5. Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
Earlier this summer, Symphony in the Stars at Disney's Hollywood Studios was replaced by the brand new show Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is wonderful multi sensory experience. While I still prefer Symphony, the new show really surprised me with how they it was presented. In the past it was just fireworks and John Williams, pretty simple. Now they have projections on the Chinese Theater and surrounding buildings to give you a large immersive show. The added fire and laser effects are pretty spectacular to see combined with the projections, you really feel like a AT-AT walker is walking toward you and that you are watching the second Death Star battle from a Star Destroyer.
It does unfortunately include the prequels, but they made it bearable and really focused on the originally trilogy and of course the new movies. It is hard to get a spot to see the entirety of the show, which means you should get a spot 35 minutes early if you want one and they play music from the films as you wait. If you don't want the best seat in the house, 20-15 minutes should do. Fireworks wise it is not nearly as impressive as the previous show and the standing room is very scarce in comparison, but still a really good show.
It does unfortunately include the prequels, but they made it bearable and really focused on the originally trilogy and of course the new movies. It is hard to get a spot to see the entirety of the show, which means you should get a spot 35 minutes early if you want one and they play music from the films as you wait. If you don't want the best seat in the house, 20-15 minutes should do. Fireworks wise it is not nearly as impressive as the previous show and the standing room is very scarce in comparison, but still a really good show.
4. Soarin' Around the World
I have know gotten a chance to ride Soarin' Around the World at two different parks and have enjoyed it each time. It's very cool to get some variety and to see new locations, all of them totally different from just California. Also, each park will end with a shot of there home park; What I mean by that is Disneyland's will end once again in Disneyland, where as in Walt Disney World you will now end in Epcot soarin' over Spaceship Earth which is almost emotional.
I have know gotten a chance to ride Soarin' Around the World at two different parks and have enjoyed it each time. It's very cool to get some variety and to see new locations, all of them totally different from just California. Also, each park will end with a shot of there home park; What I mean by that is Disneyland's will end once again in Disneyland, where as in Walt Disney World you will now end in Epcot soarin' over Spaceship Earth which is almost emotional.
3. Tree of Life/Expedition Everest at night!
Expedition Everest is an amazing coaster in general, but mixing it up and riding it at night was almost made up for the fact that I went to Animal Kingdom on the wrong night for the DVC Safari party...
It was really cool to see everything dark, it made it suspenseful, and you could actually get a good look at disco yeti, which makes the fact that his arm is frozen pretty close to the train all that creepier.
What was really cool was the Tree of Life Awakens. This spring marked the debut of night hours for the first time in 18 years at Animal Kingdom, and also a new light projection show and it is really amazing. While I don't consider Animal Kingdom a park that is worthy of ending my day there yet, it does provide some amazing sights and stories projected on the tree. There are 4 shows, 1 every 15 minutes, each of them are different starting an hour before close.
Expedition Everest is an amazing coaster in general, but mixing it up and riding it at night was almost made up for the fact that I went to Animal Kingdom on the wrong night for the DVC Safari party...
It was really cool to see everything dark, it made it suspenseful, and you could actually get a good look at disco yeti, which makes the fact that his arm is frozen pretty close to the train all that creepier.
What was really cool was the Tree of Life Awakens. This spring marked the debut of night hours for the first time in 18 years at Animal Kingdom, and also a new light projection show and it is really amazing. While I don't consider Animal Kingdom a park that is worthy of ending my day there yet, it does provide some amazing sights and stories projected on the tree. There are 4 shows, 1 every 15 minutes, each of them are different starting an hour before close.
2. Frozen Ever After
I was mad when it was announced that Malestrom would be closing to make way for a Frozen attraction. Basically the country of Norway in Epcot would now be the fictitious country of Arrendale. There would be no way I could respect this ride.
Fast forward to 2016, said Frozen ride opens and I am actually blown away by the ride. IT IS FANTASTIC. With how much shade is thrown at Frozen, I really have to give Disney credit for making this ride a dark water ride that includes a story that is totally believable (Elsa is throwing a summer party in remembrance of Anna's act of true love). That was the weirdest sentence I have ever written. Anyways what I am trying to say is that Disney did not try to shoehorn a story into the ride just let it play out like other classic dark rides.
The Animatronic's are the best I've seen, far better than those in the Seven Dwarf's Mine Train. Olaf in particular was pretty fantastic. The effects on the ride are so cool, especially the "Let It Go" section. They kept the fiber optics from Malestrom and integrated them well. Honestly the first thing I look for in a re-themed ride is what remained from it's previous tenant, but I honestly forgot that this was Malestrom and was generally awed by the ride. The effects plus the animatronics and soundtrack made this an amazing family ride, something that World Showcase has needed for awhile.
I was mad when it was announced that Malestrom would be closing to make way for a Frozen attraction. Basically the country of Norway in Epcot would now be the fictitious country of Arrendale. There would be no way I could respect this ride.
Fast forward to 2016, said Frozen ride opens and I am actually blown away by the ride. IT IS FANTASTIC. With how much shade is thrown at Frozen, I really have to give Disney credit for making this ride a dark water ride that includes a story that is totally believable (Elsa is throwing a summer party in remembrance of Anna's act of true love). That was the weirdest sentence I have ever written. Anyways what I am trying to say is that Disney did not try to shoehorn a story into the ride just let it play out like other classic dark rides.
The Animatronic's are the best I've seen, far better than those in the Seven Dwarf's Mine Train. Olaf in particular was pretty fantastic. The effects on the ride are so cool, especially the "Let It Go" section. They kept the fiber optics from Malestrom and integrated them well. Honestly the first thing I look for in a re-themed ride is what remained from it's previous tenant, but I honestly forgot that this was Malestrom and was generally awed by the ride. The effects plus the animatronics and soundtrack made this an amazing family ride, something that World Showcase has needed for awhile.
Honorable Mention: Rivers of Light (LOL)
This just sad. April 22nd has come and went with just a 3 minute preview of the show. Wonder when, if ever we will see Rivers of Light?
This just sad. April 22nd has come and went with just a 3 minute preview of the show. Wonder when, if ever we will see Rivers of Light?
1. Disney Springs
Disney Springs is awesome. Although Disney Springs officially opened in 2015, it wasn't until 2016 that we saw the opening of town center and the actual springs. It is great to see this location redesigned and fully operating which it hasn't been since late 2012 (2008 if you count Pleasure Island).
Disney Springs is split into 4 distinct areas: The Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center and West Side. Obviously you've probably heard of the Marketplace and the West Side which were the two area's in Downtown Disney, but both have been expanded and renovated. The Landing which opened in October of 2015 was built on the site of Pleasure Island. Instead of clubs, this part of Disney Springs is now filled with new restaurants and themed bars line The Boathouse and Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar.
Disney Springs is awesome. Although Disney Springs officially opened in 2015, it wasn't until 2016 that we saw the opening of town center and the actual springs. It is great to see this location redesigned and fully operating which it hasn't been since late 2012 (2008 if you count Pleasure Island).
The Boathouse (pictured above)
The Boathouse's outside bar (above)
Indiana Jones themed bar Jock Lindsey's (above)
And the brand new Town Center is filled with new shopping and restaurants as well. This was built on the Downtown Disney parking lot. The springs are beautiful and the new snacks and shops are a great addition to Disney Springs.
I wasn't a huge fan of sprinkles, it was alright I guess, but that view from there location is amazing. The new bus stop is certainly an improvement over the Marketplace/west side stations and actually has bus stops for every resort just like the theme parks.
Disney Springs is now a place I actually want to visit while I am at Disney.
Overall rating for new additions in 2016: C+
Why a C+? Well first off I think this year and much or all of next year are rebuilding years. There wasn't a major addition, if anything I think they took a step back this year. That may not be fair to say as these steps were necessary to make way for Star Wars and Avatar Land, but in terms of what closed this year to what was added, the closures far exceeded the additions.
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