Victoria & Albert’s Will Return Soon and Other DVC Resort Updates
One DVC resort has gotten even better this Easter season, while another is undergoing improvements as we speak. We’ll talk about these news items and more in the latest DVC update.
Victoria & Albert’s Will Return Soon
Disney is currently deciding the fates of several longstanding park amenities.
To wit, we recently learned that Spirit of Aloha will never return at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
The future isn’t looking especially bright for Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, either.
Some insiders are convinced that we’ve had our last hoedown, although I should stress that’s speculative.
Thankfully, we have some positive updates today, though.
For starters, Victoria and Albert’s will reopen later in 2022. As a reminder, the iconic restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa hasn’t returned since the pandemic began.
Disney hasn’t announced a date yet. However, it did provide clarity about the award-winning restaurant’s future.
In more immediate Grand Floridian news, you should visit the hotel lobby as soon as possible. Disney has decorated it for Easter, but we’re talking about more than Easter Eggs this year.
The lobby has introduced the Grand Cottage, an Easter shack akin to the gingerbread house we loved during the Christmas season.
As of publication, this store hasn’t opened yet. We can tell from the structure that it appears likely to sell Easter sweets, though.
We also learned that the Grand Floridian’s new Disney Vacation Club building should open on June 20th.
Qualifying DVC members have booked reservations starting on that date. Act now if you want to stay at the new DVC hotness!
Down the road at a different monorail hotel, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is once again undergoing refurbishment.
Disney recently changed some of the seating in the hotel lobby. Now, the front desk section has closed for a few days.
The company hasn’t explained their thought process here, as they just redesigned this area last fall.
So, I don’t know what will be different when it reopens.
Popular DVC Restaurant Notes
Sometimes, change is good. Other times, it’s change just for the sake of change.
You can be the judge of which is which in this story.
Olivia’s Cafe and the Gurgling Suitcase have altered their menus in a potentially blasphemous manner.
These eateries no longer sell the beloved conch fritters. Instead, Disney has replaced them with shrimp fritters. That’s… not the same.
As a reminder, seemingly every restaurant in North America has posted a note that supply chain issues impact their menu offerings.
Let’s hope that that’s all this menu change reflects.
In much better news, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is sounding the bells and whistles again.
So, you should order a Kitchen Sink the next time you’re there if you want some attention and to be the envy of others in the restaurant.
The Disney Parks Update
Disneyland Resort has announced multiple refurbishments for late April.
For starters, everyone’s beloved Blue Bayou Restaurant will close on April 21st.
At Disneyland California Adventure, two Cars Land attractions will close briefly for updates as well.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will shut down on April 11th for what Disney indicates is four days of renovations.
Two weeks later, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will close for an undetermined amount of time.
The news isn’t all bad, though. In fact, one recent change is terrific!
Disney officials have paid tribute to park history by opening Merlin’s Marvelous Miscellany.
This Fantasyland store resides in the same space formerly occupied by Merlin’s Magic Shop.
That was an opening day location at Disneyland in 1955, if you didn’t know.
Also, the 1955 shop pre-dates The Sword in the Stone, the Disney movie featuring Merlin that came out in 1963!
Think of a Harry Potter store at Disneyland, and you’ve got the gist.
Dumbledore is just a Merlin knockoff, anyway. You heard me.
Meanwhile, at Pixie Hollow, Tinker Bell is finally meeting guests again. Yes, it’s a socially distant encounter, but you can still talk to Peter Pan’s friend.
Finally, fans of Pixar’s Turning Red – which should be all of you – can pose at a photo op in Disney California Adventure.
The Pixar park has set up a Turning Red backdrop close to Pixar Pier. It’s close to the Pixar Pal-A-Round.
Start planning your next Disney vacation TODAY! Book your next Disney vacation visit by browsing our current DVC Confirmed Reservation Specials, or use our DVC availability tool to see if the dates for your vacation are available. From there, you can start the booking process and one of our team members will reach out to assist!
