A quick Walt Disney World roundup is coming your way. First, we visit Magic Kingdom the day after Hurricane Ian tore through Central Florida. We’ll survey the scene and share how the parks look after this massive storm. Then, we celebrate EPCOTs 40 years of innovation…
Magic Kingdom post-Hurricane Ian
All four Walt Disney World theme parks opened within one day of Hurricane Ian leaving the area. Walt Disney World resort fared really well, with no real notable damage. Entering the Magic Kingdom, noticeably missing is the 50th cake between Mickey and Minnie which was removed to protect it from the storm.
Walking around Magic Kingdom it was hard to see any signs of the storm. Main Street is looking pretty waiting on the parade to start. 
Cinderella’s Castle is glistening with blue skies during Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fare. With few exceptions, Magic Kingdom opened like any other day, even if it was a little later start to the day. Resort guests also enjoyed extended morning hours before opening to the public. 
Our first stop was a trip on the Jungle Cruise. While not opening with the park, it was ready to ride early afternoon. We were lucky enough to be walking by and jump on the first cruise of the day.
Other than a significant amount of fallen leaves and small branches throughout the attraction, all was well. The alligator didn’t seem to mind the debris collecting around his tail. 
Next, we took a quick visit to Tom Sawyer Island to explore. Just waiting for Liberty Square Riverboat to pass by.
Debris consisting of mostly fallen leaves had been swept off the pathways. Tom Sawyer Island was fully accessible with the exception of Fort Langhorn. The suspension bridge leading to the fort remained closed. 
Most of the restaurants had walk-up availability due to the lower crowds from canceled vacations. The flags of the thirteen original Colonies had yet to return. 
Over in Fantasyland the banners in front of Princess Fairytale Hall were still secured. in preparation for the storm. 
Cast Members had games out to play from ring toss to hula hoops. Even the ducks were out and about looking for a stray piece of popcorn. 
The only real signs you could see of the storm were the lanterns on this signage, which had been blown askew.
When we left the park in the late afternoon, the only ride remaining unopen was Pirates of the Caribbean. While some of the resorts had partial closures, most have now completely reopened. The exception is Fort Wilderness, which remains closed with no reopening date. The Ticket and Transportation Center has become a temporary home for any campers’ vehicles that are continuing their stay while Fort Wilderness remains closed. Guests staying in both the campsites and cabins have been moved to other resorts.
all in all, Walt Disney World escaped the worst of the storm.
EPCOT Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation
With no mention of EPCOT turning 40 at the D23 Expo, it seemed as though the milestone might have gone by without much fanfare. But there was some special EPCOT 40th anniversary merchandise and treats.
EPCOT opened on October 1, 1982. There have been many changes throughout the years, with more in the not-too-distant future. But this celebration seemed to be more about the merchandise than a celebration of EPCOT, with one exception. 
The Anniversary Ceremony was held at the America Gardens Theater. Mariachi Cobre and the Voices of Liberty, both opening day shows, performed. The Disney World Ambassadors celebrating Cast Members and Kartika Rodriguez spoke of her love of EPCOT.
The EPCOT 49th merchandise located in the Creations Shop is off to the left, but guests were directed to enter the queues from the opposite side of the park. The queue wrapped around the construction walls at times reaching all the way around near the Land pavilion. 
To say that Disney didn’t disappoint is an understatement in the merchandise department. So many great options, from shirts to pins, day of limited editions, and a plethora of Figment merchandise. 
Check out all the EPCOT 40th Merchandise here.
FIRST LOOK: NEW EPCOT 40th Anniversary Merchandise Now Available!
World Showcase Lagoon Harmonious barges sported a colorful EPCOT 40 logo instead of the normal blend into the background waves. But the biggest gift for the 40th anniversary is that this eyesore could be erased when Harmonious is replaced next year. EPCOT, a park dedicated to imagination and innovation, deserves a technology that is fully hidden during the day and transforms at night. If Disney California Adventure, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Sea can all figure out how to use technology properly for their nighttime lagoon spectaculars, so can EPCOT… or… give us back a version of Illuminations… a show that got it mostly right!
Specialty food and drink items are available through October 3rd at various locations. Some of the options include the Figment Sponge Cake at Sunshine Seasons. As well as the EPCOT 40th Liege Waffle is available at the Connections Cafe and at Choza de Margarita a 40th Fiesta margarita with a souvenir cup.
The Beacon of Light shows on Spaceship Earth have been a huge hit in the past year with special shows for the different festivals. A special tribute show features EPCOTs past attractions with a brief audio clip of Walt himself. Once again, Spaceship Earth didn’t disappoint.
As guests left the parks, they were handed a commemorative EPCOT 40 poster. Simple with reflective sheen producing rainbows even in the low light.
Walt Disney World was lucky compared to the other Orlando area theme parks, which had greater difficulties with damages and delayed openings. But it is business as usual with no obvious sign that Hurricane Ian came as close as it did to the parks.
What do you think of the EPCOT 40th celebration? Will you be clamoring for celebration merchandise? Did the special Beacon of Light show make the mark?
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More Disney World News
There’s some good news on the horizon for Walt Disney World… and a bit of disappointment as well. Get caught up on the projects and new attractions confirmed for the parks, as well as the things which are no longer mentioned… Oh, and some really crazy teasing about attractions that aren’t very likely to happen at all…
Walt Disney World – New Villains Land, Zootopia, Figment, and More!