The Refurbishment Report

The Sum of All Thrills opened up at Innoventions. MouseSteps has an article with lots of pictures and information from the early days of the attraction.

WDW Magic is reporting that a second audition entrance has been added to the American Idol Experience. It is located near Star Tours.

WDW Magic is reporting that the Liberty Tree Tavern will revert back to a character dining experience in January and February during the Crystal Palace refurbishment.

We have a bunch of construction photos from WDW Magic including: Space Mountain, Skyway, Mrs. Potts Cupboard, The Friar's Nook, and Seven Dwarfs Mining Company. From Orlando Attractions Magazine comes construction photos of Space Mountain and a look at the goings-on around Epcot and Animal Kingdom. From All Ears Net is an updated look at Saratoga Springs Resort.

John Frost at the Disney Blog is reporting that Portobello Restaurant at Downtown Disney is offering a special "Meatball Monday" menu in honor of the Disney film "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." It's goofy, for sure, but I actually love meatballs and the menu looks delicious.

Refurbishment continues at the following Walt Disney World locations:

• Space Mountain is closed until late November for an extensive refurbishment. The nearby arcade will also be closed during this time. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority may operate on limited hours during the Space Mountain refurbishment.
• Living with the Land is closed until early November for refurbishment.
• Sounds Dangerous is under "seasonal operation" and is currently closed.
• Flights of Wonder at Disney's Animal Kingdom will be dark until October 23.
• The Aruba pool at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is closed until October 24.
• The 1990's Computer Pool at Disney's Pop Century Resort is closed until October 23.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is ongiong. The Magic Kingdom will operate under reduced hours on Tuesdays and Fridays to allow for the party.

Upcoming Refurbishments:

• Splash Mountain will be closed for refurbishment January 3 to February 27, 2010.
• Typhoon Lagoon will be closed for its annual winter refurbishment from November 1, 2009 to January 9, 2010. Blizzard Beach will close for it's refurbishment January 10. So yes, Typhoon Lagoon will be closed throughout Christmas.
• The Mad Tea Party will be closed for a brief refurbishment November 3-5.
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin will be closed for refurbishment December 6-19.
• The Crystal Palace restaurant at the Magic Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment January 3 to February 13, 2010.
• (NEW THIS WEEK!) The entire pool area at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge will be closed from January 4-29, 2010. The pool at Kidani Villiage will remain open during this time.
• At Port Orleans Resort, The Ol'Man Island Pool slide will be closed from October 19 to November 6 at Riverside. The Doubloon Lagoon Pool slide will be closed from November 9 to November 20 at French Quarter. NOTE: This is only the SLIDES that are closed. Both pools will continue to operate during these times.
• The 1950's Bowling Pin Pool at Disney's Pop Century Resort will be closed from October 26 to November 6 and the 1990's Computer Pool will be closed November 9 to November 20.
• The following Walt Disney World Resort Golf Courses will be closed on the dates noted: Lake Buena Vista (10/12-21), Osprey Ridge (10/22-31), Palm & Magnolia (11/2-11/8), Oak Trail (11/17-22), and Palm (11/24-12/3). In addition to those dates, the Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail golf courses will be closed to the public from November 9-16 for the Children's Miracle Network Golf Classic.