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This year at the annual D23 “All Things Disney” convention, there were some big announcements made about Disney Parks, Disney Cruiseline and beyond! Bob Chapek who is the Chairperson for Disney Parks & Resorts took the stage to reveal all the exciting news! What Did Disney Announce at D23 Expo 2019? Keep scrolling, I’ll tell you everything you wanna know.
Disney invited megforit.com for a media event in Orlando as they simulcasted the announcements from coast to coast. I got the inside scoop first and I wanna share it all with YOU. #hosted
D23 Walt Disney World Announcements
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
We have received more details about the elusive Star Wars hotel in Disney. This hotel, will not be a hotel. It’s more like a cruise like experience. The Disney Star Wars hotel will be called Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a fully immersive 2-night vacation experience that invites Walt Disney World guests to live out their own Star Wars adventures in an entirely new way. Guests can become the heroes of their own Star Wars stories in a new type of experience.
Guests will cruise the galaxy in style aboard the Halcyon, a starcruiser. Onboard, they will stay in well appointed cabins, experience onboard dining, make a planet-side excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, and much more. Throughout the journey, guests will be invited to delve deeper into their personal adventures by participating in onboard activities, interacting with characters, crew, other passengers they meet, and becoming part of the action and the broader Star Wars saga. You won’t need to ever leave the “resort”.
It sounds like a grown up version of cosplay meets make-believe. If this experience is a success, I think it will completely revolutionize the hotel and theme park industry!
How authentic will this Star Wars experience be? Every window in the Halcyon – including those in each cabin – has a view of the galaxy beyond, with ever-changing vistas as the ship progress from place to place. You will definitely forget you’re really in Florida!
Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge
Speaking of new resorts, Disney is also building a brand new lakeside resort in Walt Disney World that will be the envy of every lake house. Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be a gorgeous hotel on the edge of Bay Lake.
Appropriately, there will be a bayou themed restaurant celebrating Princess Tiana from the Princess and the Frog. I can taste the creole jambalaya now!
Disney Springs new Cirque du Soleil
Finally we have confirmation that they will replace La Nuba in Disney Springs with a brand new Cirque du Soleil show! But this show is not what we all expected. It turns out this is a trifecta of a collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Animators and Cirque du Soleil artists!
This show will feature classic Disney songs reimagined, interactive characters and performers. The world of animation and acrobatics will merge to tell the story of a young girl’s journey to self discovery. This incredible show debuts next spring of 2020!
Mickey & Minnie’s runaway Railway
A new Hollywood Studios ride is set to open in 2020! It replaces the beloved “Great Movie Ride“. We got a sneak peak video into the animation of this attraction. The black lights, wacky sets and the idea that a picnic can turn quickly in the world of Mickey Mouse. I am just so happy they are keeping the Chinese Theater motif on the exterior!
Timeless Transformation of Epcot
Epcot is my favorite Disney park, but it’s been a while since there were any major changes. Get ready for some HUGE transformations in the next 2 years! Epcot will stay true to Walt Disney’s vision while bringing in more storytelling and magic! There will be 4 neighborhoods when construction is complete. Here are all the new exciting things coming to the 4 neighborhoods of Epcot.
World Showcase Neighborhood
- UK Pavillion will feature a new Mary Poppins attraction in Cherry Tree Lane.
- a new Nightime Spectacular called HarmoniUS that speaks to the ability for music to unite the world
- a new ride for the France Pavillion called Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- a new restaurant for France La Creperie de Paris
- a new Beauty & the Beast Sing-a-long attraction inside France
- the Canada Far & Wide in 360 vision will be updated with new scenes and a new story
- the Wonderous China in 360 vision will also be updated
World Celebration Neighborhood
- Spaceship earth will remain the same on the exterior but the ride inside will be updated. It will focus more on how storytelling brings people together.
- the entrance pavilion will be completely revamped with a new foundation, lush gardens, a wishing tree and a statue celebrating the legacy of the original dreamer, Walt Disney.
- a new 3 story pavilion will be build. This will be the site for all major festivals coming to EPCOT. It will also be a wonderful place to view the new nighttime fireworks show. This pavilion will also have a rooftop garden.
World Nature Neighborhood
- The Land pavilion will feature a new film titled “Awesome Planet” that will showcase the best of our earth.
- A new “walk through” trail attraction will be built called the “Journey of Water” inspired by the movie Moana. It will be a lush tropical trail where you can interact with magical playful living water.
World Discovery Neighborhood
- a new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster will be the first reverse launch into space and the longest indoor roller coaster.
- Mission Space will expand to include an entire pavilion area which will have a new restaurant called Space 220. The restaurant concept is that you have been transported to a space station 220 miles up into the atmosphere. It will have panoramic views of space from every window.
- Play! Pavillion is an interactive metropolis where guests can interact with Disney characters like never before. From the renderings, I gather it will be as if disney.com came to life!
Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary
Disney takes anniversaries very seriously, and I’m sure the 50th anniversary of Disney World will be THE biggest celebration ever! I hear the celebration will extend throughout the parks with new attractions, entertainment, food, beverage, merchandise and anything else they can think of! Stay tuned for more magic!
Disney Genie App
This new digital app offering is a completely innovative way to plan your Disney trip. You can customize your vacation like never before. This Disney genie app will create custom itineraries for the thrill seeker, princess, foodie or whatever you are!
It will take your preferences and present an optimal day for the individual guest. Because no one does Disney the same way! The magic is personal and now so is the app!
D23 Disneyland & California Adventure Announcements
Magic Happens Parade
A brand new Parade is coming to Disneyland Park and it’s set to debut in 2020. The new “Magic Happens” parade will have all new larger than life floats that tell the story of awe inspiring classic Disney stories. We got a sample of the new musical score performed by Jordan Fisher. This new parade song is an energetic call to all dreamers. I almost got up and started dancing!
Avengers Campus
Are there any Marvel fans out there? Silly question. Guests will be able to suit up along side their favorite Super heroes at the new Avengers Campus in 2020! There will be a brand new Spiderman Ride, Black Panther adventure to Wakanda, and a Pym Test Kitchen restaurant. Guests will be able to meet all the favorite Marvel heroes in this Avengers Headquarters. The Avengers Campus will open in California Adventure as well as Disneyland Paris.
D23 Disneyland Paris Announcements
Disneyland Paris will eventually have their own Avengers Campus. To accompany this new Marvel area, there will be a new “Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel” resort! This hotel will celebrate the marvel artists with each room dedicated to a different marvel superhero!
D23 Disney in China Announcements
Disneyland Hong Kong is already a visual feast! Coming in the next few years is a new Zootopia themed land in the Shanghai resort. It will feel completely immersive and as large as a city with sky rises and animals.
Hong Kong Disneyland will transform with an addition of a new castle! It will be named the Castle of Magical Dreams and will feature 13 iconic Disney stories. There will be a new daytime and nighttime show to celebrate the new castle.
Hong Kong Disney will also get a new Frozen area with 2 new attractions. A Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs and a Frozen Ever After ride. Who wouldn’t want to visit Arendelle and see Elsa’s powers?
D23 Merchandise Announcements
The magic of Disney is coming to your favorite department store. That’s right! Target and Disney are getting together and creating some pretty special stuff together!
NEW FLASH: Target is now going to be your new Disney store. Wait till you see what Disney has planned to build inside of your local Target. There will be a little slice the magic inside your favorite department store. With shelves of new exclusive merchandise to interactive instagramable displays – you will be impressed with this new area inside Target.
But what about target coming to Disney parks? Yes, this partnership goes both ways, there will be a target built and featured on Walt Disney World property in the future.
D23 Disney Cruise line Announcements
The Disney Wish
There is a brand new ship being build and set to release in the next few years. Appropraitely named, the new “Disney Wish” will be compelted in the Fall of 2021 and set to sail January 2022! It will feature Rapunzel as the ship’s figure head!
Lighthouse Point
If you haven’t been to Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Key – you haven’t LIVED! Disney has created a spectacular paradise on this island and I never thought they could replicate such a destination. Well, now they have.
Disney just bought a 2nd gorgeous private island in the Bahamas. This new “port of call” will be another stop on the already wonderful Caribbean cruise itineraries! This section of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera will be called Lighthouse Point.
It will focus on preserving the land, celebrating the culture of the Bahamas and showcasing the beauty of this tropical island. Joe Rohde is designing it and there is no one like this Imagineer! He knows how to bring the whimsy and excellence of Disney to LIFE! I can’t wait to visit this island on my future Disney cruise to the Bahamas!
D23 Announcements Overview
As a brand, Disney shows NO signs of slowing down. They have the Disney+ streaming service coming out, countless movies in the works, new channels, new acquired collaborations, an world domination as the next check box on the To Do List!
Honestly, Disney is a company that is close to my heart. You know I share Disney content on here because it symbolizes the best parts of my childhood and I am sure that’s why you come here to read my Disney tips. I feel a kindred spirit with Walt and his childlike view of the world. I named my son after Walt Disney and I hope his legacy is half as beloved as his.
Thanks for reading all the CRAZY new D23 expo 2019 Disney announcements coming to #DisneyParks and beyond. When are you visiting Disney next? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to share in your excitement!
Heck yes! So much goodness. Personally I am most excited about all of the Marvel announcements. An Avengers Campus sounds amazing. And they have tons of great movies and shows coming. Hoping we don’t lose spiderman though ?. I’ll be so sad!