WDW Daily News

It may not be the prettiest thing to welcome guests to Magic Kingdom but Disney did their best. Take a look at the entrance to Magic Kingdom and the overlay of the Main Street USA Train Station.

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.

• Lobster Rollserved with French Fries
• Trio Platter– Combination of Fried Shrimp, Fried Fish, and Chicken Breast Nuggets served with Hush Puppies and choice of French Fries or a Cuties Mandarin
• Combo Platter – Choice of two:  Fried Shrimp, Fried Fish, or Chicken Breast Nuggets served with Hush Puppies and choice of French Fries or a Cuties Mandarin
• Harbour Salad – Mixed Greens, Chick Peas, Onions, Apples, Candied Walnuts, and Vinaigrette

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:

• Donut Holes; Egg & Bacon Croissant Breakfast Sandwich(Westward Ho) 
• Donut Holes; Egg & Bacon Croissant Breakfast Sandwich; Tots & Sausage Gravy (The Friar’s Nook)  
• Cheshire Cat Tails; Egg & Bacon Croissant Breakfast Sandwich(The Lunching Pad)  

Cinderella’s Royal Table New Entrée

• A delicious Braised Lamb Shank with Cannellini Bean Ragoût, Caramelized Pickled Shallots, and Herbed Panko Breadcrumbs is now on the menu at Cinderella’s Royal Table menu. An entrée fit for royalty!

The Crystal Palace Family-style Menu

• The Crystal Palace has reopened its doors! Although our friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood are taking a break from greeting Guests, the restaurant is offering a delicious family-style three-course dining experience, and we are sharing the menu!

Shared Family-Style Starters

• Homestyle Buttermilk and Cheddar Bacon Biscuits – Honey Butter, Caramelized Onion Butter, and Hot Pepper Jelly 
• Seasonal Salad –Tomato and Watermelon, Crisp Greens, Blue cheese, Candied Walnuts, and Hot Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette
• Marinated Watermelon and Tomatoes –Crisp Greens, Candied Walnuts, and Hot Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette(plant-based and available upon request)

Entrée Selection (Guest Choice of One Entrée)

• Fire-roasted Prime Rib of Beef – Asiago Potatoes au Gratin, Creamed Spinach, and Horseradish Cream
• Crispy Fried Chicken – Honey Pot Drizzle, Macaroni and Cheese, and Collard Greens 
• Blackened Catfish and Shrimp – Creamy Cheddar Grits, Fire-roasted Corn Salsa, and Sauce Creole 
• Brown Sugar Glazed Bone-in Pork Chop – Sweet Potato Casserole, Seasonal Vegetables, and Spiced Apple Reduction 
• Southern Fried Cauliflower –Hot Maple Drizzle, Roasted Potatoes, and Collard Green

Shared Family-Style Dessert Platter 

• Seasonal Fritters with Powdered Sugar and Chocolate Dipping Sauce
• Banana Cream Pie
• Hummingbird Cake
• Honey of a Cupcake

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: 

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort for arrivals beginning March 22
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort for arrivals beginning May 30
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for arrivals beginning June 6.

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.