Rivers of America Re-Opening Summer 2017, The Muppets Officially Coming to Magic Kingdom, and More

Rivers of America and Disneyland Railroad Re-Opening at Disneyland in Summer 2017: 

The Disney Parks Blog revealed today that Rivers of America and the Disneyland Railroad will be re-opening by next Summer. This includes the famous Disneyland Railroad, Fantasmic!, Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia, Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. It was revealed in a blog about the area's history and how it was one of the parks original attractions.

Rivers of America and the Disneyland Railroad were closed last year in anticipation of construction of Star Wars Land being built. Here is what to expect when the area re-opens Summer 2017:

"And next year, history will be made on the Rivers of America once again with a gorgeous new riverbank and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel. For now, be sure to stop by the Main Street and New Orleans Square stations now to get an up-close look at the steam engines of the Disneyland Railroad, and we’ll be back with a look at how the railroad has changed through the years while remaining a Disneyland icon."

I expect the next news will be finally when Star Wars Land will open. Are you excited for Rivers of America and the Disneyland Railroad to be re-opening next year? 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

The Muppets Officially Coming to Magic Kingdom this Fall:

A rumor that began late last month is now official. A new live show featuring The Muppets will be coming to the Magic Kingdom this October. It is called, "The Muppets Present... Great Moments in American History." Here is what we can expect:

Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, will join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, as they gather outside The Hall of Presidents to present historical tales in hysterical fashion as only they can. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Muppets appear throughout the day to share with Guests, their own unique take on the founding fathers and the birth of the United States of America.

The new live show will also feature an all new original song and of course plenty of that Muppets humor we all know and love. I can't wait to see "The Muppets Present... Great Moments in American History" and the hilarious fun it will bring to Liberty Square.

Re-Imagined Flying Fish Opening Next Week, Reservations Begin Tomorrow:

The re-imagined Flying Fish at Disney's Boardwalk will be opening next week on August 3. Reservations will open for the restaurant starting tomorrow July 29. The restaurant has an all new interior that includes the on-stage kitchen with an all new menu crafted by Chef Tim Majoras, a veteran of the Flying Fish kitchen.

"The seafood-centric menu features entirely sustainable fish and shellfish, and includes Chef Majoras’ creations such as corn-crusted wild Gulf shrimp, wild Alaskan king salmon and plancha-seared Hokkaido scallops. For carnivores, there’s Wagyu filet mignon, Kurobuta pork belly and bison striploin. General manager and sommelier Stig Jacobsen has crafted a new wine list with nearly 80 selections by the glass." - Pam Brandon, Food Writer for Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland Resort, Disney Parks Blog

For reservations that open tomorrow you can visit, DisneyWorld.com/DINE or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Flying Fish Cafe Gets New Name and New Cocktail Lounge; Let's Celebrate - Sneak Peek of 45th Anniversary Merchandise

Flying Fish Cafe Gets New Name and New Cocktail Lounge:

When the Flying Fish Cafe at Disney's Boardwalk reopens late summer it will be operating under a brand new name in Flying Fish. The Cafe in the name is going away as the restaurant will welcome guests to sophisticated interior that will still pay homage to the golden era of seaside boardwalks. 

The interior of the restaurant will feature an all new kitchen and dining room that has expanded space for private dining events, and sparkling architectural accents (like golden-winged room panels and an impressive chandelier that mimics a school of fish overhead).

The Flying Fish will also neighbor a new cocktail lounge bar next door named, AbracadaBar. The story of the new cocktail lounge created by the Walt Disney Imagineering team:

The lounge was once a secret stomping ground for famous touring magicians, local boardwalk illusionists and the loveliest magician’s assistants of the day. After every magic show, these prestidigitators would gather at the bar, where they’d conjure up new cocktails, swap magic tips and tricks, and often stay up all night attempting to “out-charm” each other with their extraordinary illusions. According to BoardWalk lore, it was on just such an evening that every single magician in the lounge vanished into thin air, never seen again… And after sitting vacant for nearly 70 years, the secret magician’s lounge is now back in the spotlight.

 

"AbracadaBar guests will get a special peek into the sophisticated social club, and while it’s rumored that the magicians who frequented the lounge vanished without a trace decades ago, their magic still remains strongly intact, and can be seen, heard, and even savored in the bar’s signature cocktails," the Disney Parks Blog revealed. The AbracadaBar promises to be just as magical as its name suggests with its enchanted magic show posters, mystifying mirrors. vintage props, and tricks that were left behind all those years ago.

Opening dates and the new menus will be shared at a later date.

Let's Celebrate - Sneak Peak of Magic Kingdom's 45th Anniversary Merchandise:

The Magic Kingdom at Disney World will celebrate its 45th Anniversary in October. Today, Steven Miller gave us sneak peak of the merchandise that will become available to guests to celebrate the special occasion. In the new episode of Disney Parks Blog Unboxed we get to see just what to expect in new merchandise to be released:

The 45th Anniversary products will released this fall in select locations around the Walt Disney World Resort. Stay tuned as more information on the release of this amazing merchandise will be released very soon.