This week changes at EPCOT as Illuminations ends and the temporary show EPCOT Forever begins, the EPCOT Experience center opens, Early Morning Magic returns to Magic Kingdom and new enhancements are revealed for the Disney Wonder. Here is a look at some of the biggest stories of the week around the Diz Planet.
After a dazzling 20-year run, we bid a fond farewell to “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot on September 30. Begun as part of the Millennium Celebration, which started in October 1999, this nighttime spectacular has touched the hearts and minds of millions of guests over the past two decades.
Across the canvas of a darkened sky, the new “Epcot Forever” nighttime spectacular premiered October 1 at Walt Disney World Resort celebrating the past, present and future of Epcot. The new show is a showcase of soaring fireworks, inspiring music, lasers and colorful glowing kites flying above and around the park’s World Showcase Lagoon.
“Epcot Forever” exemplifies the park’s founding principles – innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration. Children sing of “one little spark of inspiration” as guests marvel at fireworks that pinwheel, corkscrew and explode in giant aerial starbursts. As colorful pyrotechnics dance across the heavens, the Epcot story plays out to a grand orchestral soundtrack. Noted conductor and composer Don Harper produced new arrangements of classic Epcot tunes to thread through the show.
“Epcot Forever” is set to perform into 2020, leading to the park’s next nighttime spectacular, “HarmonioUS.”
Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience opened October 1 in the Odyssey Events Pavilion (located between Test Track and the Mexico pavilion). This engaging and immersive new space is the first in-depth look at the historic transformation underway across the park. The Epcot Experience blends cutting-edge technology and fun, personal moments to create an environment that honors everything you love about the park.
Inside, you’re surrounded by a seamless, 360-degree, floor-to-ceiling screen showing a continuous 12-minute film with vignettes about new experiences coming to the park. All the while, a three-dimensional artfully designed model in the center of the room appears to change in time with the film, as projection-mapping technology highlights different areas of the park in special ways.
The Epcot Experience also features new dimensional photo locations – including a scene where it looks like you’re standing atop the Spaceship Earth geosphere – historical artifacts on display, and attraction posters from throughout the park’s history. This place is a must-see!
Disney Early Morning Magic at Magic Kingdom Park is returning with new dates for this year and next!
Starting on November 13, 2019, you can enjoy limited-entry, early access to favorite attractions throughout Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park and also have a delicious breakfast. That’s the start of a perfect morning if you ask me!
Some of the returning attractions are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Princess Fairytale Hall, “it’s a small world”, Mad Tea Party, and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid.
Your morning will also include breakfast at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café that comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, pancakes, assorted pastries and more. Breakfast runs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and exclusive event-only access to the attractions lasts from 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Disney Early Morning Magic requires a separate reservation – $89 for adults and $79 for children (regular theme park admission is required). Admission will be limited, so be sure to book your reservation as soon as possible!
This week, the Disney Wonder set sail and delighted our guests with a collection of brand-new enhancements! The centerpiece of the beautiful and exciting changes throughout the ship was unveiled — French Quarter Lounge. Here, the wonderful world of Princess Tiana comes to life in new ways with the addition of this New Orleans-themed lounge that transports guests deeper into the heart of the city’s iconic French Quarter.
Inspired by the Disney animated feature “The Princess and the Frog,” the French Quarter Lounge is the perfect complement to Tiana’s Place Restaurant, which is just steps away on the Disney Wonder. The jazzy lounge invites guests deeper into the story.
Each evening at the French Quarter Lounge, guests can enjoy live music on the lounge’s gazebo stage, sip a New Orleans-themed specialty drink and dance the night away.
The French Quarter Lounge is designed as a whimsical outdoor space in New Orleans featuring decorative details like a storefront window with a wrought-iron balcony above. If you’re a fan of “The Princess and the Frog,” you’ll notice that the hats in the display are inspired by hats worn by your favorite characters in the film.
Throughout the lounge, other inspired details include a full-sized streetcar on the St. Charles line – the same trolley that Tiana rides in the film. Authentic wooden bench seating creates a cozy place to sit, listen to music and experience the ambiance. Step aboard the handsome streetcar which is the picture-perfect spot for your family memories.
The bar is a focal part of the lounge with New Orleans-style wrought-iron adornments and shutters. In addition to offering specialty cocktails, nonalcoholic beverages and coffees, the bar also displays elements inspired by the popular character, Dr. Facilier. A mural on the wall is painted with Dr. Facilier’s shadow and his business card from the film – another cool photo spot! A door in the area is based on the entrance to Dr. Facilier’s shop, with signage and three flickering “candles” overhead.
The story continues all day long in the French Quarter Lounge with New Orleans-themed family activities, trivia, character meet-and-greets and music that bring the bayou spirit of family gatherings and fun to life.
Elsewhere on the Disney Wonder, adults have a reimagined space all their own in Cove Café, an exclusive retreat redesigned as a coffee shop for world travelers, complete with warm, comfortable and trendy décor.
With ample, seating and ocean views, Cove Café is the perfect place to sip a specialty coffee or tea throughout the day, and indulge in wine or a cocktail and light bites during the evening hours. Just steps away, the adjacent Signals Bar has also received an update with a similar look.
Vibe, the space on the ship reserved for teens ages 14-17, has transformed into a contemporary place to hang out with friends while at sea. The club has a timeless feel with an open, bright redesign that includes framed quotes on the walls, a light color palette and metal work. A new coffee bar and updated virtual reality technology add to the list of activities just for teens.
Aboard the Disney Wonder, you can experience a variety of itineraries and ports of call throughout the year including Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, Caribbean and Bahamas. For the first time, the Disney Wonder will also call New Orleans home in 2020 with Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from this new home port beginning Feb. 7. And just announced, the Disney Wonder will be returning to New Orleans in early 2021.
You’re “Almost There!” Are you ready to experience the reimagined Disney Wonder that’s “Down in New Orleans” just like Princess Tiana?