2020 IS GONNA BE QUITE A YEAR FOR DISNEY: PARKS EDITION

Well hey there. Oh, I know. It’s been a minute since we’ve talked but it’s been a cray-town month. Don’t give me that look. You know this is my busy time. Actually, that’s not true. But I HAVE been hella-busy at work this month.

All I can say is I am sorry. And that I have a big post here to make up for it. On account of there is SO MUCH going on Disney-wise in 2020. Like, between the parks and the movies and Disney+, it’s like A LOT.

And us Goodreaus also have quite a 2020 to look forward to as well Disney-wise. Next week, we are heading to Disney’s Vero Beach resort (and spending one night at Caribbean Beach)to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Myles’s birthday. And this summer, we have the longest Walt Disney World vacation we have ever taken – 2 weeks!!

In the summer.

Partly over fourth of July week.

Yeah. Should be something.

Also, yeah. I get it. It’s already February. 2020 is well underway. But I think we all can agree January doesn’t count. At least in Massachusetts, January is like a sort of cold, gray 31-day limbo between the end of one year and the start of the next where time doesn’t exist. But Disney being Disney, they have already begun some of their 2020 intros so some of what I am talking about below has already happened.

So lots o’ stuff. For the purposes of this post, I am going to focus only on the parks here. I hope to follow up with one on what’s coming to theaters and Disney+ soon, but for now – let’s talk about the parks.

And a quick note – since these are coming attractions, I have none of my own photos to put in here. I will do my best to grab photos that have credits within so you know where they came from. So like, I am stealing them, but I am letting you know where I stole them from. Kind of like a burglar that includes an address card with all the items I’m fencing.

Now, fair warning – when I say “parks,” I am mainly talking about Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the parks I personally have visited and have the highest chance of visiting in 2020. I mean, we only have plans to visit Walt Disney World in 2020, but who knows? My work takes me to the LA/Anaheim area quite often, so there is always a possibility.

But let’s start with Walt Disney World. I am gonna try my best to do this in what is expected to be a chronological order but as anyone who knows Disney knows, none of these are set in stone and a lot of these are at this point only approximate dates.

Awesome Planet movie (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – ALREADY OPEN

So I mean, we are starting with something I am like, I guess “excited” for? Awesome Planet is a new film that has already opened in EPCOT’s Land Pavilion, where the old Circle of Life (with Timon and Pumbaa) used to screen. The overall message continues to be one of an environmental/conservational tone and the plot, as I understand it, is that Modern Family’s Ty Burrell acting all Phil Dunphy-ish  as a real estate agent taking some prospective “planet buyers” on a walkthrough of Planet Earth.

We will probably check this out, but am I having trouble sleeping thinking about it? Merp. I mean, we saw Circle of Life once in all our travels and I have seen mixed reviews on this one since its debut. But who knows?

Canada: Far and Wide (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – ALREADY OPEN

Similar to Awesome Planet, I am like sort of excited for this one. Actually, of all the country films, the Martin Short Canada film was the country film we watched most. And this one is hosted by Catherine O’ Hara and Eugene Levy. And we do love Schitt’s Creek.

So maybe I am excited about this one, eh?

This is located in the Canada pavilion. If you haven’t figured that out yet, hoser.

Beauty & The Beast Sing-A-Long (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – ALREADY OPEN

Yup. Another EPCOT film that’s already opened. But this is the one I am probably MOST excited about. I mean, Beauty & the Beast is legit top 5 Disney movies of all-time and I love embarrassing my children singing out loud. So it’s a win-win.

Plus, I can get behind the idea of the whole idea of LeFou being the secret driving force behind everything. So it’s a win-win-win.

This one is currently sharing a theater with the Impressions de France film in EPCOT’s France pavilion. And by “sharing,” I mean this film is showing all day and then Impressions de France has like one or two showings while the fireworks are going off. Poor Impressions de France.

