This week at Walt Disney World, Disney sets its schedule for the rest of 2020 while looking ahead to 2021, EPCOT sets an ending date for the current Taste of International Food and Wine Festival, plus another hotel reopens to guests!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort theme parks hit capacity again, plus SeaWorld gives away free money to annual passholders!
1. Walt Disney World 50th anniversary license plates to be available for Florida residents soon
Florida residents looking to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary can now do so with a specialty license plate that will benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation of Central and Northern Florida. The design of this specialty plate has not yet been revealed, but interested car owners can purchase a presale voucher now for $25 (plus fees) through local County Tax Collector’s offices and license plate agencies across the State of Florida. An online option will be coming soon.
2. Disney Parks Pass reservations available through January 2022
Though we’re heading in to the home stretch of 2020, Walt Disney World is looking towards the future and is now booking reservations through December 31, 2021. In addition, Disney Parks Pass reservations, which are now required for entry to any Walt Disney World theme park are now available through January 2022.
3. Disney releases official hours for New Year’s Eve
Though Disney has a long history of late hours on December 31st so guests can ring in the new year at Walt Disney World, it looks like according to the current calendar, there will be no late nights this year at the theme parks, as the official schedule is as follows:
- Magic Kingdom: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- EPCOT: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Of course Disney could always change their minds, and if the parks end up at max capacity they could do an unannounced hours extension (as they have done the last few holiday weekends), but as of right now it looks like they are not planning on doing much to ring in 2021.
4. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Reopens
Now that the 2020 NBA series has concluded and the on-site bubble dispersed, Disney’s Coronado Springs has finally reopened to guests. Though many of the restaurants and activities at this resort remain unavailable for the time being (the main food court and table service restaurant Toledo) , they are expected to return in the near future.
5. Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival gets an ending date
Disney has confirmed that this year’s slimmed down Food and Wine Festival will be drawing to a close on November 22, which is just in time for the start of a slimmed down EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which will kick off on November 27, but without the Candlelight Processional or the holiday stage performances in each country. Instead, EPCOT will be bringing back holiday kitchens round World Showcase promenade with special food offerings and returning entertainment from JOYFUL!, which will present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. In addition, the Voices of Liberty will perform at the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season.
6. New Annual Passholder shop now open at EPCOT
EPCOT has opened a brand new Annual Passholder shop inside the Germany Pavilion’s Der Teddybar merchandise location. This store sells exclusive merchandise, new World Showcase products and more, and will be open from 11:30am until the park closes. In order to shop annual passholders will need to show their annual pass card and government-issued photo ID to enter. In addition to their usual passholder merchandise discount, much of the merchandise inside this location is being offered at additional discount, and passholders who purchase over $50 in merchandise can choose either a complementary cutting board or set of coasters to take home for free.
7. SeaWorld offering annual passholders a free $10 to spend in the parks this month
SeaWorld annual passholders can now take advantage of a limited time $10 free SeaWorld bucks offer that is valid for this month only. To redeem this offer, Guests simply have to scan their pass at one of the self-service kiosks at the park on the date of their visit and select the offer in the menu.
8. Universal Orlando Resort hits capacity limits again
Though it is not a holiday weekend, both theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort hit capacity once again this past Saturday, closing to new guests (except those staying at resorts) before noon. With the popularity of the two haunted houses that are currently open, we could be looking at a new normal for the resort from now until Halloween.
