This week at Walt Disney World, a new detail is revealed about a Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction, more information about the reboot of Epcot is revealed, plus Disney closes another FastPass+ loophole!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal finally announces its new Harry Potter-themed coaster, plus Busch Gardens Tampa announces special entertainment and freebies to celebrate the park’s 60th year!
1. Height restriction for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance confirmed
Image: Disney
2. Another FastPass+ loophole closed
Image: Disney
Just a few weeks after updating the FastPass+ cancellation policy for guests who remove their hotel reservations, Disney has closed another FastPass+ loophole that allowed resort hotel guests to make early FastPass+ reservations by using a ticket that was longer than a resort stay. However, under the new policy, If guests have a ticket longer than a resort stay, they will need to wait until the 30 day pre arrival booking window to make additional FastPass+ reservations, which means that with a 14 day ticket and a 60 day pre arrival booking window, the earliest FastPass+ pre-booking window (for standard hotel stays) is now 74 days.
3. More information about the reinvention of Epcot revealed
Image: Disney
Disney revealed more information this week about the Epcot reinvention project, announcing several big changes coming in the next few years, including:
- Epcot’s main entrance plaza is being redesigned in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, with expanded new walkways, new garden areas, a newly reimagined fountain and a design that will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements, all of which you can see in the concept art above.
- The Wonders of Life pavilion is finally being turned into attraction space once again, and is being re-designed and re-branded as Future World’s new “Play” pavilion (we’re not quite sure if this is the official name or not). This updated space will be designed to look like an innovative indoor city that’ll come to life with interactive experiences, including ones that will include Disney characters.
- There are a LOT of changes coming to Epcot over the next five years, and to help guests keep track of everything happening there will be a new semi-permanent “Experience Center” opening in the former Odyssey restaurant later this year that will showcase the upcoming changes to Epcot. This reimagined preview space will feature engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the future of Epcot, and will be open for the next few years.
4. New “Character” Sundaes coming to the Magic Kingdom
Image: Disney
A trio of new character cones are coming in the next few days to various locations at the Magic Kingdom:
- The Lost Princess Cone from Storybook Treats in Fantasyland is lemon soft-serve in a purple cone served with edible flowers.
- The Adventure is Out There Cone from Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Tomorrowland is a blue sugar cone topped with mango soft-serve and a candy balloon piece.
- The Hei Hei Cone at Aloha Isle in Adventureland is a blue sugar cone topped with raspberry soft-serve, pineapple Dole Whip, sugar eyes, and sour candy.
5. New Outdoor Kitchens coming to Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
We’re just a few days away from the start of the 2019 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, which runs from March 6th to June 3rd, 2019, and amongst the many new offerings this year there will be four new Outdoor Kitchens for guests to check out this year! Here are the food menus below:
Arbor at The Gardeners Terrace
- Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-fennel Salad, Remoulade and Smoked Paprika Oil
- Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar and Focaccia Crostino
- Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake, served with Apple Cider Sorbet (V) (GF) (KA)
Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth
- Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Citrus Greens (GF)
- From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese and Micro Herbs with Lemon-oil Dressing (GF) (V)
- Mickey Tart Peanut Butter Mousse with Strawberry Jam and Boba Pearls (V) (KA)
The Citrus Blossom
- Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (GF)
- Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado and Pappadam Crisp
- Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (GF) (KA)
- Citrus Shortcake: Orange Chiffon Cake, Lemon Curd, Mandarins, Whipped Cream, Citrus Crumble (V)
Trowel & Trellis Hosted by IMPOSSIBLE™ Foods
- Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread (GF) (V) (KA)
- Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, Creamy Herb Dressing (V)
- Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate and Baby Herbs (GF) (V)
6. Universal reveals first details and opening date for new Harry Potter-themed roller coaster
Image: Universal
Universal officially announced Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure this week, which is a new attraction that will bring guests flying on Hagrid’s motorbike beyond the grounds of Hogwarts castle on a roller coaster ride, where they’ll see “some of the Wizarding World’s rarest magical creatures.”
Though Universal hasn’t shared much about the plot of this new attraction, it is now calling this the most “highly themed” roller coaster ever in a Universal park, and has confirmed that it will be opening in just a few months on June 13th. You can learn more about this upcomming attraction here.
7. Busch Gardens Tampa 60th anniversary celebration kicks off March 1
Image: Disney
Busch Gardens Tampa is going to kick off their 60th anniversary celebration on Friday, March 1st, with live music, tasting samplers from the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival, and the kickoff of the new pin trading program at the park. Annual passholders who visit the park on this date can visit the 60th Celebration Shop by Gwazi Field to claim a special pin for free celebrating the ocassion.
