This week at Walt Disney World, entertainment layoffs rock the resort, a highly-anticipated EPCOT project hits a milestone, plus a new virtual queue system is set to debut next week at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal debuts a new Halloween Horror Nights house for one weekend only, a 2021 house is revealed, plus a resort un-closes to help deal with anticipated high crowds this winter.
1. Entertainment layoffs rock Walt Disney World as future of shows remains uncertain
The biggest news out of Walt Disney World this week was undoubtedly the massive 90% cutback of the resort’s entertainment division, which has put the futures of over a dozen shows in doubt. Though Disney responded to criticisms online by releasing a statement saying that entertainment with return at some point, with no indication of when or what will return, fans are left to speculate what will happen to their favorite shows.
2. New virtual queue process at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance kicks off this week
In an effort to reduce early morning crowding at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney has announced that guests with a valid ticket or annual pass and a Disney Park Pass reservation for the park will be able to access the virtual “boarding group” queue system beginning at 7:00 AM on the day of their park reservation, regardless of where they are. Boarding groups can be accessed from Disney resort hotel, or wherever else nearby a guest might be at that time.
And though this early morning boarding group will now be available to all guests regardless of where they are, the “second chance” virtual queue that opens at 2:00 PM daily for anyone who wasn’t already able to join a boarding group earlier in the day will still be location-locked, and guests must be inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios to access this additional virtual queue opportunity.
3. New entrance signage being installed around Walt Disney World
Work began this week on the redesigns of iconic Walt Disney World resort entrances that will include a new look and the removal of the Year of a Million Dreams tagline at the following locations:
- World Drive
- World Center Drive
- Western Way
- Osceola Parkway
- Hotel Plaza Boulevard
4. Spice Road Table to transition to new management in December
The Morocco pavilion will be transitioning to full ownership by Disney next month as part of the deal announced last week for the resort to take over all operations at this EPCOT location. As part of the changes, on December 10, the Walt Disney World Resort will temporarily stop accepting reservations for Spice Road Table while the reservation system is migrated. The restaurant is expected to remain open while changes are ongoing.
5. Ratatouille sign installed at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
The official sign for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has gone up this week inside the France Pavilion at Epcot, as well as lines for Single Rider, Fastpass+ and Standby. Of course there is still no word from Disney on when we can expect this attraction to actually open, but speculation suggests that Disney will be waiting until 2021 to open this attraction as part of the 50th anniversary of the resort.
6. New concept art released for Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew
Construction continues on the new Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, opening soon at Disney Springs West Side. This new eatery will be located adjacent to Splitsville and near the west entrance and exit of the Orange Parking Garage, and will serve hand-crafted donuts, cold brew lattes and coffee cocktails, plus a few sweet-yet-savory sandwich bites.
7. Universal opens Beetlejuice house for one weekend only
Universal Studios Florida surprised guests Saturday with the opening of a new Beetlejuice house at the park. Though this opening was not announced on social media, it had been rumored for weeks, and guests showed up in droves, flooding the park and filling the virtual line to capacity in minutes after park opening.
Though this is a very limited-time experience, Universal confirmed that the Beetlejuice house will be available Sunday too. While the move was certainly instantly popular with guests at the theme park today, many annual passholders expressed disappointment online after Universal sent them an email advising to stay away this weekend, and then opened a limited time experience for guests.
8. First Halloween Horror Nights house for 2021 announced
This week Universal released a brand new behind-the-scenes of one of its original IP houses that was built for the 2020 Halloween Horror Nights: Puppet Theater: Captive Audience. This house is based on a terrifying original story created exclusively by the twisted minds of Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team, and brings the demented side of puppetry and theater into the spotlight. And though this new house has not been a part of the “slimmed down” Halloween event happening during regular operating hours this year, Universal has confirmed that this already-constructed house will be a part of 2021’s event.
Interestingly, Universal has posted a partial walkthrough of this house (complete with scareactors) as well as behind the scenes discussions with Award-winning Executive Producer Greg Nicotero, Mike Aiello, Universal Orlando’s Senior Director of Creative Development, and Charles Gray, Senior Show Director. In the video, fans can see exactly what it takes to bring the horrifying immersion of the world’s premier Halloween event to life, from special effects to the art of scaring and more, and see how some of the effects in this upcoming house are achieved. You can check out the full video below:
9. Lowe’s Portofino Bay to reopen for the holidays
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel was previously announced to be staying closed for the remainder of 2020, but it looks like there has been a change in plans as this hotel is now accepting reservations beginning December 1st. Unfortunately Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites remain closed with no reopening date currently available.
