Disney World News: Fireworks Test, Character Meal Returns, SEA Show
It’s been a busy 24 hours, and we’re back with another Walt Disney World news roundup as a result. Among other topics, this one covers fireworks testing at EPCOT, the Disney+ Magic Kingdom Universe, more character dining returning, and an iconic Imagineer blasting off to infinity and beyond.
Let’s start with the Walt Disney World nighttime spectacular news. Last week, we shared Harmonious at EPCOT Info & Timeline. This came a year after its debut was teased and followed months of the show barges being installed and tested in World Showplace Lagoon.
Harmonious’ centerpiece Stargate still sits backstage, but things continue to progress with the show. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the nighttime spectacular is on pace for a debut date later in 2021. Two very positive developments in the last 24 hours on that front…
After EPCOT closed last night, Harmonious tested. We could hear fireworks from bed, and immediately jumped on social media to see what was up. We found several results from guests staying at the Crescent Lake resorts and driving by the park (here and here are examples). It should go without saying, but this bodes well. Walt Disney World wouldn’t be doing this in early 2021 if Harmonious weren’t scheduled to debut until 2022.
Further corroborating this is that Disney Meetings & Events has apparently started offering corporate packages that include a private reception and viewing of Harmonious during the 2021 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. In searching the official events website, I couldn’t find any reference to this, but BlogMickey first reported it and they’re credible.
Walt Disney World offering these packages to corporate clients suggests they are very confident Harmonious will debut before October 2021. These events are important to Disney, and they wouldn’t want to alienate business partners by changing or cancelling packages once booked.
It wouldn’t surprise us if Harmonious debuts by this summer. As we said in our Harmonious timeline post, EPCOT is the park where nighttime spectaculars could most plausibly first return from health safety and profitability perspectives. World Showcase is massive, with ample space for a large number of guests to distance themselves while viewing.
EPCOT also has a higher attendance cap than other parks, and is seeing the lowest utilization on average. Collectively, this makes the debut of new attractions and return of fireworks more advantageous at EPCOT than any other park. (In other words, don’t be surprised if Harmonious debuts before Happily Ever After returns.)
Next, a fun one! The Hollywood Reporter revealed that ‘For All Mankind’ creator and self-described Disney superfan Ron Moore is about to begin work on the first of a potential “Magic Kingdom Universe” franchise of projects that will explore characters. (After he’s finished working on a Swiss Family Robinson Disney+ series.)
The first project being developed as part of the Magic Kingdom Universe is The Society of Explorers and Adventurers, which is a secret society of both fictional and real-life explorers, that began at Tokyo DisneySea and has spread as far as Typhoon Lagoon.
For the Magic Kingdom Universe, Moore is working closely with Walt Disney Imagineering. There’s reportedly a mini-writers room being put together with a search under way for three senior-level writers. Following the S.E.A. series, Moore will build out the Magic Kingdom Universe and oversee the entire franchise. Moore would expand the franchise for Disney+ in a way that’s similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It’s fitting that the Society of Explorers and Adventurers would be the first project for the Magic Kingdom Universe. Not only is S.E.A. conducive to a Disney+ series, but the “organization” is itself the closest thing theme parks have to a shared universe. Since it debuted in Fortress Explorations two decades ago, S.E.A. has evolved to include an array of original theme park characters.
The Society of Explorers and Adventurers really gained momentum with Mystic Point in Hong Kong Disneyland, where both Mystic Manor and Explorer’s Club Restaurant heavily leverage S.E.A.
Since then, it has been woven into numerous spots at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Skipper Canteen, Typhoon Lagoon, and other locations. It also shares bloodlines with the Jungle Navigation Company, and the two could easily be combined for the Disney+ series.
We are huge fans of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. It’s something that “rewards” Disney fans who visit multiple parks and fixate on details and easter eggs, and Imagineering (mostly) has not gotten carried away with trying to shoehorn it into too much.
Moreover, it’s awesome to see the Magic Kingdom Universe on Disney+ debuting with something that’s a relative deep-cut, as compared to low-hanging fruit like the “Fantasyland Files” featuring all the princesses or even a Haunted Mansion series. We’re really looking forward to this one!
More good news on the food front. In its February 2021 Best Bites, Disney Parks Blog announced that character breakfast is back at Hollywood & Vine starting March 22, 2021. The Disney Junior Character Breakfast will return in modified form, allowing guests to wave and snap selfies–but not hug or obtain autographs–with popular Disney Junior characters.
The location will also shift to an Á la carte, similar to what Minnie’s Seasonal Dine has done for lunch and dinner in the same location. Start with a sharable pastry basket for the table and then choose your breakfast entrée, including the following menu options:
- All-you-care-to-enjoy pancakes made with our signature house-made batter.
- French toast stuffed with chocolate-hazelnut spread.
- Toasted open-faced salmon bagel.
- Four-egg scramble.
- Four-egg cheese omelet.
- Plant-based egg frittata.
Advance Dining Reservations for the Disney Junior Character Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine can be booked starting February 26, 2021 on DisneyWorld.com or via the My Disney Experience app.
If the Disney Junior Character Breakfast isn’t your speed, maybe you’ll be happy to know that Big River Grille & Brewing Works at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn has reopened. Or maybe not?
I’m not going to say that Big River Grille & Brewing Works is my least favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World, but it’s definitely bottom 5. (Some reasonably-priced menu options are its saving grace.) Nevertheless, I am happy to see it reopen. Every step towards normalcy is important incremental progress, even when it’s the return of a subpar dining spot.
Virgin Galactic announces legendary former Disney Imagineer, @Joe_Rohde, as Experience Architect. He will help design and guide the overall experience journey for future astronauts, friends and family, and inspired fans alike. https://t.co/Vk9dRPSURZ pic.twitter.com/Wksbe1e3lp
– Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) February 22, 2021
Finally, some bittersweet news. After one month of “retirement,” legendary Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde has joined Virgin Galactic as Experience Architect. Rohde will be a strategic advisor to help design and guide the overall experience journey for future astronauts, friends and family, and inspired fans alike, per a press release.
Obviously, this is great for Joe Rohde and Virgin Galactic. We’re heartened to see such a colossal talent be scooped up by another innovative company, even if it’s one most of us will never use. However, it’s disappointing as a Disney fan and elucidates the actual nature of his departure from WDI. Watching the “old guard” with strong connections to Walt Disney Imagineering’s historic legacy depart has been difficult. I wonder how many crucial Imagineers were let go who no one has ever heard of because they don’t seek out the spotlight.
The last year has been tough for countless reasons, but the degree to which Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Imagineering have forever lost institutional knowledge cannot be overstated. Many fans are understandably upset about what’s absent in the near term–things like shows, streetmosphere, and various qualitative vacation enhancements–but the reality is that all or most of that can be restored relatively easily. Institutional knowledge is more of an abstraction that’s not easily ascertainable among fans. Its loss may not be apparent in the near-term, but it’s going to come back to bite Disney down the road.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of this Walt Disney World news? Thoughts on testing and corporate packages for Harmonious viewing? Think it’ll debut for the start of summer, closer to fall, or not at all in 2021? Excited for the Disney+ Magic Kingdom Universe? What about a Society of Explorers and Adventurers show? Looking forward to seeing what Joe Rohde does with Virgin Galactic, or still disappointed he’s gone from Imagineering? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Thank you so much! HCinKC! I have never seen that before. Thank you for your kindness!!. I also found a link to locations in the Disney site a bit before Tom posted it.
My little one loves the hunt as well! I will let you know if any are not in working order as well. Last time we came across many that were not functioning. Also, did you read how you should bring pennies dates prior to 1980? The higher copper I think makes a clearer impression. That’s also been fun for the kids, ads to the excitement prior to our trip.
I’m certainly not going to argue Big River Grille is a top WDW restaurant, but I’ve enjoyed it through the years. The outdoor patio sitting right on the Boardwalk is definitely one of the best atmospheric people-watching locations in all of WDW, especially after the sun goes down. The burgers & on-site made beer, while not exceptional, are definitely serviceable. Plus, as someone who very often uses their BWV home resort DVC points to stay there with a Boardwalk view, it’s really nice to have the restaurant open down below your balcony. It adds a bit of energy to the Boardwalk area that’s been sorely lacking lately.
I’m not staying at BWV during my upcoming split stay trip (OKW & WL-Boulder). But I’m planning to pop over to the Boardwalk one evening and hope to enjoy a meal on the Big River patio.
Was wondering about Big River because I never ate there but wanted to because I like “micro brews” now called craft beers. Glad to hear its not so bad. Would hate to hate a place that makes its own beer.
Tom, I agree with the loss of Disney’s legendary imagineers. AK is our favorite park probably due to the extreme attention to detail by Joe Rhode. That park is so immersive and has so much to see. We find something interesting every time we visit AK.
Imagineering of his quality will be missed.
You are right, it may not be missed right now, but down the road will be very obvious to us disney fans. I don’t understand the WDC philosophy now, but like you, I think this dumb move will come back to bite them in the bottom, too.
If only the S.E.A. project would be a precursor to opening a new Adventurer’s Club…I know, I know…it’s been gone a long time, but not forgotten and missed!
When dining reservations open up 2/26 — what time should they most likely be available? Would like to snag H&V breakfast for the sake of my daughter for our 3/28 visit and want to give myself the best chance! Do they push them out at 7AM or midnight or what? Or is there even a norm?
Hello Tom!
I have a request. Can you please compile a list of current locations/functionality of all the pressed coin machines in operation around Disney world. I am wondering if we should still bring our quarters and pennies. We stay at Beach club so we are familiar with a few around those hotels. Also, on our last visit pre-covid, august 2019, many machines that were penny pressed, evolved into quarter press. Not a great value. Lol. Thanks!
I’m not sure if it’s what you’re after, but DisneyWorld.com has an official list of pressed coin machines: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/coin-presses/
Compiling my own list would require a ton of effort and regular updates.
Tom.
When you’re done compiling that list, would you mind flying over to Palm Springs, doing my laundry and cleaning my kitchen.
Thanks Buddy.
An excellent resource for pressed pennies. Dongs let the weird looking address scare you. Or you can search up Penny Collector. We use it anytime we go on a trip for our little collector. http://209.221.138.252/AreaList.aspx
I can only hope I played some small part in helping you brand it the Stargate centerpiece.
You heard the fireworks which means in normal times you can also hear the music when they do the show every night. I should only live so close. Sounds great but in reality is that a positive or negative?
“You heard the fireworks which means in normal times you can also hear the music when they do the show every night.”
No, we cannot hear the music. Just the pyro.
Honestly, it becomes background noise over time and you stop hearing it. But once it stops being a regular thing, I guess you start hearing it again?
Over the last 10 days we’ve had a big 2 day snowstorm for 2 feet and two smaller ones 3 – 6 inches each then a dusting. Pretty much cloudy and freezing cold the whole time. This morning the sun was shining brilliantly and it was such a welcome sight you had to notice, smile and be thankful. Meantime in Florida it was probably another sunny day and people went about their business. I think it’s a human thing. You need to go through pain to really appreciate pleasure.
You’ve probably done this but may I suggest next time the pyro starts up you play cut 4 Illuminations from WDW The Official Album (13:11) or either cut 1 Reflections Of Earth (9:31) or cut 3 Tapestry of Nations (23:53) a bit too long but… from WDW Millennium Celebration.
I’ve taken the Joe Rohde departure more as a partial retirement. With Michael Colglazier at the helm, it sounds more like an opportunity for him to scoop up a talented friend, pay him well for a largely part-time gig, and lend some cachet to the Virgin Galactic enterprise.
i agree the virgin galactic hire is a telling sign. it seemed suspect at best for joe to leave suddenly, and instead of riding off into the sunset to spend time with his family, he gets recruited into an EVEN MORE ambitious endeavor??
please….disney leadership dropped the ball again to save money. very unfortunate loss of talent.
Your last paragraph is a profoundly important observation and only serves to reinforce my concerns about the current leadership of the company.
Sadly agree.
Agree 100%. The “investment” in the theme parks including legacy talent is eroding and Disney even states as much but I think COVID just accelerated it. So sad.
Being “that guy” again – I’m happy to email you in future if you prefer… you’re welcome to email me at the supplied address.
More would expand the franchise > Moore
S.E.A. has involved to include > evolved
Thanks for the heads up!
Exciting news on several fronts! 2021 is looking up! As a native Floridian and a child of the 1960’s, I closely followed the country’s space program, watching from day one, and personally witnessing many launches first hand. I’ve also watched Disney move in as a neighbor, and grew over the years. I have never considered Joe Rohde to be anything special, as there are so many more talented Imagineers that haven’t been plastered over the media due to their iconic appearance. .I doubt he’ll be missed as much as some would believe, but wish him well. The whole Virgin Galactic project seems a bit elitist, and frankly, I miss the days of space exploration when money was spent on technology and safety, as opposed to aesthetics and turning a buck. But to each his own, and perhaps his vacancy at Disney will create opportunities for others to take the parks “to infinity and beyond”!
I will say, I thoroughly enjoy Big River Grille & Brewing Works, especially as frequent guests of Swan & Dolphin. Primarily because after a day at the parks it’s a great spot in that area to drink a few beers and catch some sports. Will agree on overall food, although wife loves their chix nachos.
A Harmonious testing, how exciting!!! I can’t wait!
I am geeking out over the SEA Disney+ announcement! I completely agree that it is exciting to see a less obvious choice for a first attraction to Disney+ series project, but I would not say “no” to a Haunted Mansion-based show, either! My son is dreaming of a Dreamfinder series, starting at Scientifica Lucida, and this announcement makes it feel like somewhere down the line, he might get his wish.
We caught some of the fireworks from the outdoor balcony at WineBar George. Nearly cried. Just finished dinner at big river and we are sitting on the boardwalk with a cocktail hoping beyond all reason that they test them again. With park hours increasing soon- I wonder if they need to test them now while they can before 11pm without disrupting sleep for guests in the area….hope hope
Omg Christian. It sounds like a dream come true. “Sitting on the boardwalk with a cocktail”… Enjoy every second!
Sincerely,
A slightly jealous Disney addict from Michigan!
I got so excited when I saw the teaser about a character meal returning, only to see it was at Hollywood & Vine, the restaurant that gives Chef Mickey’s a run for it’s money as most overrated & least appetizing. It’s hard to screw up scrambled eggs, but H&V manages to excel at doing just that. That was a one-and-done meal for us.
I had REALLY hoped it would have been Tusker House. Their breakfast was (in our opinion) the best on property. I can’t compare it to Boma, though, because we haven’t eaten breakfast there, only dinner.
Glad to hear that a restaurant on the Boardwalk is reopening. Have never eaten there & Boardwalk has way too many things closed. I feel like our stay in two months will feel like a dead zone. So we’ll try the restaurant to hopefully keep them opening more
What I wondered about was a FOUR egg scramble or four egg omelet. Four. That doesn’t sound very Disney. They usually reduce the more expensive ingredients and increase the cheaper ones. Unless H&V has a prix fixe menu, I could see many parties purchasing one plate and sharing it among four or five kids or two adults.
Are there any character meals without a fixed price menu?
Glad to hear that the Disney Junior Character Breakfast is reopening for more of a return to normalcy. When do you think pre-park breakfasts will return at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom? You would think they could safely resume. Thank you for all your posts! They brighten my day.
I thought I heard fireworks last night! We usually get a neighborhood notice but didn’t last night so I was pleasantly surprised ☺ï¸
“woven,” not “weaved.”
Thanks–fixed it.