A multi-year transformation of Epcot is underway that will reimagine the park while keeping true to the original vision and with it comes new places to meet and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse himself!
Mickey will soon be making appearances in a new location at the Imagination! pavilion, as part of the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival. Just inside the entrance, you’ll discover Mickey greeting his fans and celebrating his on-screen stardom.
Formerly Mickey and pals could be found at Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot which closed back in July as part of the massive multi-year overhaul.
Mickey’s imagination has led to a career in the movies for 90 years and counting, featuring roles in dozens of short films such as “Get A Horse” which you can enjoy as part of the festival. Look for Mickey to arrive at the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival in early 2020!
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will return to the park November 29-December 30, and annual passholders can also commemorate their visit by picking up the first-ever Chip ‘n’ Dale magnet set!
This complimentary Annual Passholder exclusive will be available at Mouse Gear!
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays also brings with it, the astounding sounds of “The Candlelight Processional,” the tastes and smells of Holiday Kitchens, the sweet fun of the Holiday Cookie Stroll and the returning guest-favorite, Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree.
And, Passholders can use their 20% discount on the Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree map and exclusive festival merchandise, including a T-shirt and ornament featuring Chip ‘n’ Dale.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Disney’s animated classic, “The Little Mermaid” Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant will be offering a commemorative menu to celebrate the occasion.
With menu items like the Dinglehopper Shrimp Cocktail, Chef Louis’ Lobster Seafood Boil, and King Triton’s Key Lime Tart, this is a menu you’ll definitely want to dive right into!
If you’re looking to go under the sea, Coral Reef Restuarant is the place to do it! At Coral Reef Restaurant you can watch fish, sharks, turtles and rays swim in The Seas with Nemo & Friends aquarium while you eat.
When you dine here, you’ll also be able to take home a beautiful commemorative menu (only available while supplies last). This limited-time menu will be available starting Oct. 19. To make reservations, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or check out the My Disney Experience mobile app.
Did you know there’s a room hidden away at the back of the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot? It’s Christopher Robin’s room! And you’ll also find that a silly, willy, nilly old bear named Winnie-the-Pooh is now back to meet guests!
If you happen to stumble upon this room, which has been closed for about three years, you’ll find it filled with all kinds of items that might come in handy for fun adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood. It’s in the back of “The Toy Soldier,” which is filled with toys, and also serves as the Kidcot Fun Stop in the UK.
When we were there on October 2nd, Pooh was meeting twice a day from 1:30 – 3:30pm, and 5:30 – 7:30pm, but make sure you check the current Epcot ‘Times Guide’ on your visit to plan accordingly, as times can change.
Here’s a look at some of the merchandise Disney has released to commemorate the brand new nighttime spectacular now showing at Epcot.
‘Epcot Forever‘ is filled with fun elements like color changing kites that celebrate the fun-loving personality of everyone’s favorite purple dragon – Figment! He’s featured on most of the new items, reminding us that all it takes is One Little Spark of Imagination!
Youth Shirt
Adult Shirt
There are two shirts available to all guests.
Passholder Hoodie
A raglan style hoodie only available to Passholders.
There’s an insulated coffee mug so you can take Figment with you on your commute, and an ornament so he can brighten your Christmas tree. All these items are available exclusively at Epcot, and ‘Epcot Forever’ won’t be around forever, so make sure you get yours soon!
Epcot is going to be seeing some out of this world changes in the next couple years! So, to help showcase these changes, the Odyssey building has been transformed into ‘Walt Disney Imagineering presents The Epcot Experience,’ which opened October 1st.
This new space is a must-see! Inside the Epcot Experience, which is on your left as you enter the World Showcase from Future World, you’ll find a 360 degree screen that plays a 12 minute movie that will completely immerse you in all the details – such as swirling cherry blossoms, a night sky full of floating lanterns, and booming fireworks. In the middle of this space is a 3-D model of all the areas in Epcot that will be effected. As the movie progresses thru all the changes that area of the map lights up and the entire model changes depending on what attraction they’re focusing on. For example, during the Ratatouille portion the whole map reflects that theme. The glass pyramid and Spaceship Earth both look like giant pieces of cheese, and little mouse shaped ride vehicles move through the map.
