Tidbits from WDW: Attractions and Restaurants

Here are a few attraction- and food-related news tidbits from around Walt Disney World.

First off, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has reopened after a long refurbishment with some changes. If you're heading out to take in the Magic Kingdom attraction, you'll see the Fastpass and Stand-by line entrances have been switched. The Stand-by queue area has been lengthened by quite a bit with the promise of additional props to be added to the waiting area in the weeks to come. As for the ride itself, not a whole lot appears to have changed; there are reports the coaster is smoother overall.

Next, guests can excpect another Frontierland staple to be closed this fall. Look for the Country Bear Jamboree to close for refurbishment September 1 through October 17, 2012.

On the food front, guests can expect the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness to be closed from October 1 through December 31. Also closing for a time is The Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort; it will be closed from August 25 through September 15. Finally, the Bistro de Paris looks like it will remain closed into October. Any reservations at the Bistro look to be transferred to the Chefs du France; also, the Chefs du France will be the site of this year's French Regional Lunches (a feature of the International Food and Wine Festival).

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