Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Park: Hollywood Studios
Opening Date: August 29, 2019
This is old news by now, but in case you haven't heard, the new Star Wars themed land is opening in Hollywood Studios on August 29th. Now, I'm going to be honest here. I have never been nor do I ever see myself becoming a Star Wars fan BUT Disney always go above and beyond with their theming, which has made me super curious to check it out in person.
There will be two new rides in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge along with a handful of quick service food spots and shops. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (fly the Millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission) will be open on August 29th. Note that FastPass+ will not be available for this ride. (I'm assuming that will change in the future though.) The second ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (join the Resistance in a climactic battle against the First Order) is scheduled to open later this year.
From everything I've read, it appears that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is expected to bring in massive amount of visitors. Just last week, Disney announced what appears to be a plan to assist with spreading out crowds. Unlike the opening for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland, no reservations are required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios. However, Disney press has noted that capacity is limited. From August 29th through August 31st, Disney's Hollywood Studios will open at 6:00 AM for all guests regardless of onsite/offsite status. This means that even if you are staying at a offsite non-Disney affiliated resort/hotel, you will still be able to access the park at 6:00 AM. See below for Extra Extra Magic Hours just announced last week.
Star Wars Resort
Park: Hollywood Studios
Opening Date: Not announced
Disney is currently building a new Star Wars themed resort next to Hollywood Studios. This will be more than just a resort though. Disney has billed it as a new vacation experience. According to Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts: "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."
An opening date has not yet been announced, but many expected that to coincide with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. However, it appears that construction has really just begun on the resort.
EXTRA Extra Magic Hours
Parks: Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom
Start Date: August 29, 2019
As stated above, from August 29th through August 31st, Disney's Hollywood Studios will open at 6:00 AM for all guests regardless of onsite/offsite status. This means that even if you are staying at an offsite non-Disney affiliated resort/hotel, you will still be able to access the park at 6:00 AM.
From September 1st through November 2nd, Hollywood Studios will have Extra Extra Magic Hours daily from 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM. Per Disney's announcement this includes Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, plus Toy Story Land attractions and select other attractions.
From August 29th through November 2nd, Magic Kingdom will have Extra Extra Magic Hours daily from 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM. Per Disney's announcement, this features favorite attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
From August 29th through November 2nd, Animal Kingdom will have Extra Extra Magic Hours daily from 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM. Per Disney's announcement this features Pandora - The World of Avatar and other attractions throughout the park.
For Epcot, Extra Magic Hours will be available on select days.
Extra Magic Hours are a benefit available to guests staying at Disney World Resorts (and affiliated resorts.) Keep in mind that if you want to experience more than one park per day, you will need a Park Hopper.
Disney Skyliner
Parks: Epcot, Hollywood Studios, select resorts
Opening Date: Possibly Fall 2019
Disney Skyliner is a gondola system which will transport guests between Epcot (International Gateway), Hollywood Studios and select resorts (Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort.) Disney hasn't released very much information regarding specifics so at this point, one can only speculate on pricing, timing, etc. There are rumors and quite a bit of concern that these enclosed gondolas are not air conditioned and could become sweatboxes if (when) the system breaks down. I'm sure more information will be available in the near future.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Park: Hollywood Studios
Opening Date: Not announced
It was recently announced that Disney will be adding a new table service restaurant to Toy Story Land. This news was greatly welcomed as park attendance at Hollywood Studios is expected to increase significantly with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The new restaurant will be located to the right of the current entrance of Toy Story Land.
The idea behind the theming is that Andy has created a new rodeo arena by cutting and taping three cardboard boxes together. The arena features some of his favorite toys, games and play sets. Once inside, you'll be surrounded by all of the rodeo festivities in action as well as western town and train station play sets. You just might spot some of your favorite characters scattered throughout the restaurant in the form of toys and game pieces, including a toy version of Jessie riding on the back of a Trixie pull-toy and unique versions of Bo Peep and her sheep. Guests will be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of toys, games and play sets for this fun, family-friendly dining experience. (Note that this will not be a character meal.)
On a personal note, I'm excited for this restaurant. My current favorite table service restaurant in Hollywood Studios is The Hollywood Brown Derby, which serves the most delicious Cobb salad, but it would be nice to have another option for a sit down meal at that park. We are also huge fans of Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom. I'm hoping Disney knocks it out of the park with the menu for this new restaurant.
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
Park: Hollywood Studios
Opening Date: Spring 2020
This new ride was originally scheduled to open in the fall of 2019. Guests step into a movie and on Goofy's train for a wacky, wild ride. Disney is calling this new experience 2 1/2-D, which does not require viewing glasses.
Disney's Riviera Resort
Park: Epcot Resort Area
Opening Date: December 16, 2019
Disney's Riviera Resort is a deluxe villa resort (also part of the Disney Vacation Club) scheduled to open in mid-December 2019. Disney's website currently lists an average room rate per night of $553. The resort will feature tower studio rooms, spacious 1 and 2 bedroom villas, and 3 bedroom grand villas. The theming for this resort is the grandeur of Europe with its castles and fairytale villages.
No comments:
Post a Comment