WDW Construction Plans: What's Cut and What's Not
The pandemic has impacted Disney's budget and plans for new construction and refurbishments. In this post, we're going to discuss the adjusted timelines or decisions on projects around Walt Disney World.
What's Cut?
Spaceship Earth's re-imagining has been postponed indefinitely. While the ride may undergo refurbishments needed to keep it running, it will not undergo the long closure and broad changes, including adding lighting effects, that Disney originally planned to make.
Rivers of Light, Stitch's Great Escape, and Primeval Whirl will be closed indefinitely. We're honestly not sure if this is due to the pandemic and budget cuts or if these were already on the list to eventually be closed because of the mediocre reactions of guests to these experiences.
EPCOT's front of park rework may be scaled back. There was to be an ambitious festival building built, for example, that was designed with cutting edge architecture and three levels (a plaza, a convention space, and a rooftop garden). Rumor has it that while the pavilion will still be built, the plans may not be quite as dramatic as originally conceived. Additionally, while the entrance plaza remodel is almost complete with more green spaces, some say guests should expect fewer interactive features as the initial unveiling of the new plaza may be scaled back.
EPCOT HarmonioUS, the new permanent EPCOT firework show intended to replace the temporary show EPCOT: Forever, is likely delayed until after Thanksgiving if not into 2021, though if fireworks shows continue to be suspended throughout 2020 to avoid drawing crowds (which we have to admit is a likely possibility), the delay really won't matter. Why have a show ready that you can't perform?
Reflections: a Disney Lakeside Lodge was a resort concept that had only just begun surveying and construction before the pandemic. This resort would have been built near the site of the old River Country waterpark. Workers report construction has been canceled with the site returned to pre-construction state, though no official word has come yet from Disney. If it had opened, it would not have been until 2022.
What's Not?
In general, it would appear Walt Disney World will not be opening any new attractions in 2020, so even if construction is still under way, look to any new rides to likely open in 2021 if not 2022. The dates themselves may be speculative at this point based on various sources. When Disney has released an updated official statement, we will note that.
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is still under construction. This will be the France pavilion at EPCOT's first ride experience. While not likely to open in 2020, this may open in 2021.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a new "family friendly" coaster coming to EPCOT's Energy pavilion. Disney has stated this will be ready in time for the 50th anniversary in 2021 but has not released any statements since the pandemic. However, we believe the project will continue as construction is well under way and the project had been budgeted for already. Whether it will be delayed is yet to be seen.
Speaking of coasters, the TRON Lightcycle roller coaster in the Magic Kingdom appears to be moving along in construction as well. This will be where the previous Grand Prix raceway was in Tomorrowland. This is estimated to be completed in the summer or fall of 2021, but may be delayed until 2022. Because of this construction, the Walt Disney World railroad remains closed in 2020.
The castle repainting is almost complete! Cinderella's Castle is being painted a shade of shimmering rose gold and the turrets are receiving a deeper shade of blue/ almost purple. Additionally, bricks around the moat are being painted different shades of gray rather than the one shade to make them stand out a bit more.
The Grand Floridian walkway that will finally span a canal that previously made it impossible to walk from the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom is still under construction! According to photos taken late June, a bridge is in place and construction vehicles are still on site, meaning this construction is still underway and should be completed sometime in 2020. This walkway, while a minor piece of construction, will make it possible to walk to the Magic Kingdom from all of the monorail loop resorts, which is kind of a big deal, as previously one could only walk to the Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary Resort!
Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life is the show replacing La Nouba at the Cirque du Soleil theater in Disney Springs. While many originally anticipated this would be cut due to Cirque du Soleil's own financial troubles during the pandemic, ticket dates have been released starting November 5th, 2020.
Monorail refurbishment/replacement must continue! The Mark VI monorails have been in operation since 1989, and being they are a major reason Disney guests book monorail loop resorts, we know Disney will be interested in keeping these up to date. In 2019, silver and green received interior refurbishments, and in 2020, it appears peach has also been refurbished. But a new exciting rumor is that Disney has purchased a new fleet of monorails from Bombardier. No word on when these will make it to the parks, but in general, it is good to know Disney is showing some TLC to its iconic transportation.
What we're not sure about...
The Space 220 restaurant in the Space pavilion at EPCOT has been long anticipated. Originally scheduled to open in 2019, then pushed to "winter 2019/2020", it still has not opened. This restaurant would not be operated by Walt Disney World, but rather the Patina restaurant group (a group Disney contracts with for many other Disney property restaurants). News broke earlier this week that Patina restaurant group was laying off many employees. So while it is likely this restaurant will one day open, further delays should be anticipated.
Moana: Journey of Water at EPCOT is part of the large re-imagining of EPCOT called Project Gamma. Construction on the Moana water feature, which will include a trail and a themed waterfall began in October 2019 and was slated to open in 2021. However, Disney has redacted the opening date from the concept poster. So, we're not entirely sure what that means. Project Gamma was originally slated to last through 2022, so it could mean the water feature will open later than 2021.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, the Star Wars themed resort, was originally slated to open sometime in 2021. No opening month was ever released. Disney has been silent about the speculated opening date as well, so we have yet to see if this will open as anticipated or be delayed.
I don't know about you, but I'm pretty pleased at what construction Disney can still do even with the challenges of this year. And even if something is on the "cut" list, it doesn't put those things or a replacement for those things off the list entirely. What do you think of the construction plans? Did we miss something that you are excited about? Let us know over on our Facebook page where you can follow us to see new posts each week. Until then...
