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Bitesize Orlando September 2021 – Issue 3

Written by Ryan

30th September 2021

Bitesize Orlando September 2021 Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT finally opens to paying guests

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The announcement that many have been waiting for has come. Maybe a lot later than we imagined, but we are officially allowed to travel once again to the U.S.A. from November.

Just as the world is once again opening up, more companies are looking at making us pay more for what we have become accustomed to. This month it is the turn of (most) UK mobile networks. From early next year, most UK mobile operators will once again charge for use of your mobile phone abroad. In the case of my chosen operator, Three, it’s £2 per day in Europe and a whopping £5 daily for America.

This is a very dynamic situation. At the moment the only operator not reintroducing the charges is O2 but for how long? The message is clear, make sure you know what you are entitled to before you leave home. I will certainly be double checking my charges before I leave on my next trip abroad.

As usual, hit the links below to jump straight to a story that interests you or keep scrolling for the full spectrum of news. At the end of this months news update, I will share my thoughts on if now is a good time for us Brits to jump over to Disney World this year.

Bitesize Orlando News September 2021

Disney World News September 2021

With 4 main parks and an impending anniversary on the horizon, most of the news this month comes courtesy of Disney World.

Finding Nemo Changes

Many shows may be back throughout Disney World but “Finding Nemo – The Musical” has not been one of them. There had been rumours circulating that this popular show wasn’t going to return. Then came the news last week, via several performers in the show, who had been notified by Disney Managers that the show wasn’t returning in it’s current form.

Finding Nemo – The Musical was a puppet show with a Broadway-style and budget. Since it opened in January 2007 (replacing the equally popular Tarzan Rocks) Finding Nemo has been a popular stop-off for many. The light-hearted family show offered a fantastic break from the heat in a modern enclosed theatre with a family-friendly show that appealed to people of all ages.

Disney has now announced that the original show will not be returning but it is getting reimagined before returning in 2022.

If you have never seen the show get a taste of what it offered in this sneak peek behind the scenes from Disney Parks Blog. It will also give you a sense of what you can expect when the reimagined show opens in a few months.

The puppets of Finding Nemo – The Musical

“Finding Nemo — The Musical” has been delighting our guests since 2007, and I’m excited to tell you a reimagined show, based on the same beloved characters, will debut in 2022. 

Shawn Slater – Senior Communications Manager Disney Live Entertainment

Disney’s announcement goes on to say that they are in the early stages of reimagining this popular show but fan favourite parts of the old show will be reworked into the new one. This includes some popular songs of the 14 that were written especially for the original show including, “In The Big Blue World”, and, “Go With The Flow”.

Creations Shop Opens In EPCOT

EPCOT has a new signature merchandise store! ‘Creations’ has opened replacing the former Mouse Gear store. ‘Creations’ mark the start of EPCOT’s transformation that has been ongoing now for many months. World Celebration, the new name for Future World, is finally starting to take shape with this new opening.

Celebrations aims to “celebrate Disney’s legacy of creativity by honoring the nostalgia of EPCOT’s past and the exciting promises of EPCOT’s future”. The contemporary design with “one-of-a-kind art installations” hopes to bring “the story of EPCOT and Disney creativity to life”.

The redesign has not been without some negative comments from past visitors that prefer the more playful nature of Mouse Gear. Will that mean lost sales for this new store? Unlikely. Mouse Gear had a history of offering some of the most unique souvenirs of all Disney Parks’ stores. It was one of my favourite stores in all of Disney World. Creations aim to build on that by offering meaningful souvenirs in a space, “chosen to represent story elements and foster a memorable shopping experience for guests”.

Whatever you think of the decor on your next visit, you’ll no doubt see souvenirs flying off the shelves. See what you think about all the detailing that went into the design of this new retail space in the video below. Visit the Disney Parks Blog to see a few more photos of Creations Shop.

More Behind The Scenes Footage From Harmonious

As we inch closer to the grand unveiling of EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular on 1st October, Disney has shared another behind the scenes video about its creation. This time they talk about creating the soundtrack to the show.

Behind the scenes of Harmonious, EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular debuting 1st October 2021

The short 2-minute video is packed with images and sounds from the show that gives us a glimpse of what is to become. On the surface Harmonious looks to be a fitting replacement to Reflections Of Earth. It’s great to see some of the thought and care that’s gone into Disney’s latest spectacle show.

Space 220 Restaurant Now Open In EPCOT

The long-delayed Space 220 restaurant next door to the Mission: SPACE attraction at EPCOT has finally opened to big crowds. It was open for walk-in dining only in the first week of operation but is now reservation only. If you want to eat here getting a reservation well ahead of time is definitely recommended.

Despite the moderately high price point this restaurant is going to be popular for the out-of-this-world dining experience it offers. If you want to eat for cheaper here then try to sneak a lunchtime reservation.

  • Lunch at Space 220 : $55 per adult
  • Dinner at Space 220 : $79 per adult
  • Lunch Menu: 2-course prix-fixe $55 per adult
  • Child Lunch Menu: $29 for ages 9 and under

Lunch in Space 220 includes one ‘Lift Off Appetizer’ and 1 ‘Star Course Entree’. Children get one ‘Star Course Entree’ and 1 ‘Supernova Sweet’ dessert.

  • Dinner Menu: $79 per adult for 3 course prix-fixe menu
  • Child Dinner Menu: $29 for ages 9 and under

Dinner in Space 220 includes one ‘Lift Off Appetizer’, 1 ‘Star Course Entree’ and 1 ‘Supernova Sweet’ dessert. Children get one ‘Star Course Entree’ and 1 ‘Supernova Sweet’ dessert.

Cirque Du Soleil ‘Drawn To Life’ Behind The Scenes

Disney has shared a behind the scenes video of the brand new ‘Drawn To Life’ show as it once again gears up for its first performances this November.

It is wonderful to see the energy of the performers once they step inside the theatre for the first time in 18 months as this one of a kind collaboration between two entertainment giants takes shape. Have a look at the short video below.

Cirque Du Soleil “Drawn To Life’ rehearsals behind the scenes

Star Wars: Rise Of The Resistance Loses Virtual Line

Since this attraction opened in 2019 at Disney World, Star Wars Rise Of The Resistance has required visitors to frantically tap away on their smartphones at 7 am and 1 pm every day in the hope of getting a coveted virtual line boarding pass. There was no other way to experience this attraction without one. Until now!

This last week Disney has paused the ability to get a virtual line pass for this attraction, allowing traditional standby line availability since it opened. Yes, you can walk right into the queue now. Don’t expect wait times to be short though. With an attraction this popular you will want to get in line as early as possible because that queue isn’t going to go down throughout the day.

Also, don’t expect this to be the end of the virtual line for this attraction. Disney will most likely bring it back in the future on very busy days to manage crowds. On your next visit, it’s always worth taking a peek in the My Disney Experience app to see if the virtual line has once again been enabled allowing you to enjoy more of your day. In the days after the virtual line was paused, Star Wars Rise Of The Resistance has been regularly posting standby line times in excess of 3 hours.

We know our guests love choice and flexibility when planning their time in a theme park — which is why, starting September 23, we will pause the use of virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Disney Parks Blog

Legoland Florida News September 2021

It’s hard to believe that Legoland will celebrate its 10th anniversary on 15th October. To celebrate they are opening a new mini attraction.

Legoland Celebrates 10 Years

To celebrate the anniversary Legoland is opening a new attraction, coffee shop and kick-off celebration Lego-style with The Birthday Bash.

The Lego Story will open on 15th October coinciding with the anniversary. Offering guests the chance to see how Legoland theme parks came to life brick by brick. The walkthrough attraction features immersive displays, a little Cypress Gardens history and an interactive figure.

Legoland Coffee Co. also opens on 15th October offering flash chilled iced coffee and the usual assortment of breakfast items.

The brick-tastic Birthday Bash will see characters appear all over the park as well as pop up entertainment and the world’s largest lego birthday cake.

Miniland also re-opens on 15th October following the transformation project that brings welcome shade structures throughout the area.

Website Updates

A few words on where I am at with the website. Being a one-man team, updates are slower than I had hoped, but they are happening. Attractions for each park are now live by clicking the links on the park overview pages with the exception of Magic Kingdom in Disney World. With over 50 attractions that’s going to be a big job but I hope to get it done by the end of October.

I have been away the last fortnight but while I have been resting I have been working on new content to help you plan better. Look out for various articles in the coming weeks. There’s an emphasis on ultimate guides for everything ranging from the apps you need for your holiday, understanding queues and keeping your phone charged through to a rundown of the best water park in and around Orlando.

Thanks for your patience while I work on creating quality content that you deserve to help you plan smarter. That leads me nicely onto my next topic. Now that travel is once again allowed should you go to Florida as soon as you can?

Should We Go To Florida Now?

In short no. I would hold off until at least Spring 2022, maybe a little further out.

Why?

Travel may now be allowed once again but that doesn’t mean that the resorts are operating at full capacity. Many of the new attractions I have been talking about over the last few months have been delayed until early 2022. If you live locally then fine but when a Disney World or Universal Orlando trip takes around 9 hours on a plane and thousands of pounds you will want to make sure you get value for all that money.

The fact we can travel once again is tantalising but with so many new attractions ready to open but remaining closed what’s a few more months if it means you will get a more complete holiday. Seaworld and Busch Gardens have delayed both their new roller coasters until 2022 despite them being ready many months ago. The biggest difference to your trip though will be in Disney World.

Let’s have a look at what you would be missing at Disney World if you went the minute restrictions are lifted.

  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be open at EPCOT but virtual line only.
  • New fireworks shows debut at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom but will run for many more months at least
  • EPCOT still in the middle of a transformation
  • Guardians Of The Galaxy won’t be ready until 2022
  • Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios is still drained with no reopening date
  • Some shows still haven’t reopened including popular Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
  • Finding Nemo will return with a new show in 2022 at Animal Kingdom
  • Character Meet & Greets are still suspended
  • Typhoon Lagoon remains closed and undergoing a major refurbishment
  • No official date yet for Disney Genie, Fastpass+ now permanently retired
  • Disney Dining Plan is still suspended
  • Not all Disney hotels are open pushing up prices for those that are

I know the last couple of years have been a lot harder than people were expecting but Orlando is open and it’s getting ready to welcome everyone back, not just local pass holders. Delaying your trip a few more short months means you will have a more complete holiday when you do go. Part of a Disney World trip is the magic that can only come from Disney but limitations imposed on them mean there is a little less magic than usual at the resort but they are working hard to bring back the Disney World we all expect.

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