shoreline99

The queue looks fantastic. Here's another video with the whole queue as well as the ridethrough.
 

Actually, it is the boat transportation from the 3000 loop to MK.   Free to use for 3000 loop guests, of course.

I'm in...can't wait to read more!

Welp, that didn't take long. Glad i got to go while it was still new.
http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/04/jungle-cruise-themed-skipper-canteen-restaurant-to-undergo-radical-menu-change/
 

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2016/02/26/news-chef-changes-at-disney-world-signature-restaurants/

Did someone call me? I felt a disturbance in the force.
EPCOT
Rose & Crown, Cava del Tequila, Sake bar in the back of the Japanese Pavilion. If you're feeling adventurous, try the beer/wine tasting in the German mug & glassware shop next to the biergarten, the Grey Goose slushie in France, the beer cart in Canada (lots of good choices there) or the frozen Sapporo in Japan.
Animal Kingdom
Dawa Bar and the new bar next to Expedition Everest whose name escapes me. Because sometimes you just need a drink at ten in the morning after getting off Everest for the 3rd time.
DHS
Tune in Lounge, Hollywood Brown Derby patio lounge (try the fried cheese appetizer and thank me later).
Resorts:
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and patio + Tambu lounge at the Poly
Outer Limits, The Wave and the Cali Grill bars at the Contemporary
Jellyrolls, the Boardwalk. As much as I hate to do this I can't really recommend the Big River Grille there. The tap lines are never clean, there's always a wait and the food is just meh.
Territory Lounge at WL
Crockett's is OK if you're at the fort but not worth a trip over there otherwise. Although if you're there for lunch the chicken and waffles is dynamite.
Disney Springs:
Raglan Road, Jock Lindsays, the Boathouse, Dockside Margaritas
 
If you like wine, there are lots of good choices at many of the restaurants.
If you're a beer drinker, download the 'beers and ears' app for your phone; it's pretty accurate and will find the beer nearest to you if you're on property.

Wow, we timed our trip right.
"Starting April 1, 2016, and running on weekends through May 1, Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival will return from hiatus to Disney California Adventure! (The Festival was discontinued when construction for Cars Land started up in 2011.)
This celebration of California cuisine will feature Festival Marketplaces, Culinary Demonstrations and Seminars, and Celebrity Chef appearances."
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2016/02/15/news-disney-california-adventure-food-wine-festival-returns-in-april-2016/

I've been reading this and trying to formulate my thoughts, so here goes.
Disney, as many have said, is a business. It's all about the $$.
They have no set ideas on how to run this place effectively and have it make money for them. They're already stripping some of the long-standing cooking amenities out of the cabins, effectively forcing people to rely more on their on-property meals, or go elsewhere. They've been cracking down on off-property rentals of campers and carts for quite some time now as well, effectively pushing it underground unless vendors are willing to pay to become 'preferred' and passing the costs on to the end users.
Prices keep going up, benefits keep going down. They are not interested in the locals that visit 6 times a year for a night or two, they are looking for the people that are wiling to come for two weeks or more. The big hits. That's part of the reason they now have more blackout dates on the Florida AP's.
See, that model works for them in California, because the parks are smaller and they rely on the CA annual passes for steady revenue streams. As much as they say DL is a destination park, it's really a regional/state attraction. They make more money off of WDW - the GLOBAL destination resort. So, of course they gear their business plan towards long-term, all-inclusive, plan-it-in-advance guest packages. Dining? Include it, for a price. Rooms and tickets? Include it and you can book your fastpasses in advance. The tent camping and site models don't work in that economic model - and, mark my words, there will likely be changes soon to how those are handled. They've already cracked down on those trying to shuffle their reservations at the fort and modify dates.
My best guess is that they're biding their time for the new FW DVC, as has been discussed here. That's a no brainer for them. The powers that be won't be sad to see the campers revolt, they will find more people to pay for the additional accommodations. FW is getting squeezed on all sides already; the four seasons, golden oak, the new WL DVC cabins - I'm sure it will continue until the bottom line is met.
More later.

This. I have a huge issue with this. So much so I'm going to briefly threadjack.
 
My wife and I went to WDW last month for Food & Wine and stayed at the Boardwalk Inn. Mind you, this is the first vacation we've taken without kids in about 16 years. Our room was nice enough, except for the fact that it smelled like a moldy pool locker room. I asked at the front desk and was told the hotel was full and they couldn't move us to a different room. Fine. I picked up some claritin and on we went.
 
Until the second night we were there. Some of the rooms at the Boardwalk are adjoiners, like many hotels. To put it politely, the noises coming through that doorway at 2 in the morning, for an extended period of time, were not family friendly. I mean, everyone should enjoy their vacation, and I'm no prude, but man. It got so bad that I called the desk, and I'd assume the parties were asked to tone it down because the noises were then joined by loud, bass-heavy music. Awesome. I turned on the tv and the noise eventually died down.
 
