WOW! I sure missed out on a great year to attend the D23 Expo! There are so many announcements that have been coming out of Anaheim during this weekend’s D23 Expo that I will break it out into pieces for you.
Walt Disney World Enhancements
For starters, the changes that are coming to Walt Disney World will take place in the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot, and there will be new properties developed for DVC in Florida.
Attractions
- The first Mickey Mouse ride is coming to Hollywood Studios. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is going to step you through the movie screen and insert you into the cartoon short. It’s the first ever Mickey Mouse ride0through attraction. And they also mentioned that there will be thousands of hidden Mickeys in this ride! Sadly, The Great Movie Ride will end its show on August 13, 2017. The Chinese Theatre will be the new home for this new attraction.
- Tron Lightcycle Power Run coaster will be coming to the Magic Kingdom for the park’s 50th anniversary in 2021. It will NOT replace the Tomorrowland Speedway. It will be in a new area behind Space Mountain.
- A new theater is coming to Main Street, the U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom. The look is based on the Willis Wood theater in 1920s Kansas City. This is where Walt lived after he left Marceline.
- Ratatouille attraction is coming to the France pavilion in Epcot. This attraction will be similar to the 4-D attraction in Paris. This attraction is also scheduled to be open by the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021.
- Guardians of the Galaxy attraction is coming to Epcot. This will be an E-ticket attraction and will replace Ellen’s Universe of Energy attraction. The Universe of Energy Attraction will close on August 13, 2017.
- Mission Space has a new green ride, so now the whole family can enjoy the adventures in space with a non-spinning ride simulation. This mission will give guests an orbital adventure around the planet.
- Toy Story Land will open at Hollywood Studios in the Summer of 2018. The Slinky Dog Dash family coaster and the Alien Swirling Saucers will be the two main attractions, as you are shrunk down to the size of a toy and explore Andy’s backyard.
- The Star Wars Themed land in Hollywood Studios now has a name. It will be called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It represents a remote trading port on the edge of space. Many Star Wars characters can be found in this galaxy including the First Order and the Resistance. There will be a large-scale Star Destroyer hangar bay as one attraction and the second one will simulate flying the Millenium Falcon and completing a critical mission. How you perform on your mission will determine your fate when you exit the ship. And the famous blue milk will also be available in this land. The new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is said to open in 2019.
Transportation
- The rumor of an aerial transportation system is true. Bob Chapek announced that there are going to be gondolas called the “Disney Skyliner”, transporting guests between the Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, and the newly-announced DVC resort – “Disney’s Riviera Resort”. It will also connect guests with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.
- Minnie Vans will transport you from point-to-point within the Walt Disney World property. I am not aware of the details of this service at this point in terms of cost, if it will replace Uber, and how to create a reservation for this service.
Accommodations
- DVC is building a new property called Disney’s Riviera Resort near Epcot. As mentioned above, this resort will be a stop on the Disney Skyliner gondola system. It was also said during the D23 Expo announcement that this hotel will give you views of Epcot and Hollywood Studios from its rooftop restaurant. The planned opening of this new DVC property is in the fall of 2019.
- A Star Wars-Inspired Themed Resort is coming to Walt Disney World. This resort will be a fully immersive experience. When guests enter the resort, they will immediately become a part of the story. This experience also includes dressing up in the proper attire!
Dining
- There is a new restaurant coming to Epcot adjacent to Mission: Space. It is an ‘Out-of-this-World’ Dining Experience that will offer amazing meals with spectacular views from space! I believe the location for this restaurant is where the current Electric Umbrella is now, which could use some major updating. So I am looking forward to this new option being added to the park.
Disneyland Enhancements
Stay tuned for my next blog post which will cover all of the enhancements coming to Disneyland.