Last night’s show at Epcot, The Heartbeat of Freedom, did not disappoint and ended with an epic salute to America. Check out the last five minutes of the show below.
(H/T WDWMagic)
EPCOT
Siemens and Disney Ending Partnership
Rumors are swirling that Siemens and Disney are ending their partnership which will pull Siemens sponsorship from Spaceship Earth and Illuminations. There are no immediate answers for what will happen to these two attractions at Epcot, but we knew that Illuminations would be phased out with a new nighttime experience soon(er).
Spaceship Earth, on the other hand, could be due for some re-Imagineering. The ride was overhauled in 2007 with Siemens sponsorship but is ready for an update with how fast the current trends in technology are happening. The ride still has some great parts, like the smell of Rome burning or the “thank the Phoenicians” quote. A refurbishment with some dated parts, especially the ending of the ride and Project Tomorrow area would suffice. Unfortunately, this means you only have a limited time to create “Your Future” digital postcards. Gonna miss those choppy headshots!
The Siemens-Disney partnership has lasted 12-years, and no definitive date has been released for when it will end. Epcot is ready for a big transformation with an expected Ratatouille ride coming to France and a possible Guardians of the Galaxy ride too.
Ratatouille Ride Reportedly Coming to Epcot
In an continued effort to reshape Disney World, it is expected that Disney will announce the addition of the Ratatouille Ride to France at Epcot. We are expecting to hear this announcement at D23 Expo while Disney has already filed permits around France.
Expected to be announced at the upcoming D23 Expo, the Ratatouille attraction is likely to be built on an expansion pad between the existing France pavilion and the Morocco pavilion. An extended queue would take guests to the show building.
An opening date around summer 2020 is currently thought most likely, and would be part of an overall revitalization of Epcot. (WDWMagic)
The ride will most likely be very similar, if not the same, to the Ratatouille ride in Paris (above). The ride is a lot like the Spider-man and Transformers rides at Universal Studios, where the rider is in a vehicle using 3-D screens and glasses to make you feel like you are actually in the environment. The vehicle (looks like the Pooh ride vehicle) moves you in all directions while using temperature, smell, and various other effects to make you feel a part of the environment you are seeing.
D23 starts on July 14 and the Disney Parks presentation is on July 15. Find the full D23 schedule here. This is just one of many exciting announcements that we expect to come from D23.
Epcot Food and Wine 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Series Line-Up
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starts on August 31 and runs all the way through through November 13 2017. There are three performances at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm daily. All Eat to the Beat performances are included with Epcot admission. Reservations for these performances should be out later this summer.
Performer line-up:
8/31 – 9/1 – Delta Rae (“Bottom of the River”)
9/2 – 9/3 – The Hooters (“And We Danced”) NEW
9/4 – 9/5 – Baha Men (“Who Let the Dogs Out”) NEW
9/6 – 9/7 – Fuel (“Shimmer”)
9/8 – 9/20 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
9/11 – 9/12 – Lauren Alaina (“Road Less Traveled”) NEW
9/13 – 9/15 – Plain White T’s (“Hey There Delilah”)
9/16 – 9/17 – Sister Hazel (“All For You”)
9/18 – 9/20 – Air Supply (“All Out Of Love”)
9/21 – 9/22 – David Cook (“Light On”)
9/25 – 9/27 – Sugar Ray (“Every Morning)
9/28 – 9/29 – .38 Special (“Hold On Loosely”)
9/30 – 10/1 – Mark Wills (“19 Somethin’”)
10/2 – 10/3 – American Authors (“Best Day of My Life”)
10/4 – 10/5 – Christopher Cross (“Sailing”)
10/6 – 10/8 – Devon Allman (“Rugged ad Dirty”) NEW
10/9 – 10/11 – Dennis DeYoung: The music of STYX (“Come Sail Away”)
10/12 – 10/13 – Taylor Dayne (“Tell It To My Heart”)
10/14 – 10/15 – Jeffrey Osborne (“On The Wings of Love”)
10/16 – 10/17 – Postmodern Jukebox (Various Hits) NEW
10/18 – 10/20 – 10,000 Maniacs (“Because the Night”) NEW
10/21 – 10/22 – Toad The Wet Sprocket (“Walk on the Ocean”)
10/23 – 10/24 – Kenny G (“Songbird”) NEW
10/25 – 10/26 – Billy Ocean (“Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car”)
10/27 – 10/29 – Tiffany (“I Think We’re Alone Now”)
11/2 – 11/3 – Blue October (“Into The Ocean”) NEW
11/4 – 11/5 – Living Colour (“Cult of Personality”)
11/6 – 11/8 – Boyz II Men (“End of the Road”)
11/9 – 11/11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“Go Daddy-O”)
11/12 – 11/13 – Squeeze (“Tempted”) NEW