At this year’s D23 Expo, we learned a lot about what is to come in the Disney Parks. As you may or may not know, my family recently became Disney Vacation Club members. This means we will be spending a LOT of time at Walt Disney World in our future – I mean, we own for 50 years. So any expansion news is good news to us! As much as we love everything about Disney, we welcome any changes! Even if means saying goodbye to some of our favorite rides.
Micky and Minnie Railway
Yes, we will have to say goodbye to one of my favorite rides. I will actually miss going on one last ride in to the movies by only a week, and that makes me sad. But the fact that the FIRST EVER Mickey Mouse ride will be replacing The Great Movie Ride, kind of makes it OK in my book. The way this ride is described, it seems like riders will be thrown in to a cartoon world and several Mickey Mouse shorts – in a runaway train driven by Goofy himself. I cannot wait to see how they do this ride. I am sure it is going to be EPIC!
Guardians of the Galaxy Ride coming to Epcot!
I am going to be totally honest here – I had no idea this was possible – I thought, thanks to another theme park, that there was no way anything Marvel could come to Walt Disney World. I figured that I would be holding my breathe until I turned blue and would die without ever seeing a Marvel ride come to WDW. Turns out, I was wrong. And the ride they picked to be the first, will feature my favorite Marvel team – the Guardians of the Freaking Galaxy! Best of all, it is going to be totally different than Mission Breakout. This means that there will be not one, but TWO Guardians of the Galaxy rides out there. This makes me one happy Geeky Mama!
Tron Ride
I love Tron. The original, and yes, even the newer one. But ever since I saw James Gunn post his picture from the ride at Shanghai Disney, I have been wanting to plan a trip out there. SOLELY for that ride. It looks incredible. At the D23 Expo this year, we learned that this ride is coming to Magic Kingdom! I am beyond thrilled and cannot wait to check it out! Not that Magic Kingdom needs any more rides – it is my favorite park to visit. We normally spend at least two or three hours a day there – every time we are on a Disney trip. As a major Disney fan and Vacation Club Member, I am happy to see more added to all the parks since I know we will be visiting for at least 50 more years to come!
Toy Story Land opening in Summer 2018!
I thought for sure we would be waiting at least two more years for this to open. When I heard (well read) the date, I literally jumped up and down. The fact that I am a Disney Vacation Club member has me even more excited. This means I will be planning a trip for Summer/Fall 2018 just to be sure I am there toward the beginning of opening. The last couple of family trips to WDW we have walked by the walled off construction just wondering when we will be able to check it out. Now it is just a few visits away!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the the official name of the Star Wars-inspired lands at the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort! And what a name it is! I am so excited about this expansion, and have been for years! I was there at the D23 Expo in 2015 when they announced it, and the crowd went crazy! The fact that there is one opening on the West coast, as well as one on the East, has me thrilled! They are set to open in 2019 – and I cannot wait!
BONUS: Skyliner Transportation
I know this was basically all but announced prior to this year’s D23 Expo, but I was so excited to see come concept art and learn more about it. Talk about an incredible way to travel park to park! I mean, the buses are great (I honestly have never had a complaint or bad experience) but creating more ways for visitors to travel around was needed. The Disney Skyliner will offer a birdseye view of the Resort and connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts and other locations with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot! We are always sure to take buses, monorail, and ferry for transportation when visiting WDW, now we will have to add the Skyliner to our list!
Honorable Mentions
I didn’t forget about the Star Wars Inspired Themed Hotel and experience guys. It is being compared to West World since all visitors will have their own storyline. This seems way cool. Although, I am sure it will be pricey, it is something my family will likely stay at – at some point. Another awesome announcement is that Disney Cruise Line is adding ANOTHER ship (that makes 3 total new additions for those of you that are counting). We just love Disney Cruises, so this has us really excited! I am also really looking forward to checking out the “Ratatouille”-inspired attraction that is planned for the France pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot.
Of course, all of the California stuff is really cool too, but it doesn’t affect me as much. I know that my family will only make the trip out there once every 10 years or so – and that our first family trip will not be for at least 3 more years. But, that doesn’t mean those annoucnements are any less awesome – it just means that they didn’t make my list of top announcements. For those of you West Coasters (or DVC Members with Disneyland as your home resort), here they are:
- 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 Disney California Adventure park. This is super exciting for a comic geek like me. It makes me want to start planning a trip to CA, but with our DVC Membership, it will likely be several years before we can, since there is only one DVC hotel there currently.
- Pixar Pier is coming to Disney California Adventure park in 2018. I love me some Pixar so this is super exciting! Definitely something my family is looking forward to visiting at some point.
What Expansions Are You Looking Forward To?
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.
Courtney Blacher
Monday 24th of July 2017
I am so excited about them all.