Tag: construction

Disney Confirms The Seas and The Land Pavilions Will Not Be Removed at Epcot

With the massive overhaul going on at Epcot, recent online reports have have raised questions about the future of The Seas and The Land pavilions, but Disney has confirmed that these park staples are not going anywhere.

Rumors have been circulating about the possiblity of Epcot demolishing both The Seas and The Land pavilions, but this week, Disney confirmed those rumors are indeed false.

As you can see below in an offical response from Disney on Twitter, there are no plans to remove them and they stated, “The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends are planned to be with us into the future.”

There are big plans for Epcot, Kaz. We do have new pavilions joining, like the play-themed pavilion and the Guardians of the Galaxy-themed roller coaster, but The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends are planned to be with us into the future.
— Walt Disney World Today (@WDWToday) May 29, 2019

There is indeed a massive transformation taking place at Epcot for the park’s 50th anniversary however, which includes a newly redesigned park entrance, a new Guardians of the Galaxy Roller Coaster, a Space-Themed Restaurant, the new Play Pavilion and much more.

The D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim is just under three months away and Disney will be unveiling more of their transformative plans for Epcot, so stay tuned to Disney Dorks for the latest news and updates.

June 2, 2019
New Redesigned Entrance Coming to Epcot at Walt Disney World

As we previously reported, a multi-year transformation of Epcot is underway that will reimagine the park while keeping true to the original vision. Today, Disney announced that the entrance to the park will be redesigned as part of this transformation.

There will be exciting changes to the way you come and go at Epcot. As you can see in the concept art, changes are coming to the Epcot main entrance, where the plaza will welcome guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces and a newly reimagined fountain. This new design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements.

“Epcot has always been, and always will be, an optimistic celebration of the real world that is brought to life through the magic of Disney,” said George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney World Resort. “The exciting plans we have on the horizon will honor Epcot’s rich legacy of creativity and innovation while continuing to exceed the expectations of our guests for decades to come.”

As part of the new entry experience, Leave A Legacy photos will be moving into a beautiful setting just outside the park’s gateway. The Leave a Legacy program, launched during Epcot’s Millennium Celebration in 1999, giving guests the opportunity to commemorate their visit to Epcot at the turn of the last century.

Photo-capture stations took their pictures, which were then etched onto steel tiles and mounted on one of 30 monoliths in the Leave a Legacy Plaza. Each stone ranges in height from 3 to 19 feet, and the heaviest one weighs more than 50,000 pounds!

Additional significant redevelopment will begin between Spaceship Earth attraction and the World Showcase Promenade. More details about the transformation of this area will be announced at a later date.

February 21, 2019
New ‘Zootopia’-Themed Land Coming to Shanghai Disneyland

Tuesday, Shanghai Disney Resort announced that a “Zootopia”-themed land is coming to Shanghai Disneyland!

The Land will be based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit animated movie, this exciting development will be the park’s eighth themed land and the first-ever “Zootopia”-themed land at any Disney park.

This marks the second major expansion since the resort opened in 2016. The first expansion added a Toy Story Land to the park where guests feel as if they’ve been shrunk down to the size of their favorite Toy Story toys.

In this new land guests will be invited to experience the mammalian metropolis of Zootopia “where anyone can be anything,” with a new major attraction that will seamlessly blend Disney storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to bring this fan-favorite movie and its characters to life – including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Entertainment, merchandise, and food and beverage offerings will invite guests to fully immerse themselves in the Academy-Award-winning animated movie.

The development of the world’s first “Zootopia”-themed land follows the huge success of the “Zootopia” animated movie globally, particularly in China where it broke box office records to become the country’s No. 1 animated feature film in history.

Construction is set to begin later this year! Keep checking Disney Dorks for more updates!

January 23, 2019
Disney’s Aulani Resort Guests Receive $50 Per Night Credit During Pool Refurbishment
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii boasts an impressive number of pools and water features and a certain level of maintenance is required to keep the amenities and offerings updated and in line with Disney standards. Guests traveling there this year should be aware of some temporary closures and a special “Pardon Our Pixie Dust Offer” that Disney is giving guests.

The Waikolohe Pool and Stream, as well as several other features in the Waikolohe Valley at Aulani, will be undergoing necessary maintenance in 2019.

Guests staying from August 19 to December 17, 2019 will receive a resort credit of $50 per night for every night of their stay. The credit can be used toward any offering at Aulani Resort including dining, merchandise, a visit to Laniwai Spa, an island excursion, and more. Take a look at the specific closures below:

Here’s the schedule for closures:

August 19 to October 11, 2019
Closed:
Waikolohe Stream
Tubestone Curl Waterslide
Menehune Bridge
Waikolohe Stream Whirlpool Spa

October 14 to December 17, 2019
Closed:
Waikolohe Pool
Volcanic Vertical Waterslide
Aulani Pool Parties
Rainbow Reef
Waikolohe Pool Whirlpool Spa
Both ‘Alohi Point Whirlpool Spas

There are also plenty of other water activities that will be staying open during the updates, including these:
- Aulani Resort Beach at Ko Olina Lagoon— white-sand beach featuring an abundance of fun-in-the sun activities
- Ka Maka Grotto— the infinity pool with sweeping ocean views
- Ka Maka Grotto Whirlpool Spa
- Keiki Cove Splash Zone— the kids’ delightful interactive splash zone
- Wailana Pool— will include Guests of all ages during pool refurbishment
Make sure to contact Kimberly at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly for an Aulani vacation quote!
January 16, 2019
Tomorrowland Speedway Closes for Tron Coaster Construction at Disney World

As we previously reported, a clouser for Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom at Disney World has been imminent and it seems the plans are right on track.

