ICYMI, yesterday delivered a LOT of news about special events at Walt Disney World Resort.
With decisions made to promote safety in light of the current global health situation, it was announced, for instance, that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for the fall. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, however, will return — and SOON! (You can read all about it here.)
Of course, these are just two examples of Special Events and unique experiences that are typically available to guests, either as seasonal offerings or year-round enhancements.
And — even though we have known for some time that experiences will be modified, with many not offered upon the initial reopening of Walt Disney World — a full list of experiences that will NOT be available upon reopening has been added to the Walt Disney World website. Of course, standing reservations have been canceled for experiences, and the ability to book these experiences has been unavailable since. But we thought this specific list would be helpful for those currently in the planning stages.
Walt Disney World Dining Experiences
Offerings that will not be available include select special Dining Events — ranging from Afternoon Tea at The Grand Floridian to Jiko Wine Tasting and more (such as Dining Packages for select shows and spectaculars) — as listed below:
- Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room
- Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie
- Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night
- Dine with an Animal Specialist
- Dining with an Imagineer – Cítricos
- Dining with an Imagineer – The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland
- Epcot Forever Dining Package
- Fantasmic! Dining Package
- Festival of the Lion King Signature Dining Package
- Highway in the Sky Dine Around
- Jiko Wine Tasting
- Rivers of Light Dining Package
- Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience
- Sense of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Signature Celebration at Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
- Tiffins Talks
- Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table Dinner
- Wanyama Safari
- Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare
Walt Disney World Dessert Parties
Of course, we have also known that — upon the initial reopening — nighttime spectaculars and parades (essentially, in-park events which lend themselves to large group gatherings) will not be part of the park experience. This naturally affects the availability of Dessert Parties and Dining Packages, which are add-on offerings that include reserved viewing areas for these popular shows.
The Dessert Parties that will NOT be available upon reopening include:
- Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience
- Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
- Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
- Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing
- Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
- Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
- Rivers of Light Dessert Party
- Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
As a reminder, Disney has already stated that previously booked experiences that are affected by cancellations will be refunded, and you can read about that here.
We will be taking a look today at additional experiences that will not be available upon the reopening of Walt Disney World, which includes select Tours, Nature Experiences, and more.
In the meantime, to learn more about the upcoming reopening of Walt Disney World Resort — which begins with select Disney Resort hotels on June 22nd, followed by the theme parks starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th and EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th — you can visit any of the links below.
Disney Park Reopening Details and Info
Click HERE for the All Latest Updates
Click HERE To See FULL LISTS of the Rides, Attractions, Shopping, Entertainment, and Restaurants Opening in Disney World!
TUTORIAL: How To Use Disney World's NEW Park Pass Reservation System
ALL Disney World Reopening Procedures
Disney World Hotel and Ticket Booking Information
We’re Visiting ALL the Reopened Disney World Hotels and Have All the Need-to-Know Details
We’re LIVE in Disney World's Magic Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures
We’re LIVE in Disney’s Animal Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures
We Got a FIRST LOOK at Disney World’s New Character Cavalcades and Entertainment!
Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks in Disney World
Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe
What do you think of these modifications? Please let us know with a comment.
Cayla Kedik says
Any word on experiences like Savi’s Workshop or Droid Depot? I don’t think I’ve heard anything about those types of experiences.
DFB Sarah says
Cayla, thanks for asking. We also have not heard about these two in particular. I’ll check with the team.
Nicole says
Since the parks are closing early any chance they will have the after hours at MK or AK?
DFB Sarah says
Nicole, I’m not seeing After Hours on the calendar, but we’ll keep checking into this.
Gina says
I just have an honest question. Why is Disney world even reopening if you can’t do more than half of the experiences you go to Disney world for? I understand fireworks and parades, I get it, but afternoon tea? I was so looking forward to that during our end of September trip and am extremely upset/ disappointed. I just don’t understand why Disney is even reopening when you can’t do anything and basically everything will shut down again in the fall when covid spikes.