This week at Walt Disney World, Epcot brings back a summer favorite, a new animation-themed attraction is announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plus a new discount is announced for annual passholders!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort opens Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure to fanfare and long waits, plus SeaWorld launches a new educational initiative.
1. Epcot brings back Guardians of the Galaxy show for the summer
Image: Disney
After a yearlong hiatus, Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Live! returned this weekend at the America Gardens Theater at the back of Epcot’s World Showcase. The show features Star-Lord and Gamora in person as a 7-piece alien band brings many recognizable tunes from Awesome Mix Volumes 1 & 2. Groot also makes an appearance at this show. Here’s an official synopsis:
After saving their world from certain destruction, Peter Quill—a.k.a. Star Lord—brokered a deal with Nova Prime and the Xandarian government to bring an outreach program to his home planet. The purpose? To share Xandar’s rich heritage and culture with Earth’s people. As luck would have it, Peter informed Xandar’s leaders that there’s already a place on Earth with a similar mission… a theme park called Epcot, where all of Earth’s cultures are celebrated. So, as part of their first outreach, Xandar has sent some of their most talented performers to showcase their music!
Guests will have plenty of chances to catch this new show, as showtimes will be daily at 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:45 PM, 6:45 PM, 8:00 PM, and will run daily through August 18th.
2. Rafiki’s Planet Watch reopening next month with new “Animation Academy” attraction
Last fall, Disney announced that Rafiki’s Planet Watch (and the connected Wildlife Express train) would not be available to guests for an indeterminate amount of time, releasing a statement that said they “anticipated” reopening this attraction in Spring 2019. However, though Disney definitely missed that original Spring opening date, they have confirmed that this attraction will once again welcome guests this summer beginning on July 11th.
When this attraction reopens guests will have the chance to check out an all new Animation Experience at Conservation Station, which will give guests the opportunity to learn how live animals have inspired some of Disney’s most iconic characters, before creating a personalized piece of Disney art through an instructor-led animation class. Each session will be different, and will include characters such as Simba, Zazu, Pumbaa and Timon.
Interestingly, Disney is offering FastPass+ Service for the Animation Academy, and guests can find it among the tier 2 attractions in the My Disney Experience app.
3. Annual Passholders can now save 20% on table service restaurants for lunch this month at select locations
Image: Disney
Through the end of the month, Walt Disney World annual passholders can save 20% at the folling in-park restaurants:
Magic Kingdom Park
- Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- The Crystal Palace
- The Diamond Horseshoe
- Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Epcot
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- Biergarten Restaurant
- Coral Reef Restaurant
- Rose & Crown Dining Room
- The Garden Grill Restaurant
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Hollywood & Vine
- Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Tiffins Restaurant
- Tusker House Restaurant
4. Restaurantosaurus offers new ice cream and burgers meal deal with new topping bar
Image: Disney
Popular Disney’s Animal Kingdom restaurant Restaurantosaurus has introduced a new Burgers and Sundaes combo for the summer that includes a choice of sandwich, side, and drink, as well as two scoops of ice cream they can then top at a special toppings bar.
For thier entree guests can choose between a gourmet burger, chicken sandwich, veggie burger or salad, and can also select either fries or onion rings for their side.
This new dining option is only available during dinner on select nights. Each meal is $22.99 plus tax for adults and $14.99 plus tax for children ages 3-9.
5. Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure opens at Islands of Adventure
Image: Universal
6. Universal delays rollout of Virtual Queue for Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure
Image: Universal
And speaking of Universal’s newest attraction, though Universal was supposed to start offering guests the chance to reserve ride times in advance for Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure on Friday, June 14th, due to high demand and technical issues (the ride still goes down several times a day and Universal has only been running a few trains at a time), Universal has delayed the rollout of the virtual queue system for the immediate future. Hopefully the ride will be stable enough soon to offer this service, but until then, guests will need to tough it out in the stand-by line for now.
7. SeaWorld launches new “Rescue”-themed Instagram account
Image: SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld has announced that is has launched a new SeaWorld Rescue channel on Instagram ahead of World Oceans Day that tells the story of rescue, rehabilitation and release, as seen through the eyes of those on the frontlines of saving animals. Trends in rescue data suggest that the impact of human activity on our oceans, such as plastic pollution, is taking an increasing toll on marine wildlife in recent years, which is why SeaWorld is trying to educate the public about these important environmental issues. You can find this new account here.
