Since Disney’s Port Orleans Resort is one of the resorts to remain closed during Walt Disney World’s phased reopening, many Disney Cast Members have been let go from their positions. One iconic Disney “character” was Port Orleans entertainer, Yehaa Bob Jackson. As we previously shared, after 23 years with Walt Disney World, Bob was let go. But… this doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy his tunes! That’s right, Yehaa Bob will host a virtual New Year’s Eve party so we can tune in.
As shared via Bob Jackson’s Facebook page: “Join us right here tomorrow night (Dec. 31) at 11pm EST for a virtual NYE party! We’re saving you a front-row seat. C’mon, and join us!!”
While it might not be the same as experiencing Yehaa Bob Jackson at River Roost Lounge, we’ll take what we can get! Anyone else planning on pouring a drink and finishing out 2020 with Bob?
October 1st, 2021 will be Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary and we are super excited for all that will be coming in 2021 to bring in the celebration. Although there is still a lot that is unknown, there are many restaurants, rides and entertainment that we can’t wait to experience in 2021. We have what you need to know about the 50th right now.
1. Get Park Reservations
As of right now, guests wanting to celebrate the 50th need to have a park reservation. Currently, Walt Disney World is using their park reservation system to help monitor crowds. Once guests have an active ticket, they are able to make their park reservations through the My Disney Experience site. This is super important as currently the parks are still at 35% capacity limiting how many park reservations are available. We are hopeful that by October 2021 we might see the parks back to more normal; however, it is super important to have those reservations just in case.
2. Expect Crowds
No matter what the park capacity is by fall of 2021 you can expect crowds to be high. So many fans are going to want to celebrate the magic which will guarantee larger than normal crowds. Make sure to think about this when making plans. Get those park reservations and dining reservations made when the time comes to ensure you get into the places that you want to experience. Also, make sure to have an overall plan when heading into the parks. This will allow you to be ahead of the crowd and have a magical experience.
3. Opening Up of Resorts
Walt Disney World is slowly opening their resorts up and we are excited that by the 50th anniversary most resorts will be back open and welcoming guests to the magic. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will open March 22nd, Disney’s Beach Club Resort will be opened starting May 30th and Wilderness Lodge will be opening back up June 6th. Disney announced that Disney’s Polynesian would remain closed until summer 2021 as it undergoes refurbishment. This resort will be getting updated rooms and a new look as they bring in Moana touches throughout the resort. We are so excited to see this resort once it opens back up.
4. New Rides
With the anticipation of the 50th Anniversary, Disney has been preparing by creating and designing brand-new state-of-the-art rides. Although we haven’t seen specific premier dates, we are hopeful some of these new rides will welcome guests in 2021 either before or during the anniversary celebration.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: In EPCOT, many are excited for the new trackless ride featuring Remy. This ride will shrink guests to the size of a rat as they travel through the kitchen of Gusto’s. This ride was scheduled to open in summer of 2020; however, when the parks closed this got pushed back. We are hopeful we will see this ride start to welcome guests soon.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Comic Rewind: Also, in EPCOT, guests will find the new ride in Future World featuring Guardians of the Galaxy. This ride will be the first to have a reverse launch and ride vehicles that move and rotate guests so they are constantly facing the action. This is sure to bring fun and thrills to EPCOT.
TRON: In Magic Kingdom, guests have been watching as TRON has been built over the last few years. This amazing coaster is highly anticipated and we can’t wait to experience it here in the US hopefully during the anniversary celebrations.
Thrills and excitement is sure to come with these rides and we are hopeful that we will be able to enjoy them for the 50th anniversary.
5. Opening of New Restaurants
One of the best parts of a Disney vacation is the outstanding meals. We are thrilled to have new options coming in 2021 hopefully in time for the 50th anniversary. In EPCOT we are hopeful that both Space 220 as well as the new creperie will be opened. These two dining experiences are sure to offer great dining options as well as unique dining experiences. Space 220 will take guests high above the Earth for views that are truly out of this world. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we are looking forward to the opening of Woody’s Roundup Rodeo. Located in Toy Story Land, this restaurant shrinks guests to the size of a toy and allows them to enjoy dining in a “family style” environment. Although we don’t know a lot about the menus for these dining restaurants, we are excited to see what they bring in time for the 50th celebrations.
6. Magic Treats
You know that along with the 50th anniversary will come amazingly themed treats throughout the parks. Disney has become known for the amazing treats that are a work of art and we can only imagine what is being created for the 50th. A new cupcake is a must, but we wait in anticipation for the announcement of the other treats that we know will be showing up to celebrate this magical event.
7. More Merchandise
What would be a celebration without new merchandise to purchase in honor of the anniversary? Ears, pins, spirit jersey and so much more we anticipate will be released featuring ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary. We saw this in Disneyland for the 60th and it was beyond magical. We can’t wait to see what creative and amazing designs are released. Make sure to start saving now.
8. Evening Show
Already we are starting to see progress when it comes to EPCOT’s new nighttime show HarmonioUS. This new nighttime spectacle will most likely be out in 2021 once shows are safe for guests and cast members. We can’t wait to see the fireworks, projections, laser and more that will bring this new evening show to life in 2021.
9. EPCOT
Something we are looking forward to in 2021 and for the 50th anniversary is the new reimagined EPCOT. If you have been to EPCOT over the past few months, you are well aware of the crazy construction that is taking place throughout Future World. We are super excited to see the new reimagined neighborhoods will bring. We have started to see more art work and visions as the newest reveal showed us the statue of Walt himself that will be placed in the World Celebration neighborhood as part of the Dreamers Point. This is just one feature that we are excited to see premier during 2021 and for the 50th.
Even though we don’t know the specifics yet around Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, we are sure excited to celebrate with new rides, restaurants, merchandise and more. Make sure to stay tuned for more on this historic celebration as we get closer to October.
While Walt Disney World is steadily recalling Disney Cast Members as Disney fans return to the parks and resorts, there are still many Cast Members out of work and struggling to get by. It’s exciting news to hear NBA Players Union stepped up and donated $50,000 to a Disney Cast Member food bank!
As shared on Orlando Hotel and Restaurant Workers Movement Facebook page:
“The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the union of professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is contributing $50,000 to the food bank for laid-off Disney World hotel and restaurant workers run by UNITE HERE Local 737.The COVID-19 crisis devastated Orlando’s tourism industry and left hundreds of thousands of workers jobless. Local 737, representing 18,000 Disney employees in the resort’s housekeeping and food and beverage departments, has run a weekly food distribution for affected workers and their families for 33 consecutive weeks. The NBPA’s members interacted with Local 737’s housekeepers, food servers and other Disney workers inside the “bubble” during the players’ stay at several Disney World resorts during the recent NBA season.
“Our hope with this donation is to say ‘thank you’ and extend the same kindness to the Members of Local 737 that they extended to our Members this past summer and fall,” said Michele Roberts, executive director of the NBPA. “This has been a tough year – especially for these folks and their families. We stand with our Brothers and Sisters and wish them all the best during this holiday season. “In early December 2020, Local 737 announced that it was running out of funds to continue the food bank into 2021.
“This amazing contribution from the players’ union could not have come at a better time,” said Jeremy Haicken, president of Local 737. “With thousands of workers still out of work and receiving Florida’s meager unemployment benefits, there is a massive need to provide food to workers’ families. We are deeply grateful to the NBA players and their union for this generous donation.”
With a weekly food cost of over $10,000, Local 737 is continuing fundraising efforts. Contributions for the food bank can be made online to the UNITE HERE Education and Support Fund here.
2020 has been unexpected to say the least. While we put the year behind us, it’s interesting to check out some then and now photos of the current construction sites at Walt Disney World. Thanks to @bioreconstruct via Twitter aerial photo comparisons, we can check out what progress has been made on the three most popular Walt Disney World construction sites.
First up, here’s an aerial comparison of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. The first photo below is from January 1, 2020. The second photo below is from December 22, 2020.
Next, here’s an aerial comparison of TRON. The first photo below is from May 31, 2019. The second photo below is from December 22, 2020.
Next, here’s an aerial comparison of EPCOT Future World. The first photo below is from January 1, 2020. The second photo below is from December 22, 2020.
Tron Lightcycle Power Run seems to have made the most progress thus far. Doesn’t look like much progress in the other photos? Keep in mind, much of the construction was put on hold when COVID-19 hit. We’re excited to see the finished products in these areas… hopefully in time for the October 2021 50th Anniversary celebration!
Disney and “Ratatouille” fan, Emily Jacobsen is so excited for the debut of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT that she wrote a song about Remy and posted a video online of herself singing it. The clip quickly became a worldwide social media phenomenon, inspiring others to share their love for the “Little Chef” through music. To celebrate, Disney offered her a sneak peek of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Check out the details and video as shared below by DisneyParksBlog.
To celebrate Emily’s joy and creativity, we decided to add a little extra magic to Emily’s recent Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Yesterday, she was whisked backstage at EPCOT for a surprise sneak peek of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which will debut in 2021 in the newly reimagined France pavilion. Based on Disney and Pixar’s hit film “Ratatouille,” the family-friendly attraction will invite guests to shrink down to the size of a rat for a culinary adventure with Remy, racing across Gusteau’s kitchen floor. In addition to her “first look” at the new attraction, Emily got a “first wear” of the special ear headband inspired by Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. The headband will be available for purchase in 2021.
Check out the video for a glimpse of Emily’s magical experience – from the surprise news of her sneak peek to her tour through the attraction with Disney Imagineers. We hope you share in Emily’s excitement for the debut of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure next year!