The attraction has officially closed on Jan. 2nd for refurbishment to make way for Tommorowland’s new Tron Coaster.

The attraction will be closed for about four and a half months. The exact date is yet to be determined but reports suggest it should reopen on May 18, 2019.

The Tron coaster will occupy an entirely new area next to the land’s Space Mountain and the closure is necessary because parts of the giant coaster hang over Tommorowland Speedway. Parts of the track will be adjusted, but when it reopens it will be the same attraction guests know and love, according to Disney Parks.

Magic Kingdom’s Tron attraction, is set to debut in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021. It is based on TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland. This coaster-style attraction allows riders to board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles for a thrilling race through the digital frontier. TRON Lightcycle Power Run debuted on Shanghai Disneyland’s opening day and quickly became the highest-rated attraction at the park.

January 3, 2019
First Look: Disney Skyliner Gondola Revealed at Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier this week, we shared the exciting update that Disney’s new Skyliner gondola system will begin operating at the Walt Disney World Resort in fall of 2019. Today, we finally get a first look at one of the actual finished gondolas up close!

Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled the gondola to Disney fans during D23’s Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouseevent.

Once operating, the gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resortas well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort. You can take a look at the reveal below.

As you can see, Disney Skyliner will be fun and offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World Resort with amazing views only available from the sky.

Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

November 17, 2018
Disney Skyliner to Begin Transporting Guests in Fall 2019 at Walt Disney World

Earlier this week, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, announced that Disney Skyliner will be ready to begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning fall of 2019!

This new state-of-the-art gondola system will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

And next fall, Disney Skyliner will not only efficiently move you to your location, it’ll also offer a whole new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky – with great photo opportunities! For example, guests arriving at the International Gateway station will travel through the trees and be welcomed into Epcot with remarkable, never before-seen views across World Showcase.

The innovative transportation system is quickly coming to life! Workers just installed the last support tower at the Resort and are beginning to thread the series of reinforced cables to carry guests in stylish themed gondolas.

November 16, 2018
Disney Reveals Guardians of the Galaxy ‘Storytelling’ Roller Coaster Ride Vehicle

The “Guardians of the Galaxy”-inspired attraction at Epcot is going to be an out of this galaxy experience like no other. Earlier this week, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared the first details on the innovative new ride system planned to bring the adventurous attraction to life.

According to Bob, building an adventure this big will require a ride system and ride vehicles unlike anything our guests have experienced before. What guests will encounter on the Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction can best be described as a one-of-a-kind storytelling coaster that connects the adventure of a storyline with the thrills of a coaster.

“On most coasters, the vehicles point straight ahead throughout the ride,” Bob explained. “But on this attraction, each individual cab will be programmed to direct your eye to the story happening around you.

That means instead of whizzing by the action, you’ll be fully immersed in the story from the minute you launch.”

The attraction will be one of the world’s longest enclosed roller coasters when it opens in Future World at Epcot. Earlier this year, 960 trucks’ worth of concrete poured the foundation of this mammoth attraction, which will be housed inside a building so large that the volume of four Spaceship Earth attractions could fit inside it!

The attraction will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort in 2021.

November 15, 2018
Disney Reveals Name of New 15-story Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

Last year, Disney announced a massive expansion of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and today, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled more about the reimagining, including the name of the new 15-story centerpiece of the resort, the Gran Destino Tower.

The tower, which will be completed in July 2019, will serve as the new main entrance point for guests visiting the resort, and will add a total of 545 new guest rooms (including 50 suites) to the resort, as well as feature a gorgeous two-story lobby. A themed table-service restaurant is also planned for the top of Gran Destino Tower, which will serve up delicious food and incredible views of the Walt Disney World Resort.

An oasis set on the shore of Lago Dorado, the reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the daring spirit of the great Spanish explorers, artists, writers and architects. Throughout the resort, guests will discover a blend of classic Spanish influences, imaginative Disney touches and modern comforts both inside and out. The resort’s more than 1,800 existing rooms have also been fully updated with new fixtures, furnishings and lighting. A second new restaurant is planned to open on an island in the middle of the resort’s 14-acre lake, Lago Dorado, with new walkways stretching across the water, making it convenient no matter where guests stay at the resort. And a fresh color palette will tie the entire resort experience together, blending the new and the newly reimagined.

Guests will soon be able to make reservations for Gran Destino Tower for stays beginning in July 2019.

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

November 14, 2018
New Parking Structure Coming To Disneyland Adds Pedestrian Bridge

As part of a multi-year expansion of the Disneyland Resort, a new 6,500-space parking structure is currently under construction. Today Disney announced, the project is starting to take shape and it will now also feature a new pedestrian bridge over Magic Way.

The parking structure is being built on the current Pinocchio surface parking lot next to Mickey & Friends. This new bridge will connect visitors from the parking structure—over Magic Way— to the rest of the resort, allowing guests the option to stroll through the Downtown Disney District to the theme parks’ Main Entrance.

In addition, the new bridge eliminates the foot traffic crossing the street at Disneyland Drive and Magic Way, providing not only convenience, but also greater pedestrian safety and better traffic circulation.

Disney announced last year that a multi-year expansion of the Disneyland Resort, will include upgrading, improving and adding new parking and transportation enhancements that have been long envisioned for the resort.

Set to be completed next year, these parking and transportation enhancements—along with other existing parking options throughout the resort area—are designed to dramatically improve parking and traffic flow.

The new parking structure is expected to significantly speed up guest arrival by providing a 60 percent increase in the number of access lanes and by adding parking capacity on the west side of the resort. In addition, the tram boarding area will be reconfigured to enhance the transportation experience for guests parking at both the new structure and Mickey & Friends.

October 11, 2018