Exciting Announcements from D23 Expo 2017
This weekend, The D23 (Disney’s Official Fan Club) is holding it biennial Expo in Anaheim, California. During this time Disney announces its plan for the future and they had tons of exciting announcement from the Walt Disney Parks and Resort Presentation. Here is a quick recap of what’s to come in the future of our favorite theme parks!
Star Wars!
“Star Wars Land,” coming to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in 2019, has officially been named. These new lands will now be known as “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” Guest will be able to visit a remote trading port on the edge of wild space and find themselves in the middle of the action. This new area will feature two new attractions, encounters with your favorite (and not so favorite) Star Wars characters, and acquire trinkets and treasures from across the galaxy. Star Wars is set to open first inn Disneyland with an opening at Walt Disney World later in the year.
Check out this video fly-through from Disney Parks:
Who really wants to experience Star Wars like you’ve never before? Walt Disney World has planned to construct a Star Wars themed resort! Confirmed by Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, this resort will be a new vacation experience in which guests will be able to immerse themselves in an entirely new form of Disney storytelling. “It’s unlike anything that exists today.” Bob said. “From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll immediately become a citizen of the galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits.”
Hollywood Studios!
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is coming to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. This new attraction will bring a new “2 1/2D” experience based on the Mickey Shorts featured on the Disney Channel. Kevin Rafferty (Disney Imaginner) said that “this will not be a small attraction, it’s going to be a game-changing.” Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be placed at the Chinese Theatre in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. August 13, 2017 will be the final day of operation for The Great Movie Ride presented by Turner Classic Movies.
Toy Story Land has been on the horizon for quite awhile but we were given some new details on this land coming to Hollywood Studios. We now know that this new land will be opening Summer of 2018!
EPCOT!
Two new attractions will be making their way over to EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort. The first will be a “Ratatouille” inspired attraction. Similar to the one at Disneyland Paris, this attraction will be added to France in the World Showcase.
Second will be a new “Guardians of the Galaxy” inspired attractionthat will be bringing EPCOT back to the roots of the original vision of EPCOT’s future world. Not too many details were released on this attraction but we do know it will be replacing “Universe of Energy.” Be sure to take your last ride with Ellen before “Universe of Energy” closes on August 13th, 2017.
Disney plans to have these attractions ready by Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2021.
Dining in Epcot is about to get a little more exciting. A new restaurant is going to be located over near Mission: Space and offer guests a chance to feel like they are dining from space! No details were announced on an expecting opening date or menu options.
Magic Kingdom!
Tron is the highest rated attraction at Shanghai Disneyland and will be coming to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. This attraction will be located in a new area over by Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. TRON Lightcycle Power Run attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is a coaster-style attraction where riders board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles. Disney plans to have Tron ready by Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2021.
A new entertainment venue is coming to the Magic Kingdom! Based off of the iconic Willis Wood Theater located in Kansas City from the days that Walt himself lived there, this theatre will fit right into Main Street USA. No word on what will be shown there but Disney has hinted that it might be shows similar to those at the Hyperion at Disneyland Resort.
New Transportation to Walt Disney World Resort!
Two new ways to get around Walt Disney World are coming! A new transportation service featuring vehicles themed to Minnie Mouse will allow guest to get from point-to-point. These Minnie vehicles will take you everywhere you need to go around Walt Disney World in style!
A brand new transportation system is coming to the Walt Disney World Resort Disney Skyliner will soon offer guests a bird’s-eye view while getting around Walt Disney World Resort in gondolas! This transportation system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts and other locations with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.
Disneyland Resort and California Adventure Park!
This fall, your favorite Cars characters will be celebrating Halloween! Come and check out the decorated Cars Land while snapping photos of your favorite Cars characters in their Halloween costumes!
In 2018, more of your favorite Pixar stories will come to Disney California Adventure park with the new Pixar Pier. Pixar Pier will feature a brand-new look for the area now known as Paradise Pier, as some of your favorite characters come to life on this seaside waterfront. You will discover whimsical neighborhoods filled with your friends from “The Incredibles,” “Inside Out” and even more of your pals from “Toy Story.”
Disneyland Resort will feature a brand-new fireworks spectacular as well as the return of the Pixar Play Parade. When the Pixar Parade moving over to Disneyland, this leaves room for the return of the Paint the Night Parade! Disney even teased to keep your eyes out for a new float upon its return!
What to know more about “the Hatch” over near the “Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission BREAKOUT!” at Disney California Adventure Park? Soon, the Guardians of the Galaxy will be joined by Spider-Man and the Avengers, in what will become a completely immersive superhero universe at the park. Disney will create a place where you can team up with your favorite Super Heroes like never before.
Disneyland Paris!
Disneyland Paris will be getting a new theme to the Hotel New York Resort called “Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel.” This hotel should make Tony Stark proud! Guest will be transported into the action packed world of some of their favorite superheroes including The Avengers, Iron Man and Spiderman. No opening date has been released.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line will not only be building two new ships, they will be adding three ships by 2023! That means that the fleet will almost be double of that it is today. These new ships are scheduled to set sail in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Although details on these ships are still in the works, we do know that they are expected to be slightly larger then Disney’s newest (and largest) ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy.
Disney Vacation Club!
Disney Vacation Club will be opening it’s 15th Disney Vacation Club resort called Disney Riviera Resort. This new resort will be located with views of both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Riviera Resort is scheduled to open in fall 2019, feature about 300 units and be connected to the new Disney Skyliner transportation system.
What are you most excited for in the future of Disney Parks? Make sure you leave us a comment on Facebook!!!
Sheena Moberg is an independent contractor for Fairytale Adventures Travel Agency. Sheena specializes in family vacations to Disney, Universal, Cruises, and Sandals. You can reach Sheena at Sheena@Fairytaleadv.com or on her Facbook page Sheena Moberg- Destination Specialist.
