Matsuriza Taiko Drummers Leaving EPCOT for Good After 25-Year Run

 

Matsuriza (the female drummers who have been performing in Epcot for more then two decades) will no longer be there once the park reopens after the temporary closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Here’s the official statement posted on the Facebook page of one of the performers:

“We’re deeply saddened to announce that Sunday, 3/15/20 will be Matsuriza’s last day performing at Epcot indefinitely.

We had a fantastic 25 year run on the pagoda stage working with some of the best managers and tech team on property. Performing at the Japan Pavilion has been an honor, representing our heritage and culture to millions of guests from all over the world.

It really has been a dream come true and we’re very heartbroken to see it come to an end so suddenly. We are beyond grateful to the Walt Disney World Co. for giving us the most amazing opportunity of a lifetime.

And to our fans, YOU are what we will miss the most. Thank you for all of the love and support you have have given us throughout these years. It is our biggest hope that one day Disney will bring us back.

Until then, sayonara.

Domo arigatou gozaimashita. Otsukaresamadeshita.

 

 

Disney Transportation Adjustments (as of 3/14/20)

Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that select transportation options will be available to guests that will be staying on property after all the theme parks and water parks close due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Here is what’s changing starting Monday, March 16:

•Resort Monorail

•Buses connecting on-site resorts to Disney Springs​

•Additionally, buses will start running BETWEEN resorts during the park closures.

NOT OPERATING:

•Disney Skyliner

•Express Monorail connecting the Transportation & Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom Park

•EPCOT Monorail

•Buses connecting the on-site resorts to the parks

Disney Issues Statement About Coronavirus

Earlier today, Dr. Pam Hymel, Chief Medical Officer of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products released the following statement regarding the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it’s currently affecting the parks:

“As you may know from the news, COVID-19, commonly known as novel coronavirus 2019, has become a more widespread concern.

As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our Cast [Members], Guests, and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring this evolving situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for information and guidance. Our parks and resorts are welcoming guests as usual and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies.

Our parks and resorts have high standards of cleanliness, which assists with illness prevention, and we have health and safety protocols in place, such as:

 

•Training for Cast Members, with ongoing reinforcement on a regular basis

•Defined cycles for frequent cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas

•Easy access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizers

•Quick response to spills, trash, and other situations

•End of day sanitation procedures for restroom, kitchen, and other facilities

•Frequent cleaning and “wash down” of outdoor locations, including walkways and queues

Additionally, our onsite health teams and leaders are communicating with our cast members about illness prevention, including the guidance of the CDC.

The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, such as staying home when sick, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, following proper respiratory cough etiquette, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

The CDC provides more detailed information on its website and, as always, your personal physician is a valuable resource for specific medical questions you may have.”

 

 

Runaway Railway Media Event Impacts on DHS

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hosting a media event on Tuesday, March 3. Some of the park’s entertainment offering will be impacted by this event.

•PYRO TESTS FEB. 29-MARCH 2

In preparation for the media event, pyrotechnic effects will be used around the Chinese Theatre and Theater of the Stars overnight on the following dates and times:

•February 29, 10 p.m. (Chinese Theatre)

•March 1, 9:15 p.m. (Theater of the Stars), 11:15 p.m. (Chinese Theatre)

•March 2, 1:30 a.m. (Chinese Theatre), 10:30 p.m. (Chinese Theatre)

Guests staying at nearby hotels should not be impacted by these tests.

 

•NIGHTTIME SPECTACULAR AND ENTERTAINMENT ADJUSTMENTS

Due to activity taking place in front of the Chinese Theatre, Wonderful World of Animation and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will not take place on the evening of March 3.

Fantasmic! will occur as scheduled at 8 p.m.

In addition to that, the showtimes of Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, and the operating hours of several character greetings will be adjusted on Tuesday, March 3.

Please consult the Times Guide & MDX for more information that day.

 

 

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝐷𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑠!

Starting February 27, 2020, guests will have a new Dining Plan Option when booking their Walt Disney World Resort hotel package. The all-new “Disney Dining Plan Plus” takes everything guests love about the Disney Dining Plan and adds even more flexibility.

Disney Dining Plan Plus is a brand-new Disney dining plan option only available as part of a Disney Resort hotel package.

This new plan allows guests to redeem their two meals each day in any combination of either Table Service, Quick Service, or Character Dining, or a combination.

In addition, a Disney Dining Plan Plus package includes two snacks per night, one Disney Resort hotel refillable drink mug (which can be used at any Disney Resort hotel quick-service locations), and at each meal, unlimited refills of fountain sodas, single-service teas and brewed coffee, or one specialty non-alcoholic beverage, or for Guests 21 and older with valid ID, one beer, wine or cocktail. Meals can be redeemed in any order and in any combination.

Unused meals or snacks rollover day to day so Guests can use them whenever they want during their stay.

Guests can start using the Disney Dining Plan Plus as soon as February 28, 2020.

Changes to Epcot Operational Hours UPDATE: 2/21/20

UPDATE:

Just a few days ago, the Walt Disney World Resort announced that the operating hours of select Epcot attractions would be reduced starting February 23. Yesterday evening, Disney announced (internally) that this decision was reversed.

 

 

The operating hours of some shows and attractions at Epcot will be reduced. Most of the impacted offerings will close an hour before the rest of the park starting February 23, and three of them will no longer operate during evening Extra Magic Hours.

The following attractions will close earlier than the rest of the park starting February 23:

•All Kidcot locations: Closing at 8:00 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•American Adventure: Last show to take place at 8:15 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•Awesome Planet: Last show to take place at 8:00 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along: Last show to take place at 6:00 p.m. (currently closing at 7:00 p.m.)

•Canada Far and Wide: Last show to take place at 8:00 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•Impressions de France:Operating from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (currently open from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

•Reflections of China: Last show to take place at 8:10 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

Additionally, the following attractions will no longer be included in evening Extra Magic Hours starting February 23:

•American Adventure

•Awesome Planet

•Canada Far and Wide

 

Taste Track Update

The Electric Umbrella restaurant is expected to close in the coming weeks at Epcot, leaving Future World East without a quick-service location for the foreseeable future.

While the restaurant is closed to receive a completely new look and an updated menu, a temporary kiosk will open near Test Track during the Festival of the Arts, offering some of the menu items guests can currently find at the Electric Umbrella.

The new Taste Track Burgers and Fries kiosk will offer burgers and salads. The full menu should be available soon.

Cast Members to Preview New Epcot Films

Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members have been invited to experience some of Epcot’s new films during a special preview on January 16. The three films that will be available during this special event include the following:

• “Awesome Planet” in The Land pavilion showcases the Earth’s beauty and diversity in a 10-minute film featuring spectacular imagery, in-theater effects and an original musical score from Academy Award-winning composer Steven Price.
• “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” in the France pavilion is directed and produced by Don Hahn, producer of the animated and live-action “Beauty and the Beast” films, and invites Guests to participate in a twist on a tale as old as time. It also features narration from Angela Lansbury, who played Mrs. Potts in the original film.
• “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” in the Canada pavilion is an update to the previous “O Canada!” film with new scenes, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy.

Registration is now open on the Event page of The HUB, a Cast Member-only website.

Epcot Merchandise Events for January 2020

Multiple merchandise events are scheduled to take place at Epcot over the next few weeks, which will allow guests visiting the park to enjoy discounts, special offers, and more.

Here’s a list of the events that will take place later this month (please, note that the special events mentioned below may be modified and/or cancelled without notice):

• Jan. 1-5: France, La Signature, Guerlain event – 12-6 p.m.
• Jan. 3-7: United Kingdom, The Tea Caddy, Yardley of London event – 12-7 p.m.
• Jan. 7-14: Italy, Il Bel Cristallo, Prada event – 12-7 p.m.
• Jan. 9-13: France, Plume et Palette, Christian Dior event – 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Jan. 17-21: United Kingdom, The Tea Caddy, Yardley of London event – 12-7 p.m.
• Jan. 22-26: France, La Signature, Guerlain event – 12-6 p.m.
• Jan. 25: United Kingdom, The Tea Caddy, Kit Health event – 12-6 p.m.
• Jan. 27: France, Plume et Palette, Christian Dior event – 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Jan. 29- Feb.2:France, Plume et Palette, Clarins event – 12-9 p.m.

Epcot Character & Entertainment Confirmed for 2020

Just a few hours ago, the Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that many of the popular entertainment offerings available at Epcot will continue to be available to guests in 2020. While the majority of these shows and character greeting locations have been around for years, a lot of entertainment offerings were recently removed at the Walt Disney World Resort, so the following schedule will reassure you that many of your favorite shows will still be available next year.

FUTURE WORLD:

SHOW: JAMMitors extended at least through November 26, 2020 with show times at 9:20 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 1:35 p.m., 2:35 p.m., 3:35 p.m. Thursday-Monday.

NOTE: For the week ending on January 4, 2020, this entertainment offering will not be available on Thursday and Friday.

CHARACTER GREETING LOCATIONS:

Baymax extended through January 4, 2020 with the following operating hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Character Spot extended through January 4, 2020 with the following operating hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Garden Grill characters will continue to meet guests at least through December 30, 2020 with the following set times: 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Joy & Sadness extended through January 4, 2020 with the following set times: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Pluto extended at least through January 31, 2020 with the following set times: 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 1:25 p.m.-3:55 p.m.

Ralph & Vanellope extended at least through December 30, 2020 with the following set times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Visa Experience character greeting location extended at least through December 31, 2020 with the following set times: 1 p.m.-7 p.m.

WORLD SHOWCASE:

SHOWS:

British Revolution extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. Friday-Tuesday.

Jeweled Dragon Acrobats extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 4:10 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 6:10 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 8:10 p.m. seven days a week.

Mariachi Cobre extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1;45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

Marimba de las Americas extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1;45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday only.

Matsuriza, extended at least through 12/30/20 with show times at 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:10 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m.

Oktoberfest Musikanten on extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4;45 p.m., 5:55 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:05 p.m. seven days a week.

Restaurant Marrakeshextended at least through 12/30/20 with show times at 12:50 p.m., 1:50 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m.; seven days a week

Rose & Crown Pub extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. NOTE: For the week ending on January 4, 2020, this entertainment offering will not be available on Tuesday and Saturday.

Sergio, extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 11:50 a.m., 12:35 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 4:40 p.m. Sunday-Friday

Serveur Amusant extended at least through 12/26/20 with show times at 12:45 p.m., 1:35 p.m., 2:25 p.m., 3:05 p.m., 3:55 p.m., 4:45 p.m. Friday-Tuesday. NOTE: For the week ending on January 4, 2020, this entertainment offering will not be available on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Voices of Liberty extended at least through 11/26/20 with show times at 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:45 p.m. seven days a week.

CHARACTER GREETING LOCATIONS:

Akershus characters extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:10 p.m.-3:15 p.m., and 4:45 p.m.-8:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Alice extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.

Anna & Elsa extended at least until 11/26/20 with the following operating hours: 9 a.m.-8:45 p.m. seven days a week.

Aurora extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 6:20 p.m.

Belle extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 4:50 p.m. seven days a week.

Daisy extended through 1/4/20 with set times at 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3:10 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Donald Duck extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 12 p.m.-3 p.m. and 4:10 p.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week.

Jasmine extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:35 p.m., 5:35 p.m. seven days a week.

Mary Poppins extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 4:50 p.m.  Mulan extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 4:50 p.m. seven days a week.

Snow White extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 6:20 p.m. seven days a week.

Winnie the Pooh extended at least until 12/30/20 with set times at 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 3:40 p.m.-6:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Please, be aware that showtimes are subject to change without notice. Always refer to the My Disney Experience app and the current Times Guides for the most up-to-date information.