Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

[coasterbill]

I've thought about this way too much because we love Coco.

I feel like the problem with that would be that there would be absolutely nowhere to put the queue. Right now, the pavilion can barely handle the queue for that dumb boat ride.

My dream scenario that will never happen is a Coco ride show building behind the Anna and Elsa meet and greet with an entrance near Plaza de los Amigos but this will absolutely never happen ever.

[DannySixFlags]

I hate they didn't do anything with the Wonders of Life building. I'm absolutely obsessed with Body Wars, because viewing the human body from the inside is a comfort/sensory thing for me, as long as I know who we're inside. I think they used the same guy who played the volunteer in the preshow for the volunteer in the main show. Both have that "male Marge Simpson" look to them.

[jedimaster1227]

The Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed that the current iteration of Test Track will close soon to begin work on the newest version... It was announced last September at the Destination D23 event at Walt Disney World that Test Track would again be updated by Imagineers, along with teams from Chevrolet, who are reaching back into history for inspiration from the original World of Motion and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction. The following new image was released at the time of the attraction's closure announcement:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/test-track/

On June 17, 2024, Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will temporarily close. Please check back for additional information.

The following image was released during the Destination D23 event when the updates to Test Track were originally announced:

[Hilltopper39]

I'll be honest I love Test Track but I'm not really that interested in this renovation. I mean other than some kind of significant change to the layout/ride experience I just don't really know what they can do to this attraction for a third time to make it any better than it already is.

[KBrylczyk]

^ They could restore it to the original version, for one.  I know they're not but hopefully they'll at least bring back the crash test scene.  Coming around the corner, seeing the dummy car crash into the wall, then lining up in front of your own target while they announced the final test was a crash test was great.  The wall opening up to reveal the outdoor portion right before you hit was fantastic.

The current version was such a letdown for me when I rode last year.  Still a fun ride but nowhere near as great as the original. 

[A.J.]

Disney has announced that the renovated Test Track will open on July 22, 2025!

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/test-track-reopening-date-july-22/

Buckle up for a new spin on a fan-favorite attraction – Test Track presented by General Motors will reopen on July 22!  

This attraction update will debut an all-new musical score, as well as new scenes that highlight technology making our cars smarter and our lives more fun.  

See Through the “Eyes” of a Vehicle

One of those scenes showcases how vehicles can use advanced cameras and sensors to “see” the world they drive through.

While Test Track has always celebrated new and future automotive technology, it’s also a reminder of what a road trip is all about: spending quality time in the company of friends and family while embracing the beauty of the world around you.

[jedimaster1227]

Walt Disney World has shared details about several of their upcoming animatronics coming to the parks including updates to the animatronics found in Frozen Ever After!

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/new-updates-to-audio-animatronics-figures-at-walt-disney-world/

For more than seven decades, Walt Disney Imagineering has brought beloved stories and characters off the screen and into reality through the revolutionary innovations of Audio-Animatronics figures. From classic attractions to brand-new adventures, these incredible creations are part of the fabric of iconic Disney storytelling that keeps guests coming back year after year. There’s always something new to inspire. 

As we continue to invest in new and well-loved experiences, there are even more Audio-Animatronics figures updates on the way to Walt Disney World Resort! 

Zootopia: Better Zoogether!  

Starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, get ready to clap your paws and click your claws when Zootopia: Better Zoogether! opens on November 7 in the iconic Tree of Life Theater.  

It’s a “4D” show you won’t want to miss, as the residents of Zootopia are gearing up for Zoogether Day, a citywide celebration. On this special day, all kinds of animals join together with performances from many of the diverse biomes that make up the city. In Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, the Tree of Life Theater is the epicenter of Zoogether Day with fast-talking, loud-howling wolf host Heidi Howler presenting a watch party where the audience of mammals big and small will catch all the festivities via livestream. 

I hope you’re ready to join in the fun, because we’re all invited to join the audience too! Thanks to the special “Carrot Vision” glasses we’ll wear as part of the watch party experience, some of your favorite characters from Zootopia and Zootopia 2 will “jump” off the screen … except for Gazelle’s number one fan and off-duty ZPD officer. That’s right, Benjamin Clawhauser himself will be in the theater with us, in the form of an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure. 

When we met Clawhauser in Zootopia, he was sporting his ZPD uniform (and sometimes a tasty donut, too). At the Zoogether Day watch party, he’ll be decked out from head to tail with a brand-new look: glow necklaces and his favorite, glittery Gazelle tee shirt. 

