AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES NEW TRON-THEMED ATTRACTION COMING TO MAGIC KINGDOM PARK Ð Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announces during D23 Expo the most popular attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is coming to Walt Disney World Resort. A thrilling, Tron-themed attraction will be added in a new area near Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom.

Huge Disney News: New Attractions, Hotels, and Transportation

At the D23 Expo, Disney made a slew of announcements that will see expansion and construction all around the Walt Disney World property for years to come.

Many of these projects were widely rumored (gondolas) while others were surprises (Main Street USA Theater).

Let’s look at what we can expect:

Magic Kingdom

Tomorrowland: Tron Coaster

Disney will open a version of the ultra-popular roller coaster from the Shanghai Disneyland park. This new Magic Kingdom attraction will sit near the Tomorrowland Speedway and Space Mountain. Based on the concept art, it looks like the Speedway will survive in some form.  No opening date yet.

The new Tron Coaster will replace the Tomorrowland Speedway. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The new Tron Coaster will replace the Tomorrowland Speedway. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Main Street USA: Theater

Of all the announcements, this is the one that was the biggest surprise. Disney will build a new theater for live performances on Main Street USA. The design will be based on the 1920s version of the Willis Theater in Kansas City. No opening date yet.

Disney will offer live entertainment in a new theater near Main Street USA. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Disney will offer live entertainment in a new theater near Main Street USA. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting lots of love – and budget – these days. Disney announced the official name for the Star Wars Land: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. They also made their first comment on the potential opening date for this huge and anticipated expansion: 2019, and after the version at Disneyland opens. This makes sense, since construction photos seem to show much faster progress in California than in Florida.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Rumors have circulated that The Great Movie Ride would close to make way for a new attraction. It seems that was true. The Great Movie Ride will close on August 13, 2017. I was a bit surprised, since that will take yet another attraction away from the Studios at a time when so much has been shuttered due to construction on Toy Story Land and Star Wars. Still, that means we will see something new in this spot all that much sooner. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will build on the Disney Channel’s “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts and will use some new technologies.

The Great Movie Ride will become Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Great Movie Ride will become Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Toy Story Land

Disney announced that Toy Story Land will open in the summer of 2018.

Epcot

Future World: Guardians of the Galaxy

Good bye Ellen, hello Groot. Disney announced a new Future World attraction will replace the Universe Of Energy / Ellen’s Energy Adventure. The Energy pavilion will also close on August 13, 2017. The projected opening date of the new Guardians attraction is 2021.

Guardians of the Galaxy will replace the aging Universe of Energy. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Guardians of the Galaxy will replace the aging Universe of Energy. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

France Pavilion: Ratatouille

I’m really excited by this one. The France pavilion in World Showcase will get a Ratatouille attraction that will take you into the kitchen of Gusteau’s Parisian restaurant. This will be based on the popular attraction of the same theme in Disneyland Paris. The projected opening date is 2021.

The Epcot France pavilion will get a Ratatouille ride. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Epcot France pavilion will get a Ratatouille ride. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

China Pavilion: Movie

Disney plans to update the 360-degree Circle-Vision show, which is a welcome update. Disney will film the movie using a new, digital filming process to create their first seamless 360 experience of today’s China.

Future World: Mission: SPACE

Disney will create an updated Orange Mission sequence as well as a new Green Mission sequence for youngsters.

Future World: Space Restaurant

This sounds cool. Disney will open a new table service restaurant next to Mission: SPACE. No opening date yet.

Disney will open a new space-themed restaurant near Mission: SPACE. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Disney will open a new space-themed restaurant near Mission: SPACE. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Resorts

Disney Riviera Resort

More Disney DVC. Disney plans to construct its 15th Disney Vacation Club property, which will be near Epcot. No opening date yet.

Disney's newest DVC will be called Disney Riviera Resort and will be connected to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios via the new gondola transportation system. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Disney’s newest DVC will be called Disney Riviera Resort and will be connected to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via the new gondola transportation system. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Star Wars Hotel

Start saving up your pennies folks. Disney will build a luxury (read: super expensive) Star Wars-themed hotel. Disney is billing it as the most interactive experience yet. No opening date yet.

A new luxury Star Wars Hotel. Wow. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
A new luxury Star Wars Hotel. Wow. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Transportation

Disney Skyliner

This was the worst-kept Disney secret in a while, especially considering construction is already underway. The Disney Skyliner is a gondola transportation system that will connect four resorts and two parks: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and the still-to-be-built DVC Disney Riviera Resort. No opening date yet, but since construction is already underway, this could be sooner vs. later.

New new Disney Skyliner will connect two parks and four resorts. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
New new Disney Skyliner will connect two parks and four resorts. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Map of the new Disney Skyliner transportation system linking Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and four resorts. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Map of the new Disney Skyliner transportation system linking Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and four resorts. Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Minnie Van service

Yes, it is basically an up-sell taxi service, but the Minnie Van service will help you get from anywhere on Disney property to anywhere more quickly – without transfers or getting crammed into a public bus. You will be able to order the service using a mobile app.

It's a taxi with a very cool name! Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
It’s a taxi with a very cool name! Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Tron, Ratatouille, Star Wars Hotel:  What new Disney offering are you most looking forward to?