New Japan Signature Restaurant Confirmed; No More Shenanigans at Whispering Canyon Cafe

Japan Signature Restaurant Confirmed:

Disney quietly yesterday confirmed that a new signature restaurant will come to the Japan Pavilion in Epcot. Back in January, rumors surface about a new signature dining experience coming right next to the current Mitsukoshi store in the Japan pavilion. Here are the details of the confirmation in yesterday's announcement:

While we’re on the topic of Epcot, I have one more exciting announcement: an all-new table service restaurant will be coming to the Japan Pavilion in World Showcase, offering guests a signature dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan. The setting will draw from both nature and takumi, which means “artisan” in Japanese, and the relationship between Japanese craftsmanship and the natural world will be evident throughout the space. This new restaurant will be operated by Mitsukoshi USA, which operates the merchandise, restaurants (Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining), and kiosks in the Japan Pavilion. Once completed, the restaurant will add to the rich tapestry of authentic cultural experiences available to guests in World Showcase.

No details on when the restaurant will open but this will be the second new restaurant coming to Epcot in the next few years. Stay tuned for future updates on both Japan Signature Dining Restaurant and the Space-themed restaurant in Future World.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

No More Shenanigans at Whispering Canyon Cafe:

After years of fun and shenanigans it appears the fun has gone to the wayside at Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. The team that runs the Walt Disney World Today account on Twitter all but confirmed it over the last few days:

Hi Randy. We are continuously updating our offerings throughout Walt Disney World Resort and are currently working on what's next for Whispering Canyon. We apologize for any disappointments and will pass along any feedback to the appropriate leadership teams.

— Walt Disney World Today (@WDWToday) May 12, 2018

Here is the list of all shenanigans that many guests have enjoyed over the years of what guests would say that would get the shenanigans going:

• Wear a Hat or T-Shirt from Universal or Sea World
• Tell your server you spent the day at an attraction outside of WDW
• Tell the server whose birthday or anniversary it is
• Have your kids "egg him/her on"
• Have one of the males in the group ask where the restrooms are
• Claim your straw is not long enough
• Chew gum
• Ask the server where you can buy some chewing gum in WDW
• Ask for ketchup (every single ketchup bottle would be brought to your table)
• Order a soda for breakfast

Rumor has it that the reason for the fun ending is that guests above the restaurant were apparently claiming it was to loud. I sure will miss the fun the next time at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Source: WDW News Today

RUMORS: Japan Pavilion to Add Signature Restaurant; Sweet Spells at Hollywood Studios to Close to Become Toy Store

A few rumors have popped up over the last fews days or so including a new signature restaurant being added to the Japan Pavilion in Epcot and saying goodbye to a favorite in Sweet Spells at Disney's Hollywood Studios very soon. 

A third table service restaurant appears to be on its way to the Japan Pavilion in Epcot as part of the parks ongoing expansion plan. While this hasn't been confirmed it appears a signature seafood and steakhouse restaurant that has yet to be named is on its way to the pavilion with construction beginning in the next few weeks.

The restaurant would reside on the first floor of the shopping/dining complex, taking over some of the space of the current Mitsukoshi store, merchandise storage, and other backstage facilities inside the pavilion. Guests would enter the restaurant to the right of the Mitsukoshi store, along an expanded pathway across the front of the pavilion. 

The interior according to internal documents would include several different themed rooms which include: Material Room (Check-in/Lobby), Wa Room, Water Room, Washi Room, Wood Room, Stone Room, and Earth Room. No additional information is available at this time as the project has not yet been announced by Disney, nor the 3rd party company that operates the dining venues in the pavilion. There has been no timeframe of when this restaurant will open in Epcot.

Next up was that Sweet Spells at Disney's Hollywood Studios is rumored to be closing in February and what will take its place is a Toy Story Land themed retail location along Sunset Boulevard. An attached shop to Sweet Spells was called Villains in Vogue until 2015 and is now called Reel Vogue. Recently, the shop has been selling many Pixar-themed merchandise.

It is no surprise that Sweet Spells would convert to a Toy Story Land themed merchandise store. This would help for this Summer as there is no full retail store planned inside Toy Story Land itself just themed merchandise carts. 

Have no fear while it does appear that some of our favorite snacks and sweets will be going away once Sweet Spells closes, the famous Carrot Cake Cookie has already made the move over to the Trolley Car Cafe across the way. It is expected that many other favorite baked good items will make the move over to the Trolley Car Cafe as well. 

This has not been announced or confirmed by Disney.

Source: WDW News Today 

             WDW News Today

Watch Daisy Ridley and John Boyega React to Force Awakens Trailer, Minnie's There to Stay at Dine-In at DHS; and More

Watch Daisy Ridley and John Boyega React to Force Awakens Trailer:

Still buzzing about the release of last night's final "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer, I know I am. Two of the films stars Daisy Ridley (Rey) and John Boyega (Finn) taped their reactions to the trailer and shared with the world their excitement. Ridley got emotional and was in total awe of the trailer and Boyega jumped for joy with excitement and off his couch as his friend taped his reaction. Watch both their reactions below:

Daisy Ridley's reaction:

\Staying in a little b'n'b with my friend... Set an alarm to watch the trailer... My friend filmed my reaction. Totally emotional seeing it for the first time and so so so incredibly awed to be part of this incredible legacy #starwars #theforceawakens

A video posted by @daisyridley on Oct 19, 2015 at 8:06pm PDT

Here is Boyega's reaction:

THE TRAILER IS JUST EEEEPPPPPPPIIIIICCCCCCC! Star Wars is back! gaaaaaad laaaaard! You know what! Let me just relax because this kind God oooo! Lmao! Seriously congrats to everyone ! December 18th!

A video posted by @john_boyega on Oct 20, 2015 at 12:02am PDT

 Minnie to Dine with Guests All Year-Round at Hollywood & Vine:

It was reported just a few months ago that Minnie and her friends would be dining with guests during the holiday season with Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine. Today, the Disney Parks Blog announced that Minnie and friends will be dining all year-round with guests at the Hollywood Studios restaurant. The theme of the the dinner will change with the seasons.

Here is the description from the Disney Parks Blog:

"Minnie’s fabulous dinner parties celebrate the cheerful togetherness of the holidays, the glamour of Hollywood, the delight of spring, the excitement of summer and the frightening fun of Halloween. With each new season, look for unique music, décor, all-new costumes, menu items and interactive musical moments."

Reservations for Minnie's Seasonal Dine begin next week on October 27. From January 4 to March 20, Minnie will invite guests to celebrate the movies and the glamour of Hollywood. The reservations can also be added to the Fantasmic! dinner package. You can make reservations by calling 407-WDW-DINE or by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine.

New Exhibit Opens in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot:

Over the weekend, Epcot's Japan pavilion opened up a new exhibit that is dedicated to the country's cute culture. "Kawaii: Japan's Cute Culture" explores how the culture became a modern way of life in Japan. One of the statues in the exhibit is of a Harujuku Girl in Melty-Go-Round style by Kawaii artist and designer Sebastian Masuda. 

The Bijutsu-kan Gallery also features a replica of a modern Tokyo apartment and historical artifacts that illustrate Kawaii's origin. Kawaii is rooted is Japan's Shinto past, and is a means of self expression, from schoolhouses to construction sites. Will you be checking out this new exhibit in the Japan pavilion?