Quite frankly, if you’re reading this blog, there’s a 99% probability you already know about the announcements that came out of the D23 Expo this past weekend. If somehow you’re unaware, D23 is the “official Disney fan club”. Every summer they do a big convention in Anaheim where Disney makes their major announcements for the year. I’d love to go one day, but except for the first year I signed up, I haven’t even been able to keep my D23 membership going. There just aren’t enough events on the East Coast, and I live at Disney World! Even though I’m a couple days behind, I want to talk about how excited I am for almost all of the announcements.
Magic Kingdom
Tron Indoor Roller Coaster: I’ve never actually seen the original Tron, only the sequel. However, I love everything about the look of Tron and the futuristic sleekness. I’m jealous of practically everything at Disneyland Shanghai, but particularly the Tron coaster. A friend of mine actually snagged me the Tron Duffy outfit on his last visit over there! I am super excited they’re bringing it to my home park. I am a little surprised we’re keeping the Speedway, and I am extremely curious how they’re going to fit it into Tomorrowland.
Main Street Theater: I am incredibly excited for a venue in Magic Kingdom that can do full length, indoor productions. I am mildly terrified because the concept art looks like the location of Town Square Theater. As long as Mickey still has a meeting location at Magic Kingdom, I’m okay. I love Magician Mickey!
We Wants the Red Head-The Pirate Makeover: Technically this was announced before D23, but I am still over the moon that Disney is realizing times are changing, and the parks should too. Little girls can be pirates too! Also, the selling of women into sexual slavery really has no place in any Disney Park.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Mickey Mouse is finally getting his own ride and it’s replacing The Great Movie Ride, or as I like to call it, “The Great Movies We Have the Rights to Ride”. I have several friends who will hate me for this, but I have never been a huge fan of GMR. (Former cast member, I speak in acronyms.) For someone who loves movie making, I’ve never been a huge fan of “classic movies”. I had to sit through way too many of them in college. I am perfectly happy for it to make way for my favorite Mouse, who certainly deserves his own ride after sixty years. I am not happy that they told the world before they told the cast, with barely a month’s notice that it was closing. I have a friend who literally transferred there end of May/beginning of June, who has been dreaming of being a Gangster, and now has no idea where he’s going to end up. I am also not super excited that it’s based on the new Mickey cartoons instead of classic ones. I am not a big fan of the new animation style at all. Plus, they really should have waited until Toy Story Land was open to shut it down, Studios really can’t afford to lose another ride right now. Also, now this makes Toy Story Midway Mania the only ride without a height requirement in the park! I did snag Fastpasses for one of the last days as soon as the announcement was made and am going to go film my friend’s tour.
Toy Story Land: I have been excited for Toy Story Land since I saw the concept art for Hong Kong’s in 2010. I am super excited it’ll be ready by next year, but I’m a little sad it only has two rides. The parachute drop ride found in Hong Kong looks like a lot of fun, but I guess it’s too similar to the Tower of Terror.
Star Wars Land-The Galaxy’s Edge: I honestly wasn’t a big Star Wars fan until Force Awakens, thank you Rey, but ever since I’ve thrown myself into the galaxy in a big way. Having seen what they’ve done with Pandora, I am super excited to see what they do with Star Wars. Rex is coming back! I don’t really remember him, but he was awfully cute.
Epcot
Future World: Epcot is my least favorite Disney park. I have never seen the appeal of World Showcase, partially because I’m a picky eater and partially because, generally speaking, eating at Disney is too expensive. Plus I still haven’t forgiven them for getting rid of Duffy’s meet and greet, and I probably never will. I am happy to see it’s finally getting some love and some much needed updates. Future World should have stopped looking like the 80s a long time ago. The new restaurant sounds cool, but I don’t see myself dying to eat there.
Mission Space: I actually haven’t ridden Mission Space since 2013, and I honestly don’t have much of a plan on changing this. It doesn’t make me sick or anything, but I have this OCD quirk where I need to be on the right and whoever I’m with needs to be on the left. The last time I rode Mission Space I got stuck on the left and it was super cramped and I freaked out. I just literally haven’t gone back, but I am happy it’s getting updated for everyone who loves this ride.
