Discover the potential plans for a new summer festival at EPCOT in 2024, including elements of Colombian culture and the characters from Encanto. Shortened Flower & Garden Festival and delayed opening of CommuniCore Hall hint at a major event on the horizon.
Exciting New Summer Festival at EPCOT in 2024
( Credit to: Disneytouristblog )
Walt Disney World has some exciting plans in store for Summer 2024, and fans are eagerly speculating about what it could be. The recent casting call for Encanto entertainment has added to the excitement and sparked even more speculation about a new special event at EPCOT.
( Credit to: Disneytouristblog )
The clues started to emerge when Walt Disney World announced the start date of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival but did not reveal the end date. This piqued the interest of fans who sensed that something big was in the works. Then, when the festival's end date was revealed to be May 27, much earlier than previous years, the speculation intensified.
EPCOT festivals have been a huge success for Walt Disney World, with food and alcohol sales contributing to healthy profits. However, there have been signs of "festival fatigue" among guests, especially towards the end of long-running events like Flower & Garden and Food & Wine. It seems that the festivals have reached their saturation point after around three months, and there is little value in extending them further.
A New Summer Festival at EPCOT
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Another clue pointing towards a new summer festival at EPCOT is the slow progress on CommuniCore Hall. This new festival venue was expected to open alongside the World Celebration Gardens and Luminous last December but has been delayed for unknown reasons. This deliberate delay suggests that Walt Disney World has a plan in mind for a grand debut of both CommuniCore Hall and the new summer festival.
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The latest development is a casting call for Encanto entertainment at Walt Disney World. The casting call seeks high-energy hosts with singing and storytelling abilities to join Mirabel and her friends from the mountains of Colombia in a festive celebration. This aligns with the speculation of a new event at EPCOT that combines elements of Colombian culture and the characters from Encanto.
The most likely concept for this new event is a summer festival at EPCOT. Summer festivals are common in many parts of the world, and Colombia has its own vibrant carnival in early August. It would make sense for Walt Disney World to create a carnival-like celebration with street dancing, music, and masquerade parades, evoking the spirit of the Bogotá Carnival.
Ideally, this EPCOT summer festival would not be solely focused on Encanto but would include a variety of cultural celebrations from different countries. It could feature events like Bastille Day in France, Dragon Boat Festival in China, Summer Solstice in Norway, and Independence Day in America. This multi-cultural approach would create a truly immersive and educational experience for guests.
Food and Beverage Offerings and CommuniCore Hall
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Of course, food and beverage offerings have been a significant part of EPCOT festivals, and it is likely that the new summer festival would continue this tradition. By shortening the Flower & Garden Festival, Walt Disney World could redirect resources towards the new event and sustain the elevated food and beverage spending that EPCOT enjoys during its festivals.
( Credit to: Disneytouristblog )
The opening of CommuniCore Hall this summer would be the perfect opportunity to launch the new event and create a memorable experience for both tourists and locals. The festival could also incorporate a tech expo or futuristic elements to align with EPCOT's "edutainment" spirit.
While some may argue against the inclusion of Disney characters in EPCOT, it is clear that the park has embraced this compromise solution. Marrying Disney characters with culture has become the path forward for EPCOT, and a celebration featuring the characters from Encanto would be a perfect fit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the signs are pointing towards an exciting new summer festival at EPCOT in 2024. The casting call for Encanto entertainment, the shortened Flower & Garden Festival, and the delayed opening of CommuniCore Hall all hint at a major event on the horizon. A carnival-like celebration with elements of Colombian culture and the characters from Encanto would be a fantastic addition to EPCOT and create a truly immersive and enjoyable experience for guests.