The D23 Expo Japan is currently taking place, so you know what that means… we’ve got NEWS to share!!!

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek presented details regarding projects underway in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Destinations around the world. Let’s start with what’s in store for Disney World!

Walt Disney World

Star Wars Hotel

One of the major pieces of news from last summer’s D23 event was the announcement of a Star Wars-inspired resort on the way to Disney World! More than a themed resort, the experience will be completely immersive for guests who will enter into the galaxy and story of Star Wars!

Today’s updates relayed that the immersive resort will be “seamlessly connected” to the upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.

Combining a luxury stay with story immersion, guests will board a starship “alive with characters and stories that unfold all around them during a voyage through the galaxy.”

See More Info About the Star Wars Hotel Here!

Guests will become citizens of the galaxy immediately upon entrance (and will be invited to dress the part). Each resort window will have a view into space, and the overall experience will be a stand out among Disney resorts around the world.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

The Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios closed in August 2017  to make way for a brand new attraction: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway! And it was revealed that the very first ride-through attraction themed around Mickey himself will open in 2019!

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature an original story and theme song while it takes guests on an adventure inside the world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts. New technologies will bring the two-dimensional cartoon world into a multi-dimensional experience that Disney is calling “2 ½-D.”

Guests will first view the premiere of a cartoon short featuring Mickey and Minnie preparing for a picnic. Coming alongside a train, they discover that the engineer is Goofy. The rest remains a mystery, but we can count on a “wacky, wild ride” from that point on!

Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy Roller Coaster

Get ready for thrills at Epcot when the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction — a roller coaster! — opens in Epcot’s Future World in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021.

Although, it won’t simply be a roller coaster… the family attraction will be one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world with an innovative ride system! The unique story within the ride is currently being created by Walt Disney Imagineering.

More Disney World News

While the biggest Walt Disney World opening of 2018 remains Toy Story Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer, it’s also fun to think on all the adventures and memories the Parks have held for so long already. That includes Animal Kingdom, which will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on April 22nd. Part of the festivities on that day will include the debut of the new bird show featuring Russell and Dug from Pixar’s Up!

Looking to the future, a fun preview has been given of some of the merchandise coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in both Disney World and Disneyland! As guests pay a visit to the planet of Batuu, they will have a chance to take control of the Millennium Falcon while on a customized secret mission and join in on an adventure right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. But they’ll also explore a street market on Batuu run by a Toydarian. He’ll be selling “handcrafted toys made by local artisans,” and you can sneak a peek below!

And, hey, since Galaxy’s Edge will be in BOTH Disney World AND Disneyland, let’s turn our attention to the west coast for more news…

Disneyland Resort

Pixar Pier Opening Date

We have an opening date! Pixar Pier will open in Disney California Adventure on June 23rd!

This new land will feature four neighborhoods representing Pixar stories and will feature the Incredicoaster among its attractions, where the Parr family will race alongside you while trying to catch baby Jack-Jack. An Inside Out-themed attraction will also open at a later date.

An Incredibles Float will also joint the Paint the Night Parade in June, featuring Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone.

The parade itself will make its Disney California Adventure debut when Pixar Fest kicks off on April 13th.

Disney Destinations Around the World

Adventures by Disney will offer a brand new Japan vacation in 2019, offering immersive experiences such as visiting temples in Kyoto, exploring Tokyo, and receiving lessons in sword techniques from a master samurai. It will open for booking in the Spring.

Disneyland Paris is re-imagining one of its resorts into Disney’s Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel, and today’s event gave guests a sneak peek into one of the Resort’s rooms.

Also in Disneyland Paris, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will receive a re-imagineering of its own, as the attraction will be transformed into a Marvel adventure featuring Iron Man and the Avengers.

Bob Chapek shared, “We are hard at work creating even more ways to experience Disney magic at our parks and resorts around the world. And with our incredible library of beloved stories and characters, we know exciting adventures and magical memories are in store for all our guests.”

Which of these latest announcements are you most excited about? Please let us know with a comment!