Shannen Michaelsen 
Playgrounds are beginning to reopen at Walt Disney World as COVID-19 health and safety guidelines are rolled back. Dumbo the Flying Elephant’s queue playground reopened this weekend, and now Space Base has reopened at EPCOT’s Mission: SPACE. Space Base is located at the exit of Mission: Space in the Advanced Training Lab. All activities in … Read more
Walt Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley has been posting photos from the refurbishment process of the old Innoventions and Communicore buildings at EPCOT. Today he shared more about the new ceiling at Creations Shop. In his Instagram caption, Riddley writes, “For our transformation of the previous CommuniCore structures, our team wanted to bring rhythm and warmth … Read more
Guests can watch a new preshow video in the Jurassic World VelociCoaster queue. The video acts like an in-world advertisement for VelociCoaster, with clips from the movies and ride. CGI velociraptors have been placed within the coaster footage. A second video, further on in the queue, features a fun easter egg for those who have … Read more
Cast Members were seen training for the possible reopening of Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes at Disneyland Park. The canoes have been closed since Disneyland closed in March 2020. This group of Cast Members were practicing docking a canoe. These canoes are free-floating and powered entirely by paddles. They can seat up to twenty guests, but … Read more
Walt Disney World Park Passes have been refreshed for Annual Passholders on Magic Kingdom’s 50th birthday, October 1, 2021. All parks, including Magic Kingdom, are now available on the historic day, which will mark the beginning of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” Magic Kingdom Park Passes remain unavailable for theme park ticket holders and resort … Read more
Today is World Oceans Day, as established by the United Nations. To celebrate, Mickey Mouse is scuba-diving in The Seas at EPCOT, appearing to guests checking out the aquarium. Mickey was in his full scuba gear, saving to guests and giving them air hugs. Though separated by glass, this is the closest guests have been … Read more
The newest “Tiny World” Magic Shot available through PhotoPass is at the entrance to EPCOT. Guests can be on top of the world in this Magic Shot, which captures Spaceship Earth and the new EPCOT flags in the background. Other “Tiny World” Magic Shots are available near It’s Tough To Be A Bug in Disney’s … Read more
With Walt Disney World no longer requiring masks in most outdoor locations—and the mask mandate now lifted in Orange County—select face masks are now on sale for buy one, get one free. We spotted the sale in Mouse Gear at EPCOT. This sale applies to Disney-branded masks that are regularly $9.99, so wouldn’t apply to … Read more
The classic “rope drop” experience is returning to Walt Disney World theme parks. Instead of being held outside of EPCOT this morning, guests were allowed into the entrance area at 10:00 AM, and then held to either side of Spaceship Earth. EPCOT does not officially open until 11:00 AM right now. No physical distancing was … Read more
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tram transportation in Walt Disney World parking lots has been unavailable for a year. It looks like Disney is preparing to return trams to service, however, as we saw Cast Members setting up poles and chains in a tram loading area at EPCOT. This is at the east side of … Read more
This past year has seen a roller-coaster of a journey for construction on TRON Lightcycle / Run. In December, the show building was sealed off from the elements as interior construction on the coaster stagnated. Last month, however, we saw set pieces being moved into the building indicating construction had resumed inside. Scaffolding then went … Read more
Instead of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Magic Kingdom is hosting the Disney After Hours Boo Bash this year. Dates and pricing were announced last week and tickets went on sale for select resort guests today. However, guests are reporting difficulty purchasing tickets. There is no option to purchase tickets via the Walt Disney World website, … Read more
The jobs for EPCOT’s upcoming Space 220 posted by Patina Restaurant Group last month have reopened. Seven positions are currently open for applications. The job listings may be a sign that the restaurant is gearing up for an opening. The often-delayed opening was originally set for winter 2019. It looked like Space 220 may open … Read more
During Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference today, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi announced SharePlay, a new feature that will allow users to share streaming content on FaceTime calls. “SharePlay is a powerful new set of features for shared experiences that you can enjoy when you’re on a FaceTime call,” Federighi said. Several major … Read more
Disney’s Animal Kingdom isn’t the only place guests might spot fun wildlife. An otter was seen today at Disney Springs. The otter was swimming by the Paddlefish restaurant in Lake Buena Vista, a waterway connected to the Sassagoula River and several other rivers and lakes. If you’re having trouble finding the otter, here’s a zoomed-in … Read more
After their debut a few days ago, the animatronics in the new “trapped safari” scene of Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise are now moving. Watch our video of the updated scene with movement below: The animatronics are only moving slightly, but it does add more life to the refurbished scene. A new “Boats & Baits and … Read more