Walt Disney World has been accused of lagging behind Universal Orlando when it comes to spending on new additions in recent years. However, there are now a number of major projects underway at the resort, most of which are due to be completed by 2017.
The two biggest areas of focus are Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Downtown Disney area. Animal Kingdom will see its opening hours extended, as well as the addition of the Pandora – The World of Avatar expansion. Downtown Disney, meanwhile, will undergo a complete transformation to become Disney Springs, in an effort to make it more competitive with Universal’s CityWalk.
Some elements of these projects have been confirmed, and indeed some are due to open imminently. Others, however, remain simply rumors – and Disney itself has probably not fully decided on the final line-up of shops and restaurants.
Let’s take a look at 20 new rides, shops and restaurants that are either confirmed or rumored to be on their to Walt Disney World by 2017.
20. Avatar “flying ride”
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: 2017
The headline ride in Pandora – The World of Avatar will be a major, “E-Ticket” attraction that will offer a simulated experience of flying over Pandora on a banshee creature. It has been compared to Soarin’ at Epcot, but it is likely that the Avatar ride will actually be considerably more technologically advanced – supporting enhanced, more realistic movements and 3-D video on a wrap-around sceen.
The plans show four separate theaters, spread across four floors. The show itself will be projected onto an enormous, IMAX-style curved screen, just as it is in the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida. Riders will board vehicles that rise to one of three show levels in front of the screen, in a similar style to the Universal attraction.
19. Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar opened several years ago at the Disneyland Hotel, and is inspired by the Jungle Cruise and Enchanted Tiki Room attractions. It also incorporates elements of the Adventurer’s Club, one of the most popular nightclubs in Walt Disney World’s now-defunct Pleasure Island area. It has proven to be very popular, serving up tropically-themed appetizers, desserts and cocktails.
Little surprise, then, that Disney fans are salivating at the prospect of a version of the bar coming to the revamped Disney Springs. However, other rumors have suggested that Trader Sam’s could in fact be on its way to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, which is currently undergoing an expansion to add a host of Disney Vacation Club properties.
18. Marketplace Co Op
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: Spring 2014
Occupying the space that was formerly Team Mickey next to TrenD in Downtown Disney will be the Marketplace Co Op, which is due to open in spring 2014. This will showcase new and innovative Disney retail concepts, serving as a kind of public “laboratory”. A total of six sub-stores will be featured, including:
- Beautifully Disney – A beauty destination for woman featuring make-up, fragrance and beauty accessories.
- Cherry Tree Lane – Accessories for the sophisticated woman with a passion for scarves, shoes, bags and jewelry.
- D-Tech on Demand – A place to personalize and customize your own electronic accessories.
- The Trophy Room – Vintage-inspired, lifestyle sports apparel and collectibles.
- Centerpiece – Home products for Guests that want a splash of Disney in their room furnishings, textiles and everyday ware.
- Zoey and Pickles – A girls’ destination containing the latest trends and glamour for the up and coming fashionista.
17. Rivers of Light
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: TBC
Disney is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to expand the offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which has often been accused of being a “half-day park”. The resort’s fourth theme park has always closed earlier than the resort’s other parks, partly because of the need to protect its animal residents from excessive noise. However, Disney is now working to install a new night-time show, and will begin opening the park until late.
The show will be hosted around and above the Discovery River and will feature live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. Rumored to be named “Rivers of Light”, it is also expected to include the illumination of the iconic Tree of Life. That will involve replacing all 100,000+ artificial leaves on the tree with new ones that light up. Although no opening date has been specified, barges containing props and equipment for the show have already been spied on the river.
16. Italian Restaurant
Status: Rumored
Opening in: 2016 (TBC)
The Patina Restaurant Group, which operates the Via Napoli, Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto restaurants at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion, is expected to open a yet-to-be-named Italian restaurant as part of Disney Springs. It appears that it will be located in the space that was formerly occupied by Pleasure Island’s 8Trax and Mannequin’s clubs. A work permit filed with Orange County suggests that it will consist of “two floors, a new dining area and cast and guest restrooms”.
15. Walt’s Place
Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC
Another yet-to-be-confirmed addition to the Disney Springs line-up is “Walt’s Place”, which may be a revival of “Walt’s Attic”, a concept that was originally proposed for the BoardWalk area of Walt Disney World. This was to be a restaurant that celebrated Walt’s life in the 1920s and 1930s.
14. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: Spring 2014
The new roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, will take guests on a musical journey through the diamond mine and enchanted forest from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Guests will swing from side-to-side in its unique cars, as well as passing through Snow White’s cottage.
