This week at Walt Disney World, 2020 got started with a bang, with closures hitting Epcot, massive discounts announced for guests visiting during the first half of the year, plus new information is revealed about an upcoming new eatery!
Outside Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens announces a BOGO deal for 2020, SeaWorld confirms a free annual pass for young children, plus SeaWorld debuts a new show!
1. Multiple closures hit Epcot as reimagining takes shape
Now that the holiday season is winding down at Walt Disney World, Epcot will be closing several attractions and shops to make way for its reinvention, including the following:
- Mouse Gear had its final day of operation in its current location on January 4, 2020, and has reopened in a new temporary location in the former Innoventions East building.
- The current Character Spot has closed in Innoventions West as of January 5, 2020
In addition, Epcot’s monorail will be undergoing construction on select dates starting from January 13, 2020, which will delay the opening of the Epcot monorail to 10:00 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays until further notice.
2. The Muppets come to the World Showcase
Though we’ve known about the Regal Eagle Smokehouse quick service restaurant (coming soon to the American Adventure pavilion) for several months now, Disney surprised us this week by announcing that this new dining location will have a Muppets tie-in, and will be themed to Sam the Eagle’s Centennial Cook-Off: A Salute to All Cook-Offs but Mostly Barbecue, which is described as:
“A competition fit for all patriots and pit masters” – as it brings in a variety of classic backyard barbecue selections from across the country to vie for Sam’s top honor.”
This restaurant is still under construction but is expected to open in the next few weeks.
3. HarmoniUS to open this spring
It was confirmed this week that new nighttime spectacular HarmoniouUS will be making its debut at Epcot this spring. While we don’t yet have an exact opening date, we now know that this new show will be coming to Epcot sooner rather than later, so if you want to check out Epcot Forever, you likely have very limited time to do so. .
4. Massive deals and discounts now available for guests arriving in the first months of 2020
Walt Disney World resort is offering guests visiting in 2020 some serious discounts and deals, offering tickets at nearly half off, free dining, free gift card incentives and more. You can read all about the new discounts that are being offered here.
5. STK no longer a part of Disney Dining Plan
Image: Disney
It was confirmed this week that the STK restaurant (located in The Landing at Disney Springs) will no longer be accepting Disney Dining Plans. No reason was given for this change, but it is expected to be permanent.
6. Kali River Rapids closing this week for refurbishment
Image: Disney
Every year Kali River Rapids goes down for an annual refurbishment, and this year is no different as this attraction will be closing this week on January 6. The attraction is currently expected to reopen to guests on March 21, 2020, just in time for Florida’s warm weather to return (and for Spring Break to begin!)
7. Busch Gardens offers special BOGO Fun Card
Image: Busch Gardens
For a limited time online, guests can pay for just one day ($109.99) and get the Busch Gardens Tampa Fun Card, as well as an Adventure Island Fun Card for free. This limited time offer is only available for a few weeks, so if you are planning on visiting Busch Gardens this year and don’t have a Fun Card or annual pass yet, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of this deal!
8. SeaWorld brings back popular preschool pass for 2020
Image: SeaWorld
SeaWorld Orlando has announced that they are bringing back their preschool pass program for Florida parents, who can register their kids under the age of 5 for a special Preschool Pass that entitles them to enjoy free admission to SeaWorld for the whole year. Busch Gardens Tampa also offers a Preschool Pass for parents who register their children.
9. New orca show debuts at SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld’s OneOcean orca show was officially retired on December 31, 2019, and beginning January 1, 2020, has been replaced by Orca Encounter. In this new show, guests will learn about killer whales’ role in the ocean ecosystem, behaviors the animals exhibit in the wild, the importance of conservation to their habitat, and animal welfare practices at SeaWorld. This educational presentation reflects our company’s mission to inspire people and protect the animals and wild wonders of our world through education, research, animal rescue, and conservation
