The 8 BIG Updates from Walt Disney World This Week (July 1-7, 2019)

Sunday, July 7, 2019 - 08:23

This week at Walt Disney World, Epcot announces almost a dozen closures as it prepares to reinvent itself, an expensive new restaurant opens in the World Showcase, plus Disney's Animal Kingdom is looking to rework the new(ish) UP! show, which debuted last year.

Programming note: Though we normally devote some time to Orlando-area parks outside Lake Buena Vista, there has been so much going on at Walt Disney World over the past seven days that we decided to forgo the “beyond” this week. You’ll hear about all the news from Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando in next week’s update!

1. Crowds light during quiet 4th of July

Image: Disney

Though the Fourth of July is typically a very busy time at Walt Disney World with both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot seeing phased closures in years past, it looks like things were a little lighter in 2019 with both parks staying completely open and wait times for popular rides like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Frozen Ever After staying relatively mild at between 60 - 90 minutes for most of the day.

2. UP! A Great Bird Adventure to be reworked this fall

Image: Disney

Back in 2018 Disney's Animal Kingdom changed its Flights of Wonder show at Disney's Animal Kingdom to include characters from the movie UP! alongside the cast of birds, and changed the title to the more IP-friendly UP! A Great Bird Adventure. However, it looks like these changes have not been very popular with guests, and Disney is going to be reworking this show again as a result. While these changes are being implemented the show will close from September 8 to September 14, with a reopening planned for September 15.

3. Full list of fall Future World closings now available

Image: Disney

Though we've known about the reinvention of Future World for some time news broke this week that the following locations will be closing at the end of the summer on September 8, 2019:

Club Cool
Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto meet and greet
Joy and Sadness character meet and greet
Baymax character meet and greet
FountainView Starbucks
Colortopia (Innoventions)
Fountain of Nations
Art of Disney
Pin Central

In addition, the Electric Umbrella quick service dining loction will officially close November 23rd, 2019, after which this location is expected to be remodeled and possibly rethemed in 2020.

Amanda KondolojyView Profile

Managing editor of Theme Park Tourist and dark ride enthusiast. Amanda is a lifelong theme parks fan who lives just outside Orlando. When she’s not booking FastPass+ reservations, standing in a queue or eating the latest specialty cupcake, you can find her watching a Marvel movie, reading a book (probably by Neil Gaiman) or singing along to showtunes in her car. Contact: [email protected]