This week at Walt Disney World, Disney shares ANOTHER preview of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, attendance gets a small bump at the resort, plus a new exhibit opens at the World Showcase and limited-time additions come to Disney Springs and Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando gets a new CEO after some bad attendance news, plus Universal confirmed a shorter Halloween Horror Nights in 2020.
1. Disney shares quick sneak peek at Poe Dameron’s X-Wing for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance queue
Disney has been showing off a lot of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in the past few weeks in the run up to this attraction’s December 5th debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and now they’ve shared another quick look at Poe Dameron’s X-Wing, which is a featured part of this attraction’s queue.
2. New racing exhibit open at Epcot’s Morocco pavilion
Image: Disney
The Gallery of Arts and History in the Morocco pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase is now hosting a new exhibit, “Race Against the Sun: Ancient Technique to Modern Competition” which centers around two incredible modern-day racing competitions Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands) and Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc (Rally of the Gazelles) as well as the rich history of the ancient inhabitants of the Sahara, the Berbers. Here are some of the highlights of this new exhibit:
- A lifelike diorama of Marathon of the Sands with race gear and trophies from Moroccan competitors.
- An interactive photo opportunity highlighting Rally of the Gazelles – the off-road, all-woman desert rally.
3. Disney+ information kiosk opening next week
Image: Disney
Disney+ is launching on November 12, and on that same date guests can visit a new pop-up kiosk in front of the Paddlefish restaurant in The Landing to learn more about this streaming service. Cast Members will be on hand to answer questions about the new service and help guests sign up.
4. Holidays come to Disney Springs
The holidays came to the Magic Kingdom last week with the addition of a Frozen Holiday Wish and the opening of the Jingle Cruise, and now its Disney Springs’ turn to get in on the holiday fun, with the following additions:
- Christmas Tree Trail: Featuring several Christmas Trees decorated in themes that recall classic Disney films, this Disney Springs favorite is returning this weekend with new trees inspired by the live action Lion King and Aladdin films that were released in 2019.
- Santa Claus visit: From now until December 24 inside the Christmas Tree Trail guests can visit and take a photo with Santa Claus from 11:00 AM through 11:00 PM
- Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt: After picking up a special map, guests can stop by 12 different locations at Disney Springs where Stitch is cleverly hidden, and then receive a special free Christmas surprise once they have completed the gift hunt!
You can read more about what’s happening this month at Disney Springs here.
5. Holidays come to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Image: Disney
In addition to holiday celbrations at Disney Springs, Disney’s Animal Kingdom also got in on the holiday fun, with several new additions this week:
- Holiday Tree of Life Awakenings: As the sun sets, the Tree of Life will awaken with a series of wintry tales that play out before a holiday score. In between awakenings, the Tree of Life will shimmer and sparkle throughout the night, alive with the spirit of the holidays.
- Merry Menagerie: Taking place on Discovery Island, this new entertainment offering includes winter-stylized animal puppets like bears, penguins, foxes and more that entertain guests in an interactive experience.
- Christmas at Pandora: For the first time since it opened, Pandora – The World of Avatar has holiday decorations around this new land, including a Santa bear on the mech suit near that Satuli Canteen.
6. Walt Disney World only sees slight attendance bump after opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Image: Disney
Disney confirmed earlier this week after releasing their quarterly financial results that attendance was up by a small amount at Walt Disney World during the most recent quarter, which ended September 29th, 2019. Though some may read this as an early signal of the failure of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we’re not so sure that’s an accurate assessment, as there are a lot of factors to consider.
7. Annual Passholders and DVC Members get free beignets with purchase at Port Orleans Resort
Image: Disney
From now through January 4, 2020, Walt Disney World annual passholders and DVC Members can visit Scat Cat’s Club at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and purchase any specialty beverage, and get an order of three Mickey beignets for free! This appetizer typically costs $4.49, so this is a decent savings for guests who want a delicious snack to go with their holiday beverages.
8. Universal now charging $4 fee for Uber riders
It was announced earlier this week that Uber has added a $4 surcharge specifically for guest pickups at Universal Orlando Resort. This new fee is part of a deal between Universal and Uber, and according to the companies, this extra cost is being implemented to help pay for new signs and extra staff at the Uber drop-off location
Long term, this new surcharge will also go towards creating a special waiting area on the top floor of the Universal parking garage for riders as well. Interestingly, the $4 extra fee is only for pick-ups from Universal Orlando Resort, and will not apply to drop-offs. In addition pick-ups from hotels on Universal property are not subject to the fee.
9. Halloween Horror Nights 2020 dates confirmed
Image: Diana Kelly, Flickr (license)
Though the 2019 edition of Halloween Horror Nights just wrapped up this past weekend, Universal announced the 2020 dates for the 30th anniversary of this annual event at Universal Orlando, which will take place on 39 select nights from Thursday, Sept. 10 – Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.
10. SeaWorld Orlando gets new CEO
Image: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr (license)
After former SeaWorld CEO Gus Antorcha, who left SeaWorld in September after only seven months on the job, the theme park group has announced that they have found a new leader in Sergio “Serge” Rivera, who previously served as the CEO of ILG Inc.’s Vacation Ownership Segment. This change in leadership comes after an unfortunately disappointing quarterly attendance result from SeaWorld Orlando.
