At the D23 Expo 2017 last weekend in Anaheim, California, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek announced a line-up of brand-new attractions and experiences coming to Disney parks and resorts across the globe.
“We have ambitious plans for our parks and resorts around the world,” said Chapek in a press release statement. “We’re investing in the guest experience like never before, and we’re doing it all in a way that is only possible at Disney!”
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming down the pike:
Immersive Theme Park Experiences and Attractions
- “Star Wars”-themed Lands: Spanning 14 acres each, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newly announced name for the Star Wars-themed lands, will feature two anchor attractions, including one that puts guests right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance where guests will feel like they are inside a hangar bay on a Star Destroyer. In addition, guests will have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon and meet their favorite characters from the franchise such as BB-8, Chewbacca, Rex and Kylo Ren. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, with the first land debuting at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, then at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.
- Epcot Transformation: Modeled after the number one family attraction at Disneyland Paris, Ratatouille will be added in an all-new space in the France pavilion at World Showcase. Epcot will also see the addition of a brand new E-ticket attraction based on the action-packed world of “Guardians of the Galaxy.” 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 even more awe-inspiring. Adjacent to Mission: Space will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.
- New Thrills for Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom: The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a new original story. The new attraction will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of the “Disney Channel’s” Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies that transform the flat cartoon world into 3D. Meanwhile, the highest rated attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is coming to Walt Disney World Resort. A Tron-themed attraction will be added in a new area near Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. Additionally, a new live entertainment theater is coming to Main Street, U.S.A. based on the iconic Willis Theater in 1920s Kansas City.
- Pixar Fun: In addition to announcing the summer 2018 opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Chapek, along with chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter, unveiled plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure, where Pixar characters and stories, including “The Incredibles,” “Inside Out,” and “Toy Story,” will come to life.
Cruise News
- Disney Cruise Line Expands Fleet: Disney Cruise Line is adding one more ship in its expansion to join the other two new ships that were announced last year. When all three ships are completed by 2023, Disney Cruise Line will have nearly doubled the size of the fleet.
Experiential Hotel Concepts
- Star Wars-themed hotel: During his speech, Chapek confirmed plans to create a “Star Wars”-themed hotel at Walt Disney World Resort.
- Super Heroes come to Disneyland Paris: 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 in an art gallery.
Seamless Transportation
- Not Your Average “Minnie” Van: An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service around Walt Disney World Resort.
- The Disney Skyliner: An entirely 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.
For more information, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com.
