NEWS: Disney Announces Opening for New Land – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the new Star Wars themed lands coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland, are the most highly anticipated park expansions Disney has ever undertaken. To say that Star Wars fans are geeked out would be the understatement of the year. While we have been treated to some details and concept art for the new land, until this point Disney has been silent on when they expect Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to open. Disney has finally filled us in on opening timeframes for the the Hollywood studios and Disneyland expansions along with providing a sneak peek video of what guests can expect.

Read below for all the details:

Here is the announcement from Disney Cast Member Scott Trowbridge:

While we are still hard at work creating our largest single-themed land expansions ever, I have some exciting news to share today. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in summer 2019 at Disneyland Resort and in late fall 2019 at Walt Disney World Resort when guests will land in the middle of the action as they live their own Star Wars stories.

Here is a sneak peek video that was also released:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6NZXh9v-Ks

We couldn’t be more excited! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for updates on what is sure to be an amazing addition to Disney World!

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Things We’re Crazy Excited About Arriving In 2018 At Walt Disney World

by Mike and Jamie Sylvester

2018 has been a great year thus far! With so much more to go, we can’t hold back our excitement as Walt Disney World continues to unravel “awesomeness” in new ways each and every month. Check out these 10 things we find ourselves most excited about arriving in 2018.

1 – Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom

Now through September 2018 (with maybe more dates to be released in later 2018?)

Looking for that special night of magic? Well, Disney’s has returned their Disney After Hours event nights at Magic Kingdom and the crowds are loving it! This special ticketed event allows guests to enjoy the park after it closes to the general public. It’s also limited to a certain number of guests to keep the lines much shorter on the 25 attractions and experiences open during the Disney After Hours event. Popcorn, ice cream, and some beverages are included in your ticket price. Admission to the 3-hour Disney After Hours event can be purchased in advance for $119 per adult or child (plus tax). You can also purchase tickets the day of (if available) for $124 per adult or child (plus tax). Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Member? Specially priced tickets are available for $89 per adult or child.

 2 – “The Arena” at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Now Open!

If you’ve ever been to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for a concert series, RunDisney event, a baseball game, or to compete in one of their many athletic competitions held throughout the year, you’ve likely noticed just how impressive this complex already was. Beautiful grounds with top of the line fields, courts, dining, and other facilities… and now it’s getting even better! A multi-use venue called “The Arena” has recently opened at ESPN Wide World of Sports which is to be used for a variation of sports and entertainment. The venue seats more than 8,000 guests! We are especially impressed that the multi-use function is truly a flexible design. It can accommodate basketball courts, volleyball courts, cheer, and dance events, warm-up space, concerts… really whatever event that it needs to hold! Concessions have been added as well as a box office. We are excited to check The Arena out!

3 – Eight New Eateries at Disney Springs

Now through 2018

It’s really a thrilling time to watch Disney Springs continue its growth into this mecca of all things shopping, dining, and entertainment. Well, 2018 boasts EIGHT amazing restaurants debuting in 2018. Probably the most popular would be (1) The Edison which is now open! This “Industrial Gothic” themed restaurant includes a bar and nighttime entertainment. Adjacent to The Edison is a trio of Italian inspired eatery hub (now open!) which includes family-friendly dishes from (2) Maria & Enzo’s; a tunnel bar with flowing cocktails at (3) Enzo Hideway; and (4) Pizza Ponte – perfect for quick Italian bite. A little way down the path from all this Italian mentioned above… you’ll find… well, MORE ITALIAN! (5) Terralina Crafted Italian is set to open soon at Disney Springs with a Top Chef Master sending our taste buds on adventures in Italy. Also now open is (6) Wine Bar George. Just like those mentioned above, Wine Bar George will is located in The Landing section of Disney Springs and offers small plates and over 100 wine selections! The last two eateries opening in 2018 are set to include (7) Jaleo (a yummy Spanish concept) and (8) Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (modern, California dining). There you have it… 8 new eateries for all of us to try in 2018. We think we’ll save counting calories for 2019!

 4 – Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 25^th Anniversary

February 28 through May 28

If you want to see Epcot at its absolute finest, you’ll want to schedule a vacation to Walt Disney World while the Flower and Garden Festival is taking place. Epcot transforms into a gorgeous garden with multiple stunning Disney character inspired topiaries and garden tours. This year’s festival is said to be extra special with the celebration of its 25^th Anniversary! Pick a day (or two!) out of this 90-day event window to visit for all the beauty, tasty offerings at the outdoor kitchens, Garden Rocks music entertainment, and even an Egg-Stravaganza scavenger hunt.

5 – Animal Kingdom’s 20^th Anniversary

April 22, 2018, through the end of the year

We absolutely love that Disney World Imagineers timed Animal Kingdom’s opening day to fall on Earth Day. Brilliant, right?! While Animal Kingdom’s 20^th Anniversary officially falls on April 22, 2018 – the anniversary celebration is being celebrated throughout the year. Merchandise, for example, has already hit the shelves! While we aren’t sure how Animal Kingdom can get any better with its’ recent additions, we are still extremely excited about the new UP inspired show now open in the Caravan Theater in Anadapur Village (former Flights of Wonder location). We fell in love with Russell and Dug from the Disney Pixar film UP, so we are sure to enjoy seeing this sweet duo talk bird species in a new adventure.

