Starbucks Coffee Now at the Magic Kingdom as the Main Street Bakery Reopens Today

Raphael De Varona — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:06:03 +0000

From a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market to Main Street USA, Starbucks has come a long way to now being featured at the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery. But of course Starbucks isn’t just a single feel good story any longer with over 18,000 stores worldwide it has become synonymous with premium coffee and perhaps a few other less kind stigmas that come along with a chain of this scope and scale. The latter evidenced by some of the most hardcore Disney fans who often are reluctant to change and are afraid of what would happen to their cherished Main Street Bakery once it reopened from its transformation. Some of those fans will surely not be happy with what the end result is but the far larger majority of fans and everyday Disney guests will be more than pleased. They will know that not only is Starbucks now being served at the Magic Kingdom but that the Main Street Bakery has become a far more usable space, capable of handling the incredible demand thrust upon it during the morning breakfast-time rush.

Of course there has to be an exception to every rule and though the Main Street Bakery’s transformation is a much-needed one there are a couple of things we are sad to see go. For one, seating is no longer available inside the bakery and instead guests are being directed to look for tables further on the northern edges of Main Street USA. And although this change will cause some inconvenience, the extra space freed up is being used to mirror the bakeshop and double its capacity to take orders which should help to thwart the needlessly long lines in the bakery’s former iteration. Also gone are some of the theming flourishes that made the former bakeshop have a cozy (if a bit cramped) feel and created a nice sense of nostalgia that is always present throughout Main Street USA. To Disney’s credit they have inserted a back story and placed elements throughout the edges of the new Main Street Bakery to help tie it all in, though we do feel that overall the location does seem a bit too barren now (although once its packed with guests the ambiance of the space will naturally be different). Of course there is a lot to love about the renovated bakeshop as well.

Starbucks has been seamlessly integrated in a non-overbearing manner that does fit within what Disney is trying to do with the space. You can order from Starbucks’ full and extensive drink menu as well pick up one of four hot breakfast sandwiches. There are other Starbucks’ bites to eat including a slice of Banana Walnut Loaf Bread but if you are searching for your patented cinnamon rolls you are going to have to walk a little bit further to Gaston’s Tavern. The Main Street Bakery though a little bare for our tastes, is quite elegant in its simplicity and features an open layout that further helps make this space feel all the more grand. Overall we are excited by the new changes and think its a positive step for the Magic Kingdom and its guests but of course we want to hear what you have to say, so let your voice be heard either way in the comments below. We will have more coverage of the opening of Starbucks but until then please enjoy the wonderful preview photos below.

Watch This: Rainforest Cafe’s Fiery Volcano and Lava Lounge Debut At Downtown Disney

Raphael De Varona — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:10:48 +0000

Earlier this week we visited Rainforest Cafe for the grand opening of its Lava Lounge and new explosive volcano and came away with good first impressions. And though we included tons of photos and even a Vine showing off the experience, we thought it was time we took you for a more thrilling journey filled with fire, explosions and a crowd mesmerized by the over-the-top volcanic show. So grab popcorn and lean back and enjoy this volcanic visual treat, awakened nightly at Downtown Disney.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Roller Coaster Track Completion Marks Major Project Milestone – Part 2

Raphael De Varona — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:16:51 +0000

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction site is a tale of two hillsides and it is taking two posts to deliver to you every angle of the construction site. On the side closest to Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, you find construction moving at a rapid pace towards completion with concrete rock-work now forming a fully painted hillside with buildings quickly rising in the foreground. The roller coaster track has now been completed and we also know work is going on within the attractions’ outer walls but this post will also show the other side of the construction where progress is being made but a ton is still left to go. Soon though the steel mountain will turn into a much more lush part of the Fantasyland Forest, ’til then please join us as we continue our tour of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction.

Don’t forget to click-through our photos for higher resolution versions and leave a thought or two. We love hearing from you!

Rainforest Cafe’s Lava Lounge Opens With Fiery Volcanic Eruptions

Raphael De Varona — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:11:35 +0000

The power of nature is something that always fascinates us as humans. We do our best to understand it, prepare for its occasional fury and awe at its wondrous beauty. At Rainforest Cafe these elements have always been central to the experience. But just as the tectonics plates move and reshape our Earth, Rainforest Cafe had to once again transform itself in order to draw a new generation of fans with more of the raw power and beauty of the natural world that has intrigued millions since the restaurant opened its doors. Their answer a new completely rebuilt volcano that shoots fire into Downtown Disney’s (soon Disney Springs’) skyline and a Lava Lounge that provides open air, waterfront views and a lava flow themed bar with a backdrop of oozing lava against the molten rock of the volcano’s outer reaches. A dormant volcano can become active at seemingly almost any moment and though it took longer than most of us had hoped, once Rainforest Cafe’s volcano reawakened with its new ferocious sounds and visuals, it once again stole the show of Downtown Disney as onlookers raced to the edges of every inch of Downtown Disney to catch a glimpse of the eruptions. But at Da Mouse we aren’t ones for just glimpses so join us as we embark to bring you our first impressions of this new entertainment and dining experience at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Walking towards Rainforest Cafe from Downtown Disney’s West Side because parking can get a little hectic at Downtown Disney (thankfully Disney Spring’s eventual parking garages should alleviate this) there was an apparent buzz forming as onlookers who like me were on the other side of the property had seen and were waiting once more for the next volcanic eruption. As I walked briskly towards Downtown Disney’s Marketplace, more and more people were at the edges of the railings not only to take photos but to countdown for what was to come. And every half hour it happens. The rumble, the roar, the fire. What is a smoldering volcano blowing off steam during the day becomes a spectacle of intense fire and controlled explosions as the sun sets on the retail mecca of the Walt Disney World Resort.

It is spectacular and even though we had previewed what it could look like because it is not the first Rainforest Cafe to feature an active volcano, I couldn’t help but feel the same feeling of awe as the multitude of guests beside me who were lost in the moment as they saw something like they’ve probably never seen before. It is definitely going to draw more attention to the restaurant and in a conversation I overhead closer to the Lava Lounge, one employee was joking about how he didn’t have to work this weekend because with the volcano erupting he knew that the already overpacked Rainforest Cafe was going to be that much more filled with excited guests who may perhaps have overlooked the much tamer volcano that came before.

As impressive as the volcano’s eruptions are it’s not the only story at the new Rainforest Cafe and Lava Lounge. The entrance of the restaurant now has a beautiful waterfall with a scene that includes a giant animatronic alligator that does a pretty good job of attracting the curious younger ones in for a closer look until it animates and growls with its seemingly sharp teeth for all to witness. Then those kids aren’t as brave as they once were but it quickly tells me how this refurbishment has already transformed the area into many layers of memorable experiences that are what make guests young and old, want to come back. Beside the waterfall is a cave adorned with a small Lava Lounge marquee and it represents a new entrance that takes guests into the heart of the volcano and to the Lava Lounge. Inside are some pretty beautiful cutaways that glow with bright orange-red molten lava and give one a sense of adventure as they walk into their much more subdued lounge destination.

There is nothing about the Lava Lounge itself that is revolutionary. It couples a very nice looking bar with gorgeous panoramic waterfront views of Downtown Disney. It features a few new cocktails and one can pull up to the bar or grab one of the many tables by the water and order food from the Rainforest Cafe’s regular menu. Its decor is nice but not stunning, though the bar itself features a bright red bar top that is quite beautiful and behind the bar is a giant cutaway where the pulsating lava gives a sense for the active volcano we are beside. But indeed not everything has to be revolutionary to be successful and in this case the Lava Lounge gets so many of the basic things just right that you can’t help but feel welcomed, at home and most of all comfortable. This latter comfort is only furthered by what was an incredibly fun, lively and attentive staff who though dealing with all the normal inconsistencies of an opening night gave everyone there nothing but good times. There was not one person at the bar who wasn’t happy and I promise it wasn’t because of the libations they consumed though that always tends to help.

This

Downtown

Disney

landmark

is back!

Together the Lava Lounge with its solid offerings and excellent staff along with the reinvigorated Rainforest Cafe volcano entrance bring this Downtown Disney landmark back into the swing of things at a Downtown Disney that is preparing for the future that is arriving with Disney Springs. Imagine how neat it will be and just how much better this Rainforest Cafe renovation will seem when you are crossing the new Disney Springs bridge and headed towards the fire spewing volcano and the much calmer Lava Lounge that provides just enough refuge from the typical hectic pace of the average Disney vacation. We will have more coverage from the newly renovated Rainforest Cafe soon but for now enjoy the incredible sights and sounds.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Roller Coaster Track Completion Marks Major Project Milestone

Raphael De Varona — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:33:53 +0000

The countdown to the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster may seem a bit premature but the latest milestone to be achieved at the construction site is a healthy reminder that the attraction and its enormous footprint are one step closer to opening come Spring 2014. Just last week it was reported that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had seen its final track pieces set into place. Of course there is a ton more going on at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction site than just track completion and we aren’t exactly shy about showing you every angle of the construction.

There is a ton to see in our latest round of photos, which includes a heavy dose of the nearly completed northern side of the mine hillside (the one facing the Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction). It seems as if this area will open prior to the attraction’s completion and should include a Disney Vacation Club sales spot as per what was described to us by Disney Imagineering two years ago at the D23 Expo.

We also wouldn’t be surprised if some of the area is used as a locale to sell Journey of the Little Mermaid merchandise given its proximity to the ride’s exit and the fact that there is currently no ride specific gift shop for it. But as we wait to see how this area shapes out you can already bask in the glow of the beautiful theming detail already on display in our photos below.

Don’t forget to click-through our photos for higher resolution versions and leave a thought or two. We love hearing from you!

Click Here For Part 2

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Starbucks Theming Arrives at the Magic Kingdom as it Nears Completion

Raphael De Varona — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:24:11 +0000

With Starbucks bringing its caffeine-filled flair to the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street U.S.A. later this summer and shortly thereafter to Epcot’s Future World, it isn’t surprising to see that their branding has already made its way into, “The Most Magical Place On Earth.” Main Street U.S.A. is the home of the ever-popular Main Street Bakery where Starbucks coffee and line of food products will reside. For now fans of Starbucks are treated to foreshadowing clues of the roasted coffee to come in the form of marquees, window decals and an overall facade refurbishment that heralds things to come. So go grab yourself a cup of joe and come back to enjoy our photo tour of the new look while daydreaming what it might be like to finally be able to drink coffee nearly as magical as the park in which it resides.

Coffee nearly as magical

as the park in which it resides.

Don’t forget to click-through our photos for higher resolution versions and leave a thought or two. We love hearing from you!

Rainforest Cafe’s Revamped Volcano Sends Lava Lounge Project Into More Delays

Raphael De Varona — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:50:45 +0000

Another day, another challenge it seems for the Rainforest Cafe’s Volcano revamp and Lava Lounge project. The latest one hurts a bit, even if it’s part of the usual construction and inspection process. For we’ve been expecting launch dates (dating back to late last year) and had even seen what was a fully painted and seemingly finished volcano looking quite stunning and a Lava Lounge that was only covered up by protective awnings that shield the new lounge area from the elements. But those visiting the restaurant in recent days will look up to see the same beautiful new volcano with tons of patchwork and “fix-me” pink spray painted markings. Needless to say it was a bit disappointing to see the setback, though it was exciting to see a bit more of the Lava Lounge area exposed.

Uh Oh!

This can’t be good.

There isn’t a whole lot to garner from what can be seen nearby the Lava Lounge, though our cameras did capture a few interesting details. For one there appears to be an animatronic monkey hanging above on the far side of the lounge which would be inline with the fabric of Rainforest Cafe. You can see the bright red-orange lava flow bar top and the all new chairs and tables nearby. And in one final note of interest, the Lava Lounge seems to connect to the Rainforest Cafe entrance through a volcanic cavern. Of course there is surely more to be seen once the drinks start flowing and the Lava Lounge officially opens to the public. Still it seems pretty clear that one of the major draws of this new hangout will be its waterfront vista. We are working on getting more information on this story and we will update it as soon as possible. Till then please enjoy our latest collection of Rainforest Cafe and Lava Lounge construction and renovation photos.

