This week at Walt Disney World, more hours get shuffled, Disney lays out a reopening plan for its water parks, plus merchandise from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge gets “shipped” to Disney Springs and ShopDisney.com
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort kicks off its daytime Halloween Horror Nights event and a new robot “character” appears at CityWalk
1. EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom extend weekend hours
Disney has been making a lot of changes to its schedule recently, running most parks with limited operations through the fall. And though EPCOT’s hours are typically 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekends, on Saturday, September 6, October 3 and October 10, EPCOT will be open an extra hour, closing at 8:00 PM instead of 7:00 PM. Typically, EPCOT sees higher crowds on weekends, with the Taste of Food and Wine Festival currently happening, so hopefully these later hours will help guests get a few more sips and bites in.
In addition, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will also be testing extended weekend hours later this month on September 20, 26, 27, switching to a 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from the original 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM schedule.
2. Flavors From Fire kiosk opens at EPCOT
And speaking of the EPCOT Taste of Food and Wine Festival, this weekend the new Flavors from Fire Global Marketplace opened near the Test Track walkway. Here’s the menu for this newly-opened location:
Bites:
- The Corned Beef Corner Route: $5.25
- The Chimichurri-up Offense: $7.00
- The S’mores Whoopie Pie-lon: $4.00
Sips:
- Bell’s Seasonal Beer: $4.50 (6 oz.); $8.50 (12 oz.)
- Edmeades Zinfandel: $5.00 (12 oz.)
- Swine Brine: $9.50 (12 oz.)
- Dasani Bottled Water: $3.50
3. Disney Water Parks to remain shuttered through next spring
Though all four of Walt Disney World’s theme parks reopened this past July, water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have remained shuttered for the time being, with no reopening in sight. And now it looks like Walt Disney World has released an update for the reopening of the water parks via its annual passholder website, saying that they will be closed until at least March, with the plan currently being to reopen at least one water park on March 7, 2021. In the meantime however, annual passholders who have the water park add-on can request refunds now.
4. Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover refurbishment extended again
One of the attractions that did not open with Walt Disney World when it reopened in July was the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. However, unlike other attractions like Primeval Whirl and River of Light, which are now closed forever, this attraction is expected to reopen at some point, and Disney officially updated its website back in August to say that this attraction will be under refurbishment at least through to the end of October 2020.
However, it looks like whatever tune-ups or improvements are happening behind the scenes will take a little longer than expected as Walt Disney World has updated its official calendar and this closure is now expected to last until November 28, 2020, when it is now re-scheduled to begin welcoming guests once again.
5. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise coming to ShopDisney.com and Disney Springs
When it first opened, much of the merchandise from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was only available on the planet of Batuu. However, it has been announced that many of the formerly land-excusive products, including clothes, toys, and collectibles will soon be available at Star Wars Trading Post in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and online at shopDisney.com as well. So even if you can’t get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can still check out some of the amazing merchandise from this new area!
6. New Table to Go My Disney Experience feature debuts at Sanaa
In an effort to give guests as many choices for food as possible, Disney is now allowing guests to place to-go mobile orders at table service restaurants using the My Disney Experience app. Right now this feature is only available at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge now, but it is expected to roll out to other locations very soon.
7. Daytime Halloween Horror Nights kicks off at Universal Orlando Resort
After weeks of rumors, Universal Orlando Resort confirmed that after being cancelled earlier this year, Universal Studios Florida will play host to a slimmed down Halloween Horror Nights experience this weekend with guests able to enjoy two of this year’s planned haunted houses: Revenge of the Tooth Fairy and the Bride of Frankenstein Lives
In addition to the Haunted Houses at Universal Studios Florida, Trick-or-Treating was also available at Islands of Adventure this weekend at participating retail stores marked with pumpkin stickers in the park for guests ages 12 and younger.
As expected this event was very popular and both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure hit capacity as of 10:50 AM on Saturday. The houses themselves actually reached capacity shortly after Universal Studios Florida opened as virtual queue passes were snapped up within minutes of morning guests entering the park.
Though Universal originally announced this as a limited-time “test” we’d guess that this experience will be back for several more dates from now through the end of October as it has proven to be VERY popular.
8. New Boston Dynamics robot dog appearing outside Toothsome Chocolate Emporium restaurant
Now through the end of September, guests who visit The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen can meet, Latte a new robotic character that uses the Spot robot technology developed by Boston Dynamics.
Universal CityWalk visitors can watch as Penelope and Jacques teach Latte new tricks during an improv-style character appearance in front of the restaurant that includes guest interaction and fun moments the entire family can enjoy.
