Another week has gone by and LOTS of big Disney news has been shared!
Magic Kingdom
Whether you love Disney Cruise Line, have been waiting for the EPCOT monorail to reopen, or are wondering just when nighttime shows may return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we’ve got all the updates you need to know right here!
1 — Disney Cruise Line
While Disney Cruise Line has been offering staycation cruises in the U.K. and has run a test cruise from Florida, it hasn’t resumed sailing from the US with paying passengers…yet!
Disney Dream
Earlier today, Disney Cruise Line announced that it will resume sailing from the US in early August! A number of things will change on the cruise aimed at ensuring the health and safety of the passengers. There are COVID-19 testing requirements, mask rules, and more.
Click here to learn more about when Disney Cruise Line will resume sailing from the US!
2 — EPCOT Monorail
EPCOT monorail fans, rejoice! This past weekend, the EPCOT monorail became available once again in Disney World!
New EPCOT Monorail Sign
The monorail closed shortly after it reopened, but it has since reopened. It’s a good reminder to always check whether any form of transportation is temporarily down and keep in mind that alternative forms of transportation will be available if something like that does happen.
Click here to see photos and video from the reopening of the EPCOT monorail!
3 — The Polynesian, Trader Sam’s, and More
Speaking of reopening, earlier this week Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort officially reopened (note that its Disney Vacation Club villas and bungalows had previously been open). We got to check out the NEW Moana-inspired rooms at the hotel, and have shared a FULL room tour for you to check out.
Refurbished Guest Rooms at the Polynesian
When the hotel reopened we also got to check out a NEW Moana-themed DOLE Whip cone at the resort.
Can you marry Dole Whip? Asking for a friend.
But that’s not all! Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto also reopened at the Polynesian this week (with some secret drinks!!) and we got to check it out!
The Nautilus
Note that Trader Sam’s has been utilizing a virtual queue during its reopening and that queue can fill up.
Click here for our full review of Trader Sam’s!
If you can’t make it into Trader Sam’s, don’t fret — Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace has also reopened! Or, you can stop by the reopened Kona Island for some chocolate-covered BACON!
Dark Chocolate Bacon
And if you’re looking for another spot to grab a snack at the Poly, check out the food items now being served at Barefoot Pool Bar!
Click here to see all about the reopening of the Polynesian!
4 — Happily Ever After Closing Date
We previously shared that during the 50th Anniversary, a new fireworks show would be coming to Magic Kingdom — Disney Enchantment. The question was then what would become of Happily Ever After? Well, this week Disney announced that Happily Ever After will be closing this September!
Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom
The EPCOT Forever fireworks will also be ending at EPCOT in September, and that show will be replaced by Harmonious.
Click here to see the last dates Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever will be shown in the parks!
5 — More Reopenings
Things are changing all over the Disney parks, and lots of reopenings have taken place recently or are set to take place soon! In Magic Kingdom, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor will be reopening soon. In EPCOT, fans will soon get the chance to talk to their favorite turtle when Turtle Talk with Crush reopens! In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Beauty and the Beast stage show is set to reopen soon as well.
Beauty and the Beast Theater of the Stars
In terms of reopenings that have already taken place, Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds reopened this past weekend with new family-style offerings for breakfast and dinner.
Lots to Eat!
And if you’re looking for a place to rest and relax in air conditioning, you can now hop inside Restaurant Marrakesh in EPCOT’s Morocco pavilion.
Inside Restaurant Marrakesh!
It isn’t serving food, but you can stop in to sit down and munch on your own snacks or just relax.
Click here to see more about when Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor and Turtle Talk with Crush will reopen!
6 – Fireworks Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Fireworks have returned to EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, and soon it’ll be Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ turn! Earlier this week, Disney announced that the Wonderful World of Animation show will be returning to Hollywood Studios soon!
Wonderful World of Animation
The show features projections on the Chinese Theatre of Disney animated movies, as well as a few fireworks (of course).
Click here to see when this show will return to Hollywood Studios!
7 — Character Dining and Buffets are Back in Disneyland
And finally, in terms of big news, we end with some updates from Disneyland! Character dining officially returned to Disneyland with the resumption of character breakfasts at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
Hey There Mickey!
But, not only did character dining return — buffets also returned!
Eggs and Egg White Frittata
The Storytellers Cafe character breakfast is in fact being served buffet-style. And on the buffet you’ll find some drinks in plastic bags — click here to find out why!
Click here to see what character dining is like right now in Disneyland.
And that’s our wrap-up of the biggest news stories from this week! But, of course, more Disney news was announced this week that you should know about. Check out the links below to learn more:
- The 50th anniversary sign has been added to Cinderella Castle
- We shared an update about Florida leading the US in new COVID-19 cases
- The iconic Partners Statue is undergoing refurbishment
- We got a first look at the new President Biden animatronic in the Hall of Presidents and an update on when the attraction will reopen
- Some more Adventures by Disney trips have been canceled
The 50th Sign Is Here!
- We experienced a dining glitch that might point to future changes
- A decision regarding the airport train to Disney World has been delayed indefinitely
- A new Back Side of Water treat is set to come soon to Disney World!
- A new poster for the Star Wars hotel was shared and it reveals some important details!
- New studded Minnie ears, Riviera Resort ears, and $50 Minnie ears were released
©Disney
- Themes have been revealed for the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend
- Could the pianist be coming back to Casey’s Corner?
- There were app outages in Disneyland and Walt Disney World
- The Wave…of American Flavors’ breakfast is being served in California Grill
- The Coco scene has been added to Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Disney California Adventure Park
The Wave Breakfast at California Grill
- The Culinary Program is coming back to Disney World
- We shared a look at all of the character statues coming for the 50th Anniversary (that have been announced so far)
- Orlando Magical Dining is coming back!
And that’s it for this week! As always, be sure to check back with us for all the latest updates.
Click here to see the full list of hotels eligible for Disney World’s early entry perk!
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Hi, Kelly
My name is Steve, and you guys do a great job ! However, In your article ” 7 News Bombs ” you have a photo of a breakfast meal with the caption ” The Wave breakfast at California Grill. ” As you read it, it sounds like a paradoxical overlapping of the two restaurants : The WAVE and the CALIFORNIA GRILL ! …….. Just thought I’d mention it.
Take care,
Steve C.
Hi, Stephen. Disney opened California Grill to serve The Wave’s breakfast while The Wave restaurant space is being refurbished.
Your compelling YouTube posts convinced me to schedule a 5 day DisneyWorld vacation in 30 days. Unfortunately almost all dinner options were listing as having no availability for 3 of the nights (and less desired options the other days). I know to keep checking because people cancel (especially the day before). But realistically do I have a chance at getting into ‘Ohana, Be our guest, or California Grill if they report no availability 3 weeks out?
The chocolate bacon was very good my wife bought it at the poly . The 50 is up on the castle very pretty family missed it we were at Magic Kingdom the day before to take a picture. We have a picture with out it but it is still beautiful. My family and I saw the Happily Ever After in our villa for a few night it was great . The Dole Whip had to have 2 Mickey premium bar 1 Goofy candy made my vacation great .
On Friday, July 23, the Epcot fireworks show was cancelled at about 9:48 p.m., just 12 minutes before scheduled show time. Also, the torch lights were not lighted, as they usually are before the fireworks shows. The announcement said something about ” …. due to unforeseen….” somethin’ or other.
The Magic Kingdom had a beautiful and lengthy fireworks show, which began at 9:15 p.m. I was able to watch much of it from an area between “Germany” and “Outpost,” across the lake from Spaceship Earth.
What was Epcot’s problem? Did they give away Epcot’s fireworks to the Magic Kingdom?
The mono rail going to Epcot was not in service Tuesday had to take the bus . I just got back from Disney World the bus was okay I would of taken the monorail . We went out early so we had enough time to get to Epcot .
Jeff, it’s not an impossibility, but it’ll have to be some auspicious timing to catch an opening.