This larger-than-life fan wants nothing more than to be picked as the V.I.Z. (Very Important Zootopian – the lucky mammal who will get special access to the Zoogether Day performers). And when that doesn’t work out, he has to take matters into his own paws. 

Frozen Ever After at EPCOT 

In the heart of the Norway pavilion at EPCOT, Frozen fanatics have been sailing through the story of Princess Anna and Queen Elsa on Frozen Ever After since it debuted in 2016. It is full of Audio-Animatronics figures – from Sven and Kristoff, an ice-skating Olaf, Marshmallow and a whole herd of Snowgies, and of course, Anna and Elsa. 

Many of these figures were groundbreaking in the world of Audio-Animatronics – not just as part of the first Frozen attraction, but also as the first attraction to have all electric Audio-Animatronics figures, and the first to combine electric motors and 3D printing. That’s a lot of firsts! 

To build the attraction and make it feel like the enchanted Frozen story, it all came down to one wrist. Elsa is known for her magical, ice-forming hand gestures; for her Audio-Animatronics figure to handle the fluid movements just like Elsa does on screen, Imagineers needed enough space to run cables and motors down her arms and hands. They figured out how big Elsa’s wrist needed to be and scaled everything else in the attraction to match. 

Since then, Walt Disney Imagineering couldn’t “let it go” (sorry, I had to) and has built upon that very technology of all-electric motors, 3D printing, and scaling for every figure they produce – from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, to Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea, and World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. 

And, in a full circle moment of innovation, the Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics figures will soon receive new updates after ten years of delighting fans in Frozen Ever After. Taking inspiration from the advancements seen in figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland, the Frozen Ever After figures will face the future of Audio-Animatronics (see what I did there?) 

Early next year, this investment will bring a more true-to-film look for these beloved characters. Just looking at the photos from Hong Kong Disneyland, I can tell we’re in for a treat here at Walt Disney World! 

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: Opening Summer 2026! 

At Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, you bet we’ll have rock as we roll across Hollywood on a wild ride with the Electric Mayhem – complete with backstage chaos, high-speed thrills, that signature Muppet humor… and an all-new Muppet Audio-Animatronics figure.  

Side by side with a dedicated team of penguin audio engineers, Scooter, in his capacity as band manager, will be trying hard to convince the Electric Mayhem to stop laying down tracks so they won’t be late to their own concert.

This will be the first time Scooter has ever been imagined as an Audio-Animatronics figure, and I hear he might not be the only Muppet Audio-Animatronics figure joining the attraction… but we’ll have to wait to learn more about that. 

And if you’d like to paper that psychedelically sweet poster everywhere, you’re in luck – The Muppets have a downloadable wallpaper here for you to add some rock ‘n’ roll to your desktop:

Right-click (or control+click) the image above to save to your desktop.

Now, I can imagine you’re ready to go pedal to the metal and experience the high-speed hijinks of The Muppets in this latest story. Well, the wait will be over before you know it: Get ready to rock out when Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets speeds into Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2026! 

Audio-Animatronics Figures Through the Years  

All this excitement about Audio-Animatronics figures to come is the next chapter in a long, iconic story that dates all the way back to Walt Disney himself.  He discovered an antique mechanical singing bird in New Orleans, and after returning to California, tasked Imagineers to learn how the little bird worked. His curiosity and the talents of his Imagineers laid the groundwork for future Audio-Animatronics figures.  

The first-generation of Audio-Animatronics figures, known as the A-1, debuted in the 1960s at Disneyland in attractions like Jungle Cruise, Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room that featured over 200 singing birds.  

The technology and artistry of Audio-Animatronics figures didn’t stop there:  

• Next came the world’s first fully animated human figure in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which debuted at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.  
• Then, the debut of the A-100 figure in 1989.  
• Fast forward a few decades and hundreds of innovations later, Imagineers introduced one of the most sophisticated figures in 2017 with the Shaman of Songs in Na’vi River Journey in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 
• When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, it marked another huge advancement in technology with the introduction of the A-1000 figure, boasting enhancements in range, speed, and overall performance.  
• And the latest figure has a special place in our company’s history… “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” features for the first time an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt, advancing a technology he pioneered 60 years ago with Abraham Lincoln at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This special homage opened July 17, 2025 as part of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration. And – as recently announced at Destination D23 – we will soon be able to see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology at “Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress” at Walt Disney World.

The desire to captivate, immerse, and entertain is woven into the fabric of Disney’s DNA, and the development of the Audio-Animatronics figure is proof of our goal to always do more and deliver more for our guests. Each new figure builds on the legacy of time, talent, and skill of generations of Imagineers. We continue to invest in this technology because – as someone we all know once said – we keep moving forward. I, for one, can’t wait to see the stories these new Audio-Animatronics figures will tell! 

