Most of the news out of Walt Disney World over the past few weeks has been related to the phased opening of Moana: Journey of Water or the upcoming LUMINOUS show, which will be debuting in December.
However, Walt Disney World has been making a few quiet changes to some of its most iconic attractions over the past few weeks that might have just slipped under the radar! Here are all the announcements, new additions, and changes coming to the parks that you might have missed!
1. New projection effect added to Muppet-Vision 3D (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Tucked away at the back of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Muppet-Vision 3D, an attraction that was once the centerpiece of Muppets Courtyard, a land at the park that only existed for a year. And though many have accused Disney of neglecting the Muppets IP in the theme parks, this attraction got a little boost a few days ago when a new effect was added to the show.
Now when guests see the character of Waldo burst through the screen, tiny little projections of the character are displayed on both sides of the theater, creating a fun extension of the scene that goes “beyond” the screen. Hopefully, this is the start of more upgrades at MuppetVision 3D, as this fan-favorite attraction could definitely use some TLC.
2. The Seas With Nemo and Friends gets a new coat of paint (EPCOT)
No doubt in preparation of the launch of the adjacent World Celebration later this year, The Seas With Nemo and Friends has gotten a new coat of paint, with beige, neutral colors replacing the former teal color scheme. Work on this paint refresh is ongoing, and guests may notice that the water effects and seagull animatronics have been deactivated while work is ongoing.
3. Winnie the Pooh moves back in to Christopher Robin’s room in the UK Pavillion (EPCOT)
In other EPCOT news, after over three years of moving between garden areas and the Imagination Pavilion, Winnie the Pooh has finally returned to the United Kingdom pavilion at EPCOT. For the first time since 2020, guests can once again enter Christopher Robin’s Room, near the back of the pavilion, and meet this beloved character.
Meet and greets happen throughout the day in this area, starting at 11 a.m. Guests wanting to make sure they don’t miss Pooh should check the times guide in their My Disney Experience app for more specific meet-and-greet information.
4. Fab 50 statues get new paint following the end of the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary
The Fab 50 character statues at Walt Disney World are being refreshed to reflect that the 50th-anniversary celebration at the resort has ended. As part of these changes, guests may notice that the 50th-anniversary medallion has been removed and the purple highlights at the base of each statue have been painted over to just solid gold. Even though they might look a little different, these statues still interact with guests through the MagicBand+ devices, and none of them have been moved from their usual spots.
