Disney Parks and Resorts Make Huge Announcements! #D23Expo

Unless you are living under a rock, you might have already heard all the exciting news coming out of the D23 expo. When I knee high to a grasshopper, all we had was Disneyland. And guess what? We loved it. It was a magical place where you were transported from your everyday life to Disney's imagination.

I got older and then Disney World was created. I didn't visit Disney World until I was in my 20's but it was amazing a well. Then Japan got a Disney Park and then France got one too. When I went to Paris 2 years ago, I really wanted to visit Disneyland Paris but my hubby said no. Sigh.

Now, there will be a Disney Park in Shanghai! I have to admit that Disney knows their business. And if you are a Disney fan, you are aways surprised and amazed as what they actually do. Disney fans are super lucky that that the Disney Movie branch of the company keeps putting out such great fare. That allows the Park and resort side to create new attractions for us Disneyphiles.

I was lucky enough to be in the Disney Parks & Resort panel at the D23Expo. I can only say it was so amazing to be there and to be one of the first people to learn what is going on. I can only say that I am starting a Disney Parks fund because I want to make sure I go and check out these new lands! I already told my hubby we need to one of the international Disney locations. My choice, Shanghai! It will have a new Pirates of the Caribbean Land!

Here is a comprehensive peek at what is going on.



Star Wars Land

We did not get a timeline but Disney has space both in Anaheim and Orlando and both Disney Parks will have a new Star Wars Land. Each 14-acre land will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet with two signature attractions, including a customized secret mission on the Millennium Falcon and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle.

I almost died because I cannot even imagine what a Star Wars Land will be like. All I know is that when it opens, I am there.

Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida

The reimagining of Disney’s Hollywood Studios will take guests to infinity and beyond, allowing them to step into the worlds of their favorite films, starting with Toy Story Land. This new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard. Guests will think they've been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz as they are surrounded by oversized toys that Andy has assembled using his vivid imagination. Using toys like building blocks, plastic buckets and shovels, and game board pieces, Andy has designed the perfect setting for this land, which will include two new attractions for any Disney park and one expanded favorite.

* Family-friendly roller coaster – All on the back of Slinky Dog, this coaster will zip and zoom, plunge and coast as it takes guests on a fun, toy-filled adventure throughout the new land. WOOOOO!

* Alien saucers attraction – The famous little green aliens from the movie will take guests around for a spin in their very own flying saucers. The music, lighting and sound effects add to the flurry of action, while “The Claw” looms over.

* Toy Story Mania! – Guests glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set and take aim at 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games, with an expansion that adds a third track to this popular attraction.

After Dark at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Pandora – The World of AVATAR
As part of the largest expansion in the park’s history, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will immerse guests into the world of Pandora, and the entire park will transform after dark with new nighttime entertainment experiences, offering guests longer days than ever before to experience this one-of-a-kind theme park.

* “Rivers of Light” – Expected to open next spring, “Rivers of Light” will be an innovative experience unlike anything ever seen in a Disney park, combining live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. “Rivers of Light” will magically come to life on the natural stage of Discovery River, delighting guests and truly capping off a full day of adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

* Kilimanjaro Safaris – This popular attraction will be extended for a new nighttime adventure next spring, where guests will travel through the African savanna amid the magically extended orange glow of the setting sun and discover two species new to the attraction: African wild dogs and hyenas.

* Pandora – The World of AVATAR – Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will journey into the magnificent world of Pandora at this new AVATAR-themed land – a world that includes floating mountains, a bioluminescent forest and the winged creatures known as Banshees, giving guests a transformational experience they will never forget.
        * AVATAR Flight of Passage – This E-ticket attraction, the centerpiece of Pandora, allows guests to soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world. The spectacular flying experience will give guests a birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora on an aerial rite of passage.

Soarin’ Around the World In Florida and California
Next year, guests at Epcot in Florida and Disney California Adventure in California will journey to far-flung lands and fly above some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders when the new Soarin’ Around the World makes its U.S. debut.

Epcot - Frozen Ever After

If you are a Frozen Fan the Maelstrom in Epcot Norway is getting a makeover. It will be done over in a Frozen theme. Yay! I can't wait for this.

Iron Man Unveiled for Hong Kong Disneyland
Iron Man landed at D23 EXPO today for a special appearance, and soon Hong Kong Disneyland guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Super Hero himself. Set to open in 2016, Iron Man Experience will be the first Marvel attraction at any Disney park, taking guests on an epic adventure over the streets and in the sky above Hong Kong. The adventure will begin at the new Stark Expo where guests board the Iron Wing to take flight and battle Hydra alongside fan-favorite Avenger, Iron Man.

And here is a rendering of the Pirates Land in Shanghai!!

HOLY SMOKES!! It's almost too much to bear. The changes coming to Disney Parks are so cool. I know that I will definitely be traveling there when all this happens. I am most excited for Star Wars Land. And if I had the money, I would be in Shanghai right now. Pirates Land looks amazing. I cannot even imagine how much fun that will be.

I can only tell you that it was so exciting being in the hall as all this was announced and we got to see the sneak peek before anyone else. Now it's time to start saving my money because I see big trips ahead of us!


Disclosure: I attended the #D23Expo and my expenses: flight, accommodations, transportation and some meals were be covered by Disney. All opinions, however, are 100% mine.