New Experiences Awaiting your Group at Disney Parks

“Disneyland is something that will never be finished. It is something that I can keep developing. It will be a live, breathing thing that will need change.” –Walt Disney

Since the first Disney theme park opened its doors in 1955, Disney Parks have continually evolved and improved. The past few months brought the announcement of a number of developments which will further enhance the student experience. Here are some of our favorites, along with when you can expect to see each one open:

Star Wars

Star Wars is coming to both Disneyland® Park in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida, in a big way. The plans call for 14-acre “Star Wars Land” expansions at both parks, making them the largest single-themed land expansions ever. The new lands will “transport guests to a never-before-seen-planet,” and feature two major attractions (one of which will allow guests to take the Millennium Falcon on a secret mission), along with Star Wars-themed dining and entertainment.

Fans will likely have to wait until 2019 to experience the new Star Wars Land, but you can expect to find much more Star Wars fun in the meantime. Starting now, the Star Wars Launch Bay at both Disneyland® Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will provide a behind the scenes look at all things Star Wars, including the new film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Additionally, visitors to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida will be delighted with an all-new fireworks show set to the score of beloved Star Wars films. Over at Disneyland® Park in California, guests will board an “X-Wing” fighter on the limited time “Hyperspace Mountain” overlay to Space Mountain, an adventure which will be set to a new Star Wars inspired soundtrack.

Frozen Ever After

The Norway pavilion at Epcot® is in the midst of a Frozen makeover. Central to the makeover is Frozen Ever After, a remake of the classic Epcot® attraction, Maelstrom. This reimagined boat ride will transport guests to the kingdom of Arendelle for the “Winter in Summer Celebration”, where Queen Elsa has used her powers to create a winter wonderland. Guests looking for more Frozen will stop into the Royal Sommerhus to meet Anna and Elsa in person. Experience the reimagined Norway pavilion in mid-2016.

Toy Story

An all-new “Toy Story Land” is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida. This land will include two new attractions: a Slinky the dog-themed family roller coaster and a spinning alien saucer. Additionally, a new ride track is being added to Toy Story Midway Mania!, enabling more guests to experience this much-loved attraction. Though Disney has not announced an opening date, news outlets speculate that the new land will be completed by 2018.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Major additions are coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, starting in spring 2016 with “Rivers of Light.” This new nighttime spectacular – a first for the park – combines live action, floating lanterns and water screens in a stirring celebration of the beauty of animals and life. Also opening in 2016 is Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris, an enhancement to the current attraction which will allow guests to experience the African savannah under the glow of the setting sun. Be on the lookout for two new species on the savannah as well: Hyenas and African Wild Dogs.

The following year (2017) brings the expected opening of the much-anticipated Pandora – The World of AVATAR. This new land will immerse guests in the world of James Cameron’s blockbuster film AVATAR, and two attractions will anchor the area. The first will thrill guests with the opportunity to fly with banshees, and the second will take guests on a boat ride through PANDROA’s illuminated forest. When all is complete, expect Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park to provide a full day of excitement and adventure for your group.

Soarin’ Around the World

This spring, Disney will unveil an updated version of Soarin’® at both Disney California Adventure® Park in California and Epcot® in Florida. The updated attraction will take guests to some of the most spectacular sites throughout the globe including the Great Wall of China, Monument Valley, and the African Savannah. Soarin’® will also receive a new laser projection system and digital projection screens, making the attraction feel even more realistic than it has in the past.

It’s easy to get excited about everything on the horizon at Disney Parks. As the top producer for Disney Performing Arts OnStage and Festival Disney, Bob Rogers Travel is the ideal choice to plan your group’s perfect Disney Parks performance tour. Contact us today to learn more and start planning!