If you have never been to Disney World, everything will feel new – even the classics rides and attractions like Space Mountain and Dumbo. Even if you have been to Disney World fairly recently, say, in the last two years, many of the parks will look a whole lot different in 2020! The additions of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios, Pandora: Land of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, and the new Skyliner transportation system which all opened before 2020, will give you new experiences and options.
Here’s a rundown of the changes and new rides and attractions that will most impact your 2020 vacations. As you can see, the majority of changes are in EPCOT.
New to EPCOT
There are a ton of major changes coming to EPCOT in the next few years. However, recent changes and those slated to open in 2020 have already made it feel like a different park. The Skyliner system drops passengers off at the International Gateway, so the once “secret back entrance” no longer feels as exclusive to Boardwalk area resort guests. The Illuminations nighttime spectacular has already been replaced by the temporary, and ironically named, “EPCOT Forever”.
- Space 220 Restaurant – this space-themed restaurant is supposed to open in February 2020 and provide an amazing experience, simulating dining in space and I’ve been keeping an eye on reservations!
- Spaceship Earth closing for major refurbishments – the ride inside the iconic EPCOT ball will be getting a major overhaul which will require it to be closed for a long time. Disney has not released specific dates but I suspect it will close in March, after the minor updates to TestTrack are complete. So, if you’re planning a trip after Spring then this closing may have a big impact on your EPCOT days.
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – this trackless ride from Disneyland Paris will be opening in EPCOT’s France Pavillion in Summer 2020. It’s a much needed ride in the part of the park and I can’t wait to experience it!
- Awesome Planet film in The Land – my documentary bingeing six-year-old is going to love this new film with immersive experiences and spectacular nature photography. I feel like this is going to the a great compliment to Soarin’, helping us spend more time in The Land between FastPasses.
- HarmonioUS nighttime spectacular – We don’t have a date for the premiere of this nighttime spectacular which will replace the temporary EPCOT Forever but I think we can expect projection mapping technology on the EPCOT ball like those on the castle during Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom.
- Beauty And The Beast Sing-Along and New Circle-Vision 360 Shows in Canada and China – if there was ever a time to prioritize the shows in the EPCOT pavillions, it is in 2020. These attractions can be a life-saver during hot weather, rain storms, or festival crowds.
- no more Baymax or Sadness meet-and-greets – This change makes me a little teary-eyed considering that hugging Baymax was my son’s priority on our first trip and his belief that his hug really did cheer up Sadness.
New to Hollywood Studios
- Mickey And Minnie’s Runaway Railway – opening March 4, this “2 1/2 D” ride is going to be a popular one for families, and I’m almost as excited to ride it as Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Almost.
- Mickey Shorts Theater – In case you haven’t gotten your fill of watching the new Mickey shorts on Disney+ or on your resort TV, this theater can help. I think this will be a great spot to hide in during rain or fill time before your Rise of the Resistance boarding group is called.
When you use Blueprints for Magic, you can be confident that your personalized plan will take all of these changes (and others) into account. I’ll work to get your FastPasses to the new attractions or suggest alternative if your child’s favorite character is no longer meeting. Send me an email jennifer@blueprintsformagic.com and we’ll set up a call to get you started on your 2020 vacation to Walt Disney World!
