The 10 BIG Changes That Are Coming to Walt Disney World

[footballmouse]

And now, JennaDeeDooDah's "10 BIG Things that NEED to Come to WDW"

10. Expansion of Disney's Hollywood Studios that will divide the parks into 5 sections: Hollywood Studios, Disney Studios, Pixar Studios, Muppet Studios, and Lucas Studios. Rides will be brought over from Disneyland such as Mike and Sully to the Rescue, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Radiator Springs Racers, and Indiana Jones. There will also be a parachute ride based on UP, a roller coaster based on The Great Gonzo, and old favorites from Disney World past such as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Snow White's Scary Adventures. New restaurants will also be added based on the Pizza Planet in the movies, Remy's, the Star Wars Cantina, and Sweedish Chef's restaurant.

9. Expansion of Animal Kingdom to include Australia and Antarctica. Finding Nemo the musical will be sent to Australia. There will be a water ride based on the EAC and a zip line over the Australian rainforest. A child's ride based on bouncing with the kangaroos will also be here. In Antarctica, there will be many things based on Club Penguin as well as a bobsled style ride. There will be a children's play area that looks like a winter scene with icy slides and igloos to climb in and on.

8. Updates to Future World East. This will include reopening Wonders of Life with all of the old favorites (Body Wars, Cranium Command) and updating them. Ellen's Energy Adventure will be shortened and an interactive area at the end of the ride will be added. This will feature stationary bikes that you will ride to illuminate a lighbulb, as well as other energy sections to give people a better understanding of the amount of wind, solar, and nuclear energy needed for certain things. Horizons will also need to come back. We will add in skywalks with and without moving sidewalks to help people get from one side of Future World to the other.

7. The Odyssey will be reopened with a space theme. It will have a ceiling and walls that are similar to a planetarium. Food will all have a space theme such as "Rings of Saturn" rather than basic onion rings and "black hole dessert" rather than black forest cake. While parents wait for their table, their children can be entertained playing in the moonbounce as well as the climbing section that looks like the surface of the moon.

6. New additions to World Showcase! Hello Israel, Greece, and Spain!

5. The monorail will be expanded to include the other two parks as well as Downtown Disney.

4. Rooms at various resorts will be changed so that more than 4 people can rent a room. Families with 3, 4, and even more children can now stay in a "Standard" room rather than a DVC villa or somewhere offsite, if they so choose, at any of the resorts as they will now be able to accommodate that.

3. Updates on classic rides we all love such as Great Movie Ride and Jungle Cruise. We have the technology to make the audioanimatronics look better, so that's what is going to happen.

2. We vow to talk to the guests about their wants, needs, and desires prior to rolling anything new out that we have convinced ourselves that they really want. We will also not make them pay thousands of dollars to be the guinea pigs during the testing phase without first warning them.

1. Fast Pass+ Changes! (Come on; you knew this was coming) No longer do you make reservations 60 days out. Instead, starting 30 minutes before the park opens, you can start making Fast Pass+ selections from your computer, smart phone, or kiosk (clearly it will have to be computer or smart phone prior to park opening or your hotel concierge can help you with this). You will be allowed to have as many as FP+ out at a time, but will only get to book 3 initially. As soon as the window for your first FP+ opens up, you will be able to book a fourth FP+, regardless of whether or not you have scanned your magic band. You can make this selection from anywhere via your smart phone. You can see FP+ selections at other parks and book them as part of your 3 fast passes, in the even that you are intending to park hop. This works well for all people as those who don't wish to do rope drop can still monitor the fast pass times and collect them for the more popular rides prior to ever entering the park. Rope droppers will again see the benefit of arriving early as they can select fast passes for anytime during the day and monitor return times as they used to do with regular fast pass. Everyone wins here and no one is planning every last second of their vacation months in advance, unless they really want to.

Have you thought about this a little bit?

You do have some good ideas.

 

[igk]

Sounds like the Avatar flight ride might be like Soarin' but with CGI Avatar effects? Surprised they're going with this thing... I mean Cars Land is great - but is has appeal for the whole family - how many 5yr olds are going to get excited about a movie from 5 years ago...

My BIL would like the menu-in-advance thing - he booked Christmas Dinner last year at a restaurant and I had to choose every course I wanted in November

 

[newct]

I can choose my meals ahead of time but my wife and kids can't!

It looks like the improvements are meant to keep people moving along to allow for more guests.

More guests = more money!

But, I don't see them handling the extra guests too easily. I don't want to crazy wait times for attractions. I think they are too long now.

 

[jerseygal]

HAPPY to hear about future enhancements!

 

[mom2rtk]

One thing I hope that Disney is thinking about in regards to any possible Soarin change....they have a California film....rumor is they are making one more Asia/Europe focused, and a Florida one......why not do like they do at Star Wars and make it random which one plays. I really enjoy this ride but it would be nice to see different films over the course of several trips to ride.

