Disney Parks and Resorts Updates from D23

This weekend was the D23 Expo in Anaheim, there were a lot of announcements, so I thought I would put together a quick, high level recap. I will focus on the information from the Parks and Resorts Panel, but there was a huge introduction of Disney+ (Disney's streaming service launching November 12),  several announcements about upcoming movies (both animated and live action) and some well-deserved inductions into the league of Disney Legends. Keep in mind that many of these are only concepts and are subject to change at at any time.

Let's start with Disney Cruise Line... Disney had already announced that there will be three new ships joining the fleet, but the name of the first ship was announced at D23:

The Disney Wish is expected to set sail in January 2022 and will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Fantasy at 1250 staterooms and will be powered by liquefied natural gas.

Also announced today was the name an location of Disney's second private destination. Lighthouse Point will be located on the beautiful island of Eleuthera and will celebrate the culture of the Bahamas and is being led by Joe Rhode, best known for creating the immersive environments of Disney's Animal Kingdom and Aulani.

Disneyland will see some additions as well:

Magic Happens is a brand new daytime parade that will take place daily at Disneyland Park. This parade will feature new floats celebrating magical moments and some of our favourite Disney characters and a brand new musical score. Here is some concept art of a few of the new floats:

Moana

Coco

A grand finale featuring Flora, Fauna and Meriweather from Sleeping Beauty along with Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora dancing while her dress magically changes from pink to blue and back again.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is the first attraction featuring Mickey Mouse. Set to open in Disneyland Park in 2022, this ride will take riders into the wacky world of Mickey's cartoon shorts. With Goofy as the engineer, your ride on this train will be exciting and magical with unexpected twists and turns. New technology makes this immersive adventure into a multi-dimensional experience.

The biggest announcement for the Disneyland Resort was the name and details about the upcoming Avengers Campus coming to Disney California Adventure. This new land will be set up as to recruit new superheroes.

Worldwide Engineering Brigade (or WEB) will house Disney's first ride-through attraction to feature Spiderman. Guests will have the opportunity to test drive the "web slinger" vehicle and experience what it is like to have this superpower while helping Spiderman collect Spiderbots.

The Pym Test Kitchen will showcase the latest innovations in growing and shrinking food.

The Avengers Headquarters (scheduled to open in phase 2 of this multi year project) will house a brand new E-ticket attraction. In this adventure, you will board a Quinjet and fly alongside the Avengers battling to save the world from one of the most powerful villains ever.

The biggest changes are coming to Walt Disney World, with the addition of new resort hotels, entertainment offerings and several new attractions.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a highly anticipated experience unlike anything Disney has done before. You board the Halcyon, a glamourous starship, for a two-night adventure that will immerse you in the world of Star Wars. Activities on board will include training in wielding a lightsaber, aan excursion to Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu and interacting with other passengers and characters to create your own Star Wars story.

Epcot will see the biggest changes in the next several years.

The new logo was unveiled and can be seen above and we will see the transformation of the current Future World into three re-imagined neighbourhoods: World Discovery, World Celebration and World Nature.

World Discovery will feature the new Space 220 restaurant where you will board a special elevator that will take you 220 miles up to a space station where you will enjoy daytime and nighttime views of earth from space. Operated by the Patina Group, who also run Via Napoli, I expect that the food will be as amazing as the view.

We have known for some time that the area once occupied by Ellen's Energy Adventure will become a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, but the name was announced along with a few details. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will start with a reverse launch and the ride vehicles will rotate 360-degrees.

The Play! Pavilion is and interactive city filled with games, activities and experiences along with the opportunity to interact with characters like never before.

The Odyssey Events Pavilion will house Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience starting on October 1, 2019. In this area, you will be able to experience interactive exhibits as Epcot goes through this period of tremendous change.

World Celebration will continue to feature Spaceship Earth with a new narration and new musical score. The attraction will remains a voyage through time that unites us all through the power of storytelling.

This new pavilion will be the hub of live events and Epcot's signature festivals. It will feature three levels - a plaza level, the middle expo level and the rooftop park that will offer stunning views of the nighttime spectacular.

Transformation of the entrance plaza has already begun and will be simple an beautiful, featuring a re-imagined fountain and lush green spaces.

