It's Monday morning and D23, Disney's biggest yearly expo, is over and my head is spinning with the news and announcements that came over the weekend. Tons of changes are coming to Disney around the world, from Walt Disney World to Disney Cruise Line and beyond. With so many announcements, here they are, altogether, in one place!
Disney Cruise Line
It was announced last year that Disney Cruise Line would be adding 2 new ships to it's fleet, bringing it's total from 4 ships to 6. 2 new ships was not enough and instead, 3 new cruise ships would be added by 2023.
Disneyland
We were given a peek at Disneyland's coming Star Wars land attraction, with the name reveal as well. Galaxy's Edge will open at Disneyland first in 2019, and the new land at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World will follow.
If super heroes are you jam(I know they are in my family), there is more to come in addition to the new Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT that opened this past May. Not a lot of information was given, but Spider-man and the Avengers will be joining the Guardians at Disney's California Adventure in all new immersive experiences. No time frame was given.
Paradise Pier, also at DCA, will receive a whole new look, becoming Pixar Pier. Opening in 2018, being ushered in by a new celebration called Pixar Fest, you'll find Pixar favorites from Toy Story to Inside Out. Pixar Fest will also feature an all new fireworks show at the Disneyland park, and the return of the Pixar Play Parade. Lots of Pixar fun coming next year!
The Paint the Night parade will also return, now to Disney's California Adventure.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World had by far the most(and most exciting) announcements during D23. So many changes coming over the next several years years, so hold onto your Mickey ears, because A LOT of amazing things are coming.
The new Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios will open next year, in 2018. It will feature 2 new attractions, a very kid friendly addition to DHS.
As with Disneyland, the new name for the Star Wars land, opening in 2019, was revealed-Galaxy's Edge.
That wasn't the only Star Wars announcement for WDW. Disney is going all out with the Star Wars experience and will be adding a new Star Wars themed resort to fully immerse you in all that is Star Wars. No name or opening date was announced, but this is pretty big news for all of the Star Wars fans out there.
Joining the new Star Wars themed resort will be Disney's Riviera Resort, a new DVC(Disney Vacation Club), expected to open in 2019. The resort will be situated between Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
New transportation options will be coming! Rolling out now, and being expanded over the coming weeks, what have been dubbed Minnie Vans, is a point to point service offered at an additional fee. Much like Uber, you can request transportation to get you from one place to another, great for those resort dining reservations!
Also announced was the rumored Disney Skyliner, a gondola system that will connect some resorts such as Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach and the new Riviera Resort mentioned above, with Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. This is a pretty neat alternative to buses!
Coming to the Magic Kingdom, an all new Tron themed roller coaster will be built next to Space Mountain. If this is anything like the ride at Shanghai Disney, it's going to be pretty amazing. Opening is slated in time for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary in 2021.
Also new to Magic Kingdom, plans for a live theatre on Main Street USA were announced. Much like the Hyperion at Disneyland and modeled after the famous Willis Woods theatre, no opening date was announced.
Epcot will also be receiving quite a few new attractions and upgrade. An overhaul of Mission Space Green will make it much more family friendly and a new restaurant adjacent to Mission Space are coming. Epcot will also FINALLY be receiving more of the Marvel love, with a Guardians of the Galaxy ride, that will go in in place of the Universe of Energy. The current Ellen guided experience will run through August 13 of this year. The new GotG ride is expected to be finished by 2021. There will also be upgrades to the World Showcase, with a new Ratatouille the Adventure experience in France(also expected to open by 2021) and a new 360 degree film experience in the China pavilion.
To wrap up the Walt Disney World announcements, a new attraction will be added in place of the current Great Movie Ride attraction. The Great Movie ride will run through August 13 and will be replaced by Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, based on the Mickey shorts cartoons. No word on opening date for this new ride.
Disneyland Paris
Color me a little jealous here, I mean yes, WDW is getting a Star Wars resort, but it was announced that Disneyland Paris will be building a Marvel themed resort. The current Hotel New York will be rethemed with a Marvel theme.
All of these announcements come on the heels of recent upgrades and additions to Disney's offering's. Some of the Disney cruise ships were recently re-imagined, Disneyland recently opened the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, which replaced the Tower of Terror, Epcot at Walt Disney World added the new Frozen ride last summer and recently opened it's highly anticipated Pandora area at animal kingdom. They've been busy with some much needed upgrades and they definitely aren't slowing down soon. What announcement excited you the most?
