D23 Expo 2019: Day 3 Highlights

[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/4″ style=”padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 1px; “][x_text class=”center-text “]by Danny de la Cruz

Photo credit: Disney[/x_text][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”3/4″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Day 3 of D23 Expo 2019 was the big day for everything around the Disney parks. Bob Chapek, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman unveiled details for the next chapter which included the transformation of Epcot, the new Avengers Campus at two Disneyland locations, the new Star Wars resort and more!

BOB CHAPEK (CHAIRMAN OF PARKS, EXPERIENCES AND PRODUCTS)

See highlights from Day 1 of D23 Expo 2019

See highlights from Day 2 of D23 Expo 2019

[/x_text][x_tab_nav type=”four-up” float=”top”][x_tab_nav_item title=”Epcot Transformation ” active=”true”][x_tab_nav_item title=”Disneyland around the globe” active=”false”][x_tab_nav_item title=”Avengers Campus” active=”false”][x_tab_nav_item title=”Resorts, Cruise Line, 50th Anniversary and more” active=”false”][/x_tab_nav][x_tabs][x_tab active=”true”]The Epcot multi-year transformation will include four new neighborhoods:

World Showcase

• The United Kingdom pavilion will get the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane, an entirely new neighborhood.

• Following the limited-time run of Epcot Forever, the new nighttime spectacular HarmonioUS will be the largest ever created for a Disney park, celebrating how the music of Disney inspires people the world over.

• In summer 2020, the France pavilion will open the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, along with a new restaurant called La Crêperie de Paris, and an all-new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” in January 2020.
• At the Canada pavilion, “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” will debut in January 2020.
• In the China pavilion, “Wondrous China” will take guests on a spectacular journey across China, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.

World Celebration

• Spaceship Earth will remain a voyage through time along with new scenes, a new guide and all-new narration.

• A new three-level pavilion will be the home base for Epcot’s signature festivals and will provide a stunning view of World Showcase and an ideal spot to witness the park’s nighttime spectacular.

• World Celebration will also feature breathtaking views at Dreamers Point, lush gardens, a wishing tree, an interactive new fountain, and a Walt Disney statue.

World Nature

• Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” will be a lush exploration trail where guests can play with magical, living water.

• The Land pavilion will add a new film, “Awesome Planet,” which showcases the spectacular beauty, diversity, and dynamic story of the planet, beginning January 2020.

World Discovery

• Guests will ride on a daring adventure featuring the first reverse launch into space on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This thrilling, family-friendly attraction will feature a never-before-seen storytelling coaster that rotates to focus on the action, wherever it may be.

• A new restaurant Space 220 will open this winter as an out-of-this-world culinary experience with the celestial panorama of a space station, including daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up.

• PLAY! pavilion will open in time for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. In this interactive metropolis, guests will discover a city bursting with games, activities, and experiences.

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• Beginning Spring 2020, a new “Magic Happens Parade” will debut with stunning floats, costumes, and beloved Disney characters from “Moana,” “Coco,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and more – all led by Mickey Mouse and his pals. There will also be a new musical score produced in partnership with singer-songwriter Todrick Hall.

• Next up, fans got a first look at some images for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in 2020 and Disneyland in 2022.

• More details were shared about the “Zootopia”-themed land coming to Shanghai Disney Resort.

• At Hong Kong Disneyland, there’s a major transformation as the park’s castle changes to Castle of Magical Dreams where it will feature adornments from 13 beloved Disney stories from Snow White’s apple, Cinderella’s coach, and Belle’s rose. The castle will be a canvas for new entertainment, including a daytime show and nighttime spectacular, and will be home to a new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where children can receive royal transformations.

• Also at Hong Kong Disneyland where there is a new Frozen land coming, two incredible attractions will be incluided–a new coaster called Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs that takes guests on a winding journey through the kingdom, and Frozen Ever After, inspired by the incredibly popular family attraction in Epcot’s Norway pavilion at Walt Disney World Resort.

[/x_tab][x_tab active=”false”]We heard about the plans surrounding the new Avengers Campus coming to Disney California Adventure in 2020 and later at Disneyland Paris.

• Both campuses will feature the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature Spider-Man. The attraction will give guests a taste of what it’s like to have actual super powers as they sling webs to help Spider-Man collect Spider-Bots that have run amok.

• There is a new Avengers Headquarters building with a brand-new E-Ticket attraction where guests will fly alongside the Avengers in an epic adventure to Wakanda and beyond when it opens in the next phase of development.

• There will be the Pym Test Kitchen where Pym Technologies is using the latest innovations to grow and shrink food.

• Guests will also encounter their favorite heroes from Ant-Man and The Wasp, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Super Heroes from Wakanda and Asgard, and Iron Man.

• At Disneyland Paris, guests can extend their adventures at Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, opening in summer 2020 with rooms that will include one-of-a-kind themed suites featuring favorite super heroes like Spider-Man.

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• Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be a unique hotel and proposed Disney Vacation Club resort drawing inspiration from the wonders of nature and artistry of Walt Disney. It will also feature a new table service restaurant inspired by the “Princess and the Frog”.

• Guests can board Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for a two-night adventure unlike no other. Aboard the Halcyon, every window will feature views into space and on board, you can experience special activities to incredible dining, and a “spaceport” day on Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Guests can even partake in light saber training or visit the bridge and learn about the navigation and defense systems of the ship.

• Three new ships are coming to the Disney Cruise Line and the first of the three will be called the Disney Wish with first sailings in January 2022.

• Guests can also look forward to a signature island experience that celebrates nature and the spirit and culture of the Bahamas at a new Disney port of call located on the breathtaking island of Eleuthera at a place called Lighthouse Point.

• For the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, the celebration will extend beyond Magic Kingdom to each of the resort’s four theme parks with highly anticipated attraction openings and new entertainment, food and beverage, merchandise, and more.
• Towards late 2020, the Disney Genie will launch as a way to enhance the way guests plan for and experience a trip to Disney World. Disney Genie will make planning easier and more fun by providing guests customized itineraries geared to princesses, thrill seekers, foodies, families and more. Guests will even be able to tell Disney Genie what they want to experience, and it will quickly evaluate millions of options to present them with an optimal day.

• Bob Chapek announced the first Cirque du Soleil show “Celebrating Walt Disney Animation Studios” coming to Disney Springs with previews beginning March 20, 2020, leading up to the world premiere on April 17.

• Disney will be teaming up at Target starting with the launch of 25 Disney stores within select Target stores nationwide on Oct. 4, with 40 additional locations opening by October 2020.

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