One of the best parts about visiting Walt Disney World is that it's never the same trip twice. There's always something new happening as a way to entice guests to make the regular pilgrimage to Orlando in order to experience the four theme parks again and again.
While many people are probably considering holding off on visiting Walt Disney World until Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opens in the late-fall of 2019, there are plenty of great reasons not to wait, and Disney Parks recently announced a number of limited time events that might make you consider making the trip sooner rather than later.
Mickey and Minnie's Surprise Celebration
The Move It! Shake It! Dance It! Street Party is a parade that been going on at the Magic Kingdom for some time, but it's going to get something of a makeover in 2019. Beginning January 18, the parade's name will be changed to the Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party in honor of the birthday boy, one Mickey Mouse, who turns 90 years old at the end of 2018. The birthday party is scheduled to last throughout most of 2019. All of Main Street U.S.A. will be getting on the celebration as well, with barbershop quartet The Dapper Dan's and other musical acts performing special numbers to celebrate both Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
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The Incredibles at Disney's Hollywood Studios
In 2018, Disney's Hollywood Studios received a major upgrade in the form of Toy Story Land. Several other Pixar characters will be taking the spotlight as well in 2019. The first of these will be the Incredibles superhero family. Beginning January 18, the area currently known as Pixar Place will be transformed into a city block from the city of Munciberg, the home of the Incredibles. Guests will be able to meet Edna Mode, see some of her superset creations, and also meet Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone. Music and games are also promised. Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc. will also make an appearance later in the year.
Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy
Later in the spring of 2019, another Pixar celebrity will take the stage when Lightning McQueen opens Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy. Lightning will welcome guests as if they are the next generation of rookie racers and offer his expertise and experience to them. This promises to tell the "untold story" of Lightning McQueen, which sounds like it will be a lot of fun for fans of the Cars movies. The exact start date of this one has not yet been announced, but it also has no set end date, so it will probably be around for a while.
Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party
2019 marks the 25th anniversary of The Lion King, and in addition to the movie being remade by Disney, some of the popular characters will be hanging out at Disney's Animal Kingdom next year in order to celebrate the event. Timon and Rafiki will be on hand beginning January 18 to host the Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party, which will offer World Music that younger guests should enjoy dancing along with. In addition, new Lion King-themed photo opportunities will be available for guests to insert themselves into moments from the movie. This one is only scheduled to run through the end of September, so if you want to party with these guys, your time is limited.
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Epcot International Festival of the Arts
The International Festival of the Arts has been going on at Epcot for many years, and it has officially been scheduled for 2019. The event will begin on January 18 and run through February 25. In addition to the visual arts on display, music and performance will be an even bigger part of the festival next year, with the Disney on Broadway Concert Series running every day of the week driving the celebration. With Epcot's focus on world cultures, expect to see a wide variety of artistic styles on display throughout the celebration.
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Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Following the International Festival of the Arts will be the International Flower and Garden Festival, which will run in 2019 from March 6 to June 3. Similar to the Arts Festival, music will be expanding here as well, with the Garden Rocks Concert Series running every day of the week. With three concerts a day scheduled over the course of the 90-day event, there will be 270 different shows to choose from. A complete list of artists has not been revealed, but Disney promises a combination of new artists along with returning favorites.
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