It's been 5 years...what have I missed??

[TSirgey]

Hello all, I was on a run there going almost every year, and then after some life changes, I have not been on this board or at WDW in 5 years.

Now life is back to normal and planning is starting for a WDW trip in 2012! My question is, what have I missed and what are the biggest changes since 2006? My new DH has never been there so I want to introduce him to the happiest place on earth and also want to experience this with my DD who is now old enough to experience most everything (will be 11 when we go)!

I figured I'd ask your expert advice since I feel totally out of the loop these days! However, I'm sure my Dis friends can catch me up and I will have fun "researching"!!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

The biggest change I can think of is the ride Expedition Everest.

 

[Winnie1966]

They now have three animatronic Captain Jack figures added through the ride along with a Davy Jones waterfall kinda thing. Pretty cool!! Oh...and they added the Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort and the Kindani (sp) Village wing on Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Toy Story Midway Mania is now at what is called Hollywood Studios (used to be called MGM)

The attraction is extremely popular so you really need to get to that park early to avoid huge lines (100 plus minutes) or get a fastpass. The often run out of them by about 1pm and by 10 am the return time can be 4,5,6 hours later.

 

[Cruz91]

Though we go a fair amount, I always find a new detail I haven't seen before.

Happy planning, and glad your life's back on track.

 

[TSirgey]

Wow, I was just looking at pictures of Toy Story Mania. I had no clue that moved parks!

I actually did get to ride Everest during my last visit for the soft opening, but it wasn't totally finished. I'm really looking forward to seeing it complete and also the restaurant there!

Thanks everyone, this is great!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Space Mountain had a refurb that slightly changed the "cars". There is now a soundtrack that they play inside to make your ride seem more "spacey" and energetic. The queue has video games you can play to help pass the time in line.

 

[Pluto6]

We were there in 2005, 2007 2009 and 2010. One of the things I miss most is the show Tarzan Rocks at Animal Kingdom. It was replaced by the Finding Nemo show which is still good but a " one time" event if you know what I mean. The Power Rangers are no longer at Hollywood Studios and Fantasmic is only presented on certain nights of the week. They have also changed the Kilamanjaro Safari story line a bit. EPCOT has redone the mexican restaurant in World showcase and also added a pixxaria in the Italy section, and a Kim Possible detective race(Our kids really enjoyed this) No Mcdonalds on property anymore either. Magic Kingdom is full of changes since your last visit ( ours too and it was only last year) Downtown Disney has changed quite a bit as well. The McDonalds there has chaged to a Chicken restaurant, T-Rex has opened and they are totally redoing Pleasure Island. You've got to hand it to Disney for trying to keep things Fresh. Enjoy your trip

 

[ZoZo]

It used to be that fast passes for Soarin' ran out the quickest - now it's Toy Story Mania that seems to be the most popular.