10 Disney World Projects With More Questions Than Answers

Disney World had BIG plans for 2021 and beyond.

Spaceship Earth

We’ve seen loads of progress on some projects, like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. But others have gotten swept under the rug. What’s going on with Spaceship Earth, Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and more? Here’s what we know about 10 Disney projects that are still up in the air.

Beatrix

Beatrix, a coffeehouse and “healthy eating” restaurant with an emphasis on vegan and vegetarian options, announced its Disney Springs location in fall 2019

Beatrix Construction

In July 2020, construction was paused, and we haven’t heard much since then. Neither an opening date nor a date for resuming construction have been announced. With all the sugar and carbs we typically eat in Disney World, we were intrigued to have a straight-up healthy option in Disney World, so if/when news is released we’ll be quick to share it!

Check Out the Latest Beatrix Update!

Mary Poppins-Inspired Attraction

In 2019, a Mary Poppins-inspired attraction was announced for the United Kingdom pavilion in EPCOT. Guests would be able to step (in time!) down Cherry Tree Lane and enter house number 17! 

Mary Poppins in Epcot

But all was not practically perfect for this attraction. When EPCOT reopened in 2020, it was removed from the video in the EPCOT Experience that advertised upcoming attractions. We haven’t heard much since then — but Disney did clarify that the project was postponed and not outright canceled.

Here’s What We Know About the Mary Poppins-Inspired Attraction!

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

Another part of EPCOT’s proposed reimagining was Journey of Water, a lush exploration trail that highlights the importance of the water cycleThe attraction was initially planned to open in 2021, but it’s assumed to be delayed. 

Journey of Water Concept Art ©Disney

We haven’t received news since then and there have been no signs of construction beginning, but we’ll keep you updated!

Read More About the Journey of Water Attraction!

Splash Mountain

In June 2020, Disney announced that it was re-theming Splash Mountain in Disney World and Disneyland to The Princess and the Frog.

Splash Mountain

In November, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro stated that the project would be fast-tracked to “ensure that all who visit the company’s parks do feel welcome.” Since then, it’s been crickets. It’s unclear WHEN Splash Mountain will close for the refurbishment or when further plans will be announced. Depending on the scope of the retheming, it seemed initially possible the change could be completed before Disney World’s big anniversary in October. But with each passing day, that seems less and less likely. 

Here’s Everything We Know About the Splash Mountain Re-Theme!

TRON: Lightcycle Power Run

The TRON coaster is original to the Shanghai Disneyland Resort, but in 2017 Disney announced that it would be coming to Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom! We’ve been following the work being done on the coaster for a while, and it was set to open in 2021 in time for Disney World’s 50th anniversary.  

TRON Construction

However, construction is delayed and it is no longer expected to open by October. According to USA Today, TRON “isn’t expected to open during the park’s 50th birthday year.” That means we’ll likely have to wait until at least 2022 to experience it. 

Read More About TRON: Lightcycle Power Run!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

In 2019, Disney announced that a new table service restaurant was coming to Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Roundup Rodeo BBQ! Guests would dine inside playsets in Andy’s backyard with a fun, colorful roadeo theme.

Rodeo Roundup BBQ Concept Art ©Disney

Later that year, Disney announced the restaurant would open sometime in 2020. Well…2020 has come and gone, and still no Roundup Rodeo BBQ! We got a peek behind construction walls, but other than that, not a peep. Hollywood Studios is in need of another solid sit down restaurant, especially in this back area of the park, so we’ll keep you posted as we learn more!

Check Out the Latest Roundup Rodeo BBQ Update!

Walt Disney World Railroad

The Walt Disney World Railroad in Magic Kingdom has been closed for over 2 YEARS! It originally shuttered in December 2018 to allow for construction on the TRON coaster.

The Walt Disney Railroad

As TRON construction continues (and is delayed), the train is hindered from completing its tour of the park (TRON construction is right over the Tomorrowland portion of the train tracks, making it unsafe to operate. So it remains closed! In the meantime, some work was done on the Main Street, U.S.A. train station, and scrim has been added to the exterior. 

Main Street Train Station

It’s still unclear when the railroad will reopen — it will likely depend on how TRON construction progresses. We’ll keep you posted!

Check Out the Main Street Train Station’s Makeover!

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

This Star Wars-themed hotel is an immersive two-day experience and was originally expected to debut in 2021, to help celebrate Disney World’s 50th anniversary! Guests will be able to meet Star Wars characters, defend the ship, and even learn how to wield a lightsaber!

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Atmosphere ©Disney

In 2020, Disney announced that guests could begin making reservations later that year for their voyages. But when the parks closed in 2020, construction was delayed, and the opening schedule is now up in the air.

©Disney via IAAPA Expo 2020 Presentation

However, progress on the project is continuing, and we’re even getting some sneak peeks as it treks towards completion! We’re pretty excited to board the Halycon ship and begin our own Star Wars adventure (whenever that is!).

Check Out the Latest Galactic Starcruiser Update!

Space 220

Our questions about EPCOT continue. We are starting to sound like a broken record with this next one! Space 220, a dining adventure set in outer space, was set to open near Mission: SPACE in winter 2019 (!!). But since then, there have been some issuesThe executive chef to-be stepped down, prompting a search for a new one. Then, the opening was shifted to February 2020. 

Space 220 Concept Art ©Disney

Space 220 failed to open in February 2020, and when the parks closed in March, construction was halted. Work is continuing, though, and we’ve seen some progress. Construction walls have come down and we’ve even seen lights on in the building

Space 220 Concept Art ©Disney

However, there’s still no announced opening date, which begs the question: WHEN will we be able to eat in Space 2020?

Check Out the Latest Space 220 News!

Spaceship Earth

At the 2019 D23 Expo, Disney announced that EPCOT’s park icon was due for a lengthy refurbishment! The re-imagining would focus on storytelling, and scenes would be bound together by a “story light” that would guide guests through the attraction. 

Spaceship Earth

The ride was originally set to temporarily close on May 26th, 2020. However, Spaceship Earth as we know it reopened with EPCOT in July! Disney eventually announced that the refurbishment was postponed. No updates have been given since about when — or if — this transformation will happen.

Here’s Everything We Know About the Spaceship Earth Refurb!

That’s a lot of big projects with big up-in-the-air questions we need answered! We’ll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more about these 10 Disney attractions! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and updates.

Check Out Disney’s Confirmed Projects for 2021!

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Which of these projects are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!

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