This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of June 8, 2014.
Here are the four biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days…
1. The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios might be closing in 2015
© Disney
Cast Members working at the American Idol Experience have reported that the attraction will close in January 2015. This news comes after a Cast Member meeting on Wednesday night.
The American Idol Experience is a show that opened in 2009 based on the popular television series. There are performances throughout the day where guests can compete in a singing competition to perform in the final show. The attraction was never extremely popular and shows are rarely at capacity.
The most interesting part of this news is not the closure of the attraction, but what will be done with the space. Sounds Dangerous is a former attraction that was in the same show building as the American Idol Experience and is now sitting vacant or being used to preview movies. With the American Idol Experience closing, that leaves a major plot of land completely empty.
Most rumors are pointing to a Star Wars expansion in this area of the park, but what do you think is the next big thing coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
2. Aurora and Snow White are moving to a new meet and greet location
© Disney
Aurora will no longer be visiting Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall. Starting June 15, 2014, Aurora will be greeting guests from the Town Square Courtyard. Snow White will be moved from the Town Square Courtyard over to Center Street on Main Street USA (the small street to the right about halfway up Main Street). This means Anna and Elsa will no longer be with a visiting Princess.
The move makes it easier for guests who only care to see Aurora but have to wait in the same line as Anna and Elsa. Anna and Elsa will continue to greet guests from park open until 30 minutes before park close.
3. Fastpass+ tiers are changing for Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Effective immediately, the following Fastpass+ changes have occurred:
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
- The Great Movie Ride is now a group 1 attraction
Epcot:
- Living with the Land is now a group 1 attraction
- Epcot Character Spot is now a group 2 attraction
The changes shouldn’t affect most guests and how Disney thought Living with the Land is in the same category as Test Track is beyond me. Either way, there you have it.
4. The Walt Disney World Monorail will be operating on new times this summer
The Walt Disney World monorail will be operating on a fixed schedule starting June 22, 2014. Previously, the times varied depending on park hours. The new times are:
- Magic Kingdom Express – 9:30am to 11:30pm
- Magic Kingdom Resort – 8:30am to midnight
- Epcot – 9:00am to 11:00pm
The modified hours are due to the automation upgrade coming to the monorail. Additional bus and boat transportation will be available as an alternative.
