Disney News

Category: Epcot

  • BREAKING: First Ever ‘Mary Poppins’ Inspired Attraction Coming to Disney World

    BREAKING: First Ever ‘Mary Poppins’ Inspired Attraction Coming to Disney World

    At the D23 Expo 2019 today, Disney announced plans for its first-ever attraction inspired by Walt Disney’s 1960 classic Mary Poppins, part of the Walt Disney World Resort’s extensive Epcot transformation.

    In World Showcase, Epcot will welcome the attraction inspired by Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane, which will join the United Kingdom pavilion as an entirely new neighborhood!

    To help make the announcement, several dancers came out and performed a “Step In Time” dance number on stage – including Disney legend Dick Van Dyke, who is 93 years young and still has moves.

    Very few details were offered, but a description released by Disney says guests 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.”

  • Chef Minnie and Remy Annual Passholder Magnets Coming to Epcot Food & Wine Festival

    Chef Minnie and Remy Annual Passholder Magnets Coming to Epcot Food & Wine Festival

    Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can delight in an array of special offerings during the 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival—held August 29 through November 23, 2019! And this year you can get an Annual Passholder magnet that features Chef Minnie and one that features Chef Remy.

    Walt Disney World Annual Passholders visiting the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival are eligible to receive a complimentary Chef Minnie magnet (August 29- October 14), and a Chef Remy magnet (October 15-November 23).

    On the Annual Passholder’s fourth visit to the festival, they can also receive a complimentary Chef Minnie wooden coaster set.

    Each of these Passholder exclusive items can be picked up at Mouse Gear or Disney Traders and are available while supplies last. Passholders must present a valid annual pass and photo I.D. One Chef Minnie magnet, one Chef Remy magnet and one coaster set per Passholder.

  • Rabies Alert for Epcot Area Issued by Florida Department of Health

    Rabies Alert for Epcot Area Issued by Florida Department of Health

    The Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a rabies alert Tuesday after a cat that was found near the Epcot theme park tested positive for the disease.

    The feral animal was discovered near Epcot Center Drive and Interstate 4, just east of the park. The alert covers a two-mile radius around the intersection and expires in 60 days.

    This alert should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named under this alert,” the statement warned. Hollywood Studios and multiple resorts are also in the area.

    Other animals in the area may also be infected and officials urge the public to avoid contact with all wildlife, including “raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.”

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that rabies can be fatal, but it is preventable. The viral disease is passed through saliva, and early symptoms can resemble the flu.

  • New IllumiNations Light-Up Minnie Ears Now Available at Epcot

    New IllumiNations Light-Up Minnie Ears Now Available at Epcot

    In celebration of the farewell season of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot, Disney Parks has released a pair of new light-up Minnie Ears inspired by the Nighttime Spectacular.

    The Minnie Ear headband features a stylish bow-tie with a firework-inspired design and light up ears.

    These gorgeous new ears now available at Mouse Gear in Epcot while supplies last for about $30. Take a closer look below:

    For nearly 20 years, “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” has entertained millions as the nighttime spectacular that brought each day at Epcot to a thrilling close. The show’s final night will be Sept. 30, to make way for an all-new, limited-time spectacular, “Epcot Forever,” debuting Oct. 1.

  • BREAKING: Electric Umbrella Restaurant Closing This Winter at Epcot

    BREAKING: Electric Umbrella Restaurant Closing This Winter at Epcot

    As part of the exciting transformation of Epcot, Disney has confirmed that Electric Umbrella Restaurant is scheduled to close this winter.

    The popular quick service restaurant is located next to Innovations East in Future World and serves classic fare like burgers, chicken breast nuggets, desserts and soft drinks.

    Right now you can dine outdoors under the cool shade of a canopy—or enjoy indoor seating amid colorful ambiance, but whether the quick service restaurant is being reimagined during the transformation or relocated elsewhere is still not clear.

    According to Disney, “New dining options will be available in the future, featuring a variety of food and beverage selections.”

    Though the exact date of the closure is yet to be officially announced, the last day that operating hours are listed is Saturday, November 23, 2019.

    Additional information about Epcot’s future will be announced during the upcoming D23 Expo in Anaheim, California.

  • Mouse Gear Closing This Winter at Epcot for Park Transformation

    Mouse Gear Closing This Winter at Epcot for Park Transformation

    As we previously reported, a multi-year transformation of Epcot is underway and Disney has confirmed that Mouse Gear Souvenir Shop is on the list of closures coming to the park this fall and winter.

    According to Disney’s website, “As part of the ongoing transformation of Epcot, Mouse Gear will move to a temporary home this winter while its current location is reimagined.”

