Neighborhood #4: World Showcase
10 – “Epcot Forever” followed by “HarmonioUS” (Epcot Forever – October 1, 2019/ HarmonioUS – 2020)
Epcot’s long-standing nighttime spectacular, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, will take a bow on September 30, 2019. Without missing a beat, Disney is launching a temporary nighttime spectacular called “Epcot Forever” beginning October 1, 2019. This limited-time show will be a celebration of the past, present, and future of Epcot, built around the magical soundtrack guests have come to know and love at the park. Epcot Forever will feature fireworks, lighting, lasers, choreographed special effects, kites, accompanied by a stirring collection of songs that paints a colorful picture of Epcot. Disney Parks Live Entertainment is collaborating on the show with noted conductor and composer Don Harper, who is producing all-new arrangements of classic Epcot tunes to weave into the soundtrack of Epcot Forever. “‘Epcot Forever’ is a celebration of what Epcot has been and what Epcot is going to become,” said Alan Bruun, show director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment. “Music is the star of the show, and we use songs going back to the very beginnings of Epcot to music in the park today – from attractions, spectaculars, and other shows – and put them into a fireworks spectacular on the lagoon every night. Guests are going to hear music they know and love but in a whole new way.”
Credit: Disney Epcot Forever will continue into 2020 when it then makes way for the debut of the next epic Epcot nighttime spectacular called “HarmonioUS,” as part of the park’s multi-year transformation. Disney has shared that HarmonioUS will be the “LARGEST nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park!” As if that doesn’t get us excited enough, HarmonioUS is said to use familiar Disney tunes that have been reinterpreted by artists from around the globe. Much like Rivers of Light in Animal Kingdom, we can expect massive floating pieces and choreographed moving fountains. On top of that, Disney has shared HarmonioUS will have custom-build LED panel, pyrotechnics, lasers, and more!
11 – Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (“Later this Year” – Unknown, 2019)
Are you a fan of barbecue? Well, then you should be making plans to visit the American Adventure Pavilion around Epcot’s World Showcase. A quick-service restaurant called Regal Eagle Smokehouse will be opening in the former Liberty Inn location which closed on July 8, 2019. This modern barbecue smokehouse will feature American barbecue and brews. The restaurant is said to have a large smoker for food prep which we are sure will make the yummy smell pour out into the pavilion. No menu or opening date has been released thus far. All we know is we can expect to enjoy some barbecue from this joint “later this year.”
12 – France Pavilion – Three New Experiences! (Beauty & the Beast Sing-Along – Jan. 2020 / Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – May 2020 / La Crêperie de Paris – Summer 2020)
Oui, oui! We are excited to share three new experiences on their way into the France Pavilion around Epcot’s World Showcase, including Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and La Crêperie de Paris.
First up, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along ! Don’t worry Impressions de France fans; this film is staying put. The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will be in addition to Impressions de France. Both films will be in the same theater but offered at different times. The most exciting part is it’s being created by the producer of both the live-action and animated Beauty and the Beast , Don Hahn. Debuting January 2020, we for one, can’t wait to sing along to this “tale as old as time.” Next, we’re thrilled to invite one of our favorite Disney mice (behind Mickey and Minnie of course!), Remy, for a new attraction called Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure & New Restaurant . This attraction, set to open in May 2020, is said to be very similar to the 4D Ratatouille: The Adventure which opened in Disneyland Paris in 2014. It has been a family-favorite in Disneyland Paris, so the expectation is high here at Walt Disney World! Shrink down to the size of a rat and get ready to scurry from one place to the next (in a seemingly trackless vehicle system) with large props surrounding you and high-tech visual designs that help to submerge guests into the storyline. Finally, a new restaurant called La Crêperie de Paris is coming to France in the summer of 2020! It is being built in an all-new location near the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction. La Crêperie will feature the cuisine of celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse, the mastermind behind the pavilion’s Chefs de France brasserie and its celebration of gourmet cuisine, Monsieur Paul. With a menu inspired by the Brittany region of France, the new location will offer table service dining as well as a quick-service stop for guests craving savory crepes called galettes and sweet crepes. Credit: Disney Credit: Disney 13 – Updated Films Coming to China and Canada (January 2020)
Keeping up with technology, Disney has announced they are working on updated films for both the China Pavilion and the Canada Pavilion. Currently, both attractions (“Reflections of China” and “O Canada”) feature roughly 14-minute films in Circle-Vision 360. These upgrades are said to include new, seamless 360-degree Circle-Vision along with new scenery images.
“Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” will replace the current “O Canada” in the Canada Pavilion.“Wondrous China” will replace the current “Reflections of China” in the China Pavilion. Credit: Disney 14 – Cherry Tree Lane & Mary Poppins Attraction (2021 – Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary)
What a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious idea! Disney has announced the United Kingdom pavilion will welcome a new “neighbor” within the pavilion featuring Cherry Tree Lane – the icon street where Mary Poppins visits the Banks family. Enter the Banks home at Number 17 and be prepared to experience the first Mary Poppins-inspired attraction. Want to know more about this attraction? We do too! Unfortunately, very few details have been released on this experience. A few rumors are swirling, but yes, they are just rumors at this point.
Whew – that’s a LOT to take in! Epcot Experience in the Odyssey Event Pavilion as of October 1, 2019. We’ll keep you posted as Disney continues to release more news of what’s to come for the reimagined Epcot!
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.
