Listener Beth reported a rumor that the Beach Club Resort is going to open a 24-hour Grab & Go shop, possibly as early as June. The convenience shop would be located either next to or actually where Ariel’s currently is. This would be a great benefit to guests who come back late from the parks and want a snack, or arrive late in the evening to check in.

Permits filed by Disney last week included one with the name “Imagination Demolition,” but don’t get your hopes up, or be too upset as the case may be, as this is not an indication they are going to demolish the entire Journey into Imagination with Figment attraction at Epcot. The likelihood is that this is for something upstairs or backstage, we’ll keep a close eye on this, but it is not wholesale destruction at the pavilion.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Cars meet & greet is getting a new name and location. Formerly called “Cars go Cruisin’” the name is changing to “The Stars of Cars” and is moving to a location near the entrance to the Studio Backlot Tour, tucked between a construction wall, the rear of the Studio Catering Company, and the Coca Cola Cool Station. It is expected that they will eventually move to a more permanent location on Pixar Place when the construction walls for Toy Story Mania come down. [ed. note: this rumor is confirmed to be true by DisneyDame2004, who saw Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater in the described location on January 30th.]

A listener wrote in about a third party survey about Disney they participated in. There was no indication that this was a survey actually commissioned by Disney, but some of the questions on it were very interesting. Besides asking about frequency and  reasons for a guests visits, it asked specific questions about things the guest might like to see happen. Examples: Would the guest be interested in after hours, limited attendance events for an additional charge? Guaranteed discount prices for round trip airline flights when you book a Walt Disney World vacation package at least 6 months in advance? 50% off park admission tickets during select times of the year? How about VIP treatment for an extra cost - including front of the line access at attractions, a personal concierge, private poolside cabanas, complimentary snacks and drinks at a suite in the parks, and a guaranteed maximum 20 minute wait time for up to 5 pre-selected attractions in a park each day? Other questions asked about the free dining plan option, lines for the attractions being turned into “unique entertainment experiences using state-of-the-art technology and Disney magic” (a la Soarin’), kids programming such as arts and crafts at the resorts, to give parents time to themselves, at an extra fee, and up to 4 hours a day of free babysitting services a day for Walt Disney World hotel guests. If you have had an opportunity to take this or a similar survey, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , as we are very curious how extensive this survey may be.

Rumored (and very unofficial) dates for openings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sources say that Pixar Place will open sometime between March 20 - April 1, 2008. Soft openings for Toy Story Mania are expected to begin sometime between mid April and the beginning of May. Middle June is being rumored for the official opening of Toy Story Mania in both California and Florida. Expect on-ride photos to be available, as well as a new Pixar Studios store at the exit to the attraction.

If you have any rumors to share, email Lou at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a voicemail at the WDW Radio Show voicemail box: 206-202-4WDW (4939).