By now, you don’t need us to tell you that Walt Disney World is home to lots of great attractions, experiences and places to eat. But with so many wonderful and illustrious things to see and do, and the ever-changing schedule of events, we’ve highlighted some of the most exciting ones that influence 15 reasons why you should visit in 2020.
Let’s have a look, shall we?
1. Experience a fully immersive Star Wars experience
I’ll jump right in. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – with the new Rise of the Resistance attraction – is hands down the most impressive theme-park experience you are going to get. I’ll hazard a guess that if you compile one hundred reviews, you’ll struggle to find a negative one.
Whether you’re a huge Star Wars fan, or just a lover of theme parks in general, there’s something for everyone at Galaxy’s Edge. The experience, for lack of a better term, is exceedingly broad with Star Wars-themed rides, characters, merchandise, and a whole host of places to eat and drink that look just like the movies. But most importantly for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it’s worlds apart from anything we’ve ever experienced at a theme park.
2. Enjoy the magic of Disney After Hours
We’ve all been there, queuing for a ride when a thought enters your head: “how amazing would it be to have access to Walt Disney World at night, when the crowds have cleared and the gates are closed…”
Well, After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom gives you just that. If you want to guarantee a character greeting for your little one, as well as reduced queue times (expect something like Fast Pass) for the most popular rides, this event is definitely worth a look. You can get your Disney After Hours tickets here.
3. Watch shows, buy art and eat delicious food
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is a majestic celebration of live entertainment, art, food and drink. Things that are happening at the event include live art demonstrations, galleries, and the chance to mingle with artists whose work you can buy.
If there’s a Broadway fanatic in your family, it’s also a unique opportunity to witness the acclaimed Disney on Broadway Concert Series, which will run for the duration of the festival (Jan 17 to Feb 24) and features stars from the original Broadway shows.
4. Villains After Hours Events is back at Magic Kingdom
Villains After Hours Events in the Magic Kingdom is back for another year. The event invites guests to take a walk to the vile side and party with Disney’s most notorious fiends for 24 nights, starting on February 7, 2020.
At this year’s event, expect to see a new Villains Caravan that will house some of the most depraved villains, such as Gaston, Oogie Boogie, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and more!
5. Epcot has some new films!
Are you or anyone you know a film buff and thinking about planning a trip to Walt Disney World? If so, you’ll be excited to hear the news that Epcot is releasing three new films: “Awesome Planet”, “Canada far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360”, and “Beauty and the Beast Sing-along”.
Make note of January 17, 2020, as this is when the new films will debut at Epcot. Combining spectacular imagery, in-theatre effects and an original musical score from Academy Award-winning composer Steven Price, “Awesome Planet” is a 10-minute film highlighting the Earth’s beauty and diversity.“Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360″ is a musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington, and is an update to “O Canada” featuring new scenes. And last, but certainly not least, “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” takes place at the France Pavilion and invites you to experience a tale as old as time. Best of all, it has the same director (Don Hahn) as the original “Beauty and the Beast” film from 1991.
6. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival returns
This event has turned heads and attracted visitors from across the globe for over 20 years, so there’s no surprise it’s back for 2020. With outdoor kitchens offering delectable bites, and expertly crafted Disney-themed topiaries, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (and all its treasures) is a memorable experience for everyone.
The event will run from March 4 to June 1, 2020. This year also sees the Garden Rocks Concert Series return for the entire duration.
7. Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
From one popular festival to another, this time it’s the renowned Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. It returns in fall for its 25th anniversary, and looks to impress with a line-up of celebrity chefs and exquisite food and wine pairings. There’s also music at the Eat to the Beat concert series.
8. Fancy a Disney barbecue?
And now, something to get your mouth watering. Everyone loves a Barbecue, but how about one laced in Disney magic at the brand-new Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot? The American Adventure restaurant will serve a selection of the country’s finest char-grilled dishes, including a Texas beef brisket sandwich, Kansas City smoked chicken, Memphis dry-rub pork ribs and North Carolina smoked pork butt.
If you’re vegetarian, or simply don’t fancy meat, there is a plant-based burger and a choice of salads too.
9. Celebrate several milestones at Animal Kingdom
It’s a double-double celebration if you’re at Animal Kingdom this year. The prestigious theme park will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund. As well as this, the gorilla family will be celebrating two birthdays.
10. Dine in space
After many pushbacks and with the search for an executive chef complete, the much-anticipated Space 220 restaurant looks dead set to launch in February this year. The unique dining experience transports guests on a galactic elevator 220 miles above Earth to a space station, aka Space 220 Restaurant.
Word on the street is that a selection of ‘out-of-this-world’ food and drink will be available, including beers and expertly made cocktails. But best of all are the views from outer space as you sit down and tuck into what you’ve ordered.
11. All aboard Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Remember the Great Movie Ride? Been itching for its replacement since the day it closed? Well there’s good news for if you’re one of those people, because as from March 4, 2020, its replacement: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will set off on a fun-filled adventure. As with all upcoming Disney attractions, details are few and far between, but we can confirm the illustrious Chinese Theatre has had a makeover.
12. Any Ratatouille fans?
Another long-awaited attraction opening at Walt Disney World in 2020 is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Just like the latest Star Wars-themed Rise of the Resistance attraction, it will take guests on a journey on board an autonomous trackless vehicle, which in layman’s terms means that it doesn’t follow a visible track.
If it’s anything like the Disneyland Paris ride – which was fun, dramatic and lively – you’re in for a treat with this one. Without giving too much away, expect a lot of twists, turns and surprises.
13. Be part of the Disney’s most ambitious night-time spectacular
I believe this to be one of the most exciting things coming to Epcot in 2020. “Harmonious” is a music celebration that looks in-depth at how Disney music inspires people around the world. The celebration will enthral guests with a combination of pyrotechnics, LED lights and lasers, super-sized set pieces and water fountains. But best of all the line-up is a hugely diverse group of artists from around the world, which almost guarantees something new and exciting.
14. Halloween and Horror Events return
Needing no introduction, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties are returning to Epcot this year. We don’t know the exact dates, but expect both events to run for a few weeks around Halloween and Christmas. Tickets will be available at FloridaTix when they become available.
15. There’s a new restaurant in Toy Story Land
When we see the words ‘news’ and ‘Toy Story’ in the same sentence, the butterflies land. But exclusive Toy Story news just isn’t complete without a series of colourful imagery that you can gaze upon for days. Luckily, this new Toy Story-themed restaurant has an abundance.
Roundup Rodeo is a new table-service restaurant opening at Toy Story Land in 2020. Serving a selection of BBQ-style food, the restaurant will immerse guests with the movies best-loved characters – Woody, Buzz and Jessie – and most memorable moments. As expected, Disney isn’t giving much away, so unfortunately, we can’t elaborate on the broadness of ‘BBQ food’.
Join our ‘Destination Florida’ Facebook group
That concludes our list of the most exciting things coming to Epcot in 2020. Let us know what you’re looking forward to in our ‘Destination Florida’ Facebook group by clicking here.
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