Space 220 (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – Winter 2020

So chronologically, I think this one comes next. It’s been rumored to be coming in winter but I mean, we have very little in the way of details. So who knows. We have heard for a while that hiring notices were pointing towards a February 2020 opening date but now other reports have pushed it into March or potentially later. We are hoping it is at least open by the time we visit this summer.

On account of this place is gonna be…wait for it…out of this world.

But yeah, place looks cool. Reportedly, you are going to board an elevator and feel as though once you are off, you are eating 220 miles above the Earth’s surface. The windows will look out into space and there will be a spinning wall of produce.

Just like in space.

Space 220 will be located near Mission: Space in EPCOT. The menu hasn’t been released but its supposed to be hella-international and have tons o’ wine. So I am ready to hop on board. Fo shizzle.

City Works Eatery and Pour House (Disney Springs, Walt Disney World) -Winter 2020

This one combines the “Eatery coming sometime in Winter 2020” of the aforementioned Space 220 and the “I think I am excited about this” of everything else I have talked about so far.

It’s basically a big sports bar. Food looks good enough and there are like 90 different craft beers on tap. Nothing super innovative or anything, but weirdly Walt Disney World has always been lacking in sports bars. So I mean, if we want to catch a Red Sox game while we are there this summer, I could see us hitting here.

Also, they serve tacos AND breakfast all day. And one of their breakfast items is a Shakshuka (spicy tomato sauce, sunny side up eggs, goat cheese, toasted garlic baguette) of which I first heard on an episode of Somebody Feed Phil. And I love eating food I have heard of on TV. It’s an overeater’s version of meeting a celebrity.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – any day now?

Yeah, I am gonna go ahead and throw this one here…

…because I have no idea when this place is opening, but it does already have a menu so I gotta think it’s opening soon.

And it’s exciting mainly because I am looking forward to hanging out with Jack Tripper and Larry. Look out for Lana, though. She’s aggressive, that one. Oh and Mr. Furley. Well, he…

Hm…

Oh.

Regal EAgle, not BEAgle. Got it.

Moving on.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse will be located in EPCOT’s American Adventure pavilion. Which in and of itself is exciting on account of food in that pavilion has been…merp a derp.

And you know what else is exciting? SAM THE FRIKKIN EAGLE.

Yup, this restaurant is themed around a barbecue cook-off hosted by The Muppets’ Sam Eagle (I dunno…it looks like maybe they removed the “the”? It’s just “Sam Eagle” now? Eh, it’s efficient. I’ll give em that.)

One weird thing is that this place touts itself as “Craft Drafts & Barbecue.” And while barbecue seems aplenty, the menu only lists four beers. And one of them is Sam Adams. And another is Angry Orchard cider. So erm. But who knows? Maybe there will be rotating taps or something.

Regardless. Muppets. Barbecue. Beer. I’m pretty in.

Magic Happens Parade (Disneyland Park) – February 28^th, 2020

It’s so funny. I literally usually can’t stand parades. Oh, hi parade. Why are you so boring?

But of course, that’s 1000% the opposite of what I think about Disney parades. The floats, the characters, the music. They’re legit happiness.

So it’s always exciting when a new parade comes around. Even if it is in Disneyland, where I hope to visit this year at some point. The concept art for the floats is pretty awesome. There is a brand new Frozen float, a Moana float, and UGH a Coco float. Check this baby out:

And the parade will have an all new score and song by Todrick Hall. This Todrick Hall:

So I mean, it will probably be awesometown.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World) – March 4^th, 2020

Now, THIS is exciting! A new dark ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Railway will be opening inside the Chinese Theater (RIP Great Movie Ride) at Hollywood Studios.

The attraction will be themed around the new style of Mickey cartoon shorts being shown on the Disney Channel, which is pretty great. On account of those are pretty hilarious. And you know, zany.