This area will also feature a new statue of Walt Disney, a wishing tree and spectacular views of World Showcase from Dreamer's Point at the exit of Spaceship Earth.

Journey of Water, inspired by Moana, will welcome you into World Nature. This walk through experience allows you to interact with living water while learning about the importance of  the natura water cycle.

The Land pavilion will debut a new film, Awesome Planet, in January 2020.

World Showcase will see the introduction of a new nighttime show in October 2019 called Epcot Forever. This show is temporary and will be replaced in 2020 by HarmonioUS, the biggest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park.

The first ever Mary Poppins themed attraction will be coming to the UK pavilion. The adventure will begin on Cherry Tree Lane as you arrive at number 17 and enter the Banks' home.

The France pavilion will see a few new additions: Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (previously announced) is set to open in summer of 2020, Le Creperie de Paris will also open around this time and Beauty and the Beast Sing Along will debut in January of 2020.

Canada Far And Wide will replace Oh Canada, the current Circlevision 360 movie in January 2020.

Wondrous China, filmed in seamless Circlevision 360 will be coming to the China Pavilion.

Epcot is going to change dramatically and I can't wait to watch the evolution.

I have just a few more quick announcements to cover... I promise.

Disney Genie is set to launch in late 2020 and will be a great digital tool to help you plan your vacation and optimize your time in the parks with customized itineraries based on your preferences.

Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge is a proposed new Disney Vacation Club property.

And finally, Cirque du Soleil has partnered with Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios to create a show that combines the magic of Disney and the artistry of Cirque du Soleil. It is scheduled to have its world premiere on April 17, 2020 and I can't wait!

Top 5 Disney Restaurants From a Picky Eater

We were recently watching a YouTube podcast where they were talking about their top 5 favourite restaurants at Walt Disney World, so I posed the question to my 19-year old daughter, Abby. She is a very picky eater, so ambiance is almost more important than food for her as pretty much every restaurant has some form of chicken fingers on the menu. Here is her list:

1. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre — The theming and the atmosphere in this place is amazing. I mean you’re eating your meal in a car, how cool! This is some of the best food in Hollywood Studios as there is something for everyone. Additional details such as light-up ice cubes and clever innuendos from the cast members puts this restaurant over the top. Plus, when you’re watching the shorts being played on the screen, you don’t realize how long it’s been since you ordered.
   
2. Blaze Pizza — I’m a sucker for pizza. While this is a chain that can be found in multiple locations in Ontario, we always find ourselves making a trip when we’re nearby. The pizza is not only fast and convenient, but delicious! And with many options for sauces and toppings it is sure to please everyone.
   
3. D-Luxe — When we went on our Disney Trip in 2016, I told myself I was going to do something adventurous. Trying a new style of burger at D-Luxe was that thing; and boy did it pay off! It opened up my picky taste buds to new flavour combinations and topping possibilities. It’s is also a quick service meal, meaning it is fast and you can use your dining plan credits.
   
4. Whispering Canyon Cafe — Another winner in the atmosphere category. While this can be a very pricy place to eat, the fact that the staff and customers alike are yelling at each other for ketchup and bringing you bottomless milkshakes of endless flavours makes this a Win for me. I have fond memories here, like ringing the dinner bell for the entire lobby of Wilderness Lodge and wearing napkin hats all dinner with my family, which is why it places on my list.
   
5. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue — this wouldn’t be an Abby post without the mention of something musical. While I can’t remember much of the food as I went when I was really young, I can only assume I ate some form of chicken. What makes this place so memorable is the atmosphere. The actors are always having the time of their lives. They will have you clapping and cheering all night long. Plus, seeing your dad in a tutu is something you can never forget.

Disney Travel 101

Are you considering taking the plunge and booking a Walt Disney World vacation? There are so many things to consider when planning this type of adventure that I thought I would write my first article about the basic steps I recommend following:

1. Set a budget. There is no denying that a Disney vacation is an expensive vacation. With a little bit of preplanning, it is possible to have a great time at a Disney park without breaking the bank. The more flexible you can be with when you visit and where you stay, the easier it will be to stay within the budget. A knowledgeable travel agent will work to get you the best bang for your buck by keeping an eye out for deals and applying them to your reservation even after you have booked.
   
