As Hollywood Studios prepares for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the fall of 2019, and Epcot enters into multi-year transformation we are seeing quite a lot of construction on our recent visits to the parks.

The first thing we noticed just the other day was some work taking place on the islands in Epcot‘s World Showcase Lagoon.

Epcot is preparing to welcome a new nighttime show next fall as IllumiNations retires. We don’t know if this work is related to preparations for the new show, but no announcements about it have been made.

We also stopped to check out the construction progress on the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction coming to the France Pavilion.

Most of the construction cannot be seen in the pavilion, or even in the park. To see this work you must exit/enter the park by International Gateway.

This ride will be opening in 2021.

Also in World Showcase, there’s been the start of construction on the new restaurant coming to the Japan pavilion.

This restaurant will be a signature dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan. The setting will draw from both nature and takumi, which means “artisan” in Japanese. The as-yet unnamed restaurant will be operated by Mitsukoshi USA, which currently operates the merchandise, restaurants (Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining), and kiosks in the Japan Pavilion. No opening date has been announced.

Lastly, Epcot is transforming the former Universe of Energy attraction into a brand new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. This new ride will include one-of a kind ride vehicles. It’s also set to open in 2021.

The Universe of Energy building will be the queue area; the ride will be in a brand-new building, as seen below in late November.

In Hollywood Studios some of the work to move the bus stops to a new location appears to be complete as the construction walls have been removed from the temporary bus station to the entrance of the park. They are still working on a new bus station.

Most importantly, without the walls foot traffic moves a little more freely and is much less congested.

There are now new signs, as well as a fairly large building with restrooms and benches.

A new, permanent bus station is still in progress.

Of course, no visit to Hollywood Studios is complete without checking on the progress of the Skyliner station!

Disney has announced the Skyliner system will open in the fall of 2019.

The Skyliner will connect Hollywood Studios and Epcot to each other as well as to the Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach and the new Riviera Resorts.

Which addition are looking forward to the most in the parks — the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, the Ratatouille ride, the new Japan restaurant? Or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, or the Skyliner? Let us know in the comments below!

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