Find Your ‘Happily Ever After’ Before It’s Gone
We already knew that two new nighttime presentations were coming to Walt Disney World this October. However, Disney had one more surprise up its sleeve.
Let’s talk about that and the return of several attractions you’ve missed! Plus, we’ve got some news about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, too.
Well, That Was Fast
As a Disney fan, I’m confident that you watched Wishes many times at Magic Kingdom.
Conversely, if you haven’t visited Walt Disney World since May of 2017, you’ve already missed your chance at its replacement.
Disney had previously confirmed the debut of Disney Enchantment, the nighttime show that will debut on October 1st.
This fireworks presentation will punctuate the days celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. It’ll apparently last 18 months.
The surprising part involves the fate of the show it replaces. Of course, we’d known or at least expected that EPCOT Forever would end with the advent of Harmonious on October 1st.
Disney has now stated so. It’ll perform for the last time on September 28th. But, shockingly, the company also declared that Happily Ever After ends forever on September 29th.
Wishes ran for 14 years at Magic Kingdom. So, this turn of events is definitely unexpected. If you’re a fan of the show, you have 10 weeks to watch it one last time.
On the Plus Side…
Disney may have taken away some stuff this fall, but it’s also ready to bring back some of your favorites.
With the Polynesian finishing its refurbishment, hotel management brought back the final missing piece at the Great Ceremonial House.
Yes, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace have reopened. They’ve got new menus, too. Here’s SuperEnthused on day one:
Disney modified the backstory of Trader Sam, who has switched from headshrinker to roaming adventurer.
Now, Sam sells Zombies instead of Shrunken Zombie Heads. Neither one sounds like something you should be drinking, though.
PS: While you’re visiting the Poly, try the Moana Dole Whip that’s only available for a limited time. It has a waffle cone for a hat!
Park Updates Aplenty
Disney just indicated that the President Joe Biden Audio-Animatronic is nearly ready. So, the Hall of Presidents can reopen at some point soon, possibly in late August.
After the 2016 election, Disney needed roughly a year to add the President Donald Trump Audio-Animatronic, which means the conversion schedule is approximately the same.
Rumors persist that Disney may sidestep all future political controversies by turning Hall of Presidents into a different kind of show. However, the new updated version will operate for at least a couple of years.
On a less incendiary subject, Cavalcades are apparently here to stay. Disney recently confirmed a Magic Kingdom one during the 50th birthday party.
Now, digital displays and My Disney Experience have added Cavalcade show updates. Ergo, they’re no longer random, allowing you to plan for them a bit.
As someone who actually prefers Cavalcades to full parades, I’m ecstatic about this news.
Magic Kingdom has even more going for it, though. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor will reopen on August 8th, providing a much-needed show option on this side of the park.
Similarly, Disney has revealed the return dates for Turtle Talk with Crush at EPCOT and Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage comes back on August 15th, with Turtle Talk coming back on August 21st.
One additional show per park should help with wait times everywhere, buying Disney a bit more time to decide what to do with FastPasses.
In other, weirder EPCOT news, the Restaurant Marrakesh space has opened at the Morocco pavilion…just without food. Instead, it’s currently a seating area.
Also, the park has added new contactless trashcans, proving that they weren’t just a pandemic concession.
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