FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

5. Try something spicy

Spice Road Table

Epcot's World Showcase is famous for its selection of internationally-themed restaurants, and the newest opened in January 2014. Spice Road Table is housed in the Morocco Pavilion, and serves small plates and tapas. The design is inspired by outdoor cafés along the Mediterranean, complete with a whitewashed façade, tapestries and artwork representing the country's indigenous Berber tribes.

4. Splash around in Explorer Island

Explorer Island

Image: Four Seasons

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is due to open on August 14 at Walt Disney World - and it will come complete with its own pool complex, Explorer Island. This will effectively be a mini-water park - not on the scale of Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, but still offering an entire day's worth of entertainment.

Explorer Island will be based around The Mansion, a "ruined" mansion that will act as a "family hang out spot". The 7,590-square-foot family pool will overlook Bay Lake, offering a gradually-sloping "beach entry" designed for younger swimmers. The underwater audio system will play popular tunes, and guests will be able to watch movies from the deck or from a floating pool chair on the "Star Struck" movie screen on select nights.

There'll also be an adults-only pool, designed to help guest relax. This will also overlook the lake, will be 92 feet long and will be equipped with underwater audio and an adjacent jacuzzi.

The Drop

Image: Four Seasons

The 11,000-square-foot Drifters lazy river will snake its way around The Mansion, and will beequipped with a 9-foot waterfall, a bubbling rapids section and two spray cannons. Swooping down from The Mansion's main tower will be a 242-foot enclosed water slide. It's made from see-through fibreflass, so riders will be visible as they plunge downwarrds.

Explorer Island is expected to be open only to Four Seasons guests - making this the priciest water park at Walt Disney World.

3. Explore the completed New Fantasyland

New Fantasyland

Disney first announced the updated New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom back in 2009, and it's taken almost five years to complete it. That moment finally came with the debut of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, with visitors able to enjoy the New Fantasyland experience without encountering construction walls at every turn.

The faux mountain that hosts the new roller coaster dominates the area, but has been cleverly designed to reflect the theme of its surrounding attractions. From the front, guests see a wooded entrance leading to the Seven Dwarfs' cottage. From the back, it resembles a seaside village (complete with a waterfall), tying in with Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid.

2. Meet Frozen's Anna and Elsa at the Magic Kingdom

Anna and Elsa

Anna and Elsa, the stars of Disney's animated hit Frozen, have moved over to the Magic Kingdom as Disney looks to alleviate huge queues to meet the two princesses. Previously, guests could meet-and-greet the pair at Epcot's Norway Pavilion. However, queues of up to five hours have been reported, prompting Disney to announce that the characters would move to the Magic Kingdom's Princess Fairytale Hall on April 20. This has enabled guests to book timeslots to meet Anna and Elsa using the FastPass+ reservation system, although standby queues still remain lengthy.

1. Swing through the Seven Dwarfs' mine

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The new roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, takes guests on a musical journey through the diamond mine and enchanted forest from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Guests swing from side-to-side in its unique cars, as well as passing through Snow White's cottage.

You can find out everything you need to know about the ride by reading through our recent (spoiler-free) review.

You can keep up to date with the latest confirmed and rumored opening dates for new attractions through Theme Park Tourist's "New Attraction Watch" section, and by signing up for our weekly newsletter.

 
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Comments

The new Four Seasons hotel IS being built on Disney property. It is in the center of a "planned community", similar to Celebration, but on a MUCH grander, high-end scale. Homes in this gated community start near $2 million dollars and the hotel is located near the center of the community. Disney transportation will operate between the hotel, the parks, and other Disney properties. For more information, you can check out the website - disneygoldenoak.com.

No. It's an off property hotel. So it's not a WDW hotel.

I have questions about The Four Seasons Hotel. Is this a Disney resort, or a hotel on Disney property?

Add new comment

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...