D23 in twelve prasecs - Part 2
All of us good Disney kids have spent the last few months saying our nightly well wish to Walt and Mickey for a weekend of many D23 announcements. It has been a painstaking wait, but the clock has struck, and we finally have our announcements…
The weekend was chock full of exciting announcements about movies we know (with Frozen 2 and Onward coming out, there’s a lot of hype), a new movie announcement (Raya and the Last Dragon will definitely make for some beautiful park additions!), tons of Disney+ information (including a docu-series that will feature various cast members!) and a whole new roll out of Disney Legends (though as someone who watched from home, I am very upset Christina Aguilera’s performance was not streamed for those of us at home). But for those of us who plan on traveling via Disney in the next few years (who isn’t) here are some things to keep in mind.
In Part One of this Blog, I covered the MCU news. Here is more information on the magical fun coming to Disney Parks.
D23 featured the long-anticipated concept art of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (maybe it hasn’t been too long, but it feels like it was BBY when it was announced). This will be an immersive two-night experience in Disney World on the starcruiser Halcyon where guests will interact with characters and really become a part of a galactic journey. What I’m most excited for is the opportunity to learn how to properly use a lightsaber and practice against a training remote. The starcruiser will also feature a lounge, and the opportunity to discover the ships engineering room and bridge. See all of the beautiful concept art at starwarsgalacticstarcruiser.com.
The Genie app will replace the current My Disney Experience app. It’ll debut in late 2020. The app will feature customized itineraries geared towards your interests. It will even help you decide the best day to visit your most sought after attractions.
The Genie app will replace the current My Disney Experience app. It’ll debut in late 2020. The app will feature customized itineraries geared towards your interests. It will even help you decide the best day to visit your most sought after attractions. Our team of consultants will help you with this new technology and we are excited to see the possibilities.
After 64 patient years, Mickey is getting his first ever major Mickey-themed ride to Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open first in Hollywood Studios in Spring 2020 and will feature a completely reimagined Chinese Theater (RIP The Great Movie Ride). In Disneyland guests will step right through the movie screen at the “El CapiToon” Theater in Disneyland’s Toon Town in 2022. Goofy will serve as your engineer along the rail as you’re brought into the multidimensional world of a Mickey Mouse Short (with the recent animation). The attraction will feature a new theme song and encompass more hidden Mickeys than any other attraction or area at Disney!
Disneyland will have a new daytime spectacular down Main Street in the spring- Magic Happens. This parade will be led by Mickey and his pals and will feature inspiring moments in many Disney stories. Moana will be shown on her voyager wa’a at the crest of a wave. Miguel (from Coco) will strum the guitar of Ernesto de la Cruz has he bridges the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead. The finale of the parade will come as Princess Aurora’s dress is turned from pink to blue to pink to blue by her fairy godmothers. Todrick Hall will also contribute an original song that will combine with “classic Disney tunes in a fresh, contemporary style.”
Announced last year, there will be a new Disney World lakeside lodge- Reflections. It is slated as a Disney Vacation Club resort and is expected to open in 2022. The lodge will be along the shores of Bay Lake near Fort Wilderness and will have more than 900 rooms. Based on the concept art shown at D23 this weekend, the lodge seems to emulate Walt Disney’s artistry. Perhaps even more exciting is that Reflections will take us down the Bayou to a new Princess in the Frog themed table service restaurant- Tiana’s Place!
A new Cirque du Soleil show will be coming to Disney Springs. Previews will start on March 20, 2020, and the world premiere will be April 17th. This is the first time that Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios will be joining Cirque du Soleil in planning a show that combines Disney storytelling with Cirque du Soleil’s artistry.
Disney Cruise Line launched a new ship line- Disney Wish. The ship will be themed after Rapunzel’s story and will feature a lavish three-story atrium that will evoke the beauty of Rapunzel’s fairytale. Disney Wish will set sail in January of 2020.
The Disney Cruise Line also announced a new island experience on the island of Eleuthera called Lighthouse Point. Joe Rohde, who was famed for designing Animal Kingdom, is working with local artists and cultural experts in order to create an experience that will celebrate the spirit and culture of The Bahamas, and the natural environment of the island through the Disney Conservation Fund. Completion is not expected until late 2023.
A Zootopia themed land is coming to Shanghai Disney Resort that will feature a major attraction, along with new entertainment, merchandise, and dining options.
Disneyland Hong Kong’s castle will get a revamp and will become the Castle of Magical Dreams. The castle is inspired by 13 Disney stories featuring princesses and heroines. It will serve as a canvas for a daytime and a nighttime show and will home a new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Disneyland Hong Kong will also be getting two Frozen themed attractions- Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs that will feature Olaf and Sven helping you pull your sled to the top of a lift, and Frozen Ever After which is already featured at Epcot.
That was a lot… And we didn’t even touch on Epcot where we will see a completely revamped park (including a new Moana themed land)! Be sure to check back to see more information on the Epcot remodel.
See ya real soon!
Larissa Papas is an independent, contributing Blogger and Writer for Wanderlust Journeys LLC. All information, views and opinions are not affiliated or shared by Wanderlust Journeys, it’s employees, contractors or suppliers.