What's new in the parks since last April?

[WDWOswald]

We are taking our annual trip to WDW April 14-21 this year. I'm wondering what's new since that time last year?

I'm kind of bummed, I feel like nothing has been added but things have closed

Soarin' is closed
New frozen ride won't be open yet
Avatar stuff won't be open yet and the nighttime show won't be open either
Flying Fish and Seashore Sweets are closed
Big thunder mountain is closed
MK stage show is closed
Half of Hollywood studios is closed (streets of America, lights motor action, monsters meet and greet, writers shop, pizza planet etc.)
Disney Springs is still under heavy construction

The only new thing I'm looking forward to is the skipper canteen in magic kingdom and seeing what new merchandise may be out.

Am I missing anything? I want to keep our vacations fresh and interesting instead of predictable and stale.

Traveling with a 2 year old so that should keep us on our toes!

 

[FCDub]

Rivers of Light, the nighttime show at Animal Kingdom, is rumored to be opening around April 18/19.

 

[MermaidMommy]

It seems that the BTMRR refurb has been pushed back to August, so that should work out in your favor.

The Star Wars fireworks at HS have been extended through April. HS also has Launch Bay, where you can meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren.

But, no, theres not much new since last year.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

Oh yeah, If you are Star Wars fans you will love the new Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios!
It's now in the building where the Animation area was.
It's all redone and very cool, lots to see in there. When I was there in Dec. you could meet Chewie and Darth Vadar.
Now Chewie is still there with the addition of Kylo Ren, alternating with Darth Vadar.

AK has the new Harambe Market with some new QS food venues, in the Africa section near the Safari.

In Epcot, Captain EO is gone but there is the same spot a show for Pixar Short films.
It wasn't open when I was there in Dec, so looking forward to checking that out next week.

Disney Springs has come a long way and looks really great. (It will always be Downtown Disney to me)

 

[MermaidMommy]

Oh yeah, If you are Star Wars fans you will love the new Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios!
It's now in the building where the Animation area was.
It's all redone and very cool, lots to see in there. When I was there in Dec. you could meet Chewie and Darth Vadar.
Now Chewie is still there with the addition of Kylo Ren, alternating with Darth Vadar.

AK has the new Harambe Market with some new QS food venues, in the Africa section near the Safari.

In Epcot, Captain EO is gone but there is the same spot a show for Pixar Short films.
It wasn't open when I was there in Dec, so looking forward to checking that out next week.

Disney Springs has come a long way and looks really great. (It will always be Downtown Disney to me)

Just a slight correction: Vadar no longer meets at all. He's only at Jedi Training these days.

 

[WDWOswald]

Ok thanks everyone. I almost thought about skipping HS this year but the launch bay and the fireworks sound like they will be worthwhile. That's good news about big thunder mountain being open! If Disney Springs is more open and less of a maze of construction walls that's encouraging. A lot of the great restaraunts and unique experiences are off limits for us until our son is older so attractions and park stuff being open is important for us. Otherwise I wouldn't care if anything was added since last year because WDW always has a million great things to do, even if it just means sitting on the boardwalk for a few hours watching the sunset