Obviously, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is going to change Walt Disney World as we know it on a number of levels. For one, all rides and attractions will forever be judged against the most advanced and immersive experiences Disney has ever created.
Additionally, the scale of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is so large, Disney actually rerouted traffic into Disney’s Hollywood Studios to accommodate it. Hell, they might even rename the park to truly give Star Wars a special place at Walt Disney World.
But, believe it or not, this isn’t the only project that could change the face of Walt Disney World. Right now, Disney is building a handful of new constructions that will, quite literally, make Walt Disney World look dramatically different. Here are a few:
Disney Skyliner
Image: Dakota Gardner
It’s hard to grasp the scale of the Disney Skyliner until you see it in person. Perhaps you picture it like a ski gondola, or maybe you imagine it to look like the old Disney Skyway. But, those impressions couldn’t be more underestimating.
The Disney Skyliner has more in common with the Walt Disney World monorail than it does with the old Skyway. The distance it travels, and the speed at which it carries passengers, make it seem every bit like a piece of urban transit infrastructure rather than a cutesie bus replacement. The gondolas are larger than you’d expect, and they move faster and higher that you think, and the distance they travel is just so much farther than you might picture.
Upon completion, these gondolas will wind through the Walt Disney World resort — taking guests from park to park and resort to resort. If it’s successful, it’s hard to imagine Disney wouldn’t expand it, meaning eventually, you might see these cable cars flying by the whole resort.
Guardians of the Galaxy Rollercoaster
Image: Dakota Gardner
While the Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster in Future World at Epcot will certainly change the vibe around the area with its brash intellectual property being placed front and center, it will change Epcot in a much more immediately obvious way.
It’s huge! Upon approaching Epcot, your eye won’t just be drawn toward the large geodesic sphere that has traditionally been known as the park’s icon, but also to the large sky-blue building housing the new Guardians ride. It is absolutely enormous, and no amount of greenery or paint will hide it from view.
Future World is in the process of changing dramatically, with the eventual plan to include far more green space and far less industrial grey. But, the biggest change of all will be the large show building housing this rollercoaster. Epcot’s welcoming new IPs, which will definitely change the feeling of the park, but it’s also building big new buildings — for the first time in a very long time.
Tron: Lightcycle Power Run
Image: jeffchristiansen, Flickr (license)
Similarly, the skyline of Tomorrowland is going to change for the first time in a very, very long time with the introduction of the new Tron: Lightcyle rollercoaster. Located behind and to the side of Space Mountain, there has been a lot of disruption to the area to make the space work for the new ride.
The Tomorrowland Motor Speedway is being shortened, the Walt Disney World Railroad is being rebuilt in parts, and pathways alongside Space Mountain are being shifted. In all, the geography of Tomorrowland will appear dramatically different with the introduction of the brand new E-Ticket attraction.
Additionally, traffic patterns through Tomorrowland will shift — with Space Mountain no longer being the primary draw (at least for the first few years). As more guests get pulled into Tomorrowland to start their day, they should have more space to spread out — ultimately increasing the Magic Kingdom’s total capacity. With this one ride, Disney will be changing a whole lot about its marquee park.
New Hotel Towers
Image: happyskrappy, Flickr (license)
It’s good that Disney will be increasing capacity in its most important park, because the company has several new resort tower expansions incoming that will bring hundreds of additional guests to the property every day.
At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort will come online and change not only the sightlines around the Caribbean Beach, but also the vibe — bringing with it deluxe-style resort amenities. Once a sleepy hotel, the Caribbean Beach will host the new DVC tower as well as the Disney Skyliner, bringing a jolt of energy to the property.
Over at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, another new tower is opening soon — this time, providing more amenities and lodging options for that resort’s core conventioner demographic. Plus, with a new layout, new bars and amenities, and a new vibe, the entire resort will be a bit friendlier even to non-conventioner guests.
And last, but not least, the Swan and Dolphin — long spoken of in one breath — will be adding a new resort to the family. On some of the extra property nearby, Marriott is planning on building The Cove, which will accompany the Swan and Dolphin and provide another option for guests hoping to stay in the Crescent Lake area. The Swan and Dolphin are already somewhat underrated, so adding a new third resort will make the area even more must-see — while dumping a few hundred extra people nearby. That’s definitely a big change, and it seems like there’s more to come.
Disney’s Walk Around the World removal
Image: jeffchristiansen, Flickr (license)
At the dawn of the Disney Decade, the company realized that one of the best ways it could ensure its continued success was by placing itself at the center of family life. Between merchandise, films, music, and the parks, Disney moved to make its products not just a way of spending time, but a way of creating memories for parents and children for generations.
Incredibly, they crafted the idea of Disney’s Walk Around the World — a program where guests could purchase a paving slab engraved with their name and the year, and have it installed on the walkway outside the Magic Kingdom. The program was so popular, they extended the pavers to be featured at the Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. For decades, guests walked into the Magic Kingdom over the names of guests who took the journey before them — many of whom returned year after year to regard their stone.
Now, Disney has announced it will begin removing those stones from the walkway around the Seven Seas Lagoon as it reconfigures its pathways. For many, this change won’t be particularly noticeable. For some, it will be the end of a family tradition dating back almost 30 years.
Walt Disney World isn’t a museum, and often, it must change to continue bringing us the thrills and joy we’ve come to expect from the company. But, sometimes, that can mean something we’ve grown to love and expect can go missing — even if it’s a physical piece of concrete. Yes, Star Wars will change a lot at Walt Disney World, but for some people, nothing can top seeing their family’s tradition disappear. Hopefully, what comes next will be just as long-lasting — and just as memorable.
