New Disney Announcements

Just last week I reported that there were more updates to come this week.  Although there have been a few clarifications since last week, there have not been any new announcements.  Last week, I provided many sneak peaks and updates here for all the big announcements.  Since all the announcements were coming through fast and furiously, the information I provided skipped through much of the detail and really just provided the BIG news.  I will attempt to provide a little more details today and a better summary (less the cool video previews.  If you would like to see all the video previews, you can go here and see them all.

Many updates and Previews Today

Many new updates have been released in the last day or two, with many more to come as well.  I would expect the remained of announcements to continue through next week.  I will try to list all the announcements that I am aware of here.

• A new Disney Princess will be joining the courts at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort this summer. Princess Elena of Avalor is Disney’s first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and will have her own animated series premiering this summer on Disney Channel.  Elena will be appear to guest in the Magic Kingdom beginning in August.

• The third Toy Story Mania track will debut Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30)

• Frozen attractions will be opening in Epcot in June

• The next generation of the popular Soarin’ attraction makes its premiere at the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland this summer as Soarin’ Over the Horizon. THe very next day, the ride will open at Epcot with the new third theatre.   Fastpass+ will be an option for Soarin’ beginning Thursday, April 21.

• New Millennium Falcon Ride in Hollywood Studios

 

• Disney has finally announced the starting date of Animal Kingdom’s nighttime offerings. Starting Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30) you will be able to enjoy a whole bunch of wonderful new entertainment and attractions – after dark:
  • “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” Show is being planned for the Summer, Discovery River will become the stage for a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney’s hit live-action film “The Jungle Book.” “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” is filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.
  • The Tree of Life Awakens – the park’s iconic Tree of Life undergoes an extraordinary “awakening.” You can expect to see animal spirits come to life throughout the evening by magical fireflies. Each scene appears to emanate from within the tree itself and reveals stories of wonder.
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark – Guests can enjoy Kilimanjaro Safaris in the evening hours, thanks to special lighting that will allow guests to explore the savanna – and its inhabitants – well into the night.
  • Harambe Wildlife Parti – Guests can turn into “party animals” at the Harambe Wildlife Parti and enjoy lively African music, exotic foods and drinks, and explore the local marketplace.
  • Discovery Island Carnivale – On Discovery Island, guests can join the local community in their celebration of their love for nature in this party that features music, dancers, stilt walkers, food and more.
  • Tiffins – Guests can enjoy the park’s newest eatery, Tiffins, for both lunch and dinner. Check out this previous post for a peek at what to expect from the menu.
  • Nighttime Attractions – The park’s attractions, now operating in the nighttime hours, will take on a whole new life. For the first time, guests will be able to experience the thrill of attractions like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids – surrounded by darkness. They’ll also be able to enjoy colorful midway games and attractions in DinoLand, U.S.A.

• Note: There has still not been any further announcements regarding the start date of River of Lights. – While the park will be open into the late-evening all Summer long, it is now uncertain that Rivers of Light will make its debut anytime soon. Rumors persist that the wireless control system for the nighttime show’s floats is just not working, or even that one of the larger flower barges may have sunk into the Discovery River. Either way, I wouldn’t count on seeing this show anytime soon as Disney is obviously being very cautious in its publicity.Whatever the case may be, this latest development makes the situation look possibly worse than we originally imagined. If the show does debut this Summer, we expect it to be mid-way or late into the season.
  

  Stay tuned for any and all details on Rivers of Light as they become available.

 

• Preview of Night time Safari Ride

• Preview of Tree of Life Projection Show

• Preview of River of Lights

Announcements to come next week

 

News 13 from Orlando, will be covering several announcements beginning next week at Disney World as part of the 3 day summer media event.

On Monday, Disney is expected to unveil a preview of a fourth area at Disney Springs called the Town Center, expected to open this summer. The “neighborhood” will feature new dining, shopping and entertainment options. The company says Town Center will be the largest retail expansion at Disney World Resort.

Star Wars 360

Today, Disney released a 360 site photo from the construction site of the 14 acre land being built in Disneyland as part of the groundbreaking from both Disneyland and Disneyworld.  When viewing on a smartphone, the 360 viewing requires the download of a free app.  I downloaded it and I must say, it is quite awesome.  Click below for access to the Disney Blog article and 360 view as well.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/04/take-a-360-degree-look-at-star-wars-themed-land-groundbreaking-at-disneyland-park-2/

New Hollywood Studios Map

As reported April 2nd, we had to say good by to a few areas of Hollywood studios to make way for Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land, and possibly an expanded Muppets Courtyard (or Land?)  Disney now has the new map available for park visitors.

Map before April 2nd

Map after April 2nd

As you can see by the pictures above, all areas below Toy Story Mania and to the left of the Muppets has been removed from the map.

Map before April 2nd

Map after April 2nd

Here is a close up of the area.  The main areas that have been removed are Lights, Motor, Action, Streets of America, and the Backlot Tour.

 

 

New for 2016 and beyond

As Walt said, Disney world will never be complete.  There are constant changes occurring to Disney World, and 2016 will be no different.  Below is a list of some of the bigger changes that will be occurring.