2. Decide when you will travel and for how long. The dates you choose can make a huge difference in the experience you will have. There are certain long weekends in the US that dramatically affect the traffic in the parks, so I recommend avoiding Easter, President's Day and Thanksgiving (among others) if possible. If you are only able to travel during school holidays, you can expect larger crowds and longer wait times. That doesn't mean that you can't have an amazing time, but traveling at these peak times just requires more patience and planning.
   
3. Choose where you will stay. There are so many choices in accommodations that it can be a little overwhelming to navigate them. Your budget will help narrow it down, but there can be several choices within each price range. On site hotels are generally more expensive than off site, but remember that price doesn't necessarily equal value. It is important to weigh the onsite perks against the price difference for off site. For example, Disney's Magical Express transportation from the Orlando International Airport is included in the price of your resort, but staying off site will require you to take a shuttle, UBER or rent a car. Using the included on site Disney Transportation saves the cost of a car rental and parking at the hotel, but can eat a lot of time.
   
4. Decide how you will get to Orlando. Depending on where you are coming from, you may choose to fly or drive to Walt Disney World. If you choose to fly, shop around and check different airlines and even different airports to try and get the best deal. Sometimes driving to an airport a little farther away can save quite a bit of money in airfare. Make sure to consider baggage and other fees when choosing an airline - a budget airline may end up costing you more as most charge for every checked bag and some charge for carry-ons as well.
   
5. Choose the best tickets for you. Planning your "must-do's" will give you an idea of which tickets you will need. I feel like a One Park Per Day ticket is fine for most travelers, especially first time visitors. The upcharge for a Park Hopper ticket is pricey, but can be worth the cost if you are looking to do more than one day at a park, but not two full days. If water parks or golf are on your priority list, purchasing the Park Hopper Plus option may be the best value for you.
   
6. Consider dining options. If you are looking to eat at full-service restaurants, you will want to book those as early as you can. The Advanced Dining Reservations open 180 days before arrival date and allow you to book 10 days of reservations on that day if staying on site (if you are staying off site, you will have to book each reservation 180 days before the dining date). Many of the more popular restaurants book up very quickly at that 180 day mark, so knowing where you would like to eat beforehand will allow you or your travel agent to get those bookings as soon as the window opens.
   
7. Plan your FastPass+ strategy. If you are staying on site, you can make your FastPass+ selections 60 days before arrival and you can make 14 days worth of FastPass+ at that time. This window drops to 30 days if you are staying off site. Knowing which attractions are most important to you ahead of time will help to speed up the process on that booking day as many fill up quickly. I know what you're thinking, how will I know what I want to do that far in advance? I suggest reading articles, watching YouTube videos and talking to friends and family to make your list and then get any and all of the FastPass+ reservations you can for the top rides as soon as your booking window opens. You can always make changes after booking, but at least you know that you have some reservations made if you aren't able to find anything else later. 
   
8. Countdown! Mark the days off on the calendar, celebrate "milestone" days with Disney themed activities or movies or whatever creative way you can come up with to build the excitement and anticipation for your trip! Tickers like the one above are available at www.magicalkingdoms.com.

As a hyper-organized uber-planner, I spend my time after booking making colour coded spreadsheets and calendars so I know what I have planned and often tweak my FastPasses and dining reservations several times. Planning is a big part of the fun, but if this sounds like a logistical nightmare, remember that a good travel agent will take care of all of that for you.

A Brief Introduction

My name is Tara and I am a Disney-holic.

I don't think I can adequately describe my love for all things Disney... I love the movies, the music, the characters, Broadway shows and, most importantly, the theme parks. 

There is nothing like walking down Main Street U.S.A. for the first time on a vacation. I'm not ashamed to admit that seeing the castle makes me cry. Every. Time. My daughter picks on me for it, but I feel such an emotional connection to the most magical place on earth that even her ribbing can't spoil that for me.

I would love to share my love for travelling to Disney Parks with the world, so I thought I would use this blog as a place to write articles, give travel tips and start conversations about making the most of a Disney vacation. I will share some of my favourite tricks and hacks as well as keep you informed of deals and promotions that come up from time to time (those deals may be scarce for a while with Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opening this August).

Stay tuned for fun on this page and join my Facebook group for exclusive content at www.letsmakesomemagic.ca