Disney Announces Changes to World Celebration Plans for EPCOT, Multi-Level Festival Pavilion May Be Cancelled

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Yesterday was a big day for Walt Disney World, not just because all four of their theme parks have finally reopened to the public, but because major plans are shifting for EPCOT as critical decisions are made for the park’s interrupted reimagining. So far, we’ve learned that the planned Spaceship Earth refurbishment, as well as the announced Mary Poppins-inspired attraction in World Showcase, have been officially postponed. Now, it seems another major project is also being reworked, namely the park’s new Festival Center, in “World Celebration”, part of the redesigned neighborhoods of the park.

Initially, Disney Parks announced the new pavilion as a massive, three-level structure for various events and festivals:

This new pavilion will be the perfect place for live events, and the home base for Epcot’s signature festivals. It will provide a stunning elevated view of the entire park and an ideal spot to witness Epcot’s nighttime spectacular. This beautiful three-level structure will have one of the most remarkable architectural designs at any Disney park, featuring a plaza level, a middle expo level, and a park that sits in the sky on the top level.

Walt Disney World has announced that work will resume on the new neighborhood of World Celebration, which will bring new dining, retail, and entertainment to the center of the park. However, Disney has now stated that it will be taking a different approach to the previously-announced festival location.

What exactly this “different approach” entails is unknown, but given decreased spending and lowered revenue as the parks begin the first phase of reopening, it may well be that the scale of the project will be downsized. It’s also worth noting that the maquette of the multi-story Festival Center has also been removed, among other elements from the Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story and Cherry Tree Lane projects at the EPCOT Experience. Given the timing of these announcements, it’s unlikely that it was “just” to allow for social distancing within the already-expansive Odyssey pavilion.

Disney Cultural Representative Program Suspended Until Further Notice; Employment Offers Withdrawn at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

In line with the cancellation of the Fall 2020 Disney College Program, Walt Disney World has begun contacting participants of the Disney Cultural Representative Program to inform them that the program has been suspended until further notice. All employment offers have been withdrawn. Those who were in the middle of completing their program will be granted a successful program completion in order to reapply in the future.

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Reasons for the suspension include the issue of housing, as many housing complexes remain closed and there is no set date for a reopening. All participants will have program fees refunded and are being provided with a link to fill out if interested in completing a future program once they resume.

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The World Showcase has had to be staffed with Cast Members in lieu of Cultural Representatives for the reopening, and it really isn’t the same without them. We hope to see the return of Cultural Representatives to EPCOT soon.

 

Walt Disney World Releases Details on Annual Pass Extensions, Cancellations, and Refunds for 2020

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney World has just released full details regarding additional extension options, plus how to seek a cancellation and refund. You can check out the full details below, and make sure to keep in mind the important August 11 deadline for cancellations and refunds:

Reopening Policy Options

We know that many Passholders are excited to get back to the magic—and we’re eager to see our cherished Passholders, too. We also recognize that Park reservations will change the way that many of our Passholders use their pass. With that in mind, we are offering these alternative options to manage your pass.

If you are an Annual Passholder that has paid in full, your options are:

  • Receive an additional one-month (30 days) extension to your pass (unless you choose to cancel your pass). This additional month will automatically be processed and visible in your My Disney Experience account over the coming weeks.
  • If you prefer, and in lieu of the one-month extension, you may choose to cancel your annual pass(es). Your pass will remain valid through August 11, 2020 and will be canceled effective August 12, 2020. You will be refunded for the remaining access days of your annual pass from July 11, 2020 through your pass expiration date (as extended, if applicable). Refunds to original form of payment can be expected by mid- to late September. Refunds may take up to an additional month to receive if original form of payment is not available. To request this option, contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277.

If you are an Annual Passholder on the monthly payment plan, your options are:

  • Receive an additional one-month (30 days) extension to your pass(es) (unless you choose to cancel your pass(es)). This additional month will automatically be processed and visible in your My Disney Experience account over the coming weeks.
  • If you prefer, and in lieu of the additional one-month extension, you may choose to cancel your annual pass(es). If you choose this option, monthly payments will be stopped starting August 12, 2020. Your pass(es) will remain valid through August 11, 2020 and will be canceled effective August 12, 2020. Any payments made between July 11, 2020 and August 11, 2020 will be retroactively refunded. If you made a payment between March 14, 2020 through April 4, 2020 that was not already refunded, that payment will also be retroactively refunded. Refunds to original form of payment can be expected by mid- to late September. Refunds may take up to an additional month to receive if original form of payment is not available.To request this option, contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277.

Now through August 11, 2020, call V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at 407-939-7277 to cancel your pass or for assistance on any individual concerns. Please note that once submitted, selections cannot be changed.

New Temperature Screening Process In Place at Monorail Resorts in Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

With the reopening of the Magic Kingdom comes the inevitablity that Guests will stay at the monorail resorts and visit the park. Why else would you stay there, after all? Since the temperature check and security screening for day Guests is located at the Transportation and Ticket Center, Walt Disney World has set up similar systems at the resorts along the Monorail as well.

Signs and markers direct Guests ahead of security to the temperature screening area. Guests must have their temperature checked before proceeding to the security checkpoint.

Metal detectors and inspection tables are set up at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, along with social distancing indicators and an a-frame sign to inform Guests of standard security procedures.

Plexiglass and metal barriers are also set up along the path to the Monorail’s boarding platform.

Similar procedures are in place at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The sign of AdventHealth, Disney’s temperature screening provider, is much more prominently displayed here.

And also at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, these signs and Cast Members are at the ready to guide Guests on to their relatively-safe day of magic.

Guests Not Wearing Face Masks on Attractions Will Not Receive On-Ride Photo at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney World has established some pretty strict guidelines for its reopening regarding face masks at its various resort hotels and theme parks. Face Masks with ear loops are required for all guests over the age of 2, and as we’ve learned through recent updates, no gaiters will be allowed. Once inside the parks, face masks must remain on at all times, except when you’re actively eating or drinking, or inside a designated mask-free “Relaxation Station”. Masks must stay on for PhotoPass sessions, in queues, and especially on attractions. In fact, as a means of further enforcing this rule, guests who remove their masks on attractions will not receive their on-ride PhotoPass photos:

We’ve received confirmation from various Cast Members at attractions that guests who remove their face masks while on an attraction will have their on-ride photo pulled and deleted from the PhotoPass system. Only guests who follow the rules and keep their face masks on at all times throughout the duration of the attraction will have their photo show up for download or purchase.

This has been established at all on-ride photo ops at the Magic Kingdom, including Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.

This rule has been applied to all on-ride PhotoPass opportunities throughout the four theme parks. We’ll inquire at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios upon their reopening to ensure it’s also being enforced at those parks as well.

Do note that many guests have noted significant delays in seeing their PhotoPass photos appear under “My Photos” on My Disney Experience, but as long as you (and, well, everyone else in your ride vehicle) had their masks on, you should see them uploaded soon.