Disney attraction reactions — from bummers to booyahs
2019 for Florida, though.
Epcot purists can bemoan the arrival of more intellectual properties invading both World Showcase and Future World. A “Guardians of the Galaxy” ride will replace Ellen’s Energy Adventure (which also closes Aug. 13) — and a “Ratatouille” attraction will move into the France pavilion. If you were against a “Frozen” ride in Norway, you may be against these additions as well, although Disney says the “Guardians” attraction will be “rooted” in the Epcot mission.
There was quite a bit mentioned for Epcot, including new films for China and Mission: Space, but we are told there will be more enhancements. We hate staying tuned, don’t you?
There was a maddening lack of timeline for the additions, but that’s just how theme parks roll, right. We did get that Toy Story Land will open here next summer, but most of the announcements were without time peg or said to be “in time” for Disney World’s 50th birthday … which is in 2021. This is going to take awhile. We’ve been warned.
And now, the bright side:
The Tomorrowland Speedway was spared at Magic Kingdom. You can even see the little cars in the renderings for the Tron ride, which will be constructed in a “new space” next to Space Mountain, Disney says. We kind of dig that contrast.
Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway (aka the Great Movie Ride’s replacement at DHS), will be a new experience with new technology. And, amazingly, it will be the first ride that features Mickey Mouse. Epcot’s “Guardian” ride will not echo the Mission: Breakout, the attraction at Disney California Adventure, which was a renovation of that park’s Tower of Terror.
The Ratatouille ride gets high marks at Disneyland Paris, and Tron Lightcycle Power Run is a winner at Shanghai Disneyland. (For one shining moment during the reveals, I imagined we were getting Shanghai’s version of Pirates of the Caribbean … but no.)
Yes, we yearn for more details about the “Star Wars” hotel, even if we have to use the word “immersive.” But this is one it’s fun to speculate about … right down to where it will be built, you know, in real life. If it really is self-contained, and out every window is “space,” Disney could put it anywhere, right? Even beautiful downtown Kissimmee, far, far away.
The point-topoint, polka dot transportation service — arranged from smartphones — is supposed to launch this month.