SUMMARY OF DISNEY PARKS PRESENTATION AT D23 EXPO:
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – the first attraction themed to Mickey Mouse, will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in 2020 and at Disneyland Resort in California in 2022.
Shanghai Disneyland will be getting Zootopia – their 8th themed land.
Hong Kong Disneyland will be getting a new “Frozen” land with 2 attractions: Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs and Frozen Ever After. They have also dramatically expanded the castle, not geared to any specific princess, but elements of all of them, and will now be known as the Castle of Magical Dreams.
Walt Disney World
For the first time, Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Studios have partnered with Cirque du Soleil to create a new show for Cirque at Disney Springs. Original story and music will incorporate Disney themes. Previews are scheduled for March 20, 2020, with the Premier opening April 17, 2020.
EPCOT is getting a complete multi-year transformation. Zach Ridley, head of WDW Imagineering team described “the magic of possibility, taking Epcot’s journey to a whole new level”. Epcot will now be divided into 4 “neighborhoods”: World Showcase, World Discovery, World Nature and World Celebration.
A new multi-story pavilion for Epcot’s Festivals (below right) will be located in World Celebration.
Shanghai Disneyland will be getting Zootopia – their 8th themed land.
Hong Kong Disneyland will be getting a new “Frozen” land with 2 attractions: Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs and Frozen Ever After. They have also dramatically expanded the castle, not geared to any specific princess, but elements of all of them, and will now be known as the Castle of Magical Dreams.
Walt Disney World
For the first time, Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Studios have partnered with Cirque du Soleil to create a new show for Cirque at Disney Springs. Original story and music will incorporate Disney themes. Previews are scheduled for March 20, 2020, with the Premier opening April 17, 2020.
EPCOT is getting a complete multi-year transformation. Zach Ridley, head of WDW Imagineering team described “the magic of possibility, taking Epcot’s journey to a whole new level”. Epcot will now be divided into 4 “neighborhoods”: World Showcase, World Discovery, World Nature and World Celebration.
A new multi-story pavilion for Epcot’s Festivals (below right) will be located in World Celebration.
Spaceship Earth will be getting a new story. At the exit of Spaceship Earth will be “Dreamers Point” with a new statue of Walt Disney looking out toward the future.
The names for two things currently under construction were announced: The Guardians of the Galaxy attraction will be called “Cosmic Rewind” and the new restaurant next to Mission: SPACE is named SPACE 220 and will open Winter 2020.
The names for two things currently under construction were announced: The Guardians of the Galaxy attraction will be called “Cosmic Rewind” and the new restaurant next to Mission: SPACE is named SPACE 220 and will open Winter 2020.
A new “Play Pavilion” is going into the old Wonders of Life Pavilion and will open by 2021. The PLAY! Pavilion is described as a “digital metropolis” where you’re able to connect with others in new and fun ways — through “games, activities, and experiences.” We now know that one of those experiences will find guests working with fashion designer Edna Mode to “rid the world of uninspired style.” |
The Land Pavilion is getting a new film entitled “Awesome Planet”.
In the new World Nature section, a Moana-inspired area, the Journey of Water is described as a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water.” Expect some fun effects that remind guests of Moana‘s animated ocean!
In the new World Nature section, a Moana-inspired area, the Journey of Water is described as a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water.” Expect some fun effects that remind guests of Moana‘s animated ocean!
And in World Showcase…
China 360 is getting a new film – “Wonderous China”.
Canada is getting a new film which will debut January 2020.
France –
> The theatre will have a double feature: Impressions de France will continue along with the addition of a “Beauty & the Beast Sing-Along” which I expect to be something similar to the Frozen Sing-Along at Hollywood Studios.
> The new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction will open Summer 2020
> Creperie de Paris will open Summer 2020.
The big news that got everyone super excited was when Dick Van Dyke appeared to introduce the expansion to the United Kingdom Pavilion. Cherry Tree Lane will be the first Mary Poppins themed attraction in any Disney park – no opening date announced. This new attraction will allow guest to “step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family.” This is where the magical journey will begin.
China 360 is getting a new film – “Wonderous China”.
Canada is getting a new film which will debut January 2020.
France –
> The theatre will have a double feature: Impressions de France will continue along with the addition of a “Beauty & the Beast Sing-Along” which I expect to be something similar to the Frozen Sing-Along at Hollywood Studios.
> The new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction will open Summer 2020
> Creperie de Paris will open Summer 2020.
The big news that got everyone super excited was when Dick Van Dyke appeared to introduce the expansion to the United Kingdom Pavilion. Cherry Tree Lane will be the first Mary Poppins themed attraction in any Disney park – no opening date announced. This new attraction will allow guest to “step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family.” This is where the magical journey will begin.
When the nighttime show “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” ends on September 30th, a temporary show called “Epcot Forever” will take place until the debut of “HarmoniUS” in 2020. HarmoniUS is reported to be the “largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park”.
And in the rest of WDW…
Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2021 will be celebrated at all 4 parks.
A revolutionary digital planning tool is coming called “Disney Genie” to help guests customize their itineraries.
Details were released about the next Disney resort: Lakeside Lodge, built near Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, will include A-Frame houses and Treehouses in addition to regular hotel rooms. It will also house a new table service restaurant inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
A new 2-night Star Wars Experience will be an immersive Star Wars story in a Galactic Star Cruiser, where guests become part of the action. Guests will check in at the Terminal where they will board a launch pod to connect to The Halcyon Star Cruiser. The choices guests make will affect their Star Wars story. Guests can learn to wield a lightsaber while “facing off against a training remote, where you may discover your own connection to the force”. The adventure will include a “port day” at Black Spire Outpost.
And in the rest of WDW…
Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2021 will be celebrated at all 4 parks.
A revolutionary digital planning tool is coming called “Disney Genie” to help guests customize their itineraries.
Details were released about the next Disney resort: Lakeside Lodge, built near Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, will include A-Frame houses and Treehouses in addition to regular hotel rooms. It will also house a new table service restaurant inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
A new 2-night Star Wars Experience will be an immersive Star Wars story in a Galactic Star Cruiser, where guests become part of the action. Guests will check in at the Terminal where they will board a launch pod to connect to The Halcyon Star Cruiser. The choices guests make will affect their Star Wars story. Guests can learn to wield a lightsaber while “facing off against a training remote, where you may discover your own connection to the force”. The adventure will include a “port day” at Black Spire Outpost.
…and then there’s the MARVEL UNIVERSE:
A new Avengers-themed land is coming to Disney’s California Adventure and Disneyland Paris and will be known as Avengers Campus. This land will include two new attractions and a new restaurant experience. The immersive new land includes “campuses set up by the Avengers to recruit the next generation of Super Heroes.”
A new Avengers-themed land is coming to Disney’s California Adventure and Disneyland Paris and will be known as Avengers Campus. This land will include two new attractions and a new restaurant experience. The immersive new land includes “campuses set up by the Avengers to recruit the next generation of Super Heroes.”
These will include the first Spiderman attraction in a Disney park, featuring the Webslinger vehicle. The land will also house quite a few character interactions. Look for characters like Black Widow, Ant-Man, The Wasp, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Thor, Loki and Iron Man. |
A new E-ticket attraction will be part of the 2nd phase. Here you will “step onboard a Quinjet and fly alongside the Avengers in an epic adventure to Wakanda and beyond! You will team up alongside the Avengers in a battle to save our world against one of the most powerful villains they have ever faced.”
The new restaurant known as PYM Test Kitchen will feature PYM Technologies food, using the latest technologies to grow or shrink food. Phase 1 of the Avengers Campus will open in Anaheim in 2020.
The New York Hotel at Disneyland Paris is getting curated Marvel works of art and will have themed suites beginning in Summer 2020.
The new restaurant known as PYM Test Kitchen will feature PYM Technologies food, using the latest technologies to grow or shrink food. Phase 1 of the Avengers Campus will open in Anaheim in 2020.
The New York Hotel at Disneyland Paris is getting curated Marvel works of art and will have themed suites beginning in Summer 2020.
Disney Cruise Line announced the addition of a new Disney owned and operated tropical destination on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. “Lighthouse Point” will be a “seaside adventure camp” involved in conservation efforts to preserve the natural habitat. Also, collaborating with Bahamian artists, they will celebrate Bahamian culture “where art and nature combine with Disney magic to give a place you can only find here.”
They also announced the name of their 5th ship – the Disney WISH, which will feature that famous wisher Rapunzel on the stern. According to Disney, “the ship’s atrium will be a bright, airy and elegant space inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale.” The Disney Wish is projected to set sail in January of 2022 when it will welcome guests to its 1,250 staterooms. It “will be powered by liquefied natural gas.” This announcement was coupled by the appearance of Richard Davis, CEO of Make-A-Wish. Of the 130,000 wishes granted, Disney supplies 1 out of every 2 wishes. Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences & Products has been named to the Make-A-Wish board.
Lastly, they announced that since everyone doesn’t live near a Disney Store, Target will be installing Disney “store in stores”. Starting in October with 25 stores, they expect 40 more by October 2020.
They also announced the name of their 5th ship – the Disney WISH, which will feature that famous wisher Rapunzel on the stern. According to Disney, “the ship’s atrium will be a bright, airy and elegant space inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale.” The Disney Wish is projected to set sail in January of 2022 when it will welcome guests to its 1,250 staterooms. It “will be powered by liquefied natural gas.” This announcement was coupled by the appearance of Richard Davis, CEO of Make-A-Wish. Of the 130,000 wishes granted, Disney supplies 1 out of every 2 wishes. Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences & Products has been named to the Make-A-Wish board.
Lastly, they announced that since everyone doesn’t live near a Disney Store, Target will be installing Disney “store in stores”. Starting in October with 25 stores, they expect 40 more by October 2020.