Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs Has Permanently Closed

Sad news for Wolfgang Puck foodies! Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World closed their doors recently leaving guests wondering when/if they will reopen. We’re learning now, this closure is in fact permanent.

As shared by Digital Journalist w/@mynews13, Ashley Carter on Twitter: “Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs has permanently closed. A representative with Wolfgang Puck says the location closed on October 1.”

Disney CEO Says Theme Parks Remain Capped at 25% Capacity

As shared by TheDisInsider: “During a revealing interview with CNBC, Disney CEO Bob Chapek stated that the theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort were capped at 25%.”

Disney cast members welcome guests to Magic Kingdom Park, July 11, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on the first day of the theme park’s phased reopening. (Kent Phillips, Photographer)

While wait times have seemed to soar recently and crowd levels are continuously growing, this may come as a surprise to many. We do believe however, that yes, the parks are at 25% capacity. So, why such a difference between now and when the parks first reopened with the same 25% capacity? We believe people are starting to feel comfortable enough amidst the COVID concerns to visit the parks once again. This is likely a sign that the first couple of months Disney was well under the 25%. We’re likely just now starting to see the full 25% capacity in each park as Disney goers head back to the most magical place on earth!

New Disney Food Items & Restaurant Updates

Via DisneyLists.com

Looking for something new to try at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? ABC Commissary has now reopened and there are some new menu items we can’t wait to try. The menu at Hollywood and Vine has also received an update!

According to a Disney Cast Member;

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the focus of this edition of Disney Parks Foodie News –specifically the delicious new offerings at ABC Commissary and Hollywood & Vine! Read on to find out what our chefs have been cooking up!

Now, ABC Commissary is offering a terrific new menu. From sandwiches and rice bowls to tasty tacos and returning favorites, this menu has it all!

Sandwiches/Salads

  • California Burger (Plant-based) – Seared farm-fresh plant-based burger with Sriracha mustard, balsamic-glazed grilled peppers and onions, a “mayonnaise”-ketchup blend, lettuce, and tomato and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
  • NEW Chicken Club Sandwich – Marinated chicken breast on a toasted brioche bun with bacon, provolone cheese, guacamole, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
  • NEW Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled sourdough toasted with buffalo chicken, Monterey, provolone, cheddar, cream cheese, side of buffalo sauce, and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
  • Mediterranean Salad with Chicken – Chicken breast served over mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and feta tossed in Mediterranean vinaigrette served with hummus and flatbread

Tacos

  • NEW Pork Carnitas Tacos – Pork carnitas on flour tortillas with salsa verde, pickled onion, and radish served with Mexican rice and black beans
  • NEW Shrimp Tacos – Sautéed shrimp on flour tortillas with cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, and mango salsa served with Mexican rice and black beans

Rice Bowls

  • NEW Curry Rice Bowl with Shrimp – Sautéed shrimp and vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice
  • NEW Plant-based Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu – Pineapple-marinated tofu and sautéed vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice

Kid’s Options

  • NEW Kid’s Pork Taco – Pork carnitas on a flour tortilla served with Mexican rice and black beans
  • NEW Kid’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled American cheese on sourdough served with choice of two sides.
  • NEW Kid’s Turkey Sandwich – Turkey sandwich served with choice of two sides.
  • Kid’s Uncrustable – Uncrustable served with choice of two sides.

There is Halloween fun for everyone at Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine. While it may look a little different than the last time you visited, what hasn’t changed is our chefs’ scary good food! Minnie’s Halloween Dine offers a three-course meal served at your table where you will be able to wave and snap photos of your favorite characters such as Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, and their friends. Check out this monster of a feast!

Appetizers

  • Served with Warm Pull-apart Rolls and Butter
  • Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Cornbread Croutons, and Homemade Smokehouse Ranch Dressing.
  • Plant-based Chopped Salad – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Focaccia Croutons, and Plant-based Ranch Dressing.

