Secrets of FL DVC kiosk: Hidden Mickey, Hidden History, DCL

I've previously given a tour of the Fantasyland DVC kiosk in WDW Clicks #5, but I like to include photos-in-HTML sometimes as well. Accordingly, here are the secrets/tributes from this new location:

The location looks well-blended from a distance, but pay close attention to the weathervane up top.

It's a giant squid, and it's here to honor 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the submarine ride which used to occupy this space in Fantasyland.

The sign for the new location looks nicely stylized, but it's also a three-dimensional Hidden Mickey.

The mural on the back wall is nicely detailed, and it includes drawings of the Magic, Wonder, Fantasy, and Dream - the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) ships - but here drawn as sailing ships.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

WDW Clicks #5 - IAAPA, Fantasyland DVC, Talking Mickey, SeaWorld Christmas

From the trade show floor of IAAPA to new costumes in Fantasyland (merch, attractions, foods), we have a monster update. Also included: SeaWorld Christmas decorations (including new model train set), Fantasyland DVC location, Let it Snow at Nickelodeon Hotel, and Jingle Cruise posters.




Direct link: http://youtu.be/0eFhr_3gmP0

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Epcot update - everything else

There's a bunch new at Epcot too - Innoventions decorations, pumpkins in the Land, a new meet and greet for Aurora in France, and the Canada DVC booth.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Construction walls around Epcot

There are a few major projects going on around Epcot right now. The Test Track construction continues of course, and the entire pizza truck area is being removed. The truck is gone and there are walls around Cool Wash (presumably to be removed).

Outside Canada, walls have gone up for a permanent structure that is so far unannounced, though rumors point to a DVC building.

In the France pavilion, the new bakery is under construction, in a two story building being added BEHIND the current shop. Half the shop is behind walls as they prep the connector zone to the new building. When the new bakery opens, the existing one will close to be turned into Glacier Ice Cream Parlor.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Spotted: sight-line balloon over Polynesian Resort

Uh-oh.

I'd heard a rumor (OK, an inside source) about a year ago telling me to document Frontierland and the Polynesian resort. Both might be up for renewal or even complete re-do.

Nothing has happened (yet) with Frontierland (one idea said a raft ride!), but the Poly thing might actually be happening. Reportedly, this week a sight-line balloon has been spotted. Historically, this is the first physical sign of something actually happening, so it should be treated as significant.

I'd heard that the main Poly structure (Great Ceremonial House) was beyond fixing. One report said asbestos was the reason -- it's everywhere!!

Whatever the reason, we may see no Poly in the future. Or a completely redone one. Could it be a tower instead to hold more people? Sure it could. The Alauni resort in Hawaii uses a tower.

Could it be a DVC resort instead of a day-tripper hotel? Sure it could. Certainly, Disney likes the DVC model and has been pushing it aggressively for more than a decade. More on this as it develops!

Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.