The announcements made at this panel had me on the edge of my seat. Rumors are always swirling, it was fantastic to find out what was true! We are regular visitors to Walt Disney World, and I have been to Disneyland two years in a row, both unexpected, so I was hanging on every word from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek!
Walt Disney World:
Epcot
-Ratatouille will be added in an all-new space in the France pavilion at World Showcase. It is patterned after the attraction at Disneyland Paris.
-Epcot will add a brand new E-ticket attraction based on the world of Guardians of the Galaxy, this is in addition to the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT ride in Hollywood Studios.
-In Future World, a new Green Mission at Mission: SPACE will take guests on a stunning tour around the Earth, and an updated Orange Mission will make the trip to Mars!
-Adjacent to Mission: Space will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience, simulating an outer space feeling!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
-The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With an original story and 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. They are calling it 2 1/2 D!
Magic Kingdom
-A Tron-themed attraction will be added in a new area near Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. You may already know this ride from Disney Shanghai!
-A new live entertainment theater is coming to Main Street, U.S.A., based on the iconic Willis Theater in 1920s Kansas City, and will bring world-class entertainment to the park. I am excited to see what that means, and who we will see there!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
-Star Wars stories will come to life in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newly announced name for the Star Wars-themed lands.
There are two anchor attractions, including one that puts guests right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Guests will also have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon! 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, then at Hollywood Studios. We are already planning our WDW 2019 end of Summer vacation in the hopes that the new Star Wars land is ready for us!
Disneyland:
-In addition to announcing the summer 2018 opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Chapek was joined by John Lasseter to unveil plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure. The pier will take on a brand new look as more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story. Now that is a land I would like to live in!
Hotels:
-Chapek confirmed ambitious plans to create the most experiential concept ever in 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. We were told that outside of your room windows you will see outer space, or whatever planet’s terrain is appropriate for the character that you become when you check into the hotel. I think this will be old out forever!
-Adding to the immersive resort hotel slate, 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. Now I have to go to Disneyland Paris!
-A 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney Riviera Resort, is coming to Walt Disney World Resort near Epcot. I think you can see t behind the World Showcase area!
New Transportation Options:
– An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service!
-Additionally, a whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner 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. Wow, a skyway of Gondolas!
Disney Cruise Line:
The Disney Cruise Line will add one more ship in its expansion to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level. Joining the other two new ships that were announced just last year, all three ships will be 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 from the four ships running now, to a total of seven!
Lastly, here is my home made video from the back of the convention center room: Toy Story land, Pixar Pier, and other news:
Disclosure: Disney invited me on this press trip and paid all of my expenses. No other compensation was received. All opinions are always 100% my own and honest. Some pictures are courtesy of the D23 Press.
so much to new things happening. I love that Disney is always moving forward. I love the Disney Skyliner and I like you Disney World in 2019 for the Star Wars opening!!