We are back with our Walt Disney World News & Rumors September 2019. The big news since our last update is the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, however, there have been plenty of other happenings at Walt Disney World. This month’s update includes changes at Epcot, StarWars, Disney Genie, and lots more.
Is there another delay for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?
It was scheduled to open this summer but last we heard was a Spring 2020 opening. However, there are now suggestions the opening might be delayed to later in 2020. We do however have some further information on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The ride does look fantastic and we do hope it still opens in spring.
Cirque du Soleil Returns
A new Cirque du Soleil show is returning to Disney Springs in 2020.
Set your imagination in motion and get ready for an enlivening collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, iconic memory makers.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil transports you into an inspiring world where Disney animation can be experienced like never before.
Leap into a live acrobatic journey where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come to life. This love letter to the art of Disney animation is a celebration of life and all of its deliberate and unanticipated movements.
The new show will begin previews on March 20, 2020, with an official opening on April 17, 2020. Ticket prices start at $62 with a top ticket costing $152.
Big changes coming to Epcot
At the recent D23, we learned more about all the changes coming to Epcot. While we were disappointed not to hear about a new pavilion in World Showcase, we are excited by a new Mary Poppins attraction.
The big events in 2020 at Epcot will be the opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the new nighttime show “HarmonioUS”.
To learn more about the changes coming to Epcot in 2020 and beyond visit our dedicated blog.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
We have a name for the highly anticipated Star Wars Hotel, and it is Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
This new experience is going to be like no other Walt Disney World Resort Experience and I expect will not be allowed in my “Ultimate Resort Hopping Challenge”. The resort will offer a two-night itinerary where all guests arrive and depart at the same time. Your voyage will be on the starcruiser “Halcyon” known for its impeccable service and destinations throughout the galaxy.
Highlights of the experience announced to date include:
The adventure begins when guests arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal at Walt Disney World and check in for their two-night experience.
Disney World News
Guests will be invited to enter a Launch Pod for transport into space. Through windows above, they’ll see themselves leave the real world behind as they jump to hyperspace and draw closer and closer to theHalcyon.
When the Launch Pod docks with theHalcyonand the airlock opens, guests will step into the ship’s main deck Atrium to begin their journey through a galaxy far, far away.
A visit aboard theHalcyonbecomes a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The all-immersive experience also features entertaining activities, such as:Wielding a lightsaber while facing off against a training remote, where guests just may discover their own connection with the Force.
Visiting the starcruiser’s Bridge to learn about ship systems and how to operate them, including navigation and defense – skills that may just come in handy during a journey through this adventure-filled galaxy.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is going to be the “Ultimate Star Wars Experience”, but it isn’t going to be cheap. There are rumors that a 2-day experience for a family of 5 will cost a whopping $7200!
Let Disney Genie plan your Disney World Vacation
We will have to wait and see how this works, but a new planning tool is coming to Walt Disney World in late 2020. Disney World is promising that Disney Genie will make the planning of your Walt Disney World Vacation easier.
Apparently the new Disney Genie will provide “customized itineraries geared to your interests, right at your fingertips”. However, call us cynical but, we suspect the app will direct guests to underutilized less popular attractions.
We will give Disney Genie the benefit of the doubt until we see it in action but let’s hope it provides what it promises:
Sometimes you may know exactly what you want to do, but may not know the best time or order in which to do it. You’ll be able to tell Disney Genie what you’d like to experience, and it will quickly evaluate millions of options to present you with an optimal day. And best of all, it’s flexible! If you change your mind for any reason, Disney Genie will re-optimize your day.
Disney Parks Blog
D23 Announcements
We have already mentioned in this post about Epcot changes, Disney Genie, Cirque du Soliel & the Star Wars Hotel. All these changes were announced at the recent D23. Click the link to find out about all the other announced changes at Walt Disney World and other Disney Resorts.
More Disney After Hours
New dates have been announced for Disney After Hours until March 2020. After Hours provides 3 hours of additional access to a park after regular opening with low waits for a selection of attractions. However, the event does come with a hefty price tag.
