Everything You’ve Forgotten about Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World closed on March 16th, which feels like forever ago.
During the stay-at-home phase of the pandemic, you’ve tried to remain current about the parks. Unfortunately, it’s difficult with all the societal challenges.
You’ve likely forgotten all the reasons why Disney parks were once poised to have a record year. Here’s everything you’ve forgotten about Walt Disney World.
Disney Skyliner
October feels like forever ago, doesn’t it? Back then, the worst thing that anyone could have imagined at Disney was a Disney Skyliner incident.
During the first week of this gondola system, two trams collided. There were no injuries, but some guests got stranded in mid-air for nearly three hours.
After this incident, the Disney Skyliner worked effectively for several months. In fact, I’ve ridden it several times and marvel at its efficiency.
Guests on the Disney Skyliner soar over the Orlando campus, receiving a breathtaking perspective of Walt Disney World.
Simultaneously, this form of transportation carries guests from point A to point B as conveniently as possible.
I’m a monorail fan since childhood, but the Disney Skyliner is undeniably the best form of transportation on the Disney campus today.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney doesn’t open new resorts often, much less ones in the Deluxe Tier. When it happens, these hotels are the most gorgeous ones imaginable.
Disney’s Riviera Resort honors the Mediterranean tourist region of the 1930s. During this era, Walt Disney sometimes traveled to Western Europe.
On these trips, Disney would bring his wife, Lillian, or his older brother, Roy. The Disney family viewed their European vacations as highlights of their lives.
These trips were also fact-finding missions. Uncle Walt took inspiration from the buildings here and utilized them in his animated stories. Also, his monorail obsession came from these travels.
The resort embraces Disney’s love of European culture. The rooftop features a restaurant where guests can sit outside and socialize under the stars.
Near the lobby, an inviting coffee shop charms guests to snack on a baked good and plan the rest of the day.
Disney’s Riviera Resort is a serene place to stay. However, it’s also a convenient one since the Skyliner station is right beside the hotel entrance.
Epcot Festivals
Technically, we’re still in the midst of the 2020 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. I say technically because, well, you know.
Without a park in operation, we can’t very well have any festivals.
Still, I want to mention the EPCOT festivals because they’ve become a vital component in a Disney park visit.
EPCOT hosts festivals on more than half the days on the annual calendar. For each of the past few years, the park has expanded the number of dates, too.
At the start, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts already operated on the weekends. It’s a daily event now.
Similarly, the Flower & Garden Festival and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival have recently broken records for total days in a year.
When the parks return, the Flower & Garden Festival dates will be over for 2020. While Disney could feasibly extend it, I presume that pandemic concerns eliminate that possibility.
In fact, I’m unsure about the Food & Wine Festival, too. Despite these temporary issues, EPCOT festivals are legitimately better than ever.
The management team outdoes itself each year with new amenities.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
I’m dubious that any attraction has ever experienced worse timing in the annals of Disney.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuted on March 4th. Exactly one week later, the Coronavirus situation went plaid, and society closed.
So, this attraction is the one that you’re most likely to have forgotten. It’s understandable with everything that’s happened recently.
However, the first-ever Mickey & Minnie Mouse ride is brilliant. It singlehandedly justifies your next trip to Walt Disney World.
The immersive elements convince guests that they’ve entered a Disney cartoon. The dazzling colors and gripping visuals will make you want to ride it again and again.
Here’s the remarkable part. Runaway Railway is only one of three new attractions that are likely to be open during your next visit. Another one is…
Ratatouille
I’m listing two items here that haven’t opened yet. Both should debut before your next trip and merit a mention for this reason.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was supposed to arrive this summer, presumably by the end of June. Obviously, those plans have suffered a setback due to the outbreak.
With the parks closed, it’s difficult to project how much work Imagineers managed.
Reports have suggested that Ratatouille’s nearly ready, but we might not receive it until the fall.
Whenever EPCOT introduces this ride, it’ll immediately become one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World.
The one at Disneyland Paris has anchored Walt Disney Studios Park since 2014. It’s a legitimate E-ticket attraction with 4-D elements.
Space 220
The other place that has yet to open is the constant tease at EPCOT. Space 220 was intended to open late in 2019.
Alas, the arrival date kept getting delayed due to behinds-the-scenes issues. Oddly, little of it was technical.
The executive chef returned to his old company, which caused ripple effects.
So, we entered March without Space 220, even though reports indicated that it could open in a matter of weeks, possibly days.
Then, the thing happened, and Disney parks closed.
Presumably, Space 220 will be ready soon after the reopening of Walt Disney World. When that happens, you’ll understand the fuss.
This outer space eatery will feature wall-sized screens. These displays will show the perspective of Earth from orbit. Yes, you’ll feel like you’re circling the planet.
Space 220 did plan to transport guests via a space elevator to the dining area. Coronavirus safety measures could alter this setup a bit.
Of course, since no customer has ever entered the building, we will never know.
As long as Space 220 still features an outer space point-of-view, we will all want to visit.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
I’m going to say something that will blow your mind. The opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge occurred less than a year ago.
Sure, May 31st feels like forever ago due to the pandemic, but it’s true.
If you haven’t visited Walt Disney World since last May (or Disneyland since last August), you’ve never been to Batuu!
What have you missed? You’ve yet to experience the most immersive themed land in Disney history. And yes, I’m including Pandora – The World of Avatar in that.
Galaxy’s Edge raises the bar for Imagineering. It’s a hallmark achievement in theme park design, with restaurants and bars that feel straight out of the movies.
Oga’s Cantina will make you believe that you’re dining on an alien planet. And a trip to Savi’s Workshop will convince you that you’re ready to battle the Sith.
Of course, the best parts of Galaxy’s Edge are…
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
For many years, Walt Disney World went without a significant new ride. Then, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train became the first in a series of epic attractions.
Since 2017, Disney has debuted Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’Vi River Journey, Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
I adore every ride I have mentioned, but the two Disney attractions with the strongest reputations are at Star Wars Land.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run allows movie lovers to live out their greatest fantasy. They can pilot Han Solo’s starship on a dangerous mission.
The best part of the experience is that it’s interactive. A group of six friends/strangers works together to steal a valuable piece of cargo.
This ride presents a rare opportunity to prove your mettle to The Resistance.
Then again, another attraction does this even better. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance represents the pinnacle of Disney Imagineering right now.
This attraction blurs the line between pre-show waiting and the actual ride experience.
The gigantic set pieces deliver a sense of scale that’s unprecedented in theme park history.
You’ll interact with some of the most recognizable faces from the franchise. While doing so, you’ll believe that your life and your mission are in jeopardy right up until the last second.
Rise of the Resistance provides the best storytelling of any 21st century Disney attraction. If you haven’t ridden it yet, you’re cheating yourself out of the best possible experience.
Simply stated, you have plenty of reasons to go back to Walt Disney World asap.
You should speak with a MickeyTravels agent to book your next vacation. These skilled professionals won’t charge you for their services, and free is the best possible price right now, isn’t it?