Updates Revealed This Week About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge & Star Wars Hotel

This week we received some new images of what's coming to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios next year. First Imagineers show us how they are bringing the Millennium Falcon to life for the new remote planet.

Back in December it was revealed that Walt Disney Imagineers were going to bring a fleet of life-size X-wings to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. This week we got an up close look at one of those X-wings as they are ready to arrive on the new planet. 

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will open first in Disneyland and then sometime soon after at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in 2019. 

Finally, though we got another update as we got another look with some live images of the Star Wars-inspired resort coming to Walt Disney World. As reported earlier this month the resort will be seamlessly connected to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Guests staying at the luxurious resort will be even welcomed to dress in Star Wars-inspired attire. 

The immerse experience offered at this hotel will stand out among all of the other resorts around the globe. As you can see, families visiting this amazing resort will board a starship alive with characters and stories that will unfold all around them during their voyage through the galaxy – and every window has a view of space! Check out one more live image released for the Star Wars resort.



As of now an opening date for the Star Wars-inspired resort has not been announced.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Walt Disney World Updates from the D23 Expo Japan Last Night

Due to some extenuating circumstances last night I didn't get to share all the news that was shared last night/or this morning at the D23 Expo Japan by Disney Parks & Resorts President Bob Chapek. Although as much as we were hoping to hear an official opening date for Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios, that was not to be as it was not announced. We are still in the dark as to when it will open even though the long heard rumors still remain as Memorial Day weekend are as strong as ever.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway will open sometime in 2019 and we got some new concept art (seen above) along with some new details on the ride. It will feature a brand new catchy theme songcreated especially for the attraction as well as a new experience that defies logic that we’re calling 2 ½-D. No glasses required.

On the attraction, the fun begins when guests will see the premiere of a new cartoon short with Mickey and Minnie getting ready for a picnic. As they head out, they drive alongside a train and find out that the engineer is Goofy. Then, one magical moment lets you step into the movie and on Goofy’s train for a wacky, wild ride.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will put guests inside the wacky and unpredictable world of a Mickey Mouse Cartoon Short where they're the star and anything can happen.

Also opening in 2019 will be Star Wars: Galaxies Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios, but that wasn't the news they strove for as we got more details on the most-immersive resort that will be built on a Disney Parks property. The new Star Wars' themed resort will combine luxury and complete immersion into the Star Wars Universe.

Guests will take a multi-day journey by boarding a starship that will be alive with characters and stories that unfold all around them during a voyage through the galaxy. They will become active citizens in the galaxy and even dress in proper attire during their stay. Every resort window will have a view into space. 

The opportunity for immersion at this resort will also stand out among all Disney resorts around the globe, as it will be seamlessly connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This will allow for a total Star Wars experience that is out of this world. There is no official opening date for the Star Wars-inspired resort.

It was confirmed a while ago that the Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired attraction coming to Epcot that it would be a roller coaster, last night Bob Chapek officially confirmed that. The one-of-a-kind family attraction will be one of the world’s longest enclosed roller coasters when it’s added to Future World at Epcot. It will feature a unique story created by Walt Disney Imagineering that will 'wow' guests as part of a new innovative ride system. 

 “As we build upon its core mission of optimism and hope to inspire the world, the real will become fantastic and the fantastic will become real—in whole new ways at Epcot,” Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, said.

This amazing attraction will open in time for Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom's 50th Anniversary in 2021.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, & More Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Disney Parks & Resorts Panel at the D23 Expo just ended and boy did we receive some news. Here is just a list of what's coming to Walt Disney World in the next few years.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is Official Will Open in Disneyland First:

The first news from the panel and President of Parks & Resorts Bob Chapek was for Star Wars Land. It was officially confirmed that the lands in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World will be called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The lands will both open in 2019 but it will open up in Disneyland first.

The lands will allow guests to isit a remote trading port on the edge of wild space, where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life – and where guests will find themselves in the middle of the action.

The lands will feature two major attractions that put guests in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Each attraction – and even the land itself – will offer guests the chance to immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe like never before.

One attraction will make you feel like you’re on a Star Destroyer inside a hangar bay. It’s an attraction built on a scale we’ve never done before (this is the First Order vs. The Resistance ride). The second attraction will give guests the opportunity to fly the Millenium Falcon, piloting the ship, shooting blasters or preparing for hyperspace – all while completing a critical mission. But how you perform on the mission holds even bigger stakes: perform with skill and you may earn extra galactic credits, while bringing the ship back banged up could put you on the list of a bounty hunter. End up on Harkos’s list and you may face a problem if you show up at the local cantina!

We will also be able to meet up with BB-8, Kylo Ren, members of the First Order among other in Galaxy's Edge. Rex, from the original Star Tours, will be making a return as a DJ at the cantina. At the cantina, guests will of course be able to try blue milk and nearby acquire trinkets and treasures from around the galaxy. 

