In recent years, Walt Disney has followed two paths with its U.S. theme parks when it comes to new attractions. When it can't hide progress on major rides like Magic Kingdom's new "Tron: Lightcycle/Run" or Epcot's "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind," it gives some progress updates but does not share opening details until the timetable is set in stone.
The company intentionally keeps things vague because it does not want people delaying a Disney World or Disneyland trip because they're waiting for a specific attraction to open. If Walt Disney (DIS) -) could keep construction a secret until a completion date was imminent, it probably would, but rides that large are impossible to hide.
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For smaller rides, attractions, and character meet-and-greets, Disney tells you nothing until the move is close to happening. These are generally not big enough reasons for someone to want to change their travel dates. They're sort of nice add-ons that make people feel better about their upcoming trip, like they are lucky to get something a little special that others might now.
The park giant recently shared two returning favorites that fall into category two. Neither move reaches the level of a major new ride or a land opening, but both are likely to be seen a positive enhancements to anyone visiting the parks when these returning attractions come back.
Image source: Getty Images.
Epcot brings back a popular ride
Since it opened, "Soarin'" has been one of Epcot's signature attractions. The ride simulates flight as guests are locked down in seats with a sort of shoulder harness, and then those seats are raised in the air. As a film plays on a large screen in front of them, the seats move to make it feel like you are flying over some pretty impressive scenery.
Disney could change the film to create new ride experiences, but it has only very rarely done that. The company has, however, offered a different version of the ride at California's Disneyland. That take on the ride, "Soarin' Over California," has played at Epcot in the past, and now it's making a surprise return.
The limited engagement was at a panel on the future of Epcot on Sept. 9.
"Epcot VP Kartika Rodriguez announced that Disney will be bringing back Soarin’ Over California to EPCOT for a limited time during the Disney100 celebration. The Soarin’ Over California film will return on September 22," Blog Mickey reported.
A beloved character returns
When Epcot opened, it was not intended to use any classic Disney intellectual property (IP). At the time, the company did not own Marvel, Pixar, or Star Wars, so what they really meant is that classic animated characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck would be exclusive to Magic Kingdom.
To make up for that, Epcot got its own character, Figment, a magical purple dinosaur. Children of the 1980s have fond memories of Figment, but in recent years he has become more of a fringe character.
Epcot still uses the purple dinosaur — he appeared on some popular popcorn buckets last year — but with other Disney IP now allowed at Epcot, Figment has not been a priority. That's going to change Sept. 10 when Disney brings Figment back for his very own Epcot meet-and-greet.
"Guests will be able to find Figment in ImageWorks within the Imagination Pavilion," BlogMickey.com shared.
He will appear daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Those lines may feature a lot of nostalgic parents and confused kids, as Figment has not been used in Disney cartoons or movies.
These moves come at a time when Comcast's (CMCSA) -) Universal Studios has major plans, including the new Epic Universe theme park, ahead, but nothing imminent. The company did recently open a land devoted to the popular "Minions" characters at its namesake Florida park.
And, it seems like Disney made a smart choice as lines to meet Figment have had multiple hour waits since the character made its return.
