Just when you think you know all there is to know about Disney World, something changes and there’s even more to learn!
EPCOT
There was a lot that happened in Disney World in July! The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival started and we reviewed every single booth, Festival of the Lion King returned to its former glory at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and MagicBand+ was finally released! Now, we’re rounding up 11 things that we learned in Disney World during the month of July.
MagicBand+ Details
After accidentally releasing it early a few months ago, MagicBand+ debuted (officially this time) on June 27th in Disney World! We learned tons of information about the new bands like how much they cost, how to set them up, and about the features they have.
MagicBand+ display in Magic Kingdom
MagicBand+ starts at $34.99 and goes up in price from there for bands with more intricate designs. We also took our MagicBand+ to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios where we learned how to play Batuu Bounty Hunters, the scavenger hunt around Galaxy’s Edge.
Click here to see the pros and cons of the new MagicBand+
BoardWalk Deli
Disney announced that the BoardWalk Bakery at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn would be replaced by a new restaurant called BoardWalk Deli. The BoardWalk Bakery closed on July 25th to make way for the new restaurant.
BoardWalk Bakery closed to make way for the NEW BoardWalk Deli
We got the menu for the new BoardWalk Deli as well as a hint as to when it could open, though Disney hasn’t announced a specific opening date yet.
Click here to see the latest construction updates from Disney’s BoardWalk!
Cake Bake Shop Updates
We know that a new restaurant would be coming to the BoardWalk as well, but we didn’t have many details about where it would be located or when it would open. We now know that the Cake Bake Shop will be located in the location of the former ESPN Club.
©The Cake Bake Shop via Instagram
Based on the menus and pricing at other locations, we compiled a list of what the menu and pricing could look like at the Disney World location, too.
Click here to read our interview with Gwendolyn Rogers — owner of the Cake Bake Shop!
‘Moana’ Attraction Updates
EPCOT is currently undergoing a pretty massive transformation that includes the recent opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and the ongoing construction for the upcoming Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana attraction. We know that it is going to be a walk-through attraction that follows water’s journey through its cycle, but not much information is known after that. Recently, Imagineer Zach Riddley shared some concept art for the new attraction.
©Disney
The concept art shows the water cycle from rainfall all the way until evaporation again. An official opening date hasn’t been shared, but we’ve been tracking the attraction’s construction progress and will be sure to keep an eye out for more details.
Festival of Fantasy Changes
The Festival of Fantasy parade can usually be caught twice per day in the Magic Kingdom, but in July, we learned that on four days in August, that will not be the case.
Festival of Fantasy
On August 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th, you’ll only be able to catch the parade at 3PM rather than the usual 12PM and 3PM showtimes.
Click here to see a full list of showtimes for Magic Kingdom!
Car Locator Service Debuts
The Car Locator Service in My Disney Experience debuted in July.
Parking lot
It’s a feature within the app that will record your car’s location in the parking lots at the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, and ESPN Wide World of Sports. You can put your car’s location in manually or allow it to automatically detect your car’s location through bluetooth and location services. Then at the end of your day, you don’t need to remember where your car is parked, all of the information you’ll need will be right there.
Click here to see the car locator feature in action!
Victoria & Albert’s Changes
Victoria & Albert’s, one of the most exclusive and fancy dining experiences at Disney World returned on July 28th. Disney had said in the announcement of the reopening that changes would be coming to the restaurant, and in July, they shared more details about those changes.
A new look inside the refurbished restaurant ©Disney
The whole restaurant looks much different than before with a different color scheme and an overall lighter and brighter appearance.
Click here for a first look at the changes coming to Victoria & Albert’s!
More Meet and Greets Returned
July also saw the return of lots of meet and greets. We saw Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and BB-8 return the Star Wars Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios…
Darth Vader at Star Wars Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios
…Peter Pan in the Magic Kingdom…
Peter Pan in Adventureland
…Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters in Magic Kingdom…
Anastasia and Drizella
Snow White
…and Merida in Magic Kingdom, too!
Merida
To see when these characters will be available to meet, check the My Disney Experience app.
Click here to see all of the character meet and greets that have returned to normal in Disney World!
TRON Updates
Construction has been chugging right along at TRON Lightcyle Run in Magic Kingdom, and in July we finally got some more details about what the ride is about!
TRON construction progress
On the ride, guests will be digitized and enter the Grid for a Lightcycle race. Each guest is a member of Team Blue and will be racing against Team Orange — it sounds like a blast!
Click here to read more about the TRON ride coming to Disney World!
Character Dining Return Dates
July also brought us some more details about when character dining will return to more Disney World restaurants.
Chef Mickey’s
Character dining will return to Crystal Palace on September 20th for lunch and dinner, to ‘Ohana on September 27th for breakfast, and to Cape May Cafe on October 4th for Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast!
Click here to see our ranking of all of the character dining locations in Disney World!
Splash Mountain Re-Theme Details
Disney announced several years ago that Splash Mountain will be re-themed to have characters from The Princess and the Frog, but didn’t provide much in the way of details until now. We now know that the new ride will be called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and it will open in late 2024.
©Disney
We also got a sneak peek at what the ride, specifically Tiana, will look like! She has a whole new outfit and hairstyle.
Click here for more details about the Splash Mountain re-theme!
And those are 11 things we learned in Disney World in July! Now that July’s coming to an end, it’s time to look ahead to August. August will bring the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to the Magic Kingdom, so check out these costume ideas if you’re heading to the party.
Cinderella Pumpkins at Magic Kingdom
August will also bring the opening of the remaining Food and Wine Festival booths that we haven’t been able to try yet! So make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news and information.
Click here to see 10 not-so magical truths about Disney World!
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What are you most looking forward to in Disney World in August? Let us know in the comments!
The post 11 Things We Learned in Disney World in July first appeared on the disney food blog.