Looking at the history, present, and future of Walt Disney World, while sharing sensible suggestions to make your next visit pleasant and productive.
Disney's Hollywood Studios: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Despite Mickey's diminutive stature, Rafferty described the forthcoming attraction by saying, "this is not going to be a small attraction, it’s going to be game-changing." Given the size of the show building, the importance of Mickey Mouse to the company, and the location of the Chinese Theatre at the focal point of this park, it sounds like it will, indeed, be something special, though it's not clear what the ride experience will be. Rafferty did promise "more hidden Mickeys than any attraction anywhere in the universe."
Toy Story Land was announced some time ago and there's been concept art posted on the construction walls around its future home in Disney's Hollywood Studios for quite a while. The news today was that it will open "next summer." The land will feature Slinky Dog Dash, what Disney describes as "a family coaster attraction," and Alien Swirling Saucers, which appears to be a better-themed version of a Scrambler-type attraction. Neither of these additions to the park appear to be headliner attractions, but both appear to appeal to all-ages, which should increase the appeal of the Studios to children.
Epcot: Ratatouille
Epcot: Guardians of the Galaxy
Without revealing details of what this new ride experience will include, Fitzgerald described the new Guardians attraction only in general terms, as "more timeless, more relevant, and more Disney." Imagineers created a tenuous connection to Epcot's past by announcing Peter Quill, one of the Guardians of the Galaxy, visited Epcot as a child before his adventures across the galaxy.
Epcot: Mission: SPACE Restaurant
Magic Kingdom: Tron
In recent weeks, some blogs fueled rumors that this attraction would replace the Tomorrowland Speedway, but given the way Chapek worded his announcement and the description of the location as "an entirely new area right next to the Space Mountain," it appears that nothing will close to build this attraction. It appears that it will sit mostly in on the opposite side of the Walt Disney World Railroad track, in an area currently occupied only by trees. Chapek announced the attraction will "open in time for the 50th [anniversary of Walt Disney World]," which means no later than October 1, 2021.
Magic Kingdom: New Theater on Main Street USA
Minnie Vans
Disney Skyliner
The Skyliner will stop near Epcot's International Gateway entrance. There was no word where this will connect with Disney's Hollywood Studios, but that will likely soon be apparent when construction in that area begins. The concept art suggests these will be enclosed vehicles, which presumably means they will also be climate controlled. Chapek announced that some gondolas will include Disney characters, but it was not clear what that meant.
Bob Chapek announced quite a few changes outside of Disney World. Since our focus here is on the Florida parks, I will not cover those in much detail, but since those items may be of interest to some readers, I will mention them. Other new things coming from Disney Parks and Resorts in the years to come include the following:
The attractions both sound pretty ambitious. In one, you will pilot the Millennium Falcon, though it's not clear how that will work. It was suggested that it's possible to crash the ship, so guests will clearly be able to effect the ride experience, though Chapek also noted "everybody works as a team," which I interpret as "everybody in a particular ride vehicle will have the same result." One of Disney's talking points during the Expo has been that you will be commended for successfully completing a mission here, presumably by walk-around characters in the park or in restaurants, but if you fail you may lose galactic credits, then you might upset someone and find that bounty hunters are out to get you.
The second attraction will take place inside an Imperial Star Destroyer. Not much was said about this attraction beyond that, but the ride vehicle was revealed among the Expo exhibits. WDW News Today has a variety of photos of the First Order Fleet Transport. The vehicle suggests this will be a trackless ride system, which Disney has used effectively as part of attractions in different overseas parks. This adds a level of unpredictability, as you don't follow the same path each ride, so you will likely see and hear different things each time you visit.
Avid Disney Parks fans may have heard about this idea in April, when concept art from a Disney guest survey made the rounds on social media. Today, Disney officially announced a Star Wars resort will be built in Disney World, but did not say much else. In April, speculation was that the new resort will be near Disney's Hollywood Studios, but no official announcement was made about the location.
There are only two places to find food and drinks while visiting Pandora in Disney's Animal Kingdom, but both figure to be busy for the foreseeable future. I was fortunate to sample selections from each location during previews prior to the official opening on this new land and will share my thoughts below.
Initially, the "Create-Your-Own Satu'li Bowl" might seem a little confusing, but it requires three relatively simple choices, and while I haven't tried them all, I suspect you won't go wrong with anything you order here. You start by selecting a protein, between beef, chicken, fish, or tofu. You also select a "base" (two different salads, potato hash, or rice) and sauce and then you're set. Each meal is also served with vegetable slaw and yogurt Boba Balls.
I chose the chicken bowl with rice and charred onion chimichurri for my bowl and was pleased with my selection. I might try one of the other sauces when I return (black bean vinaigrette or creamy herb dressing), but the rice was very good and the chicken was outstanding. A friend who eats a vegan diet also raved about the fried tofu bowl, ordering it again when we returned to Satu'li Canteen for a second meal.
Satu'li Canteen also deserves commendation for it's beer list. There are only two choices, both of which are also available at Pongo Pongo (see below), but both are above average options. Since it seems breweries are scarce in the Valley of Mo'ara, Disney reached out to Georgia's Terrapin Beer Co. to create two beers that are (to the best of my knowledge) are only available on Pandora. You'll probably see a little of pictures of the green Hawkes' Grog Ale, a pale wheat ale that is more than just a novelty beer that should please just about anyone who enjoys beer. It's not spectacular, but a good solid all-around beer that left me pleasantly surprised.
Less impressive, but still a solid choice for those who prefer lagers is the Mo'ara High Country Ale. There wasn't anything special with this oddly named lager that calls itself an "ale", but also nothing wrong with it. If you want a cold lager on a hot day, then you'll be happy to drink one of these. Also available is a limited wine list an two beers that you can find anywhere on earth, along with sangria and a variety of self-service fountain drinks. If you collect novelty cups, then there's one available here for an additional $8 - $8.50, depending on what drink you want to put in it.
Located just outside Satu'li Canteen, Pongo Pongo is mostly a drink stand, serving beer, bottled water, and some pre-mixed novelty drinks. As of opening, the menu did not include any soda selections, so you'll have to go to the full quick service restaurant if that's what you want.
I tried the Mo'ara Margarita, gold tequila mixed with strawberry or blood orange, topped with strawberry Boba Balls. This was a decent frozen drink that I wouldn't be unhappy having again, but not something I'll make a point of ordering during future visits (ie: it's not like the frozen slushes at the France pavilion in Epcot). it's more likely if I feel like I want a drink on Pandora that I'll order another of the land-specific beers that are also available at Pongo Pongo.
Since I mentioned collectible cups inside at Satu'li Canteen, I'll note that drinks at Pongo Pongo can be served in a different drinking vessel you can take home with you, this time in mugs with "glowing unadelta seed". I've somehow managed to survive this long without "glowing unadelta seed" in my home and as much as I enjoy novelty glowing drinks I didn't need to pay double the price for my margarita for this souvenir. |
| Keep a close eye on your drinks in Pandora, because you never know who or what might try to get their hands on it. |