Learn more about Up! A Great Bird Adventure by clicking here.

6 – Star Wars: Galactic Nights

May 27, 2018

Star Wars fans… this one is for you! We are thrilled that Disney recently released their next Star Wars: Galactic Nights date which is to be held on May 27, 2018, at Hollywood Studios. On this evening, Hollywood Studios will close the park at 7 pm, and invite special ticketed guests only to enjoy an epic Star Wars themed night not to be forgotten! Guests of all ages are invited to put on their best Star Wars costume and join in the intergalactic fun. The event will run from 7:00 pm to midnight and is $124 per child and $129 per adult (plus tax). Disney is boasting little to no wait time on classic attractions like Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Toy Story Mania just to name a few. The highlight for many will be the numerous Star Wars Character encounters! Check out the Star Wars themed projection show on Tower of Terror as well as the unforgettable Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks and projection show. Photos ops and a DJ dance party will also be available. “Do or do not. There is no try!”

7 – An Incredible Summer

Summer 2018

Starting Memorial Day Weekend, Walt Disney World Resort will launch an incredible summer for 2018 with guests being immersed in their favorite Disney films, entering the worlds of their beloved characters and experiencing exciting new attractions and entertainment. First, at Magic Kingdom, favorite Disney•Pixar superheroes will take over Tomorrowland – celebrating all things super. Guests will party with Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and Frozone from Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and upcoming “Incredibles 2.” And, for the first time ever, guests will get to see Edna Mode, the greatest superhero costume designer. The superheroes will interact with guests throughout the land. And the festivities culminate with a “SUPER” dance party on the Rocket Tower Stage. Over at Epcot Super Heroes take over the America Gardens Theatre. Star-Lord and Gamora from the Guardians of the Galaxy will join an alien band, taking guests on a journey through the cosmos. The party will feature hits from Awesome Mix Tapes 1 and 2 – fun and favorite tunes from the two movies’ soundtracks – building the anticipation for a new Epcot Guardians of the Galaxy attraction. For what’s new at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, keep reading on to number eight!

8 – Toy Story Land

Open June 30, 2018

Disney World is definitely headed to “Infinity and Beyond” with the much anticipated Hollywood Studios expansion, Toy Story Land. Set to open this summer (official date not yet released), we sit rather impatiently on the edge of our seats awaiting playtime! Much like Toy Story Mania, Toy Story Land is themed to make guests feel like they too have become Andy’s loveable toys. Play in Andy’s 11-acre backyard with two new attractions, one slightly relocated attraction, and a new eatery. The attraction we await most eagerly would have to be the Slinky Dog Dash which is a family-friendly coaster. I mean, who doesn’t love Slinky Dog!? The second of the new attractions is Alien Swirling Saucers. The cute little green aliens that came from Pizza Planet are said to try to capture your rocket toy vehicle with… you guessed it… “The Claw”! The slightly relocated attraction we mentioned is a new entrance location for Toy Story Mania which would only make sense to be joined in with Toy Story Land. The attraction itself isn’t moving, but the entrance to gain access to the ride is. Lastly, we anticipate a new Quick Service location inside Toy Story Land called Woody’s Lunch Box. The Quick Service window has partnered with Mini Babybel to serve meals and old-fashioned soda floats. As soon as we learn of this summer’s opening date for Toy Story Land, we will be sure to let you know! In the meantime, we’d recommend some Toy Story family movie nights to prepare for the fun ahead.

9 – Caribbean Beach Resort Enhancements

Summer 2018 (Date TBD)

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has been undergoing refurbishment for some time now with the intention of enhancing guests’ overall experience. We feel this enhancement has been much needed and are excited to see the results! The refurbishment locations include the resort’s existing lobby, the Centertown Market (quick-service dining and shopping within), as well as an add on of a Caribbean-inspired restaurant (Shutters) and pool bar (Banana Cabana). Visiting Caribbean Beach Resort this summer? Let us know your thoughts!

10 – Updates on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Details flowing in throughout 2018!

Ok, so this is an article about what we are excited about arriving in 2018, but we are kind of cheating on this one. Sure, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a new land that is opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios “late fall” 2019… but we expect to hear much more details flowing in throughout 2018. While the highlight at Hollywood Studios for 2018 is without a doubt Toy Story Land, Disney has been especially good at making all of us wait impatiently as they unfold attractions, eateries, entertainment, and shopping details slowly for Galaxy’s Edge. So far we know the theme of the land will be a remote trading post on the edge of space where all things Star Wars come to life. Two attractions are said to make guests

(Star Wars fans and non-Star Wars fans alike) eager to come back for more. 2018 is our year for details on this baby!

What are you most excited to experience at Walt Disney World in 2018? And yes, you can say… ALL OF IT!