Entrées

  • Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Prime Rib of Beef – Sour Cream-Chive Whipped Potatoes, Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Pearl Onions with Red Wine Jus.
  • Carved Herb-roasted Turkey Breast – Garlic-Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Sautéed Green Beans, Turkey Gravy, and Cranberry-Orange Relish.
  • Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp – Cavatappi Pasta, Four-Cheese Sauce, Shrimp, Crispy Bacon, and Buttered Panko Crust with Fennel and Arugula.
  • Seared Fresh Salmon – with Grain Mustard Beurre Blanc Olive Oil-crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Garlic-Lemon Broccolini.
  • Plant-based Pan-seared King Trumpet Mushrooms – Braised Lentils, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Mushroom Ragù, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Marsala Mushroom Sauce.
  • Pork Osso Bucco – with Boursin Cheese Hominy Grits, Caramelized Apples, Lemon Gremolata, and Pork Reduction Gravy.

Desserts (Choose One)

  • Apple-Blueberry Pie – Baked Apples, Blueberries, Caramel, and Streuse.
  • Banana Cream Pie – Bananas, Cream, and Caramel Sauce.
  • Plant-based Cherry-Lemon Pie – Cherries with Lemon Drizzle.
  • Vanilla Crème Brûlée – Rich Custard with Caramelized Sugar.
  • Chocolate S’mores Pie – Dark Chocolate Mousse with Toasted Marshmallow Fluff and Graham Cracker Streusel.

Kid’s Menu Create-Your-Own Meal For Guests Ages 9 and Under

Appetizers (Choose One) 

  • Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl
  • Plant-based Chopped Salad

Entrées (Choose One)

  • Seared Salmon
  • Roasted Turkey
  • Roast Beef
  • Macaroni & Cheese

Dessert (Choose One)

  • Fresh Fruit
  • Lemon Sorbet
  • Sundae
  • Apple Pie

Rhino Gives Birth at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Another baby has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and he is super cute!

From a Disney Cast Member;

Rhinoceros may be the world’s second-largest land animal, but I’m happy to announce we have a tiny new one at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park! Early this morning, our beloved Kendi gave birth to a beautiful baby boy white rhino.

Typically, a rhino calf can weigh up to 140 pounds at birth, and as expected, this baby was nursing, standing and walking around right by mom within the first hour of being born. The two will spend the next several weeks bonding backstage before joining the rest of the herd.

Kendi was paired with dad Dugan through one of the Species Survival Plans, which are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species. White rhinos are an endangered species with a near-threatened status. Some of their adventures in pairing will be featured in an upcoming episode of the “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” series now streaming on Disney+.

This is the first of several rhino births on the horizon. Two other rhinos at the park are also expecting; Jao is due fall 2021, and Lola will likely give birth in fall/winter 2021.

Disney World Announces Plans to Makeover Entrance Signs

Now that Cinderella Castle’s Royal Makeover is complete, Walt Disney World is moving on to sprucing up the iconic welcome signs at the entrances.

From a Disney Cast Member;

“If you’ve ever traveled to Walt Disney World Resort with children – or maybe even adults! – I’m sure you’ve heard that phrase once or a hundred times. Everyone’s just so excited to experience their favorite attraction or grab their best bite to eat, the trip can feel like it takes FOREVER.

When you stop and think about it for a moment, though, the very first bit of magic you experience is actually driving underneath the Walt Disney World gateways – those grand arches stretching over the roadways that tell you, yes, you’ve finally arrived at The Most Magical Place on Earth. You are here!

Starting today, these gateways to a Disney vacation are about to get some pixie dust as we begin to adorn them with a new color palette that complements the recent royal makeover of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park (see below). The rendering above gives you a first glimpse at what the entrances will look like when they’re finished; in addition, you’ll see these colors appear on the Magic Kingdom Park Auto Plaza as we bring a new shimmer to that iconic entryway.

These refreshed gateways will continue to set the tone for all the stories you’ll tell and the memories you’ll cherish long after your visit. They’re also part of the broad tapestry of new experiences happening across Walt Disney World as part of the resort’s historic transformation that includes expansive themed lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, new attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and new places to stay like Disney’s Riviera Resort.