This week at Walt Disney World, Disney makes some pre-panel announcements about upcoming attractions for Epcot, the Magic Kingdom and more, plus some new refurbishments are announced
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort quitely confirms a Stranger Things 3 addition to this year’s Halloween Horror Nights and SeaWorld brings back a popular festival starting next month!
1. Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana attraction announced for Epcot
Image: Disney
Disney announced yesterday that the first-ever attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film Moana is coming to Epcot. Named Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, this new attraction will let guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting. Though we don’t know exactly where this new walkthrough attraction will go, we’d guess that it will be some part of the reimagined Central Spine of the park, which will lead to new lands in the area of the park formerly known as Future World.
2. New concept art shown for Tron roller coaster
Image: Disney
It’s hard to believe it has been two years since the initial concept art for the Tron roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom was shown off, but at the D23 Expo Disney offered an updated look at what guests will eventually see when this attraction opens. Notable differences from the original concept include a new route for the Walt Disney World Railroad, which now passes by the ride in an enclosed tunnel, and the escalators up into the building have been removed and replaced with a new elevated pathway connected to walkways around this area that lead into and under the attraction.
3. Disney unveils Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience
Image: Disney
Disney also announced this week during the D23 Expo that the Epcot preview center formerly confirmed to be coming soon to the Odyssey building will now officially be called Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience. This reimagined space will bring guests up-close and personal with engaging and interactive exhibits where they can step inside the relentless innovation, energy, and excitement driving the future of Epcot throughout this amazing transformation.
4. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser officially detailed
Image: Disney
Disney has shared the first details about the upcoming Star Wars hotel “experience” which we now know will be named Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. This expansion invites guests to embark on a two-night adventure aboard a glamorous starship. During this first-of-its-kind vacation experience, guests will interact with characters and become an active participant in immersive stories that unfold over the course of an unforgettable galactic journey on board the starcruiser (to be called the Halcyon). This experience has been likened to a cruise ship experience, and will be all-inclusive, but pricing information has not been shared yet.
5. New Marvel Comics exhibit now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Image: Disney
Hot on the heels of announcing Kit Harrington joining the cast of The Eternals, Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is celebrating this comic series and its creator Jack Kirby. Guests who visit this special exhibition can see the original print issue #1 comic book that started it all as well as unique photos and artifacts inspired by Jack’s process. Guests can also pose with a few of the many characters from The Eternals comic series in front of a special photo wall as well.
6. Morocco Gallery of Arts and History at Epcot now closed
The Gallery of Arts and History exhibit closed this week at Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion, and will remain shuttered for an undetermined amount of time while Disney prepares this space for an exciting new exhibit that will be coming soon to this pavilion. No details about what kind of exhibit this will be (or when it might open) have been provided.
7. Universal releases map of Halloween Horror Nights showing house/scarezone location and Stranger Things Season 3 location
Image: Universal
Though it was previously announced that this year’s Stranger things haunted house would primarily be based on Season 2 of the show Universal released the official map for Halloween Horror Nights, and it includes a Starcourt Mall food court, a reference to one of the main locations for the third, most recent season of the show.
This year’s event will kick off very soon, running from September 6 through to November 2 at Universal Studios Florida.
8. SeaWorld brings back Craft Beer Festival for 8 weeks starting next month
Image: SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando has announced that the 2019 SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival will be held for 8 weeks on Saturdays and Sundays between Sept. 7 and Oct. 27, which is a massive expansion from 2018, which only saw the festival happening for two weeks.
Entry to this special event is included in regular park admission, but SeaWorld is pre-selling sampling lanyards for the festival including a 12-sample version for $54 or an 8-tem one for$40.
