Writing about Disney parks recently has been bittersweet. I’m happy for people who get to have the vacations they dreamed of, stressed for people like myself who want to get back but are eagerly awaiting a more perfect time, and (frankly) bored/bummed writing mostly small or sad updates because, with the exception of the holidays, there hasn’t been any positive news from the parks. But today we’ve got a handful of (mostly) good news.
Most of these updates are from Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, as given at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo.
Disney World Hopes to Bring Back Suspended Entertainment
This is good news, albeit incomplete, as one might expect. All we have to go off is a comment from Josh that Disney plans to bring back the indefinitely suspended entertainment.
We don’t know exactly which shows would be included or when they might return. And even if we knew what shows were planned to come back, plenty could change to make Disney change those plans. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom both saw two major shows suspended, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see those come back one at a time as crowds increase.
Even if it’s very incomplete news, it’s still good to hear Disney isn’t immediately planned to move on from these shows. We’re big believers that the parks should change over time, but I’d like to see guests have some warning about fan favorites like Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Festival of the Lion King disappearing.
Much of what Disney talked about at the Expo was also covered in a new post from Disney Parks Blog. So let’s discuss some of what that covers.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure To Open in 2021
This is more good news / bad news. The bad news is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure won’t be opening in 2020, so holiday travelers will miss it this year.
The good news is the project wasn’t pushed into 2022, as we suspect TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind have been.
2021 is mostly looking to be (to borrow a sports metaphor) a rebuilding year for Walt Disney World. We expect some shows to come back, crowds to increase, and now at least one new ride.
New Look at Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind
Spoiler at this link: check out a video of a test of the vehicles for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.
No update was given as to when the new coaster at Epcot might open. Originally it was set for 2021, but rumors have said it will be delayed into 2022, which makes sense given what Disney has told us about capital expenditures in 2021.
New Look at Disney World Star Wars Hotel
Disney also gave some new looks at the upcoming Star Wars hotel coming to Walt Disney World. There is more in the parks blog post, but here’s one look at a room:
In case you forgot, this experience is a 2-day, 2-night immersive experience. Think of it as a cruise-style experience, only in a hotel and Star Wars themed.
This is one of the few projects Disney has continually hyped even through the closure. It’s expected to be incredibly expensive, so it makes sense that Disney would push onward with it in a time of economic need. To that end, the project is still projected for 2021.
Augmented Reality Coming to Animal Kingdom
This is a cool but straightforward item. Disney is developing “Windows to the Wild,” which will allow guests the opportunity to view the inside of animal enclosure through AR goggles.
Disney Genie Still In The Works
Disney also confirmed that work on its new planning app/service “Disney Genie” is still progressing. We continue to be very skeptical of what Disney Genie can do for you.
In normal times, the core of planning a perfect (that is, all rides you want with minimal waits) Disney World trip comes down to FastPass+ and rope drop.
Disney Genie might remove some stress of FastPass+, but not for hardcore planners who are tapping / grabbing / modifying all day long. That takes a persistence that is unlikely to be built into a Disney app. Just as before, you’re likely going to have to keep trying and trying if you want to score those key FastPass+ reservations.
And I doubt Disney Genie is going to tell you to arrive at a park an hour early and go to exactly these rides in exactly this order for minimal wait. Rope drop doesn’t always work, and it definitely doesn’t work if everyone follows the exact same strategy. So expect Disney to have you waiting in line for a ride at park open if you follow Disney Genie.
All that said, I’m always happy to see Disney caring about the planning aspect of the guest experience. In an ideal world, much of our blog content wouldn’t have to exist because planning wouldn’t be that complicated. Hopefully Disney Genie is a positive step for the average guest.