This week at Walt Disney World, Fireworks return to the Magic Kingdom, an upcoming EPCOT attraction gets a new sneak peek, plus hours are extended for the holiday season.
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort hits capacity over the Thanksgiving holiday, plus refurbishments are announced for early 2021 including fan favorite attractions like Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic Park River Adventure and more.
1. Nightly fireworks return to Magic Kingdom for the holiday season
Though there have not been any nighttime spectaculars performed at Walt Disney World since the theme parks reopened in July, it looks like Disney has found a way to bring back fireworks in a limited capacity at the Magic Kingdom.
Throughout the evening, guests at the Magic Kingdom will now experience “pyrotechnic pixie-dust moments” that include low-level fireworks that will go off every 15 minutes or so as projection effects transform Cinderella Castle with a flourish of holiday fun.
2. New behind-the-scenes video released for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Disney has released a brand new behind-the-scenes video showcasing Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which is almost ready to open at EPCOT. You can check out several portions of the ride in the video above, and hear more about what the ride experience will be like when the attraction opens sometime next year!
3. 4000 more Cast Member layoffs confirmed
In the late evening hours the day before the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney has quietly disclosed an updated figure for the total number of Cast Members that will be laid off due to the COVID-19 Pandemic that includes approximately 4,000 additional layoffs, bringing the total since the start of fall 2020 to 32,000. According to a business filing with the SEC, these additional layoffs will take effect in the first quarter of 2021, and will be complete by March 2021.
4. Joe Rohde retiring from Walt Disney Company
It was announced this week that Imagineer Joe Rohde will be parting ways with Disney after 40 years in the industry. His last day with the company will be January 4th, 2021. Theme park fans will doubtlessly know Rohde as the legendary Imagineer behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, Pandora: The World of AVATAR, the Aulani resort in Hawaii, Guardians of the Galaxy-Mission: Breakout at Disney California Adventure, and countless other iconic projects.
5. Disney expands hours for the holiday season and New Year’s Eve
One of the busiest days of the year at Walt Disney World has always been the week of New Year’s and though capacity caps will still be in place this year, it looks like the resort is still expecting to see big crowds to turn up as a result of the holiday, with all four parks extending hours on December 31st. In addition to the late hours on New Year’s Eve, most theme parks are also opening earlier most days in December, and Disney Springs will be open later this holiday season as you can see in the newly updated schedule here.
6. Disney Springs bus service extended
To go along with the extended hours at the shopping district Disney has confirmed that beginning today bus service between Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs will be available during Disney Springs operating hours—and will end one hour after closing, with buses now running most days from 10:00 AM until midnight.
7. Universal Orlando Resort hits capacity multiple times during holiday week
It was a busy week at Universal Orlando Resort, with both theme parks hitting capacity multiple times this past week. During these phased closures, the parking garages close to additional guests, but guests staying at Universal Orlando Resort hotels and guests with single day dated tickets may still access the parks. Though guest levels may calm down during the beginning of December, we expect more capacity days for the resort as we get closer to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
8. Early 2021 refurbishments announced for Universal Orlando Resort theme parks
Universal Orlando Resort has announced nearly half a dozen refurbishments that will hit its theme parks during early 2021, including several fan favorite attractions like Revenge of the Mummy and Jurassic Park River Adventure. Here’s the full schedule:
- Revenge of the Mummy: January 4 through January 15, 2021
- Jurassic Park River Adventure: January 11 through January 29, 2021
- Hogwarts Express: January 21, 2021
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: February 2 through February 19, 2021
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls: February 22 through March 19, 2021
