This week at Walt Disney World, Disney parks extend hours for what is expected to be a very busy summer, an unpopular mask rule is rolled back, plus Club Cool is confirmed to be coming back!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal announces a June opening for VelociCoaster and Lowe’s Sapphire Falls announces a reopening date in the next few weeks!
1. Walt Disney World theme park hours extended from now through June
With Walt Disney World theme parks seeing capacity crowds for the foreseeable future, the theme parks have extended hours for most dates in April, May, and June. Here are some highlights from the months ahead:
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have a later 8:00 PM closing
- Magic Kingdom will open earlier at 8:00 AM most days and close later at 9:00 PM
- EPCOT will close later at 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM most evenings.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom will have earlier 8:00 AM openings and later 7:00 PM closings most days
2. Club Cool returning this summer to EPCOT
When Club Cool closed back in 2019 to make way for the construction of a new central area of EPCOT, fans were understandably disappointed. However, this week Disney has confirmed that Club Cool will be returning to EPCOT this summer, and this new location “will celebrate Coca-Cola in a fresh new way, while keeping the fan-favorite experience that invites you to explore tasty drinks from around the world.”
3. Disney Genie confirmed to still be in development
Image: Disney
Though all eyes have been on the rollout of Disney’s MagicMobile service, it looks like another new app is coming soon: Disney Genie. Announced in 2019, this app aims to help guests plan and optimize their vacation plans. In case you need a refresher, here are some of the confirmed features that will be available inside this new app:
- Themed itinerary generator: The app will automatically generate customized itineraries geared to guests’ interests, whether they are princesses, thrill rides, Star Wars, or something else. Simply pick a theme, and Disney will generate a schedule for you, complete with show times, FastPass+ reservations, and more
- Timing suggestions: If you already know what you want to do, you can plug in the attractions you want to experience and then Disney Genie will quickly evaluate millions of options to present you with an optimal day, suggesting times for stand by lines, FastPass+ availability, and more.
- Real-time tips, updates and recommendations: Based on what you’ve already done at Walt Disney World, Disney Genie can recommend experiences for you throughout the day, and also provide tips to optimize your day as well.
- Make reservations for you: Disney genie can make reservations for dining, FastPass+ and more in one step.
4. Mears Connect coming in 2022
Though Disney’s Magical Express is set to be discontinued at the end of this year, starting in 2022, Mears Transportation Group has announced they will begin “Mears Connect” which will offer guests transportation between Orlando’s International Airport and resorts in the Walt Disney World area. No pricing details have been announced yet.
5. New flagship store coming to EPCOT this summer
A new flagship store called Creations Shop is set to open this summer at EPCOT and will feature a bold, sleek design that includes large, dynamic murals of Mickey Mouse and Disney has said that this shop will be “an experience worthy of [EPCOT’s] vision and tradition,” adding that “the products you’ll find here will extend Disney storytelling and allow you to bring that experience home with you, all while encouraging you to explore your own expressiveness and creativity.”
6. Guests can now take photos without masks
One of the most unpopular rules that Disney has had regarding masks since their reopening last year was the fact that guests had to keep masks on while taking photos. However, it looks like Disney has rolled back this regulation, confirming that as long as guests are still appropriately distanced, they can take photos outside without masks on.
7. Loews Sapphire Falls reopening next month
It was announced this week that Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando will be reopening on May 18, 2021, adding to the list of available lodging options at the resort. With the theme parks hitting capacity almost every day now, it is great that more hotel options will be available. Currently, the only on-property hotel not operating is Universal’s Aventura Hotel.
8. VelociCoaster Opening June 10
Universal confirmed this week that Jurassic World: VelociCoaster will open on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Universal Orlando Resort’s Islands of Adventure. When it opens, this ride will be Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster, giving guests the chance to soar 155 feet in the air and catapult up to 70 mph alongside a ferocious Velociraptor pack. You can learn more about this new attraction here.
