This week at Walt Disney World, Disney removes a long-running entertainment option, after hours testing gets underway at Epcot, plus more characters come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort officially extends both its Halloween entertainment and special discounts and perks just for annual passholders!
1. Frozen Sing-a-Long and Disney Junior show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios return October 5
Though the vast majority of shows at Walt Disney World remain dark, it has been announced that For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will be reopening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in just a few days on October 5, 2020. When it reopens it will the same incredible show guests have loved for the past six years, with some adjustments to staging and audience seating to allow for appropriate physical distancing.
In addition, the Disney Junior Play & Dance! show in the Animation Courtyard will also be returning. Each party performance throughout the day features a dynamic DJ spinning favorite songs from Disney Junior TV shows, plus special onstage appearances by Disney Junior stars such as Mickey Mouse, Vampirina and more.
2. New character cavalcades announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios
One of the more popular limited-time offerings at the Magic Kingdom since reopening has been the mini character cavalcades that allow guests to see their favorite characters from a distance. And now it looks like Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be getting some of these special cavalcades, including the following:
- Mickey and Friends Motorcade highlights Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and their friends Chip ‘n’ Dale, accompanied by a bouncy musical score inspired by Disney cartoon shorts.
- The Pixar Pals Motorcade takes the Incredibles, Woody, Buzz Lightyear and others down the avenue, waving to their fans to the beat of the Green Army Drum Corps.
- The Disney Junior Stars Motorcade brings favorite TV friends Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins and Vampirina to Hollywood Boulevard.
These unscheduled cavalcades will be unscheduled and happen intermittently throughout the day
3. Grand Floridian Society Orchestra to end 32-year run next week
The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, which has been a part of The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa for over three decades has officially had their three-decade run come to an end at Disney with the band confirming that their contracts have not been renewed by Disney, which means their last day of work will be Saturday, October 3. You can read more about this development here.
4. Chefs de France to reopen October 8, 2020
The latest Walt Disney World restaurant to announce a reopening is Epcot’s Chefs de France, which will officially reopen on October 8, 2020. This location will operate for both lunch and dinner, 12:30pm to 6:40pm daily. Reservations are required and are now available on My Disney Experience.
5. Pyro testing happening overnight at Epcot
Though no opening date has been released yet, construction for the new Harmonious nighttime spectacular at Epcot has all but completed, with overnight pyrotechnic testing happening after hours this past week. And with we’d guess that with restrictions in Florida lifting on large gatherings, Disney will be debuting this show as soon as management gives the go-ahead.
6. 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend go virtual
Disney has announced that both The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend which was originally scheduled for January 2021 and the Princess Half Marathon weekend which was scheduled for February 2021 will be converted to virtual events.
Participants who have already registered for these events can either receive a full refund for the race or convert their existing registration to the new virtual event that can be completed from home. Eligible runners who participate in the virtual race will receive a medal for each distance they complete and the option of a race shirt.
7. Halloween limited time daytime experiences extended through the end of October
Universal ran another limited-time daytime Halloween Horror Nights experience this weekend, and have confirmed that it will be bringing back this experience every day from October 3 through November 1. Right now the offerings are set to remain exactly the same, with the Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives and Revenge of the Tooth Fairy operating at Universal Studios Florida, and trick-or-treating in Islands of Adventure happening on event days. In addition, a special scavenger hunt for a sweet prize is happening daily at Universal Studios Florida, spooky food and drink options will be available throughout the resort, and for the first time guests are being encouraged to wear costumes to the theme parks!
8. Universal extends UOAP days until the end of October
In addition to the extended Halloween events, Universal has announced that is extended special benefits for annual passholders until the end of the month. These benefits include receiving a collectible UOAP button, special discounted nightly rates and dining discounts on select Universal Orlando hotel stays, dedicated Passholder turnstiles, Early Park Admission on select days and more.
