Time for our June update from Walt Disney World. Each month we bring you all the latest information from Walt Disney World. Our Walt Disney World News & Rumors June 2019 highlights include Rivers of Light, Changes to Hollywood Studios Fastpass, a new attraction at Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Special MagicBands for Resort & Annual Pass Holders
At last, Walt Disney World has created an option to upgrade your solid colored MagicBand!
At just $10 guests can upgrade their complimentary band to one of 30 designs! Sounds brilliant, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, Disney completely underestimated demand and they sold out almost immediately. Guests are now even struggling to arrange their complimentary band. Apparently, more stock will be available, but how soon is unknown.
Rivers of Light: We Are One
We have never been great fans of Rivers of Light here at Modern Life is Good, it was just a bit too boring. However, a new updated version of the show has now debuted at the Animal Kingdom.
Rivers of Light: We Are One features classic Disney Animation and a new soundtrack. An early review of the new show is available here.
In addition, for the Summer Season Tree of Life Awakenings has some new Lion King inspired footage.
2019 Eat to the Beat Concert Series
One of the highlights of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the nightly Eat to the Beat Concerts. Held 3 times a night during the festival there are shows featuring international music acts. Guest returning in 2019 include favorites Billy Ocean, Boys II Ben and Starship.
You can see the full 2019 Eat to the Beat Concert Series lineup here.
Mickey’s of Hollywood
Merchandise opportunities at Hollywood Studios will be a bit more limited for the next few months. The large Mickey’s of Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard will be closed for refurbishment until September.
Designer Mouse Ears
Designer Mouse Ears, whatever next?
At a cost between $58-600, designer ears are now available to purchase inside parks and at ShopDisney. You can find out more about this “much purchase accessory” here.
Walt Disney Company Second Quarter 2019 Earnings
Disney is reporting another fantastic quarter for company earnings. Perhaps, with the addition of Designer Ears, the Third Quarter will be even better?
Epcot’s main entrance
Construction on the new entrance at Epcot has started & the Leave a Legacy photographs have started to be moved. Read our blog about all the new attractions confirmed for Epcot including the park’s new entrance.
The Leave a Legacy photographs will be relocated to a new setting just outside of the park.
Disney After Hours
Disney After Hours is an extra ticketed event which allows guests to experience the park for 3 hours with significantly fewer crowds. Currently, the events are held at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom.
Further new dates have now been announced for Disney After Hours until the end of September. The events will continue at Hollywood Studios until the end of July.
Expect a premium Star Wars Hollywood Studios After Hours to be announced following the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
You can obtain further details here.
Disney Villains After Hours
Disney Villains After Hours is an enhanced after Hours event at the Magic Kingdom for Summer 2019. The event carries some additional entertainment and a slightly higher ticket price.
Early reviews are mixed, but it does look good fun.
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
Perhaps the greatest news story at Walt Disney World in 2018 was surrounding Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Mixed reports were circulated including rumors of permanent closure. Eventually, it was announced that the area at the Animal Kingdom would open in Spring.
However, Spring turned into Summer, but we do now have an official opening date. Rafiki’s Planet Watch will reopen on Jully 11!
Guests will soon have another opportunity to revisit the land they never realized they would miss. Plus, there will even be a new attraction.
The Animation Experience will teach guests how animals have inspired some of the most popular characters. You will also have the chance to create a personalized piece of Disney art through an instructor-led animation class.
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
This summer is your last opportunity to see IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot. Not wanting to miss a chance to increase those “quarter profits” there is some special IllumiNations Merchandise available for a lasting memento.
FastPass at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios FastPass Tiers are changing on August 29th, the same day As Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens. Unfortunately, you will not be able to obtain a FastPass for the new Star Wars attractions, but the other top attractions have got a lot more complicated.
The following will now be Tier 1 attractions:
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Toy Story Mania!
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Everything else will be in Tier 2. Unfortunately, you will only be able to book one Tier 1 attraction in advance. Apart from Star Tours, all the most popular attractions are in Tier 1.
It will be interesting how this plays out, but we suspect Slinky Dog Dash or Tower of Terror should be your number 1 choice. We recommend using the Single Rider Line for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Construction Updates
Ziggy has peeping over fences again and he has another fantastic construction update. The Tron Roller Coaster has now almost got its whole track complete and the attraction is looking fantastic.
The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends To Close
There have been various rumors online in recent weeks that The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot are to close. However, Disney has now officially denied those rumors.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
You may well have noticed that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has already opened in California! While we have to wait until August 29 for the Orlando version the Disneyland version has been getting fantastic reviews. We can’t wait!
We will be back with another Walt Disney World News & Rumours update in July. If you have missed any of our previous updates you can find them all here.
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