The summer has been all out at Walt Disney World, with the temperature of the mid-90s and the triple-digit “feel like” readings. This covers several recent moves, which seem to lift guests away from the high temperatures, humidity and blazing sunlight. Plus, our thoughts on Central Florida summer and why we need to get more comments from the weather – even a complete comment Indoor Epcot’s Festival!
Let’s start with the main news to share, which is Walt Disney World revealed that the Odyssey pianist will debut today (June 9, 2025) and will last until August 10, 2025. During this time, Rose & Crown Pub Musicians will perform in this larger Indoror Venue, providing guests with air-conditioned environment and live piano performances.
This makes guests a little bit more fun to take a break from the summer heat and enjoy live music in the Odyssey Pavilion in Epcot, which is located between the Test Track and the Mexican Pavilion. Odyssey used to be a suitable restaurant, but has been a festival center since and recently a delightful food stall. It runs as a citrus bloom during the flowers and gardens, and it will be converted to a brewing wing laboratory before the start of the 2025 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival on Labor Day weekend (so, ending on August 10).
Odyssey pianists will perform seven sets per day:
- 11:30 am
- 12:30 pm
- 1:30 pm
- 2:30 pm
- 3:30 pm
- 4:30 pm
- 5:30 pm
While Odyssey pianists aren’t representing Epcot’s new entertainment offering, it’s still a savvy and welcome move as performers usually perform at the Rose & Crown bars displayed in the world. At least, from our parents’ perspective, maybe we’re different about this news.
Followed Walt Disney World Open Presidential Hall Hall–But it’s not the attraction itself– Presumably a similar place for guests to gather and escape from the heat. The intention there is not clear, because nothing is conveyed to the guests.
As for the changes in Epcot, this makes more sense, and the purpose of the changes is obvious. Roses and crowns are usually slammed. It was uncomfortable and crowded, very reminiscent of a bar we often visited in college. So, I guess that part is real (although our “culture” is Indiana and not UK). At this point, we may wander around about once a year and usually go back. I think we just got old, but this is no longer our scenario.
Rose & Crown Pub will be busy or have no pianists. It’s a small space, so there’s not a lot of people to enjoy the music at the beginning. By comparison, I guess the Odyssey is nearly ten times more capable and gets better as the crowds, chaos, heat and humidity calm down slowly.
In a perfect world, Walt Disney World will add a pianist instead of relocating from Rose and the Crown. The “Natural Force” acrobatics in the World Celebration have just been held (after lasting Longer time More than I expected), it would be great if some of these entertainment budgets were redistributed to something inside.
While news is the tool for this post, the main motivation is that we want to see Walt Disney World More this.
After a brutal summer trip that opened its thrilling summer adventure in Tiana’s Tiana’s adventure last year, we ruled out the June-August months for a future family vacation. We should follow our advice. Question whether visits are “worthy” in the hottest months of the year in exchange for lower crowds.
Granted, we almost made the same mistake again. We planned an epic cosmic journey to the opening day, but canceled that. After announcing the opening date of Starlight Parade, I might be working on getting the three of us to Walt Disney World so we can see the new Nostalgia fuel for the first time as a family. The cool head (read: Sarah) prevailed, but I would repeat the same error if left to my own equipment.
It’s not an era where I long for phased reopening, but one thing Walt Disney World did, and we appreciate it. These were introduced into much-needed breathing places masked in Florida’s heat and placed largely unused space.
Some of them again have permanent purposes, but others can be served again in the summer lounge. For example, I’m not sure about the current status of the Tortuga Tavern or Tomorrowland Terrace, but I do know that I’ve seen both seat areas completely closed on recent visits. (I know they need to clean tomorrow’s terrace before the fireworks, but there’s no reason to chase people at 1pm.)
The two closed restaurants can at least be placed back on the map as lounges. Because even if these areas are currently accessible, guests must know that first, it needs to be communicated through signage, in-app information or in which to greet them. Get on the outdoor vending machine or anything else at the entrance and welcome the inside to enjoy the shaded seating in a relaxing setting. It would be a win-win situation, capturing simple food and beverage sales while also gaining a breather from the weather.
There are no shortage of underutilized or flat unused spaces like this around Walt Disney World. On Epcot, the Odyssey is just an example. There are also two huge indoor venues – the World Fair and the Wonders – mostly unused. The miracle may not be on the table, as it was previously defined as a drama museum, and the project was suspended indefinitely. I wouldn’t be least surprised if it was an abandoned construction site now. However, this is not the case in the World.
For those unfamiliar with the world show, it is Millennium Village, the main home of Walt Disney World’s Millennium Celebration from 1999 to 2001. The venue has over 50 countries that do not exist permanently in the world display. These countries include Brazil, Chile, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Namibia, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Switzerland.
The World Showplace offers over 40,000 square feet of flexible functional space, which can accommodate approximately 2,000 guests. This is higher hourly throughput than most rides in Epcot! Disney Conference promotes the World Exhibition as “the world’s largest indoor group facility located in the theme park.” It can be said that this is very big.
I mention World Fair because it is used as a festival center in the phased reopening of the “Epcot” event, with a handful of different food stalls and entertainment. This is glorious.
This is just a small part of its full potential. Given that this was the Millennium Village of the past, it is safe to say that this space can accommodate a All Festival, if it happens. It could be six or more food stalls, tables and entertainment venues. It is used by Disney conferences and fairy tale weddings, and there may be corporate battles against the proposal, but after-hours events can coexist with the festival. Anyway, I can’t imagine there are many practices between June and August.
I mentioned the world show venue because that might be the key to finally realizing my dream of the summer festival held at Epcot. My understanding is an explanation Both Shorter festivals and The lack of summer festivals is high temperatures. Every summer, a large number of guests and actors die, which is attributed to the festival. For the actors, this is because of the conditions inside the kiosk. (This was our explanation for the lack of summer activities a few years ago, but when Walt Disneyland started expanding food and wine into the summer, we thought it was wrong.)
Basically, the script already exists in Walt Disney World should Relax in the indoor area. It comes from relaxation stations, the taste of the Epcot event and more. In addition to the world show, it is possible to use the attractive space as a Flex option. I’m burying this here because it’s controversial to hardcore fans, but turning the American Rotunda or Canada’s far away into a dynamic space would be a win, allowing movies to be played looped and allowing food and drinks to be open.
There is a reason summer is no longer the peak season at Walt Disneyland, and it has been a while. It’s a reality that has finally been recognized and reflects positive discounts and more. But if there are painful situations due to high temperatures and humidity and confusing design decisions, even if there are few things to breathe indoors in the weather, the deal can only do a lot. Walt Disney World can reverse this trend by opening closed spaces and actively welcoming guests inside. Odyssey pianists are a small step in the right direction – hopefully we are more like this in the summer!
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Your thoughts
What do you think of Epcot adding Odyssey pianists? Is this a step in the right direction to allow guests to easily get rid of the summer heat? Hopefully Walt Disney World will do more in the Relaxation Station or other shaded seating areas? What about a full-fledged indoor summer music festival held at the World Performance Venue of Epcot? Have you participated in the “taste” event that takes advantage of this space? Agree or disagree with our assessment? Can we help you with any questions? Hearing feedback about your experience is both fun and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts in the comments below!
