D23 2017

[KeithS]

It is a slow news week this week...but come the weekend, it will go off like a bomb with the D23 announcements. I can't wait to hear what news comes out of Anaheim...only a few days to go!

[calisota]

I really, really need to go to one of these!

How hard to you think it would be to get reasonably cheap accommodation nearby at that time?


Greg 

[KeithS]

I think you can still get the Harbor Blvd hotels at a reasonable rate during D23 - I'd love to go back and do another, the first one was brilliant.

Wayne is over there again this year - I'm hoping that he checks in with us on a regular basis, but he usually gets tied up (come on Wayne - we want live reports!).

If he's lucky, he'll also see a soft launch of the new Fantasmic on Saturday or Sunday night - it officially starts on Monday but that's the day he's flying home.

Anyway - I'll try and post D23 updates each day - it might just be links to the Disney Parks Blog as I'm going to be busy this weekend.

[DisneyKaren]

Thanks Keith, looking forward to any links you get.  Would also love updates from Wayne, does this mean I need to come down to Sydney for the next meeting?  I'd love to go one year, have never been.

[KeithS]

The expo hasn't even opened yet, but news is already coming out.

Check out Disney's model of Star Wars land that will be at the expo! Awesome!
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/first-look-disney-parks-unveils-the-star-wars-inspired-land-model/

[KeithS]

Amazing news overnight and this morning - so where do we start?

I think the biggest surprise is the announcement of a third new Disney Cruise Line ship!  That's right, they had announced a new ship for 2021 and 2023 - but they've surprised us with the news a third ship is to be built in between - coming online in 2022. You'd have to think one of these will be coming to Australia right? I love the seven ship artwork (see the link below)
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/disney-planning-not-two-but-three-new-ships/

A Marvel-theme immersive experience for DCA.  No other details yet but I'm guessing it'll be the take over of the Hollywood Backlot and the expansion of the DCA area into where the buses turn around north of the park (once the new Harbor Blvd overpass and entryway is completed.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/immersive-super-hero-experience-coming-to-disney-california-adventure-park/

Another surprise I didn't see coming - DCA's Paradise Pier is to be rethemed (again!) - it was only recently upgraded during the big expansion in 2012, now it is to be changed into "Pixar Pier".  It'll still maintain it's Victorian look, but altered more along the lines of Toy Story Mania architecture in Tokyo Disneysea.  DCA will also get Paint the Night parade, while the old Pixar Play Parade will head over to Disneyland as part of a new Pixar celebration which will include a new firework show (not sure what I think of this.  I'd prefer Pixar to mainly stay in DCA and Disneyland to keep the classic theme - seems like they are making the entire resort Pixar...)
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/new-pixar-pier-to-bring-favorite-pixar-stories-to-life-at-disney-california-adventure-park-limited-time-pixar-fest-celebration-coming-throughout-disneyland-resort/

There is a new theatre to be built in Magic Kingdom at WDW.  This is a proper theatre like the Hyperion in DCA or the Broadway Theatre in Disneysea.  They plan to host big shows there.  Not exactly sure where it is going other than "off Main Street" - could it be at the park entrance on the right where Tony's restaurant and the meet and greet for Tinker Bell is? Wayne might be able to give us more information when he returns.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/first-look-new-theater-inspired-by-kansas-citys-willis-wood-theater-to-debut-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

We've heard rumours of this before but now it is confirmed.  Disney are building a gondola transportation system between Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century, Disney Hollywood Studios and the Epcot International Gateway.  Great for me as I always stay at Art of Animation!  I'm guessing this is to simplify bus transport into those resorts due to the new Disney Hollywood Studios car park entrance being across from Art of Animation (and the traffic patterns that will create).  This looks to be a traffic flow design necessity. 
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/disney-skyliner-new-minnie-vehicles-to-transport-guests-around-walt-disney-world-resort/

Long rumoured (Disney were doing surveys about this) but now confirmed - a Star Wars-themed immersive resort where you get to stay and become characters in an evolving story.  This looks very interesting (and I bet very expensive!!).  Too early for many specific details yet, so just have a look at the concept art.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/plans-unveiled-for-star-wars-inspired-themed-resort-at-walt-disney-world/

Another news surprise - a space-themed restaurant is going into Epcot besides Mission Space.  I think this is a great idea and I'll be booking on my next trip (once it is opened!). Looks like the Coral Reef Restaurant but in space instead of underwater.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/first-look-new-space-restaurant-to-offer-out-of-this-world-dining-experience-at-epcot/

Another rumour that began to get traction this week was the building of the TRON Lightcycles Coaster in WDW beside Space Mountain.  That has now been confirmed!  I thought it might mean the Tomorrowland Speedway would get the finger, but the concept art shows that it'll remain and the coast will be built on the other side of the berm/railroad.  The Shanghai version is pretty good, so this will add a new thrill to the Magic Kingdom.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/tron-attraction-coming-to-magic-kingdom-park-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

