All the Details from Saturday's Destination D Parks Panel (Part 2)

Continuing on from part one of the Destination D announcements we will start off with the most recently announced Disney Vacation Club resort that will be built on the land of the old River Country. Yesterday, it was announced that the resort would be called Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Here is the concept art for the resort:

The deluxe resort will be nature-themed and will consist of 900 hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club Villas. Back in October, Terri Schultz - Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club had this to say about the new resort:

“This resort experience will be a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature, with some fun and even surprising accommodation types that families will find irresistible. It will give our members and guests yet another opportunity to stay in close proximity to all the newest attractions and experiences in our theme parks, and with the flexibility, value and world-class service families expect from Disney.”

There is no timeframe of when this resort will be completed.

Another Disney Vacation Club resort is already well underway in construction in Disney's Riviera Resort which was announced that it will be completed by Fall 2019.

The 15th DVC resort is inspired by the European grandeur Walt Disney experienced in his travels along Europe’s Mediterranean coastline. As you can see from the newly released concept art, Disney Vacation Club Members and other guests will have a great view of fireworks spectaculars and easy access to the Disney Skyliner, which will have a station at the resort.

The story behind Disney's Riviera Resort is that in 1935, not long after Mickey Mouse was born, Walt took a break from the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Walt & Lillian and Roy & Edna Disney took an extended grand tour of Europe that would have an impact on Disney storytelling for decades to come. With its castles and colorful, fairy-tale villages, Walt fell in love with Europe – the art, the architecture, the food, and, of course, the stories. 

Earlier this week, Bob Chapek announced that the Disney Skyliner system would also be debuting in Fall of 2019. Yesterday, though guests attending Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse got their first look at the gondolas that will take to the sky on the Disney Skyliner.

Once in operation the Skyliner will connect Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios to four resort hotels including: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Art of Animation, Disney's Pop Century, and Disney's Riviera Resort. Check out Bob Chapek and Mickey revealing the very first look at the gondola:

As you can see the gondolas will have iconic Disney characters including the Fab Five, favorite characters from Disney attractions, and of course one's from our favorite films as well. I can't wait to ride the Disney Skyliner.

New Images & Details on the Disney Skyliner; Grand Opening Gala on New Year's Eve at The Edison

New Images & Details on the Disney Skyliner:

Since the D23 announcement on the new Disney Skyliner coming to Walt Disney World, many have been wondering about the new transportation system. Well as part of the 12 days of Disney Parks Christmas, more details and concept art on the new transportation system traveling the sky from Disney's Caribbean Beach, Disney's Pop Century, Disney's Art of Animation, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

Select Disney Skyliner cabins will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

International Gateway at Epcot:

The design of the Disney Skyliner station at International Gateway at Epcot will be inspired by the park’s nearby European Pavilions, and will be covered with metal and glass canopies, hand-painted murals and ornamental steel structures that harken back to the early 18th century Art Nouveau style. Guests traveling to Epcot via the Disney Skyliner will be welcomed to the park with a rare birds-eye view of World Showcase.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:

The Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station will be the hub of activity for Disney Skyliner. This station is inspired by the open air village marketplaces of the Caribbean and will showcase the nearby resort’s architectural detailing and color schemes. At this station, passengers will be able to transfer gondola routes to reach their destination, or are invited to sit and admire the waterfront resort setting.

Disney's Hollywood Studios:

The design style of the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will fit with that of the park’s main entrance and bus stations. Passengers traveling here from the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station can expect a new aerial perspective of the park’s iconic attractions, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Disney's Pop Century and Disney's Art of Animation:

Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will share a Disney Skyliner station that feels whimsical and contextual with both resorts. Upon departing the gondola station, Skyliner passengers will ascend over Hourglass Lake and enjoy a panoramic view of these two colorful resorts.

Stay tuned for future updates and an official opening date for the Disney Skyliner. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Grand Opening Gala on New Year's Eve at The Edison:

The Edison will host a Grand Opening Gala on New Year's Eve, an exclusive event for guests 21 and older, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Here are the details on the event:

The Edison at Disney Springs will host a dazzling gala Grand Opening on New Year’s Eve, showcasing its lavish Industrial Gothic-style, crave-worthy food and exceptional cocktails plus a truly spectacular lineup of world-class entertainment all within Central Florida’s newest entertainment hot-spot. The Edison’s doors will open at 7:30 p.m., allowing guests ample time to eat, drink and be merry, right up through a special midnight toast to ring in 2018. A fully immersive dining experience, The Edison features multiple themed areas to explore, such as the Lab performance space, The Ember Parlour, Telegraph Lounge, The Patent Office, The Tesla Lounge, The Radio Room, and the Waterfront Patio.

Tickets for The Edison’s New Year’s Eve Grand Opening are $150 and available to a limited number of lucky guests to purchase. The ticket price includes tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, live-action food stations and a wide selection of beer, wine and premium spirits from 8 p.m until midnight; plus, a selection of coffee, desserts and a celebratory midnight toast to ring in the new year.

A minimum age of 21 is required to attend this event. Guests arriving to The Edison Orlando are asked to adhere to our dress code.  Men may wear slacks, jeans or dress shorts.  No ball caps, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops are permitted.  Jackets are optional.

Tickets for the event, can be purchased on the Patina Restaurant Group website.

Disney Skyliner (Gondolas) Plus Minnie Vans Announced as New Transportation

We have talking about the gondolas coming to Walt Disney World for months and tonight during the Disney Parks & Resorts panel they were confirmed. The new transportation system will be called the Disney Skyliner.

The new transportation system will as previously reported connect Disney's Art of Animation, Disney's Pop Century, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the International Gateway at Epcot. 

As seen in the concept art above, the gondolas will feature many of our favorite Disney characters as we travel around the Walt Disney World Resort. Construction has already begun on the towers at each station location for the Disney Skyliner. It is expected to be completed by 2019. 

This wasn't the only new form of transportation that was announced during the panel as the new Minnie Van Uber-like service was revealed.

“Since we’re all about exceeding guest expectations and making every aspect of your vacation uniquely Disney, we’re creating a new point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do,” Bob Chapek, President of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts said.

The Minnie vehicles will take you everywhere you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort, and you’ll ride in Minnie’s classic style, in a Minnie-inspired Chevy Traverse. This new Minnie Van service is expected begin testing later this month at Disney's Boardwalk and Yacht Club Resorts. 

The service will cost $20 per car per trip and once tested will expand to several other locations throughout Walt Disney World.

Source: Disney Parks Blog