The 7 BIG Updates from Walt Disney World (and Beyond) This Week (August 26

Sunday, September 1, 2019 - 06:02

3. 2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival kicks off

Image: Disney

August 29th wasn't just opening day for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, as it was also the kickoff date for the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which will be longer than ever this year at 87 days, running until November 23 2019.

4. Massive Epcot closures coming next week

Image: Disney

In just one week Epcot will begin work on the transformation of Future World, with the following locations will be closing 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

Though characters Mickey, Minnie and Pluto are being relocated, Joy, Sadness and Baymax will not be meeting guests at Epcot after September 8. And while Disney has confirmed via social media that Club Cool will return in some form at a later date, we don't know when that will be as no timeline or potential replacement location has been given.

5. UP! A Great Bird Adventure to close next week for refurbishment

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 show's 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 next week from September 8 to September 14, with a reopening of the new(ish) show planned for September 15. Though nothing has confirmed it seems likely that that the Up characters will remain part of the show, but their role may be scaled back somewhat.

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]