This week at Walt Disney World has been VERY busy, with a new show debuting, Fantasmic! confirmed to be returning next year with new characters from Moana and Frozen, and a new look inside Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Programming note: Though we normally devote some time to Orlando-area parks outside Lake Buena Vista, there has been so much going on at Walt Disney World over the past seven days that we decided to forgo the “beyond” for just one week. You’ll hear about all the news from Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando in next week’s update!
1. Fantasmic! returning next year with new characters from Frozen, Moana, and more
Disney has confirmed that nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! will be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. And in even more exciting news, when this show returns it will have new scenes, characters and special effects. Though Disney hasn’t specifically said which characters will be included in the new show, the new concept art above offers a few hints, showing a snowflake from Frozen and an oar from Moana.
2. Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life debuts at Disney Springs
After a very lengthy development period and numerous delays due to COVID-19, Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life has finally had its grand opening at Disney Springs. Go inside the grand opening in the video above.
3. Festival of Fantasy parade to return alongside new cavalcade
Disney has announced that the Festival of Fantasy parade will be returning to the Magic Kingdom in 2022. But interestingly, Disney will also be keeping the sporadic character cavalcades, which are performed throughout the day on Main Street USA, including the all new Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, which will feature the most characters of any cavalcade to date, including Nick and Judy from Zootopia, Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book, José Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros, Miguel from Coco, plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and so many more!
4. Disney shares look at refurbished Walter E. Disney Engine 1
Though it has been several years since the Walt Disney World Railroad has operated, Disney has shared an image of newly refurbished Walter E. Disney Engine 1. Though this attraction won’t return to operation until construction on the TRON attraction in Tomorrowland is farther along, its good to see that Disney is sprucing up its locomotives behind the scenes.
5. Disney shares an inside look at interactive elements of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be one of the most immersive experiences ever created for a theme park, and Disney has shared a sneak peek this week showing off some of the interactive elements that guests can expect to encounter while onboard, including the much-anticipated lightsaber training! Check it out above!
6. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opening next summer
Disney has confirmed this week that the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster at EPCOT will open next summer. In addition to the opening date, a new attraction poster was released that features the stars of the Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise, which have all been confirmed to be a part of the new attraction
7. New Mickey’s Magical Friendship castle show debuting next year
Disney has announced a new castle forecourt show coming to the Magic Kingdom next year: Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. This show will feature Mickey and Friends and will be a part of the ongoing 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Magic Kingdom.
This new show will have familiar sequences inspired by Frozen, Tangled, and The Princess and the Frog – plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their sparkling, EARidescent fashion
8. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! opening next year
Disney has confirmed that the newly-reworked Finding Nemo show will be named Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!. This show will be coming to the Theater in the Wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2022, and will be set in the timeline of the Finding Dory film, incorporating events from the sequel. Fan-favorite songs from “Finding Nemo the Musical” will return in this new version of the show, including “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”
