Projects, Construction, and Anniversaries

In 2021 Walt Disney World will celebrate it’s Golden Anniversary. The Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971! To get to the milestone date, we need to make it through 2020 first. Before COVID-19 Disney had big plans, and there were plenty of changes going on. I’ve been asked a few times about some of these projects and about the anniversary itself, so I thought that I would address it here.

I’ll start with a few things that we know. The update to Spaceship Earth has been put on hold, and the plans for Cherry Tree Lane in World Showcase have quietly shelved. Disney doesn’t usually comment on scrapped projects, but both have been removed from The EPCOT Experience presentation, so that’s confirmation.

Plenty of things are still moving forward. A good rule of thumb is that if work started before the closure, it will be completed. The best example of this is the transformation of the front of EPCOT. The work is moving ahead.  There are construction walls everywhere, and you can see partially demolished buildings. My guess (pure speculation) is that the scale of the project will be cut back some, but we won’t know because we were only given brief glimpses of what Disney had in mind. I have no doubt that it will be spectacular.

There are also two new rides coming to Epcot, and those plans are proceeding. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is close to being finished, if it isn’t already. It was supposed to open this summer, but obviously that isn’t going to happen. Disney has not given an opening date. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it open near October 1 of next year. After all, that’s Epcot’s anniversary as well. Once again, that’s speculation on my part.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is also moving forward. The family friendly coaster was supposed to open in time for the 50^th Anniversary celebration, and I see no reason why that still won’t happen. Of course, COVID-19 might have other ideas.

One more Epcot note: the Space 220 restaurant is still planned. It’s listed as “coming soon” on the Walt Disney World website. The restaurant will not be operated by Disney, so there are a couple of layers of approval that need to be met before we have an official opening date. Even before the closure, the timeframe had been pushed back a couple of times.

Speaking of space, construction is continuing on Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (the Star Wars hotel). It’s still listed as “coming in 2021”. There was no way that this project would be canceled, even if it ends up being a modified experience. Star Wars fans are going to go insane over this new cruise-like stay, and once reservations open I expect them to be gone within minutes. This is going to be a place where Disney can make up some of the losses, especially since prices were never announced.

Work has been moving full speed ahead on the Tron Lightcycle at the Magic Kingdom. I would be shocked if it wasn’t operational in time for the anniversary.

The other question is what type of celebration Walt Disney World has planned for the 50^th Anniversary. Since we still have over a year to go, no information has yet been released. The calendar for the Disney Park Pass system currently runs through September 26, 2021. That doesn’t mean anything, but it’s just a few days before the milestone, so it makes me wonder. Here’s hoping that we will no longer need the system by then. Most likely, Disney has several scenarios that they are working on for the Golden Anniversary. The lowest level would probably be just merchandise and a few extra MagicShots. The highest would be a full celebration, with parades, special fireworks, and plenty of surprises. My thought is that by then it will be somewhere in between.

Remember, everything right now is just guesses and speculation. Things can change in a moment, that’s one thing that 2020 has taught us! Whatever happens, I’ll do my best to keep you informed.