The movie begins with vintage footage of Walt reminding us that “the heart of everything we’ll be doing at Disneyworld will be…” Epcot. EPCOT will soon be labeled with four new neighborhoods. Each one will speak to important aspects of the world and it’s people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery.
World Nature: Dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of Nature
This is the area that includes The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.
Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” will be the first experience inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite you to meet and play with magical, living water. The water will have a life of its own – just like Moana’s friend, the ocean – and you’ll learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.
World Discovery: Where Science , technology, and Space come to life
This is the area that includes Test Track
The PLAY! pavilion will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. In this digital metropolis, you’ll discover an interactive city bursting with games, activities and experiences that connect you with friends, family and beloved Disney characters – both real and virtual – like never before. As part of this new pavilion, you’ll have the chance to help legendary fashion icon Edna Mode on her quest to rid the world of uninspired style, or make a splash competing in a water-balloon fight hosted by Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewindwill be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at Epcot. The adventure starts in the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. You will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue. The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus your attention on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
World Celebration: Will offer new experiences that connect us to one another and the world around us
The iconic Spaceship Earth will remain a voyage through time as the journey transforms to reflect the power of storytelling to unite the human experience. New narration and an entirely new musical score will focus on the moments and ideas that define our story. You will follow a magical “story light” that brings the entire experience to life in dynamic ways, giving each scene energy and beauty that ties the entire journey together.
The narration during this part of the show is very vague, only saying it’s “A journey you may know well.” The only imagery during this portion is a night sky full of lanterns and floating faces of different ethnicities. The music and faces made me feel like I was riding through the ending of ‘Living With The Land.” All of this leads me to believe that Spaceship Earth is certainly going to be completely re-themed – so die hard Spaceship Earth fans should start preparing themselves for that now.
World Showcase: Will remain a celebration of culture, cuisine, and traditions – infused with new magic
In the China pavilion, “Wondrous China” will take guests on a spectacular journey across the country, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.
In summer 2020, the France pavilion will offer even more for you to discover, including the much-anticipated attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where you’ll shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure.
The United Kingdom pavilion will welcome the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins. You will step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where your adventure will begin.
In 2020, following the limited-time run of “Epcot Forever,” the new “HarmonioUS” will debut as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park. It will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people the world over, carrying you away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe. “HarmonioUS” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.
Watching this part of the show gave me goosebumps. I am SO excited for HarmonioUS! Expect a change from the message of Illuminations, as it seems like the new show will be centered around Disney movie music.
Before you leave the Epcot Experience make sure that you check out all the ride posters and Photo Ops! There are old attractions that aren’t around any more, current, and upcoming attractions to see. The Photo Ops put you in the middle of all four new rides – Ratatouille, Guardian’s of the Galaxy, Mary Poppins, and the re-imagined Spaceship Earth.
If you want to check out all the new experiences coming to Epcot make sure you contact me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly to book your next Disney trip!
The brand new fireworks show, ‘Epcot Forever‘ was unveiled last night, and we can report that this nighttime spectacular is a Showstopper! Get ready, because this show is packed with new special effects and plenty of nostalgic music for long time Epcot fans.
The music in Epcot Forever will take you on a journey through the past, present, and future of this amazing theme park. There are new arrangements of classic Epcot tunes threaded throughout the show, such as “One Little Spark” and “Tomorrow’s Child.” The music was performed by a talented choir of singers from across Central Florida, and recorded by the legendary London Symphony Orchestra at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios.
I was blown away by the new special effects kites! As the music from Soarin’ plays you see individual kites being pulled around World Showcase Lagoon with beautiful, color changing tails. Later in the show you see groups of 5 white kites that shoot sparklers as they glide though the air. The kites are impressive in size – you can even hear the tails rippling in the air as they pass! Epcot Forever also has a lot of fireworks than the previous show, Illuminations.
Epcot Forever runs about 12 minutes long, and you can view it anywhere throughout Epcot that offers a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon. My favorite spot is La Cantina de San Angel, the quick service restaurant in Mexico. If you can snag a seat next to railing you’ll have a great view of the show, and you can enjoy a delicious margarita while you watch!
Epcot Forever will only be shown for a limited-time before “HarmonioUS” starts in May of 2020, so make sure you plan a trip to see it soon! Contact me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly for a Free quote for your next Disney vacation!
Across the canvas of a darkened sky, the new “Epcot Forever” nighttime spectacular debuting today at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the past, present and future of Epcot.
The new show is a showcase of soaring fireworks, inspiring music, lasers and colorful glowing kites flying above and around the park’s World Showcase Lagoon.
As the dramatic curtain-closer to each theme park day, the show takes guests on an emotional journey set to stirring renditions of Epcot music that guests will know and love. It will stoke fond memories from the park’s history and spur excitement for the bright future of Epcot – a future filled with new attractions and experiences as part of a multiyear transformation already underway.
“Epcot Forever” exemplifies the park’s founding principles – innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration. Children sing of “one little spark of inspiration” as guests marvel at fireworks that pinwheel, corkscrew and explode in giant aerial starbursts. As colorful pyrotechnics dance across the heavens, the Epcot story plays out to a grand orchestral soundtrack. Noted conductor and composer Don Harper produced new arrangements of classic Epcot tunes to thread through the show.
Future World pavilions past and present inspire familiar themes, building to Epcot’s grandest moments. In one sequence, uplifting music from Soarin’ Around the World cues dazzling LED kites to crisscross the sky in a kaleidoscopic effect. Guests also will recognize cherished music from Epcot spectacles of the past, including the “Tapestry of Nations” parade.
Approaching its dramatic conclusion, the show pivots from the park’s familiar music to a new verse of “One Little Spark” celebrating the future of Epcot yet to come. As the music and fireworks build, “One Little Spark” transitions to a spectacular finale that brightens the sky one last time with fireworks and special effects.
“Epcot Forever” is set to perform into 2020, leading to the park’s next nighttime spectacular, “HarmonioUS.”
After a dazzling 20-year run, we’ll soon be bidding a fond farewell to “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot and to commemorate the occasion Disney has released a Farewell IllumiNations Spirit Jersey.
If you love “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” too, you still have a few more nights left to catch this classic Epcot show before its final performance on September 30, 2019.
Fans of the firework show will be able to purchase a Farewell IllumiNations spirit jersey at Mouse Gear, World Traveler, and the kiosk outside Port of Entry in Epcot starting today. There is no better way to remember this dazzling show after its 20-year run!
Looking for a Minnie headband to top off your “IllumiNations” look? The light-up Minnie headband is the perfect addition for your farewell look.
Keeping checking Disney Dorks for details on upcoming “Epcot Forever” merchandise available on October 1! All merchandise available while supplies last.
The Walt Disney World Resort global dine-around – the 24th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – kicked off Thursday and runs through Nov. 23 with irresistible bites, sips and non-stop family fun.
That’s 87 delicious days of Festival-exclusive edibles and entertainment, such as a Candy Sushi-making experience, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt, the rockin’ Eat to the Beat Concert Series and Disney du Jour Dance Party.
Opening week is set to thrill foodies at more than 30 global marketplaces, filled with eats like the warm raclette Swiss cheese debuting at The Alps Global Marketplace, a brand-new location for this year’s event. Follow your nose to the jerk-spiced chicken grilled on site for all to savor at the Islands of the Caribbean Global Marketplace. And get ready for a taste of autumn at the Appleseed Orchard Global Marketplace near Le Cellier Steakhouse, where a chill vibe plus charcuterie and cheese nibbles pair well with fresh apple-enhanced libations plus fanciful flights with spice and kick.
Toast the Festival kickoff with us at Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar, where mimosas will be served individually or as a flight for those who can’t choose between vibrant fruity flavors like key lime and blood orange.
