Through some clever looking through the coding on the Disney Parks Blog, it seems as though the name of the Star Wars themed land for Disneyland and Disney World may have slipped out ahead of tomorrow’s announcement.
If the coding is correct, the name of the land will be Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
A formal announcement is expected tomorrow at the D23 Expo one way or the other.
In a surprise announcement tonight, Bob Chapek revealed at D23 Expo 2017 that Paradise Pier will soon become Pixar Pier.
AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR PIXAR PIER AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE — During D23 Expo 2017, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Bob Chapek unveiled plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure, where the pier will take on a brand new look as more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story.
They have hinted at a new attraction, but with no further details as of yet.
This has been announced along side Pixar Fest, bringing new fireworks to Disneyland.
In other Pixar news, the Pixar Play Parade will be switching to Disneyland, and replacing it, Paint the Night will be the nighttime draw at California Adventure.
For those of you who enjoy Halloween, you will soon be able to join the Cars Land family in celebrating the holiday.
In Marvel news, 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.
No word yet on whether the Paradise Pier Hotel will become the Pixar Pier Hotel.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek Announces Extraordinary Line-up of Experiences Coming to Disney Parks around the Globe
Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and a seventh cruise ship among the experiences coming for guests
Today at D23 Expo 2017, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced an extraordinary line-up of brand new attractions and experiences coming to its parks and resorts around the world as it continues to revolutionize the guest experience, starting from before guests even arrive for a Disney vacation to the many memories that last a lifetime.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek welcomed nearly 7,000 fans as he unveiled more than a dozen new experiences coming to Disney parks and resorts and gave a sneak peek at much-anticipated projects in development. Several Imagineers joined the presentation by providing details of the creativity, imagination and innovation in development around the world. Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter also shared his enthusiasm for plans to include a larger Pixar presence at Disneyland Resort.
In addition to the announcement that Fantasmic! will return to Disneyland Park tonight, two nights early in honor of the Expo, fans were treated to a glimpse of the new “Beauty and the Beast” musical production coming to the Disney Dream on Disney Cruise Line, currently in production in Toronto, and a special one-night-only medley of nostalgic entertainment numbers showcasing the heritage of Disney Parks.
“On the heels of the many new and incredibly popular experiences that just debuted this year, the best is yet to come. We have ambitious plans for our parks and resorts around the world,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We’re investing in the guest experience like never before, and we’re doing it all in way that is only possible at Disney!”
From new lodging and transportation options that make getting around more fun, to original storytelling and immersive experiences based on guests’ favorites, Disney continues to provide unparalleled vacation destinations for guests across the globe in even more exciting ways than ever before.
Immersive Theme Park Experiences and Attractions
An Unprecedented First Look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Fans were elated to hear their Star Wars stories will come to life in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newly announced name for the Star Wars-themed lands. Chapek shared exciting new details and a glimpse inside the two anchor attractions, including one that puts guests right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance where guests will feel like they are inside a hangar bay on a Star Destroyer. Guests will also have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon, where each guest is critical to the mission’s success. Chapek also revealed many characters that guests will meet, including BB-8, Chewbacca, Rex and Kylo Ren. Representing the largest single-themed land expansion at 14 acres each, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, with the first land debuting at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, then at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.
Timeless Transformation of Epcot Revealed
Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, there are grand plans to complete the transformation that started with the debut of New Fantasyland in 2014. Chapek announced exciting plans across Epcot to realize the original vision of the park while making it more timeless and relevant than ever before.
Patterned after the number one family attraction at Disneyland Paris, Ratatouille will be added in an all-new space in the France pavilion at World Showcase.
AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES
Epcot will also see the addition of a brand new E-ticket attraction based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of Guardians of the Galaxy, the next step in how guests can encounter these characters at Walt Disney World Resort.
In Future World, a new Green Mission at Mission: SPACE will take guests on a stunning tour around the Earth, and an updated Orange Mission will make the trip to Mars even more spectacular.
Adjacent to Mission: Space will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.
More Thrills than Ever Planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom
Disney remains at the cutting edge of deeply immersive, creative storytelling that draws guests into new worlds, and it is a legacy that lives on in every new Disney Parks experience.
The first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With a new original story and lovable attraction theme song, this new state-of-the-art ride-through attraction will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies that transform the flat cartoon world into an incredible dimensional experience.
