Kona Cafe Closing for Refurb
I’ve got alarming news for coffee addicts. Kona Café will close for refurbishment in August, but we don’t know for how long.
The DVC Update
Yes, my fellow fans of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Kona Café will shut down on August 15th for renovations.
Management hasn’t announced any additional details beyond that fact.
However, a cursory glance at the Disney park calendar shows that it’s closed through at least September 1st.
Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog
Otherwise, we have no idea how extensive the restaurant’s changes will be. It could involve minor refurbishment or something more dramatic, as we witnessed at Citricos.
On the plus side, Disney has confirmed that Kona Island will remain open. So yes, I was teasing you earlier about your coffee fix. You’re still okay.
In fact, the restaurant will accept Mobile Orders throughout the day as well. You can read the menu on the official site.
Right now, the options are primarily coffee, sushi, and desserts. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if the menu expands in the event of extended downtime.
Hopefully, this is much ado about nothing and only a short closure. Either way, Disney, please bring back the Kona Kone. The place isn’t the same without it!
The only other DVC story of note right now is really a park update. Disney has confirmed that Early Theme Park Entry will return in 2023!
Technically, the company told its travel agents, but those agents told everyone else. There isn’t any word about Extended Evening Hours yet.
You may recall that Disney specifically linked that amenity to the 50th-anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World.
Still, that event lasts through March of 2023. As such, I expect it to continue through at least the first quarter of 2023. I’ll update you when we learn more.
Disneyland News and Notes
We’ve got several park updates today. The best of them is that Radiator Springs Racers is back up and running at Disney California Adventure. Its closure lasted nine days, but the holiday weekend timing was brutal.
I should also mention that Fantasmic! has returned to Disneyland as well. Here’s the 2022 version of the presentation:
Also, Blue Bayou Restaurant has started a soft opening this week after its recent refurbishment. Here’s the tweet:
Exciting news! Blue Bayou Restaurant is now accepting walk-ins for lunch and dinner on the @Disneyland mobile app or at the podium.????Reservations will be available at a later date. (Subject to availability. See a Cast Member for more details.) pic.twitter.com/nKoYVvzPpK
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) June 3, 2022
So, Blue Bayou isn’t accepting reservations yet, but you can eat there if there’s a table available.
Walt Disney World News and Notes
Switching coasts, a popular Chicago restaurant named Summer House Santa Monica will add a Disney Springs location in 2023.
This new eatery, Summer House on the Lake, will go in the spot Disney had reserved for the defunct Beatrix. Here’s the Instagram announcement.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I’ve got two updates to pass along. First, TriceraTop Spin will close for a brief refurbishment next week. You won’t be able to ride it from June 13th through June 18th. That’s less time than Radiator Springs Racers closed last week!
What should you do instead? That answer’s easy! Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! opens for the first time on June 13th.
Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog
This modernized version of the previous Finding Nemo show should prove popular this summer.
Also, as has become Disney’s practice, it made the announcement via TikTok:
@disneyparks Sea you at Finding Nemo: The Big, Blue and Beyond June 13! ???????? #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #AnimalKingdom #FindingNemo #Musical #Nemo
June shapes up to be a massive month at Animal Kingdom, as the Adventurers Outpost will host a character greeting once more. This experience returns on June 19th.
We don’t know who will be there yet, but let’s be honest. It’s probably Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse!
At EPCOT, an old friend has returned. The iCan is back in operation! So if you’ve never seen a metal man riding a hidden Segway, now’s your chance!
Finally, Pride Month has started, and Walt Disney World has added several new ways to celebrate.
PhotoPass users can select lenses to commemorate the event, and you’ll find some exclusive Magic Shots as well.
Meanwhile, Disney is selling plenty of limited-time food and merchandise to help its guests make the most out of Pride Month. Here’s the Parks Blog post with full details.
Access all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.
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