DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Tons of Details & Opening Dates Released, Sneak Peek of Ratatouille & Other France Changes, Rise of the Resistance Debuts, Hollywood Studios Transformation, New Merch & More

Chad & Cindy NykampDecember 8, 2019Last Updated: December 8, 2019

The past week was a very important week at Walt Disney World. In addition to the debut of the most advanced, ambitious attraction Disney has ever created, Disney released a ton of new details and opening dates for a laundry list of new experiences (rides, hotels, restaurants and more) coming to Disney World. We also got a sneak peek at the new Ratatouille ride and Beauty and the Beast experience (and we’re sharing it with you). Speaking of changes, we took a deep dive look at the transformation of Hollywood Studios. Oh, and don’t miss the cool new merchandise just released. All this and more in this week’s Disney news roundup.

1 – Disney Releases Tons of New Details and Opening Dates of New Experiences and Attractions

During a presentation this week to hundreds of media outlets from around the globe, Disney released new information about a list of projects in development across the resort. Check out the links below for opening dates for new films at Epcot, more on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, new restaurants and more.

Click here for new details and opening dates for new experiences and attractions.

2 – Sneak Peek at Ratatouille Updates Coming to the France Pavilion

Over the next several years, Epcot is undergoing the biggest transformation of any Disney park in history, bringing the next generation of immersive storytelling to life through a plethora of new attractions and experiences. The France pavilion will see significant changes and will open those experiences in 2020! Cindy had a chance to get two behind the scenes looks at the upcoming Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along.

Click here for more on our sneak peek at updates coming to the France pavilion.

Click here for what you need to know about the new Epcot – including details on 20 new experiences!

3 – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Now Open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance made its public debut on December 5, 2019, inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. The attraction will open at Disneyland Park in California on January 17, 2020. After years of anticipation for this groundbreaking new attraction, guests will now become heroes of the Resistance in a climactic battle with the First Order. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most ambitious attractions ever created for a Disney park. The thrilling action takes place in massive sets that give you the feeling of stepping inside a Star Wars film as you elude the clutches of Kylo Ren and the First Order in a mad dash through a Star Destroyer.

The attraction is unbelievable, and Disney has outdone itself. The attraction has been a massive hit with guests since its opening on Thursday. Disney has instituted a virtual queue that enables guests to not have to stand in a queue for hours and hours. The catch, though, is that you need to be in the park to join a boarding party. During the first few days of the attraction being open, we’ve seen reports of the boarding groups being full anywhere between 7:30 am – 8:30 am with many arriving between 5, and 6 am to ensure they can join a group. In the foreseeable future, if you want to experience this attraction, your entire party will need to plan on getting to Disney’s Hollywood Studios very early in the morning. Get more information at the links below.

Click here for our full review of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, including information on the virtual queue.

Click here to watch a short clip of the AT-ATs during the attraction

Click here for more of our day visiting Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance with lots of photos and video!

Click here to watch Part 1 of the Grand Opening Celebration featuring Resistance fighters and X-Wings!

Click here to watch the finale of the Grand Opening Celebration!

Click here for information on the new “jobs” in the Play Disney Parks App for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Guests race past massive AT-AT walkers aboard a First Order Star Destroyer as part of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the groundbreaking new attraction inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. (Credit: Disney/Matt Stroshane)

4 – Opening Date of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Announced

In a special presentation, Tuesday at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek announced Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open March 4, 2020, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This will be the first Disney ride-through attraction featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, inviting guests inside a Mickey cartoon for a fun-filled adventure where “Mouse rules apply,” and anything can happen! Cindy had the opportunity to experience the pre-show of this new attraction during a media preview. Check out the link below for her thoughts.

Click here to learn more about Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway!

5 – The Transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has come a long way in its first three decades. The Walt Disney World Resort theme park marked its 30th Anniversary on May 1, 2019, and the celebration continues with the grand opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance on December 5, 2019. The park has a new identity – one that immerses guests inside the movie instead of taking them behind the scenes. We’ve come to love this new park and what it offers. Check out the link below for more on the transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Click here to read our thoughts on the Transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

6 – Newest Wishables Collection Inspired by Frozen Ever After

There has been another release of the adorable Disney Parks Wishables collection. Disney cast member Thomas Smith shares more below:

Today is #DisneyParksWishablesWednesday again, and we’re excited to share with you the newest Disney Parks Wishables collection inspired by the Frozen Ever After attraction at Epcot. This set comes just in time for the winter season and is the perfect addition to any of the “Frozen” inspired adventures that you can find at Disney Parks around the world.

