This week at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom announces the reopening of Primeval Whirl, Epcot confirms the first details about the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, plus yet another disocunt for Annual Passholders is announced
Outside Walt Disney World, LEGOLAND Florida gets a new attraction, SeaWorld announces a new “dueling” slide for Aquatica, plus Universal announces the opening date for its latest hotel!
1. Disney shares details about 2020 Festival of the Arts
Though we’re in the final days of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is starting soon, this park is looking ahead to 2020 and has announced the first details about the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, kicking off on January 17 and lasting 39 days through February 24 2020.
First up is the returning Disney on Broadway series, which will include performances this year from Kissy Simmons, Heidi Blickenstaff, Alton Fitzgerald White, Gavin Lee, Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey.
Next, Disney has confirmed that a new play area featuring Wall-E will be coming to this festival, plus some returning favorites including the giant wall mural and Figment’s Brush With the Masters scavenger hunt are returning for the 2020 festival.
2. Ron Jon Surf Shop now open at Disney Springs
Image: Disney
The Ron Jon Surf Shop is a tourist mainstay, and now this iconic story has a home at Disney Springs. This 10,000-square-foot location is in the Town Center area of Disney Springs,and sells a wide assortment of surfwear, swimwear, sunglasses, hats and footwear. The Disney Springs location marks the 12th location in the US for this famous brand.
3. Mickey’s Pantry now closed, location to reopen next week as Spice and Tea Exchange
Image: Disney
Mickey’s Pantry in the Marketplace at Disney Springs closed earlier this week and will reopen next week on November 19th as a full Spice & Tea Exchange shop. Frequenters of this location know the Spice & Tea Exchange as a shop-within-a-shop at Mickey’s Pantry, and now this popular brand is going to have its own location at Disney Springs, while the remaining Mickey’s Pantry branded merchandise moves to World of Disney
4. Annual passhodlers get deep discount on NBA Experience tickets
Image: Disney
The NBA Experience has been struggling to find its audience since it opened earlier this year, and in an effort to draw more guests, Disney is offering its Annual Passholders a deep discount on tickets to this experience at Disney Springs. From now thorugh March 31, 2020, Annual Passholders can putchase tickets at the attraction window for $19 for adults, and $14 for children This discount is available for the Passholder and up to 3 Guests. Regular pricing is $34 for adults and $29 for children
5. Epcot’s Pin Central set to move into Camera Center
Image: Disney
6. Primeval Whirl set to reopen next week on seasonal schedule
Image: Disney
7. New “Slap Bracelet” MagicBands now available
Image: Disney
The core MagicBand design has gone through a few changes over the years, and now Disney is offering guests a new, trendy way to wear a MagicBand: the ’90s-inspired slap bracelet! The slap bracelet designs released so far feature the Orange Bird, Olaf, Stitch, and Mickey Mouse and friends.
Each slap bracelet retails for $24.99. Guests get a themed bracelet with an icon slider that matches, which can be removed and used on your Apple Watch, fitness tracker or other smart wrist devices. There are also Limited Release bands that sell for $29.99.
8. New dueling waterslide Riptide Race attraction coming next year to Aquatica
Image: SeaWorld
SeaWorld announced this week that Aquatica will be getting a one-of-a-kind new park attraction that will thrill park-goers—Florida’s first-ever dueling water slide. Named Riptide Race, this new attraction will feature a 68-foot tower where riders will be able to grab a raft and take their mark in side-by-side racing lanes at top speeds. Each raft holds a team of two, so every rider will have a partner as they plunge toward a hopeful victory though nearly 650 feet of slide.
9. LEGOLAND Florida opens new Schoolhouse attraction
Image: LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND Florida opened the new Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse attraction this week in DUPLO Valley, which features a new entertainment stage, school-themed play equipment, DUPLO brick play areas and a touchscreen where children can practice numbers and letters while exploring exciting future careers. A photo opportunity area outside the schoolhouse features DUPLO cutout figures representing careers from marine biologist to doctor or teacher..
10. Universal’s eighth hotel opening early next year
Image: Universal
Earlier this week Universal Orlando Resort announced the opening date for their eighth hotel, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites: March 17, 2020. This new hotel will be located on the former Wet ‘n Wild land and will be joining sister property Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, which opened in June 2019. If you’re thinking about checking out this new hotel next spring, we’ve got all the details on how expensive rooms will be and what kind of amenities guests can enjoy.
