With the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary coming up, there are quite a few construction projects going on around the parks and resorts!
We’ve been keeping track of TWO new roller coasters coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT and keeping you up to date on all the new nighttime fireworks shows, restaurants, and entertainment arriving on October 1st. But, there are still some projects that Disney hasn’t provided an update on (or an opening date) just yet and you may have even forgotten about them!
You Probably Forgot About These Disney World Projects!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Back in 2019, Disney announced that they would be adding a brand new Table Service restaurant to Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios called Roundup Rodeo BBQ. And, shortly after, they shared that the opening date was set for 2020.
Well, with the temporary closure of the parks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many projects in Disney World were delayed — including this one. And, Disney hasn’t shared an update on the restaurant since.
The area where the restaurant will be located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is still blocked off, so we can only hope that we’ll get to step into the playset of an old western town and be treated to some traditional barbecue fare here someday soon!
Space 220
Over in EPCOT, there’s another new restaurant that has been under construction for so long that you’ve forgotten about it — Space 220! This unique Table Service restaurant will be located in the Future World Mission: Space pavilion and will offer guests the ability to eat among the stars (and planets) 220 miles away from Earth in space.
Plus, you’ll be transported up there on an elevator with a view of your journey!
The restaurant was originally set to open in early 2020, but it has since been pushed back to Fall 2021 according to Patina Restaurant Group (the company that will operate the restaurant). For now, the area no longer has construction walls and we’re waiting on an official opening date to be revealed.
EPCOT Neighborhoods
There are even more projects going on in EPCOT as it undergoes a complete transformation that was announced by Disney back in 2019. And, one piece of that is new EPCOT Neighborhoods that will replace the Future World pavilions. So, the front of the park will someday be split into World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery.
World Celebration will include Spaceship Earth and other new elements like a Festival Area. World Nature will include Living with the Land, the Seas with Nemo and Friends, and more. And World Discovery will have Test Track, Mission Space, and the new PLAY! Pavilion that is set to replace the Wonders of Life pavilion.
Now, Disney has made progress on some smaller projects in each of the new neighborhoods, but for now, they remain something that we will see some time in the future.
Moana: Journey of Water
And, we’re not done in EPCOT just yet! A new walk-through experience called Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana was also announced for the park. The idea is that guests will walk through an exploration trail where they get to “meet” and play with magical, “living” water, much like Moana did in the movie.
And, this is another project that hasn’t had much movement since its original announcement. Disney has released a limited-edition poster for the attraction and we’ve seen some progress in the area that it will be located, but there is still a lot of work to be done and no opening timeline has been announced.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Outside of the parks, there’s also a brand new one-of-a-kind hotel coming to Disney World — Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser! Once open, guests will board the Halcyon for a 2-night adventure where guests will get to interact with iconic characters from the Star Wars movies…
…channel the force in epic battles…
…and dine with live entertainment from a “galactic superstar.”
Plus, you’ll even be staying in your very own space stateroom with a view of passing planets and starcruisers.
The immersive hotel was originally set to open in 2021 but has been pushed back to 2022 with no official opening date announced just yet.
Click here to learn more about the Star Wars hotel!
Main Street Confectionery Refurbishment
And, among all the new rides, hotels, and shops coming to all of the parks for the 50th anniversary, it’s pretty easy to forget about the makeover coming to the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom!
The store closed back in March and is undergoing a full refurbishment with an updated layout and new “interactive opportunities” to personalize your sweets and treats. The shop was anticipated to open by October 1st, however, it is currently set to remain closed past that date.
So, there you have it — a quick refresher on all the construction projects you may have forgotten about in Disney World. Of course, we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates on all of these new experiences and will be sure to bring you the latest so stay tuned!
Check out the Major Additions Coming to Walt Disney World Through 2021 (And Beyond)
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Did you forget about any of these Disney World projects? Let us know in the comments!
It’s amazing it only took Disney three years to build and operate Magic Kingdom and so far the new projects for the last three years are still being built.
Where in EPCOT will the Moana attraction be located?
What about Cherry Tree Lane in the UK of World Showcase?
Wait, there’s been ongoing construction at Disney World?
Say what?