Chapek also announced that the highest rated attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is coming to Walt Disney World Resort. A thrilling, TRON-themed attraction will be added in a new area near Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom.
Additionally, a new live entertainment theater coming to Main Street, U.S.A., based on the iconic Willis Theater in 1920s Kansas City, will bring world-class entertainment to the world’s most popular park.
Pixar Fun at the Happiest Place on Earth
In addition to announcing the summer 2018 opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Chapek was joined by Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter to unveil plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure, where the pier will take on a brand new look as more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story. Chapek also announced there is more Pixar in store during Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort. Starting in 2018, this limited-time offering will include a new fireworks spectacular as well as special characters and entertainment moments.
As part of the celebration, the Pixar Play Parade will return to Disneyland Resort – this time at Disneyland Park – and the fan favorite Paint the Night Parade will move to Disney California Adventure, one of Disney’s longest parade routes.
Disney Cruise Line to Nearly Double the Size of its Fleet by 2023
Chapek surprised the crowd by announcing that Disney Cruise Line will add one more ship in its expansion to take family cruise vacations to a whole new level, giving the line a total of seven (yeah, seven!) ships. Joining the other two new ships that were announced just last year, all three new ships will be powered by one of the cleanest-burning fuels available, liquefied natural gas. When all three ships are completed by 2023, Disney Cruise Line will have nearly doubled the size of the fleet.
Immersive Hotel Concepts
Among the announcements were projects that infuse even more exciting experiences for resort hotel guests in ways that are only possible at Disney.
To the delight of fans, Chapek confirmed ambitious plans to create the most experiential concept ever in an immersive Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. Dedicated entirely to the galaxy of Star Wars, it will be a one-of-a-kind experience where a luxury resort meets a multi-day adventure in a galaxy far, far away.
Adding to the immersive resort hotel slate, Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel at Disneyland Paris will transport guests to the action-packed world of Super Heroes, including Iron Man, The Avengers, Spider-Man and more. Guests will be able to explore the Marvel Universe through its comic art, films, Super Hero costumes and more, displayed in the style of a contemporary art gallery.
Leading up to the July 17 opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, Chapek also announced the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney Riviera Resort, coming to Walt Disney World Resort near Epcot.
Seamless Transportation Options
Completing the immersion so guests never have to leave the story while on a Disney vacation, Chapek announced plans that will make getting around Walt Disney World Resort even more fun.
An all-new Minnie Van service will provide a point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do, giving guests an even more seamless resort vacation from start to finish.
Additionally, a whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner will give guests a birds-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort. This brand new system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts, as well as the proposed new Disney Riviera Resort, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.
Honoring the Heritage of Disney Parks
In a memorable tribute to the legacy of beloved attractions, entertainment and characters, fans enjoyed a special one-time-only performance of entertainment numbers from Disney Parks through the years. Following the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade, Chapek hinted there are even more fan favorites in store from Disney Parks’ storied past.
Join us tonight at 9PM eastern for our Parks and Resorts Review from the D23 Expo 2017, where we’ll de discussing all of the announcements from the event in-depth at listen.WDWNT.com and on YouTube!
Among the topics to be discussed are:
In case you missed the live stream, you can watch the recording:
Last night, Tom Corless, Jason Diffendal, Ron D’Anna, Scott Smith, and Patrick Hackett sat down to discuss, in depth, all of the amazing announcements made at the D23 Expo 2017. From TRON Lightcycle Power Run, to the overhaul of Epcot, and from the new Riviera Resort to the Skyliner system, last night’s live program covered every bombshell announcement mad by Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek on Saturday. In case you missed it, you can catch the entire show here:
This show will also be available on audio form on this week’s WDW News Today Podcast.
Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have another weekly look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over at Disneyland Park. Here is a look at the project as of June 28th, 2017:
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
The Indian village is settling in to its new home along the Rivers of America.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
With just a month to go, this is finally looking like rock-work.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
The coyote and his friend are just about show ready, once they let him out of the bag…
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
The deer find a new home along the riverbanks.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Moving over to the Star Wars Land site, more steel is being added to the “Battle Escape” ride. Big surprise there…
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
The strange boxes on the roof are now being enclosed, but it appears they have access doors.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
It appears they are going to start putting up walls soon, so our inside look will be no more by Summer’s end…
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Doorways leading from what should be the pre-show area are now visible.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Things seem to be progressing for the Millennium Falcon ride as well.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 28th, 2017
As always, Fresh Baked Disney also has a video of the construction that you should check out:
Siemens AG, who has been a Disney Parks corporate sponsor since 2007, has chosen to not renew their deal.
