For weeks now we keep seeing “October 1st!” “October 1st!” virtually EVERYWHERE! And yeah, that date is pretty important for Disney World fans. For starters, the Magic Kingdom will be celebrating its 48th anniversary! We’re only TWO YEARS away from the 50th people. 🙂 And it’s also Epcot’s birthday, of course.
Buuuut…October 1st is also important for a few other reasons this year thanks to a few new opportunities and experiences that are debuting around the resort! Let’s take a peek… .
Two New Food and Wine Booths Open
The 2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival has already begun. But this year, Disney is doing something special — they’re introducing TWO NEW festival booth experiences AFTER the festival has officially started. Weird? Yes. Probably due to poor planning on Disney’s part? Maybe. But regardless, starting on October 1, guests will be able to great sweet bites and new boozy slushes from The Donut Box and Cool Wash Booths in Future World.
Donut Box
The Donut Box, whose booth has already popped up in Epcot, will offer some fun donut treats along with a few different drinks.
It’ll truly be a donut party as the location will serve Strawberry-dusted Yeast Donut Holes, Sweet Corn Fritters with Fresno and red pepper jelly, and a Black and White Coffee Cocktail garnished with a fresh yeast donut with chocolate espresso bean crumbles.
Here, guests will also find a Strawberry Smoothie and Central 28 Beer Company Boston Cream Donut Ale.
We feel like this booth will be a great way to kick the festival off in the morning as it has both alcoholic and non-alcoholic donut options. Hopefully, everyone in the family can find something that suits their fancy at this location.
Cool Wash
Cool Wash, which is an existing location at Epcot, will also be introducing some new treats for the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival on October 1st.
When visiting, guests can expect to see assorted Coca-Cola Slushies (non-alcoholic), which have always been at Cool Wash, but THIS TIME THEY COME WITH MIX-INS! Yes, my friends MIX-INS…including Swedish Fish, Jelly Drops, Boba Pearls, and Pop Rocks. You can also snag a Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla with St. Petersburg Gin.
We think that this spot with be another great option for the entire fam, especially with all of the fun mix-ins! It too should open at the same time as Future World!
EEK! We cannot wait to review these new locations when they open on TUESDAY!
Check out AAAALLLLLLLLLL the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival MENUS and EVERY SINGLE FOOD PHOTO here!
Epcot Forever Debuts
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth will officially come to a close on September 30th to make way for a brand new experience — Epcot Forever. While we are SO VERY SAD to say farewell IllumiNations, we’re excited to see what this new show brings to our Epcot nighttime experience.
This NEW show will feature special effect kites (WUT.), lasers, fireworks, and music! Disney has already shared a sneak peek at what we can expect to hear when this show takes to the Epcot skies for the very first time on October 1st. You can take a look at what you can expect to see here — WE GOTS A SNEAK PEEK FOR YA!
According to Disney, “from Magic Journeys and Tomorrow’s Child to Listen to the Land and One Little Spark, Epcot Forever features classic Epcot themes produced in fresh new arrangements.” And y’all…the soundtrack gave us chills. It’s such a nice blend of old (but not too old…we’re not OLD, right?!) and new and gives us hope for where Epcot is heading.
You can listen to the behind-the-scenes recording of Epcot Forever here!
For those of you who won’t be able to see the show in person, Disney has also announced that they will be live streaming the big event!
Get the Epcot Forever Livestream details here!
Disney’s Epcot Experience Opens
Speaking of Epcot, did you know that a HUGE transformation is taking place?! Well, as part of this massive project, Disney has introduced the Epcot Experience. In this first-of-its-kind offering at a Disney Park, guests will be able to “discover engaging and interactive exhibits that will allow them to step inside the relentless innovation, energy, and excitement of Epcot.”
We’re really jazzed to take a look around because according to Disney, there will be never-before-released details about the future of Epcot inside the experience.
This is gonna be a great place to check out if you’re curious as to what Epcot will be TRANSFORMING into. Here, you should be able to learn more about Epcot’s new neighborhoods, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Moana’s Journey of Water attraction, the Mary Poppins attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Space 220, and MORE!
You’ll find this new experience INSIDE the Odyssey Pavilion, which has received a new paint job in preparation of Epcot Experiences opening day!
Learn more about the Epcot transformation here!
Plant-Based Icon and Menu Items Debut at Quick Service Locations
And veggie lovers! Disney will also be kicking off their new plant-based icons AND quick service menu items on October 1st.
While plant-based dining guides have been around since April, Disney is taking its dedication to providing for vegan and vegetarian guests to a new level. Soon, a vegetarian appetizer, entree, and dessert will be available at every table service restaurant in Disney World AND Disneyland Resort! THAT’S HUGE!
This means that no matter where guests who are on plant-based diets choose to dine at Disney World, they will have an option that suits their needs. The days of vegetarians having to settle for a crummy salad or a side of fries for dinner are behind us, friends!
And starting on October 1, a new plant-based logo will appear on quick-service menus throughout Walt Disney World to assist guests in determining what meals fit their dietary needs. (See that li’l logo above!)
Then, on October 3, the logo is expected to start appearing on all table service menus at Disney World. By Spring 2020, guests will see these logos on Disneyland Resort menus as well.
You can learn more about this HUGE plant-based new here!
What’s UUUUUPPPPPPP, October 1st!???! You’re full of surprises this year at Disney World, and you know we’re gonna be there to share it ALL!
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Do you happen to be in the parks on October 1st? Let us know in the comments below!
Isn’t October 1st the day Disney normally raises prices?
You’ll be sorely disappointed when you go Monday because October 1st is not until Tuesday.
Neil. I fixed this. Thanks for your comment.
Mark, we do sometimes see price changes in October. We’ll be on the lookout!