This week at Walt Disney World, Disney makes a major change to their rider switch system, over a dozen nights of the After Hours Boo Bash are now sold out, plus the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is set to kick off this week!
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld brings back free beer, introduces a new shark-focused event, plus Universal confirms a new haunted house for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights!
1. Changes come to rider switch policy at Walt Disney World
Families visiting Walt Disney World with young children are no doubt aware of the resort’s rider switch system, which allows one adult to wait with non-riders in a party while the rest of the party enjoys an attraction. When this party returns, they can supervise the non-riding guests, and the original waiting adult can board the attraction using the FastPass queue so they don’t have to wait a second time. Previously, multiple party members could experience the attraction with rider switch, but under Disney’s updated policy, only one other guest can use the FastPass line to accompany the person who initially sat the ride out.
2. New behind-the-scenes Jungle Cruise video released
Disney has shared a backstage look at creating the new props, characters and story for the updated Jungle Cruise, which includes fun tidbits about both the Disneyland version (which has been completed) and the Magic Kingdom version, which should complete its transformation later this year. Check it out above!
3. Final hotel reopenings schedule set
Though Walt Disney World reopened last July, it only opened select hotels at first, opening additional locations as capacity increased. However, now that it looks like things are back to normal in terms of capacity at the resort, Disney has set reopening dates for its final four resort hotels:
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort: September 16 2021
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside: October 14 2021
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter: October 28 2021
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort: December 9 2021
Reservations for these hotels are now available at Walt Disney World’s official website here.
4. EPCOT International Food & Wine FestivalAmerica Gardens Bandstand performers announced
It may be hard to believe but the 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kicks off this week and though the familiar Eat to the Beat music series will not be a part of this year’s festival, Disney is replacing it with the local-focused America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, a live music concert series Friday through Monday evenings. Here is the line-up so far:
- July 16 to 19: Epic! Live
- July 23 to 26: Champagne Orchestra
- July 30 to August 2: Element
- August 6 to 9: Sound Society
- August 13 to 16: The Hooligans
- August 20 to 23: The Vybe
- August 27 to 30: The M-80s
- September 3 to 6: Latin Ambition
- September 10 to 13: Audio Exchange
- September 17 to 20: The Hooligans
- September 24 to 27: Epic! Live
5. Disney After Hours continues to sell out
We’re also less than a month away from the start of the 2021 Disney After Hours Boo Bash upcharge event at the Magic Kingdom, and if you are hoping to attend you’ll want to make your plans soon as this event has now sold out 13 nights, even after increasing capacity. The current sold out dates are:
- August 10, 17
- September 24
- October 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, 31
If you want to purchase tickets for one of the remaining dates, you can do so here.
6. Disney’s All Star Movies getting lobby refresh
Beginning this week, the lobby at Disney’s All-Star Movies will be getting a refresh featuring smaller counters and a more open design. Work on this updated design is expected to be complete by mid-October, and most common areas of Cinema Hall, including the World Premiere Food Court, will remain open during this update.
7. Free beer returns to SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld has announced the return of free beer for SeaWorld park guests 21 and over this summer The free brews will be available at the park daily from 11:30 a.m. until one hour before park close. Guests are invited to visit Mama’s Pretzel Kitchen Patio Bar to receive one complimentary 12-ounce beer per park visit from now through August 12.
8. SeaWorld Orlando celebrates sharks with limited time event
SeaWorld has announced that the limited time Shark Celebration Week will take place this week from July 11-19, and will allow shark lovers of all ages to learn more about these awesome predators with free talks from shark experts every day at 2:15 PM and Pass Members can get a behind the scenes look and save up to 20% on a Sharks Up-Close Tour.
9. Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House to get house at Halloween Horror Nights 2021
Universal finally confirmed this week what had been rumored for over a year: Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House will be getting its own house, at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood. The maze will feature iconic scenes from this series, including the ominous and powerful Red Room and the infamous Hall of Statues. It won’t follow a specific character or timeline but guests will catch glimpses of the apparitions of William Hall, the Ghost in the Basement, and the Bent-Neck Lady.
