D23 Expo Announcements (part 1)

Bob Chapek , Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts made lots of announcements on Saturday July 15th at the D23 Expo concerning developments that will be occurring in the parks.

The first major announcement was that Toy Story Land will open Summer of 2018 in Hollywood Studios.

In 2018, you’ll find yourself shrunk to the size of a toy to explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters, including Woody and Buzz. And Toy Story Land will feature two new themed attractions. 

Slinky Dog Dash will be a family coaster attraction where you’ll zip, dodge and dash around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to his limits.

Alien Swirling Saucers will also be a new attraction at Toy Story Land. It’s designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle with “The Claw.”

The second major announcement is there will be not two but three new ships being added to the Disney Fleet.

Last year, we told you that two new ships were going to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany with scheduled completion dates of 2021 and 2023. This additional ship will be built at the same shipyard and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

“We decided two ships wouldn’t be enough to hold all of the exciting new experiences we have been dreaming up to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level with immersive Disney storytelling, world-class family entertainment, and imaginative innovations that are fantastically fun and uniquely Disney,” Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said.

All ship names, design plans and itineraries are still in development, with each of the ships expected to have their own unique experiences. The three new ships will be powered by clean-burning liquefied natural gas and be the same size – approximately 135,000 gross tons with about 1,250 guest staterooms planned – which is slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

With a legacy of revolutionary design, Disney Cruise Line’s new ships will usher in the next generation of innovative cruise experiences designed especially for families that will transform the art-of-cruising and take guests on adventures in a way never dreamed of before.

Announcement Number Three the new Name Announced Galaxy's Edge for Star Wars opening in 2019 at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

One attraction will make Guests feel like they’re on a Star Destroyer inside a hangar bay. It’s an attraction built on a scale we’ve never done before. 

The second attraction will give you the opportunity to fly the Millenium Falcon, piloting the ship, shooting blasters or preparing for hyperspace – all while completing a critical mission. But how they perform on the mission holds even bigger stakes: perform with skill and they may earn extra galactic credits, while bringing the ship back banged up could put them on the list of a bounty hunter. End up on Harkos’s list and they may face a problem if they show up at the local cantina!

Guests will also encounter many familiar faces inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including BB-8, Chewbacca, members of the First Order and – among many others – Rex, the troublesome pilot fans may remember from the previous version of a certain Disney attraction who takes on a new role in this land as the DJ at the cantina.

And speaking of the cantina, here you  will be able to try unique concoctions like blue milk. Nearby, they’ll also be able to acquire trinkets and treasures from across the galaxy.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, first at the Disneyland Resort and later in the year at the Walt Disney World Resort. (No further opening dates have been announced yet.)

Announcement Number four Guardians of the Galaxy and Ratatouille Attractions coming to Epcot.

First, a “Guardians of the Galaxy”-inspired attraction will be added to Future World, adhering to the original vision of Epcot’s Future World as the place to experience the excitement and adventure offered by space travel.

This is an addition we’re really looking forward to, as a “Guardians of the Galaxy” attraction – Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! – debuted at Disney California Adventure® park earlier this year to rave reviews from Guests. Epcot’s brand new E-ticket attraction will be based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and is the next step in how your Clients can encounter these characters at the Walt Disney World Resort. Note: This new attraction will replace the current Universe of Energy attraction, which will close Aug. 13, 2017.

Second, a Disney•Pixar’s “Ratatouille”-inspired attraction will also be added to the France Pavilion in World Showcase. The attraction will expand the pavilion. Similar to the 4-D attraction Ratatouille: The Adventure that opened at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris in 2014, your Clients will be able to shrink to Remy’s size and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a kitchen with the sights, sounds and smells of Gusteau’s legendary Parisian restaurant.

According to Disney leaders, both attractions will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World® Resort in 2021.

Announcement Number Five an Immersive Super Hero Experience at Disney California Adventure Park

At D23 Expo, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, gave a hint at what’s to come next for some of your favorite Super Heroes at Disney California Adventure® Park. Soon, the Guardians of the Galaxy will be joined by Spider-Man and the Avengers in what will become a completely immersive Super Hero universe at the park. 

These new stories will build on the success of the new and already popular Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! and create a place where you can team up with your favorite Super Heroes like never before. We don’t have more details to share just yet, but stay tuned  as we reveal more about this one-of-a-kind experience
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These announcements are so exciting and so many people wait every year for D23 Expo to get the inside scoop of everything Disney going on in the world.

My next blog will have the rest of the announcements

Any questions please let me know

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