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway to Replace The Great Movie Ride:

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios and will replace the iconic Great Movie Ride. The Great Movie ride will have its last day of operation on August 13, 2017. The attraction will be inspired by the new Mickey Shorts that air on the Disney Channel. Here is what Imagineer Kevin Rafferty had to say about the new attraction:

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new story and a new singable attraction theme song as well as a new experience we’re calling “2 1/2 D.” No glasses required. Walt Disney Imagineer Kevin Rafferty said teams are inventing new technologies that turn the flat world of a colorful cartoon short into a “dimensional display of amazingness.”
“This is one of the boldest…most impossible things I’ve ever worked on in almost 40 years of being an Imagineer. And you know what? That’s what I love about it. Well, that, and Mickey,” Kevin said. “This is not going to be a small attraction, it’s going to be game-changing.”

More updates on Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway are coming in the near future so stay tuned.

Star Wars Inspired-Themed Resort Coming to Walt Disney World:

The Star Wars-themed hotel was confirmed tonight during the Disney Parks & Resorts Panel at the D23 Expo. It will debut as part of a brand new Disney 360 vacation concept. Bob Chapek had this to say on the new resort coming to be built right next to Disney's Hollywood Studios:

“It’s unlike anything that exists today.” Bob said. “From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll immediately become a citizen of the galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits.”

More details on this amazing resort experience will be released in the coming months.

Toy Story Land to Open Summer 2018:

Finally, we did receive an update on Toy Story Land. It will open sometime in Summer 2018 (an exact date wasn't given). It was confirmed that guests will now enter Toy Story Midway Mania inside of Toy Story Land. Here is more information on the Slinky Dog Coaster and Alien Swirling Saucers attractions that are coming to the new land:

The new Slinky Dog Dash will be a family coaster attraction where you’ll zip, dodge and dash around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to his limits.

Alien Swirling Saucers will also be a new attraction at Toy Story Land. It’s designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle with “The Claw.”

As always stay tune for more updates on the official opening date of Toy Story Land.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Gondolas Confirmed, Exclusive Star Wars Resort on the Way?, and More

Gondolas Confirmed for Walt Disney World:

Just a few weeks ago it seemed the Gondola system for Walt Disney World was just about to become a reality when Imagineering filed permits to start building. Today, through the media the Reedy Creek Improvement District confirmed that the Gondola system rumored for months is coming to Walt Disney World.

The route which was picked up in a permit filed just a few weeks ago will connect Epcot's International Gateway, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Caribbean Beach, and stop by Disney's Pop Century and Disney's Art of Animation. Rumors have been saying this will be completed by 2019 but I believe this will be done closer to the 50th Anniversary in 2021. Stay tuned for details on Walt Disney World's new transportation system. 

Exclusive Star Wars Resort on the Way?:

A survey is being conducted by a contracted third party of Disney asking guests about letting them stay in an actual Star Wars starship. This was first reported by WDW News Today. The survey includes concept art and details on what would be an all-inclusive resort. Here is what the resort would include:

• The opportunity to experience a 2-day story set in the the Star Wars universe
• Be surrounded in a continuous, story-driven entertainment experience as it unfolds over the course of the 2-night stay
• Have personal interactions with Star Wars characters, live performers throughout the starship (experience the story or simply observe the action according to personal preference)
• Engage in the story with programs such as flight training, ship exploration, lightsaber training, and personalized secret missions (both on the starship and throughout the Star Wars themed planet)

The all-inclusive resort would include meals that would include buffets for breakfast and lunch and a signature dining event. It will also include featured entertainment and dinner shows and exclusive park admission to Star Wars Land that will open in 2019. Amenities will include a pool, fitness area, a Cantina-themed area for snacks outside of meal times, and robotic droid butlers. 

Right now the Star Wars hotel and experience would cost roughly between $900-$1000 a night. While this is not confirmed the concept art being added to the survey seems to make this a serious project under consideration. As always stay tuned.

Walt Disney Archives to Celebrate Pirates of the Caribbean at D23 Expo:

Today, the Disney Parks Blog announced that the Walt Disney Archives will be paying tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean at this year's D23 Expo. This year's pavilion will be titled, "A Pirate's Life for Me: Disney Rascals, Scoundrels and Really Bag Eggs." The exhibit will pay tribute to Disney's most memorable pirates from Captain Hook to Captain Jack Sparrow. 

The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, beloved around the world from Anaheim and Orlando to Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai, will have its own section featuring iconic props, Audio-Animatronics and ephemera. Along with some familiar figures, look for concept art for the Disneyland park attraction, classic merchandise items, and canons from the original attraction.

This year's D23 Expo will be held July 14 through July 16, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center across from Disneyland.

Source: Disney Parks Blog