It's the most, wonderful time, of two years...
Yes, I know I'm late to the party. But I have a good reason: I'm lazy.It would probably be illegal for me to not talk about the many, many, many crazy surprise announcements, not to mention the stuff we were already pretty sure were happening. Any way, let's dive in.
Nice model, but don't these usually have trains running about?
Oh, mercy me!
A model of the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge was shown off, and... the Star Wars stuff would need a whole 'nother post, but what's important is that this is cool, the First Order ride vehicle is cool, Rex's return is cool, Hondo Ohnaka is cool, the hotel is cool, it's all just kickass.
The Obvious One
Skyway 2: No, you still may not spit over the edge.
I discussed the impending gondolas in a previous blog post. The new Disney Skyliner, as it's called is to connect EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, POP! Century, and Riviera Resorts, the latter of which was also announced at the Expo.
They have not announced when this system(which will hopefully be safe against hurricanes) will open, but hopefully it will be soon, so that we'll have another option to get around other than bus.
MAGICAL, ONE-OF-A-KIND DISNEY EXPERIENCE!
The One we kinda already knew was gonna happen
Please just try to make this about energy, too...
In a move that of course rustled the jimmies of many a Twitter account, it was announced the Ellen's Energy Adventure attraction(Winner of the 'Wait, this still exists?' award) would soon be closed to make way for a new attraction based on the smash hit film, Guardians of the Galaxy. What reasoning did they give for this? Apparently, Peter Quill visted Epcot when he was little. So did I, but where the hell is my attraction? It would have so many trains!
Well, at least they actually gave a reason. No clue what a modern-day racetrack is doing in the land of the future.
Naturally, people are complaining about the addition of another IP in EPCOT, even though EEA was based of Ellen's long-cancelled sitcom and Bill Nye the Science Guy. I've already given my thoughts on the matter over on Twitter, so head over there, but I still hope that this is done right, and that the complaining and whining will eventually die down.
The One we heard about just a little bit before it was official
"I love you. I guess we're gonna meet my parents tonight. Uh-oh, I burned the cheese! IF YOU DIE IN THE GAME YOU DIE FOR REAL!"
Just a few days before D23, several anonymous sources reported that the Tommorowland Speedway attraction at Magic Kingdom would be replaced by a copy of Shanghai's Tron Lightcycle Power Run. And while it is coming, the Speedway will stay, so Tomorrowland won't lose it's last opening day attraction. Otherwise, it looks like it'll just be an exact copy of the original. And if you've seen the original, then you know that that ain't a bad thing.
The One with the rat voiced by the awesome guy
Finally, a ride with a character voiced by this guy.
Speaking of imports, the highly successful Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy(Ratatouille: Remy's Totally Zany Adventure) from the Walt Disney Studios Park at the Disneyland Paris Resort is being added to EPCOT's France pavilion. The good news is that there will soon be a non-water ride added to World Showcase. The bad news is that doing this pretty much means that there is no longer any real motivation to go to Walt Disney Studios Park. There's a good reason why it's the least visited of Disney's 12 parks.
The One that's actually using our mascot for once
Anyone else surprised it took this long?
One of the more surprising announcements of the panel was a replacement for the aging attraction The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will be a new dark ride based off the recent Mickey Mouse shorts. If you have not seen them, you should; they're funny as hell. While it hasn't gotten as many complaints as the Guardians ride, many are still upset. Look, The Great Movie Ride will be missed- hell, it's the only ride I know of that has both Casablanca AND Alien- but at least the company's mascot is actually the subject of a ride for once.
The One that's just Uber. That's it
Because nobody chooses to use the bus.
Perhaps the most bizarre announcement was a new transportation option known as the "Minnie-vans"- even though the above car is a Chevy Traverse, which is an SUV, but I suppose we shouldn't split hairs. It's a novel idea, I'm sure, but as theme park reviewer Tony Goldmark (kinda) pointed out, wouldn't a Cars tie-in make more sense. You add fake eyes and a mouth, have a special character narration as you're driving- I mean, they did this to the Disneyland monorails once, why not here? Disney should really hire me.
Unless you find it creepy, it's a pretty good idea.
The Ones that aren't rides, stupid
In case you're wondering what the price for both is, it's more than you can afford.
Our final Park announcements from the Expo- aside from Toy Story land news that was mostly just confirming stuff we already knew, Paradise Pier becoming Pixar Pier with no new rides, some parade stuff, and a Marvel land announced for DCA (with no details given on what it will have, when ground will be broken, or when it'll open)- are of two new hotels. The Disney Riviera resort is exclusive to DVC (Disney Vacation Club) members and will open in Florida. In addition, as I previously mentioned, it will be a stop on the Skyliner gondola system. The second was also the only announcement we got relating to Disneyland Paris. Their preexisting Disney's Hotel New York is getting a makeover to transform into Disney's Hotel New York- The Art of Marvel. These will truly be amazing new accomodations that I will never have the money for.
So, what are your thoughts on the D23 announcements? Feel free to say what you loved slash hated in the comments. Here's hoping I can actually be at the next one!
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