What’s New at Walt Disney World This Fall?

The opening of the New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom is very exciting news, but that’s not all that’s in store for Walt Disney World guests this fall. Several new entertainment experiences will offer guests a chance to strike up fun at a new bowling and entertainment complex, immerse themselves in the world of Jack Sparrow, become automotive designers, see zebras up close on safari, and much more. Take a look at what’s coming…

A preview date of November 19 has been set for the next phases of the New Fantasyland, leading to the Grand Opening on December 6. Adding to the big top fun of Storybook Circus, which is already in place, five more new experiences will round out the fun in this new expanded land:

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Ariel’s Grotto
• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Pete’s Silly Sideshow
• Enchanted Tales with Belle

The age-old image of bowling is about to change with the opening of Splitsville, America’s Bowling Alley, at Downtown Disney West Side this fall.

Splitsville’s 50,000 square foot, two-story location will be different from traditional bowling alleys. 30 lanes will be separated into several clusters to create a one-of-a-kind perspective immersed in hip and retro elements. The Downtown Disney location also will boast billiard tables, live entertainment, a dramatic balcony and ample outdoor seating.

Placing a whole new spin on the bowling experience with its emphasis on unique design, Splitsville will greet guests with upscale sushi bars, plush booths and dynamic decor overlooking the bowling lanes. Between strikes and spares, guests can feast on menu items that include hand-tossed pizza, fresh-rolled sushi, grilled mahi-mahi with “Voodoo” shrimp, and hand-cut filets, as well as alley-classics such as cheeseburgers and crinkle-cut fries – all served right at the lane.

New vegan and fresh-from-Florida dishes will debut along with international bites and sips at the 17^th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival September 28 – November 12, 2012. The 46-day culinary event — named one of the “Best Food and Wine Festivals” on the Travel Channel web site – adds an extra day of festival fun this year. Festival goers are treated to top music acts during daily Eat to the Beat! pop concerts, where four new acts – Smash Mouth, “The Voice” winner Javier Colon, Blues Traveler and Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX join 14 returning bands to take their turn on the America Gardens Theatre stage.

A re-imagined, design-centric Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will debut in fall with a sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center.” Amid upbeat music, engaging media, dramatic lighting and a collection of Chevrolet concept cars and model vehicles, guests themselves will become automotive designers and create their own custom concept vehicles.

The adventure will then shift into high gear as guests buckle into their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle and put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit. Their performance testing complete, guests will move into a post-show area filled with special effects and be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did.

Starting this fall, Walt Disney World Resort guests will become the stars of “Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality.” The virtual experience will allow guests to play with animated characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” The fun happens at Downtown Disney West Side, next to Bongos Cuban Café September 1 – December 1, from 2-9:30 p.m. daily.

Guests will be invited to stand inside the virtual experience set, and out of 20 randomly pre-determined animation segments, Phineas and Ferb, Agent P or even Dr. Doofenshmirtz will magically appear to play and dance alongside them. It all happens in a virtual (on-screen) 30-second experience. Then guests may visit a special website to download and share a complimentary souvenir photo of their starring role. Special Phineas and Ferb merchandise will be available at a nearby merchandise stand.

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow debuts this fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, giving guests a chance to become immersed in the world of the four “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. Aspiring pirates will experience the story of Jack Sparrow like never before to discover if they have what it takes to join Captain Jack’s crew. This attraction will be included with theme park admission and will be located in Soundstage 4, former space of Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Zebras will welcome guests on Kilimanjaro Safaris to their new home at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in fall 2012. A reconstructed savannah space featuring a new watering hole for live animals will offer an additional viewing opportunity at the end of guests’ expedition through Africa.

~ Barrie Brewer, Social Media Director (Artist Renderings courtesy of Disney)