BREAKING: Bob Iger announces opening date for Pandora!

[erc]

And soft openings when?

 

[rteetz]

Of course it is to be expected. That is why I hope Disney is smart about the opening and has a plan to manage FP+.

Yes those educated rumors were started with facts direct from Disney with ticket and CM block out dates etc. Too many other things are often put out there that people make up, copy for other sites etc. And for things like ROL when you keep throwing out guesses, yeah you will eventually be right, but doesn't mean you were right, just played the odds that eventually it would hit. We are too far out to start planning around SWL rumors other than what Disney has put out there.

Rumors said early summer since Disney confirmed summer 2017. Not everything is a guess. Sometimes the info is right but as you should know that things change.

Rumors said 2019 for Star Wars. Guess what? Disney confirmed 2019.

Rumored opening within the next 6 weeks. There is a possibility it may make some sort of debut/preview tonight to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. We'll wait and see! It has taken way too long, but it is going to be amazing once it finally opens!!

It's not the moms panel it's the Disney Social Media Moms celebration. Mommy bloggers from across the country are flown in for this annual event. It's been confirmed they will see RoL tonight.

We're painfully aware of the technical battles they've gone through, but have there also been changes to the show itself? A couple of folks who saw one of the special preview showings last fall thought it was simply not a good enough show at the time. (And these are not people who just want princesses and the Fab Five everywhere they look - it was a legitimate assessment of what they saw.)

There have been changes yes.

By the way, did Bob actually say that both major attractions will be opening in May? There was some internal speculation a couple months back that "Flight" might open a bit later than the rest of the area.

The entire land will open on the 27th.

 

[rteetz]

And soft openings when?

No way to know that yet. Press event starts May 21st.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Brand new AP holder here. Has there been any special AP event in the past for large openings like this? If so, when does that get announced. I already planned vacation time at my job for the week of June 4th based on the rumors. Do we think this will impact resort availability/pricing? Should I book sooner rather than later?

When FLE opened, I think there was a pass holder event to preview the land. No idea if one is coming for Pandora or when.

 

[Farro]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you in October Pandora!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[goofy78]

Super excited! We are arriving on May 26. Not sure if we should try it out or wait until our October trip.

 

[OneOftheB's]

So awesome! We are arriving May 29 for a week and have one AK day planned. Looks like we'll need to plan on at least another half day.

 

[rteetz]

When FLE opened, I think there was a pass holder event to preview the land. No idea if one is coming for Pandora or when.

I've heard it's quite possible.

 

[tstidm1]

Originally, I have a trip scheduled for Star Wars Celebration. Knowing a date and reasonable airfares may make me change dates to during the Dis Meet at end of May.

 

[IrishNYC]

You don't want to see it?

I do! But I was hoping for less crowds when we're there, as we don't go often.

 

[CJN]

I have no plans to go to Pandora this summer until I see how they manage the chaos...
They are about to endure Anna & Elsa plus 7DMT times 10. They better have a plan.

Yup. I felt relieved at the news that we're going to miss this by three weeks, even though it might be a few years before we get back.

 

[jacobsmommy]

I think we will skip the new rides if we can't get a FP and just walk through to see Pandora. I didn't really like the movie but my dh did. The kids have never seen it before...

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

My FP 60 day window opens 10 days after Pandora opens.

I'll be glued to the DIS to try and figure out how to handle this.

So glad I planned 2 AK days, and they are days 7 and 14 of our trip.

Now, about those ROL dining packages...

 

[StuckInKS]

YES! So glad we will be there for opening day and an AP preview (IF there is one...)

Now to wait for the updated hours and FP release!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Yup. I felt relieved at the news that we're going to miss this by three weeks, even though it might be a few years before we get back.

In exactly the same boat. I'm hoping this thins the crowds a little for early May with people waiting to go until it opens.

ROL kind of soured me on openings. I don't want to devote that much of my time to trying to get dining packages and FPs, etc. I'd like to see Pandora but since I'm not a huge fan of crowds, I'm happier to see it in a couple years when the crazy has died down.

 

[ArielSRL]

What does everyone see this doing to the crowds in the rest of WDW, particularly the remainder of AK. We are booked for a trip in June and will be going to AK on Friday the 12th. We have no interest in Pandora and hoping the new opening will ease the crowds in the rest of the park. Maybe?

FYI The 12th in June is a Monday.

 

[ArielSRL]

We arrive June 3rd. I had 1 AK day planned (Thurs June 8). Hmmmmm, not sure if I want to mess with the schedule or not. Eek!

 

[jrt1176]

I guess I'm curious to see the Avatar Land, but I'm not super excited or anything.

I saw the movie, but I don't recall being overly impressed by it. Maybe the effects were cool, but it wasn't the most original story if I recall...

I'm more interested in Star Wars Land, but, at the same, time I don't think either land reminds me of Disney.

I'm probably more interested to see an update at Future World in EPCOT.

 

[Jules123]

Our last day of our trip is May 24. Soooo close . Hopefully maybe we can catch a soft opening.

 

[FastPasser]

Also hearing rumors that Rivers of Light may debut tonight to a pre-selected group - the Disney Parks Moms Panel - in a special event at the park this evening.

It did take place tonight. It appeared to go as expected. About 700 people were present. It was part of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Not to be confused with the Mom's Panel. Mom, and dad, bloggers who met certain criteria were invited to attend the event packed multi day celebration.