5 things to look forward to at Disney World in 2016
The new year will bring new shops, eats and attractions to Walt Disney World Resort.
We’ll have to wait at least one more year for “Avatar”- and “Star Wars”-inspired lands, but here are the five biggest additions for 2016.
5. Star Wars Marathon Though Star Wars Weekends has come to an end, a Star Warsthemed race weekend will make its debut at Walt Disney World Resort in 2016. Star Wars Half Marathon The Dark Side is set for April 14-17 and includes a 5K, 10K and half marathon, along with kids races.
The inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend kicked off at Disneyland Resort in January 2015. That race weekend will now be known as “The Light Side.” Star Wars Launch Bay and a retooled version of the Jedi Training Academy debuted at Hollywood Studios in late 2015. There’s also a new “Star Wars”-themed fireworks show at the park, which will get its own dessert party starting Jan. 5.
4. New dining and shopping at Disney Springs - Downtown Disney transformed into Disney Springs in 2015. In 2016, the entertainment and retail complex will see the opening of several new eateries, including the delayed STK steakhouse, The Edison, Sprinkles, Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, as well as restaurant concepts by chefs Art Smith and Rick Bayless. The Town Center section of Disney Springs will be completed and will feature shops like Lilly Pulitzer, Tommy Bahama and Zara.
3. Update to Soarin’ - The popular Soarin’ ride at Epcot is getting an update in the new year. With it, the attraction will close Jan. 4 and is planned to reopen in the summer of 2016. Soarin’, and its sister attraction at Disneyland, currently takes guests on a flyover of California.
The updated version, called Soarin’ Around the World, will