This week at Walt Disney World, the Disney Skyliner opens, Epcot’s long-awaited preview center opens, we say goodbye to IllumiNations, plus Epcot Forever debuts!
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” this week. You’ll hear about all the news from Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando in next week’s update!
1. Disney Skyliner officially open
Image:Disney
Announced in 2017, the Disney Skyliner project is a new elevated gondola transportation system that will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot. And on September 29, 2019 the Disney Skyliner gondolas officially took flight, and are now transporting guests around Walt Disney World Resort. Any guest can ride on the Disney Skyliner transportation system, and you do not need a hotel reservation to get off at a hotel station.
2. Impressions de France theater closing for refurbishment
Image: Disney
Beginning next week on October 2, the Palais du Cinéma (the theater that houses Impressions de France) will be closed for refurbishmnet as work begins on getting this space ready for the Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long, which will play in addition to the French film, and is being created by Don Hahn, producer of the animated and live-action Beauty and the Beast film. This new addition will debut early next year.
3. Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience Open October 1
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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 while all of the following ambitious projects are in development. And guests will be able to check out this new space this week, when it officially opens October 1st!
4. IllumiNations ends run and Epcot Forever begins
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IllumiNations is ending its historic run this Monday, September 30th, and will then be replaced on Tuesday, October 1 with a new limited-time nighttime spectacular, called “Epcot Forever,” which will feature classic Epcot themes. This new show is meant to showcase the best of Epcot while celebrating its unique history, all with classic music and advanced pyrotechnics.
5. Mickey Shorts Theater announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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One of the most under-utillized spaces at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the former Sounds Dangerous attraction building, which has been used over the past several years as a temporary screening room for movie previews and, most recently, the Star Wars: Path of the Jedi recap film.
However, it looks like this space will be getting a permanent purpose in the near future, as Disney has announced that this space will be getting a makeover in the next few months, and will be re-branded as the Mickey Shorts Theater. Set to open in Spring 2020, this made-over space (which only a few paces from the eventual entrance to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway) will show a number of Mickey shorts throughout the day.
6. Disney increasing plant-based options at Walt Disney World
Image: Disney
7. Dino-Riffic Dance Party now closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Though the Donald’s Dino-Bash overlay at Walt Disney World will be sticking around for the foreseeable future, as part of the ongoing cuts happening at Walt Disney World the daily Dino-Riffic Dance Party, which included character interactions with Chip and Dale in Dino suits has been discontinued as of September 23, 2019.