Of course, I can also see this INCREASING the length of the line, as people want to see all 3 films, lol. So, maybe if they're building a 3rd ride, do this line is California, this line is Europe, this line is Florida....guess you'll find out which scenery is most popular, lol.

Oy. I really hope they don't offer more than one version. In a perfect world where access to this ride was plentiful, I'd be excited about that possibility. But ONE new film would be bad enough. Give it 3 options and the lines will be nuts.

And if they did that, they would probably offer it as "Soarin roulette" and I'd keep getting the same old California version.

Don't worry, your choices will mysteriously disappear from your reservations sometime before you arrive (along with random FP+ selections)!!!

Only funny because it's so true!

Yep....this would be VERY advantageous to Disney....IF it actually worked. Every time we have "pre ordered" for BOG, well, it hasn't been in their system, so it's a huge waste of MY time and gets them nothing either.

BUT....if it actually worked, think about it....no need for the hostess to hand you a menu as you sit down, nor for you to take 10 minutes or so to decide what you want.....and several minutes for the waitress to take said order......if they saved 15 minutes for every table that will definitely mean more turn over of tables which brings in more money for Disney.

I really do think this is yet another indication that the people coming up with these ideas are not spending much time in the parks themselves.

We use our ADRs as a BREAK from the parks. We like to sit down, rest, and recharge. It's our way to take a break without leaving the parks. I'm not interested in sprinting through an expensive meal.

That's not to say that we need 2 hours for a meal. I would LOVE it if they would just work on efficiency behind the scenes. MANY times we have waited more than half an hour past when our meal was done just to get the ticket. They need to fix that sort of thing before talking about having people order from home 6 months out.

I'm fine with making my ADRs 6 months out. I've always scoffed at the complaints of "but I don't know where I want to eat 6 months out". Well, I think I'm getting on their bandwagon when Disney starts adding the layer of wanting me to order 6 months out.

You have to admit though, in an odd way, it's sort of comical to see just how far Disney thinks they can go with all of this.

 

[clsteve]

"....with guests being asked to select their entire meal right down to the beverage and dessert in advance of their visit."

"....What's the benefit? Well, potentially it will enable Disney to turn over tables much faster, making reservations at popular restaurants at least a little less difficult to come by."

So, I'm confused --- First, how do you tip the computer if it's great service...?

Secondly, if we stay too long at the table, does the computer hover over us a with a nasty glare like a real waiter or do the seats eject....?

 

[mom2rtk]

So, I'm confused --- First, how do you tip the computer if it's great service...?

Secondly, if we stay too long at the table, does the computer hover over us a with a nasty glare like a real waiter or do the seats eject....?

I do think servers are likely to pay the price with lower tips. Although I suppose it's possible if the tables turn over faster they might make that up in increased quantity.

Maybe they could make ADRs into a combination meal/ride. You have 38 minutes to finish before the ejector seat option deploys and launches you into a random area of the park, an area which coincidentally MB technology has identified as currently underutilized.

 

[clsteve]

I do think servers are likely to pay the price with lower tips. Although I suppose it's possible if the tables turn over faster they might make that up in increased quantity.

Maybe they could make ADRs into a combination meal/ride. You have 38 minutes to finish before the ejector seat option employs and launches you into a random area of the park, an area which coincidentally MB technology has identified as currently underutilized.

Makes perfect sense.

But, I think I'll carry a couple of spare USB drives the next time we go so I can tip the computer something if one of them really goes above and beyond at our next meal.....

 

[aribelle]

I'm find with making my ADRs 6 months out. I've always scoffed at the complaints of "but I don't know where I want to eat 6 months out". Well, I think I'm getting on their bandwagon when Disney starts adding the layer of wanting me to order 6 months out.

You have to admit though, in an odd way, it's sort of comical to see just how far Disney thinks they can go with all of this.

Let's just hope they don't start preparing your meal 6 months in advance.....freeze dried and waiting for you in slot "Aribelle Day 4, guest 2".

And I agree....meals are my chance for my feet to recover, my back to get to lean on something not moving, and my head to calm a little from all the noise and chaos. 2 hours might be a bit much, as I'd probably relax enough to either fall asleep or at least to have lost all will to another marathon through the park.....but an hour is about right.

Maybe Disney is taking Wall-E a bit too seriously......maybe they're trying to head us towards just sitting in our $200 per person per day (not including "special events" with a hard ticket pricetag) innertube chair and going through our preselected rides/meals/shows/bathroom (but YOU get to choose your own order). Though as I age, the idea has more appeal, lol. I just hope and pray that bathroom isn't considered a special event with an extra charge!

