When you are not at Disneyland or Walt Disney World, the next best alternative is when Disney comes to you! Disney’s regional training event in Calgary updated us with all the updates and sneak peeks into all the new developments undergoing at the parks.
Here is a quick summary of all the new things happening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World all one place!
DISNEYLAND
Disney’s California Adventure: The former Hollywood Hotel site of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was closed last year to be re-imagined as a new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction. The new attraction, “Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout” officially opens May 27. There will be six different stories that can play out so you can experience them all in numerous rides. Now known as the “Collector’s Fortress”, you join Rocket in a daring rescue journey into the Collector’s Fortress to help him and his team members (Gamora, Star Lord, Draxx and Groot) escape!
Disneyland Park: Disney Main Street Electrical Parade originally debuted in Disneyland on June 17, 1972. It later moved to Walt Disney World in Orlando where it recently ended is run there. After a 20 year hiatus from Disneyland, the quirky electrical parade returned to Disneyland for a limited run to celebrates its 45th anniversary. The parade is running until August 20, 2017.
Star Wars Land – lots of construction going to build the new lands, with a target opening in 2019.
Disney FastPass additions include Toy Story Midway Mania and Matterhorn Bobsleds, both have been added to the FastPass system. Disney MaxPass is another new option coming soon! No details are available yet, but will be an upgraded FastPass option for those who wish to purchase and guests can choose FastPasses from the Disneyland app. Because of the new changes to the FastPass system in Disneyland, complimentary wi-fi will be coming to Disneyland soon!
Downtown Disney: Splitsville Bowling will be coming soon! Similar to the one in Disney Springs.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Pandora – The World of Avatar is the newest land opening to the public on May 27 in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Pandora is an immersive experience into the world of the Na’vi and their world is recreated for your experience. Your experience of Pandora – the World of Avatar takes place 100 years into the future from the time of the movie where you you board an expedition tour to visit Pandora. Two new attractions are available, Avatar Flight of Passage takes you on a flight exploration of the moon on flying banshees, and the Na’vi River Journey is a boat ride exploring the bioluminescent rainforest. Both attractions are tiered Fast Passes so you can only choose one or the other until your Fast Pass options expire. For a limited time, all Disney guests staying onsite at a Disney resort between May 27 and July 4, 2017 will have access to Extra Magic Hours at Pandora – The World of Avatar between 11:00pm and 1:00am to fully experience the new land!
River of Light is a new nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park that keeps the park open into the evening and turned it into a park where you can spend all day. The Rivers of Light show takes the magic from other evening shows and combines it into a beautiful story of spirits, animals and one with nature.
Magic Kingdom – Wishes Nighttime Spectacular fireworks show comes to an end on May 11, 2017, with a new show, Happily Ever After beginning on May 12, 2017.
Star Wars – Construction is currently taking place to create Star Wars Land for a target opening date in 2019 concurrent with Disneyland. Until then, Hollywood Studios is the place to be for Star Wars fans. Lots of fantastic character meet and greets with Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, BB-8 are only a few of the favourites you can get photos with. The Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks is one not to be missed (Even if you are not a Star Wars fan!) For the die hard fans, a Star Wars Guided Tour is also available to have an even more immersive experience into Star Wars.
Toy Story Land – no updates but it’s still happening!
These were some of the highlights but by no means exhaustive of everything that is happening! If you know Disney, there is always some new so it’s always fun to stay in the loop to know the inner workings of all things Disney! Want to share your thoughts, I would love to hear them! Let me know your questions and I would love help you plan your next Disney vacation!
