DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS LAUNCHES MICKEY & MINNIE’S RUNAWAY RAILWAY

 BY GABRIELLE

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction is now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The innovative ride-through attraction takes guests on a journey through a recreation of the Chinese Theatre and into the world of Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts.

The attraction features Walt Disney Imagineering’s original ‘Perfect Picnic’ story, where Mickey and Minnie try and find the perfect location to have a romantic picnic as they drive through Runnamuck Park in their red convertible. The story is accompanied by the new song ‘Nothing Can Stop Us Now.’

On the journey, guests will attempt to avoid a twister, visit a carnival, escape an exploding volcano, drive through a waterfall and experience a stampede through the Wild West.

Josh D’Amaro, Walt Disney World’s president, spoke about the opening of the new attraction: “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a crowning achievement in the multiyear transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

“What was once a theme park that took you behind the scenes, now puts you in the centre of your favourite stories,” D’Amaro added.

TRON LIGHTCYCLES ON DISPLAY AT TOMORROWLAND, MAGIC KINGDOM WORLD

BY GABRIELLE

Walt Disney World is teasing visitors to Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park, Florida, by displaying the park’s highly-awaited TRON Lightcycles.

The TRON Lightcycles are now on display in a new area near Space Mountain in the themed land of Tomorrowland. Guests can sit on the vehicles for selfies and photo opportunities.

The innovative, high-tech, coaster-style attraction is due to open at Magic Kingdom in 2021, to coincide with Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

The TRON Lightcycle / Run attraction involves riders boarding a train featuring two-wheeled Lightcycles. Guests are taken on an invigorating race through the ‘digital frontier.’

In November 2019, the final piece of the TRON Lightcycle / Run ride was installed at Walt Disney World, which was a major construction milestone for the attraction.

Scott Pratt, Walt Disney Imagineering’s project coordinator, commented: “It finishes a loop of over 3,000 feet of track and over 120 pieces. The guests are going to feel exhilaration and they’re going to come off wanting to ride it over and over again,” Pratt added.

A RAFT OF NEW ATTRACTIONS ARE COMING TO DISNEY’S EPCOT THEME PARK

BY GABRIELLE

A total of six new attractions are to be installed at Epcot theme park in Florida to coincide with the site’s forthcoming 40th anniversary.

The theme park is to undergo a significant makeover, including the arrival of new attractions inspired by Pixar and Disney characters.

One of the attractions is centred on Mary Poppins floating on her magic umbrella. There will also be a pavilion devoted to the Guardians of the Galaxy. Ratatouille’s Remy will bring Pixar’s version of Paris to the park’s France pavilion.

The Epcot transformation is to include the building of four unique districts – World Showcase, World Nature, World Celebration and World Discovery. The makeover will be the biggest transformation a Disney theme park has ever undergone.

Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney Imagineering’s executive producer, described the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction, located at the World Showcase pavilion: “You will step into a pavilion sponsored by the Xandar planet. You’ll get to learn about the origins of Xandar, their culture and their people.”

Melissa Valiquette, Epcot general manager, commented about the new fictional planet attraction: “It’s really going to change the face of our park. It’s our first out-of-this-world pavilion.”

STAR WARS: RISE OF THE RESISTANCE OPENS AT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, FLORIDA

BY GABRIELLE

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has opened to the public at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios in Florida.

The highly awaited immersive attraction opened on December 4, 2019.

Hailed as being one of the most advanced and ambitious attraction experiences Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created, Rise of the Resistance involves guests walking through a forest and past the remains of an ancient civilisation, until the eventually board an Intersystem Transport Ship (I-TS) to meet General Leia Organa.

Guests will feel like they’re travelling into space with Poe Dameron and his X-wing starfighter, Black One.

The journey sees guests intercepted by the First Order as the I-TS is forced into the hangar bay of a Star Destroyer. Riders will also have to dodge blaster bolts and AT-AT walkers and navigate their way past huge turbolaser cannons and the Star Destroyer’s bridge.

As well as featuring an innovative design and cutting-edge technology, this interactive experience is one of the longest experiences to have been created by Disney.

Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, experiences and products, commented on the new attraction: “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the most ambitious, immersive, advanced, action-packed attraction we’ve ever created.

“We threw out the rulebook when designing this attraction to deliver experiential storytelling on a massive, cinematic scale,” said Chapek.

On January 17, 2020, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open at Disneyland in California.

EPCOT EXPERIENCE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT EPCOT’S TRANSFORMATION

BY GABRIELLE

Walt Disney Imagineering has created an immersive experience designed to enable visitors to take a look at the transformation of the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The Epcot Experience showcases the changes planned for the park, revealing a comprehensive look at Epcot’s plans.

A number of unique rides and attractions are to be installed at the theme park, including a Mary Poppins-inspired attraction, the Moana-themed Journey of Water and the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Unwind.

Guests can take part in the Epcot Experience inside the Odyssey Events Pavilion. The attraction uses pioneering technology to showcase the history of Epcot and what the park is going to look like on a 12-minute recording projected on a floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree screen.

Also being presented in the large circular room will be archival footage prior to Epcot’s opening in 1982, as well as the site’s new Disney-based attractions.

The park’s night-time firework show ‘HarmonioUS’ will also be previewed during the Epcot Experience.

Projection-mapping technology will be used to highlight different regions of the theme park, alongside displays of artefacts and memorabilia of Epcot, including a park map from its opening day in 1982.

DISNEY UNVEILS DETAILS ABOUT STAR WARS: RISE OF THE RESISTANCE ATTRACTION

BY GABRIELLE

Walt Disney Imagineering has unveiled details about its immersive attraction, Star Wars: Rise of Resistance, located at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Hailed as one of Walt Disney Imagineering’s most ambitious and innovative projects to date, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will combine reality with fantasy.

Visitors will board a full-sized shuttle where they will be recruited to join General Organa and Rey at a clandestine military base located in the forest. The First Order Star Destroyer will capture guests, who will witness a battle between the Resistance and the First Order.

Featuring two full-size AT-AT walkers and a Star Destroyer hanger bay with Stormtroopers and a TIE fighter, the Rise of the Resistance will be one of Disney’s biggest ever attractions.

A new simulator experience and multiple ride systems will give those who board the Rise of the Resistance the feeling they are falling from space to crash onto Batuu.

The highly awaited new Star Wars attraction will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida on December 5, 2019 and at Disneyland in California on January 17, 2020.