D23 Expo’s big sneak peek presentation of what’s new and what’s next for Disney Parks and Resorts has wrapped and your Twitter timelines are likely still buzzing from all the news. I’m going to cut right to the chase here and note that this is the first of several articles breaking down all of this morning’s big announcements from D23 Expo. Let’s get started with Disneyland!
Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek welcomed guests to the presentation after a sizzle reel showcased everything Disney Parks has to offer. Chapek launched directly into things, noting the opening of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland.
Chapek rolled a new sizzle reel for Galaxy’s Edge, which gave the audience several glimpses at the upcoming Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction, which is set to open at Disneyland in January 2020 and this December in Walt Disney World. The attraction looks like it’s incredibly ambitious and employs a lot of impressive new effects. Galaxy’s Edge absolutely needs this ride open before the land will feel complete. With such soft attendance this summer, I can’t help but wonder if Disney is kicking themselves for opening the land without this E-Ticket ready to go.
Kylo Ren’s lightsaber cutting through the roof above riders’ heads. Wild.
Droid on the front of your ride vehicle
Next up, Chapek announced an all-new daytime parade for Disneyland. The new “Magic Happens” parade is inspired by the magical moments in Disney films and will debut Spring 2020. Keep an eye out for floats based on recent hits including Moana and Pixar’s Coco along with classics like Cinderella.
The parade’s theme song is written by musician Todrick Hall and D23 Expo attendees were treated to a special performance of the new song.
Next up for Disneyland, the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction has been announced for a 2022 opening, with its Walt Disney World counterpart opening next year. Chapek gave a couple small glimpses at the exterior of Disneyland’s new ride, a look at the queue, and a couple looks at work currently underway on the Walt Disney World version of the ride.
The exterior of Disneyland’s version of the ride, set in the El CapiTOON Theatre in Mickey’s Toon Town.
A look at part of the queue
And a couple sneak peeks at the interior of the ride, under construction now at Walt Disney World’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios park.
The ride is based on Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts and the ride will take guests to the premiere of the latest short, “Perfect Picnic.”
And finally, a look at the reworked Chinese Theatre facade for the ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Okay, that’s it for Disneyland news from D23 Expo’s Parks presentation. Stay tuned here on MiceChat as we continue to dig through and share photos and details from this morning’s presentation.