food IS a theme park
Welcome back to EPCOT, where nothing is really going on these days (we’re joking; there are TONS going on lately at this park!). With Space 220’s long-awaited opening just a few weeks away, we’re buzzing with excitement every time we visit EPCOT these days.
EPCOT
Let’s check up on what’s new at EPCOT, including some exciting developments in the France Pavilion as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure prepares to officially open for guests on October 1st!
Did you hear the news?!
Disney Springs
The NBA Experience has officially closed for good. Now, we’re seeing changes at the NBA Experience’s location in Disney World.
Hello to all the Animal Kingdom fans out there!
Tree of Life
While we were in Disney’s wildest park this week, we found a LOT of new snacks, some brand-new merchandise, and 50th Anniversary decorations with a special Animal Kingdom twist! Let’s check out all the updates that came to the park.
Almost everything at Disney World is getting spruced up for the 50th Anniversary celebration, which (can you believe it?) begins in a little less than ONE MONTH!
We’re so close to the start of the 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Cinderella Castle got a HUGE makeover — complete with a new paint job, new decor, and a huge “50” sign right on the front. We’ve also seen other buildings throughout Magic Kingdom getting spiffed up — even the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel got some new golden touches! Now, something else in this park has gotten a golden upgrade.
A new system is taking over FastPass+ in Disney World soon — Disney Genie+!
Genie+ ©Disney
The system is part of the new Disney Genie program that will be in the My Disney Experience app. Genie (the trip planning system) is free, but you have to pay $15 per day, per ticket to use Genie+ (the new, paid FastPass-like system). The paid system lets you select return times to use the new Lighting Lanes at rides around Disney World, which will allow you to skip the majority of the stand-by lines. We just saw a few Lightning Lane signs go up in Magic Kingdom, and now, we’ve found some in EPCOT!
Recently, we checked out the delicious new Lemon Poppyseed desserts at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney World.
One of our favorite places at Disney Springs, Gideon’s Bakehouse!
In addition to yummy cookies and cakes, Gideon’s has cold brew coffee, and more. Gideon’s Bakehouse has also served up cake dips in the past (which taste great, but look…interesting) and today cake dips are BACK with a special flavor!
Disney World just announced their new Annual Passholder Program!
©Disney
The new Annual Passes will go on sale starting September 8th and will include all-new pass options. There will only be 4 pass options now — the Incredi-Pass, the Sorcerer Pass, the Pirate Pass, and the Pixie Dust Pass. The passes have varying perks and blockout dates — you can find out more about each pass here. With a ton of new information, it’s easy to get confused and miss important details, so we want to tell you about things that are hidden within all of this new information that is particularly time-sensitive!
Disney World is pricey enough as it is! As a guest, you save up money all year ‘round to go on that oh-so-special Disney World vacation, only to find some sneaky little prices popping up on ya to make things a little…less magical.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
If you’re not expecting *these* added costs, they can sure become an unpleasant surprise when they appear on your post-vacation tab.
Disney recently announced a new system to take the place of FastPass+ in Disney World.
Genie+ ©Disney
Disney Genie+ will take over as the new way to skip many of the standby lines for certain attractions. It’s part of the new Disney Genie program coming to My Disney Experience that will help plan your days in the parks! While Genie (the planning service) is free, Genie+ (the paid FastPass replacement service) is not — Genie+ will cost $15 per day, per ticket. The Genie+ system will let you enter through the new Lightning Lanes (the new name for the old FastPass+ lanes) at select attractions. While we don’t know exactly when the system will go into effect, some new additions in Magic Kingdom are making us think it might be soon!
Always dreamed of going to space? How about eating in space? How about eating in space in Disney World?
Ready to Visit Space 220? ©Disney
Well, get ready to check off all those boxes at EPCOT’s newest restaurant, Space 220! This immersive, space-themed restaurant was announced a number of years ago and was set to open way back in the winter of 2019. Its opening date has been delayed by quite some time. Not too long ago Disney shared that it would be opening in mid-September of this year. But now we’ve FINALLY got an update on just what day you’ll be able to live out all your astronaut and foodie dreams!
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