Four days into 2019 and we’re counting down the days to our personal and client trips to Disney Destinations and Universal Orlando Resort to experience the exciting new attractions, hotels and restaurants opening this year. There will be so much to discover, like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park celebrating the 25th anniversary of the animated classic film, “The Lion King” and the launch of a new mode of transportation connecting guests staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. On today’s blog, we’ve narrowed down the five things we’re most excited about trying out in 2019!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
”A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." Star Wars fans have been waiting a long, long time for Disney to bring the Star Wars film universe to life at its parks. Well, the time is now. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open first at Disneyland Park in the summer, while the galactic-themed land will open in the fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There have not been exact dates released, but with the release of the free dining promo for summer 2019, odds are that Star Wars will open sooner in the fall season than previously anticipated.
What can fans expect? Complete immersion! Disney has been releasing images of the land and video of what it will feel like on the attractions. Guests will be able to explore Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, where they’ll be enveloped in galactic sights, sounds, smells, tastes, characters and creatures. The two attractions will be the highlight of the land. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will allow guests to pilot the fastest and most powerful ship in the galaxy. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will position guests smack dab in the middle of “an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order.” After all that excitement, guests will be able to settle down with a drink at Oga’s Cantina. You’ll still have to be on guard as the cantina is a smuggler’s outpost with some shady characters!
Stars Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be a completely immersive experience, adding to the existing Star Wars offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will stay busy with the opening of the first attraction featuring Mickey & Minnie Mouse. It’s almost unbelievable that the mouse that started it all hasn’t been the star of his own ride! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be modeled after the widely entertaining and popular Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts playing on the Disney Channel. You may have also seen the shorts on your TV while unwinding in your Disney resort room. Unlike two-dimensional television, the attraction will bring Mickey’s cartoon world to life in multi-dimension.
Sure, you’ve been able to meet and interact with Mickey Mouse throughout Walt Disney World Resort, but now the mouse that started it all will have his own signature attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Coaster at Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Ever since Dragon Challenge closed in September 2017, there has been speculation about what type of attraction would replace it in the Hogsmeade section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Well, we’re close to finding out, although a release date or a name has not been announced from Universal Orlando Resort. From photos taken of the construction, it appears that the coaster will feature indoor elements and take guests on a wicked ride through the Forbidden Forest. A poster that was dropped to build hype for the ride features Cornish Pixies, introduced to muggle readers in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. They are “mischievous, ill-behaved flying creatures that are relatively harmless but can cause damage if not restrained.” Interesting! Should make for a fun and feisty ride!
Hogsmeade in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure of Universal Orlando Resort will be the home of the new roller coaster.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be busy in 2019, certainly seeing an influx of crowds already due to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, as discussed above. Why not add to the theme park that some have labeled a “half-day park?” We have never thought of it that way, but those same folks may have a very hard time fitting everything Hollywood Studios has to offer in one day in 2019! And fans from the incredibly popular Cars films will be stoked to find entertainment from Radiator Springs finding a home at Walt Disney World. Rookie racers will get the chance to learn from the best, Lightning McQueen. When things don’t go according to plan, Tow Mater and friends are there to cheer Lightning to the finish. After the show, guests can partake in a meet and greet with one of the newest Cars characters, Cruz Ramirez. The Academy should be welcoming racers early this year. Ka-chow!
Disneyland Resort is already home to Cars Land and fun character meets and greets; now Walt Disney World guests can get revved up too with the new Lightning McQueen Racing Academy.
Disney Springs Openings
When we are not taking a quick trip to check out the newest offerings at Walt Disney World to report back to you, we enjoy non-park days when we can relax at the resort pool and stroll the walkways of Disney’s outdoor shopping, entertainment and dining hub, Disney Springs. It seems as if a new restaurant opens every month at Disney Springs, but we are really excited about the opening of Jaleo by Jose Andres, an internationally acclaimed chef, author and TV personality. Originally a Washington DC restaurant, Jaleo introduces the flavor and spirit of Spain to the plates of lucky diners. Think tapas, paella, sangria and gorgeous Spanish cheese. Jaleo will be a superb addition to Disney Springs’ dining scene.
Moving from food to sports, the NBA Experience opens in Disney Springs this summer. Your family’s basketball fans will live out their wildest hoops dreams through a bevy of challenges and games - from walking through the players’ tunnel to the dream of dunking a basket in the big game. Your sports fanatics will feel as if they made it to the big league!
Jaleo by Jose Andres will join Frontera Cocina as one of the many Disney Springs restaurants operated by celebrity chefs. Yum.
What are you most looking forward to experiencing in 2019?