    Mouse Gear, located in Future World, is currently Epcot’s go to shopping destination for “gifts with real character,” including souvenirs, apparel, plush toys, candy and pins.

    More details on Future World closings and the plans for Epcot’s transformation will be revealed at D23 Expo 2019 next month in Anaheim.

  • BREAKING: Epcot Character Spot and More Set to Close this Fall

    BREAKING: Epcot Character Spot and More Set to Close this Fall

    As we previously reported, a multi-year transformation of Epcot is underway and today, Disney announced that Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot and other locations will temporarily close as part of the massive multi-year overhaul.

    On September 8, 2019, refurbishment will begin on the core of Future World, including the area between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase Promenade. While this work is underway, offerings at and around the Fountain of Nations will be temporarily relocated or closed. 

    New Locations for Character Experiences – Coming Soon
    Take a look below to find out where you can meet some of your favorite Disney Characters during the refurbishment period.

    • Minnie Mouse will move into the World Showcase Gazebo.
    • Daisy Duck will move to The American Adventure.
    • While new locations are being developed for Mickey Mouse and Goofy, they will temporarily appear in Innoventions West.
    • In the near future, Mickey Mouse will move to an all-new location in the Imagination! Pavilion. 
    • Goofy will venture out into the park—and soon will find a new home.
    • Joy will move soon too—to a joyous new home.
    • And a silly old bear will return to the United Kingdom pavilion—welcome back Winnie the Pooh, who will greet Guests at Christopher Robin’s bedroom beginning in September 2019!

    Other locations closing as to make way for the transformation include: Club Cool, Fountain View Starbucks, Colortopia, and Camera Center.

  • Liberty Inn Closing at Disney World to be Replaced By BBQ And Craft Beer Restuarant

    Liberty Inn Closing at Disney World to be Replaced By BBQ And Craft Beer Restuarant

    Disney has announced that next month it is closing the Liberty Inn restaurant at Epcot’s America pavilion.

    Liberty Inn is a staple of the American Adventure pavilion in the theme park’s World Showcase, but it will be replaced with a new eatery that serves barbecue and craft beers.

    Prepare your taste buds for something special, because a new fast-casual barbecue restaurant featuring craft brews on tap will debut at The American Adventure pavilion in Epcot later this year.

    Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will take the place of Liberty Inn, which will close July 8 to make way for this mouth-watering experience in World Showcase.

    The new location will be a modern barbecue smokehouse, with all the accompanying sights, sounds, smells and flavors you love – including a large smoker preparing fine food every day right on the pavilion’s promenade. There will also be a redesigned patio for you to enjoy, so get ready to grab a brew, some barbecue, and relax inside Epcot.

    Many more details to come, so keep checking Disney Dorks for updates on what is sure to be a new favorite spot to find some tasty and tangy bites at Epcot!

  • ‘Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live!’ Returns to Epcot

    ‘Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live!’ Returns to Epcot

    Your favorite Guardians and alien band are back!  Friday, Star-Lord and Gamora from “Guardians of the Galaxy” started taking guests on a musical journey through the cosmos with the return of “Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live!” at Epcot.

    From now until August 18, you can catch “Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live!”  five times a day at the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot and see Star-Lord and Gamora in person as a 7-piece alien band brings timeless classics from the 70s and 80 to life.  Baby Groot even makes an appearance!

    While an alien band from Xandar plays favorite hits from Awesome Mix Volumes 1 & 2, you and your family can sing, dance and celebrate with a few out-of-this-world eats and sips created just for this intergalactic concert.

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  • Disney Confirms The Seas and The Land Pavilions Will Not Be Removed at Epcot

    Disney Confirms The Seas and The Land Pavilions Will Not Be Removed at Epcot

    With the massive overhaul going on at Epcot, recent online reports have have raised questions about the future of The Seas and The Land pavilions, but Disney has confirmed that these park staples are not going anywhere.

    Rumors have been circulating about the possiblity of Epcot demolishing both The Seas and The Land pavilions, but this week, Disney confirmed those rumors are indeed false.

    As you can see below in an offical response from Disney on Twitter, there are no plans to remove them and they stated, “The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends are planned to be with us into the future.”

    There is indeed a massive transformation taking place at Epcot for the park’s 50th anniversary however, which includes a newly redesigned park entrance, a new Guardians of the Galaxy Roller Coaster, a Space-Themed Restaurant, the new Play Pavilion and much more.

    The D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim is just under three months away and Disney will be unveiling more of their transformative plans for Epcot, so stay tuned to Disney Dorks for the latest news and updates.