What’s new and coming to Walt Disney World? Plenty!
Category: Travel
Walt Disney World is continually growing and evolving. So, what’s in store for the near future? The construction has begun on several projects that will add convenience, fun, and enjoyment for guests.
First, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is adding a new 15-story tower. The tower will have additional dining areas, including a rooftop restaurant where guests will be able to see plenty of WDW far and wide. And at night some of the fireworks displays from different theme parks will be visible from the restaurant.
“For many of our guests, magical memories begin at one of our 27-themed resorts each and every day,” said Josh D’Amaro, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Resort Operations. “At Walt Disney World Resort, we continue to expand our portfolio and invest in new resort developments that allow even more guests to be immersed in all that a Disney resort has to offer.”
Additionally, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is adding a new waterfront dining area and new shopping experience.
There is also a new resort being built in WDW. Disney Riviera Resort will also include a rooftop restaurant with nighttime views of EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios. Disney Riviera Resort is also a Disney Vacation Club property, adding another option to the many resorts available to DVC members. This is the 15th property for members.
Toy Story Land just opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This 11-acre land is filled with plenty of fun as the guests become toys in Andy’s back yard. With three attractions – Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania – plus Woody’s Lunch Box restaurant along with other activities and intricate details throughout the land (including Andy’s shoeprints), this is a fun place for all the fans of Woody, Buzz, and the entire gang.
Opening in late fall of 2019 is the new Star Wars land where guests will be completely immersed in the Star Wars galaxy. It is described as “one of the most ambitious projects” tackled by the Imagineers at Disney. Guests will be transported to the Black Spire Outpost, just as they have been to Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With the geographic formations and all the sights and sounds of the planet Batuu, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be a completely new experience.
To go along with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will also be a new Star Wars themed resort where guests will be able to continue their interplanetary experience after leaving the park.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year (2019) will be the first ride-through attraction with Mickey and Minnie. “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” transports humans inside the cartoon world. Don’t ask me how they are going to do this. I cannot explain it, but I can say that it looks like it will be an incredible and fun experience with the visual effects.
And speaking of Minnie, the Minnie Van service at WDW just started transporting guests around the property. If you don’t want to wait for a complimentary Disney Transport bus or a monorail or a boat on any of the property’s waterways, you can call for a Minnie Van. These adorable red and white vehicles can be ordered through Lyft on your Smart Phone and serve as your personal transportation throughout WDW. Sometimes you want to go from one resort to another, and if you have spent any time at WDW you know that can be a daunting experience. Now all you have to do is to call for a Minnie Van to take you wherever you want to go.
And while we’re on the subject of transportation, the new Skyliner is a transportation system (like the old skybuckets) that provide a fun view of the land below while transporting guests from Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, Disney Riviera, and Caribbean Beach resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at EPCOT. Disney’s Skyliner skyway transportation buckets are just one more way of getting around WDW.
And finally, the Play Disney Parks app was just released. “Play Disney Parks represents the next step in how we use innovative digital technology to enhance the guest experience in our parks,” said Vivek Sharma, Senior Vice President of Digital Guest Experience and eCommerce for Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “The app is designed to help guests immerse themselves in the Disney stories they know and love in a whole new way.”
The Play Disney Parks app is available for both WDW and Disneyland Resorts. There are games to play, quests to conquer inside the parks, and plenty to occupy your time while waiting for your next attraction. Plus there are special effects that will undoubtedly raise the level of fun for the shows in the parks and special magic as guests travel through the parks.
With the opening of Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure in Disneyland Resort, Florida and California have many new experiences for Disney fans and plenty just around the corner, or as Pocahontas says, “just around the river bend.” 2018 and 2019 are years of major growth at the Disney parks. Enjoy the magic.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
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