Today at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, we attended a live panel for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Huge announcements included Star Wars ‘Land’, Toy Story Land, and Pandora being added to Disney Parks. I was able to attend this event as part of an all expenses paid press junket sponsored by Disney. All thoughts and opinions shared on this blog are my own.
Star Wars Launch Bay Coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort — This interactive experience will take guests into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind the scenes, including opportunities to visit with new and favorite Star Wars characters, special merchandise and food offerings. Star Wars Launch Bay will be located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park. (Disney Parks)
Star Wars
Let’s just start with the most exciting news of the decade. STAR WARS is being brought to life by the only places that could handle a task of this magnitude: Disneyland and Disney World.
Star Wars ‘Land’ will consist of 14 acres of truly out of this world experiences. With employees in full character every step of the way, it will really be like you’re traveling through the galaxies.
Season of the Force Coming to Disney Parks — This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment throughout the land, themed food locations and more. Guests also will be thrilled to climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain, a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies. (Disney Parks)
No dates were mentioned as to when we can expect Star Wars ‘Land’ to be complete, but new enhancements to Star Wars attractions are currently under way.
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Later this year, Star Tours will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens giving guests a new adventure in the galaxy.
- Star Wars Launch Bay – This interactive experience will take guests into the latest film with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes. This will be located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.
- Jedi Training Academy – Reimagined with a new experience that includes new characters and a new villain.
- Season of the Force – This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. Climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain–a spin off of the classic Space Mountain attraction–in which guests will join an X-Wing Starfighter battle.
Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida — The reimagining of Disney’s Hollywood Studios will take guests to infinity and beyond, allowing them to step into the worlds of their favorite films, starting with Toy Story Land. This new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard. Guests will think they’ve been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz as they are surrounded by oversized toys that Andy has assembled using his vivid imagination. Using toys like building blocks, plastic buckets and shovels, and game board pieces, Andy has designed the perfect setting for this land, which will include two new attractions for any Disney park and one expanded favorite. (Disney Parks)
Toy Story Land
To infinity and beyond! At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can experience this new 11-acre land of Andy’s backyard. This land will include two new attractions for any Disney park and one expanded favorite:
- Family-friendly roller coaster – All on the back of Slinky Dog, you will zip, zoom, plunge, and coast throughout the new land.
- Alien saucers – The famous little green aliens will take guests on a spin in their very own flying saucers.
- Toy Story Mania! – Glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set and take aim at 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games, with an expansion that adds a third track to this popular attraction.
AVATAR Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — This E-ticket attraction, the centerpiece of Pandora, allows guests to soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world. The spectacular flying experience will give guests a birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora on an aerial rite of passage. (Disney Parks)
Pandora – The World of AVATAR
After Dark at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be the largest expansion in the park’s history. The entire park will transform after dark with new nighttime entertainment experiences, offering longer days than ever before.
This world will include floating mountains, a bioluminescent forest and the winged creatures known as Banshees.
- AVATAR Flight of Passage – This E-ticket attraction, the centerpiece of Pandora, allows guests to soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world. This birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora will be unforgettable.
“Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Expected to open next spring, “Rivers of Light” will be an innovative experience unlike anything ever seen in a Disney park, combining live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. “Rivers of Light” will magically come to life on the natural stage of Discovery River, delighting guests and truly capping off a full day of adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. (Disney Parks)
The excitement of these announcements had over 8000 D23 Expo attendees screaming with glee. My heart was pounding the entire time! Especially when Stan Lee made a surprise appearance!
Bob Chapek Announces New Attractions and Entertainment Coming to Disney Parks — Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek, joined by Marvel legend, Stan Lee, shared a sneak peek at the D23 EXPO 2015 giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at whatÕs to come, including new and enhanced Star Wars experiences coming this fall to the Florida and California theme parks, plans for a new Toy Story Land at DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios, and more details on the Iron Man Experience coming to Hong Kong Disneyland. (Richard Harbaugh/Disney Parks)
Which attraction are you most excited to visit?
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Julie Wood says
This really sounds incredible, and a fun way to learn about Star Wars, and to see the excitement of these rides and exhibits. I would love to go to the Star Wars in Disney World!
XmasDolly says
Your Post is highly informative and well written. Love Star Wars, but we don’t get crazy over it. We enjoy the imagination of the writer and the smile of my hubby’s face when we watch it.
Sarah L says
Fun things planned for the parks. Have to get back.