14 Signs That the Best is Yet to Come for Walt Disney World in 2019
The year is more than half over by now. Soon, you’ll find yourself stressed out over holiday season gift-giving. However, as a Disney fan, you’ll find a lot of stress relief in the offing. Let’s take a look at 14 things coming to Walt Disney World during the second half of 2019.
1. 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
As you’ll see, the month of August seems like the start of everything at Walt Disney World this year. On August 29th, the 24th edition of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will open.
While the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a bit older, Food & Wine has become the signature expo at Walt Disney World. This year’s version runs through November 23rd, the latest it’s ever gone. So, you’ll have plenty of time to visit. And once it’s gone, Disney transitions to…
2. 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
While Epcot has hosted some kind of holiday celebration for decades now, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is relatively new. This event began in 2017, less than two years ago.
The 2019 event will run from November 29th through December 30th. Yes, the downtime between the Food & Wine Festival and the holiday event is less than a week. With some proper planning, you could feasibly visit both during the same vacation.
3. Disney Skyliner
A couple of years ago, Disney announced its latest form of transportation, the Disney Skyliner. Fittingly, it recalled an earlier era at Walt Disney World, the age when Skyway to Tomorrowland and Skyway to Fantasyland provided guests with an aerial view of Magic Kingdom.
The 21st-century gondola system provides more utility. It’ll carry guests to their favorite parks and resorts. And we now know its official opening date. You can take to the skies starting on September 29th.
4. Disney’s Riviera Resort
The next great Walt Disney World resort honors the memory of Walt Disney. This entire facility at Disney’s Riviera Resort celebrates a memorable trip that Walt and his loyal brother, Roy, took during the 1930s. European aesthetics abound at this hotel, and you can already book reservations in anticipation of its December debut.
5. Epcot Forever
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is arguably the most successful nighttime fireworks presentation in the history of theme parks. At a minimum, it’s the most lauded one. However, it’s 20 years old in 2019, causing Disney officials to retire it for something more modern.
While we await the IllumiNations replacement, Disney will host a short-term exhibition that should delight old school Disney fans. Epcot Forever is like a love letter to the early days of EPCOT Center along with a few songs and characters who have stood the test of time.
6. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Everyone has a favorite after-hours ticketed event at Walt Disney World. There’s something special about gaining private access when a park has closed to the public. My favorite is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and I’m ultra-excited about 2019.
As the link above describes, Disney will have new activities this year. Best of all, the shows start on August 16th, less than a month from now!
7. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Meanwhile, the jolliest and most festive ticketed event will also return later in 2019. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an exercise in yuletide bliss. You can attend starting on November 8th and running until just before Christmas. Importantly, Disney doesn’t host this event during Thanksgiving or Christmas week, so please keep that in mind when you plan your holiday visit.
8. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Several of the most anticipated 2019 happenings involve Star Wars. As everyone knows, the new themed land will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in August. The anchor attraction, at least at first, is Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. You can live out your dream of piloting Han Solo’s ship during an immersive ride experience.
9. Oga’s Cantina
Once you’re done at the Millennium Falcon, you can walk over to Oga’s Cantina to sip a glowing drink and maybe sample some intergalactic cuisine. This bar has quickly become the most popular place at Disneyland and should become even more celebrated at Hollywood Studios.
10. Regal Eagle Smokehouse
The next two entries are both announced but still kind of vague with the details. Disney recently closed Liberty Inn and will re-brand the restaurant with a more fitting American theme. From now on, this place will dazzle your taste buds with good, ol’ fashioned smokehouse barbecue. It’s gonna be grrrrrreat.
11. Unnamed Space Restaurant
I’m even more excited about the space restaurant coming to the Mission: SPACE section of Epcot. Park officials have promised that a 270-degree wall screen will build the illusion that guests are eating in Earth’s orbit. We really only know a few details about it, though.
The Patina Restaurant Group will manage the facility, and it will feature more than 1,000 bottles of wine. Oh, and we know that the Table Service space restaurant will open in 2019.
12. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
I’ve already mentioned a couple of hot spots at the upcoming Star Wars Land at Walt Disney World. They’re just a small taste of what’s in store for Hollywood Studios visitors. The Black Spire Outpost at Disneyland has garnered rave reviews for its impeccable theming and unprecedented world-building.
The expectation is that the themed land at Hollywood Studios will be that much better. Galaxy’s Edge will be the focal point of your next Walt Disney World vacation.
13. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Perhaps the most shocking surprise about Galaxy’s Edge involves its E-ticket attraction. Disney has recently revealed that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open at Hollywood Studios on December 5th. That’s actually more than a month before Disneyland’s version debuts.
Given everything that we know about the attraction, it’s going to be the most epic thing ever seen at a theme park. Start planning your vacation now for this one, my friends.
14. Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
Like all Disney hotels, Disney’s Riviera Resort will feature several restaurants and lounges. Topolino’s Terrace is sure to be the best of them due to its location. It resides on the top of the hotel, providing guests with a unique perspective of many nearby landmarks at Walt Disney World.
At night, you’ll get to watch your favorite fireworks shows from the comfort of the restaurant. Plus, it has a character breakfast that stars Mickey Mouse!
