Walt Disney World Construction Projects were halted during the closing. This means we’ll likely see some changes as Walt Disney World regains it’s footing. As a result, we just had to do a roundup of what we know so far. Especially since recent events have us Oh So Curious as to the Future of Walt Disney World after the 2020 closure. Will Tron still be opening at Magic Kingdom in time for the 50th Anniversary? What construction projects may be scrapped? Here’s a roundup of plans so far.
Walt Disney World Construction Projects STILL HAPPENING!
To be clear All Walt Disney World construction was stopped when the parks closed. This will, of course, create significant timeline adjustment. And probably require a new priority list regarding what NEEDS to open by the 50th Anniversary in 2021 versus what can wait. You can check out all the projects that were pretty close to completion in this list and that we figure will begin to wrap up this year. And Everything that was in the works for the 50th Anniversary at Walt Disney World.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and France Pavilion | Opening October 1, 2021
Also very close to completion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure had all the finishing touches happening when we were at Epcot last. This ride will be much like the Disneyland Paris version in that it is 4D, and allows guests to “shrink” down to size in the busy kitchen atmosphere of Gusteau’s 5 Star Parisian restaurant.
Space 220 Restaurant | Epcot 2021
Update: Patina, the restaurant group that will run this restaurant, just issued another round of temporary furloughs to over 500 staff members. This will most likely affect opening. Very, very close to being completed, the Space 220 restaurant was on the verge of opening right before the parks closed but the latest estimates we’ve seen so far is March 2021. You can access this restaurant near the Mission Space attraction in Future World, and you can find this restaurant in the My Disney Experience app too. Fingers crossed this restaurant is ready for lift off soon!
La Creperie de Paris | Epcot 2021
The newest creperie at EPCOT can be found in Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure courtyard. A perfect location for grabbing your crepes and strolling the streets of Paris. Featuring the cuisine of celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse, this new restaurant will offer a table service and quick service dining option. And since Chef Boucuse is also responsible for Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul, we know the food here will be fantastic!
Harmonius Fireworks Digital Show | Epcot 2021
Not so much depending on physical construction, this show has been in production for a while. And we don’t see any reason it wouldn’t be on schedule to replace Epcot Forever sometime this year.
The Polynesian Village Resort Moana Re-Theming | Opening Summer 2021
Disney’s Polynesian Resort will not be reopening until Summer 2021 due to extensive refurbishments and some re-theming to Moana. According to the Orlando Sentinel, a spokeswoman from Disney World indicated that the Polynesian theme is making “a move to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette as well as details, patterns and textures from Disney’s ‘Moana.’”
Cinderella’s Castle Refurbishment | Magic Kingdom- COMPLETED
Pretty much just a fresh coat of paint, Cinderella’s Castle Rose hue paint job has completed. We don’t know if this temporary for the anniversary. But, we’ll take a rose gold anything, wherever we can find it!
Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom Walkway | Magic Kingdom- COMPLETED
By far one of our favorite projects on this list. This previously forgotten walkway between the Grand Floridan and Magic Kingdom is finally getting some love. This project already had some significant work being done this March and will be completed soon! With runDisney slowly overtaking things at the parks, this path would provide yet another place for runners. And an alternative transportation option for the crowded buses and monorail resorts.
Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge | 2022
Believe it or not Reflections and the new Princess and the Frog restaurant are a GO! Being built on the site of the previous River Country water park, Disney reportedly filed tons a new permits to continue in a mad dash towards completion goals. This new DVC resort will include villas, a Princess and the Frog Restaurant and walking paths to connect Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and Wilderness Lodge!
Wreck it Ralph | Magic Kingdom 2022
Previously only rumored, the permits for this new video game-like attraction were hurriedly filed right before closing. Along with demolition permits for Stitch’s Great Escape, where this new attraction will be installed. This new attraction however will not be ready for a 2021 opening, and instead be ready by 2022.
