What is new and coming soon to Disney Destinations!

Walt Disney said "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."  In this spirit, Disney Destinations continue to evolve and grow - the park you will visit next year is not the exact same park you visited last year or the one you visited 10 years ago.  I'm often excited when a person comes to me for help planning a trip that is a first for their kids, and the first time they themselves have been there since they were kids.  They may have some memories about the parks, but I take it as my responsibility to prepare them for all the changes that have happened since they last visited. 

Without further adieu, let's dive into what is new, and coming soon!

Walt Disney World celebrates it's 50th Anniversary in 2021, to celebrate there are lots of new rides and attractions scheduled to open! 

Disney Skyliner - This new method of transportation is now open, serving Hollywood Studios and Epcot - as well as these resorts: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Riviera Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, and Disney's Art of Animation Resort. 

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - coming to Hollywood Studios in Spring 2020.  This will be located where the Great Movie Ride was (the the replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre)

Tron attraction coming to Magic Kingdom's Tomorrow land opening in 2021, in time for the 50th anniversary.  The TRON attraction is based on the TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland.

Galaxy's Edge: Rise of the Resistance ride - this second phase of Galaxy's Edge is scheduled to open December 5th at Hollywood Studios.  Phase one with Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run opened at the end of August.  These rides do not currently accept FastPasses, but we hope they are incorporated in the future!

Epcot - There are some big changes coming to Epcot in the coming years!

• New Character Spot for Mickey to greet his adoring fans - will be opening early 2020 next to the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival, in the Imagination! pavilion 
• Ratatouille inspired attraction coming to the France Pavilion - scheduled to open May 2020
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - this will be one of the world's longest indoor coasters.  In August we got to see a sneak peek of the ride vehicles, and we learned that this will be a storytelling, family friendly coaster with vehicles that can rotate 360 degrees and even reverse launch!

Fuel Rods Exchange - it was reported in the last couple weeks that the Fuel Rod Exchange stations located within the parks would start charging $3 per swap, starting November 1st.  News has broken recently that they've decided NOT to charge for the exchanges, so you can keep swapping those Fuel Rods within the parks, free of charge.

Disney Villains After Hours returns to Magic Kingdom in 2020, running 24 select nights Feb. 7 through July 10!  This is a separately ticketed event, like the other After Hours events, Halloween and Christmas Parties.  There are not Character Meet & Greets with the villains, but there is a LOT of villain fun during the parties.  There's a special stage show, dance party and other additions to the parks. 

Scheduled Festivals:

• Epcot International Festival of the Arts - typically mid January-late February
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - typically early March - early June
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Typically late Summer through the Fall
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - Typically late Fall through the Winter

Disneyland
Galaxy's Edge: Rise of the Resistance ride - this second phase of Galaxy's Edge is scheduled to open January 17th at Disneyland park.  The first phase has already been open since May, and is a very popular area in the park.  Advanced reservations are open for Oga's Cantina, where you can experience the beverages of Batuu - including alcoholic beverages, which is a first for the general public areas of Disneyland park. 

Marvel land: Avenger's Campus.  This new land, which is taking over the old Bug's Life Land area in California Adventure will be opening sometime next year.  This will be an immersive experience with at least two rides and character experiences. 

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is set to open in 2022 in Disneyland Park.  This ride is expected to be just like the ride that will be opening over at Hollywood Studios in Orlando. 

Scheduled Festivals:

• Lunar New Year Celebration: January 17 through February 9, 2020 
• Disney California Food & Wine Festival: February 28 through April 21, 2020
• Disneyland Festival of the Holidays: Typically Mid November through Early January (for 2019, dates are November 8 through January 6th)

Disney Cruise Line
Disney has announced that 3 new ships will join their fleet, with the first arrival of the Disney Wish in late 2021, with its first sailing in January 2020.  The other two ships are expected to be completed in 2022 and 2023.  The new ships will feature even more amenities and staterooms on board.