Actually, this is the first Mickey-centric attraction at the parks. Like, ever. I mean, yeah you had the old Mickey Mouse Revue and the current Mickey’s Philharmagic attractions, but neither of these really were Mickey-focused.

What we know so far about the attraction is that It will start with a showing of a Mickey short in which Mickey and Minnie are going on a picnic and come into contact with Goofy conducting a train. We then pass through a simulated movie screen and, well, hijinks ensue. The ride will employ a new technology known as “2 ½ D” (3D without glasses) to really immerse riders in the story.

Mickey Shorts Theater (Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World) – March 2020

Slated to open in March 2020 (I assume the 4^th to open alongside Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, but not sure) the Mickey Shorts Theater will show the same Mickey shorts I mentioned above on which Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is based.

Word is it will premiere a new Mickey short – “Vacation Fun” – but my assumption is that there will be other shorts shown as well.

A movie theater showing cartoons may not be all that exciting to everyone. But I dig it. I love the idea of a simple theater to duck into to escape the heat and watch some cartoons.

Cirque du Soleil “Drawn to Life” (Disney Springs, Walt Disney World) – officially debuts April 17, 2020

I’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil show before. Nor have I ever had the desire. This includes La Nouba, which ran for quite a while in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs.

So why now am I actually excited about a Cirque du Soleil production?

Because this is what a Disney-housed Cirque du Soleil should always have been. This is being billed as a Cirque du Soleil/Disney collaboration. And it focuses squarely on Disney animation. The story follows the daughter of a late Disney animator who discovers a piece of unfinished animation. Guided by a pencil, she is taken through her Disney childhood memories. So I mean, I fully expect some characters, Disney music. All that.

HarmonioUS (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – Spring, 2020

The arrival of EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular is bittersweet for me. While its arrival necessitated the end of my favorite Walt Disney World nighttime spectacular, Illuminations, it’s being billed as the biggest Disney nighttime spectacular EVER.

I am also one of the few Disney fans that is completely fine with Intellectual Property (IP) being brought more and more into EPCOT. Totez fine with it. The more Disney, the better. That’s what I always say. Like legit. I always say it. It really annoys people.

But yeah, HarmonioUS will have all kinds of IP – Disney music, characters, projections – and I am HERE FOR IT. And beyond that, the show is gonna have, like, everything. Fireworks. Projections. Fountains. Lasers. Pyrotechnics. It’s super exciting.

The nighttime spectaculars are an important part of the Disney experience and I am totez mcgotez looking forward to this one.

Wondrous China 360 (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – unsure of opening date

I know what you were thinking. “Enough with these new attractions, and fireworks, and restaurants. I want more films”

Well, here you go, buddy.

Funny thing – Nickie, the boys, and I actually watched the old China film last time we were in Walt Disney World (November 2019). And I kinda liked it. It definitely felt dated but I feel like seeing that last November made me kind of excited to see the new film when it debuts.

Eh, I guess that wasn’t really that funny of a thing. But yeah, I look forward to seeing the new film.

Whenever that will be.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ (Hollywod Studios, Walt Disney World) – unsure of opening date

Yerp, no idea when this one is opening either but I kind of am just going on my gut that it will be open by summer. And my gut is never wrong. Except when it is. Which is a lot of times.

And I mean, ANOTHER barbecue restaurant. Oy. But the nice thing about this one is that it will bring some much needed covered space in which to eat in Toy Story Land.

Plus, I fully expect the theming to be on point. I love the whole feel of Toy Story Land and this restaurant looks to carry through the bright colors and all the feels of the land. Basically, the setup is that Andy has taped together some cardboard to create a rodeo scene with some favorite Toy Story characters.

Yippee kay-ay Mickey Fickeys.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – Summer 2020

Man, EPCOT is KILLING IT in 2020.

So, first off – this attraction isn’t exactly “new.” Thing already exists in Disneyland Paris but still, getting another attraction in World Showcase (with more to follow btw) is pretty amazepantz. Also, it’s Ratatouille-focused. So that’s pretty much best.

