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The D23 Expo took place last weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Numerous announcements were made regarding TV, movies and parks, but today, I just want to focus on the announcements for the Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts.
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| D23 |
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
We’ve known about the Star Wars land for a few years, but now, it officially has a name: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It seems Disney is taking a cue from Pandora: The World of AVATAR with this name choice. The lands of Galaxy’s Edge are said to be - as you could guess - at the edge of the galaxy far, far away. Scott Trowbridge, a Walt Disney Imagineer told fans, to some confusion, about “galactic credits” that will come their way - or not - in this new land. “This is a living place,” Trowbridge said, “a place where your choices matter.” Although it’s unclear exactly what galactic credits are and what you can do with them, I am very excited to find out in 2019. I am also very excited that Rex, the haphazard star speeder pilot from Star Tours, has a new job! Rex has found his new career at the cantina serving as the DJ. The cantina will also be serving the famed blue milk from the Star Wars franchise.
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| Disney Parks Blog |
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
This news is bittersweet for me. Although I think The Great Movie Ride needed to be updated, I wasn’t prepared for a complete overhaul. With the news that GMR would be closing in August, that leaves only four attractions open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and of those four, only one - Toy Story Midway Mania - does not have a height requirement. But with that being said, I am cautiously optimistic about the new attraction featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse. As Walt Disney always said, "It was all started by a mouse," and I am happy to see what this ride has in store for our favorite mouse. Especially considering the announcement that the ride would be an all new experience that Imagineer Kevin Rafferty referred to as “2 ½ D.” This mean the ride will not require 3D glasses - a fact that got a cheer from the audience and myself - and yet the flat cartoon world would still come to life.
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Guardians of the Galaxy
Several big announcements were made for future projects in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort in 2021. Among those announcements was the news that Ellen’s Energy Adventure would be replaced by a Guardians of the Galaxy themed attraction. Tom Fitzgerald, an Imagineer who worked on the originals plans for EPCOT Center, said that Epcot will “always be a place where the real becomes fantastical and the fantastical becomes real.” It was also revealed that Peter Quill - also known as Star-Lord - visited Epcot as a kid and the new E-ticket attraction would be rooted in Epcot's story. Although I know some are weary to changes at Epcot, I am all for it. And besides, nothing can be bad if Groot and Rocket are involved.
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| D23 |
Ratatouille
Although little was said about the two new Epcot attractions, we do at least know that a Ratatouille-inspired attraction will be making its way to the France Pavilion. It is said to be similar to the attraction in Disneyland Paris, but it is unconfirmed if it is the same attraction. The Disneyland Paris attraction seems to be a huge hit in France, so one can assume that would transfer over to the US as well. It would also bring more Disney characters into the park as well as target a younger generation of Disney fans.
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Mission: Space Update and Restaurant
The last Epcot announcement was about the refurbishment of the Green Mission part of the attraction to make it more family friendly. I truly hope they update all the computer screens in the attraction as the display and overall feel of the attraction could drastically be changed with some minor upgrades. It was also announced that a new space themed restaurant would open near the attraction - maybe in the Wonders of Life Pavilion? I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.
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Tron Coming to Magic Kingdom
Because we need an indoor roller coaster beside an indoor roller coaster. I’m on the side of the fence that isn’t really for this attraction, if you couldn’t tell. I’d have been way more excited if they announced they were using cleaner fuel for the Speedway or replacing Stitch’s Great Escape, but instead, we’re getting a Tron roller coaster. I’ve heard great things about Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run, but Tron has never been a movie that has sparked my attention. Maybe that will change once this ride opens. Again, we shall see.
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| D23 |
New Theater Coming to Magic Kingdom
It was also announced that in addition to a new roller coaster, Magic Kingdom would also be getting a new live entertainment theater that will be based on the Willis Theater in Kansas City in the 1920s. Although it’s exact location is still unclear, my guess would be the end of Main Street to the right going toward the Tomorrowland Terrace or in the parking lot behind Main Street to the right and use the cut through to get there. Another mystery to the theatre is what would go there? Maybe a brand new Tangled-inspired show? Maybe the Aladdin show that ran at Disney’s California Adventure? As long as it’s not Frozen, I’m really game with anything.
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| D23 |
Star Wars-Themed Resort
I’ve already started my savings account for a week long stay at the new Star Wars-themed resort. “It’s unlike anything that exists today,” Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, said at the Expo. “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-percent 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.” I MEAN HOW CAN YOU NOT BE EXCITED ABOUT A COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE STAR WARS RESORT EXPERIENCE? Will I even want to leave my resort???
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| D23 |
Minnie Vans Coming to Walt Disney World Resort
From a business standpoint, this makes sense. With companies like Uber and Lyft becoming more successful, it makes sense that Disney would roll out their own car service. For a fee, the Minnie Vans will take guests from one point to another without having to wait in line for a bus, monorail, or boat. Hopefully, the Minnie Vans can be scheduled with the My Disney Experience app.
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| Disney Parks Blog |
Gondolas Return with Disney Skyliner
Lovers of the Skyway, rejoice! Gondolas are back! Except this time they are character themed gondolas that will connect Disney's Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Caribbean Beach to other locations such as Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot’s International Gateway. I’m curious to see how these operation, especially in the unpredictable Florida weather. But you better believe I’ll be riding a Grim Grinning Gondola when it opens.
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| D23 |
Toy Story Land to Open in Summer 2018
In a rare turn of events, Toy Story Land will open earlier than anticipated. Although the land never had an official opening date prior to the D23 convention, it was assumed it would open around the same time as the new Star Wars land. But it looks like we will be going to the land of Buzz and Woody before we go to the land or Luke and Leia, which is exactly what Disney’s Hollywood Studios needs since, as I mentioned earlier, it only has four attractions right now. This themed land will hopefully bring in more parents with young kids to the least visited Walt Disney World theme park. I’m also excited about this land because it’s in my home park and features my favorite Pixar movie.
So those were the announcements for the Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts made at the 2017 D23 Convention. What was your favorite announcement? What announcement are you least excited about? Tweet us at @TMKBPodcast and let us know!
Robyn Fleenor is a contributing writer for The Mouse Knows Best Podcast. She is an avid Disney fanatic and would rather be at Walt Disney World eating glazed almonds than anything else. When she isn't working to pay for her next Disney vacation, she likes to binge watch TV shows and fall in love with fictional characters. She can be found tweeting at @rahrah6263.
Robyn Fleenor is a contributing writer for The Mouse Knows Best Podcast. She is an avid Disney fanatic and would rather be at Walt Disney World eating glazed almonds than anything else. When she isn't working to pay for her next Disney vacation, she likes to binge watch TV shows and fall in love with fictional characters. She can be found tweeting at @rahrah6263.
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