You can find out everything you need to know about the ride by reading through our extensive Seven Dwarfs Mine Train guide.
13. World of Coca Cola
Status: Rumored
Opening in: 2016 (TBC)
There are rumors, reported by TheDailyCity.com, that a World of Coca Cola attraction is on its way to Disney Springs. There have been suggestions in the past that this could replace DisneyQuest, but that seems unlikely. If it does go ahead, the attraction is likely to be similar to World of Coca Cola attraction in Atlanta, which tells the story of the history of Coca Cola as well as selling Coke-related items.
12. Starbucks
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: 2014
Starbucks outlets have been springing up all over Disney resorts recently, including in the theme park themselves. Two will form part of Disney Springs, with both expected to open in 2014. A small, grab-and-go outlet is opening in the Marketplace, while a larger venue with seating will open in the West Side.
11. Food Trucks
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: Phases to 2016
Disney Springs has been reported to include a host of food trucks – as many as 10. In fact, four of these showed up in mid-2013 in the West Side area, selling quick-service items such as meatballs, ribs and corn dogs. We can probably expect more to show up over the next two years.
10. The Edison
Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC
Another rumored resident in Disney Springs is The Edison. This would be based on the original nightclub in Los Angeles, which opened in 2007. It is housed in the Higgins Building basement, a former power plant, and features a post-industrial steampunk theme.
9. Capa
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: September 2014
Luxury chain Four Seasons is due to open a new $360 million hotel on Walt Disney World property in 2014. It will feature 444 rooms, 3 pools, a “lazy river”, a spa with 18 treatment rooms and extensive sports facilities including tennis courts and a climbing wall. One of the highlights will be a rooftop, Spanish-style steak house known as Capa, offering views of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks. This could come to rival the Contemporary Resort’s California Grill as a luxury location from which to observe the pyrotechnics.
8. Disney Springs Trolley System
Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC
Rumors suggest that there are five versions of the Disney Springs plans – with two of them featuring plans for a trolley system similar to the one that was recently introduced at Disney California Adventure. However, some rumors have suggested that these plans have been cut in favor of spending on Pandora – The World of Avatar.
7. The Drop at Explorer Island
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: August 2014
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is due to open on August 14 at Walt Disney World – and it will come complete with its own mini-water park, Explorer Island. This will be themed around a ruined mansion, and swooping down from this will be The Drop, a 242-foot enclosed water slide. It’s made from see-through fibreflass, so riders will be visible as they plunge downwarrds.
Explorer Island is expected to be open only to Four Seasons guests – making this the priciest water park at Walt Disney World.
6. The Observatory at Planet Hollywood
Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC
The popular Planet Hollywood restaurant in Downtown Disney is rumored to be set for an extensive makeover to become “The Observatory”. However, it is expected to offer a simular menu and to continue to feature a host of movie memorabilia.
5. Kilimanjaro Safaris – late-night version
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: TBC
Kilimanjaro Safaris, one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is about to become two attractions in one. A new night-time version of the safari will be launched on an unspecified date, and is expected to feature an updated storyline and a focus on animals that are largely noctural.
4. Amphicars
Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC
Concept artwork for The Landing at Disney Springs (the area formerly occupied by Walt Disney World) shows water-based cars known as Amphicars. Whether these will make the final cut remains to be seen.
3. Avatar “mess hall” restaurant
Status: Rumored
Opening in: 2017
While it features some stunning eye-candy, much of the original Avatar movie is set in a fairly grim army base. And that could provide the setting for Pandora – The World of Avatar’s quick-service dining location. No word yet on if there’ll be a more upscale restaurant, too.
2. The Boat House
Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC
Recently-submitted construction permits suggest that a 22,000 square foot restaurant known as “The Boat House” will be part of The Landing at Disney Springs. The restaurant is set to be created by Steven Schussler, who also created the T-REX and Rainforest Cafe restaurants at Downtown Disney, as well as the Yak and Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
1. Avatar boat ride
Status: Confirmed
Opening in: 2017
Housed partially on the ground floor of the same building that will host the flying attraction, and partially outside, will be a “C-Ticket” boat ride. Speculation suggests that Disney will employ advanced audio-animatronics to bring to life the inhabitants of Pandora as guests travel around the circuit.
The attraction will be a water-based dark ride through the planet’s beautiful jungles at night, when bioluminescent plants begin to glow. This boat ride will be only the second dark ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (after the fast-paced, thrilling Dinosaur) and will offer a much-needed family ride to the park’s roster as well.
You can keep up to date with the latest confirmed and rumored opening dates for new attractions through Theme Park Tourist’s “New Attraction Watch” section, and by signing up for our weekly newsletter.
