Though this was a big week at Disneyland with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there was some news at Walt Disney World you may have missed, including new information on an upcoming character experience, the re-opening of a popular Disney’s Hollywood Studios eatery and more information about what’s coming next for Epcot!
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld teases a new roller coaster and Busch Gardens offers a June freebie for passholders!
1. Disney shares first-look at new Bo Peep character coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Image: Disney
Just in time for the opening of Toy Story 4, a new character will be coming to meet guests this summer: Bo Peep! This new character will be appearing in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios alongside characters Woody, Buzz and Jessie. No specific start date has been confirmed yet, but Disney shared the above sneak peek at what this character will look like when she makes her big debut.
2. ABC Commissary reopens after refurbishment
3. Leave a Legacy monuments now half gone
Image: Disney
Construction walls went up around the Leave a Legacy monuments several weeks ago as work began on the new Epcot entrance design, and now it looks like over half the concrete slabs that were a part of this project are now gone, which means we’re likely looking at only a week or two before all traces of Leave a Legacy are gone from the front of the park.
4. Holiday celebrations are officially coming to Pandora – The World of Avatar
Image: Disney
Though Disney has tried to make Pandora – The World of Avatar feel as “alien” and seperated from our world as possible, they have announced this week that starting in 2019 this land will be getting special holiday enhancements around December. According to Disney, holiday celebrations in Pandora – The World of Avatar will involve the ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora bringing a little Christmastime fun to their alien home, with a display at Pongu Pongu of kitschy holiday décor, combining vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from materials indigenous to Pandora.Though this might seem a little weird, Pandora – The World of Avatar is still bringing the crowds to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so it’s understandable why Disney would want to get guests who might have already visited this land back to see something new in this location at this holiday season.
5. New icons coming to Epcot pavilions
Image: Disney
6. Eat to the Beat concert schedule released
Image: Disney
Though the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is wrapping up this weekend, Walt Disney World is looking ahead to this year’s Food and Wine festival, and have released the Eat to the Beat performer schedule for 2019. New acts this year include Sawyer Brown, Grace Kelly, Zach Williams, Lauren Daigle, Jimmie Allen, Kris Allen and more. Here’s the full schedule:
- Plain White T’s – August 29 through 31
- Sawyer Brown – NEW! – September 1 through 2
- MercyMe – September 3 through 4
- Grace Kelly – NEW! – September 5 through 6
- Zach Williams – NEW! – September 7 through 8
- Lauren Daigle – NEW! – September 9 through 10
- Jimmie Allen – NEW! – September 11 through 12
- TBD – September 13 through 15
- The Allman Betts Band – September 16 through 17
- Everclear – September 18 through 19
- STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas – September 20 through 22
- Post Modern Jukebox – September 23 through 24
- Blue October – September 25 through 26
- Mark Wills – September 27 through 29
- Sugar Ray – September 30 through October 2
- Taylor Dane – October 3 through 4
- India – October 5 through 6
- TBD – October 7 through 9
- Boyce Avenue – NEW! – October 10 through 11
- Southern Avenue – NEW! – October 12 through 13
- Kenny G – October 14 through 15
- 38 Special – October 16 through 17
- Baha Men – October 18 through 20
- Billy Ocean – October 21 through 22
- Sheila E – October 23 through 25
- High Valley – October 26 through 27
- Hanson – October 28 through 30
- Sheena Easton – October 31 through November 1
- Kris Allen – NEW! – November 2 through 3
- Boyz II Men – November 4 through 6
- The Hooters – November 7 through 8
- Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy – November 9 through 11
- TBD – November 12 through 18
- D’Capella – NEW! – November 19
7. SeaWorld Orlando teases new roller coaster for 2020
Fresh off the opening of Infinity Falls and a really awesome attendance report, SeaWorld Orlando has released the above video teasing a new roller coaster for the park, opening in 2020. The only hints we have about what this ride could be is the hashtag #BreakTheIce on the YouTube video description, and an announcement saying this attraction will feature “plunging thrills” and “predatory heights.”
8. Busch Gardens Tampa offers Pass Members free water park admission during the month of June
Image: Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens has announced that Pass Members can now pick a weekday, now through June 28, to visit nearby Adventure Island for free. And if you are already a passhodler for both Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island, you can bring a friend to the water park for free!
