This week at Walt Disney World, a new green initiative begins, a new show is announced for Epcot, plus Disney Springs gets a bunch of new additions!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resorts introduces a new “farting” character, a cult snack can now be ordered using a top secret method, plus SeaWorld finally finds a new CEO!
1. New Magic Shot available at Magic Kingdom entrance
Image: Disney
2. A new, musical Coco show is coming to Epcot this spring
Image:Disney
Beginning on March 6th, a new show will be performed in the outside area of the Mexico Pavilion that will tell the story of Coco in a whole new way. For this new show the Mariachi Cobre group will be joined by a pair of Folklórico (traditional Mexican folk dance) dancers who will perform to the music of the film, pulling everyone into the story of the film. Miguel himself will also appear in the show in the form of a whimsical, hand-crafted puppet who will come to life along with the dancers as the music from the film plays. You can learn more about this new show here.
3. Preview of Dumbo coming soon to Walt Disney Presents
Image: Disney
On March 1st, a sneak peek of Disney’s new live-action Dumbo will be presented at the Walt Disney Presents attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This preview will likely be staying all month long, as the film is set to release on March 29, 2019.
4. Reusable bags now available across Walt Disney World property
Image: Disney
Last year Disney announced an ambitious green initiative that would see the reduction of plastic across the resort. And now it looks like at least part of that plan has come to fruition this week, as Disney has begun offering reusable bags at every shopping location across all four theme parks and Disney Springs. The cost of these bags varies by size ($1.00 for a small bag, $1.50 for a medium bag, and $2.00 for a large bag), and the design is different depending on where the bag is purchased. Though Disney made waves last year when they said they were eliminating plastic bags altogether, plastic bags continue to remain available for now at all shopping locations.
5. Dole Whip comes to Disney Springs
Image: Disney
Though Dole Whips used to be a Magic Kingdom exclusive treat, this iconic frozen dessert has made its way to every single theme park at Walt Disney World, and now pineapple fans can find Dole Whips at the Marketplace Snacks kiosk at Disney Springs. In addition to the standard version of this snack, guests can also enjoy Dole Whip floats with pineapple juice or spiked with rum at Disney Springs as well!
6. Free chocolate returns to Disney Springs Ghirardelli
Image: Disney
Free samples at the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop at Disney Springs has been a longstanding tradition at the shopping district, with guests young and old enjoying this freebie. However, last month Ghirardelli stopped offering these free chocolates to guests who stop by the retail side of this shop thanks to a corporate change, with other Ghirardelli stores around the country also ending their free sample programs. However, last week, this shop began offering free samples again! We don’t know if this is a temporary or permanent change, but if you’re at Disney Springs soon, stop by while you can to grab your free chocolate!
7. The Art Corner now open at Disney Springs
Image: Disney
The Art Corner, a new shop run by the Artistic Talent Group is now open at Disney Springs in the Marketplace area of the shopping district in the space where Little Miss Matched used to be. This temporary pop-up shop will feature classic watercolor caricatures, digital caricatures, hand-drawn names and an artistic marbling experience similar to that offered during the Epcot Festival of the Arts.
8. Star Wars Speeder Bike photo op potentially relocating or going away forever
Earlier this week, walls went up around some of the walkways near Grand Avenue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios near where the walkway to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge eventually will be. Though not formally announced, these walls are probably hide construction related to widening the walkways to this upcoming land. And while this by itself normally wouldn’t be that noteworthy, the Star Wars Speeder Bike photo op is also behind walls at this time, and it is unknown if this photo op is being relocated or removed at this time.
9. Secret menu item now available at Universal Studios Florida for Mardi Gras
Image: Universal Orlando Resort
If you’re a fan of secret menu items, Universal has brought back the cult favorite pizza fries for Mardi Gra, but there’s a catch: you won’t fund this item on any menu. In order to get this particular item, guests must be in the park on concert nights and can only order them via the official Universal app from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Guests can then pick this item up from the mobile order location in front of Music Plaza Stage
10. SeaWorld Orlando gets a new CEO
Image: SeaWorld
SeaWorld finally has a new CEO: Gustavo “Gus” Antorcha, will begin February 18th with an annual salary of $600,000. Antorcha comes from from a background at Carnival Cruise Lines, and is hoping to help SeaWorld move into a new phase and rebrand itself in the coming years.
11. New Trolls character “farts” glitter at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort has had a Trolls meet and greet for several years now featuring characters Poppy and Branch, but just this last weekend, another character from this franchise has joined the lineup: Guy Diamond! And in even more interesting news, this character actually “farts” glitter, like he does in the movie. You can see this in action in the video above.