While strolling around the World Showcase at Epcot, you can take a pitstop in Norway to find frozen Ever After, a fan favorite attraction that invites you on a voyage to the kingdom of Arendelle aboard an ancient Nordic vessel as you take a musical tour of the wintery world of “Frozen.” If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort, you can catch the dazzling theatrical interpretation of the story of Anna and Elsa’s adventures in “Frozen — Live at the Hyperion” at Disney California Adventure Park.

In this collection, you can find Olaf as the open edition option, and in the blind bags, you can find Anna, Elsa, Sven, and Grand Pabbie, making it a surprise every time you open one up! Make sure to add the newest Frozen Ever After Disney Parks Wishables to your ever-growing Disney Parks Wishables collection, and don’t forget to share with us on social using #DisneyParksWishables. This collection is available starting today at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and ShopDisney. Make sure to check back on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on Disney Parks Wishables!

7 – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Merchandise Now Available

If you’re headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there is some new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance merchandise available. Disney cast member Jennifer Fickely-Baker shares the details below:

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance [is] one of the most ambitious, advanced, and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering. The lines between fantasy and reality are blurred and put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. If you’re looking to commemorate the opening of this epic experience, we’ve got great news for you! New merchandise inspired by the attraction [is] coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park on December 5, 2019.

This collection includes apparel and accessories suitable for any Rebel, including all-new tees, a baseball cap, a tumbler, and open edition pins. The merchandise showcases the symbol of the Resistance, which is a starbird that can be spotted on the helmets and uniforms of members of the Resistance.

The Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction pin can be found at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park on December 5. The Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance icon pin can be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 5 and at Disneyland park on January 17.

Guests can purchase a collectible toy inspired by the attraction vehicle. The item will be available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 5 and at Disneyland park on January 17.

Walt Disney World and Disneyland Annual Passholders will have an opportunity to purchase an exclusive tee just for them! Passholders can use their 20% discount on all merchandise.

Merchandise will also be available in Once Upon a Time on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

8 – Disney Cruise Lines Wins Another Award

This week, Cruise Critic announced the results of its annual Editors’ Picks Awards with Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney named “Best for Families” in the ocean and river categories. This is the fourth consecutive year that Disney’s cruise line and river cruise experiences have been recognized by Cruise Critic’s global panel of experts.

“The Disney brand is synonymous with family fun and entertainment, and we strive to deliver unforgettable vacation experiences at every opportunity, for the young and young at heart,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Signature Experiences. “Our talented cast and crew members are at the heart of all we do, whether they make magic on the high seas or in destinations around the world.”

The Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards are determined by an international team of editors and are based on the cruise lines and ships they feel best represent excellence in the industry. Cruise Critic is the ultimate online cruise resource with expert advice on everything from choosing a ship to planning activities in ports of call around the world.

“Disney’s cruise offerings are perennial favorites for families – both with our editors and travelers themselves,” said Colleen McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic. “Disney’s consistent commitment to delivering an incredible family vacation for every member of the family – whether that’s through the kid-friendly areas and programming onboard, or adult-only venues that give grown-ups their own chance to get away for a bit – earns Disney top marks. Every member of the family is valued from the oldest to the youngest, with stellar service, fantastic entertainment and programs, and plenty of areas onboard to have the best vacation ever.”

For the full details of this year’s winners, visit 2019 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards.

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

What’s New at Walt Disney World!

It’s a very exciting time growth and development at Walt Disney World. In fact, there are so many new things opening, coming and happening, it’s hard to keep track. Here’s a cheat sheet to help keep things straight and make sure you haven’t missed anything.

2019 Holiday Season at Walt Disney World – Now Through January 5, 2020

Click here for amazing can’t miss 2019 holiday offerings at Walt Disney World.

Click here for everything you need to know about the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Click here for our guide to the holiday offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Click here for 5 Reasons to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the holiday season.

Click here for our guide to celebrating the holidays at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Click here for the holiday foodie guide for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Click here for what you need to know about the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Click here for the 2019 guide to the Gingerbread Displays around Disney Parks.

Click here for our guide to meeting Santa Claus at Walt Disney World.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Now Open

Click here for everything you need to know at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!