Over the last few years the Walt Disney World monorail fleet has seen its better days. Rumors began early this year when video surfaced that doors on the monorail were having trouble staying closed even one incident where Monorail Red was in movement. Then there was the sudden cancellation of the Magic Kingdom theater that was announced during last summer's D23 Expo which led to rumors that Disney would be using that money to purchase a new fleet of monorails.
Rumors died down until a few weeks ago when WDW News Today reported that a new fleet had been ordered and were being built by Bombardier in Canada. Those rumors were quickly shut down as sources had said while Disney is in interested in purchasing new monorails for the resort to replace the current fleet that have been in operation since 1989, the fleet had not been ordered from Bombardier yet. They are planning on replacing them in time for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary in 2021.
That was until last night when, Disney Legend and former Imagineer Bob Gurr while speaking at an event stated that a new contract has in fact been drawn up with Bombardier and that the fleet is now in production despite not yet being announced. Gurr did say though that the fleet while they are being built are years away from delivery which would confirm what sources are saying that they won't be around until probably the 50th Anniversary.
Now we wait until Disney officially confirms that a new monorail fleet at Walt Disney World. I expect that to be sometime next year most likely during the 2019 D23 Expo.
Star Wars Resistance Animated Series to Debut This Fall:
Earlier this week, a brand new Star Wars animated series was announced to debut this Fall on Disney XD and the Disney Channel. The new series called, "Star Wars Resistance", will take us on the adventures of Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order.
Featuring the high-flying adventure that audiences of all ages have come to expect from Star Wars, Star Wars Resistance — set in the time prior to Star Wars: The Force Awakens — will feature the beloved droid BB-8 alongside ace pilots, colorful new characters and appearances by fan favorites including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively.
The series was created by renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels); executive-produced by Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Justin Ridge (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) and Brandon Auman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); and art-directed by Amy Beth Christenson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels).
In addition to Isaac and Christie, the voice cast includes actors Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives), Suzie McGrath (East Enders), Scott Lawrence (Legion), Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor), Josh Brener (Silicon Valley), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Bobby Moynihan (DuckTales), Jim Rash (Community), and Rachel Butera (Tammy’s Tiny Tea Time).No official released date for 'Resistance' has been announced as of yet but as stated previously it will debut this Fall. After the ending to "Star Wars Rebels" this past winter I can't wait to see what Filoni brings to the table for "Star Wars Resistance."
Source: Star Wars
