World Showcase To Use Cast Members Instead of Cultural Representatives On Reopening

With EPCOT at Walt Disney World reopening on Wednesday, July 15, the park has little over a month to staff its numerous pavilions. The World Showcase in particular may be faced with a number of issues, as the Cultural Representative program (along with Disney Internships) was suspended on April 18. Between that and current global travel restrictions, it may be difficult to staff these international pavilions, and a new union agreement could mean that we’ll be seeing Cast Members taking over the positions of Cultural Representatives temporarily.

A recently-signed memorandum of understanding between Walt Disney World and Unite Here Local 362 indicates that until Disney is able to resume normal staffing, Cast Members who “do not meet the culturally authentic theming at EPCOT may be temporarily assigned to work in positions which are otherwise reserved for Cultural Representatives.”

Once Cultural Representatives are able to travel from their home countries once again, they will be reinstated throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase. In the meantime, it’s good to hear that Disney, in conjunction with the unions, is working to staff Cast Members as soon as possible––albeit in slightly different positions than before––after the unprecedented company-wide furloughs.

New Plush Dolls Available At Epcot

There are new World Showcase Plush Dolls popping up all over at Epcot. 

Here is a quick rundown;

German Mickey & Minnie Plush – $29.99 Each

Here Mickey is decked out in his traditional German best, joining the München Minnie Mouse.

Italian Mickey Plush – $29.99

Here’s Mickey decked out in his Italian chef outfit with a freshly made pizza pie.

French Mickey Plush – $29.99

Mickey’s seen wearing a bright blue velvet beret, red silk neck scarf, and a striped white and blue shirt with the French flag embroidered on it. He wears a set of matching blue pants and understated brown shoes. Best of all though, he’s holding an adorable croissant, fresh from le bakery.

Mexico Donald Duck Plush – $29.99

Here’s Donald Duck in his sombrero and striped poncho.

Canada Mickey Plush – $29.99

Here is Canada Mickey in his lumberjack outfit. He’s topped off with a red beanie with the Canadian maple leaf embroidered in it. And no lumberjack would be complete without an ax!

Norwegian Minnie Plush – $29.99

Minnie can be seen here in the Norway Cast Member costume.

Queen Minnie Plush – $29.99

“God Save The Queen” – Queen Minnie, that is, in her Queen of England outfit.

Queen’s Guard Mickey Plush – $29.99

And where would the Queen be if she didn’t have her Guard to stand watch over her!

You can find these all over Epcot World Showcase.

Epcot to Be Divided Into 4 Neighborhoods

Epcot will be unified with four neighborhoods that each speak to important aspects of the world and its people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. These neighborhoods will be filled with new experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation that take you to new destinations, where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, hands-on wonder and the magic of possibility.

World Showcase

  • World Showcase will continue to be a celebration of culture, cuisine, architecture and traditions – infused with new magic.
  • The United Kingdom pavilion will welcome the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins. You will step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where your adventure will begin.
  • In 2020, following the limited-time run of “Epcot Forever,” the new “HarmonioUS” will debut as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park. It will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people the world over, carrying you away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe. “HarmonioUS” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.
  • In summer 2020, the France pavilion will offer even more for you to discover, including the much-anticipated attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where you’ll shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure. Summer 2020 will also see the debut of a delicious new restaurant in the France pavilion, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options featuring a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
  • Also in the France pavilion, the classic Impressions de France film will be joined by the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,” debuting in January 2020 and directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time.
  • “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” will debut in January 2020 in the Canada pavilion with new scenes and a new story.
  • In the China pavilion, “Wondrous China” will take guests on a spectacular journey across the country, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.

World Celebration

  • World Celebration will offer new experiences that connect us to one another and the world around us.
  • The iconic Spaceship Earth will remain a voyage through time as the journey transforms to reflect the power of storytelling to unite the human experience. New narration and an entirely new musical score will focus on the moments and ideas that define our story. You will follow a magical “story light” that brings the entire experience to life in dynamic ways, giving each scene energy and beauty that ties the entire journey together.
  • As you exit Spaceship Earth, you’ll discover a breathtaking new view of World Showcase from Dreamers Point. World Celebration will also feature a new statue celebrating the legacy of the original dreamer, Walt Disney, plus beautiful natural environments and global design elements filled with Disney magic and surprises, including a wishing tree in an enchanted forest and a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling.
  • A 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.
  • Epcot’s entrance plaza will be transformed with new experiences that connect us with the world, welcoming you with a reimagined fountain, new pathways and sweeping green spaces that beautify the entryway. The design will pay homage to the origins of Epcot.

World Nature

  • World Nature is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. It will include The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.
  • Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” will be the first experience inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite you to meet and play with magical, living water. The water will have a life of its own – just like Moana’s friend, the ocean – and you’ll learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.
  • The Land pavilion’s new film, “Awesome Planet,” which showcases the beauty, diversity and dynamic story of the planet, will debut in January 2020.

World Discovery

  • In World Discovery, stories about science, technology and intergalactic adventure come to life.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at Epcot. The adventure starts in the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. You will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue. The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus your attention on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
  • An expansion of the Mission: SPACE pavilion, the new restaurant Space 220 will be a culinary experience featuring the celestial panorama of a space station, including daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up. You’ll board a special elevator for a journey to a space station that is home to an incredible dining experience. Along the way, viewports will give you a real-time perspective as you travel high above the planet. Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy fantastic meals and drinks while taking in views that are truly out of this world. Opening this winter, Space 220 will be operated by the Patina Group.
  • The PLAY! pavilion will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. In this digital metropolis, you’ll discover an interactive city bursting with games, activities and experiences that connect you with friends, family and beloved Disney characters – both real and virtual – like never before. As part of this new pavilion, you’ll have the chance to help legendary fashion icon Edna Mode on her quest to rid the world of uninspired style, or make a splash competing in a water-balloon fight hosted by Huey, Dewey, Louie and Webby.

You’ll be able to visualize these exciting plans for Epcot when doors open Oct. 1, 2019, for Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. You’ll discover engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the park’s future throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

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Epcot Transformation Plans (Concept Art)

Some of the biggest announcements at D23 have revolved around the ever-changing Epcot, including a Journey of Water interactive walkthrough maze inspired by Moana, the Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience center, and even a new park logo:

Here’s a look at the overall concept art released.

As an overview, you’ll have a new Food and Beverage concept taking over the Electric Umbrella. Mouse Gear will also be getting an overhaul and remodel, so a new store/merchandise concept also makes an appearance in the art. As far as outdoor spaces are concerned, we’ll see the addition of a new Festival Center, as well as an Epcot garden. In keeping with the outdoor garden feel, the Journey of Water trail will lead guests over to The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion. In the middle of World Showcase Lagoon, you have the premiere of “Epcot Forever”, to be superseded by “A Celebration of Disney Music” in May of 2020.

Check out the Video of all the concept art straight from the Disney Parks “Imagining Tomorrow, Today” Pavilion below:

Who is excited for these new changes coming to EPCOT?

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New Restaurant to Open In Japan Pavilion @Epcot

Epcot’s World Showcase allows guests to visit 11 countries to experience their culture and cuisine. Food lovers will be thrilled to hear that Disney has announced the opening date of a new signature dining restaurant in the Japan pavilion. 

This will be a Table Service Restaurant and will offer guests here a unique dining experience while at the same time taking in the natural beauty of Japan.

Expect a mix of natural beauty and Japanese craftsmanship to be present throughout the restaurant. 

Takumi-Tei will open in the Japan pavilion at Epcot this summer and will be operated by Mitsukoshi USA, which operates the merchandise, restaurants (Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining), and kiosks in the Japan pavilion.

The Japan Pavilion has been a World Showcase destination since the park opened in 1982 and since then, guests routinely add it to their must-do list as it has become a fan-favorite pavilion. Filled with Japanese architecture and iconic cultural offerings, there are so many things to see and explore in the pavilion.

Will this be on your next Disney Dining experience?

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