas to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort - inside is Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, and then outside is Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace. The two share the same menu, but both have separate entrances and are essentially separate experiences.
Inside at Trader Sam's Grogg Grotto, you'll find seating for just 51 guests, but lots of detailed theming and an environment worthy of a theme-park attraction. The menu offers a range of speciality cocktails, ranging in price from around $20 to $50 - served in a specialty take-home souvenir glass. Also on offer is a selection of appetizers, including Sushi Rolls and sliders.
Outside at Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace there is seating for 80 guests, with live music, a walk-up bar, and table service offering the same menu as inside at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.
Both are open from 4pm to midnight, with Trader Sam's Grog Grotto only admitting guests aged 21+ and over after 8pm. Outside on the Tiki Terrace there is no age restriction.

If you want to visit Trader Sam's Grog Grotto you'll need to go to some effort. Firstly, there is no parking available at the Polynesian Resort for anyone other than resort hotel guests, or those with a confirmed dining reservation. Guests visiting by car for Trader Sam's will be denied entrance at the security checkpoint and sent to the TTC for parking, which means another 30 minutes or so to get back to the resort by foot or the monorail.
Assuming you manage to overcome the transportation difficulties, you will then need to somehow get past the high demand for the 51 seats. On opening night, pagers were given out to those guests waiting after the initial 51 seats were taken, but demand for the pagers was so high that their distribution was halted at 4:45pm, leaving guests with no way to get onto any kind of wait list, leaving it to a first come first served, luck of the draw situation. As you can imagine, given the difficulties getting in, many guests once inside stay for a couple of hours at least. Much of the initial high demand will no doubt decrease over the next couple of weeks, and getting in to Trader Sam's should become easier.

Outside at the Tiki Terrace, the 80 seats give you a better chance to get in, but for many it will be the secondary choice after all the elaborate theming inside at the Grog Grotto. There is live music outside however, and there will soon be a waterfall to enhance the area. The terrace is not covered, so during the summer months weather may become an issue.

There are no discounts available at either Trader Sam's, nor are reservations accepted. Trader Sam's is currently in soft opening, with an official opening set for later in April 2015 as part of a series of enhancements to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, including a new lobby, main pool area and addition of the DVC Bungalows and Deluxe Studios.

The Diamond Horseshoe at the Magic Kingdom is currently opening for quick service lunch, and for family style table service dinner.
You can find sandwiches, snacks and beverages for quick service lunch through to April 11 2015, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Menu items include Barbecued Turkey Sandwich, Hand-carved Pork Brisket Sandwich, Portobello Sandwich, Hand-carved Turkey Sandwich, Tuna Salad with Croissant - all for $9.49 each.
From 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM, the restaurant will be open for table service family-style turkey dinner through to April 11 2015. Offerings include Roasted Turkey Breast, Carved Beef, and Sliced Pork with Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Bread Stuffing, and Macaroni & Cheese. Desert is Tavern-made White Cake filled with Apples and Craisins Dried Cranberries, topped with Ice Cream. Dinner is $34.07 for adults, and $17.03 ages 3-9.

A new quick service kiosk has opened in Epcot's Future World offering gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
Image courtesy WDWMagic
'Taste Track' is located just outside of Test Track, next to the Cool Wash play area in a space that was previously Cool Wash Pizza.

Menu items include some exotic takes on the traditional grilled cheese sandwich, using ingredients
such as gruyere, sour dough bread, fontina, apple butter and cinnamon raisin bread. The sandwiches are served with a choice of soup or salad, and all sell for just under $10.
Also available is a Roasted Chicken Salad, a Tomato Bisque and range of bottled beers.
There is no dedicated seating, but there are some standing tables nearby, and benches throughout Future World.
Taste Track is open daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photo Tour and Deck Plan: Disney Fantasy

The Disney Fantasy took its maiden voyage in 2012 and until 2022, was the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. It's the sister ship to the Disney Dream so you'll see many similarities between the two ships. The Disney Fantasy is an absolutely gorgeous ship, boasting an Art Nouveau style. The ship has 14 decks, 1,250 staterooms, is 1,115 feet in length and weighs 130,000 gross tons. We'll tour the ship starting from Deck 1 up to Deck 14, going from Aft to Forward. Let's start our photo tour! Deck 1 Deck 1 is where you'll find the Health Center. It's also where you can exit the ship to board a tender at Ports of Call that require ships to anchor offshore.  Deck 2 Deck 2 is where you'll find one of the three main dining rooms, Enchanted Garden.  The restaurant transforms throughout dinner, changing from day to night I love these booths! You can also find staterooms, a Midship Detective Agency kiosk and the Vista Gallery showcasing Disney artwork.  Deck
Post a Comment
Read more

Universal's Volcano Bay Private Cabana Review

On a recent training in Universal Orlando Resort, agents Maci, Ashley, Aubrey and Yaritza and I rented a private cabana for the day at Universal's Volcano Bay. There are multiple locations around the park along with the option to have an upper or lower level, all of which reflect in various pricing. Agent Ashley received an email the day before informing her of where to check-in the next morning. While we were personally escorted to the cabana shortly after check in, the line at the check in location is the same as those getting towels, meaning it was not short. As expressed by an additional guest checking into a different cabana, we would have greatly appreciated a separate line, since this caused our group about a half hour wait. We're all adults and made great use of our time getting some fun pictures before the park was filled with guests, but this is important to be aware of if you are traveling with children.  We had an upper level Cabana which came with a splendid view!
Post a Comment
Read more

The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel Review

I love staying at the Disneyland Hotel so when I got the opportunity to stay at the new Villas at the Disneyland Hotel during opening weekend, I couldn’t pass it up. Because it was opening weekend, we were greeted in the entrance way of the lobby with balloons and many photo opportunities. When we arrived, there was a mural of the Haunted Mansion. I love how the seats in the main lobby were designed like the teacups in the parks. You can check in using the Disneyland app, drop your bags with bell services and head into the parks or use the amenities why you wait until your room is ready. When your room is ready, the resort will send you a text and you can use the Disneyland app on your mobile device to unlock the room. We dropped off our bags and went straight to the parks. We received a text around 1PM that our room was ready. In the new Discovery Tower (the Villas), you'll find that the lobby is very spacious with many places to sit while you read or wait for your family. Th
Post a Comment
Read more