Dateline Disney World casts an eye (and our lens) on Epcot this week as the park begins its transition into something familiar, but very different. And please read all the way through to the bottom for information on our annual meet-up and stroll through Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival which will be held THIS Friday!!!

Disney’s Skyliner Reopens

But first, I know you all have been wondering about the Disney Skyliner. Well, as of Monday morning, it’s operating again. 

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of EpcotThe new system suffered an incident last Saturday which left guests stranded for up to three hours and sent at least one guest to the hospital. It had been operating for just six days at the time of the accident.

Disney hasn’t been very forthcoming about what happened and why, but they did make the following statement:

“Following a complete review with the manufacturer, we’ve made adjustments to our processes and training, and we are improving how we communicate with guests during their flight with Disney Skyliner”

If you are wondering about the Skyliner, here’s our coverage of the unfortunate accident that trapped guests in the air on a hot night: 

Skyliner Crash at Walt Disney World Leaves Guests Stranded

From Epcot to EPCOT a Park in Transition 

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Welcome to Epcot!

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Entering the park, you’ll notice that the plain black construction walls now sport a colorful upgrade with the new Epcot logo on it.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Some of the pavilions are highlighted on these walls as well.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
The old Universe of Energy building has been given a gray paint scheme for its transition into Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Another look at the overlay on the walls.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
New passholder magnets are available now and feature Remy!
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Little update on the Cosmic Rewind exterior.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
The cascading color scheme from yellow to red is now gone and is now a uniform orange.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
You can see the Guardians building behind what will become the new Play pavilion (former Wonders of Life).

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Not much to see at the exterior of Space 220, the upcoming space-themed restaurant located between Mission Space and TestTrack.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Test Track will be going down for refurbishment starting on January 13, so right after the busy holiday season.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
New signage is up outside the Odyssey building for the Epcot Experience.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

The Fountain of Nations is now history. The area from the fountain through half of Innoventions (West) is surrounded by construction walls for demolition. 

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Another view of Spaceship Earth with the walls.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
You can see a crane on site.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
No more Club Cool signage here.

New lights have been installed. 

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Sleek new white tubes contain lights on the west side of Future World.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

The ponds on the west side of Future World have been drained or in the process of being drained. 

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
The retention pond is pretty dry.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
These bushes created a pretty narrow walkway over by Imagination.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Really working to get people over into the Epcot Experience area.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Over at The Seas, a sign was replaced, revealing some pretty exciting aesthetics.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Yes, that font should look familiar, as should the old Living Seas logo! So happy to see the old EPCOT logos returning to the park.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
It looks great, and we can’t wait to see more of this return throughout the park.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Inside The Land, you can get a free chocolate sample during Food and Wine.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
The temporary Character Spot looks, well, temporary.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
A new permanent restroom facility is being installed where the porta-potties were stationed during New Year’s Eve.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
The rock work in Canada is getting some TLC and it looks great.

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, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Let’s head to the UK!

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
No sign of Cherry Tree Lane . . .  yet.
, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
New signage including the Skyliner.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

 

 

 

 

 

 

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of EpcotSome views on the pathway that will lead to the Ratatouille attraction in France., Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
There is a temporary Guest Relations booth near the Beach Club walkway.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Impressions de France is currently closed to add the Beauty and the Beast singalong to the theater.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Current view of the path that will lead to Ratatouille.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
The gallery in Morocco is currently closed while a new installation is constructed.

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, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
Not much to see of the new BBQ restaurant being added to the American Adventure.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
There isn’t much going on in Italy.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
There is a large crane behind Germany, no idea what it is for.

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot , Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot


MiceChat WDW Invasion . . . Come Join Us: 

Join Dusty and me, and a whole lot of other MiceChatters for a trip to Disney World this week! We’ll eat our way through the Food & Wine Festival and do all the Halloween things: 

Mickey’s Halloween Party – October 17, 2019

Join us for the Magic Kingdom’s Halloween Party. The MiceChat group will meet up early and then head off together for parades, fireworks, and some trick-or-treating. Click the link to our Facebook event page (HERE) and let us know if you’ll be joining us.  

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

MiceChat Sip and Nibble – October 18, 2019

If you haven’t done a Sip and Nibble with us, it’s time you do. We’ve found the best way to visit Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. We take turns buying bites and drinks from each of the festival kiosks and share with the group. It’s a great way to try everything without breaking the bank. It’s also a fantastic day of friendship and fun.  Let us know if you’ll be joining us on our Food and Wine Festival Event Page (HERE)

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot

 

Halloween Horror Nights Meetup – October 19, 2019

Are you up for more of a Halloween challenge? We absolutely love Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. There’s safety in numbers, so help muffle Dusty’s screams and join us for a meetup at one of the country’s top haunts.  More information (HERE)

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot


Disney World Tickets & Travel 

, Disneyland Update – Announcement Overload Therapy

MiceChat and our partners at Get Away Today offer you amazing savings on Disney tickets and travel from coast to coast! 

Get The Deals:

There are a lot of great things coming up . . . Halloween, Christmas, the opening of Rise of the Resistance, Food & Wine Festival, and more. Lock in the savings now!


THANK YOU FOR READING

, Dateline Disney World – Moving Towards the Future of Epcot
That does it for this week’s update!

Wow, there is a lot to discuss about Epcot in the months to come. So many changes! Do you like what they are doing in the front of the park? Excited to experience Ratatouille? Will you ride the Skyliner after its incident last week? Let us know in the comments below.

We also started a Patreon page for the Dateline Disney World column. If you appreciate what we do and would like to support us, here’s the link:

Become a Patron!

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you in the parks!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.