On September 8, 2019, we saw many closures at Epcot to make way for construction for the reimagined Epcot that will be ready in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2021. After one side of the Epcot Character Spot closed, Mickey moved to a temporary location with Goofy and Minnie. Disney has announced a new and exciting location for Mickey.
The exciting transformation of Epcot has begun, with groundbreaking attractions and other unforgettable experiences debuting in the coming months and years. Among them will be new places to meet and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse himself!
Mickey will soon be making appearances in a new location at the Imagination! pavilion, as part of the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival. Just inside the entrance, you’ll discover Mickey greeting his fans and celebrating his on-screen stardom.
Mickey’s imagination has led to a career in the movies for 90 years and counting, featuring roles in dozens of short films such as “Get A Horse” which you can enjoy as part of the festival. Look for Mickey to arrive at the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival in early 2020!
Disney After Hours is a special after regular hours ticketed event similar to the Halloween and Christmas parties and is a great way to experience the park after dark.
Unlike those parties, which are very busy, Disney After Hours allows you to enjoy the parks with very small crowds, little to no wait on attractions, and complimentary treats and drinks. These events have grown in popularity and Disney has added more dates to the calendar for these events.
Attention fans of our Disney After Hours events: there are now more event dates to choose from in 2020 at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In addition to the dates already available at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, even more events will be available so you can be a part of these special nighttime experiences on select nights:
Magic Kingdom Park
January 17, 20
January 23, 27 & 31 – NEW
February 3, 10, 17 & 24 – NEW
March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 – NEW
April 5, 13, 20 & 27 – NEW
May 5, 11, 18 & 25 – NEW
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
January 9, 16, 22 and 30, 2020
February 6, 13, 19 and 27, 2020
March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2020
April 1, 7, 14 & 22 – NEW
May 2, 9, 16, 19 & 26 – NEW
These specially ticketed experiences occur after the gates close for the night, extending access to favorite attractions and providing you with more opportunities to have magical experiences. Your event ticket also allows you early entry into the park, beginning at 7 p.m.
For three fun-filled nighttime hours, when you purchase your ticket for each park, you can have exclusive access with lower wait times for favorite attractions, plus receive complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages.
We are huge fans of barbecue so we are super excited for the all-new fast-casual barbecue restaurant that’s coming soon at The American Adventure in Epcot. Disney has released some items on the menu along with some tantalizing photos of the dishes. We can’t wait to check this place out. Get all the details below.
Get ready to chow down on some good ol’ classic American barbecue with Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, coming to Epcot this winter! This new fast-casual barbecue experience at The American Adventure will offer up classic American backyard barbecue from around the United States as well as a variety of home-style craft brews.
On the menu are a variety of sandwiches and platters as well as a plant-based option. Chow down on a sliced Texas beef brisket sandwich with house-made spicy mop sauce on garlic toast or the South Carolina smoked sausage sandwich with tangy mustard sauce and caramelized onions.
You can also feast on Kansas City smoked chicken, Memphis dry-rub pork ribs, North Carolina chopped smoked pork butt, all available by themselves or as part of a delicious hearty platter. For a lighter option, you can grab the Power Greens Salad with chilled pulled chicken, fresh citrus, and a citrus vinaigrette. And if you’re looking for an all-American burger, try the grilled burger topped with BBQ pork and a fried onion ring or take a bite out of the plant-based BBQ burger featuring a plant-based patty topped with BBQ jackfruit served on vegan garlic toast.
Of course, if you’re like me, you’ll enjoy slathering your entrée in a delicious barbecue sauce. Sauces include a spicy mop sauce, sweet BBQ, tangy mustard, and a vinegar-based sauce. The side items include your classic barbecue complements like french fries, beer-battered onion rings, mac and cheese, baked beans with burnt ends, house-made pickles, and creamy slaw.
Kids can enjoy their own fun-sized bites including a burger, BBQ chicken salad, BBQ chicken leg or chicken salad, and even a BBQ rib platter, all served with their choice of two sides.
And finally, satisfy your sweet tooth with a delectable dessert like banana pudding or a s’mores brownie as well as a cup of fresh watermelon garnished with torn mint – YUM.
All-American beverage offerings will include a selection of beer and cider from around the country, wines from the west coast, and specialty regional cocktails with and without alcohol. Coca-Cola® fountain beverages will also be available to quench your thirst. You’ll also get to enjoy an outdoor bar pouring your favorite craft brews on draft, and the outdoor seating area will be a great place to sit back and sip on a Tennessee Lemonade Cocktail or a non-alcoholic Berry Sparkler!
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will open this winter at The American Adventure at Epcot. For more information visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or check out the My Disney Experience mobile app.
Combined, Chad and I have run over 70 runDisney races and we are always looking forward to the next one! Get ready to be a running rock star because runDisney has released the 2020-2021 race calendar along with registration opening dates, AND runDisney has announced a new race! Catch all the details below.
Here are all the details from a Disney cast member;
“Whether you’re ready to experience the magic of your first runDisney event, or are gearing up for your fiftieth race, you can start planning now because runDisney just revealed the 2020-2021 race season schedule and on-sale dates.
With entertainment, beloved characters, and Disney magic at every mile, runDisney races are memorable experiences for runners of all ages and skill levels. They’re also the only opportunity for runners and Disney fans alike to run through the Walt Disney World Resort, with the Walt Disney World Marathon taking runners through all four theme parks!
Want the thrill of a runDisney event from home? Sign up for the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon and runDisney Virtual Series, allowing you to run, jog, or walk through your neighborhood or on a treadmill to earn exclusive medals and a finisher certificate.
This year we’re also excited to announce a new international event, Disneyland Paris Princess Run, joining the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend as another magical runDisney event at Disneyland Paris.”
Check out the on-sale and race weekend dates for each runDisney event in 2020-2021 below. Be sure to mark your calendars and lace up your running shoes!
As we have been reporting, Walt Disney World has added new plant-based dishes to the menus at many of the restaurants around property and in its parks (Hollywood Studios, Epcot, & Magic Kingdom) . These dishes are made with a variety of different ingredients including vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds and legumes without any products including animal meat, dairy, eggs or honey. There are more than 400 different delicious items to choose from across Walt Disney World and we have a look at some of the delicious new items below, thanks to Disney Parks Blog.
(Top) Panna Connie’s Congo Lime Delight from Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen at Magic KingdomPark – Tasty lime ‘panna cotta,’ served with mango-lime sorbet, fresh fruit and a Brazil nut cookie.
Marrakesh Falafel Platter from The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – This delicious plate features falafel alongside creamy hummus, soy yogurt, tabbouleh and a cucumber-tomato salad – and don’t forget the pita bread!
Chocolate Mint Financier from Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk – This tempting chocolate financier is accompanied by a creamy frozen mint scoop.
Lavender Donuts from California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Don’t miss these delightful lavender donuts with blueberry gin jam, pistachio crumble and blueberry “faux yo” (plant-based frozen yogurt)!
Chickpea Panisse from Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park – Crispy chickpea panisse, tomato jam, roasted carrots, chermoula-spiced garbanzos and chive powder make this dish fit for royalty.
Loaded Slaw Dog from Casey’s Corner at Magic Kingdom Park – You can’t go wrong with this plant-based sausage, topped with pickled slaw, barbecue vegan aioli and roasted corn relish – plus your choice of french fries or apple slices.
Quinoa Salad from Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Served with dried fruit and fresh herbs, this salad makes for a tasty snack any time of day!
Le Fou Festin Breakfast from Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park – Get your day started with this spread of plant-based eggs, sausage and bacon served with breakfast potatoes and fresh fruit.