We discussed it the next morning and decided not to make a big deal about it with the hotel unless it happened again the next night. Anyway, we never heard anything more and the rest of the trip was great.
 
When we got the survey there was really no place to express how disappointed we were and how glad we were that our kids weren't with us. So, I sent a very tersely worded (but polite) email to guest services about the odor in the room and the noise from the adjoining room, not expecting any reply back. About a week later got a call back from a person that was obviously a manager, and he was mortified. I'm not the kind of guy that makes a big stink over things, but I really just wanted to let them know that their 'deluxe' resort was anything but and that our vacation was definitely less than magical. Long story short, without me asking for anything they gave us a large credit back on our hotel bill for the trip.
 
So, the moral of the story is follow up the survey with an email to guest services if you don't feel the survey adequately represents your opinions.
 
End of threadjack.

According to Jim Hill's latest podcast, he speculates that construction on the demolition of river country and the beginning of site work for the dvc will begin as soon as the work on the wilderness lodge cabins are completed. Disney will have contractors there already and will just roll from one to the other.
He also postulated that the ttc will be relocated to allow for a resort to be constructed on the monorail and bay lake on the other side of the ferry dock where the existing ttc and lost&found are located, extending into 'pad 'a'' as discussed above.
Take it how you will.

Thanks for the reminder - the sound effects, as far as I could tell, were coming from these four 'vents' (which are likely disguised speakers). We heard all kinds of noises, elephant sounds (doing dishes?!?) and conversations coming from them while we were there.
 
I knew the names on the doors. Sometimes it pays to be an Imagineering nerd. Bill Evans was the landscape designer, Marc Davis was the main conceptual artist and gag writer, and Harper Goff designed the boats and ride mechanics.
 
I figured the lights were the same as the ride, we actually went right from here to the Jingle Cruise (had a great skipper and a lot of fun).

This was my WTF from last week. Guess that's what you do when the sites are full up - get yourself a cabin!
 

 

OK, sorry for the delay in posting this but I had to wait until I got home to put a review together. Seems like it was so long ago now (almost two weeks!).
 
We arrived at MK on the 24th around 10:30. Fighting the crowds, we angled over towards Adventureland and stopped at the Canteen to see if we could get in for an early lunch. It wasn't too crowded yet, but there was a short line and they took our information and phone number and let us know they'd be opening at 11.
 

 
The seating area under the covered veranda is lovely, has nice chairs and games for the kids.
 

 

 

 
Before too long, one of the skippers came over and led us into the restaurant - never even got a text.
 

 
Like TCD, we were seated in the main dining hall. However, as the restaurant had just opened there was plenty of opportunity to walk around and take photos - in fact, our Skipper encouraged it and gave us a few things not to miss.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Sorry for the blurry one below.
 

 
It appears that you can ship the eighth wonder of the world...
 

 
Looking back towards the entrance, one can see Dr. Albert Falls' office on the second floor
 

 
There are three other offices on the second floor, Skipper Harper (Goff), Skipper Marc (Davis), and Skipper Bill (Evans), a nice nod to the original Imagineers of the Jungle Cruise ride.
 

 

 
A better shot of Dr. Falls' office
 

 

 
And the Skipper's bulletin board
 

 
Lots of beautiful theming and nods to the Jungle Cruise
 

 
Oh, but what's this? A secret door in a bookcase?
 

Bonus pic for Mo:
 
Did you know that it snows in Trader Sam's over the holidays?
 

So, being that we were there for an early lunch, we decided to order a few appetizers and split a couple of entrees.
 
Our skipper brought us drinks quickly and liberally sprinkled puns and jokes throughout the meal. Just an FYI, the souvenir mugs were not available for purchase when we were there; apparently they had some on hand for the initial open and will be getting more in after the holiday rush.
 
(sample: Oh, are you visiting Florida?
Did you take a plane here? *skips beat*
Did you bring it back? *rimshot*)
 
She also brought us some delicious flatbread with a honey-based dipping sauce. I liked it (the sauce), my kids liked it, my wife thought it was too sweet.
 

 
For appetizers we ordered the falafel and arepas; both were excellent and well seasoned.
 

 
We also got the Shu Mai dumplings, which were awesome and we actually ordered a second plate of them. I was also impressed that they brought out real chopsticks for the meal, not the ones you snap apart that you get at most restaurants (and even the California Grill).
 

 
These four appetizers fed a family of 6 with no problem, and we had room for a few entrees.
 
Rice noodle bowl with Chicken:
 

 
We really enjoyed this, although I felt it could have been seasoned a bit better initially, by the time I got to the bottom the broth was the best part (complete with thai peppers) and was great when sopped up with the flatbread. Yum. We ordered two of these bowls.
 
