2017 D23 Expo Updates
July 15, 2017 was a BIG day for Disney fans! At the 2017 D23 Expo in California, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Bob Chapek made announcement after announcement of many exciting things we can expect to hit the Disney sphere in the next several years to come! At the biannually held convention, Mr. Chapek informed us of new restaurants, rides, lodging, transportation options, experiences, additionalcruise ships, and more! Disney fans are bursting with anticipation like never before! Here’s a summary of what we can expect to see coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California and the Disney Cruise Line! Some as soon as next month…others may take several years; but ALL are highly anticipated, and we Disney fans are eagerly awaiting these fresh, new and imaginative experiences to hit the parks and the seas! To start, here’s a photo teaser!
First of all, the highly anticipated “Star Wars Land” has been given an official name! “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” is set to open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019 and will be everything and more to the ultimate Star Wars fan! As if a whole land in a theme park isn’t enough, Disney is taking it to another level with the opening of a resort based on the Star Wars series! Guests can expect to be immersed into the story from the time they walk into the resort until they leave; a total dream come true for the ultimate fan!
We found out that Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is set to open an entire year earlier than previously thought! Yes! It is set to open in the summer of 2018! Will you be taking a ride on the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster? Or maybe a spin in the Alien Swirling Saucers instead? We are only about 12 months or so away from feeling like we are the size of little toys in Andy’s backyard and part of a most beloved movie!
Hollywood Studios is also making big news for immediate change! The traditional ride, The Great Movie Ride, presented by Turner Classic Movies, which is in the Chinese Theatre will be closing as of August 13, 2017. This is to make way for work on a new attraction coming that will feature none other than the icons themselves, Mickey & Minnie Mouse! “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” will be based off the short cartoons featured from the Disney Channel. The ride can be described as trackless, zany, unpredictable, full of twists and turns, and dazzling!! I know that I’ll be taking a ride along with my favorite mouse duo to see what kind of adventures they get into!
EPCOT will be opening a new Guardian’s of the Galaxy themed ride, a Ratatouille themed ride out in the France pavilion of the World Showcase, and will also feature updates to a favorite, Mission: SPACE attraction! Also coming to EPCOT is a new dining experience that will take you out of this world! Yes, a SPACE themed restaurant is set to open up as well!
In Magic Kingdom, a TRON-themed attraction, likely similar to Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON: Lightcycle Power Run is sure to bring thrills, speed, and special lighting effects unlike anything we’ve seen here! A perfect addition to the Tomorrowland area of Magic Kingdom! This thrilling new ride is set to open by 2021, just in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary! Magic Kingdom will also see a new theater around the Main Street USA area. The immediate details do not quite tell us what to expect in the theater, but we do know that the design is to be inspired by Kansas City’s Willis Wood Theater.
Time to talk transportation, BEEP BEEP!! Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is soon to have TWO additional transportation options for getting around the wonderful property! Construction has begun for a new gondola-type transportation system, called Disney Skyliner. Guests will have connections from Art of Animation Resort, Pop Century Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s new upcoming Vacation Club Resort called Disney Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at EPCOT. Wait, did you say new Disney Vacation Club Resort? Yes, I did! Estimated to open in the fall of 2019, this new property is expected to have 300 units available in a variety of accommodation layouts and styles. Also coming soon is a new on-demand transportation service for guests to reach a destination a little faster if needed. These one of a kind vehicles will be themed with a Minnie Mouse décor and will take you any place on Walt Disney World property for a small additional fee. This service is expected to start up soon and will definitely come in handy, especially if you are in a time crunch!
Disneyland Resort in California is set to see some new additions as well! If you love Pixar movies, then this is the news announcement for you! In 2018, guests in Disneyland California Adventure park can be immersed into loved movies such as Inside Out, The Incredibles, and Toy Story at the new upcoming “Pixar Pier”. Also debuting will be a new nighttime fireworks spectacular based off of these movies! Also returning is the ever popular “Paint the Night” parade!
Oh Disney, you never cease to amaze us! Disney Cruise Line has announced that THREE new ships are being added to the fleet! That’ll make a total of SEVEN ships to sail the high seas and more opportunities than ever to experience a cruise vacation unlike no other! Can I say it again….??? SEVEN Disney Cruise Line ships! WOW!
I, for one, am truly excited about the changes coming to the Disney theme parks & seas and cannot wait to experience them for myself! Even MORE exciting is being able to get my clients set up for their dream vacation to partake in the wonder and magic of what Disney Imagineers do best! As quoted by Mr. Walt Disney himself:
If you want someone who’s heart beats for all things Disney to plan YOUR vacation, contact me today! I’m more than happy to chat about all of the amazing options and opportunities that await you to get you and your family set up for a vacation of a lifetime!
Adele Snook is a travel professional with 101 Dream Vacations, she lives in Indiana with her husband and daughter. They enjoy their quality time and making memories at Disney along with other destinations. Contact her today to start planning your next vacation.