**Soon* everything will be as smooth as lava flow.**

*Soon is a timeframe

subject to change

to maybe soon,

quite possibly soon,

or perhaps before next year.

Don’t forget to click-through our photos for higher resolution versions and leave a thought or two. We love hearing from you!

Da Mouse Moving to the Doorstep of ‘The Most Magical Place On Earth’

Raphael De Varona — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:15:00 +0000

A new day for Da Mouse is here. We have set forth to bring about a new future for fans of the Walt Disney Company and the community of people who visit and enjoy theme parks at large. Today our vision expands with a bold endeavor that will bring Da Mouse and more importantly you closer to the latest news than ever before. Next week, Da Mouse is relocating from our lovely hometown of Miami, FL to just outside the doorstep of Walt Disney World in a move that we know will help us on our mission to enrich the lives of our readers with the simple fun, news and imagination that have been a hallmark of what we do here.

This is a big undertaking for Da Mouse and we’ve been quietly working on this moment for the past couple of months. It is so great to finally be able to share this exciting news with all of you. With our new location so close to the action at Walt Disney World, we will be able to deliver the incredible Disney news updates we are known for, with incredible speed and in new and exciting ways that we will be announcing later this year. We thank you for your incredible and continuing support and we hope you are just as excited as we are about the endless possibilities to come.

‘Marvel’s Agents of Shield’ Brings ‘The Avengers’ Spinoff To ABC

Raphael De Varona — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:02:26 +0000

The Walt Disney Company’s second quarter earnings revealed two sore spots in what otherwise was a very impressive showing. The two lines of business that are in need of a turnaround are Disney Interactive (the Walt Disney Company’s gaming division which has seen tremendous consolidation around mobile gaming and their one big console initiative Disney Infinity) and Disney’s broadcast television station ABC which is in desperate need of primetime hits. Disney Interactive will likely not break even until next year because of the push back of the Disney Infinity launch date, but CEO Bob Iger still believes it will drive profitability soon. With the most recent partnership with Electronic Arts (EA) to produce future console gaming titles using the newly acquired Star Wars brand, the news for Disney Interactive has been trending positive. The picture at ABC however, is a bit more gloomy with a business model that continues to be stretched thin as web and mobile continue to change traditional media viewing habits. That said the biggest hurdle facing ABC is the need to produce more in-house primetime hits. Today, ABC may have just found its next one.

Spoiler Alert: #COULSONLIVES

Marvel’s Agents of Shield hopes to bring some of Marvel’s overly abundant big-screen success to your living room and with The Avengers own director Joss Whedon at the helm, the chances for success seem to be weighted favorably. The show stars Clark Gregg who reprises his role as Agent Phil Coulson and follows him along as he assembles an incredible team of agents under the law-enforcement agency S.H.I.E.L.D. that Marvel fans are quite familiar with. Coulson’s team will undoubtedly attempt to save the world and perhaps stem the tide over at ABC all in one marvelous swoop.

Coulson’s team will attempt to save the world and stem the tide over at ABC all in one marvelous swoop.

Today Marvel and ABC launched the first full teaser trailer for the upcoming show for ABC (whose air date has yet to be officially set) and launched a viral marketing site that takes the form of a pseudo conspiracy blog under the fictitious banner of “The Rising Tide.” The viral marketing site includes everything from purported video captures of Iron Man and The Hulk to messages that read, “is this a sinkhole, or is it really the site of superhuman activity?” Surely we know the answer to that but the unknown is of interest to ABC, Marvel and the Walt Disney Company at large so of course Da Mouse will continue to provide coverage of this soon-to-launch series as we countdown to this latest Marvel endeavor.

‘A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas’ Arrives at the Magic Kingdom This Summer – Part 2

Raphael De Varona — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:34:53 +0000

So it’s adventure ye be after? Not to worry mateys, we are ones to keep our words and we are back with more incredible photos of A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas at the Magic Kingdom. The latest, though from what we hear not the last interactive adventure at the Magic Kingdom, will bring a Pirate themed scavenger hunt of sorts to Adventureland. So what do you think lads, are you ready to become a pirate?