We also ordered the Char Sui Pork, which had just the right amount of spice and was quickly devoured by everyone:
 

 
I really liked that dish.
 
Lastly, we ordered two desserts: the Kungaloosh (a cake, not a drink!) and the "Banh Bong Lan" cake with Mango-lime sorbet.
 

 
The Kungaloosh! was the table favorite and the second dessert wasn't bad either.
 
We really enjoyed the meal, although I can see how people that are either not familiar with different cuisines or the way they are seasoned might have difficulty navigating the menu. Our skipper said that the reviews had been mostly positive, as I mentioned, with most split into two camps: those expecting traditional theme park fare and those looking for a little something different. Comparisons to Be Our Guest are tough, because that menu is very 'continental' and really doesn't stretch beyond the traditional. This menu (link to the lunch menu: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/jungle-navigation-skipper-canteen/menus/) has a little bit of many cuisines, much like a fusion restaurant. I think people will either like it or hate it - the food was good, the prices comparable to other sit-down meals and the atmosphere was wonderful. Because they are not accepting reservations yet it's easy to think of this as another walk-up counter-service type meal, and I'm hoping management gives it a shot and doesn't change the menu or vibe. It could definitely use booze, especially with some of the spicier meals - perhaps at dinner. I spoke with a couple of different skippers, and everyone seemed very enthusiastic about the place. I even saw Skipper Brian from Trader Sam's working the host station.
 
It wasn't packed during our stay the few times we stopped by, but with the text-based system it was hard to tell what the waits were like. I did get a comment from one of the skippers, that they had found that people that already had reservations at other places during the holiday week were reluctant to give them up to try this restaurant, especially with the monetary penalty for last-minute cancellations.
 
Yes, the prices are high but not outrageous for Disney, and I think once this place settles in it will have a regular audience.
 
Given the time and opportunity on our last day I would absolutely have gone back for another meal.
 

Following through the 'secret' passageway led to the 'SEA' room. Lots of great theming and nods to the Adventurer's Club in there.
 

 
A closeup of the crest:
 

 
One side of the room, complete with map of the Orient:
 

 
The other side, with fireplace:
 

 
A closeup of the painting showing Dr. Falls and the Jungle Cruise:
 

 
Seating alcove, complete with sea monster mural:
 

 
And, perhaps the most beautiful part of the room, the butterfly collection table:
 

 
I did not take any photos of the bathrooms, TCD, you've got me there.
 
The third dining room is the Falls' Family Parlor, and is home to their collection of Royal Doulton China as well as some beautiful chandeliers.
 

 

 

 

 
What a beautiful restaurant. Meal review and general thoughts in the next post.

OK, sorry for the delay in posting this but I had to wait until I got home to put a review together. Seems like it was so long ago now (almost two weeks!).
 
We arrived at MK on the 24th around 10:30. Fighting the crowds, we angled over towards Adventureland and stopped at the Canteen to see if we could get in for an early lunch. It wasn't too crowded yet, but there was a short line and they took our information and phone number and let us know they'd be opening at 11.
 

 
The seating area under the covered veranda is lovely, has nice chairs and games for the kids.
 

 

 

 
Before too long, one of the skippers came over and led us into the restaurant - never even got a text.
 

 
Like TCD, we were seated in the main dining hall. However, as the restaurant had just opened there was plenty of opportunity to walk around and take photos - in fact, our Skipper encouraged it and gave us a few things not to miss.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Sorry for the blurry one below.
 

 
It appears that you can ship the eighth wonder of the world...
 

 
Looking back towards the entrance, one can see Dr. Albert Falls' office on the second floor
 

 
There are three other offices on the second floor, Skipper Harper (Goff), Skipper Marc (Davis), and Skipper Bill (Evans), a nice nod to the original Imagineers of the Jungle Cruise ride.
 

 

 
A better shot of Dr. Falls' office
 

 

 
And the Skipper's bulletin board
 

 
Lots of beautiful theming and nods to the Jungle Cruise
 

 
Oh, but what's this? A secret door in a bookcase?
 

Just saw the double post - editing.
 
We got there right at 11 and the inside was pretty empty, so I was able to get some great photos of the interior. Our skipper told us they've had good reviews so far, definitely split along people who are thrilled that there are other park food options and a few people that were upset that junior can't eat their chicken nuggets.
 
Probably won't get a review in until after our trip.

Ate there today. Liked it. Review and photos to follow.

The last few days at MK anyone going through without a bag has been directed through the scanners. I went through Xmas day at Epcot also.

Not surprised. They're jacking up the price this year for renewals, so of course they're cutting back the benefits!

I've seen on other sites to watch for ADR openings starting at some point this week for dates after the 16th. Take that with a grain of salt.

I wonder if he uses 'rootin' tootin'' in everyday conversation as well.

Got this letter in the mail yesterday regarding our upcoming trip and the new microwave/convection ovens: