This week at Walt Disney World, another hotel reopens after almost a year of closure, facial recognition entry tests begin at the Magic Kingdom, plus availability for Walt Disney World continues to be very low.
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld sets an opening date for Aquatica’s newest attraction and a new bar opens at Busch Gardens!
1. Disney’s All Star Movies hotel reopens
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort became one of the final resorts to reopen this week, with only Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort still shuttered.
2. New voluntary facial recognition entry test now underway
In an effort to make the theme park entry process more “touchless” Walt Disney World is now testing a facial recognition admission system at the entry to Magic Kingdom that will last through April 23, 2021. Disney has said that the technology they are testing captures an image of a guest’s face and converts it into a unique number, which is then associated with the form of admission being used for park entry. You can read more about this technology here.
3. New details revealed about refurbishment for The Chapeau and Main Street Confectionary
Main Street’s The Chapeau and Main Street Confectionery are now closed long refurbishment. Both establishments are expected to reopen this summer and with a fresh new look, expanded layout with more room to shop and interactive opportunities to customize your confections like never before!
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates Earth Month in April
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be celebrating Earth Month once again this year with several limited-time experiences from April 18 to 24 2021. Though this year’s celebration will look a little different than those in years past, the park will still be hosting special character appearances, learning opportunities, merchandise, and more. You can check out all the limited time happenings that will be available next month here.
5. Theme Park availability extremely limited in April
April is right around the corner and though many Florida locals have returned to the classroom following Spring Break, guests continue to flock in droves to Walt Disney World with the current parks pass availability calendar showing one or more theme parks “sold out” for almost the entire month of April. You can see current parks pass availability here.
6. MagicMobile features appear in My Disney Experience
Disney’s MagicMobile service, announced earlier this month, will be officially rolling out later this year, but current users of the My Disney Experience app may notice a new module that includes this service along with a “Coming Soon!” disclaimer, and some new information about what this service will be capable of when it officially launches. You can learn more about this upcoming option here.
7. Riptide Race opens April 3 at Aquatica
SeaWorld has announced that the new Riptide Race attraction at Aquatica will have its grand opening later this week on April 3, 2021. This new attraction is the world’s tallest dueling racer waterslide, which sits atop a 68-foot tower, and includes a 650-foot slide—with low walls, so they can keep an eye on their opponents rafting through high-speed tunnels, twists, and turns.
8. Giraffe Bar now open
Guests can now enjoy panoramic indoor and outdoor views of Busch Gardens’ expansive Serengeti Plain at the now open Giraffe Bar at the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant. This new area not only includes incredible views, but also has a curated selection of hand-crafted cocktails, craft beer flights, wine, and shareable appetizers.