 

[Ellwood970]

That's bizarre....planning the menus for my ADRs 60 days early so that Disney can turn tables over faster????????? Sheesh!

I always thought the added costs of table service meals was to enjoy the ambience and relax for a bit.

 

[AmyB2006]

JennaDeeDooDah.... LOVE your post and ideas. That would be awesome. But.... well. What is it, if I can dream it, they can do it? Or something like that? LOL Riiiiight.


10. A new show, open later, super.
9. They're getting rid of a show that's outdated, with no announcement of what's replacing it. Um...
8. Who cares... more shopping and restaurants. That's what Disney needs.
7. Good for this, but it'll take forever.
6. Luxury hotel brand... great, that'll be what $1000 a night?
5. Night time safari... sounds fun
4. Poly changes... some look good, disappointed about the fountain removal. How can they get rid of that???!!!
3. More DVC... I think we need more attractions before we need more DVC.
2. Ordering food days or potentially weeks/months before you ever sit down???? I don't know even want to touch this with a 10 foot pole.
1. I for one will probably love Pandora/Avatarland, but I understand why it's not popular with the masses.

 

[mom2rtk]

Makes perfect sense.

But, I think I'll carry a couple of spare USB drives the next time we go so I can tip the computer something if one of them really goes above and beyond at our next meal.....

I might just send the terminal a complimentary email.

Let's just hope they don't start preparing your meal 6 months in advance.....freeze dried and waiting for you in slot "Aribelle Day 4, guest 2".

And I agree....meals are my chance for my feet to recover, my back to get to lean on something not moving, and my head to calm a little from all the noise and chaos. 2 hours might be a bit much, as I'd probably relax enough to either fall asleep or at least to have lost all will to another marathon through the park.....but an hour is about right.

Maybe Disney is taking Wall-E a bit too seriously......maybe they're trying to head us towards just sitting in our $200 per person per day (not including "special events" with a hard ticket pricetag) innertube chair and going through our preselected rides/meals/shows/bathroom (but YOU get to choose your own order). Though as I age, the idea has more appeal, lol. I just hope and pray that bathroom isn't considered a special event with an extra charge!

Um..... you might enjoy this read.......

 

[Aurora0427]

I wonder if Four Seasons will include all the on-site perks ? Anyone know ?

My TA says no. No DME, no DDP, no EMH, FP+ 30 days out not 60. She's in the process of trying to get all the details. All the info she received is pretty vague, which makes me think they are still working out the details. We thought, for about 10 seconds, about moving to the FS from GF in December because it would save us $600, but ultimately decided we just prefer the magic of GF and all the onsite perks.

 

[Aurora0427]

I want to go THERE!!!!!Sounds great! They should put the old Club Cool in AK Antartica. A great way to cool off in a hot park!

Was old club cool at Epcot- and was it like entering a glacier? I have a vague memory of some glacier/ice area from our 2000 trip. But I've never seen it again and there was a 7 year break between my 2000 and 2007 trips!

 

[shepd]

I am impressed at the idea of getting an Avatarland.

I'm not impressed it's going into AK instead of DHS. AK is the only park where I can say to people "This is the one you go to for stuff that is real". Well, mostly real--real in the Disney way of being real. When you fill it with a bunch of fake animals you take that away from AK. And Avatar is a movie, why shouldn't it be in the section of the park dedicated to movies?

Oh well, better it exists rather than doesn't!

 

[AmyB2006]

Um..... you might enjoy this read.......

RestRoom+!!!!!! OMG

I seriously cannot imagine ordering my food months in advance. How can you possibly know what you'll want to eat that far away??? That's just insane.

 

[shafke]

Was old club cool at Epcot- and was it like entering a glacier? I have a vague memory of some glacier/ice area from our 2000 trip. But I've never seen it again and there was a 7 year break between my 2000 and 2007 trips!

They redid Club Cool in Epcot a few years back. You used to walk through an ice cave to enter and there was a sno-cat out front that had coke bottles for the treads. All of that was ripped out and replaced with doors.

 

[Aurora0427]

They redid Club Cool in Epcot a few years back. You used to walk through an ice cave to enter and there was a sno-cat out front that had coke bottles for the treads. All of that was ripped out and replaced with doors.

That's what I remember! Why did they change it? Lame!

 

[plumsiren]

Maybe they could make ADRs into a combination meal/ride. You have 38 minutes to finish before the ejector seat option employs and launches you into a random area of the park, an area which coincidentally MB technology has identified as currently underutilized.

 

[MYD714]

I hate the possibility of having to choose my meals in advance. It's hard enough to choose my ADRs. I'm not choosing my food too. This is one of the reasons that I have not and will not utilize the FP for lunch at Be Our Guest.

I can't take the need to plan one more thing in advance. I've hit my preplanning breaking point.