This week at Walt Disney World, Disney updates its on-ride mask policy again, no fireworks are confirmed in-park for New Year’s Eve, plus the first Harmonious barge is installed at EPCOT!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal begins testing the VelociCoaster, and SeaWorld debuts this year’s holiday fireworks display.
1. Disney no longer placing digital masks on guests’ faces on ride photos
During the week, some guests noticed that Disney was placing masks over guests’ faces in on-ride photos where one or more guests were not wearing a mask. However, this weekend Walt Disney World released a statement officially discontinuing this short-lived practice, saying:
“In response to guest requests, we tested modifying some ride photos. We are no longer doing this and continue to expect guests to wear face coverings except when actively eating or drinking while stationary.”
2. Disney confirms no in-park celebrations for New Year’s Eve
We’re only a few weeks away from the end of 2020, and though it is tradition for many families to ring in the new year at Walt Disney world theme parks, Disney has confirmed due to health and safety measures the theme parks will not be open at midnight for holiday celebrations.
Though there won’t be anything happening in the theme parks to mark the end of 2020, Disney Resort hotels will offer fun and festive activities and pre-recorded fireworks and other holiday offerings will be available to stream on in-room televisions to help guests ring in the new year. For an additional fee guests can also purchase a New Year’s Eve party basket designed for the occasion.
3. Walt Disney World Resort bars open for New Year’s Eve
Image: Disney
In addition to the in-room celebrations, the following bars will be open until 1:00 AM January 1, 2021 at the Walt Disney World Resort.
- AbracadaBar at Disney’s BoardWalk
- Ale & Compass Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Beaches Pool Bar & Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Courtyard Pool Bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Dahlia Lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Enchanted Rose at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Gurgling Suitcase Libations & Spirits at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Martha’s Vineyard at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Outer Rim at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Sanaa Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village
- Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- The Turf Club Lounge at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Wave Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
4. First Harmonious barge placed at EPCOT
Though we still don’t have an opening target for EPCOT’s new Harmonious nighttime spectacular this week the first of five enormous floating platforms was moved into position on World Showcase Lagoon to begin testing of its onboard show equipment. Once completed, these platforms will create a sparkling fountain, providing new energy to World Showcase during the daytime, and at some point when it is safe to do so, these barges will be instrumental to the new Harmonious nighttime spectacular, which is expected to debut at some point next year. You can see more of these pictures here.
5. Luna Park Pool slide getting a redesign
Luna Park Pool went down for refurbishment back in October, and it seems as part of this refurbishment the infamous clown face that was part of the Keister Coaster pool slide has been removed, and will not be returning. Disney has confirmed that this pool slide will be sporting a brand new looks soon, saying in a recent statement:
“We look forward to Mickey and his pals clowning around at Luna Park Pool. Guests will enjoy the same great ride down Keister Coaster slide with a brand-new look.”
6. 2019 Christmas fireworks show now streaming
After posting a recorded version of last year’s Candlelight Processional Disney is keeping the holiday cheer going with the newly-released performance of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks from the Magic Kingdom in 2019. You can check out the 15-minute pre-recorded video above, which is presented by the current Disney+ film Godmothered and features features Jillian Bell and scenes from the movie.
7. Daytime testing of the VelociCoaster now happening at Islands of Adventure
The hype train rolls on for Universal’s VelociCoaster, which is opening next year, and guests visiting the park this week were able to get a sneak peek at what the attraction will look like in operation as Universal has been testing complete runs of this attraction at full speed during park hours. You can check out video of this testing here.
8. SeaWorld debuts holiday fireworks show
Though Walt Disney World added small fireworks “enhancements” to the Magic Kingdom a few weeks ago, SeaWorld Orlando has begun showing its holiday celebrations on select evenings “Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale” at park closing beginning this past weekend. The park has designed several areas with spaced seating around the central lagoon to view the show to try and maximize social distancing.
