It was a magical and spectacular weekend at the D32 Expo, with Disney announcing a flurry of new attractions, resorts, and other goodies coming to Disney parks around the world. Here’s a quick recap of what we can look forward to at Walt Disney World:
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge:
Guests will be able to visit a remote trading port on the edge of wild space, where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life – and where guests will find themselves in the middle of the action.
The lands will feature two major attractions that put guests in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Each attraction – and even the land itself – will offer guests the chance to immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe like never before.
One attraction will make you feel like you’re on a Star Destroyer inside a hangar bay. It’s an attraction built on a scale that Disney’s never done before. The second attraction will give guests the opportunity to fly the Millenium Falcon, piloting the ship, shooting blasters or preparing for hyperspace – all while completing a critical mission. But how you perform on the mission holds even bigger stakes: perform with skill and you may earn extra galactic credits, while bringing the ship back banged up could put you on the list of a bounty hunter. End up on Harkos’s list and you may face a problem if you show up at the local cantina!
Guests will also encounter many familiar faces inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including BB-8, Chewbacca, members of the First Order and – among many others – Rex, the troublesome pilot you may remember from the previous version of a certain Disney attraction who takes on a new role in this land as the DJ at the cantina.
And speaking of the cantina, here guests will be able to try unique concoctions like blue milk. Nearby, they’ll also be able to acquire trinkets and treasures from across the galaxy.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, first at the Disneyland Resort and later in the year at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Mickey Mouse-Themed Attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
On Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you’ll step through the movie screen and join Mickey and his friends like never before. The attraction will put you inside the wacky and unpredictable world of a Mickey Mouse Cartoon Short where you’re the star and anything can happen. This zany out-of-control adventure features surprising twists and turns, dazzling visual effects and mind-boggling transformations that happen before your very eyes. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be replacing the Great Movie Ride, which is scheduled to close in August to make way for the new attraction,
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new story and a new singable attraction theme song as well as a new experience called “2 1/2 D.” No glasses required. Walt Disney Imagineer Kevin Rafferty said teams are inventing new technologies that turn the flat world of a colorful cartoon short into a “dimensional display of amazingness.”
“This is one of the boldest…most impossible things I’ve ever worked on in almost 40 years of being an Imagineer. And you know what? That’s what I love about it. Well, that, and Mickey,” Kevin said. “This is not going to be a small attraction, it’s going to be game-changing.”
Guardians of the Galaxy and Ratatouille Coming to Epcot:
A “Guardians of the Galaxy”-inspired attraction will be added to Future World, adhering to the original vision of Epcot’s Future World as the place to experience the excitement and adventure offered by space travel.
Epcot’s brand new E-ticket attraction will be based on the action-packed world of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and is the next step in how guests can encounter these characters at the Walt Disney World Resort.
(Note: This new attraction will replace the current Universe of Energy attraction, which will close August 13, 2017).
Also, a Disney•Pixar’s “Ratatouille”-inspired attraction will be added to the France Pavilion in World Showcase. In the attraction, guests will be able to shrink to Remy’s size and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a kitchen with the sights, sounds and smells of Gusteau’s legendary Parisian restaurant. According to Disney, both attractions will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort in 2021.
Star Wars-Themed Resort:
Disney also announced that a Star Wars-inspired resort will debut as part of the new Disney 360 vacation concept. This revolutionary new vacation experience will be a living adventure that allows guests to immerse themselves in an entirely new form of Disney storytelling.
“It’s unlike anything that exists today.” Bob said. “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% 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.”
Space-Themed Restaurant Coming to Epcot
Plans for a new restaurant at Epcot were unveiled that will offer amazing meals with spectacular views high above Earth – from space! The restaurant, which will be located adjacent to the park’s Mission: SPACE attraction, will invite guests to travel into space for amazing dining experiences in the stars.
The new space restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group. Patina Restaurant Group operates several other restaurants at Walt Disney World including Tutto Italia and Via Napoli at Epcot and Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs.
Tron Attraction Coming to Tomorrowland
The new Tron attraction will sit in an entirely new area right next to the Space Mountain attraction at Magic Kingdom Park. The plan is to open the Tron attraction in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021.
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