One would never know that this was the location of Stitch’s Great Escape attraction in Tomorrowland now that all signage has been removed. We literally walked by it at first and did a double take noticing that everything was gone. How many of you will miss this attraction?
The past, present and future of EPCOT are all coming together today in one special moment at the front of the park. Anyone visiting as of this morning will see in real life what Walt Disney Imagineering has been dreaming up many years now.
Overnight, crews removed all the “progress walls” from the main entrance plaza, giving guests the first full look at this next major milestone in the park’s historic transformation. While there is still more work to be done here in the future, the area is much more open and welcoming now. It features new planters, pathways, lush landscaping and a vibrant new color palette that will eventually tie into the four new neighborhoods we’re creating inside the park – World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase.
And there in front of iconic Spaceship Earth guests will now see a reimagined fountain, standing in the footprint of the original that welcomed Guests on the park’s opening day in 1982. Our design team took special interest in this water feature, as we looked back to the geometry of the original for inspiration while creating some new magic of our own. In the fountain’s center is a brilliant light, a unique liquid-cooled fixture we’ve designed with new capabilities that complement the fountain’s changing colors and will coordinate with new lighting coming to Spaceship Earth and the upcoming World Celebration beyond.
Three acrylic pylons, each standing over 16 feet tall and featuring the park’s logo, surround the fountain and hearken back to the creation of EPCOT. Their timeless design and vertical presence draw the eye upward toward the sky – perfectly framing views of Spaceship Earth.
This new fountain is the centerpiece of EPCOT’s entrance plaza, which we’ve designed as a welcoming area that brings people together. The greenery and use of water celebrate a harmony between humanity and the natural world. This park was built to inspire optimism, and they’re infusing this transformation with the magic of possibility.
Stay tuned for more updates about EPCOT.
Take a look at the latest construction photos from the Tron Attraction coming to Magic Kingdom.
Take a look at some construction photos as work continues on installing a new railway for a trip around Tom Sawyer Island.
It may be chilly outside now, but a hint of spring is in the air as EPCOTprepares for the Taste of EPCOTInternational Flower & Garden Festival beginning March 3, 2021, atWalt Disney World Resort. With garden-fresh cuisines, creative gardens and unforgettable topiaries, this vibrant festival combines the freshest flowers and flavors from around the world.
Guests will be delighted to hear their favorite Character topiaries are coming back – from Mickey, Donald and friends, to Remy, Anna & Elsa, Lady & the Tramp, Figment and more. The Disney Horticulture team is busy planting, pruning and planning now for the kaleidoscope of bright blooms and floating gardens scattered throughout EPCOT, with each one making a perfect backdrop for family photos.
With more than 20 delectable stops, World Showcase will play host to the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens and other food & beverage locations, offering a smorgasbord of flavors and beverages.
Gardeners of all ages will be invited to participate in Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration – a springtime scavenger hunt starring Spike, the buzzzz-iest honeybee at Walt Disney World. And, Guests will “bee” on the lookout for festival-specific merchandise throughout the park.
Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will run through July 5, and is available with valid admission and a park reservation for the same date.
Magic Kingdom Park is decked out in full festive regalia, and their chefs have been busy cooking (and baking!) up delicious treats just for the holidays, along with offerings that are available after we pack away the last holiday wreath! Read on to find out what’s new and not to miss at Magic Kingdom Park today and after the holidays.
Hand-dipped Corn Dogs at Sleepy Hollow
Fans that crave the hand-dipped corn dogs at DisneylandResort can now bite into this iconic treat on a stick at Sleepy Hollow.
Their corn dogs are hand-dipped in sweet corn batter then perfectly fried, allowing for a warm crunchy, sweet taste that enrobes a salty all-beef dog – pure hot dog heaven! These dogs are served with house-made potato chips.
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant New Menu of Returning Favorites
Those craving the maritime menu at Columbia Harbour House are in luck! Starting today, Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant is now serving up these delicious Columbia Harbour House highlights. Guests can order, pay, and pick-up at their convenience through mobile order.
New Breakfast Offerings
Guests can start their holiday adventure off at Magic KingdomPark with a quick and delicious breakfast. Beginning Dec. 20 through Jan. 2, these breakfast items will be available from park opening through 11 a.m., except for the Cheshire Cat Tails, which will be sold all day:
Cinderella’s Royal Table New Entrée
The Crystal Palace Family-style Menu
Shared Family-Style Starters
Entrée Selection (Guest Choice of One Entrée)
Shared Family-Style Dessert Platter
Strawberry Shortcake – Vanilla Cake with Whipped Topping and Strawberries (plant-based and available upon request)
Holiday Treats
Guests have until Dec. 31 to sample all the festive tastes this holiday season at Magic KingdomPark.
