So here's my breakdown / opinion.
DHS:
Date for Toy story no surprise
GMR to Mickey Mouse - I don't mind this because I think the GMR stinks, but I will miss the CONCEPT of a GMR. People seem worried this is a "kiddie" ride, but I don't think it's the case. I think it will be family friendly, but it sounds like a fun concept if they pull off the uniqueness of it.
Star Wars land - nothing new here except a name Galaxy's Edge is just fine.
Epcot:
All good - new spine, Rat in France, new movie in China, GotG in Energy. I won't miss Ellen much, it's sort of a neat ride, but way too long.
The new Space Restaurant and second Mission for M:S was a neat surprise. I would almost guarantee that this goes into Wonders of Life. The domed area seems perfect for the concept. Will be interesting to see what happens to the festival center for F&W though - they'll need to locate it somewhere else - Odyssey? My guess is most of this stuff won't be done by 2019, more like 2020.
My biggest disappointment missing from the announcements is not a new country - they said more to come after all about WS - but that still no love for Imagination Pavilion, which is probably the area most in need of some love before this announcement, and now CLEARLY the most in need.
MK:
Tron - YES! All for this, even though MK is turning into a roller coaster park. The Theater is interesting, wonder why they aren't saying what's going there. I don't think Frozen, since that is already in DHS. Could see some sort of other stage musical going there - maybe bring the DCA version of Aladdin? I'm betting that these don't break ground for at least a year, and are both targeted for 2021.
Hotels:
Those of us on the DVC boards knew that the DVC hotel was happening since January at least. It's already under construction. There was much argument about whether it would be a moderate, but I argued that no way they do that, so proven right. The key is the views of Illuminations and the gondolas, which will make travel to DHS and Epcot very fast. Expect all this in place by 2019 for Star Wars opening. Since I won't spend money for DVC direct, the best I can hope for is we have a trip right around the time they start to open it up.
The Star Wars hotel will more than likely be near DHS. I could see it being attached to Galaxy's Edge, where you would enter through the land, and then part of your interactive experience would be part of the land as well. I could see this being in place for 2019 Star Wars opening. They will charge a fortune and make a fortune on this thing. (I think there's a pretty good chance I do it, and do it early. I'm expecting prices to start high and then go higher.
A seventh
DCL ship has no effect on me. Good for them, but the real risk there is if there's ever a serious economic slowdown their going to have an awful hard time filling all these ships.
DCA - I think Californians would be a bit disappointed in the announcements here. A Halloween overlay of Carsland is neat, but the Pixar Pier is the 3rd rethemeing of this area. (And how does Little Mermaid and Goofy's Skycoaster fit in with this?) The Marvel stuff was nice, but it was much too vague. Not sure if they were implying that Paint the Night means that MSEP is sticking around, but maybe it does.
That's all my thoughts for now. Great that there were so many WDW announcements! Thanks everyone for the fun day.
for all of your posts and links (not just these…all the other ones too!)!
