D23 Announcements

By Trials By Melody - 7:07:00 AM

Hi friends!

This past week offered some really big announcements about the future of Walt Disney World. It has me all excited and ready to plan our next trip!

Earlier this summer at Animal Kingdom

“Making your dreams come true is who we are and what we do,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek while at D23 Expo. Updates below!

Magic Kingdom

Tron themed roller coaster, to open near Space Mountain

EPCOT

SPACE, a new table-service restaurant located adjacent to Mission Space
Guardians of the Galaxy to open in 2021
Ratatouille ride to open in the France Pavilion, set to open in 2021.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Galaxy's Edge aka Star Wars Land, set to open in 2019
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway to replace the Great Movie Ride
Toy Story Land, scheduled to open in the summer of 2018

Disney Riviera Resort

The 15th Disney Vacation Club property. Will be located near EPCOT.

Star Wars-themed hotel – An immersive Star Wars-themed hotel where guests will have a one-of-a-kind experience where a luxury resort meets a multi-day adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

Disney Skyliner – This new transportation system will give guests a bird’s-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Skyliner will connect Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to four resorts – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Minnie Van service – A whimsical, point-to-point transportation service that will help guests get around Walt Disney World Resort in a jiffy. Guests can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from their smartphone, and a Disney Cast Member will drive them wherever they want to go around Walt Disney World.

There are also several new announcements for Disneyland, but since I am loyal to WDW, I didn't include any of those here. To read more about these Disneyland specific updates, click here.

Some sources for this article found here and here.