Full List of Reopening Attractions & Entertainment at Disney World
After yesterday’s big announcements by Walt Disney World’s of the Disney Park Pass reservation system for entry and WDW AP refunds, extensions & previews, we’re getting more details about the modified experience that can be expected when Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios reopen in July.
Today’s update concerns rides, shows, and entertainment. Most attractions will be available at each park–for example, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will offer popular attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (which was only open for a couple weeks before the parks closed) and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (which previously required an infamous boarding pass dash).
At Magic Kingdom, classics such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean are waiting to welcome guests with thrilling adventures for the whole family. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the magic of nature awaits with Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Avatar Flight of Passage.
Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth attraction will also continue to be available in its current state while its previously-planned reimagining is paused. Other popular attractions like Soarin’ Around the World, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track will operate as normal.
Obviously, this is just a partial list that Walt Disney World has highlighted in its announcement. Below are the full lists for each park, via the official Walt Disney World Parks & Tickets Know Before You Go page…
Magic Kingdom
When Magic Kingdom park reopens on July 11, the following attractions, entertainment and shops will be available.
Attractions
- “it’s a small world”
- Astro Orbiter
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Jungle Cruise
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Mad Tea Party
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- The Barnstormer
- The Hall of Presidents
- The Haunted Mansion
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Tom Sawyer Island
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Entertainment
- Main Street Philharmonic
- Character Cavalcades along the parade route:
- The Royal Princess Processional
- Mickey & Friends Cavalcade
- Fantasyland Friends Cavalcade
- A Goofy Cavalcade
- Tinker Bell & the Lost Treasure
Shops
- Arribas Brothers
- Baby Care
- Big Al’s
- Box Office Gifts
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Photos
- Crystal Arts
- Emporium
- Fantasy Faire
- Hundred Acre Goods
- Island Supply by Sunglass Hut
- Main Street Confectionery
- Memento Mori
- Mickey’s Star Traders
- Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar
- Rubio Arts
- Sir Mickey’s
- Splashdown Photos
- Strollers & Wheelchairs
- The Chapeau
- Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.
- TTC Cart / Wheelchairs
- Uptown Jewelers & Cinema
- Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
Animal Kingdom
When Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park reopens on July 11, the following attractions, entertainment and shops will be available.
Attractions
- Affection Section
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- DINOSAUR
- Discovery Island Trails
- Expedition Everest
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
- It’s Tough to be a Bug!
- Kali River Rapids
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Na’vi River Journey
- The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
- The Oasis Exhibits
- TriceraTop Spin
- Wilderness Explorers
- Wildlife Express
Entertainment
- Character Cruises with Disney friends appearing in boats around Discovery River:
- Discovery River Character Cruise
- Discovery Island Drummers
- Donald’s Dino Boat Bash!
- Mickey & Friends Flotilla
Shops
- Africa Hub Cart
- African Heritage Wood Carving
- Baby Care
- Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures
- Discovery Trading Company
- Garden Gate Gifts & Strollers
- Kilimanjaro Safari Cart
- Mandala Gifts
- Mombasa Marketplace
- Out Of The Wild
- Serka Zong Bazaar
- The Dino Institute Shop
- Windtraders
Epcot
When EPCOT reopens on July 15, the following attractions, entertainment and shops will be available.
Attractions
- Awesome Planet
- Canada Far and Wide
- Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
- Friendship Lagoon Boats
- Frozen Ever After
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
- Impressions de France
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Kidcot (modified)
- Living with the Land
- Mission: SPACE
- Reflections of China
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Spaceship Earth
- Test Track
- The American Adventure
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience
Entertainment
- America Gardens Theatre Presents…
- JAMMitors
- Mariachi Cobre
- Character Cavalcades throughout the day, featuring Disney friends traveling around World Showcase promenade:
- Frozen Promenade
- Mickey & Friends World Tour
- Princess Promenade
Shops
- African Heritage
- Arribas Brothers
- Art of Disney
- Baby Care
- Canada Cart
- China Kiosk
- Disney Traders
- Galerie Des Halles
- Gateway Gifts
- Glas Und Porcellan
- ImageWorks
- Karamell Kuche
- La Bottega Italiana
- Mexico Indoor Plaza
- Mission: SPACE Cargo
- Mitsukoshi
- Mouse Gear Temporary Location
- Pin Traders – Camera Center
- Port of Entry
- Puffin’s Roost
- Sea Base Alpha Gift Shop
- Strollers & Wheelchairs
- Tea Caddy
- Test Track Simporium
- Wood Carver
- World Traveler
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
When Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens on July 15, the following attractions, entertainment and shops will be available.
Attractions
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Muppet*Vision 3D
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Tours — The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
- Toy Story Mania!
- Vacation Fun (at Mickey Shorts Theater)
- Walt Disney Presents
Entertainment
- Character Cavalcades throughout the day, with favorite Disney friends on Hollywood Boulevard:
- Disney Junior Stars Motorcade
- Mickey & Friends Motorcade
- Pixar Motorcade
Shops
- Celebrity 5 & 10
- Crossroads of the World
- Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
- Droid Depot Experience
- Droid Depot Store
- In Character
- Legends of Hollywood
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Mickey’s Of Hollywood
- Movieland Memorabilia
- Once Upon A Time
- Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind
- Rock Around The Shop
- Rubio Arts
- Strollers & Wheelchairs
- Tatooine Traders
- The Market
- Tower Hotel Gifts
- Toy Story Mania Shop
What is NOT Opening
- Magic Kingdom — Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor & Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Animal Kingdom — Finding Nemo — The Musical, Festival of the Lion King, and Primeval Whirl (if you count that)
- Epcot — Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (IMPRESSIONS DE FRANCE ALLLL DAY!)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Frozen Sing-Along, Star Wars Launch Bay, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Savi’s Workshop
With the fewest rides (but lots of headliners) and most shows, Disney’s Hollywood Studios was already imbalanced. It’s definitely the park hit hardest by the modified operations. (More on that in the commentary below.)
You might notice a bunch of character cavalcades listed above. Despite parades, nighttime spectaculars, meet & greets, character dining, and other experiences being temporarily paused when the parks initially reopen due to physical distancing limitations, we have some news on what it means that characters will still be in the parks to “entertain and delight” guests.
Previously, in our Character Dining Cancelled at Walt Disney World post, we assumed this meant more “smile & wave” cavalcades and impromptu greetings from balconies and other distanced locations. The latest update from Walt Disney World more or less confirms this, with some additional info describing what’s on the bullet-point list above…
If you’re hoping to see some familiar friends or take in the tunes of treasured performers, you’re in luck!
Just as you may have seen recently at Disney Springs with Stormtroopers “enforcing” modified rules, characters will appear in new and different ways that are mindful of physical distancing.
These will include special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom parade route, characters sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, processions along the World Showcase promenade in Epcot, and motorcades down the boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Suffice to say, different areas of the park will come to life with impromptu performances throughout the day.
Looking beyond the Disney characters, several musical groups and entertainment acts will also return.
You can look forward to seeing Main Street Philharmonic at Magic Kingdom Park, plus the Mariachi Cobre and everyone’s favorite funky drumming crew the JAMMitors at EPCOT, just to name a few.
Of course, several other entertainment acts were cut just prior to the parks closing, and presumably will not return.
Prior to the parks closing, several groups had their final day of performances: British Revolution, the popular music group that performed in the United Kingdom pavilion; Sergio, the mime and juggler in the Italy pavilion; and Matsuriza, the taiko drummers in the Japan pavilion.
Overall, nothing earth-shattering here–mostly just confirmation of what we already knew about attractions and entertainment that will be offered once Walt Disney World’s theme parks reopen. The one promising tidbit is the cavalcades, which could enough to scratch the “parade itch” for some guests.
Nevertheless, this is obviously significantly less entertainment than pre-closure. Cynically, we also question to what degree some of this is “necessary” and what’s a thinly-veiled cutback.
How does Walt Disney World justify showing the enclosed and indoor MuppetVision 3D, but not using the outdoor and open-air venues for Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular? While the equity performers are part of unions and thus may be the reason Disney is not proceeding with these shows, it’d be great to see these colossal amphitheaters used for alternative entertainment.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios was already very top-heavy (see our DHS: Walt Disney World’s Best Rides & Most Frustrating Park post from right before the closure), and the non-operational shows definitely won’t help with that. If Disney doesn’t use the venues in DHS, they might end up with crowd issues in that specific park–even with significantly reduced attendance.
On the one hand, every aspect our daily lives has temporarily changed, so it’s unreasonable to expect the same Walt Disney World as before. Some compromises are in order, and guests returning this year need to understand that they’re experiencing a modified and diluted experience. That’s just reality, and no amount of complaining will change it.
On the other hand, if Walt Disney World wants to attract tourists back to the theme parks, something has to give. Either in the form of aggressive discounts, quality alternative entertainment, or other special enhancements that help guests justify visiting. Right now, it’s a really tough sell to anyone who isn’t a local, Disney Vacation Club member, or diehard fan.
Perhaps Walt Disney World is fine with that. Reopening vacation package sales for 2021 before the remainder of this year almost suggests that Disney is viewing the rest of this year as something of a lost cause or de facto soft opening for locals and extremely motivated visitors.
Nevertheless, it’s a risky approach. Word of mouth, reviews, and social media feedback from the remainder of this year will reverberate and influence bookings for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. We remain optimistic that there’s upside to visiting this year (my expectation of empty parks is a strong personal pull) and hope as more time passes, Walt Disney World is able to roll out plans to improve and enhance the guest experience.
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 about Walt Disney World’s entertainment plan? Any thoughts on how they can compensate for the lack of parades, fireworks, nighttime spectaculars, meet & greets, and more? Will you be attempting to visit Walt Disney World this summer or fall, or are you waiting until 2021 when things (presumably) start getting back to normal? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? 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!
What are the chances that the water parks open this summer? Just curious. We have reservations in August and would love a day to cool off at Blizzard Beach.
We’ll wait for the firework to resume. I hope fireworks will be back for New Years Eve. They are spectacular especially from the beach ay Polynesian. I’m sure WDW will make our visits as magical and special as before Covid 19
Never had a bad trip to WDW.
I find it odd that they closed Savi’s Workshop but not Droid Depot…
I think it’s easier to figure out a way to distance people at droid depot and savi’s workshop has a whole ceremony where you are packed in a small space with others. Just a guess!
Have they said anything about the experiences yet? We really wanted to build a lightsaber and have a safari to see the elephants. Among a few others. H
Savi’s workshop is closed. Too bad because it is an awesome light saber building experience! But small space , hard to distance..
Tom has that listed in his post!
It’s being reported on Twitter (Scott Gustin) that CM’s have been told there will be NO virtual queues upon reopening, including ROTR. This surprises me, since I thought it was a good way to keep crowds from congregating. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, Tom
Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but do we know what’s happening with Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run? I.e. will all seats/roles be in operation or are they distant enough from eachother?
I don’t have any inside info or anything, but my guess is they’ll probably just do one party per cockpit.
I’ll be really interested to see how the reduced park capacity influences the RotR boarding pass process. If they run RotR at its full capacity, maybe the reduction in the overall number of guests in the park will make it less harrowing to obtain a boarding pass in the morning? One can hope. When I was thinking about reopening ahead of this, one of the big questions on my mind was what DHS opening procedures would look like. Back in January, preopening at DHS was exactly the kind of crowd situation they’re trying to prevent by cancelling parades and fireworks: just a sea of people packed into the plaza outside the gates. I honestly don’t know what the lower capacity will look like on the ground; maybe it’s enough to organically prevent that kind of crowd buildup in the morning without additional measures, or maybe they’ll have some other method to space people out.
As first-time visitors, my husband and I are still planning on going in November, since we just don’t know what we would be missing with the changes, you know? The only thing that really disappoints me is the fireworks, but I’m hoping by November, things would have improved and that may be back as an option. We are also holding out hope that most will decide not to travel and the crowds will be smaller!
I’m nervous about the park reservation thing and also about the rumors of having to upgrade if some hotels are not open (we are booked at POP). None of the DVC resorts are within our budget, but if we do not have to pay to upgrade, I’m fine with it! LOL!
I have a question…what happens with the extra money I paid for the park hopper option if we can only visit one park per day? Or do you think by November, they may resume park hopping and are just taking a “wait and see” approach?
Me and my mom are going the second week of September. We also got park hopper. We went through a travel agent and got an email from her this morning. She suggested that we hang on to it. We have a week before our trip to change to a base ticket.
Since you aren’t going until November I would hang onto it.
For the record, I do not count Primeval Whirl.
I think this is actually pretty good. Personally would not go to Disney World without fireworks and shows as we love those and it’s a big trip, but would do Disneyland with a similar lineup … but probably only once or twice and then we’d wait for parades and shows to return.
I do agree that to some extent it seems Disney is taking advantage of making some cuts and blaming Covid … we will see how long cuts last.
Unless they are 2 different things that I I can’t think of both, you have the Pixar Shorts on both lists. Probably Disney listed them twice and not you, but just a heads up.
What about Ratatouille? When is that slated to open?
I don’t get why you can have indoor things in small venues (like Festival of the Lion King, Racing Academy, Tiki Room, etc.) but they can’t do the evening outdoor shows like Fantasmic!, Rivers of Light, etc..
If anything the big outdoor theaters seem like they could accommodate social distancing better…
Don’t know what I am missing.
@Drew, I had the same question. I’m surprised to see how many indoor shows are operating.
I can’t speak for the fireworks, but a lot of those shows use live actors, who need to be in close proximity. That probably makes it dangerous for them.
Though, Festival of the Lion King is a head scratcher for me.. as there are a lot of performers in that show!
I had this same thought but then again being that the parks are closing early would it be dark enough for Fantasmic or Rivers of Light?
What about the Jedi training academy???
I’m kinda sad that the BatB sing-along is listed as not opening. We didn’t get to see it on our last trip before the closure (which was at the end of February/beginning of March) and I was hoping we would be able to see it this upcoming trip in September. Hopefully by December (Christmas) they’ll put it back in. In the meantime, I’ll have to just watch the BatB live-action movie on Disney+ (I prefer that one to the animated version, but that’s another comment for another day, I suppose).
Is it possible that the Muppets vs the other two shows have to do with live performers? I am just guessing, but it seems like it has more to do with the performers than the audiences. Both those shows have a lot of touching and multiple people in close proximity to one another. It may take some time to figure out how to do the show safely OR they may end up waiting for numbers to die down entirely.
That argument could be made and is a fair point, but they are having live performers in the cavalcades.
I think it has to do with the performers, and specifically the Actors Equity Union. I have a lot of friends who are professional actors and there’s a lot of hubbub in the Union about when they will be able to perform again. The union membership is split but the leadership has basically said they won’t allow members to perform until it is “safe to do so” (a very vague definition that seems to mean when a vaccine is available, and the vagueness is causing a lot of the internal strife).
Performers who have speaking roles on stages at Disney World fall under Equity contracts but the characters and non speaking parade performers are generally non union. I’m not sure whether face characters fall under Equity contracts but it’s possible Equity granted an exception for these cavalcades but won’t allow stage performances to resume.
Is the union splitting hairs? Does it make sense to deem one safe and the other not safe? Up to interpretation (and again, there’s a LOT of disagreement among Equity members about what should and shouldn’t be allowed). But I’m almost certain that’s why the stage shows have been nixed but Muppetvision and Philharmagic are okay.
That makes sense–thanks for the feedback!
These shows aren’t just live performers – they have live singers, which is the big problem. There’s lots of evidence that drawing and expelling the breath necessary to sing makes you a superspreader of any viral particles. It would be unsafe not only for the performers but for the audiences, especially in the indoor venues. I think that’s at the heart of this.
It’s what I expected, more or less. I do feel there could be a better description of how certain shows or movies will be spaced among guests. Will they skip every other row, for example? All these steps will affect waiting times; so, I would appreciate a better explanation.
well, i’m always in favor of the muppets over everything. but it’s surprising the others aren’t also being performed, unless it’s simply a cost measure, as those are much more costly to run multiple times a day.
i imagine the cavalcades and other entertainment will not have posted times, to discourage staking out a spot and gathering large groups. rather they will probably be spontaneous.
Thanks for that list, though it might be easier to list if anything major *isn’t* opening. I certainly hope more liver entertainment is added back over time. The dapper Dan’s and various acts around the world showcase really help make WDW special.
What isn’t opening:
Magic Kingdom – Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor & Enchanted Tales with Belle
Epcot – Pixar Shorts & Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (IMPRESSIONS DE FRANCE ALLLL DAY!)
DHS – Frozen Sing-Along, Star Wars Launch Bay, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Savi’s Workshop
Animal Kingdom – Finding Nemo – The Musical (and Primeval Whirl, if you count that)
No Rise of the Resistance??? any idea why?
Rise is on there!
It’s there. “Star Wars Rise of the Resistance.”