Disney Updates: Destination D News

D23 hosted Destination D Mickey Mouse Fan Celebration over the weekend and there are so many updates coming to Disney Parks in 2019 and beyond!

Star War’s: Galaxy’s Edge Updates

Everyone is incredibly excited for Star War’s: Galaxy’s Edge to open in 2019 (Spring 2019 for Disneyland and Fall 2019 for Walt Disney World). While they did not give exact dates, they did give updates on what to expect in the land!

We already knew that there would be two rides coming to the new land, but we now know the names! Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. In Smugglers Run you take the controls as one of three unique roles aboard the Millennium Falcon. In Rise of the Resistance, you join in a battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will face Kylo Ren himself. Here is one of the videos that was shared at the event.

Guests who are fans of the new Play Disney Parks app will be excited to learn that the new Star Wars land will have experiences in the app too! You can become galactic travelers and live your own story in a galaxy far, far away.

If you are familiar with the Star Wars movies, you will no doubt already be familiar with the iconic soundtrack that was composed by John Williams. He has been creating a new and original soundtrack for the land!

We also learned more about what there will be to do in the outpost. There will be a street market in Black Spire Outpost you can visit, food stalls that you can buy unique food items like blue milk, and of course, visit the Cantina that will have familiar creatures and characters from the Star Wars universe.

Star Wars Hotel Updates

Once again, we were not given any update on the dates, however, they did share some new concept art for what you can expect to see in the new Star Wars resort.

The fully-immersive multi-day adventure will take place on a luxury starship that includes high-end dining, space-view cabins, and all of the excitement you would expect from a true galactic experience.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Update

Keeping with what is coming to Hollywood Studios, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is still progressing. There have been a lot of updates on what to expect from the ride since it was announced it would replace The Great Movie Ride back in 2017.

The ride will transform the two-dimensional cartoon into a real-world experience that features “a new original story and lovable theme song as it takes guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.”

Wonderful World of Animation

Hollywood Studios will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2019! Disney announced that starting in May 2019 an all-new cinematic nighttime experience will debut in the park. Wonderful World of Animation will “use state-of-the-art projection technology to take guests on a magical journey through more than 90 years of Disney animation, all beginning with Mickey himself.”

There is no word if this will replace either Star Wars fireworks or Fantasmic, or if both shows will continue.

Epcot Forever

It was announced earlier this year that Epcot’s nighttime fireworks show, Illuminations, would be ending in Summer 2019. Disney announced that starting in fall 2019, “Epcot Forever” will temporarily take its place. This limited-time experience will feature classic Epcot tunes, fireworks, lighting, lasers, and special effects kites.

The new nighttime spectacular that will claim permanent residence at Epcot will not debut until 2020. The name has yet to be announced, but it will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, and lasters. The show will show how Disney music inspires people all over the globe.

Epcot Pavilion Updates

Epcot’s France pavilion will be getting a few updates as well. We already knew that a Ratatouille inspired ride would be coming, but the name was officially announced. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will find a home in France’s pavilion. Before that, however, a brand new Beauty and the Beast sing-along will be added to the pavilion. Impressions de France will still remain for those who are worried.

Although not much is known about the update, the Canada pavilion’s show, O Canada! is in the process of being updated as well.

Disney’s Riveria Resort Update

While there is still no official opening date, Disney’s newest DVC property Riviera Resort is scheduled to open in Fall 2019. We did get a new look at what to expect though!

Newest DVC Property Name Revealed

Earlier this year Disney announced they would be adding a nature-inspired DVC property. Disney announced that it will be called Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. I don’t expect to learn more about the property until well after Riviera Resort opens up. Disney wants you to purchase their current DVC offerings and if they talk up the new properties, they risk people holding off on purchasing on the resorts they do have. Currently, we simply know the front concept art and that they expect the resort to have over 900 hotel rooms.

Disney Skyliner Update

The much-anticipated Skyliner. Earlier this week that the Skyliner is scheduled to open in fall of 2019. Disney is leaning heavily into promoting the new views it will provide. However, there hasn’t been much else announced since the original statement that included the destinations. This weekend they unveiled one of the actual gondolas.