The New Things Happening at Epcot

Every year Disney World changes something about their parks.  Here is a list of some of the changes happening to Epcot. 

So many new surprises at Epcot!

Now let’s talk about the pavilions.  Over in the France Pavilion, Disney is building Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, but it won’t be open until the spring of 2020.  This ride is actually open in Disneyland Paris already.  Also in the France Pavilion there is going to be a Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long.  It will alternate with Impressions de France, the show that is currently in the France Pavilion.  In Canada, the show “O’ Canada” is going to be getting a makeover.  In the Japan Pavilion, Disney is opening another table service restaurant.

First of all, the Disney Skyliner will open in the Fall of 2019.  It will be a transportation network high in the sky that will take you from Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach and the upcoming Disney Riviera resort to the International Gateway at Epcot and Hollywood Studios.  I’m excited!  Illuminations unfortunately is being replaced by Epcot Forever, a new night time show that will be playing 80’s music.

Calling all Mission Space fans!  A space themed restaurant is opening near Mission Space in 2020. 

Mission Space!

I am really excited about these updates and am looking forward to seeing the rides, restaurants, skyliners and Epcot Forever this year and 2020!

The New Things Happening at Hollywood Studios

Last year was a great year at Disney World but 2019 is going to be even better.  Here are some things that I am looking forward to at Hollywood Studios in 2019. 

The new location for Mickey and Minnie’s Railway Runaway is behind us!

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be opening in the fall of 2019, though there are some rumors that it might be opening in the summer (now there is a rumor that this will not be ready until 2020!).  The ride will be in the same location that used to have The Great Movie Ride.  The ride will have a new technology called 2 and a half D, that is supposed to be like 3D but without the glasses, and you will be riding in an animated scene.  Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will also be opening.  It will open near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and will be a show starring your favorite Cars characters in a big race.  Wonderful World of Animations will open in the May of 2019 and will be a night show that is for Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary.

And of course, the biggest new thing at Hollywood Studios will be Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. For more information on this new land, check out our prior blogs here and here.

Haunted Mansion Now Has An On-Ride Photo

Now Haunted Mansion has an on-ride photo. (For a Haunted Mansion Review click here!)

An on-ride photo means that when you ride Haunted Mansion, while wearing your MagicBand, a camera will take a photo of you and afterwards you will see a Haunted Mansion themed photo of you on the ride. You MUST have your MagicBand on you because the photo is sent to your parents’ Disney World app. Here is the best part: the picture comes home with you! This works with the magic of Memory Maker.

A Beginner’s Guide to Adventureland

Adventureland is located in Magic Kingdom.

The Jungle Cruise in Adventureland is a lot of fun!

Rides: On the Jungle Cruise you ride on a boat on the Amazon River and see some awesome fake animals. If you have a tour guide that is friendly and fun you will have an amazing experience. I love this ride because it’s fun and relaxing. The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are based on the Pirates of Caribbean ride. Jack Sparrow makes a surprise appearance at least three times. During the beginning of the ride there is a drop. (It’s a small drop.) Basically, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride shows a pirates life style.

The backside of water! (once you go on the ride, you’ll get the joke)

The Enchanted Tiki Room is a show with audio-animation birds. It’s almost never crowded so if you want to escape from the crowd this is your place! In The Magic Carpets of Aladdin you get to fly on a magic carpet and chose if you want to get up or down. This ride may be for little kids but it’s really fun! Here’s a little tip while you’re on the ride: the camels that surround the ride actually squirt water! This overall is a very relaxing ride! I have never done the Swiss Family Treehouse but I do know that you have to walk the entire time. I do not have any interest in trying it because it’s just MORE WALKING and you will be doing enough walking at Disney World.

Jack Sparrow!!!!!

Entertainment: In Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial, Captain Jack Sparrow and Mack his shipmate will teach you how to become a pirate on his crew. Last time we went Disney World my brother Al did it and he loved it.

Al’s scroll!

Food: The Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen has many different themed rooms. A hidden secret meeting room, a dining room, and a crew mess room. The food their is really good! Tortuga Tavern is a pirate themed restaurant and a counter service dining. Sunshine Tree Terrace has many snacks such as chocolate chip cookies, chocolate or vanilla ice cream, orange slush, juice, and raspberry lemonade slush. Aloha Isle has the one and only DOLE WHIP!! A dole whip is a pineapple soft-serve ice cream that you can get as ice cream or in a float.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Shopping: Agrabah Bazaar is great if you like the movie Aladdin. You will find Aladdin merchandise. Bwana Bob’s is located just when you enter adventureland. It has hats and Minnie ears. Island Supply by Sunglass Hut is just sunglasses. Pirate’s Bazaar has Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise and accessories. Zanzibar Trading Company has safari hats and plush animals.

Splash Mountain Review

You will get wet!

Height Restriction: Must be 40 inches

What I Like About It

Splash Mountain is located in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom and is a water ride. Now you can follow Brer Rabbit’s adventures. If you sit in the front row you will get VERY wet! I remember one time when I got stuck sitting in the front row with my dad we both got completely soaked! Even if you sit in the back you will get wet so get your ponchos out!

What I Don’t Like About It

During the end of the ride there is a HUGE drop. The drop is actually 52 feet! Besides the drop it’s a peaceful ride. If you like thrill rides and you don’t mind getting wet, then you will definitely love this ride. The lines for this ride can get very long, so either do it first thing in the morning or make sure to get a Fastpass+.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening Dates

Recently the Walt Disney Company announced the opening dates for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and Hollywood Studios! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios on August 29 and in Disneyland on May 21. I can’t wait for it to open!

