The 8 BIG Updates From Walt Disney World (And Beyond) This Week (April 23-29, 2018)
By Amanda Kondolojy, Sunday, April 29, 2018 05:47
This week at Walt Disney World, Pandora - The World of Avatar runs in to some technical hiccups, Toy Story Land hits another milestone, another refurbishment is announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the popular free Disney Dining Plan discount returns.
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort quietly opens The Fast and the Furious - Supercharged, the first original house for this year's Halloween Horror Nights is announced, plus SeaWorld Orlando prepares to kick off a new event next week.
1. Pandora - The World of Avatar has a week of technical difficulties
Image: Disney
This week has been a tough one for Disney's Animal Kingdom, as its newest land, Pandora - The World of Avatar saw both full and partial closures over the past several days, with the Na'Vi River Journey attraction closed much of the week. Fortunately, as of April 28th, both the Na'Vi River Journey as well as Avatar - Flight of Passage are operating again on a regular schedule.
2. Friendship Boat service at Disney's Hollywood Studios temporarily suspended beginning next week
The Friendship Boat service that connects Disney's Hollywood Studios to Epcot as well as area resorts will be unavailable beginning next month, as work on the Swan and Dolphin bridge will temporarily halt this service beginning on May 7th. It is unknown how long this work will be ongoing, but guests wanting to travel between Epcot or its resorts and Disney's Hollywood Studios in the near future will need to use the bus system to get around for at least a few weeks.
3. New Toy Story Land sign installed
Image: Disney
Earlier this week Disney added one of the final details to Toy Story Land, installing a new sign (pictured above) welcoming guests to this new land, alongside the giant Woody statue that was depicted in both the concept art and model inside Walt Disney Presents attraction. The fact that Disney has installed this new sign shows that this land is just about ready to make its debut, and hopefully we'll hear more about soft openings and previews for Toy Story Land soon!