This attraction will make use of that whole trackless thing and as a rider, you will scoot around Gusteau’s. Looking at the Paris version, it looks like they make use of some dark ride elements and screens. I REALLLLLY hope this one is open when we visit this summer.

La Creperie de Paris (EPCOT, Walt Disney World) – Summer 2020

Opening alongside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, La Creperie de Paris will offer both a table-service menu inspired by Brittany region of France and a counter-service window for those simply looking for crepes.

While another new restaurant is exciting on its own, this one is especially cool as the chef behind the menu is Jérôme Bocuse of Chefs de France (which happens to be one of my favorite spots in all of Walt Disney World.

Plus, I mean. It’s crepes. Who doesn’t love crepes?

M&M’s at Disney Springs (Disney Springs, Walt Disney World) – sometime in 2020

Yet another spot without an official opening date. I honestly think this one could go late 2020. But it could also be coming this summer. It IS a retail location, which seem to be up and running much quicker but who knows.

But of course I am excited about M&M’s at Disney Springs. It’s….

It would be cool if they had a meet-and-greet with the M&M characters. Especially the sexy green one. Rawr.

Wait. Crap. Was that out loud?

Avengers Campus (California Adventure, Disneyland Resort) – Summer 2020

This is pretty much THE reason I want to try and get to Disneyland in 2020. I already LOVE Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout out on the West Coast and I am sure the rest of Avengers Campus (of which Mission Breakout will now be a part) will be equally as MARVEL-ous.

Get? Marvelous? Marvel? Ous?

Whatever.

And in addition to Mission Breakout, Avengers Campus will also open with a new Spider-Man attraction and what sounds like a pretty awesome restaurant – the Pym Test Kitchen. OF COURSE I am excited for a Spider-Man attraction but this test kitchen sounds super cool as well. At the Pym Test Kitchen (ya know, from Ant-Man), normal-sized foods will be either shrunk or enlarged so I dunno – I just imagine some pretty inventive items.

Here’s hoping they serve some sort of giant donut. Also, here’s hoping they serve some sort of mini-donut. What I am trying to say is I like donuts.

And the real exciting thing about a new land is the possibility for the future. We already know they will be rolling out an Avengers attraction and who knows what down the line.

Oh also – Spider-Man will be flying through the air. NBD.

Disney Genie (your phone or device) – Late 2020

It’s a new planning app!!

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…

Come on guys. Get excited.

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…

OK, fine. On its surface, probably not all that exciting. But this app sounds pretty cool.

For a more complete description, I am gonna link you over to the Disney Parks Blog. But in a nutshell, this is a more customized way to plan for your Disney vacation. And it seems hella-fun. Especially for people that like to plan. Which are us.

According to that article, you can base a day around, say, princesses at Magic Kingdom or an itinerary just for thrill seekers. But I imagine a lot of it might work like a mobile Disney-fied version of Touring Plans. Where you can enter what you would like to do that day, maybe add some extra parameters or prioritization and Disney Genie will spit back an optimal plan. Which is pretty cool honestly. Plus, you can edit your plan if you change your mind, and it will re-optimize. AND you can make and house all your reservations here as well. So I mean, super convenient.

Additionally, it looks like there is some machine learning in there that learns what you like or are interested in and it will give you recommendations. So I mean, super machine learningish.

We will have to see how it all plays out. This could honestly be awesome and helpful or It could be merp a derp. Plus, there has been no information regarding whether this would be free or an additional cost. I think it’s pretty cool for sure but is it worth paying for when I know and trust the information I can get from Touring Plans?

We shall see.

So yeah, lots o’ stuff happening at the parks this year. And the crazy thing? This isn’t even everything. But I do feel this is most of the important stuff. So I mean – go to the Disney parks this year. It’ll be fun.