Express Transportation to be Discontinued; Minnie Van Service Expands to Another Resort

Express Bus Transportation Service to be Discontinued:

Walt Disney World has decided to discontinue its Express Bus Transportation service. Its final day of service will be August 23, 2017. The final day to purchase the service will be this Wednesday, August 16 with the multi-day version of the service being available until August 23. 

The service introduced last December cost $15 and would utilize backstage areas of the parks to transport guests quicker than the normal service. No exact reason was given for the discontinuation but it appears as it just wasn't being used by guests enough to continue the service. 

Source: WDWMagic.com

Minnie Van Service Expands to Another Resort:

As one transportation service is being discontinued, another one is being expanded. The Minnie Van Service introduced last month at Disney's Boardwalk and Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts is already expanding.

Beginning today, guests staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins, and the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge can begin utilizing the service. Guests can go to the front desk area of the resort the service for their use. 

Minnie Vans is a point-to-point transportation service that costs $20 per ride and is summoned through the Lyft app. The service is expected to be expanded even more throughout Walt Disney World Resort in the coming months.

Source: WDW News Today

Rivers of Light Cast Member Previews to Begin Soon; New Amenities Coming to Wilderness Lodge

Rivers of Light Cast Member Previews to Begin Soon:

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Could Rivers of Light finally be ready to debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom? According to multiple news sources today, Rivers of Light is almost ready for public debut as Cast Members were told previews for them begin soon.

Previews which will only be for Cast Members at Disney's Animal Kingdom will be on the evenings of November 27 and 28. The cast members will not be allowed to take photos or video during the performances. 

I am taking this with a grain of salt as the new nighttime spectacular was set to debut back in April, but was delayed. An update was promised by the end of May but nothing ever was announced. A rumored debut during last week's Destination D: Amazing Adventures proved to be false. Disney has yet to make any confirmations on Rivers of Light debuting. One could only hope with Cast Member previews beginning next week, that Rivers of Light will be debuting very, very soon.

New Amenities Coming to Disney's Wilderness Lodge:

The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge recently changed their name to the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge as part of the Disney Vacation Club. The name change is to reflect the railroad theming and the storyline of the resort. Soon though even more changes will be coming for guests to enjoy.

The Hidden Springs Pool will be re-imagined as the new Boulder Ridge Cove that is scheduled to open Summer 2017. It will feature an expanded sun deck and a zero-depth entry pool in what appears to have been an abandoned rock quarry.  More from the Disney Parks Blog:

"Such rejuvenating transformations were common in the Pacific Northwest following the mid-20th-century fading of the Transcontinental Railroad, as locals turned rails into trails – repurposing everything from bridges and tunnels to cranes and quarries. A nearby “Boulder Ridge Railway and Mining Co.” water tower will be among the pool area’s landmark reminders of its pioneering past, while a vintage mine cart supports the mining theme with an affectionate nod to Disney history."

Even more changes are coming to the resort besides the pool area. A brand new bar & grill in the Geyser Point Bar & Grill, will be added in addition to the resorts quick service restaurant in Roaring Fork. The new bar & grill will be located in the heart of the new pool area, where members and guests will be able to grab a bite to eat by the resort's main pool area. There will be ample outdoor seating and architecture that looks right at home with Disney's Wilderness Lodge and the new Boulder Ridge Villas.

Wilderness Lodge Villas and New Development Get New Names; Several Summer Refurbishments Announced

Wilderness Lodge Villas and New Development Get New Names:

The Villas at Wilderness Lodge will be renamed the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney Vacation Club announced today. They also announced a name for the new development of the cabins and villas being built at the resort. 

The Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge will become the 14th Disney Vacation Club Resort. They also announced that a new name would be coming for the redesigned Hidden Springs Pool at the resort. 

No announcement has been made however on when these new cabins and villas will be open at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

Several Summer Refurbishments Announced for Walt Disney World:

Several refurbishments were announced today for this summer at Disney World for some of our favorite attractions. This will include a lengthy refurbishment for DINOSAUR at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here is what was announced today:

• DINOSAUR (Animal Kingdom) - July 25 through September 29
• Swiss Family Tree House (Magic Kingdom) - July 6 through September 24
• Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) - August 1 through August 7
• One Man's Dream (Hollywood Studios) - July 16 through July 19
• MuppetVision 3D! (Hollywood Studios) - August 15 through August 22

These attractions join a few other who are on the list for summer/fall refurbishment that includes Big Thunder Mountain which is expected to close August 8-November 18 and it's a small world which will be closed for nearly a month from August 22 through September 16.