Walt Disney World has been accused of standing still in the face of growing competition from Universal Orlando. But there are some big changes coming to the resort over the next few years.
Disney has chosen to invest its money in a different way to Universal, which has focused on building major new attractions (such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley) and more hotels (such as the Cabana Bay Beach Resort). But the company is spending money on Walt Disney World – a lot of it. Over the coming years, the results of this spending should start to become more visible to guests.
There are many changes coming to Walt Disney World, but some will have a bigger impact than others. Here’s a look at 10 of the biggest updates that are in store.
10. A night-time show for Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to expand the offerings at Walt Disney World’s fourth theme park, which has often been accused of being a “half-day park”. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has always closed earlier than the resort’s other theme 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.
9. The removal of the American Idol Experience
The American Idol Experience has been entertaining guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since February 2009. Based on the hit talent show of the same name, it offers budding singers the chance to perform on stage in one of the park’s enormous soundstages. Guests can audition throughout the day, and a select few will then be given their chance in front of a live studio audience. At the end of the day, one lucky contestant is awarded a coveted “Golden Ticket” to jump the line when the American Idol auditions hit their home town.
After five years of showcasing Orlando’s latest musical talents, The American Idol Experience will hang up its microphone for good in January 2015. There’s no official word on a replacement, although many Disney fans are keeping their fingers crossed that the attraction’s closure is a sign that Star Wars Land is on its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the near future.
8. The transformation of Downtown Disney
The existing Downtown Disney area is set to be transformed into a new shopping and entertainment district dubbed Disney Springs by 2016. The update will be more than a simple facelift – Disney intends to double the number of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in the area, boosting the total to more than 150 establishments. Two new multi-story parking garages will also be constructed, as well as new roads to improve the flow of traffic. Parking will be free, while Disney Springs will remain free-to-enter.
Fittingly given its Florida location, Disney Springs will feature a theme centred around an idealised version of turn-of-the-century lakeside town. Disney promises that it will create a “welcoming, comfortable space where families can enjoy time together and instantaneously feel right at home”.
You can find out more about Disney Springs by reading our analysis of the plans.
7. The overhaul of an Epcot favorite
Soarin’ is one of the most popular attractions at Epcot, often commanding wait times in excess of two hours. Nothing is confirmed as yet, but the attraction is expected to undergo a major transformation by 2016 that will see its ride film replaced and additional capacity added.
First up on the list of changes to this attraction is a brand new movie to replace the current “Soarin’ Over California” film. This will be a clone of the film being produced for Shanghai Disneyland’s own version of Soarin’, which will debut alongside the Asian park in late 2015. Rumored international locations include England, France, Italy, Egypt, India, China and Japan. Domestic landmarks are also expected to be featured in the new film, with the Grand Canyon, the New York City skyline, and of course, Walt Disney World in the mix.
Along with the new film, Disney is said to be considering adding a third theater to help curtail those lengthy wait times. Construction could begin later in 2014, to allow the new theater to debut alongside the updated film.
6. The arrival of a luxury hotel brand
Luxury chain Four Seasons is due to open a new $360 million hotel on Walt Disney World property in August 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 steak house with views of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks.
Many of the rooms will also offers views of the fireworks. Among them is a 16th floor Royal Suite that can be configured with up to three separate living rooms and NINE bedrooms. Elsewhere, the five-acre Explorer Island playground will boast a 7,590-square-foot pool, with the lazy river winding around a “ruined” mansion.
5. A late-night safari
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. The return of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
One of Walt Disney World’s original resorts is currently undergoing a major renovation that will see it re-emerge under its original name. The Polynesian Resort will revert to the Polynesian Village Resort moniker, with work due to be completed in 2015.
The updates will include the overhaul of the Nanea Volcano feature pool, introducing a new children’s water play area, an enlarged deck to accommodate polside seating and a hot tub with views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Nearby, a new food and beverage outlet dubbed the Pineapple Lanai kiosk will be introduced, serving up the world-famous Dole Whip.
Other updates include the transformation of the famous lobby, as well as the opening of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Similar in style to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel in California, this will feature a highly-themed lounge area and will offer handcrafted tiki cocktails and Polynesian-themed small plates.
3. More Disney Vacation Club properties
Disney’s timeshare division, which allows guests to buy a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club resort, is expanding rapidly. At Walt Disney World, this has meant more DVC properties being added to existing resorts.
We’ve already seen 147 DVC timeshare units being added to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and work is well underway to add a host of DVC villas to Disney’s Polynesian (Village) Resort. Disney will be converting two existing buildings into DVC units and will be adding bungalows over Seven Seas Lagoon.
2. Even more advanced planning tools
It’s already possible to schedule time slots during which you can experience major attractions without queuing using the FastPass+ system. And we expect that to evolve even further over the next couple of years.
One concept that seems certain to become a reality is the ability to book every single course of a meal in advance. Disney is already trialling this at the Be Our Guest restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, with guests being asked to select their entire meal right down to the beverage and dessert in advance of their visit.
What’s the benefit? Well, potentially it will enable Disney to turn over tables much faster, making reservations at popular restaurants at least a little less difficult to come by.
1. Pandora – The World of Avatar
Disney’s decision to base a new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdon on James Cameron’s Avatar has divided opinion among fans, but there’s no doubt that the company is going all-in to try and make the collaboration a success. Due to open in 2017, Pandora – The World of Avatar will be more on less on the same scale at Disney California Adventure’s sprawling Cars Land, and will be anchored by a very impressive looking “floating mountain” centerpiece that may rival the park’s existing Tree of Life icon in terms of scale.
The entire land will replicate the dense, alien forests of the planet Pandora from the film. Paths will be scattered along twisting gigantic roots, exotic flora, and perhaps an appearance or two from local creatures as guests make their way to the mountain in the distance. Recreating the most impressive of the visually-stunning film’s scenes, Pandora will come alive at night as every tree, plant, stream, and even path glows with supernatural, alien bioluminescent colors.
We can expect two main attractions in Pandora when it opens – the first will replicate a flight over the massive and mystifying terrain of the planet, no doubt encountering flying creatures and hovering landscapes. The second will be a boat ride through Pandora’s forests, complete with a host of audio-animatronic creatures.
You can find out more about the new land in our detailed Pandora – The World of Avatar guide.
