There’s a lot on Disney’s plate this summer

Changes in store for theme parks, water parks and hotels

By Richard Tribou

Orlando Sentinel (TNS)

Pandora is Disney’s big draw this summer, but there are a lot of footnotes beyond giant blue people happening around Walt Disney World worth checking out if you’re heading the Mouse’s way.

First up is the new nighttime fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, “Happily Ever After,” which debuted last month and replaced “Wishes” after a 13-year run. The new show is longer and features an impressive set of castle projections pulling from at least 25 Disney films set to new music and oodles of fireworks.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s another new nighttime entertainment option – a 40-minute homage to Pixar films called “The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters” that debuted in May runs for a limited time.

The show will feature a full orchestra playing Pixar tunes while film characters make appearances. The show will take place three times nightly in the Theater of the Stars following daily performances of “Beauty and the Beast.”

While at Hollywood Studios, you can check out a couple of new animatronic attractions. Star Wars’ BB-8 has now joined Chewbacca and Kylo Ren at Star Wars Launch Bay. Meanwhile, for what is sure to also be a limited time, you can meet Baby Groot from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” along with human – well half-human at least – Star-Lord, aka Peter Quill. The two are part of a meet-and-greet at the back of the “One Man’s Dream” attraction.

Animal Kingdom is the home to Pandora – The World of Avatar, but is also still reveling in the long-awaited debut of its “Rivers of Light” show that expanded Animal Kingdom’s nighttime offerings officially in February. That show combined with Pandora and other features that debuted last summer are part of Disney’s efforts to make the park an all-day affair like its other three parks.

Epcot is still attracting people with the Frozen and Soarin’ Around the World debuts from last summer. One thing that was announced in January and promised in early spring, but has yet to open is a new food and drink venue outside the Mexico pavilion. Choza Tequila will be an authentic outdoor tequileria with tequila, but also margaritas and classic Mexican cuisine such as tacos, empanadas, chips and fresh guacamole. No official opening date has been announced.

water parks

At the water parks, Typhoon Lagoon has a new ride called Miss Adventure Falls, a family-style raft attraction that is the longest at more than two minutes of any water park ride at Disney.

Over at Blizzard Beach, the water park welcomes the return of the “Frozen” Summer Games through Aug. 13 that includes character meet-and-greets with Kristoff and Olaf alongside games such as ice-pail relays and a snowball toss.

disney springs

Disney Springs continues to grow with the recent openings of The Polite Pig, Paddlefish and Planet Hollywood Observatory although Portobello closed in April for a reimagining, and won’t return until fall.

The Polite Pig is a fast-casual eatery that opened in April. It’s the brainchild of Winter Park, Fla.’s The Ravenous Pig owners James and Julie Petrakis and James’ brother Brian, featuring sustainable and local ingredients with signature beers from Cask & Larder Brewery and a bourbon bar.

Paddlefish, which was formerly Fulton’s Crab House, reopened in February.

Also in February, Planet Hollywood Observatory reopened, now with a menu from celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

And while it has been open for a while, STK Orlando started offering brunch in April.

hotels

On the hotel front, a new Disney Vacation Club Resort opens July 17 at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort called Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. The 14th DVC property will take inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, with 26 cabins on the shore of Bay Lake with wraparound screened-in porches, indoor-outdoor fireplaces and hot tubs.

Over at Disney’s Boardwalk is a new character dining experience with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from “Tangled” and Ariel and Prince Eric from “The Little Mermaid.” They are part of the Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno that runs $34 for adults and $20 for children.

in the future

Down the line, Disney has announced expansion plans for both Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach hotels.

Coronado Springs will get a new 15-story tower with 500 rooms with a rooftop restaurant that will allow for views of Disney park fireworks. Caribbean Beach Resort will get a new waterfront restaurant and retail area.