From water park reopenings, EPCOT festivals, additions to Magic Kingdom, and pondering a new view, we’ve got a massive WDW news drop coming your way! Keep all arms and legs inside the update, it’s a wild ride…
Blizzard Beach Preparing to Reopen
The first of two WDW water parks will reopen on Sunday, March 7th, after [almost] one full year of closure. Cast Members have been working very hard to prepare the park for guests while implementing safety measures for the current environment. We were fortunate enough to spend some pre-opening time at Blizzard Beach, let’s see how things are looking!
Blizzard Beach is the same park we know and love, with a few new health and safety modifications.
Disney’s normal face-covering policy applies to most areas of the park. However, masks will not be allowed in the water or on slides (in alignment with CDC recommendations).
Groups and pairs of lounge chairs are placed 6+ feet apart, and signs instruct guests not to move them. How well do you think that will go?
To make things easier, Mobile Ordering will be available via the My Disney Experience app for all three quick-service locations: Lottawata Lodge, AvaLunch, and the Warming Hut. Snack carts (including those to-die-for mini donuts) will also be available.
Social-distancing reminders are sprinkled throughout the park:
The park is looking beautiful! Cross Country Creek Lazy River is calling my name…
Of course, along with Blizzard Beach’s reopening comes new merch!
No word yet on Typhoon Lagoon, but Blizzard Beach is ready to make a splash.
What’s New at EPCOT?
Flora & Fauna & Food
Spring has sprung at EPCOT! The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival kicked off on March 3rd, and continues through July 5th; a full four months of flavors and florals.
Disney invited us to check out some highlights of the festival, including favorite dishes, drinks, and new merchandise collections. We’ll definitely be visiting this festival again and again throughout its 4-month long run. Here’s what we’ve discovered so far. . .
Once inside World Showplace, the park’s current festival center, there are three “indoor” kitchens: Festival Favorites, Cider House, and EPCOT Farmers Feast (new this year, with a rotating menu throughout the festival, featuring the season’s freshest offerings).
Festival Favorites showcases the best of the fest, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your tastebuds here.
The stacked Beef Brisket Pork Belly Slider with garlic sausage, chorizo, cheddar fondue, and house-made pickle is… do we really have to say? Just look at it. It’s a meat lover’s dream!
The Fried Green Tomatoes dish is a great option for crab-lovers. The freshness of the Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, remoulade, and smoked paprika oil balances out the breaded and fried tomato.
One of my personal festival favorites… give it up for the Watermelon Salad! Perfectly crisp and juicy watermelon squares, pickled onions, feta, and balsamic reduction. A relatively simple dish, sure. But this is a theme park salad done right. Two more, please!
Last up from Festival Favorites is the Key Lime Tart with toasted meringue. I’m not usually a huge fan of sweet festival tarts, but this one had the perfect textures and taste. I was transported to Key West for a quick moment…
From the Cider House booth, the flight is a must-try! All three of these are light and fruity. From left to right: 3 Daughters Brewing Pink Lemonade Hard Cider, Bold Rock Watermelon Hard Cider, Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Triple Jam Hard Cider (this was my favorite of the three!).
Also at Cider House is the House-made potato and cheddar biscuit with salmon tartare. This is a decently-sized snack, as it’s very filling. If you love salmon, this does the trick. I also feel like the biscuit’s taste has really improved from previous versions.
The Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with whipped cream was my only disappointment of the day – the tart itself was very dense but unfortunately dry. The raspberry and white chocolate topping were nice, though!
New this year is EPCOT Farmers Feast, featuring a rotating menu with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. You won’t find these selections in the pre-printed festival passport since they will be changing frequently. Here are the current offerings!
Off the “Beet” en Path: Profiteroles with red beet mousse, golden beet pastry cream, whipped goat cheese cream, and candied walnuts. Each bite is soft, lightly sweet, and flavorful, while the goat cheese adds a hint of savory. I’d order this again with a friend… one or two were enough for me to continue on the food journey!
Next, the Duck Confit with carrot purée, roasted root vegetables, rainbow chard, and duck jus is a great dish. The duck is cooked well and the skin is nice and crispy.
The Spring Onion Soup with crispy shallots and micro chive is a nice accompaniment to the duck confit. It’s a tasty option for the few cooler Florida spring days ahead!
This last dish can be found at Trowel & Trellis, the IMPOSSIBLE-sponsored outdoor kitchen in Showcase Plaza. The IMPOSSIBLE Sausage and Kale Soup may not look all that appealing, but this was my favorite dish I had all day. The flavors are fabulous and were a nice bowl of comfort on a cool day. For those that are curious, you really can’t tell the spicy sausage is plant-based!
Festival-exclusive merchandise can be found around the park. TIP: you’ll find the full collections at the World Showplace!
Here’s “Minnie in Full Bloom” (including new Dooney & Bourke bags shown farther down) and “Figment’s Home Grown Happiness”:
I have a feeling this blossoming Spaceship Earth bowl will be very popular!
Commemorative pins and gift cards:
The “Sweet as Honey” items feature Spike the Bee, and the Orange Bird has received his own lineup of goods:
This year’s scavenger hunt, Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration, wins you one of four festival-themed melamine plates. What great prizes!
What’s the Flower & Garden Festival without topiaries? Food & Wine? I digress… Here are a few of the topiaries we encountered on our brief visit:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – this fest truly breathes life into EPCOT. The flower beds have bloomed, the topiaries look neat and pretty, and even some areas under construction are photogenic!
Speaking of Innoventions West construction – this wall graphic is new, pin-pointing the future location Journey of Water (inspired by Moana) across from the Seas.
