Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun!

[Kelly014]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/07/trader-sams-grog-grotto-reopens-today-july-19/ here it is from another source. Trader Sam's Grog Grotto reopening today. Very light on details, but should get filled out more soon.

AHH this seriously makes me so happy. We leave tomorrow and it’s a must do for us!

 

[Naomeri]

Good morning! Let’s get some AP news this week!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/07/trader-sams-grog-grotto-reopens-today-july-19/ here it is from another source. Trader Sam's Grog Grotto reopening today. Very light on details, but should get filled out more soon.

So excited for the return of Trader Sam's!!!!

Now let me buy an AP so I can have an easier time justifying all these trips

 

[HokieRaven5]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/07/trader-sams-grog-grotto-reopens-today-july-19/ here it is from another source. Trader Sam's Grog Grotto reopening today. Very light on details, but should get filled out more soon.

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Hours

3pm - Midnight posted hours

 

[Mutant]

Has anyone seen confirmation that the Epcot monorail is back in service?

 

[JETSDAD]

Has anyone seen confirmation that the Epcot monorail is back in service?

Yes, all the blogs were covering it and taking pictures of the work being done in Epcot from the monorail again yesterday.

 

[Eeyore daily]

Has anyone seen confirmation that the Epcot monorail is back in service?

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/the-epcot-monorail-is-back-in-business/

 

[DianaMB333]

I am hoping for the dessert parties info!

the 60d window for the travels around the 50th anniversary is coming!

 

[karen4546]

Food & Wine Festival is a bust. Lines are extremely long for the booths after park opening. There was only two items that I liked out of the entire world. Canada has a great soup and a decent three-cheese roll at France. I tried just about every other food item, and they were either OK or awful. The donut box failed big time.

I highly recommend skipping the festival. Lines are extremely long for booths (Canada was no wait, rest were 20-30 mins around 2-4pm). Food was not good overall

I highly recommend for everyone to try the Festival offerings. I am not sure how many festivals you have attended, but I have never had a bad experience. You may need to try it again in the Fall. Welcome to the Dis - I see you recently joined last month. Try it again - especially since you are a blogger-you must have at least 60 photos of the food. Will you provide us some of them?

 

[cellomom]

This peaks my interest since we are at the Poly for the 50th:

"There are more exciting enhancements to come, including a new arrival experience with a special entryway that will debut for the resort’s 50th anniversary. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. "

found this tidbit at the bottom of blog on Dole Whips
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...n-village-resort-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[elsbit]

And I don’t care how delicious the beer cheese soup is I’m not eating it in August. Sorry Canada!

I REALLY wanted to try this at the last festival so I did, in the sweltering heat. Not my best move. I ate it while sweating, wondering why I was doing it. Haha

 

[bffer]

Main Street Confectionery Refurbishment Extended Through Early October

Not surprised. Everything is being held off until at least October 1. I hope us September folks will be thrown a bone or two. *sigh*

 

[Heather07438]

Not surprised. Everything is being held off until at least October 1. I hope us September folks will be thrown a bone or two. *sigh*

I feel ya, especially for stuff that is ready and was planned to open well before Oct 1st. Nope, gotta save it all. So I try to just think about all the great stuff that has returned. But every new announcement stings

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Seeing pictures and reports that the line is down the hall and past Captain Cooks already with people waiting for Trader Sam's to open (line started ~1). Love Trader Sam's, but I do wish there was a more organized system. Also, love Trader Sam's, but would not wait 2 hours on the floor to get in.

I feel for the people staying there paying $$$ who 1. can't get into their own resort bar and 2. have a line of people sitting on the floor eating food in a hallway camping out like the night before black Friday in a best buy parking lot. Also for people who really want to go to Trader Sam's who feel a need to sit and wait 2+ hours in a hallway, really. That situation does not seem fun for anyone.

It doesn't exactly scream relaxing expensive deluxe resort vibe. I know we hate on the virtual queues sometimes, but this seemed like a great opportunity for one.

