Over the weekend, the official Disney fan club, D23, held their annual expo in Anaheim and it was essentially a nonstop news release about new things coming to Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line and beyond. If you love Mickey, Star Wars, Avengers, and Princesses you're going to be happy.
Here are 8 new things that's coming to a Disney park or cruise ship near you!
1. Star Wars: The Rise of the Resistance ride will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios on December 5 and at Disneyland on January 17, 2020. Here's how it's described:
When it opens, this harrowing adventure will blur the lines between fantasy and reality and will put you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Guests will join the Resistance and depart from Batuu in a transport ship to meet General Leia Organa at a secret rendezvous point. Along the way, however, they'll be captured by a First Order Star Destroyer. The action then ramps up as Guests seek to escape the clutches of Kylo Ren and the First Order – with the help of some heroes of the Resistance.
Of note: Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios officially opened yesterday and the best person in the world to follow for details on this opening is Carlye Wiesel. Hit up her Instagram stories for everything you need to know. Meanwhile, see our Galaxy's Edge tips for Disneyland here.
2. Mary Poppins will get her own space within Epcot's World Showcase in the United Kingdom Pavilion. The announcement was made in person at D23 by Dick Van Dyke! Details are scant but the attraction will look like the darling street of Cherry Tree Lane and there should be an additonal attaction as well, possibly a ride or a show. No word on when it will be done but IMAGINE THAT. Speaking of Epcot, the park is continuing to undergo a major transformation that will unify the space with four different “neighborhoods”: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery. So say goodbye, finally, to the 1970s interpretation of the future.
3. Disney Cruise Line will add a second destination for their cruise ships to visit, this time in the Bahamas at Lighthouse Point in Eleuthera. The parcel of land still needs to go through an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan (the purchase of Lighthouse Point has been a controversial issue to stay the least), but Disney hopes construction will begin in 2020 with completion in late 2022 or 2023. Disney is also putting three new ships into the water, starting with the Disney Wish, helmed by Rapunzel.
4. The Avengers Campus will open next year in Disneyland's California Adventure. If you've been to DCA recently, you've probably noticed how much of the area has been transititioning towards the Marvel Superheros franchise, with character meet and greets and new areas centered around your fave superhero. The tricked out official campus will have even more stuff, including a Spider-Man ride and the Pym Test Kitchen. Read more here.
5. Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Hotel. Ok, back to Star Wars again. There's a Stars Wars Hotel coming to Walt Disney World. Aside from fully immersing guests into a galaxy far, far, away (reportedly views from the rooms will actually be of “intergalatic vistas”), the Galactic Starcruiser will also flip the script on the usual Disney hotel experience. For starters, guests are only allowed to stay on the ship for two days. It's also set to be an all-inclusive experience. Opening date is not up but we'll let you know when it's a-coming.
6. Make Way for Moana. Moana will get her own attraction within Epcot, called “Journey of Water.” According to Disney, the attraction will “let guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.” Additionally, Moana, along with Miguel from “Coco” and the OG princess Sleeping Beauty, will all get their own floats in a new “Magic Happens” parade coming to Disneyland in Spring 2020.
7. Let's Not Forget About Mickey. With princesses and super heroes, it's easy to forget about Mickey. But he and Minnie will get some love at Disney's Hollywood Studios this spring when the Chinese Theater will turn into the home for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway—the first major Mickey-themed ride-through attraction. That same ride will open within Toontown at Disneyland in 2022.
8. Finally, a Luxury Disney World Resort! Disney is no longer building a luxury hotel in Disneyland. Boo. But they are working on a luxury resort at Walt Disney World, called Reflections. Nevermind the retirement home sounding name, the resort will offer 900 rooms along with A-frame cabins and “tree house” style rooms. These will be a part of the Disney Vacation Club (essentially a time-share program) but can still be booked by regular guests. It will actually be a perfect option for larger groups coming through. In the meantime, the best place to find luxury is Disney World is at the Four Seasons. Read our review here!
For all the scoop on what's new at Walt Disney World, go here. For all the scoop on what's new at Disneyland, go here.
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[Story photos courtesy of Disney Parks Blog]
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