Haven't been in 3 years - what has changed?

[izzy]

Hi everybody!! Question for the group -- I'm planning a trip to WDW in September, and I haven't been in 3 years. (Gasp! The horrors!) I'd like to get some ideas of new things in they've added past 3 years, things that are gone or changed, etc. I'm looking at the full range - resorts, rides, shows, and dining. I've booked at Pop Century - is this the newest resort? Some things I have already heard about:

Soarin' - what exactly is this?
Expedition Everest
Tarzan Rocks has closed
Connections food vouchers are no longer available
Did they do something to Alien Encounter?

Anyway, any hints and tips you could give me would be great. I'm probably going to get an annual pass.

TIA!!

 

[drteeth3]

"Soarin' - what exactly is this?" Its a very cool ride. You are lifted up in front of a giant movie screen (like I max) and the seats move a bit and its like you are flying. It is Awesome!

"Expedition Everest" Its a roller coaster that I have not been on yet but looks very cool. Its not open to the public yet.

"Tarzan Rocks has closed" Not yet I dont think but its planned.

"Did they do something to Alien Encounter?" Yep they made it into stitches great escape. Its not too cool alien was better.


Some other things are: at typhoon lagoon they have the new crush in gusher, its very cool, its 3 different water coasters. Its not very long each but very fun.
At Epcot mission space is new and is very very cool. Its a sort of motion simulator ride. It can be intense for some and also some say they get motion sick.
Was phillharmagic open when you went? Its in the magic kingdom and is a cool 3d movie.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm pretty sure that "Wishes" and "Mickey's Philharmagic" are a little less than 3 years old. Didn't they open around fall of 2003? I think both of those are "must sees".

 

[JulielovesDisney]

Tarzan Rocks has closed. They are planning to put in a different show in there in a few years. I wish they would've kept Tarzan Rocks, that was one of my favorite shows..

 

[Baloo]

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is actually the newest resort.It's located across the lake from the Marketplace at DTD.

Pop Century opened a bit before SSR. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/popcentury.htm

Wishes ,the nightly fireworks spectacular at MK is new.We have video of it here at the DIS: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm#wishes

Mickey's Philharmagic a 3-d movie is new in the past 3 years at the MK.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/magickingdom/fan-philharmagic.htm

Also new to MK is Poohs Playful Spot.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/magickingdom/fan-pooh.htm#ppspot

Alien Encounter is now Stitch’s Great Escape
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/magickingdom/tom-stitch.htm

And Goofy’s Country Dance Party premiered at
the Diamond Horseshoe in Adventureland
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/magickingdom/fro-shows.htm

Small World was down for rehab for quite sometime but no changes just a spruce up.

MGM has the new car stunt show that opened last year.....Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-stuntshow.htm

I'm not sure but WALT DISNEY: One Man's Dream might have started at MGM in the past couple years.http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-oneman.htm

Since there are no longer animators actually working on films at MGM anymore The Magic of Disney Animation has been changed.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-animation.htm

At Epcot Nemo and friends have been added to the Living Seas pavillion.Turtle Talk with Crush is a MUST SEE! http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epfw-livingseas.htm

Other new attractions at Epcot are Mission: Space a whole new pavillion in FutureWorld
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epfw-mission.htm

Soarin' is a ride added to The Land pavillion http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epfw-soarin.htm

Opening soon at AK is Expedition Everest. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/animalkingdom/ak-asia-expedition.htm

There have been several changes at the Market Place at DTD.

An AWESOME new toy store Once Upon a Toy Store is a MUST SEE!http://www.wdwinfo.com/downtown/marketplace/index.htm

Goofy's Candy Company and Disney Tails (stuff your your furry family members) Mickey's Mart - Everything Ten Dollars and Under Disney's try at a dollar store! LOL!

LEGO Imagination Center has had a TOTAL rehab.The store inside as well as the Lego "statues" outside are all new.

Earl of Sandwich is a new resyaurant.

On the West Side at DTD is Raglan Road is a new Irish restaurant/ entertainment spot.

Here'a a link to the page we have on rehabs and closing throught WDW that might be helpful to you.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm


That's all I can think of that's been added since your last trip three years ago.

 

[izzy]

Wow! Thanks for the replies everyone! Misison Space had only been open a few months the last time I went. I got on it, but never again. Just too intense for someone who gets motion sickness. (Yes, I should have heeded the warnings!) I did get to see Mickey's Philharmagic, but only because it was open to AP holders at that time. I thought it was really cute. It wasn't open to the public yet.

Will Soarin' be too much for my motion sickness problem? It sounds really neat.

 

[drteeth3]

I dont think soarin will give you any trouble because it doesnt really move all that much. Your seat sort of shifts a bit with whats happening on the screen to give you the sensation like you are flying. My sister and wife get motion sick very easy and so do I and we had no problems. The ride is very short, around 4 min. so you dont really have time to get sick.