Announcements from D23’s Destination D Expo 2018!

This weekend Disney D23 members gathered at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort for the Destination D Celebration. The D23 members that attended this weekend were able to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90^th Birthday with several exhibits, seminars, photo opps, and of course merchandise but there was more to this weekend than our favorite mouse. This weekend came with several announcements from Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek about the future of Disney parks and more and we’ve got the recap for you!

First, Disney is making sure you have many chances to celebrate Mickey!

• In New York City there is a newly opened exhibit called Mickey: The True Original which is described as an interactive experience inspired by Mickey and his impact on pop culture. This exhibit is currently open and will run until February 10^th, 2019. Tickets can be purchased at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.
• For guests enjoying a Disney Cruise on the Disney Fantasy next summer, you will be able to party with Mickey and Minnie at their Surprise Party at Sea!
• At Disneyland, guest will be able to experience Get Your Ears On- A Mickey and Minnie Celebration which features new food, entertainment, and merchandise. Beginning January 18^th, there will be a new nighttime show featuring new music, projections, and lasers that will put you in a huge party! The show is called “Mickey’s Mix Magic” and it sounds amazing! If that wasn’t enough, Disneyland will get Mickey’s Soundsational Parade back in January 2019 and there will be a new float featuring Mickey!
• At Walt Disney World, guests will be able to experience Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at the Magic Kingdom. This will be a new dance party featuring new entertainment, food, and merchandise. Over at Hollywood Studios, there will be a new nighttime experience called “Wonderful World of Animation.” This nighttime projection show will debut May 2019 for the park’s 30^th Anniversary and feature more than 90 years of Disney animation which as we all know, started with a mouse a.k.a Mickey!

Next, they talked about Epcot:

• The already under construction Ratatouille ride in the France pavilion has received a name. It will be called Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure!
• Also in the France pavilion, there will be a “Beauty and the Beast” sing-along which is being created by Don Hahn, the producer of the animated and live-action “Beauty and the Beast” films. There is not set debut date and it will not replace “Impressions de France.”
• They also mentioned that the O Canada! 360-degree show in the Canada pavilion is going to get an update.
• Details about the new nighttime show for Epcot was also announced. The new nighttime show is planned to open in 2020 and will celebrate how Disney music inspires people around the world. The show will feature huge floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, light, pyrotechnics, and lasers. But don’t worry, there will not be a gap in nighttime entertainment between when IllumiNations says farewell next year and this new show opening. There will be a limited time show called “Epcot Forever” which is debut in the fall next year. The show will feature classic Epcot tunes and is described as beginning with a spark of imagination that swells into an epic spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers, and special effects kites.

Next, Bob Chapek discussed some more Walt Disney World additions:

• They unveiled details about a new Disney resort called Reflections- A Disney Lakeside Lodge. It is a deluxe, nature-inspired resort coming to Walt Disney World. It will feature more than 900 hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club villas.
• The also gave a first look to the Disney Skyliner Gondolas that are scheduled to be running Fall 2019. Check out the YouTube Video here.

Lastly, more announcements about the highly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge:

• One major attraction will be called Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This attraction will put guests behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon in one of three unique flight crew roles. Check out the video here.
• A second attraction will be called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It will put the guest in the middle of the battle between the Resistance and the First Order. Check out the video here.
• Legendary composer John Williams is creating new and original Star Wars themes exclusive to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This is the man that brought you the iconic music to the Star Wars films we all know and love. Click here for a great video of the recording sessions and shots of Galaxy’s Edge.
• They also spoke about the Star Wars resort. It will be a fully immersive, multi-day experience. From the moment you board your launch pod, you are in the Star Wars galaxy complete with high-end dining, space-view cabins, and other authentic Star Wars experiences.

 

Those are some amazing announcement from D23’s Destination D expo! There’s so much to look forward to in the next few years coming to the Disney parks in addition to celebrating Mickey Mouse! What announcement are you most excited for?

For more details, check out Disney Parks Blog!

Are you ready to plan your next trip to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, or a Disney Cruise? Don’t forget to contact Once Upon A Time Travel, they are the official travel agents for The Disney Nerds Podcast!

 

(All Photos Courtesy of Disney)