Disney continues to take a measured and deliberate approach to reopening their Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and as of today, are now accepting bookings for:
As we previously shared, future reopening dates of Disney Resort hotels are subject to change and Guests’ reservations could still be modified to other Disney Resort hotels.
Calling all members of the Resistance! Disney is making a slight adjustment to the virtual queue process for one of the most popular experiences at Walt Disney World Resort, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Beginning Sunday, Dec. 20, the distribution times for virtual queue enrollment will be 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Keep in mind, to access the 1 p.m. virtual queue opportunity Guests must have a valid ticket or pass, a Disney Park Pass Reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and be inside the park. Access to a boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed.
As a reminder, only Guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. When Park Hopper hours become available on Jan. 1, 2021, Guests visiting from another theme park will not be able to request to join the virtual queue. you are encouraged to explore other areas of the park, including in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge where youuuuu may experience Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run among other offerings.
Since the opening of the park in 1998, Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has continued to grow and evolve, bringing new encounters to the savanna. Today, that evolution continues as we introduce a new species of Nigerian dwarf goats to the experience.
As Guests wrap up their journey on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve they’ll see a warden’s outpost where these miniature West African goats chase, climb and play like kids. But don’t let their size fool you, they are fully grown adults.
Originally from Nigeria, the goats are considered to be of high value because of the high protein milk they provide, which is also very sweet. By being able to help support the village with the goat milk products, there is less of a need for people to rely on wildlife, which in turn helps keep wildlife and their habitats protected. With the Warden’s outpost being on the edge of the reserve, this shared land is managed in a way that helps protect local wildlife so both the animals and humans can live near each other in harmony.
On your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be sure to hop aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris to witness these fun, playful goats yourself! And if you think goats are the G.O.A.T. (the greatest of all time!), you’ll be happy to hear that the Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch has reopened for up-close visits with goats and other animals.
During this unusual time, race organizers around the world continue to pause on hosting in-person race events that draw large crowds. As we look to the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend, we will convert this race to a virtual event, similar to the previous runDisney race weekends this season. In addition, we will reimagine the theming of this race weekend for 2022 and will share more information on that at a later date.
While we share our Guests’ disappointment that we will not be taking our final run in the Star Wars Rival Run Weekend together in person, we have based this decision on the unique circumstances of hosting a road race experience on this scale under the current environment.
Participants who registered through runDisney.com will have the option of receiving a full refund for the race. Those who are registered with a U.S. mailing address may convert their existing registration to the new virtual event that can be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.
In addition to the satisfaction of completing the race they’ve trained for, eligible participants in the virtual race will receive a medal for each distance they complete and the option of a race shirt. Registered participants will receive an email today with instructions on how to make their registration selection before December 18, 2020.
For those who would still like to register for the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend virtual event, we will open additional registration opportunities on a limited basis Tuesday, December 15, at 10 a.m. ET. This race event may be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.
Participants who’ve booked through a charity or tour operator should reach out directly to that organization. Athletes who’ve booked through the Walt Disney Travel Company may call them at 407-939-4786 (407-939-IRUN) for available options.
2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend Refund Option
Runners registered for the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who select the refund option will receive a refund back to their original form of payment for the following. If a Guest no longer has their original form of payment used when registering, they may contact runDisney by December 18, 2020 to receive a refund via check or a Digital Disney Gift Card for the following:
Additionally, any registered participant with a shipping address outside of the U.S. will automatically receive a refund back to their original form of payment. At this time, only participants with a valid U.S. shipping address are eligible for the virtual option.
Refund timing:
Refunds from runDisney can be expected to be processed within six to eight weeks. If you haven’t received your refund by then, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.
2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend Virtual Race Options
All registered participants with a valid U.S. shipping address for the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who purchased their registrations on runDisney.com will have the option to participate in a virtual race. Please note PO Boxes and APO Boxes are not considered valid shipping addresses for this purpose. Participants who select this option will receive the following based on their registration(s):
Guests with a U.S. mailing address who already have received a refund for their registration may still register to participate in the virtual race option by registering at runDisney.com beginning December 15, 2020 at 10 a.m. ET.
Digital Disney Gift Cards for select races:
Eligible athletes registered for select events during the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort will receive a Digital Disney Gift Card:
Digital Disney Gift Card timing:
Digital Disney Gift Cards from runDisney can be expected to be processed within six to eight weeks. If you haven’t received your Digital Disney Gift Card by then, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.
Charitable donations
Donations made to Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida will not be refunded and will be delivered to that organization as originally planned.
Club runDisney Charter Membership
Guests who purchased the inaugural year of the Club runDisney membership have received a second year of membership at no charge.
Future Races:
We’re looking at every aspect of the runDisney experience and making decisions with the safety and well-being of our athletes, volunteers, Cast Members and Guests at the forefront of our planning. At this time, we have no updates regarding future runDisney events. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
