From rides to restaurants and much more, expect another exciting year at Disney Parks.
Disney is all about innovation. Something new is always on the horizon to keep people coming back year after year (and perhaps to justify those high ticket prices).
2019 was a big one for Disney theme parks with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, then at Walt Disney World.
There aren’t as many big openings in 2020, but still a few noteworthy new reasons to visit the parks. If you’re thinking of a taking family vacation to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, here’s a look at the new attractions expected to open in 2020.
New to Epcot in 2020
Walt Disney World is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021. Lots of new attractions and restaurants will be opening this year – and next – in anticipation of the big anniversary.
Many of those changes are happening at Epcot, where the park is being re-imagined and divided into four new “neighborhoods.”
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Much of the excitement this year will take place in the World Showcase part of the park. Of all the 2020 launches, we’re most excited about the summer opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France pavilion. This ride is currently only at Disneyland Paris and it’s a crowd-favorite there. On this attraction, guests “shrink” to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant in rat shaped vehicles.
During our visit to Disneyland Paris a few years ago, we waited in line for hours to board Ratatouille. Just as we got to the front of the line, the attraction broke down. Seeing our disappointment, cast members suggested we return the next day, but unfortunately we only had that one day at the park. Oh well, just a reason to visit Epcot soon.
New film experiences
Other happenings at Epcot include the premiere of several film experiences, one of them is the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along. Angela Lansbury, the original voice of Mrs. Potts, narrates the new short film. Guests can sing along while cooling off in the air conditioned theater (because sometimes you need a break from that Florida heat).
Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure
Integrating the tech in your pocket with the magic of the parks, guests will be able to utilize the Play Disney Parks mobile app at Epcot. The Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure is a digital scavenger hunt. Players can search for treasure with Scrooge McDuck. If you’re familiar, it’s an update to the current Phineas & Ferb game, previously Kim Possible.
HarmonioUS
HarmonioUS debuts later in 2020. It’s the largest nighttime spectacular ever at a Disney park. It celebrates the music of Disney and features diverse artists from around the world. The show includes large floating set pieces, LED panes and choreography fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers.
New dining options
Some new dining options will also be available at Epcot this year. The Regal Eagle Smokehouse is a BBQ restaurant that will be located in Epcot’s American Adventure pavilion.
A new gelato stand will open in the Italy pavilion.
La Creperie de Paris will offer quick-service and table-service dining. Guests can eat like tiny-chef Remy, after disembarking from the the new Ratatouille attraction.
And Space 220 is a new restaurant in the expanded Mission: SPACE pavilion. A special elevator will take diners to a “space station” where they’ll eat their meal.
Our number one piece of advice for dining at any Disney park is to make a reservation. Here are five tips for dining at Disney World.
New to Hollywood Studios in 2020
Disney’s Hollywood Studios keeps getting better. In 2018, the big draw was the opening of Toy Story Land. Then 2019 brought the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Now in 2020, comes Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The ride-through attraction opened in early March. It’s the first themed to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Guests will burst through a movie screen and join Mickey and pals on a wacky, cartoon adventure.
A new theater space opens, too. The Mickey Shorts Theater shows an original, short film featuring Mickey Mouse. This is also a new photo opportunity location.
New dining options
Giddy-up for a rodeo-themed restaurant in Toy Story Land. The restaurant looks like a rodeo arena created by Andy, using his favorite toys and playsets. This is a table-service dining experience serving up barbecue.
New at Disneyland in 2020
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
On the other coast, more Star Wars is coming to Disneyland. The second big attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in January. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance first opened in Florida in late 2019. Now it makes its debut in California. Guests get to become heroes of the Resistance in a battle with the First Order. The action takes place in massive sets, making guests feel as if they’re in a Star Wars film. Guests board a full-size transport shuttle and the goal is to escape the clutches of Kylo Ren.
For other tips on surviving Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, read this.
Magic Happens Parade
An all-new parade called Magic Happens debuted in February. As usual, you can expect energetic music and lots of dancing and costumes. The new daytime parade will also feature floats and characters from the movies Frozen 2, Coco and Moana in addition to classic Disney characters.
New to Disney California Adventure Park in 2020
The Avengers Campus
If becoming a Super Hero is on your to-do list, this summer you’ll be able to suit up alongside your favorite heroes at the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park. The campus is set up by the avengers to recruit the next generation of heroes.
Worldwide Engineering Brigade or WEB
That’s not all. An attraction is opening, too. The Worldwide Engineering Brigade, or WEB, will allow gusts to test drive the Web-Slinger vehicle and sling webs just like Spider-Man. This is the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature Spider-Man.
The Avengers Campus will be packed with heroic meet-and-greet opportunities, plus unique food choices.
Headed to Disneyland? Our KidTripster Teen offers 11 ideas to make the most of your trip.
New dining options
The Avengers Campus will feature Pym Test Kitchen. Here, Ant-Man and The Wasp are using their growing and shrinking technology, Pym Particles, to create big and little foods at this eatery.
What to expect in 2021
Walt Disney World will be the place to be as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. A couple big attractions will open, Tron Lightcycle Power Run at Magic Kingdom Park and the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewindroller coaster at Epcot. It will be one of the world’s longest enclosed roller coaster and feature innovative technology. A Mary Poppins attraction is expected to open, too, in the U.K. pavilion.
We had the opportunity to experience Tron at Shanghai Disneyland. The ride is popular and the lines are long, but it’s worth the wait. You sit on a motorcycle-like vehicle and zip through a futuristic roller coaster. We’re really looking forward to it opening in the U.S.
The entire re-imagination of Epcot will be complete in 2021. The park will be divided into four different neighborhoods – World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. A new Play! pavilion as well as a Moana-themed water feature will open, too.
Travel planning help
Does a visit to Disney sound fun, but feel overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. Our partners at Magic Family Getaways are Disney experts. These travel agents know the Disney parks inside and out – and they’re parents, too! They do the planning for you, saving you time and money. The service is free to you, but when you work with Magic Family Getaways, KidTripster does receive a small commission. Again, at no extra cost to you. Use this link – specially for KidTripster fans – to contact them.
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