Walt Disney World is wrapping up their #AllTheDisneyThrills media event today and SO much was announced.
This is a busy year for The Walt Disney Company, and Walt Disney World is in the middle of some major events and transformations. We’re finishing up the last few weeks of the 50th Anniversary Celebration this month, ending on 3/31/2023. Also, next week on 3/23, the new Toy Story Land table service restaurant, Roundup Rodeo BBQ will be opening in Hollywood Studios.
Then, on April 1, the beginning of the busiest week for Park News in recent years kicks off with the re-opening of Narcoossee’s. The restaurant is returning with a new menu after it’s remodel.
Coming In April
Two days later, on 4/3 we’ll see the return of two fan-favorite nighttime spectaculars. “Happily Ever After” will re-open at the Magic Kingdom, and will be featuring new projections that extend all the way down Main Street, U.S.A. allowing guests to be fully immersed in the magic. Down the road at EPCOT, the “EPCOT Forever” nighttime spectacular returns for a limited time, featuring lasers, fireworks, and a hefty dose of nostalgic music from the history of the park.
The next day, 4/4, is the official opening day of TRON Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. This will be the fastest coaster in a Disney Park, tying with the TRON Coaster in Shanghai Disneyland. The Virtual Queue system will be up and running for the opening, and ILL will be available to purchase.
Then later in April, Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary takes place on 4/22, and will be the opening date for a Moana character greeting on Discovery Island.
No Dates Announced Yet
Later this year, two new restaurants will be opening at Disney Springs and Disney’s BoardWalk. Dates have not been announced for Summer House on the Lake or The Cake Bake Shop, but I’ll keep you posted when we find out more information.
The Fairytale Garden in Magic Kingdom will be re-imagined based on La Familia Madrigal and Casita from the hit movie, Encanto, and will be home to a Mirabel character greeting beginning this fall. This does mean that the Merida character greeting will be going away. A closure date for the Merida meet and greet has not been announced yet.
And finally we have some MAJOR EPCOT NEWS.
A Figment character greeting will be coming to the Imagination! pavilion in late summer.
The multi-year transformation continues, and several projects will be opening soon. Journey of Water, an interactive outdoor trail inspired by Moana, and home to the giant Te Fiti that recently arrived at the park is coming this fall.
The World Celebration construction will be coming to an end late this fall as well, bringing new seasonal gardens, the Dreamers Point overlook featuring the “Walt the Dreamer” statue we saw showcased at last year’s D23 Expo, and Communicore Plaza and Communicore Hall. Communicore Hall will be the home of a Mickey & Friends character greeting. World Celebration will also be the anchor for the many festivals that take place in EPCOT.
EPCOT will also be getting a new nighttime spectacular this fall, so if you want to see the “EPCOT Forever” show, keep an eye out for an opening date for the new show and be sure to get down there before it’s gone.
And finally, EPCOT will be hosting the Disney100 Celebration on the East Coast of the U.S. More details will be coming soon.
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