Two of Disney’s popular Disney Vacation Club Resorts are scheduled to undergo refurbishment in the near future. Both Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort will have their lobbies and front desks refurbished.
As reported by DVCNews: “Work at Saratoga Springs will begin with a closure of the connecting lounge that runs between the front desk and Artist’s Palette. On July 12, the porte cochere is slated to close.”
Flying into Saratoga at this time? The great news is Disney’s airport transportation, the Disney’s Magic Express, will continue to run from the normal pick up and drop off location. There will however be a temporarily walkway for guests to reach the front desk. If you’re driving, you will be offered a chance to do curbside check-in at the Disney Vacation Club Preview Center. Thankfully, check-in is also now made super easy right from your phone with the My Disney Experience App. As the Carriage House begins refurbishment in August, front desk and concierge will be relocated to the hallway lounge.
Disney’s Old Key West Refurbishment Details:
It looks like much of the same work can be expected for the neighboring Disney’s Old Key West Resort. DVCNews shares: “Once the den modifications are complete, it will temporarily house Cast Members as the front desk is refurbished.”
Both Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs will begin the updates on the lobbies beginning June 28, 2021. Disney has yet to release a timeline for completion.
Whether you’re visiting to see the fireworks return, enjoying the Fourth of July holiday, or ready to eat and sip your way through EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, Disney is ready to invite you home. There are however a few refurbishments you’ll want to take note of as you prepare your days in the parks.
1. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom):
Sorry Disney fans, this one has been closed for a LONG time now, and we are missing it dearly. The railroad closed temporarily way back on December 3, 2018 and has remained closed since. The extended closure is due to the construction of the new attraction, Tron Lightcycle Power Run. Our best guess is that we won’t have a chance to take a ride on the railroad until Tron opens… which has yet to be announced… but is expected in 2022.
2. The Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom):
No surprise here as Disney is hard at work preparing Hall of Presidents for the 46th President, Joe Biden. For Trump’s Presidency, the attraction closed in January 2017 for refurbishment and reopened in December 2017. If history repeats itself, we are hoping to see Hall of Presidents reopen in December 2021.
3. Main Street Confectionery (Magic Kingdom):
Yes, this tasty shop filled with delightful treats closed on March 29, 2021 for a lengthy refurbishment. Currently, the refurbishment calendar has the Confectionery listed as under refurbishment through August 28, 2021. Note – August 28 is as far as Disney’s park hours are currently listed at the time of writing this article which is as far as the refurbishment calendar goes. This refurbishment could go longer once the calendar is updated. Get excited though because when it reopens Disney has said we will have a chance to customize our confections! In the meantime, there is a temporary shop set up in Main Street Cinema with Confectionery treats.
4. The Wave… of American Flavors (Disney’s Contemporary Resort):
The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be unavailable for the summer as Disney refurbishes the space in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations will be available through July 15. If you’re looking to enjoy this restaurant as is one last time, be sure to snag a reservation before July 15. The Disney rumor mill and speculations are hard at work with this refurbishment. Much of the speculations suggest Disney could make this a character dining restaurant with characters from The Incredibles. While we would absolutely love that, there is no confirmation from Disney.
5. Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) – BUT it’s still open!
The Jungle Cruise attraction, at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, are receiving new “experiences” which includes new adventures for us to cruise along to. While details of the enhancements have been revealed slowly, Disney has announced the work will be complete “this summer” at Walt Disney World. Thankfully, the attraction at Disney World has remained open throughout the refurbishment. The attraction is currently closed at Disneyland with a reopening date of July 16. Our hope is that Disney will be putting the final touches on Disney World’s Jungle Cruise around the same time.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are currently listed as being free from refurbishment closures (yay!). Keep in mind, refurbishments are listed to help us plan but it is not set in stone. Disney has been known to extend refurbishments, shorten them, and even close attractions and/or shops suddenly for refurb.
Are you planning your most magical trip yet to Walt Disney World this June? Whether you’re visiting for Father’s Day or simply to spend a little time surrounded by Pixie Dust, Disney is ready to invite you home. There are however a few refurbishments you’ll want to take note of as you prepare your days in the parks.
There are currently four closures listed beginning June 1, 2021 on the Walt Disney World refurbishment calendar.
1. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom):
Sorry Disney fans, this one has been closed for a LONG time now, and we are missing it dearly. The railroad closed temporarily way back on December 3, 2018 and has remained closed since. The extended closure is due to the construction of the new attraction, Tron Lightcycle Run. Our best guess is that we won’t have a chance to take a ride on the railroad until Tron opens… which has yet to be announced.
2. The Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom):
No surprise here as Disney is hard at work preparing Hall of Presidents for the 46th President, Joe Biden. For Trump’s Presidency, the attraction closed in January 2017 for refurbishment and reopened in December 2017. If history repeats itself, we are hoping to see Hall of Presidents reopen in December 2021.
3. Main Street Confectionery (Magic Kingdom):
Yes, this tasty shop filled with delightful treats closed on March 29, 2021 for a lengthy refurbishment. Currently, the refurbishment calendar has the Confectionery listed as under refurbishment through August 7, 2021. Note – August 7 is as far as Disney’s park hours are currently listed at the time of writing this article which is as far as the refurbishment calendar goes. This refurbishment could go longer once the calendar is updated. Get excited though because when it reopens Disney has said we will have a chance to customize our confections!
4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad(Magic Kingdom):
As noted on the Walt Disney World website: “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment from June 7 through June 12. The webpage does say to check back for updates, but we’re hopeful the refurbishment timeframe will remain on track and Big Thunder will only remain closed for the week.
Dine at The Wave this June while you still can!
Take note that in July The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be unavailable for the summer as Disney refurbishes the space in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations will be available through July 15. If you’re looking to enjoy this restaurant as is one last time, June is a great month to do it! The Disney rumor mill and speculations are hard at work with this refurbishment. Much of the speculations suggest Disney could make this a character dining restaurant with characters from The Incredibles. While we would absolutely love that, there is no confirmation from Disney.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are currently listed as being free from refurbishment closures (yay!). Keep in mind, refurbishments are listed to help us plan but it is not set in stone. Disney has been known to extend refurbishments, shorten them, and even close attractions and/or shops suddenly for refurb.
The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is scheduled for refurbishment this summer. While Disney has yet to release in depth details about the refurbishment, we do know they are working on the space “in time for the 50th anniversary”.
As shared by Disney: “The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be unavailable this summer as we refurbish this space in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations will be available through July 15.”
The Disney rumor mill and speculations are hard at work with this refurbishment. Much of the speculations suggest Disney could make this a character dining restaurant with characters from The Incredibles. While we would absolutely love that, there is no confirmation from Disney.
The Jungle Cruise is receiving quite a facelift at both Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World and Disneyland in California. In an effort to promote inclusivity and Cultural sensitivity, several changes will be made to both the Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain. One of the biggest change is the fleshing out of the attractions backstory. Last month details were released on the backstory and new character, Alberta Falls.
Today Disney introduces us to the “Jungle Navigation Company”, featuring a cast of all new characters. Take a look at the post from the MyDisneyExperience and Disneyland Apps below.
As first reported in the Disney Parks Blog, one of the updated scenes coming soon to the Jungle Cruise includes a few new faces! Before you come across them on an expedition with the “Jungle Navigation Company” later this year, you can get to know them here: Introducing Alberta Falls – Proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company.
• Alberta was born in 1911. Her mother, Sneh, was a world-renowned artist from India and her British father, Albert Falls Jr., was an art scholar.
• Young Alberta was always considered a rambunctious “free spirit” who was most at home during the family’s summer visits to grandma and grandpa Falls in Adventureland. She climbed trees, swam in the river, and enjoyed a special bond with her explorer grandfather and her “adopted family” of skippers who enjoyed the fearless little girl’s adventurous nature.
• She began to accompany her grandfather on his trips around the world where she was introduced to renowned botanist Dr. Moss in Nova Scotia and then-budding artist Rosa Soto Dominguez in Mexico City. On one of their wild adventures to New Zealand, Alberta picked up a new travel companion, a kakapo flightless parrot.
• When Dr. Albert Falls vanished in 1930, Alberta took control of the company and vowed to preserve the reputation of the Jungle Navigation Company. Moreover, to ensure that her grandfather’s legacy would be remembered by people all over the world, she began to promote the guided tours that we know today as the Jungle Cruise.And now, the five unfortunate folks run up a familiar rhino pole…
Felix Pechman XIII.
• Closest to the rhino is Felix Pechman XIII who recently left his home in Silver Springs, Florida, and landed a position as a skipper with the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. In an unexpected turn of events, Alberta had no choice but to ask him to lead his very first boat tour with her VIP guests. Unfortunately, Pechman’s trademark bad luck has followed him to the jungle.
Dr. Leonard Moss
• Above Skipper Felix is Dr. Leonard Moss, an acclaimed Canadian botanist. Having successfully photographed and cataloged every plant in the frigid Nova Scotia peninsula, Dr. Moss decided that his next photo excursion should be to a warmer climate.
Rosa Soto Dominguez
• Above him is the celebrated Mexican artist, Rosa Soto Dominguez. Known in the art world as La Rosa, she was on her way back to Mexico City from her latest gallery opening in Paris when she received a special invitation from her very close friend, Alberta.
• Rosa looked forward to their reunion in Adventureland when she would also get to paint some of the exotic wildlife, especially given her fascination with rhinos. As luck would have it, she ended up a little too close and personal with one.
Dr. Kon Chunosuke
• Next is Japan’s preeminent entomologist and a member of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers, Dr. Kon Chunosuke. He traveled to the jungle on a mission to find new specimens for his world-class collection of insects.
• As an admirer of Dr. Falls’ legacy, Chunosuke was hopeful that this younger Falls would be able to lead the way to the legendary Myrmecoleon, also referred to as the “lion of ants.”. Unfortunately, he has only been able to find butterflies, mosquitos, and a rhino.
Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy
• Up top is Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy, who traveled all the way from the small island of Dingle, Ireland, to pay a surprise visit to her distant cousin twice removed on her father’s side, Alberta.
• Siobahn was nicknamed “Puffin” because of her love for the puffin birds that nest in the rocks of her seaside hometown. Many believe that it was Puffin’s love of exotic birds that drove Skipper Felix to get a little too close to an oxpecker perched on a particularly grumpy hippo.
Be on the lookout for these all-new Adventureland characters when they debut in the Jungle Cruise—taking place later in 2021 at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland Park in California. For more information on changes coming to the attraction, be sure to check out the Disney Parks Blog!
These characters are to be completely separate from the storyline of the live action film originally scheduled for release last July, now being released this summer.
