Disneyland & Disney World Updates: Disney News on Parade
Welcome to Disney News on Parade for 2020. In a new format, we offer both YouTube video and a blog post as part of our Disney News on Parade.
We visit both coasts to bring you the latest and greatest. Let’s start at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Disneyland
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
This is not only one of the original Disneyland attractions, but it’s truly one of the most quintessential dark rides. Disney’s going to make it a little less scary as it goes “dark” this week for a refurbishment.
Rise of the Resistance Opens on January 17th
How will attendance impact Disneyland when Rise of the Resistance opens? We’ll soon learn as the attraction opens this next Friday.
Disneyland has announced the use of boarding passes similar to Walt Disney World. We’ll see how effective that is when they open.
Walt Disney World
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our recent podcast and show notes page that offers tips for riding Rise of the Resistance.
Star Wars Launch Bay Additions
There are new props, artifacts and murals that have been added to Star Wars Launch Bay. I’ve also overheard that the 25K R2D2 has moved from Droid Depot to this store, but didn’t get a chance to see it when I was there.
If you haven’t done so, be sure to subscribe to our Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Complete Guide. It offers so many details for enjoying this new land at both Disneyland at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Magic Kingdom
TTC & Other Entrance Improvements
Below is work being done on the TTC to address tram and security processes. Work could not go faster on this project, and unfortunately, it is not.
Meanwhile a new bridge is being constructed to allow guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to cross over.
Peoplemover vs. Tron
It’s exciting to see the progress made on the new Tron coaster. You can see the track externally as well as the show building that houses the internal portion of the track. I do not sense that any of this overlaps with the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Meanwhile, the PeopleMover continues to show signs of wear. The cones below dents those vehicles that are defective and cannot host guests. There are many of them.
Epcot
Our focus is on Future World, but remember it’s being transitioned to becoming three lands:
MouseGear
While MouseGear is under an extensive remodel, let’s look at the temporary shop opened up at the former Innoventions East.
One the one hand, it’s fairly amazing that Disney has taken a former space and temporarily transformed it into a retail location.
On the other hand, this is a stop-gap measure until the store is remodeled. Note how few guests are in the store.
Here’s the store during the remodel. I talk about the doors on the far right in my video.
New Character Meet ‘n’ Greets
Here are the stars of Wreck It Ralph:
The following photo is not a meet ‘n’ greet location, but rather a Cast Member exit for the characters doing meet ‘n’ greet. It’s the fanciest exit I’ve ever seen.
Take a look at this photo:
Then take a look at this artistic rendering for what’s replacing Wonders of Life. You sense that this is a beta test for what lies ahead in the new Play pavilion.
Here’s a little head scratcher. What is going on construction wise between Imagination & The Land? It’s more than changing out flowers. It’s even more than plumbing.
More Construction
The opening of Space 220 is not far away. Here’s what it looks like onstage and backstage:
For those who weren’t aware, space is actually the color of “go away green”.
Here is a photo showing the teardown of the former Innoventions West building. On my video, I talk about the utilidor underneath.
With all of this construction, it’s important to have a vision of what’s ahead for Epcot. Here’s the full presentation of the Epcot Experience. Check it out.
That does it for today. Be sure to check us out next week when three new film attractions premiere at Epcot along with the annual Festival of the Arts celebration.
