This week at Walt Disney World, the opening date for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is revealed! Plus construction starts on a big project at Epcot and a program at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is discontinued.
Outside Walt Disney World, a new land opens at SeaWorld Orlando this month, plus SeaWorld gets some good news and a limited-time event at Busch Gardens returns next week for tis fifth year!
1. Opening date and details revealed for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Image: Disney
The biggest news this week from Walt Disney World was that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would be opening this summer on August 29, 2019, way ahead of schedule. However, even though guests will be able to walk through this land earlier than expected, Disney has confirmed that only the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction will be open, with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opening later this year. Disney has also confirmed that FastPass+ reservations will not be available for this new land when it opens.
2. Construction begins on Play Pavilion interior
Image: Disney
Late last month Disney announced the new Play Pavilion at Epcot, which would be taking over the former Wonders of Life building, and feature a number of immersive character experiences. And though this prohect was just confirmed a few days ago, Disney has already gotten to work on the interior of this pavilion, with Disney officially closing this pavilion to both guests and regular Cast Members so that active construction inside can begin.
3. Pixar Play Zone experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to end at the end of this month
The Pixar Play Zone experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has been confirmed to be ending on March 30 2019. Replacing this kids’ experience is anew “Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew” experience which includes an escape the room experience especially for young guests, and also includes dinner. This new experience costs $55 per child for ages 4 – 12. .
4. Aunt Polly’s now open for a limited-time at Tom Sawyer’s Island
5. Mariachi Cobre Presents … The Story of “Coco” getting schedule tweaks due to popularity
Image:Disney
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival kicked off this week and one of the most popular offerings has been the new Coco show in the Mexico pavilion, which has drawn wall to wall crowds and has made travel through this area of the park almost impossible while the show is being performed. However, it looks like Disney is switching up the schedule over the next few days to try and spread guests out and make getting through this area a little bit easier while still giving as many guests as possible the opportunity to check out this show.
6. Sesame Street Land to open later this month at SeaWorld Orlando
Image: Disney
It was announced this week that Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando, will officially open on March 27. Guests who visit this new land will be able to explore the street, including Hooper’s Store and Big Bird’s Nest, all while enjoying special rides just for kids as well as character experiences. Daily parades will also be held in this new area, and there will also be splash pad areas where kids can cool off.
7. SeaWorld attendance continues to grow year over year
Image: SeaWorld
Though attendance at SeaWorld parks have been on a downward slump since 2013, it looks like SeaWorld is starting to recover. After positive gains in the second and third quarter, attendance once again increased year over year, hitting 4.6 million visitors (across all parks) up about 300,000 from 2017’s fourth quarter. For the entire 2018 year, 22.6 million guests visited SeaWorld parks, up 9 percent year-over-year.You can read more about SeaWorld’s growing attendance (and revenue!) here.
8. Busch Gardens Tampa Food and Wine festival kicks off next week
Image: Busch Gardens
Every weekend from March 16 through April 28 Busch Gardens Tampa will host its fifth annual Food & Wine Festival. This year’s festival features more new and exciting dishes than ever, plus a large selection of wines, craft brews and cocktails. Some of the biggest acts in musical entertainment will take the stage every weekend on Gwazi Field, including Daughtry and Three Doors Down.
