When Will That Open — Summer 2022 Edition
Every quarter, MickeyBlog provides updates on the current Disney theme park road map.
While we’ll learn plenty more at the upcoming 2022 D23 Expo, we still have a general idea about the arrival time of several Disney projects.
Here’s what we know about the opening dates of these Disneyland/Walt Disney World attractions and amenities.
Disneyland Tower Hotel
A few years ago, Disney attempted to build a new garden tower resort at Downtown Disney.
Unfortunately, this decision triggered an open rebellion among a few Anaheim City Council members at the time.
So, Disney switched to a backup plan. It’s a new expansion tower at Disneyland Hotel.
Imagineers are currently constructing the hotel’s infrastructure. It’s a 12-story facility that will add 350 much-needed rooms to Disneyland Resort’s inventory.
The pandemic disrupted these plans a bit. However, Disney still maintains that this spectacular new facility will open during the second half of 2023.
In a worst case scenario, the Disneyland Hotel expansion debuts by Memorial Day 2024.
Journey of Water
The Moana water feature probably qualifies as the most delayed project remaining on the upcoming calendar.
Disney announced this EPCOT attraction several years ago and has dutifully performed work on it for a while.
Alas, the underlying technology is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.
So, the technical challenges combined with the pandemic disruptions have turned this project into a frustrating build.
Thankfully, Disney has made noticeable progress with this water feature. The belief is that it’ll debut at some point over the next 12 months.
PLAY! Pavilion
Meanwhile, this project remains a total mystery. Disney has confirmed the cancellation of some stuff, but it has remained silent regarding the PLAY! pavilion.
Simultaneously, park officials have quietly filed permits and performed some work on the project. So, I don’t think it’s dead, just extremely delayed.
A recent filing suggested work with a deadline of New Year’s Eve, 2024. That seems like the timeline, meaning we’re only about two years away from this one…I think.
Mickey’s Toontown
One of Disneyland’s beloved themed lands closed in early 2022. Disney shut down the entire area to renovate several sections of it.
When Mickey’s Toontown reopens, it’ll feature new interactive play areas, a different entrance, and an E-ticket attraction.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway should debut in or around the time that the themed land returns.
Disney has indicated a timeline of early 2023 as the target return date. So, we should only be six months or so away from the triumphant comeback!
Pixar Pier Hotel
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is currently undergoing a dramatic overhaul.
Once the project completes, this resort will include a new Pixar theme. In this manner, it’ll match Pixar Pier.
Five years ago, Disney switched the theme of this part of Disney California Adventure to a set of four Pixar Neighborhoods.
Everyone wondered at the time why Disney didn’t do the same with the nearby hotel. Well, now they are, and guests are already reaping the rewards.
Hotel guests can now enter Disney California Adventure via a private entrance! You’ll walk into the park at Paradise Gardens Park!
Disney expects the complete hotel conversion to complete next year, 2024 at the latest.
Polynesian Expansion
One of the most surprising Disney announcements of 2022 involved the beloved Luau Cove at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Disney officials made the hard decision to tear this place down to repurpose the space. I’m not gonna lie. That one hurt me as a fan of Spirit of Aloha.
While we lost the popular dinner theater experience, we’ll gain something even more valuable.
Disney will add a new tower hotel expansion on this part of the Polynesian’s campus.
Imagineers have completed demolition, and construction is now underway for this project. Its target completion date is 2024.
At that point, Disney better bring the fire dancers!
Rodeo Roundup BBQ
Disney recently announced the impending arrival of two Playsets. That’s a cheeky term that park officials use for expansion at Toy Story Land.
Disney famously cut corners on this themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to spend more on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Management quickly promised a phase two, a planned expansion that would occur at a later date.
We don’t appear to be getting that, at least not all at once. Instead, Disney is gradually rolling out enhancements for Toy Story Land.
The first of these Playsets, Jessie’s Trading Post, recently opened. It’s the proverbial exit through the gift shop scenario at Toy Story Mania!
Another promised Playset, Rodeo Roundup BBQ, should open within the next few months. After all, Disney announced them at the same time.
Plus, Disney had planned this place from the beginning. It experienced a delay due to that budget shortfall, but it’ll finally open soon!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Here’s the one that sets the internet ablaze for whatever reason.
Yes, Disney will re-theme Splash Mountain to make it less divisive. That connection to Song of the South has proven decidedly unpleasant.
However, many loyal Disney fans adore Splash Mountain, especially the Audio-Animatronics and the music.
Fans wish there were a way to save those elements while making the attraction more tasteful. Alas, that won’t happen.
Instead, Disney has carefully chosen another movie with an excellent soundtrack, The Princess and the Frog, as the replacement.
Imagineers will retheme Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure by the end of 2024. You can expect Splash Mountain to close for good in 2023.
Tron Lightcycle Power Run
Here’s the one we’re all awaiting. Magic Kingdom has redesigned the entire structure of Tomorrowland’s skyline to account for its arrival.
One day soon, possibly October 1st, Tron Lightcycle Power Run will debut and immediately become the most popular roller coaster at Magic Kingdom.
That’s high praise since Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has remained the number one overall attraction at the park for the past eight years.
Alas, that coaster’s days are numbered. The prevailing belief is that this Tron ride will debut in 2023, which means it’ll be here in less than five months!
Wondrous China
Here’s perhaps the weirdest entry on this list. Disney previously announced Wondrous China as part of a D23 presentation.
That happened several years ago, but there’s been no word about its fate since then.
Wondrous China previously claimed a 2020 release date. Then, Disney pushed it back to 2022. Now, we’re pretty late in 2022.
The radio silence is alarming. However, it’s also not a big deal. Reflections of China continues to play at the China pavilion in its stead.
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