Siemens sponsored Spaceship Earth and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot, as well as “it’s a small world’ at Disneyland Park. In the past, they also sponsored the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (as Sylvania, a company they own) and their technology was used to create the Radiator Springs Racers attraction at Disney California Adventure and used elsewhere in the parks.
The end of the sponsorship comes amidst rumors that Siemens offered Walt Disney World a new monorail fleet for free so long as they were company branded, but Disney reportedly declined.
In the midst of a rather large overhaul of Epcot, this change does make the future of Spaceship Earth a lot more interesting. It was already assumed that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth would be going away, but this change makes the end of that show all the more likely.
Disney has finally announce the reopening dates for “Fantasmic!,” the Rivers of America attractions and the Disneyland Railroad.
Fantasmic! will return on July 17th – in celebration of the park’s 62nd anniversary – bringing new magic to this beloved nighttime spectacular. The treasured Disneyland park experience guests have loved for years, complete with its original fanfare and theme song, will be taken to brilliant new heights. New mist screens will combine with innovative, state-of-the-art projection technology for brighter and more vibrant visuals than ever before, and the show will feature new scenes inspired by Disney animated classics such as “Aladdin” and “The Lion King.”
Also this summer, the classic Rivers of America attractions will reopen, starting with Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island this Friday, June 16, followed by Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes on July 29. For decades, guests have traveled the landscapes inspired by four of America’s majestic rivers: the Mississippi, the Columbia, the Missouri and the Rio Grande; each carefully recreated, complete with indigenous rock formations, natural forests and wildlife. The return of these watercraft will bring even more breathtaking views for guests to discover, including an enhanced adventure featuring the new Columbia Gorge section, highlighted by five picturesque waterfalls.
This new waterfront will also include several elevated trestles over which the Disneyland Railroad will travel when it reopens along with the Rivers of America attractions on July 29. This classic experience will also feature new and enhanced adventures! For the very first time, the Disneyland Railroad will make a left-hand turn to continue around Disneyland park, and Walt Disney’s legendary dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World have been carefully restored to their original splendor, with a bit of new magic added to both.
Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have a look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over on the west coast. We hope to make this a weekly column in collaboration with them, and hope you will enjoy watching the project come together, week by week and piece by piece.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
From inside of the park, guests can see work wrapping up on the new north edge of the Rivers of America, complete with a new path for the Disneyland Railroad. No re-opening date for these attractions has been given yet other than Summer 2017.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
The train rolling above the river should offer some spectacular views.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
As you can see, even though the Summer tourist season has begun, a lot of work remains to be completed.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
New themed pavement makes us giddy…
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
A lot of painting still to be done.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Heading up to the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, we now look at Star Wars Land from behind.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Walls and steel continue to rise.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
We’ve seen a lot of construction over the last ten years, but nothing quite like this show building for the “battle” attraction. It is already being billed as the largest, most complex E-Ticket ever constructed.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
We can see the new tressle for the Disneyland Railroad in the distance.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Fresh Baked Disney also has a video of the construction that you should check out:
Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have another weekly look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over at Disneyland Park. Here is a look at the project as of June 3rd, 2017:
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
The two structures towards the back, which we assume to be part of the Millennium Falcon ride, are now apparently attached to each other.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
The AT-AT walkers are now pretty hard to see through all of the steel, but they are still there.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
The multi-level show building for the “Battle with the First Order” (we’re still waiting on a real name) ride just looks like a mess of steel at the moment.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
It is quite the behemoth. The two steel sections at the top will likely support themed elements on the roof of the building, parts of the facade basically.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Work continues on the new waterfront for the Rivers of America, hopefully still opening sometime this Summer.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Dirt.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Things are starting to look more like structures, which is good. Maybe soon we’ll be able to figure out what some of this other stuff around the major attractions is.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
Lots of steel framework.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 3rd, 2017
I’m not even going to pretend to know what is going on in this picture…
As always, Fresh Baked Disney also has a video of the construction that you should check out:
