Since I live so close to the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Florida, It’s especially exciting to hear all the announcements at the D23 Expo this year. The brand new attractions and experiences coming to its parks and resorts around the world are truly extraordinary. It is evident that Disney’s goals of continuing to revolutionize the guest experiences start before they even arrive at their Disney vacation giving families many memories that will last a lifetime. During the Parks and Resorts panel, many Imagineers gave us a sneak peek at much-anticipated projects in development.
MICKEY MOUSE, MINNIE MOUSE, BOB CHAPEK (CHAIRMAN, DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS)
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts D23 Expo News
Disneyland News
(Anaheim, CA)
Pixar Pier coming to Disney California Adventure
When John Lasseter comes to the stage, you know it’s going to be GOOD. At the D23 Expo, he unveiled plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure. The current pier will take on a brand new look with our favorite Pixar characters and stories coming to life. From The Incredibles to Inside Out to even more Toy Story, guests are bound to see their favorites.
Pixar Fest
How can Disney make the Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort any better? How about adding a little more Pixar? Starting in 2018, this limited-time offering will include new fireworks spectacular as well as favorite characters and surprises. As part of the celebration, the Pixar Play Parade will return to Disneyland Resort, but this time it’s at Disneyland Park.
Coming to Disneyland in 2018
Paint the Night Parade is Moving Disney California Adventure
Yes, the rumors are true. Well, kinda. The Paint The Night Parade isn’t disappearing, it is just moving next door to Disney California Adventure. It will now have one of Disney’s longest parade routes.
New Walt Disney World News
(Orlando, FL)
While attending the D23 Expo, what I found most exciting are the detail Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek revealed for the detailed model of Star Wars-Themed Lands coming to both the Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif. and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla.
After watching the presentation, I took the time to visit the special D23 exhibition. “A Galaxy of Stories” shared images and a model of the immersive storytelling worlds.
“To say we are excited for the Star Wars-themed lands to open in 2019 is an understatement,” Chapek said. “All along, we have said this will be game-changing, and through the model, we can begin to see how truly epic these immersive new worlds will be.”
The D23 Expo Pavilion displayed models, artwork, and media that provide a first-ever look at some of the locations, starships, creatures, and droids that guests will encounter when they visit this new planet.
The crowd went nuts when the name of where these Star Wars stories will come to life was announced, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
There will be rides!
There will be two anchor attractions, including one that puts guests right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance where guests will feel like they are inside a hangar bay on a Star Destroyer. Guests will also have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon, where each guest is critical to the mission’s success. Chapek also revealed many characters that guests will meet, including BB-8, Chewbacca, Rex and Kylo Ren. Representing the largest single- themed land expansion at 14 acres each, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, with the first land debuting at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, then at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando
However, guests don’t have to wait until 2019 to immerse themselves in the Star Wars galaxy. The Galaxy’s Edge will have unique character encounters to fan-favorite attractions like Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. There will also be interactive entertainment like Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, guests of all ages can experience Star Wars stories at Disney parks and resorts around the world.
Ratatouille Ride at EPCOT
For Disneyland Paris, Ratatouille is the number one family attraction, and it’s coming to EPCOT’s France pavilion at World Showcase.
Pull your tails in and feast your senses on this brand new 4D experience at Disney Ratatouille. Remy and friends have cooked up a delicious storm. But it’s not long before they and you are discovered by Chef Skinner, who chases you through the sights, sounds, and smells of Gusteau’s famous Parisian restaurant.
Guardians of the Galaxy ride Epcot
This isn’t like the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout currently at California Adventure Park in Anaheim. In fact, they are saying it’s a whole new concept that will be sure to give us the laughs and entertainment like only Star Lord and friends can. Obviously.
Green Mission at Mission: SPACE
Epcot
Green Mission at Mission: SPACE located in Future Wolrd will take us on a visual impressive tour around the Earth. They are also updating Orange Mission making the visit to Mars even more spectacular.
Eat in Space?
Epcot
Say what, we can eat amongst the stars? Yes, please. This brand new restaurant will have you feeling as if you are in space. Located adjacent to Mission: Space, the new restaurant will invite restaurant goers to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.
Mickey Mouse Gets a Themed Ride
The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With a new original story and lovable attraction theme song, this new state-of-the-art ride-through attraction will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies that transform the flat cartoon world into an incredible dimensional experience.
I am hearing rumors that Micky and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will replace The Great Movie Ride. However, I didn’t get confirmation of this at the D23 Expo.
Tron Coming to the Magic Kingdom
Tron just happens to be the highest rated ride at Shanghai Disneyland, so of course, it’s worth of a home in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The Tron-themed ride will be added to a new area near Space Mountain.
Magic Kingdom Gets A New Live Entertainment Theater
Yes, the new live entertainment theater will be coming to Main Street, U.S.A., based on the iconic Willis Theater in 1920s Kansas City. Disney plans on bringing even more world-class entertainment to the world’s most popular park.
Toy Story Land will finally make it to Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios will open summer 2018.
Disney Resorts News
Star Wars-themed Hotel coming to Walt Disney World Resort
Say what? The concept they announced for this Star Wars- themed hotel may make it the most innovative experience-filled hotel ever! Think about it. An immersive Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. Dedicated entirely to the galaxy of Star Wars, it will be a one-of-a-kind experience where a luxury resort meets a multi-day adventure in a galaxy far, far away.
Disney’s Hotel New York –
The Art of Marvel coming to Disneyland Paris
Hold up; Star Wars isn’t the only one getting an immersive hotel. Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel at Disneyland Paris will transport guests to the action-packed world of Super Heroes, including Iron Man, The Avengers, Spider-Man and more. Guests will be able to explore the Marvel Universe through its comic art, films, Super Hero costumes and more, displayed in the style of a contemporary art gallery.
Disney Riviera Resort
Walt Disney World near Epcot
Leading up to the July 17 opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, Chapek also announced the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney Riviera Resort, coming to Walt Disney World Resort near Epcot.
New Disney Transportation Updates
Minnie Van Service
This is brilliant. Think Uber for Disney guest with the Minnie Van service coming to Walt Disney World.
Completing the immersion, so guests never have to leave the story while on a Disney vacation, Chapek announced plans that will make getting around Walt Disney World Resort even more fun. An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do, giving guests an even more seamless resort vacation from start to finish.
Disney Skyliner coming to Walt Disney World
Going from park to park at the Walt Disney Resort isn’t always easy. With transportation options of shuttle buses, monorail, and now the Minnie Van service, what more could Disney add?
Oh, I know! A whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner. Yup. The gondola like ride will give guests a birds-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort. This brand new system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts, as well as the proposed new Disney Riviera Resort, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.
New Disney Cruise Line Updates
All aboard! Announcing that there will be new ships on the DCL fleet – All ships will be complete by 2023!
New ships, new places to visit, new shows on board, new restaurants to try.
Disney Cruise Line is adding one more ship in its expansion to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level. This is in addition to the other two new ships. All three ships are powered by one of the cleanest-burning fuels available, liquefied natural gas. When all three ships are completed by 2023, Disney Cruise Line will have nearly doubled the size of the fleet.
I was invited by Disney to experience the Disney Parks and Resorts panel to share this information with my readers. All opinions are my own.
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