At Epcot - two new E-ticket rides are coming.  Firstly, they are going to build a new version of the Ratatouille ride that opened in Paris a couple of years ago.  It'll be an upgraded version of the ride there.  It'll be attached to France in the World Showcase.  The other new attraction is a Guardians of the Galaxy ride that will take over Ellen's Universe of Energy - this will be an entirely new attraction.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/guardians-of-the-galaxy-ratatouille-attractions-coming-to-epcot/

Another rumour that has come true - The Great Movie Ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios will close next month (:( - shame I like that ride!) - and will be replaced with Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - which actually sounds brilliant too.  Basically it'll take us into the world of a Mickey Mouse short and sounds like it'll be a fun adventure with amazing scenes and technology.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/first-mickey-themed-ride-through-attraction-mickey-and-minnies-runaway-railway-coming-to-disneys-hollywood-studios/

Star Wars Land now has an official name, "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" - not sure if I like it, it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue but that's what it'll be called.  I don't really care - it is what is in the land that is going to be amazing!
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/star-wars-galaxys-edge-announced-as-name-for-star-wars-lands-at-disney-parks/

And finally - Toy Story Land in WDW is opening in the Summer of 2018 - no exact date yet.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/toy-story-land-to-open-at-walt-disney-world-resort-in-summer-2018/

So what do you think?  A busy news day or what??  There is a heavy emphasis here on Walt Disney World in Florida - a resort I think that has been neglected a fair bit in the last ten years while all the money was being spent in DCA, Hong Kong and Shanghai - it is about time WDW got its fair share on improvements starting with Pandora this year.

I think the extra cruise ship was the big surprise - no one saw that coming right?  Start saving up to get on those sailings - wherever they may go.

Quite a few of the new WDW upgrades are aiming for completion by 2021 - the 50th anniversary of WDW.  That sounds like a good year for a club trip perhaps?

Lots of good things coming our way...Disney, take my money now

[DisneyKaren]

Quite a few of the new WDW upgrades are aiming for completion by 2021 - the 50th anniversary of WDW.  That sounds like a good year for a club trip perhaps?

Gee I'm still trying to save for next year, however I do want to go to Magic Kingdom's 50th.  As it's only 4mths before my own 50th, I was planning to go on my birthday, but if there was a club trip I'd do that and celebrate early.
I LOVE parades so am excited about the DL ones, hope they're on next year.  I've travelled too often during the quiet times and have missed a lot on recent visits.
Despite my fear of heights the skyride looks good and a great way to get around.  As long as I'm with enough people to distract me from the fact there is a lot of empty air beneath me, it will be a great view.
Thanks for all the links!!

[mushu mama]

So many good things have been announced already... Can't wait for all of these attractions.  
Especially excited about the Star Wars hotel ( might be a once in a lifetime thing? ) and the third new ship... surely we should get one swing by closer to home with yet another in the mix?   I wasn't too sure about the retheming of Paradise Pier but hearing it'll be modeled on the Tokyo entry way, then it might work with the area.  I am excited about the widening of the Galaxy of the Guardians footprint in DCA, that corner has been tired for a while now so keen to see what they do with it.  
So many good things... 
Lisa

[calisota]

If you had told teenage me the details of the Star Wars hotel and that there was a real possibility of me visiting it I would have wet myself with excitement...a little like I have now.  :-)


Greg

[KeithS]

Lisa! So great to see you back here! Are you still in Adelaide or back in Qld. Hope you are well!

[Mel]

The Star Wars Hotel.... :o   I haven't told Jared yet.  He would LOSE HIS MIND.  Josh would love it too.  I think if we start saving now, we might be able to afford a night there in around 20 years or so....

Surely, SURELY we'll have to get at least half a year of cruise ships now - right?

[calisota]

Given that the majority of cruises out of Australia seem to be short Pacific ones, what is the demographic on those cruises and would the "Disney" feel (no casino, family oriented) get Disney sufficient bookings?


Greg

[KeithS]

There was quite a bit of other news at the D23 last week that didn't get as much coverage.

For instance, apart from the new attractions at Epcot, they are actually doing a mssive place-making project there too - mainly concentrating on the Future World section of the park.  They are removing the 'tombstones' out the front, the big fountain inside, the Innovations areas appear to be destined for yesterland too.  In their place will be more trees and green areas (and shade!), more new futuristic buildings (think along the lines of Tron in Shanghai) and new fountain water features etc.  It'll look spectacular and a lot less concrete like!  Can't wait.

[Mel]

The big fountain?  Fountain of Nations?  :(