Le Lézard
Classified in: Tourism and vacations, Sports and recreation
Subjects: PDT, HSP

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek Reveals the Next Generation of Storytelling at Disney Parks


New details shared on the Avengers Campus coming to both California and Paris, the transformation of Epcot, the expansion of Disney Cruise Line, and uniquely Disney experiences beyond the parks

ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at D23 Expo 2019, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled details on how Disney is bringing the next generation of immersive storytelling to life.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek (center left) was joined onstage by Make-A-Wish America President and CEO Richard Davis (center right) and several Wish kids whose lives have been touched by the power of a Disney wish, Aug. 25, 2019, at D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, Calif. Chapek debuted a heartwarming video demonstrating how some wishes are so powerful, they stay with you for a lifetime. (Paul Morse, photographer)

Chapek welcomed thousands of fans as he shared more about the ambitious plans in store for one of the most extraordinary periods of expansion in Disney history. From Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and the timeless transformation of Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort, to the Avengers Campus coming to both Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris, to the Disney Wish arriving on the high seas in January 2022, there are more ways than ever for guests to be front and center in their favorite stories.

"It was Walt's vision for our theme parks to be places where Disney stories come to life in amazing ways, and with the world's most creative and talented team of artists and dreamers, there's no shortage of inspiration," Chapek said.

The audience was amazed as Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke joined Chapek onstage for a sweeping performance of "Step in Time" to announce the first Mary Poppins attraction at a Disney park, coming to Epcot. Live music continued to swell in the auditorium as award-winning composer Pinar Toprak performed her new anthem for Epcot on piano. Noted singer Jordan Fisher also surprised guests with a sneak peek of the musical score for Disneyland's new parade.

The morning was full of exciting announcements on plans for Disney parks, resorts, cruise ships and beyond:

Super Heroes Assembling Around the World
Avengers Campus Coming to California and Paris
Guests can suit up alongside their favorite Super Heroes at the Avengers Campus, beginning in 2020 at Disney California Adventure park and later at Disneyland Paris. Both campuses will feature the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature Spider-Man. The attraction will give guests a taste of what it's like to have actual super powers as they sling webs to help Spider-Man collect Spider-Bots that have run amok.

As Super Heroes continue to assemble at both campuses, one of the iconic buildings in California will be the Avengers Headquarters. The building will become the future entrance to a brand-new E-Ticket attraction where guests will fly alongside the Avengers in an epic adventure to Wakanda and beyond when it opens in the next phase of development.

Avengers Campus will feature Pym Test Kitchen where Pym Technologies is using the latest innovations to grow and shrink food.

Guests will also find heroic encounters throughout the campus, including Ant-Man and The Wasp, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Super Heroes from Wakanda and Asgard, and Iron Man. Guests may even catch a glimpse of the Avengers along the rooftops of the Avengers Headquarters.

At Disneyland Paris, guests can extend their adventures at Disney's Hotel New York ? The Art of Marvel, opening next summer. The hotel will celebrate 80 years of Marvel art and artists, with more than 300 stunning pieces on display. Rooms will include one-of-a-kind themed suites featuring favorite Super Heroes like Spider-Man, and guests can even meet these legends in a dedicated space.

A Star Wars Voyage Unlike Any Other
Guests are eagerly awaiting the immersive Star Wars vacation experience coming to Walt Disney World Resort. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be a glamorous ship ? the Halcyon ? where every window features stellar views into space. Guests will embark together on a two-night adventure that includes special activities, incredible dining, and a "spaceport" day on Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, inviting guests even deeper into their own Star Wars stories.

Disney Cruise Line Magic On and Off the Ships
With three new ships coming to the Disney Cruise Line fleet, there's so much to look forward to on the high seas. Today, Chapek announced the first of the three ships ? the Disney Wish ? will be delivered in late 2021 and will set sail in January 2022. Reflecting the theme of the vessel, Rapunzel will grace the stern, representing her character's wish to see the world. D23 Expo attendees also got a first look at the ship's three-story atrium, inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale.

Guests can also look forward to a signature island experience that celebrates nature and the spirit and culture of The Bahamas at a new Disney port of call located on the breathtaking island of Eleuthera at a place called Lighthouse Point.

Timeless Transformation of Epcot
Chapek shared more of the ways Epcot will stay true to its original vision while bringing timeless Disney storytelling to life with the magic of possibility. The park will be unified with four neighborhoods that each celebrate a unique aspect of what makes Epcot so special:

World Showcase

World Celebration

World Nature

World Discovery

50 Years of Walt Disney World Resort
Anniversaries are serious fun at Disney parks ? and the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort will be one of the biggest ever. For the first time, the celebration will extend beyond Magic Kingdom to each of the resort's four theme parks with highly anticipated attraction openings and new entertainment, food and beverage, merchandise, and more.

Planned to debut in late 2020, Disney Genie is a revolutionary new digital offering that will enhance the way guests plan for and experience a trip to Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Genie will make planning easier and more fun by providing guests customized itineraries geared to princesses, thrill seekers, foodies, families and more. Guests will even be able to tell Disney Genie what they want to experience, and it will quickly evaluate millions of options to present them with an optimal day.

Next Generation of Animated Stories at Disney Parks
New Magic Happens Parade at Disneyland Park
Set to debut in spring 2020, the new Magic Happens parade will come to life with an energetic musical score and a new song produced in partnership with singer-songwriter Todrick Hall. Celebrating awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories, the parade will feature stunning floats, beautiful costumes, and beloved Disney characters from "Moana," "Coco," "Sleeping Beauty," and more ? all led by Mickey Mouse and his pals.

First Ride-through Attraction Featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
Attendees got a first look inside Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in 2020 and Disneyland in 2022. Chapek also revealed a first look at the new area of Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland that will be home to this exciting attraction, which will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel's Emmy® Award-winning "Mickey Mouse" cartoon shorts.

"Zootopia" at Shanghai Disney Resort
D23 Expo fans heard more details about the "Zootopia"-themed land coming to Shanghai Disney Resort. In addition to a major new attraction that blends storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to bring this favorite film to life, guests can expect immersive entertainment, merchandise, and dining options that can only be found in this mammalian metropolis.

Celebrating Animated Stories at Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland will celebrate some of the greatest animated stories of all time when the park's castle transforms into the Castle of Magical Dreams. Drawing inspiration from 13 beloved Disney stories featuring princesses and heroines, the castle will feature adornments like Snow White's apple, Cinderella's coach, and Belle's rose. The castle will be a canvas for new entertainment, including a daytime show and nighttime spectacular, and will be home to a new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where children can receive royal transformations.

As part of the multi-year transformation of the park, guests will be able to visit the world of Frozen, complete with all its sights, sounds, cuisine, and traditions. The area will feature two incredible attractions ? a new coaster called Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs that takes guests on a winding journey through the kingdom, and Frozen Ever After, inspired by the incredibly popular family attraction in Epcot's Norway pavilion at Walt Disney World Resort. Also, for the first time (in forever), guests will experience the full force of Elsa's powers as she creates a beautiful "winter-in-summer" day.

First Cirque du Soleil Show Celebrating Walt Disney Animation Studios
A first-of-its-kind show will celebrate the magic of Walt Disney Animation Studios in a touching story brought to life by Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Imagineering, and legendary Disney animators. It will combine Disney storytelling and heart with Cirque du Soleil's signature artistry. Previews will begin March 20, 2020, leading up to the world premiere on April 17.

Uniquely Disney Lodging
Chapek also shared more details about the previously announced Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, a unique hotel and proposed Disney Vacation Club resort drawing inspiration from the wonders of nature and artistry of Walt Disney.

Bringing Magic into the Daily Lives of Families and Fans
The audience was the first to hear how Target and Disney will come together with a creative retail collaboration that encompasses experiential retail and merchandising ? including the launch of 25 Disney stores within select Target stores nationwide on Oct. 4, with 40 additional locations opening by October 2020. The "shop-in-shop" will feature an enhanced Disney assortment of more than 450 items, including more than 100 products that were previously only available at Disney retail locations.

With so many exceptional experiences set for Disney, the best is yet to come.

Additional information on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and Epcot can be viewed at www.WDWnews.com.

Additional information on Disney Cruise Line can be viewed at www.DCLnews.com.

About Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company's powerful brands and franchises?including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, 20th Century Fox, and National Geographic?into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than 60 years later, Disney has grown into one of the world's leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in the United States, Europe, and Asia with approximately 160,000 cast members; a top-rated cruise line with four ships and plans for three more to be completed in 2021, 2022, and 2023; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawai'i; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; one of the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across platforms; more than 300 Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform. These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and consumer products?including books, games, and merchandise.

SOURCE Disney Parks, Experiences and Products


These press releases may also interest you

at 10:36
Phelps Construction Group, a full-service construction management firm, has begun the renovations to the National Museum of Immigration on Ellis Island in New York harbor, a project for The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (the Foundation)...

at 10:30
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today the expansion of its TSA PreCheck program with the addition of Air Premia, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Transat, Bahamasair, BermudAir, Iberia, La Compagnie and New Pacific Airlines....

at 10:30
Virgin Hotels Collection, the parent company encompassing luxury hospitality brands Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition, is pleased to announce the opening of six brand new Riads at Sir Richard Branson's magical Moroccan retreat, Kasbah...

at 10:30
ADM Aéroports de Montréal is pleased to announce changes to its Board of Directors with the appointment of Marie-Hélène Nolet as Chair of the Board, succeeding Mélanie Kau, whose term as a director expires on May 2nd. In accordance with the...

at 10:00
The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (The FBCL) is announcing the Second Blue Water Bridge (SBWB) rehabilitation project, set to start on May 29, 2024. In keeping with our continuous investment in stewardship, for the first time in over two...

at 10:00
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers of what to expect when crossing the border over the Easter long weekend. Everyday, the CBSA works hard to protect Canadians, support the economy, and ensure the safe and efficient movement...



News published on and distributed by: