Weekly Theme Park Update 3/24/23
With so much news coming out every week about what’s going on with the theme parks, I wanted to start a weekly update highlighting the biggest news you should be aware of while you’re planning your next visit. This week I’m just going to cover Disney, but plan to expand on this in future weeks. Here’s this week’s highlights!
TRON Continues Soft Opening
Cash and I got to ride TRON during the pass holder preview, but plan to give the virtual queue a try on Sunday.
While the new TRON ride at Magic Kingdom doesn’t open officially until April 4th, Disney announced a soft opening via Virtual Queue is available now. According to the data, the queue has been filling up within seconds, so you’ll want to get familiar with that refresh button. The VQ works just like the one for Guardians- it opens at 7am for all guests, whether you are at the resort or not, and then it reopens for in-park guests again at 1pm. If you’re interested in finding out how the first week’s stats have gone, check out Thrill Data’s TRON page.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant Officially Opens at Hollywood Studios
The newest Disney World restaurant opened this week, with a fun Toy Story theme. This is the first full service restaurant in Toy Story Land, featuring a rodeo theme and all of Andy’s favorite toys. It’s a pre-fixe menu, and all you can eat, similar to Liberty Tree Tavern. The menu looks fantastic, we can’t wait to try it out!
Breakfast and Lunch Returning at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Beginning May 14, 2023 breakfast and lunch will be returning to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, located in the Norway pavillion at EPCOT. This is a table service restaurant that includes a pre-fixe Norwegian themed menu, and meet and greets with various princess (subject to change) including Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, Mulan, Cinderella, Ariel, Alice and Mary Poppins.
WDW 50th Anniversary Celebrations Coming to a Close
Disney World’s 5oth celebration has been going on for well over a year now, but will be coming to a close at the end of the month, on March 31. Take advantage of your last chance to scan all those statues in your Play Disney app before then!
Don’t worry, you’ll still have a reason to celebrate- Disney’s celebrating its 100th year as a company this year. Festivities have already kicked off at Disneyland, and merchandise is available all over the Disney World resort. I’m sure they’ll find more ways to celebrate in Florida soon.
EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is in Full Swing
EPCOT’s prettiest festival is going on now through July 5th, 2023. We love this festival for the gorgeous views and delicious snacks, even if it makes me want to stop by Lowe’s on the way home and pick up 1000 plants for my own yard. Plan on popping by and enjoying the views!