The Excitement Is Real!

With all of the news coming out yesterday at the D23 Expo in Anaheim this mama got super excited. Our family loves Disney World the way it is now, but change is inevitable and should be welcomed. Disney fans grow and change, and they want new rides and areas to enjoy while still having some of the nostalgia to fall back on. And personally I think that they're on the right track. Also, as a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) family, we look forward to seeing the changes.

 

Photo Cred: Inside the Magic

First...the change for DVC. We will welcome a new resort to Disney Vacation Club: Disney's Riviera Resort. The resort is to be between Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I believe the area this resort will sit on is right next to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Based on the location, there will be no walkway access to Epcot or Studios, but there will be a new Disney Skyline gondola station at the resort which will give Riviera Resort guests access to International Gateway at Epcot (along with Disney busses, of course). And speaking of the new Disney Skyline....

There were two new forms of transportation introduced at yesterday's panel...the Disney Skyline (a gondola system that will give guests a bird's eye view of Walt Disney World), and Disney's Uber-like service - "Minnie Vans" (a fleet of Chevy Traverse vehicles [which seat 8 passengers] painted to evoke Minnie Mouse's traditional white polka dotted red dress).

Now...onto the parks. This was epic. 

Hollywood Studios: 

- Star Wars Land has a name! It will be known as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

- Toy Story Land is scheduled to open Summer 2018 (which makes this family super happy as we will be there towards the end of that summer).

- The Great Movie Ride will be closing August 13, 2017 to make way for a new Mickey Mouse themed ride (based on the new Disney Shorts style of animation).

Epcot:

- The Guardians of the Galaxy are coming to Epcot! This new ride will be located where Universe of Energy is now (and it will have a larger footprint).

- Ratatouille (the hit ride at Disneyland Paris) will be making it's way to France in the World Showcase. The ride will be located in the space behind the Eiffel Tower so no changes will be coming to the France Pavilion.

- The China Pavilion will be getting a new CircleVision movie.

- Nothing was announced in regards to a possible new pavilion addition to World Showcase, but we can only hope.

Animal Kingdom:

- There were no announcements made in regards to Animal Kingdom, but that was to be expected since Pandora: The World of Avatar just opened Memorial Day weekend.

Magic Kingdom:

- There will be a new E-Ticket attraction coming just in time for the Magic Kingdom's 50th Anniversary Celebration: TRON Lightcycle Power Run. This extremely popular ride at Shanghai Disneyland is heading over to our favorite place. The ride will not be replacing the Speedway (as was rumored), but will be located behind the Speedway and next to Space Mountain.

WOW....just Wow. We were out to dinner when all of this news broke, and I was literally freaking out. 

Resort News:

Besides the new DVC resort, it was announced that a new, fully immersive Star Wars resort would also be coming to Walt Disney World.

A lot of fun things are also happening in Disneyland and at California Adventure, even at the New York hotel in Disneyland Paris...but this Disney Mum's knowledge of those locations is limited to what I read and see online, and I have no personal experience there.  At Walt Disney World we love to get fully involved in the magic...and let our inner child be free - along with parenting our own little children. We can't wait for all that is to come!

New Fantasyland Opening Dates

Disney Parks Blog recently shared some news on the opening dates for the attractions and restaurants planned for Magic Kingdom Park's New Fantasyland. The next phase of Storybook Circus, featuring the second half of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction and Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station, will open July 2012.

Some of the attractions I can't wait to see - Under The Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's Tavern and Ariel's Grotto - will be opening this holiday season. Unfortunately nothing more definitive has been announced. There's no mention if holiday season includes Thanksgiving week, which is when the holiday season officially starts. I would hope it does since that is when our family will be visiting.

I will be sure to pass along more information once it becomes available!

WDW Rehabs and Closings

We all know how excited we get when planning our trips to Walt Disney World, at least I get really excited! One of the things I love to do is plan out which rides I am eager to go on. Before I get my heart set on going on particular rides I like to know which are being rehabbed or have closed. So in order to help you plan your visit here is an updated list of current Disney World Rehabs and Closings.

Magic Kingdom

Snow White's Scary Adventures will close May 31, 2012 and will become the new Princess Fairytale Hall meet and greet location. The Seven Dwarves Mine Train will open in the new Fantasyland area in 2013.

The Liberty Square Riverboat is currently in dry dock as it is being refurbished. It will return to service May 21, 2012.

Fairytale Garden is closed as it is being made over to host Merida, of the upcoming "Brave". Merida is scheduled to begin appearing in mid-May. Rapunzel, who had been appearing in Fairytale Garden, is currently next to City Hall on Main Street USA.

Epcot

Test Track closed for refurbishment on April 16, 2012. It is scheduled to reopen in fall 2012.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show is closed for refurbishment April 29 - May 2.


More information on Rehabs and Closings can be found at www.allears.net

MVMCP 2011

The holiday celebrations have started in the Magic Kingdom and the "The Magic, The Memories and You!" gets in the spirit of the holiday season. The nightly light show on Cinderella Castle has a special segment which wraps the castle in colorful bows and boughs, gift paper and ribbons, ornaments, candy stripes, multi-colored strands of lights and gingerbread! Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has been in full swing since 8 November 2011. The dates for this year's party are November: 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, 30, 2011 and December: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 2011. Also, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios will run most nights from November 10, 2011 - January 7, 2012. Our family is especially excited that all of the celebrations have begun because it means that we are now only a year away from our first family vacation at Disney World!

Refurbishments for 2012

Refurbishment plans for 2012 have been announced. The following attractions will be closed for refurbishment on the following days:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Closed for Refurbishment January 9 - March 31

Dumbo The Flying Elephant - Closed for Refurbishment January 9 - February 17

Liberty Square Riverboat - Closed for Refurbishment January 28 - February 3

Swiss Family Treehouse - Closed for Refurbishment October 1 - October 31

Walt Disney World Celebrates 40 Years of Magic

This past Saturday, October 1, 2011, Walt Disney World celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Magic Kingdom opened that day in 1971. To celebrate there was a parade down Main Street led by Mickey and pals, and a sing-along of "When You Wish Upon A Star" at Cinderella Castle. Commemorative merchandise was also issued for the celebratory event.