This year's D23 Expo was truly exciting. The announcements were flying fast and furious. Rumors were confirmed and major changes are coming our way! While exact dates for most changes were not specified, it was mentioned that they all should be in place before the WDW 50th anniversary in 2021. Here is a line-up of the biggest stories. What are you most excited for?
1. Immersive Star Wars Hotel coming to WDW
Fans of the franchise will be able to fully surround themselves in the Star Wars galaxy at this immersive themed hotel. This experience will be a “living adventure” that features 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.”
2. Star Wars land officially named: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open at Disneyland in Anaheim first, followed by Orlando’s version at Walt Disney World later. Details were also shared on what this land will feature.
In the remote trading port, guests will have a chance to man the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, as new artwork reveals. Familiar “Star Wars: Rebels” characters will make appearances, either congratulating you on a job well done or sending a bounty hunter after you.
Another attraction will be set inside a Star Destroyer hangar bay.
Characters guests will meet in Galaxy’s Edge include BB-8, Chewbacca, members of the First Order and the return of Rex from Star Tours, now a DJ.
3. Tron Roller Coaster Ride coming to Magic Kingdom
The new ride will be built in a new area next Space Mountain, not replacing any existing rides. The ride will be similar to the Tron roller coaster found in Shanghai Disneyland.
4. Guardians of the Galaxy ride to replace Universe of Energy
Guests will say goodbye to Ellen's Energy Adventure on August 13, 2017 to make way for new construction of a Guardians of the Galaxy themed ride. Epcot is becoming part of the story, as Peter Quill enjoyed visiting the park when he was a kid on Terra / Earth.
5. Ratatouille ride comes to EPCOT
Disney officially confirmed the Ratatouille ride from Disneyland Paris will becoming to Epcot’s France pavilion.
6. New Outer Space Restaurant coming to EPCOT
Along with a complete Future World overhaul to celebrate the park's 35th anniversary, a new space-themed restaurant is coming to EPCOT. The restaurant, which will be located adjacent to the park’s Mission: SPACE attraction, will invite guests to travel into space for amazing dining experiences in the stars. The new space restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group. “We know our guests love dining at Epcot – and the restaurants really are out of this world,” Tom Fitzgerald, WDW Imagineer said. “Now we’re about to create one that takes that literally.”
7. Great Movie Ride closing for Mickey-themed attraction
The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be closing August 13, 2017, replaced by a new ride centered around Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The new attraction will be called Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
The attraction is inspired by the newest style of Mickey shorts and Disney animators are partnering with the parks to develop it. It will feature new visual technology Disney’s Imagineers are calling “2 1/2 D” in which no 3-D glasses will be required to feel like there are three-dimensional images around you.
8. Skyliner transportation returns to WDW
A whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner will give guests a birds-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort. The Disney Skyliner will be a new gondola system that 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. The vehicles will feature Disney characters.
9. "Minnie-vans" come to WDW
WDW introduces their new Uber-like service which will be called Minnie Vans. “Since we’re all about exceeding guest expectations and making every aspect of your vacation uniquely Disney, we’re creating a new point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do,” Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek said during the Parks panel where he made the announcement.
The Minnie vehicles will take you everywhere you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort Service has already begun at certain resorts. The current cost is $20 to take you wherever you want to go on Walt Disney World property.
10. Toy Story Land to open in 2018
Announcement was made that Toy Story Land will officially open in DHS Summer of 2018. No further announcements were made other than what was originally stated in 2015:
The premise of the land is to shrink guests to the size of a toy to enter the land, where there will be areas to explore in addition to the attractions. The attractions will include a family-friendly roller coaster where guests board Slinky Dog’s back for a ride on a “coaster kit” toy that Andy has built in his play area (think Gadget’s Go Coaster or Barnstormer). The other attraction will be an Alien saucers attraction, with the little green aliens from the movie taking guests for a spin in their very own flying saucers (think Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree).
These are just the highlights of the many big announcements made at this year's convention. What are you most excited about?