Interested in learning even more about our iconic figures and the tech that makes them tick?  Take a deeper look in the We Call It Imagineering Audio-Animatronics episode. 

[jedimaster1227]

Walt Disney World Resort has announced some details about this year's EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival-delicious-dates-and-details/ 

If you’re a fellow foodie, you’re probably always dreaming up your next delicious dish at Walt Disney World Resort. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival provides endless opportunities to enjoy bites and beverages from around the world, so you never have to choose just one. And today, we have a whole spread of details to share so you can prepare for the 2026 festival.

Ahead of opening day, we’re serving up the festival dates along with an early look at returning activities and experiences that make this a must-do (and eat) event each year. Let’s dig in!

2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Dates

Get ready to sip and stroll through the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, where mouthwatering global marketplaces meet live performances, activities, and more. The fun and flavor-filled celebration of worldly cuisines has been a fan-favorite festival since 1996, with every year bringing new surprises and returning classics.

The festival will run from August 27 to November 21, 2026. This is the perfect period as the sun is setting on summertime and the fall festivities are just creeping in at Walt Disney World.

2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Global Marketplaces

EPCOT is already known for its diverse array of food and drink selections, and the festival only adds to the number of delectable offerings you can discover around the park.

While our chefs are still cooking up the final menus and list of marketplaces for 2026, we have a scrumptious sneak peek for you today. Here are three items that will be returning this year!

• Street Corn-style Dumplings: Chicken Dumplings with Tomatillo Salsa Verde, Street Corn Salad, Cotija, Lime Crema, and Cilantro (Gyozas of the Galaxy)
• Grilled Bushberry-spiced Shrimp Skewer with Sweet-and-Sour Vegetables and Coconut-Chilie Sauce (Australia)
• Kirschwasser Torte with Cherry-Brandy Buttercream, Fondant, Sugared Almonds, and Cherry Compote (The Alps)

Throughout the festival, some Global Marketplaces will have a phased opening. Keep your eyes peeled for the Foodie Guide for the full menus and opening dates for each marketplace. We can’t wait to see what tantalizing treats are in store this year!

Embark on Emile’s Fromage Montage

Calling fans of all things cheesy: we are happy to confirm that Emile’s Fromage Montage is once again returning to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

This popular food stroll highlights cheese inspired dishes available at select Global Marketplaces throughout EPCOT, where you can collect stamps in your festival passport for each eligible dish you try and earn a festival treat when you complete the mission.

To get you even more excited, check out the journey my teammates Rain and Laura went on last year as they snacked their way through sweet and savory cheese options.

Join Remy’s Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt

Remy is back and ready to explore EPCOT once again during the Food & Wine Festival. Inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Ratatouille, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt encourages guests of all ages to follow along with the culinary‑loving character as he hides throughout World Showcase.

This interactive hunt is ideal for families and offers a fun way to discover different pavilions while keeping an eye out for Remy and the ingredients he is collecting. Purchase a themed map and stickers to track your progress, and if you’re able to spot Remy in every location, a special keepsake awaits.

Tune In to the Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Live music takes center stage each year at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, with the return of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion.

This popular performance series brings together flavorful fun and tasty tunes, with a dynamic lineup highlighting a curated mix of music for all to appreciate. Multiple shows are usually scheduled each day, so you can find a way to feel the beat no matter how jam-packed your park day itinerary is.

Concerts are included with EPCOT theme park admission, and seating is available on a first‑come, first‑served basis. We’ll also be sharing information about concert series dining packages closer to the festival, which provide a great way to indulge in a meal before the show and have a guaranteed seat when the music begins.

The full lineup of artists will be announced at a later date, so keep an ear out!

Enjoy Endless Fun at EPCOT

In between the snacking and sipping (and snapping some photos of it all for social media, of course), there’s lots more to do at EPCOT!

Savor the possibilities and go on a galactic journey with the Guardians, greet characters from your favorite Disney stories, shop for merchandise or souvenirs to commemorate your day, and join in on a spirited sing-along with ¡Celebración Encanto! at CommuniCore Plaza.

Join us For EPCOT Food & Wine 2026

Hungry for more? With the fall festival season at Walt Disney World Resort just around the corner, there’s plenty to look forward to at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Dates are on the calendar, and we’ll have more details to reveal as we get closer, so keep checking back here on Disney Parks Blog for the latest festival updates and Disney Eats news.

And as we are officially halfway to Halloween, we can certainly say that spooky season will bring a spellbinding selection of tricks and treats.