New Rides, Lands and More for Disney Parks Announced at D23
Tons of news came out of D23 regarding a new lineup of attractions at the Disney Parks around the world, and we are here to break them down.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek was the one to unveil over a dozen new attraction coming to the parks, and also revealed sneak peaks of some of the projects in development.
We already covered the detailed look at the new Star Wars lands, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. However, in addition to that, guests who visit Walt Disney World will have a chance to stay at a Star Wars-inspired themed resort.
Chapek said: “It’s unlike anything that exists today, 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.”
We are also getting our first Mickey-themed ride-through attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The ride is inspired by the Mickey Shorts aired on the Disney Channel, and the people who take part in the show are going to partner with Disney Parks to make the attraction possible.
According to Disney Parks Blog you’ll “step through the movie screen and join Mickey and his friends like never before.” The ride will feature a new story and theme song. Imagineer Kevin Rafferty said teams are coming up with technologies that turn your usual 2D cartoon into a “dimensional display of amazingness.”
In addition to that Mickey ride, guests will also enjoy a new Disney Skyliner and Minnie vehicles at the Disney World Resort.
The Disney Skyliner will connect various locations with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot, including Disney’s Art of Animation and Caribbean Beach resorts. The gondolas will feature famous Disney Characters.
As for the Minnie vehicles, they will take the guests anywhere they want at the Walt Disney World Resort, and will look like this:
A new Toy Story land has been talked about for a while now, and during the expo, Chapek announced that the land will open next summer.
Toy Story Land will feature two new themed attractions: Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw4QZFneoTo[/embedyt]
Speaking of a Pixar property, it was announced that a new Pixar Pier for Disney California Adventure park.
In 2018, Paradise Pier will feature a new Pixar-themed look, including some characters from movies like The Incredibles and Inside Out.
The permanent addition to the parks will open during a limited-time celebration at the Disneyland Resort that will feature fireworks and Pixar Play Parade (including Paint the Night parade).
Chapek also hinted at some new Marvel’s superheroes attractions joining the Guardians of the Galaxy in what would be an “immersive Super Hero universe at the park.”
Speaking of GotG, a new attraction inspired on the team will be added to Future World at Epcot, replacing the Universe of Energy attraction, which will close August 13, 2017.
Also at Epcot, a new Ratatouille-inspired attraction will be added to the France Pavilion in World Showcase. Guests will be able to run to safety with Remy in a “dazzling” adventure across a kitchen.
Both attractions will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort in 2021.
But that’s not all for Epcot. The theme park is getting a new space restaurant, which will takes guests into a dining experience that’s out of this world.
The restaurant will be located across the park’s Mission: SPACE attraction.
Here’s a first look at what the restaurant would look like:
Finally, we have a new Tron attraction coming to Magic Kingdom.
The attraction will be located in a new area next to the Space Mountain attraction. Chapek said that the attraction is set to open in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021.
Learn more about these attractions on the Disney Parks Blog website.
‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’ a Detailed Look at ‘Star Wars’ Lands at Disney Parks
At this weekend’s D23 Expo, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, revealed the official name of the Star Wars-inspired lands.
Star Wars: Galaxy Edge is the name of both lands currently in construction at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts and it is set to open in 2019.
Here’s a detailed look at what the lands will look like and a BTS insight in what imagineers want to accomplish with the lands:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP1jcbPRxc8[/embedyt]
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwKRHbLbjNQ[/embedyt]
The lands will count with two main attractions: One attraction will make you feel like you’re on a Star Destroyer inside a hangar bay. While the second one will give guests the opportunity to fly the Millenium Falcon, and depending on how you perform, the characters in the lands will comment on your piloting abilities.
Guests will also have a chance to visit the cantina and meet various characters like BB-8 and Chewbacca.
Source: Disney Parks Blog.
TBT: Captain EO
Do you remember Captain EO?
Captain EO was a 3-D film that debuted on September 12, 1986 at the Epcot Center theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort and September 18, 1986 at Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Captain EO was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, executive-produced by George Lucas and stars Michael Jackson.
The 3-D film boasted high-tech (for its time) special effects that extended into the audience. The effects were lasers, laser impacts, smoke effects and starfields that filled the theater. Captain EO included two songs (“We Are Here to Change the World” and “Another Part of Me”) performed by Michael Jackson.
Jackson starred as Captain EO. The film followed Captain EO and his ragtag crew as they delivered a special gift to a wicked alien queen known as the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader is played by Academy Award winning actress Anjelica Houston.
Captain EO closed at Epcot on July 6, 1994 and then on April 7, 1997 at Disneyland. The attraction re-opened at Disneyland on February 23, 2010 and returned to Epcot at Walt Disney World on July 2, 2010. The attraction was billed as “Captain EO Tribute” to distinguish it from its original 1986–1997 run.
Captain EO closed (for the second time) at Disneyland on July 4, 2014 and then on December 6, 2015 at Epcot.
Here is a peak back at yesterland: