This week at Walt Disney World, new concept art is unveiled for an exciting EPCOT project, a refurbishment gets extended until April, and characters arrive at Walt Disney World hotels to celebrate the holiday season!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal shows off the new VelociCoaster ride vehicles, plus a Universal executive hints about future expansions to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
1. New concept art released for Dreamer’s Point
Though a lot of projects (specifically at Epcot) have been downsized, delayed or cancelled, one project that is going full steam ahead is Dreamer’s Point, the new garden-like area being constructed behind Spaceship Earth. And this week Disney released the new concept art above featuring the new Walt Disney statue that will be a part of this new area.
2. Self scanning feature now in testing at select Walt Disney World shops.
Disney Parks are now testing a new app-based mobile checkout system that allows guests to scan merchandise they pick up and pay for it instantly via their phone instead of standing in line for a register. This feature is now in testing and uses the My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World. You can read more about this feature and how it works here.
3.Disney releases Candlelight Processional throwback video with special extras
Though the Candlelight Processional in 2020 was cancelled, Disney is still celebrating the season and has released a video recording of last year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, led by celebrity narrator Neil Patrick Harris. The video also comes includes a new introduction which includes a short history of the event and rare images from throughout the decades. Check it out above.
4. Holiday kitchens evening discount now available at EPCOT
EPCOT Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can now get a 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages at select Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays kitchens from 7:00 PM to park close through December 31, 2020. In order to take advantage of this special evenings-only discount, guests must use either a credit card or gift card to pay. You can read more about where guests can use this discount here.
5. Kali River Rapids refurbishment extended
Every year Kali River Rapids goes down for an annual refurbishment, and though this refurbishment was originally scheduled to take place from January 3, 2021 until February 19, 2020, this refurbishment will now reopen over a month later to guests on April 2 2021.
6. Characters now appearing at Walt Disney World resort hotels
Disney is expanding its character offerings for the holiday season with Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy now appearing at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. This limited time magic offering includes distanced character experiences like the spontaneous character “cavalcades” at the theme parks where guests can wave and take pictures from a distance.
7. Universal Orlando Resort officially reveals VelociCoaster vehicles and hints at ride POV coming soon
Though we’ve been able to see a few quick glances of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster vehicles while the ride has been in testing, Universal Orlando Resort officially unveiled what the vehicles that will be used as part of this attraction will look like, as well as what looks like the tiniest preview of what one of the attraction’s two pulse-pounding launches. You can check out the video above and learn more about this amazing ride here.
8. More Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions coming soon
Blooloop reports that Senior VP and Chief Creative Officer at Universal Creative, Thierry Coup, has said that Universal parks are “not done” adding to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Of course, no specifics were given, but we cant help think about the rumored Fantastic Beasts addition that may be a part of Universal’s Epic Universe, which has not been cancelled, but is still technically on hold.