Entrance Area Transformation
Just a few days ago, as part of EPCOT’s ongoing transformation, brand new flags representing the park’s pavilions have been raised into the air near the entrance.
The 6 flags on either side of the fountain represent Test Track, Imagination, Spaceship Earth, The Seas, The Land, and World Showcase.
Between the new prism fountain, updated landscaping, and pavilion flags, it truly feels like we’ve stepped back into 1982.
I may feel reluctant when it comes to bringing more intellectual properties into the park’s attractions and nighttime show, but I am all in for this beautiful and nostalgic entrance. What do you think of the entrance area’s overall transformation?
Along with the pavilion flags (which I’m WAY too excited about), a new soundtrack can now be heard throughout the main entrance area. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with EPCOT’s Future World and Innoventions area music. I’m glad to say the new playlist does NOT disappoint. Have a listen!
That’s not all! A brand new lighting package was recently installed along the rim of the entrance plaza – color-coordinating ribbon lighting vibrantly illuminates, synchronized with the fountain’s lighting.
Just imagine how dreamy this entire area will be after Spaceship Earth receives its “Beacon of Magic” makeover for the 50th anniversary. I can’t wait!
Piecing Together Harmonious
The centerpiece ring for Harmonious has made its way onto World Showcase Lagoon. Why does this feel like a prop from a sci-fi film to me?
The ring is installed on a platform, which will serve as the new show’s centerpiece, standing at six stories tall. It’s pretty hard to miss! The ring and platform feature a high-density water curtain, moving lights, moving fountains, and more.
According to Imagineer Zach Riddley, once complete, the lagoon will feature a total of five platforms positioned like a compass.
All five platforms will sit permanently on World Showcase Lagoon, and will soon debut as daytime fountains to alleviate the massive sightline obstructor.
Harmonious is set to premiere sometime this year. At this point, we can’t wait for any nighttime show to return or debut!
“Make Way” for New Rooms at the Polynesian
Disney released a sneak peek at the reimagined Moana-themed rooms at the Polynesian Village Resort!
The revamped rooms feature a new color palette inspired by the Pacific Ocean islands, all-new furnishings and fixtures, and plenty of themed elements surrounding the story of Moana. Look closely and you’ll spot a few characters!
These modernized rooms really look fabulous. The carved details, tropical patterns, textures, and colors work really well for the resort while incorporating a few whimsical touches of Moana and friends. What do you think? Tempted to book a stay? Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is now accepting reservations beginning late July 2021!
WDW Celebrates Women’s History Month
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Walt Disney World has put together a showcase called “Celebrate HER Story” at Disney Springs, featuring women-owned businesses and Disney artists (such as the iconic Mary Blair). See how they’re celebrating:
Celebrate HER Story at Walt Disney World for Women’s History Month
Magic Kingdom Meanderings
This week, we spent the afternoon in Magic Kingdom, let’s see what’s new!
The Main Street Train Station is currently undergoing refurbishment and hiding behind a printed scrim:
It’s always a good day when you’re taking in this view! *Inhale, exhale*
A character cavalcade! Goofy, Max, and friends encourage all to wave and dance around:
Cinderella Castle is looking extra vibrant and shiny on this clear day.
The moat surrounding Cinderella Castle has been drained in preparation for the 50th-anniversary additions:
The concept for Cinderella Caste’s anniversary decor includes extra gilded touches and bunting, along with a large 50th crest.
The castle stage is also undergoing refurbishment and is in clear view of guests walking up to the castle:
Making our way through Adventureland…
A new Instagram-worthy mural has cropped up on the left side of Sunshine Tree Terrace. Perfect for those Citrus Swirl selfies! (Hot tip: wait until the later afternoon hours to avoid those harsh shadows…)
In Frontierland, the Liberty Belle Riverboat is finally back and chugging along!
I can’t visit Magic Kingdom and not visit Tomorrowland. Not only for a quick ride through Space Mountain but to check in on TRON construction!
Best grab our speedway license for the best views…
While it may be a while until we can actually see the inside TRON Lightcycle Run, we can see quite a bit of the exterior from the Tomorrowland Speedway!
The canopy construction is nearing completion, while more of the temporary support beams are being dismantled.
TRON was previously announced to open in time for WDW’s 50th-anniversary (October 1st of this year). But with the impact of last year’s closures, Disney had to shift the budget and prioritize other projects, forcing the new Magic Kingdom coaster to be delayed. Fingers crossed for a 2022 opening?
You can’t tell in a photo, but the PeopleMover is still not… moving. Thankfully, maintenance has been actively working on the attraction for the last few months so it’s not a lost cause. The PeopleMover’s refurbishment schedule has now been extended several times. Currently, WDW’s refurbishment calendar states the beloved “Blue Line” is closed through April 3rd, 2021.
Overall, our weekday afternoon visit wasn’t terribly busy. Attraction wait times averaged between 30-60 minutes, and there were plenty of wide-open spaces to really enjoy the park. And look at that sky!
Before leaving, we stopped in the Emporium for a look at the new adorable Jerrod Maruyama x Disney Parks home goods collection. (The cuteness dropped at Disneyland last month, and finally made its way to Orlando!)
Cute. Cute. Cute. I can’t say it enough. This collection is the bee’s knees and I NEED MORE.
The collection is available at all four parks’ main gift shops and Marketplace Co-Op in Disney Springs.
On our way out, Piglet, Eeyore, and Rabbit wish us a TTFN… ta-ta for now!
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Let’s Hear From You!
Thanks for joining along this week! We’ll be back with more Disney World goodness soon, including more Flower & Garden Festival fun. Is there anything specific you’d like us to try or cover? We’re taking requests! Now, let’s hear your thoughts below on all the projects we covered above.
