OK here are some other things
Downtown disney - major construction (dont know what) in the area near the dancing fountains (next to the Gourmet Pantry and from there to the Guest Services area. The construction walls are up and work was going on each day.
Next to the Caribean beach resort you will see a new road being put in. According to our bus driver that is a road mandated by the city for Disney to put in as a right away. Someone owns a small (relatively) amount of land and is proposing 1 of 2 projects which has Disney ape *&#$. One is a casino (in conjunction with an native american tribe which would make it legal) and the other is a luxury hotel. Neither would be disney owned but would be located a less than 1 mile each from Downtown and Typhoon lagoon. Talk about location.
There is a new Opryland Hotel (big one) going in a stones throw from the Pop Century resort at the intersection of International Drive South and I forgot the other highway, maybe 417??
Resorts
Major league mess over at the Beach Club as the build the new Villas. The lake side view is OK and not affected but any front or garden view rooms see a hulking construction site and cranes.
Facade work on the Boardwalk is now off the boardwalk and onto the front of the building. Note - NOT CROWDED this year on the boardwalk at night - no music or anything outside with Atlantic Dance Hall closed. Everything closes (except for ESPN and the stores at 10pm - the shops on the boardwalk that is).
There are no buses from Downtown to any park (that stinks!!)
Character Meals
Avoid the Gullivers at the Swan - they keep messing up the characters set to attend (they have a set schedule that they then modify when you sit down) and the menu has changed from last year and not (in my mind) for the better.
Birthday Surprises
My wife pulled a birthday surprise on me while we were down there with a group that does these things. They did a Goofy B-Day hunt for me that had customized signs in the park directing me to find "goofy" presents until finally you got the real gift whatever was chosen. It was really interesting and fun for me and the family and took about 2 hours of following clues, going on rides etc. I can get you the companies link if any one is interested.
Downtown disney - major construction (dont know what) in the area near the dancing fountains (next to the Gourmet Pantry and from there to the Guest Services area. The construction walls are up and work was going on each day.
Next to the Caribean beach resort you will see a new road being put in. According to our bus driver that is a road mandated by the city for Disney to put in as a right away. Someone owns a small (relatively) amount of land and is proposing 1 of 2 projects which has Disney ape *&#$. One is a casino (in conjunction with an native american tribe which would make it legal) and the other is a luxury hotel. Neither would be disney owned but would be located a less than 1 mile each from Downtown and Typhoon lagoon. Talk about location.
There is a new Opryland Hotel (big one) going in a stones throw from the Pop Century resort at the intersection of International Drive South and I forgot the other highway, maybe 417??
Resorts
Major league mess over at the Beach Club as the build the new Villas. The lake side view is OK and not affected but any front or garden view rooms see a hulking construction site and cranes.
Facade work on the Boardwalk is now off the boardwalk and onto the front of the building. Note - NOT CROWDED this year on the boardwalk at night - no music or anything outside with Atlantic Dance Hall closed. Everything closes (except for ESPN and the stores at 10pm - the shops on the boardwalk that is).
There are no buses from Downtown to any park (that stinks!!)
Character Meals
Avoid the Gullivers at the Swan - they keep messing up the characters set to attend (they have a set schedule that they then modify when you sit down) and the menu has changed from last year and not (in my mind) for the better.
Birthday Surprises
My wife pulled a birthday surprise on me while we were down there with a group that does these things. They did a Goofy B-Day hunt for me that had customized signs in the park directing me to find "goofy" presents until finally you got the real gift whatever was chosen. It was really interesting and fun for me and the family and took about 2 hours of following clues, going on rides etc. I can get you the companies link if any one is interested.