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be open on August 29 in Hollywood Studios but Rise of the Resistance will not and will open later this year. In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run you will get to be the pilot of the Millennium Falcon! The height restriction for this ride is 38 inches. When Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens, the height restriction will be 40 inches.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will also have Star Wars themed restaurants and shopping. There will be five restaurants or food stands, such as Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Kat Saka’s Kettle, Milk Stand (serving blue and green milk!), Oga’s Cantina and Ronto Roasters. There will be multiple shopping areas, such as Droid Depot(where you can build your own droid!), Savi’s Workshop (where you can build your own lightsaber!), Toydarian Toymaker, Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, Creature Stall and Black Spire Outfitters.

So far Disney World has not given a lot of information yet. Stay tuned for more Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge information here at DisneywithIzzy!

A Beginner’s Guide to the World Showcase: Spotlight on Norway

Who knew that Norway could be so warm? Norway is a popular destination since you can meet and greet Princess Anna and Queen Elsa from the movie Frozen. Norway looks just like a Norwegian town square.

Food: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is the perfect place for princesses! Here you can meet princesses for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You should probably have a dining reservation because it gets crowded here so don’t be surprised to be waiting for a while. You can also find sandwiches and pastries at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe. I would recommend trying the School Bread from here.

Entertainment: The Norway Pavilion has a popular ride called Frozen Ever After. This line is REALLY LONG!! First, you will see Olaf and Sven decorating for the Winter Festivals. The grandfather troll tells the tale of how Anna and Kristoff meet. Towards the end of the ride Elsa is singing Let It Go, then the ride starts going backwards! What a pleasant surprise! Afterwards, you can go meet Princess Anna and Queen Elsa at the Royal Sommerhus.

Shopping: The Wandering Reindeer has Frozen toys, clothes and much more! Curious and Collectibles has interesting books on trolls, Vikings and much more such as clothes and toys.

Vikings!
Don’t forget to get your passport stamped!

A Beginner’s Guide to the World Showcase: Spotlight on France

A replica Eifel Tower is in the background.

The France Pavilion is a great place to relax. It is a great pavilion to visit because there is so much to do.

Chefs de France is behind the acrobat show.

Food: Chefs de France is one of the first restaurants you spot in the France Pavilion. The other restaurant is called Monsieur Paul. It is only open for dinner. Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie has croissants, mouthwatering eclairs, mousse, and much more! When I went there I tried the macaroons. They are outstanding! L’Artisan des Glaces is an ice cream shop. It is very popular. Update: La Crêperie de Paris is a restaurant that serves sweet and savory crepes.

Shopping: Souvenirs de France has many classic French souvenirs, such as berets, t-shirts, mini Eiffel Towers and many books about cities, the language, and French artists. This is a store worth checking out.

The acrobat show is awesome!

Entertainment: The France Pavilion does have a show called Impressions de France. Unlike the shows in the China and Canada, you get to sit and watch it like at a movie theater. The show is a little outdated but it’s still a great show. Update: Impressions de France has been replaced with Beauty and the Beast Sing Along. Belle from Beauty and the Beast is available in France for autographs and photos. There is also an acrobat (Serveur Amusant) that performs most of the afternoon. It is a fun and exciting show! France is also getting some new attractions. Ratatouille: The Adventure will be similar to the ride in Disneyland Paris. Chef Skinner will chase guests through Gusteau’s Parisian restaurant on a trackless ride. Can’t wait! Update: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened on October 1, 2021.

Don’t forget to get your passport stamped!

Haunted Mansion Review

What I Like About It

The names are part of the fun!

Haunted Mansion is located in Magic Kingdom and is my mom’s favorite ride. There is a short pre-show before the ride which can be a bit scary for little kids (because the lights go out). After that, you get on a buggy. The ghosts on the ride are looking for another ghost to join them. You get to explore the mansion and hopefully get out alive (I am kidding!) The ride takes you everywhere from the attic to the basement. At the end of the ride a creepy girl says “Hurry back, hurry back.” My mom has a Haunted Mansion mug with the same words on the bottom.

There are a lot of funny things to look at outside.

What I Don’t Like About it

If you’re like me, you get scared on the ride. It’s okay and you are not alone. If you get scared, here is an idea that can make you feel better. There are tons of hidden Mickey’s on the ride. Finding hidden Mickey’s will remind you that the ride is not real.

SCAAARRRYYYYY!!!!!
Hitchhiking ghosts!!!

Kilimanjaro Safari Review

What I Like About It

The Kilimanjaro Safari is a ride located in Animal Kingdom. On the Safari you ride in a big truck and get to see amazing animals. The Safari is a fun ride for kids because you get to see animals you would normally not see in every day life. The truck bumps around a lot which is also fun. Sometimes the driver can make some jokes as well.

Ostrich eggs!

Every time you go on the Safari it’s always different. Why? Because the animals sometimes become the center of attention. On my last Disney World trip in August, we saw an ostridge open its feathers and pee right before our eyes!

The rhinos were blocking our path!

Another time a couple of years ago, a rhino was walking right next to our truck! The Safari might sound boring but it’s actually an amazing ride for animal lovers!

What I Don’t Like About It

Pretty much nothing, I love this ride! The only thing I don’t like is that the line can get really long so you really need a Fastpass+.

Giraffes are my favorite animals!