The temptation to start a “Big Ticket” Star Wars event is not happening yet. After Hours will now only be occurring at the Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom. There are only a few dates at the Magic Kingdom during the rest of 2019 due to Halloween and Christmas Parties.
To get all the latest information on Disney After Hours click here.
Mid-Day Magic Ticket
An additional option has appeared in the increasingly complicated Walt Disney World ticket options. The new Mid-Day Magic Ticket allows theme park admission after 12 pm. Tickets are valid for the rest of the day at one park.
The 2-, 3- and 4-Day Mid-Day Magic Tickets are available for use on or before Dec. 15, 2019 and cost:
- Two-day ticket from $88 a day, plus tax (from $176 total, plus tax)
- Three-day ticket from $84 a day, plus tax (from $252 total, plus tax)
- Four-day ticket from $79 a day, plus tax (from $316 total, plus tax)
This represents a significant saving from regular prices and it will be interesting to see if this offer continues in 2020. While it will not suit all guests it might prove to be a popular option for short term visitors eg cruise guests.
2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
The 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is now open. WDW Magic has a brilliant tour of all the 2019 kiosks and menus. Plus click here to get a park map for the 2019 festival.
Sad to miss this year’s Food and Wine Festival, but we will be back in 2020!
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
Epcot’s newest festival the Epcot International Festival of the Arts will continue in 2020. Festival dates for 2020 are January 17 to February 24.
Disney’s Riviera Resort Construction Update
The DIS has a construction update for the new Disney’s Riviera Resort and I don’t like it! Hopefully, it will look better when it is completed.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Since our last monthly update, the annual Halloween parties at the Magic Kingdom have started. I still can’t get my head around an August 16 starting date. However, the parties will continue to run until November 1, 2019.
The big news at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year is a new fireworks show. The new show is called Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular and features state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, light, and fireworks.
If you are considering this year’s Halloween party, Blog Mickey has done a fantastic review of this year’s party.
Celebrating the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Throughout Walt Disney World there are celebrations for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Have a look at these fantastic food & drink offerings at Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney World Resorts.
What to wear when visiting star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
There are some fairly strict rules on what guests can wear when visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Costumes are not allowed to be worn by guests over the age of 14, but you are allowed to wear Star Wars inspired clothing. However, this becomes rather confusing:
- You are allowed to dress as Rey
- You are not allowed to dress like Obi-Wan.
Hopefully, you understand this guidance better than myself.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
The big events were at Disneyland earlier this year, but there were a few events to celebrate the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. You can have a look at the dedication ceremony here, but this time there was no Harrison Ford!
Rise of the Resistance Update
One of the big disappointments over the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was that not the whole land has opened. The eagerly anticipated Rise of the Resistance will not open until December 5, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and January 17, 2020, at Disneyland Park in California. Disney Parks Blog, however, has started to share a bit more information on what we can expect when the attraction does open.
When it opens, this harrowing adventure will blur the lines between fantasy and reality and will put you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. You will join the Resistance and depart from Batuu in a transport ship to meet General Leia Organa at a secret rendezvous point. Along the way, however, you will be captured by a First Order Star Destroyer. The action then ramps up as you seek to escape the clutches of Kylo Ren and the First Order – with the help of some heroes of the Resistance.
Disney Parks Blog
The attraction is going to be split into several parts including simulators and a trackless ride system.
- In one sequence, a new simulator experience will give the sensation to guests they are falling from space to crash land on Batuu.
- During a portion of the experience, guests will race through a Star Destroyer in a trackless ride vehicle featuring an onboard droid that reacts to its surroundings.
Expect very long waits for the new attraction.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Facts
Disney has published a list of fun facts about Galaxy’s Edge. Some of our favorite facts are:
- There are more than 120,000 possible combinations for constructing a lightsaber using all the available pieces in Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers.
- There are nearly 280,000 possible combinations for constructing an R-series or BB-series astromech droid using all the available pieces in the Droid Depot.
- The droid in charge of music at the local watering hole, Oga’s Cantina, is DJ R-3X, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot from Star Tours.
Click the link to see other facts about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
We will be back with another Walt Disney World News & Rumours update in October. If you have missed any of our previous updates you can find them all here.
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