Tron Lightcycle Run Rollercoaster | Magic Kingdom 2022
Tron is by far the headliner attraction for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. Construction has been on task and it’s too big of a footprint in Magic Kingdom to be abandoned at this point. This coaster will continue as planned and complete on schedule.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Rollercoaster | Epcot 2020
A major new ride at EPCOT, previously announced at D23, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is combining a 360 technology and backwards experience that Disney wants seen. This will also be a priority in regards to construction completion. And a Major component of the Marvel Universe in EPCOT, expect this ride to come with all the bells and whistles when it opens in 2022
Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Hollywood Studios 2021
If Hollywood Studios didn’t need a family restaurant so badly, we’d be putting this one on the “May Not Happen” List. BUT, the uproar around Woody’s Lunch Box offering only outdoor seating leaves limited dining experiences for families visiting Hollywood Studios. That said, Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ is a priority. Check out all the details about Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant.
Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser Resort | Disney Resort 2021
While the Galactic Cruiser Resort will be almost necessary to bolster the Galaxy’s Edge experience, the immersion hotel itself may be slightly delayed. But not by much. Previously slated to start taking reservations by the end of 2020, we imagine this will still happen. If nothing else, simply to keep the media and Star Wars fans happy. Thankfully since this is a smaller hotel, with an anticipated fan base prepared to book it solid, completion of this resort will most likely be top priority.
The Disney Society Orchestra and Friends | Hollywood Studios
Not construction per se, Disney has just replaced the Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage Show. This new attraction at Hollywood Studios features a 6 person band playing popular Disney music from many of the films represented in Hollywood Studios. A better general match for the park, the musical compositions shared here can change with the seasons and can easily adjust to new film music as they are released.
Play! Pavilion | Epcot
The Play! Pavilion in the Wonders of Life building will bring interactive elements, a potential new monorail attraction, and plenty of spaces for kids to play. there has been a lot of work done on this project and we can see it opening in 2021.
Splash Mountain is Being Re-themed as Princess and the Frog | Magic Kingdom
News shared on Disney Parks Blog in June confirmed that Princess and the Frog is coming to Magic Kingdom! This comes as a result of conversations around providing a more relevant experience guests and more appropriately sharing the amazing and beautiful elements of the southern culture. Since Princess and the Frog is one of our FAVORITE movies, we are super excited for this new experience.
EPCOT Entrance Transformation | By 40th Anniversary 2022
In our Changes coming to Epcot post we shared all about the new neighborhoods, the green spaces and new spaces planned for the Future World area of Epcot. While many of these things are still on the docket, the timeline has most likely shifted. However, construction here is still underway.
Walt Disney World Construction Projects DELAYED OR HALTED
Here is a roundup of the rumors around town regarding Walt Disney World construction. If we hear confirmations or denials on any of this we’ll update this post ASAP.
Moana Journey of Water
While still definitely in the plan as part of Epcot’s overall transformation, this project may get downsized or cut completely as Epcot continues to be torn up. While a cohesive green space is the plan for Epcot we could see many of the called-out spaces, featuring 4 new neighborhoods, affected. The previously shared time frame for this attraction is volatile at best and we do not expect a 2021 opening date.
Epcot Festival Center
This central, tall, white tree house type building, complete with roof garden, may also be on the “maybe list.” At least for the immediate future as other higher profile projects complete.
Mary Poppins Attraction | Epcot UK
All the rage at D23, the new “Mary Poppins Attraction” in Epcot UK had absolutely NO construction started when we visited in March 2020. This one may be delayed or canceled completely. Plans indefinitely delayed or canceled.
Spaceship Earth Refurbishment | Epcot
The Spaceship Earth Refurbishment was supposed to take 2 years, reopening for Epcot’s 40th Anniversary in 2022. It officially closed with the parks ( previously slated for May 26, 2020.) But will be reopening when the parks open this year. Even now, we don’t know that this ride improvement will take priority over other higher-profile projects. The essential work here was to string a story light ( lots and lots of lights) throughout the ride. Then the light would glow and interact with your time machine as you moved along. While this may not be the only refurbishment element, it surely will be the most time-consuming. Refurbishment indefinitely delayed or canceled.
Gran Fiesta Tour Coco Overlay
Still on the docket to get a refurbishment is the Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros. A Coco-themed overlay is planned, though its transformation may once again get pushed back. Or canceled. A low priority refurbishment, we still do expect to see something updated here by 2022.
Walt Disney World Construction Projects
Things can change on a dime! So we’ll keep this post updated with news of the projects that get cut or if dates are shared for opening. In the meantime check out all the 50th Anniversary changes happening for 2021.
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