What has changed in the past year

[wfjny]

So, despite being to WDW more times than I can count, we ran into an issue last year and we did not renew our annual passes. By the time we return in late July, it will have been almost 18 months since we were there.

Having had the blessing of being able to go to WDW four or five times a year for the past so many years, we always found something new to do. Sometimes they were obvious, like a new ride or attraction, sometimes they were somewhat less so (renting a hour, staying at a new hotel, including a trip to NASA).

So, here I am, some so-called Disney World Expert, attempting to figure out what new things to show to family and friends on the next trip. Both Pandora and Toy Story Land will be new to us.

I am wondering what other changes have happened in our time away. Any new flavors at the coke store in EPCOT? Any new storylines in Star Tours? New food or menus (I heard about the Electric Umbrella)...

New ways in or out of the parks, etc...

Thanks!

 

[BrianL]

Well, Happily Ever After should be new for you and it is worth seeing. There are also two new projection shows, Once Upon a Time at MK and Disney Movie Magic at HS, which is shown right before Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.

Star Tours has added Last Jedi scene added and also a new opening with Kylo Ren and an ending at the planet from Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. On my recent trip to Disneyland they were always playing these scenes with a message from BB-8, Maz Kanata, or Poe, so the entire story is always set in the sequel trilogy era. I don't know fo rsure that they always run it this way at HS. I was surprised to see the additions as I only knew about the Crait (Last Jedi) scene.

 

[AngiTN]

I was very happy to see that last week at least, HS had returned to rotating scenes at Star Tours. No more fixed rides. So you should get the new stories, mixed with old ones.

Nothing new at Coke store.
Got a new Tap House over at HS and a new lake side bar at WL, Geyser Point
As to other menus, they are always tampering with those. I'm not sure it's possible to list all the changes that have been made in the past 18 months. Probably just have to look up the menu on each restaurant you are curious about.

 

[Lizziekris]

I was very happy to see that last week at least, HS had returned to rotating scenes at Star Tours. No more fixed rides. So you should get the new stories, mixed with old ones.

Nothing new at Coke store.
Got a new Tap House over at HS and a new lake side bar at WL, Geyser Point
As to other menus, they are always tampering with those. I'm not sure it's possible to list all the changes that have been made in the past 18 months. Probably just have to look up the menu on each restaurant you are curious about.

What is the name of the new Tap House at HS? Does anyone know if it is any good?

 

[jpeterson]

What is the name of the new Tap House at HS? Does anyone know if it is any good?

Baseline Tap House. It was nice enough, not much seating inside, but a decent beer selection and some small food selections.

 

[Cloe Colton]

The Void in Disney Springs is new - along with a lot of new restaurants since youve been! Edison, Maria and Enzos, Enzos hideaway

 

[JohnneeO]

Great Movie Ride = Closed
Ellen's Universe of Energy = Closed
Circle of Life; An Environmental Fable = Closed
DisneyQuest = Closed
Flights of Wonder = Closed (Replaced with Similar show that includes characters from Up)
Mission Space Green = New Earth Orbit Mission; (Mars Mission is on the Orange Side only)

Depending on exactly when "almost 18 months" was, you may have just caught, or just missed Rivers of Light, the nighttime show at AK.

 

[Bullseye]

A new member has been added to the Hall of Presidents!

 

[AngiTN]

Great Movie Ride = Closed
Ellen's Universe of Energy = Closed
Circle of Life; An Environmental Fable = Closed
DisneyQuest = Closed
Flights of Wonder = Closed (Replaced with Similar show that includes characters from Up)
Mission Space Green = New Earth Orbit Mission; (Mars Mission is on the Orange Side only)

Depending on exactly when "almost 18 months" was, you may have just caught, or just missed Rivers of Light, the nighttime show at AK.

To further expand, they've redone the movie for the Orange side, same mission, just new graphics and there is a new Host team. Shorter kids can now do the Green/Earth side
Soarin' movie changed what, last June, if memory serves right

What is the name of the new Tap House at HS? Does anyone know if it is any good?

PP got the name, which we just call Tap House (I always forget the Baseline in front of it) They are a bit heavy on the IPA for my tastes but it's ok. For a "Tap House" they are short on taps, only 5 or 6. Around here a Tap House has 30, which I realize Disney wouldn't ever do/support. They have expanded the food choices.

 

[kay1864]

Nothing new at Coke store.

Wha??? How could you have left out this update??

 

[BrianL]

Wha??? How could you have left out this update??

View attachment 320233

I'm guessing that white one at the very end gets a lot more use now!

 

[kay1864]

I'm guessing that white one at the very end gets a lot more use now!

Sadly, that's just Beverly with the old logo:

 

[wfjny]

Great Movie Ride = Closed
Ellen's Universe of Energy = Closed
Circle of Life; An Environmental Fable = Closed
DisneyQuest = Closed
Flights of Wonder = Closed (Replaced with Similar show that includes characters from Up)
Mission Space Green = New Earth Orbit Mission; (Mars Mission is on the Orange Side only)

Depending on exactly when "almost 18 months" was, you may have just caught, or just missed Rivers of Light, the nighttime show at AK.

Yes, we actually did not see the Rivers of Light when we were there, it was back in March 2017. Can't remember why we did not get to see it...

Too bad, one of the families we will be meeting up with for a few days, it is their first ever trip to Disney. They never had a chance to see those forever closed rides, but progress keeps marching on...

 

[wfjny]

Thank you everyone for the updates...