France: One of the reasons I don’t love World Showcase is the lack of rides. The theming is beautiful and it’s wonderful, but it’s never been enough to hold my attention for long. The only reason I ever stop in France is looking for Belle or I used to get fancy pastries before we found out about the whole “no dairy” thing. I think I’ve seen Ratatouille once, maybe twice. Mostly I just remember Audrey being mad at me for making her go see it. So I’m not exactly jumping for joy over bringing the ride here from Disneyland Paris, but I’m still happy we’re adding a ride to World Showcase. What I am really excited about is to see a trackless ride system implemented at Disney World.
Guardians of the Galaxy: They should have taken Ellen’s Energy Adventure out when they took away the dinosaurs. I mean, it’s a cute ride but it’s the most dated, longest, air conditioned place for a nap on property. I took my brother on it two years ago and he actually fell asleep. So replacing it with my second favorite Marvel faction? Heck yes! The idea that Star Lord went to Epcot as a kid is a little silly, but James Gunn signed off on it, so I’m in. I can’t wait to hear more details on this one, and it’s probably the announcement I’m the most excited for.
China: I’ve never actually seen the film we have now. Guess I should go check that out before they change it.
Walt Disney World Resort
Skyliner: This rumor had been circulating the internet for months, and I can’t wait to ride it, but I’m mostly curious about capacity. If each car only holds two-four, people are going to be waiting two hours just to get to the parks for the first few years of operation. I’m also psyched to see the different characters on them, but the fact that the concept art has two different styles of Mickey and Minnie trips me out.
Minnie Vans: Okay, these are adorable and I kind of want one for myself. I’m mildly disappointed they don’t actually have bows on them. I can’t believe Disney didn’t jump on this sooner, and we should have expected it with the Theme Park Express. I’m curious if they’ll be limited to dropping people off at the Ticket and Transportation Center for Magic Kingdom, or if they can drop off at the park itself.
Riviera Resort: It looks super pretty, and I’m sure it will be a nice addition but unless someone wants to buy me a Disney Vacation Club membership, I won’t ever get to stay there.
Star Wars “Immersive” Hotel: If this turns out half as cool as the concept art, it will be incredible. As I stated previously, I’m a new Star Wars fan, but I love attention to detail. I love the concept of looking out a window and seeing space instead of Florida. I love the bedrolls in the room art. I love the idea of being completely immersed in the world instead of just visiting it. The price point on this terrifies me, and my wallet whimpered the moment I saw the announcement. I’m also stoked we’re getting something cool before Disneyland. That almost never happens.
California
Pixar Pier: I’ve only been to the California Parks twice in my life, and both times there’s been a major refurb going on so I haven’t really had the full California Adventure experience. I have some friends who are disappointed about this one, but it honestly doesn’t make that much of a difference to me. I’m just glad they’re bringing “Paint the Night” back. I’ve never seen it and I desperately want to, I’m obsessed with the soundtrack.
Marvel Land: Mostly I’m just jealous about this. Stupid Universal and stupid contracts. Everything I’ve seen from some of my west coast friends about the Guardians ride out there looks incredible, and I look forward to what they do next.
Disneyland Halloween: Well that looks fun. Having never experienced Disneyland’s Halloween to begin with, I don’t have much to compare to.
Disney Cruise Line
We have four ships now and I still haven’t made it onto one. One of these days I will make it! Maybe with seven ships the trips on the older ones will be more affordable. I can’t wait to hear the names.
Paris
Of course someone would get a Marvel hotel and it would not be us. Well at least I know where I’m staying when I eventually go run the Paris Half Marathon.
Animation
Not theme park related, but the intro for the Big Hero 6 series looks so cute! I love that Mochi is making biscuits on Baymax. I am more psyched for this series than anything Disney’s put on TV since Girl Meets World. Plus I have a friend who’s engaged to one of the guys working on it so that’s just awesome.
To quote Victoria, “And #NothingForDAK”.
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