 

[disny_luvr]

I feel ya, especially for stuff that is ready and was planned to open well before Oct 1st. Nope, gotta save it all. So I try to just think about all the great stuff that has returned. But every new announcement stings

Exactly! We haven't been to Disney since June, 2018 and we just missed the opening of Toy Story Land by two days. We are trying to think of all the new things we will get to experience this trip - TSL, Galaxy's Edge, MMRR, and the skyliner, so that is helping to lessen the sting, but I do wish those of traveling soon would get something new. I think Disney is putting all their eggs in one basket saving everything until October 1st. You think they'd want to test things and make sure everything runs smoothly before their big day. I am happy to be a guinea pig on my trip in two weeks. Opening everything on October 1st could be problematic and make for a stressful time.

 

[Kelly014]

Seeing pictures and reports that the line is down the hall and past Captain Cooks already with people waiting for Trader Sam's to open (line started ~1). Love Trader Sam's, but I do wish there was a more organized system. Also, love Trader Sam's, but would not wait 2 hours on the floor to get in.

I feel for the people staying there paying $$$ who 1. can't get into their own resort bar and 2. have a line of people sitting on the floor eating food in a hallway camping out like the night before black Friday in a best buy parking lot. Also for people who really want to go to Trader Sam's who feel a need to sit and wait 2+ hours in a hallway, really. That situation does not seem fun for anyone.

It doesn't exactly scream relaxing expensive deluxe resort vibe. I know we hate on the virtual queues sometimes, but this seemed like a great opportunity for one.

I worry with a virtual queue that it would make it so hard to get in because then people don’t have to deal with standing in line. It’s so tiny in there and such a small amount of people can enter over the course of a night. The actual, physical line is a deterrent for anyone who doesn’t really, really want to get in Though, I think this is probably some reopening day pent up demand and that it will go back to a normal line over time.

 

[jpeterson]

I worry with a virtual queue that it would make it so hard to get in because then people don’t have to deal with standing in line. It’s so tiny in there and such a small amount of people can enter over the course of a night. The actual, physical line is a deterrent for anyone who doesn’t really, really want to get in Though, I think this is probably some reopening day pent up demand and that it will go back to a normal line over time.

90% of the people in that line are probably bloggers/vloggers trying to get content.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I worry with a virtual queue that it would make it so hard to get in because then people don’t have to deal with standing in line. It’s so tiny in there and such a small amount of people can enter over the course of a night. The actual, physical line is a deterrent for anyone who doesn’t really, really want to get in Though, I think this is probably some reopening day pent up demand and that it will go back to a normal line over time.

Oh I'm positive there is a huge degree of pent up demand right now. I'm also sure tonight's wait will be far worse than it is right now in the afternoon.

The low capacity at Trader Sam's here is just always such an issue that it is a shame there isn't a better solution. Maybe we just need to clone Trader Sam's

 

[Brocktoon]

I worry with a virtual queue that it would make it so hard to get in because then people don’t have to deal with standing in line. It’s so tiny in there and such a small amount of people can enter over the course of a night. The actual, physical line is a deterrent for anyone who doesn’t really, really want to get in Though, I think this is probably some reopening day pent up demand and that it will go back to a normal line over time.

I'm pretty sure I remember having a text queue that sort of worked like a virtual queue. A few times I got to Trader Sam's well before they opened and ~ an hour before opening the small line that formed was allowed to put our names on a list and got a text when they opened so we didn't have to wait around.

I agree that a virtual queue may artificially increase demand as there is no sacrifice if you don't have to stand in line. If guests are willing to wait hours in line, then you know they are probably fans and at least deserve to get entry instead of just having fast fingers on their phone. It's not a perfect system, but it works ... TWO SHOTS OF RUM!

 

[shoegal9]

Oh I'm positive there is a huge degree of pent up demand right now. I'm also sure tonight's wait will be far worse than it is right now in the afternoon.

The low capacity at Trader Sam's here is just always such an issue that it is a shame there isn't a better solution. Maybe we just need to clone Trader Sam's

They are only waiting until 3:00. Traditionally, Trader Sams takes your phone # and sends you a text when the table is ready. So people shouldn't be out there after they get on the test back list at 3. They will go elsewhere around the resort. However, I am really glad we are there for a week in September and I can just put my name in and go to my room. I would be really upset if they went to a reservation system and i had to get up at 6 am to fight for ADRs at my own hotel.