8/8 Denise’s Corner – Kabuki Cafe, New Passholder and Free Dining Discounts, D23 Expo

Hi everyone!

Last week we put up photos and video of Disney's Vero Beach Resort – over 250 photos and 2 videos!  I also was in on a conference call with Billy Dee Williams, he'll be selling his jazz-inspired Disney artwork at D23.

The article I wrote about the artwork is here! We also just added a Magic Kingdom and Epcot photo update, including the Fantasyland expansion from the roof of Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Billy Dee Williams at Star Wars Weekends 2010

While at Epcot this past weekend, we enjoyed a Kakigori at the new Kabuki Cafe, a permanent building that sits where the old Kakigori stand was. It now includes a few other snacks such as ice cream and smoothies. I also noticed during a quick trip to Disney's Hollywood Studios that the Carrot Cake Cookies have gone up in price to $3.95 (a year ago they were $2.95, then $3.45, now $3.95). The biggest surprise for me was that the gelato was gone from the Beach Club Marketplace. It'd been a fixture there for years, and I guess we'd not been there in some time now – over a year, probably around the time the gelato was taken out. It was such a refreshing treat!

Kabuki Cafe

Fantasyland Expansion from Disney's Contemporary Resort

One of the questions I was asked last week was whether I’d heard of discounts through the end of the year. At that time, none had been announced – but now they have! Annual passholder discounts have been announced for most dates between October 3rd – December 24th with code F33. Free dining is also been offered for select dates between October 2nd and March 31st.  Check out Mousesavers for the dates and information!

Are you heading to the D23 Expo? We will be covering it from August 19th – 21st, so say hi if you see me!  There is so much to do (just like last time), it will be hard to decide between seminars. If you've not made up your mind and you'll be in the Anaheim area, I highly recommend the Expo!  We are also looking forward to seeing the new attractions and restaurants that have opened at the Disneyland Resort since we were last there in October, including Trader Sam's (which we'll probably visit for my birthday) and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure. We enjoyed seeing some of the set pieces to the attraction last year in person, so I can't wait to see them again – as part of the ride!

D23 Expo, 2009

Questions I received on Twitter this week:

Q: Loved the Vero pics! How far is it from Orlando?

Disney's Vero Beach Resort, View of our Cottage

Thanks! Vero Beach is about 2 hours from Orlando, but feels like a world away!  One tip – bring bug spray and an ammonia stick. The no see-um bite is unlike anything I've ever encountered (worse than a flea or mosquito for me).

Have a wonderful week!

Denise