This week at Walt Disney World, holiday hours are released for the theme parks, another Disney Springs store closes permanently, Disney assumes control of the Morocco pavilion plus a popular EPCOT eatery opens just for the weekend.
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal asks passholders to keep their distance and a new outdoor bar opens at SeaWorld Orlando.
1. Christmas hours released for Walt Disney World
Though it looks like hours will be fairly standard for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Disney has released hours for the Christmas holiday period from December 20 through to December 30 with the following hours:
- Magic Kingdom will open at 8:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM
- EPCOT will open at 10:00 AM and close at 9:00 PM
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open at 7:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open at 9:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM
Of course, these hours are subject to change, and Disney could always do a last-minute extension, but with the current cost-cutting climate, that seems unlikely.
2. Date set for Disney’s All Star Movies Resort reopening
Though the next resort to reopen will be Disney’s Art of Animation which will welcome guests once again next month, Disney has announced that its All Star Movies Resort at Walt Disney World will reopen early next year on February 9 2021. No reopening date has been announced yet for the other All Star Resorts.
3. Disney to assume control of Morocco pavilion
Due to financial difficulties with the original operators Disney will officially be assuming operations of all of the Morocco Pavilion, including dining and merchandise locations. A joint statement released by Jacquee Wahler, VP Communications Walt Disney World Resort, and Rashid Choufani and Rachid Lyazidi, Operating Participants Morocco Pavilion was provided to the Disney Food Blog, which confirms the change:
“After many years of working together, we have a mutually agreed arrangement to begin the process of transitioning operations of the Morocco pavilion to Disney. By the end of the year, Disney will assume operations of this important part of EPCOT and under Disney’s operation, the pavilion will continue to honor the rich traditions and legacy it has since it opened.”
4. Friendship Boats to resume operation next month
Disney has announced that Friendship boat service will resume for the EPCOT-Area Resorts between International Gateway at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning November 1. Boats will operate with physical distancing measures in place.
5. Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicks off January 8
As has been the case with other festivals since reopening, EPCOT has announced that it will be debuting a slimmed down version of its International Festival of the Arts, coming early next year. From January 8 to February 22 2021, guests will be able to enjoy some of the highlights of the annual festival, including 15 food “studios” featuring artful dishes, collaborative art projects, and plenty of photo spots! Here’s the full rundown of activities:
- Over 15 Food Studios serving culinary art all around World Showcase
- Diverse work of Disney and other invited artists on display in marketplaces encircling World Showcase Lagoon
- Special photo locations scattered around the park
- Paint-by-number mural that serves as a collaborative art project for all
- Performances by favorite EPCOT musical artists Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors.
- Scavenger hunt as you search for Figment around World Showcase
- Festival-exclusive merchandise
Unfortunately it looks like the popular Disney on Broadway Concert Series will not be returning to this slimmed down event in 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
6. Lucky Brand jeans closed forever at Disney Springs
It has been confirmed that Lucky Brand at Disney Springs had final day of operation this week, and will be permanently closed. This closure follows the announcement last week that the Wolfgang Puck Express location in the Marketplace has also closed forever.
7. Deep hotel discounts now available for guests booking early 2021 visits to Walt Disney World
Guests who are planning to visit Walt Disney World in the new year and are looking to make a booking in the near future can now take advantage of some seriously deep discounts and deals that are now available for rooms booked next year which include room-only discounts of up to 40%. You can check out the full rundown of discounts here.
8. EPCOT announces additional entertainment for Taste of International Festival of the Holidays
In addition to the already announced entertainment for this years EPCOT Taste of International Festival of the Holidays EPCOT has now announced several other new holiday offerings for this year’s event, including the following:
- Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition: A new scavenger hunt around the World Showcase where guests can spot Olaf sledding all around World Showcase, collecting new and interesting holiday traditions to share with Anna and Elsa. Scavenger Hunt map and stickers can be purchased for $7.99, and once guests have found all of the traditions, they can visit Disney Traders, Mouse Gear or World Traveler to redeem their map for a gift worth melting for (while supplies last).
- Holiday Cookie Stroll Guests can purchase any five cookies from participating Holiday Kitchens, and finish their journey with a sixth, complimentary cookie. A special commemorative Holiday Cookie Stroll jar will be available for purchase.
- New Character experiences: Epcot will be refreshing its character cavalcade lineup for the holiday season to include the following:
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Santa Claus Promenade – Come see Old St. Nick take a grand tour around World Showcase in his horse-drawn carriage calling out happy holiday wishes to all. (November 27 – December 24)
- Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour – Keep your eyes peeled for Mickey Mouse and his friends, dressed in their seasonal finest and waving to pals like you throughout the World Showcase.
- Frozen Holiday Promenade – The Holiday spirit is in the air as Queen Anna and Elsa ring in the season at Epcot, journeying from country to country and waving to their fans along the way. (Queen Anna and Elsa discover the spirit of the holidays November 27 – December 30.)
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- Gingerbread Capital City: Though there are no resort gingerbread houses this year, guests who visit EPCOT will be able to marvel at a realistic gingerbread city that pays sweet homage to some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks including the United States Capitol Building, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and a 5-foot tall Washington Monument!
9. Lotus Blossom Cafe reopens for service on weekends only
The Lotus Blossom Cafe in EPCOT’s China pavilion has reopened on a very limited basis. This quick-service location is currently operating from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the time being.
10. Universal Orlando Resort extends hours, asks passholders to stay away
After reaching capacity once again this past weekend, Universal Studios Florida has extended its operating hours next weekend due to anticipated large crowds for the Halloween weekend. And while this may sound like great news for Universal fans, an email has been sent out that asks one group to specifically stay away during these extended hours: annual passholders. You can check out the full message to passholders here.
11. SeaWorld opens new outdoor glacier bar
SeaWorld Orlando has opened a new Glacier Bar that features food, drinks, adult treats and more. This special outdoor bar features sports on multiple big screens in shaded comfort and has been designed for social distancing. Guests can find this new location located next to Wild Arctic with breathtakingly perfect 360 degree views of SeaWorld’s upcoming coaster, Ice Breaker. Here is the menu:
- Handcrafted specialty flatbread pizzas including Truffle Veggie and BBQ Chicken, all-new Bacon and Cheddar Beef Sliders and more fun culinary surprises made fresh to order and safely delivered straight to your seat
- Our unique ‘adult’ take on a time honored treat – homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches served with a frosty seasonal Yuengling Hershey’s Porter for a distinctly fun way to cool down that is only available at SeaWorld Orlando
- Mixologist created and inspired specialty cocktails, including our new favorite “The Glacier” made with small batch Icelandic glacial water vodka, extra cold frozen favorites with a distinctly Orlando twist like the “Orlando Vice” and fresh cocktails on draft including a new specialty Sparkling Mojito and Spicy Pineapple Margarita
- A range of refreshing “ICEE” products, with specialty and exclusive beverages
- Coca-Cola Freestyle machines offering exclusive flavors only available at SeaWorld made specifically for our park’s most iconic attractions including Ice Breaker, Antarctica, and Mako. Glacier Bar is the only place to get these amazing flavors this side of the Arctic!