Magic Kingdom

Royal Friendship Faire (April 2, 2016) This new live stage show will include Mickey and a crew of Merry Makers hosting a joyous festival. The Merry Makers have invited their friends from other lands to join in on the celebration. This stage show will feature favorite characters and songs from movies like The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen.

With this new castle stage show, we must say goodbye to Dream Along With Mickey which will have its last performance at Magic Kingdom on April 2.

Animal Kingdom

Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris (2016 Spring) — The popular Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will be extended for a new nighttime adventure. Guests will travel through the African savanna amid the magically extended orange glow of the setting sun and discover two species new to the attraction: African wild dogs and hyenas.

 

“Rivers of Light” (2016 Spring) — “Rivers of Light” is an innovative experience unlike anything ever seen in a Disney park, combining live performances, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. “Rivers of Light” will magically come to life on the natural stage of Discovery River, delighting guests and truly capping off a full day of adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

 

Pandora — The World of AVATAR (2017) —Disney in collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment is bringing to life the mythical world of Pandora, inspired by Cameron’s AVATAR, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. The awe-inspiring land of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and soaring Banshees will give guests a transformational experience they will never forget.

 

AVATAR Flight of Passage (2017) – This E-ticket attraction, the centerpiece of Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, will allow guests to soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world. The spectacular flying experience will give guests a birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora on an aerial rite of passage.

 

Epcot

 

Frozen Ever After (Spring 2016) – There has been much dispute about whether it was a good decision to replace Maelstrom, but Frozen fans will be delighted with the planned  attraction set to open during the spring of 2016 at Epcot’s Norway Pavilion. The new attraction will bring a “Frozen” overlay to the former Maelstrom ride, and will also include a meet and greet as Anna and Elsa move from their current home in Magic Kingdom, to their new home in Norway.

Soarin’ Around the World (Summer 2016) The popular ride Soarin’ just closed January 4, 2016 to undergo some updated and changes.  When Soarin’ opens again, it will include a third theatre and a new film.  The new film will be Soarin’ Around the World, and feature some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders.

 

Hollywood Studios

The closures in Hollywood Studios have been a major topic of discussion.  To date the following have closed: Animation Academy, Pizza Planet, Phineas and Ferb meet and greet, Lightning McQueen and Mater meet and greet, American Idol, The Backlot tour.  April 2, 2016 will mark the closure of even more rides, shows, attractions and restaurants: Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” Movie Set Adventure, Monsters Inc. meet and greet, Studio Catering Co., Youze Guys Moychondise, Streets of America, The Prop Shop, Watto’s Grotto, Writer’s Stop.  These closures and changes are making way for some major changes to Hollywood Studios.

 

Star Wars Launch Bay (Recently Opened) – The closing of the Animation Academy made way for a “preview center” of sorts for the star wars attractions yet to come.  This building consists of a movie, many star wars props, and two meets.  Currently, Chewbacca and Kylo Ren are the two characters that are meeting guest at this location.

 

Symphony in the Stars (Recently begun) – A Star Wars themed firework show from a land far far away.

Toy Story Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (TBA) — The reimagining of Disney’s Hollywood Studios will take guests to infinity and beyond, allowing them to step into the worlds of their favorite films, starting with Toy Story Land. This new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard. Guests can experience two new attractions, including a family-friendly roller coaster on the back of Slinky Dog and an aliens saucer attraction. Toy Story Mania! will add a third track to the existing popular attraction.

Star Wars Themed-Land arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (TBA) — Star Wars-themed land is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Star Wars characters and their stories will come to life. Highlights feature two signature attractions, including the ability to take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle.

Disney Springs

 

A unique destination that will treat guests to significantly more shopping, dining and entertainment amid beautiful open-air promenades, meandering springs and waterfront charm is currently underway. Disney Springs will feature an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands in a setting inspired by Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty. New retail shops coming to Disney Springs include Edward Beiner, Lilly Pulitzer, L’Occitane en Provence, PANDORA, Tommy Bahama, UGG, UNIQLO and Zara. Upcoming new dining locations include:

• The Ganachery(recently opened) — A new chocolate shop with fresh batches of ganache chocolate daily, including dark (65 percent custom blend), hazelnut, chipotle and a custom blend flavored with the world’s finest spices and flavors.
• STK(2016) – A modern steakhouse mixed with the ambiance of a sleek lounge and emphasizing a social and fun environment. The vibrant, lively scene will offer guests fine dining, signature cocktails, and a DJ playing eclectic music nightly.
• The Edison(June 2016) – A lavish “Industrial Gothic”-style restaurant, bar and nighttime destination that will feature exceptional classic American food, artisanal craft cocktails and unparalleled live entertainment.
• Sprinkles(2016) – The world’s first cupcake bakery, as named by Food Network and others, serves up handcrafted cupcakes, slow churned ice cream and homemade cookies. Their innovative Cupcake ATM satisfies sweet-toothed epicureans 24/7.
• Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza(2016) – Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza is a modern day “pizza joint” known for its custom-built artisanal pizzas, freshly made salads, blood orange lemonade and s’more pies.