A Look at the Future of the Disneyland Resort

After having been at Disneyland for a week and seeing all the construction projects in person I felt it was a good time to take a deep look at what all is underway, what has been announced, rumored, things which many in the Disney fan community agree seem like no-brainers, and a few ideas I have (even if they are highly unlikely to happen). We'll be taking an in-depth look section by section. So without further ado lets go to Disneyland Park first.

It's A Small World Queue and parade route update:

On January 19th, 2018 it was announced on the Disney Parks Blog that when It's A Small World went down to convert back to normal after the holidays, it would be getting a queue renovation (still in progress) and that it would affect the parade route, stroller parking, as well as the Small World Mall. They didn't give any kind of artist rendering but I think that what we will see is the queue will be all in one area and large enough that during the holidays it won't have to go across the parade route over to the Small World Mall. I also believe that the stroller parking will be moved to the area that is currently raised up across from the ride, and I think the parade route itself will be altered slightly to give Small World a little more room for the queue. In the following images I'll highlight the area behind construction walls, then highlight what I believe the areas will roughly look like. This update should be completed by April when the Pixar Play Parade is scheduled to step off for the first time in Disneyland Park.

Dumbo queue update:

On January 5th 2018 it was announced on the Disney Parks Blog that Dumbo would be going down for a lengthy refurbishment to get a new queue location for guest comfort and accessibility. I'm hoping that we get some attraction enhancements at the same time like what they did at Walt Disney World when it got updated as part of New Fantasy land. No estimated finishing date has been given.

Main Street Trolley Track Replacement:

In the same Parks Blog article when they announced that Dumbo was getting a refurbishment, it was also announced that the Horse Drawn Trolley Track was being 100% replaced, some of this track has been in place ever since the park opened in 1955, while some sections of the track have been replaced. It was also announced that the original track pieces would be preserved and that the visual aesthetic of the trolley track would incorporate bricks, similar to the Red Car Trolley Track in California Adventure.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge:

During the 2015 D23 Expo it was first announced that Disneyland and Hollywood Studios would both be getting Star Wars themed land expansions. At the time there were very little details, shortly after Disneyland confirmed on twitter that it would be a new land on not replacing any existing lands (many expected it to replace Toon Town). Throughout the many conventions (Star Wars Celebrations, and D23 Expo) since the expansion was announced we have learned a lot more details about what Galaxy's Edge will bring. During the Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60 we got our first tease of what the 2 attractions will be as well as more concept art.

During Star Wars Celebration Orlando (2017) we got a behind the scenes look at the development process and we learned that the Star Wars themed land would be a brand new experience withing the Star Wars universe. While things will feel familiar, like the market and cantina, these are new original locations.

During D23 Expo in 2017 we got the name and our first look at the model for Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. We also got more details about the 2 attractions and some of the unique offerings in the area like blue milk. In one attraction we will be flying the Millenium Falcon and our decisions in the ride will follow us throughout our visit to Batuu. The other attraction will put us right in the middle of a battle between the first order and the resistance in a Star Destroyer's hangar.

In August construction for Galaxy's Edge reached a milestone when the highest point of the rock work's internal structure was installed. And now when we ride Star Tours our final destination is Galaxy's Edge (the planet is called Batuu). One thing that really surprised me is that there is already Galaxy's Edge merchandise available, I picked up a pin during my visit, but when I got home I then saw the Parks Blog post announcing the merchandise (somehow I missed it originally). Star Wars Galaxy's Edge will open first at Disneyland in 2019, and later in the year at Disney Hollywood Studios.

Star Tours and Star Wars Launch Bay:

For 2 years I have been under the impression the Launch Bay would be a temporary in Tomorrow land and have wondering what the future might hold for Star Tours since we would basically have Star Wars attractions in opposite corners of Disneyland. Well I casually mentioned my excitement for Galaxy's Edge while visiting the Launch Bay and mentioned that I was pondering the future of both attractions, and I was told by a CM that both attractions would remain for at least 2 years after Galaxy's Edge opens.

Pixar Pier:

At last summer's D23 Expo it was announced that Paradise Pier would be re-imagined as Pixar Pier to open this year. Along with this announcement we learned that the immensely popular Paint the Night parade that premiered during the Diamond Celebration will be returning only now in California Adventure. I'm very curious to see how the logistics of this will work as they haven't had an evening parade in California Adventure since World of Color premiered in 2010, and with the World of Color viewing area being sandwiched between Paradise Bay and and parade route I'm curious to see how they stagger then shows. The other parade announcement was that the Pixar Play Parade would be moving over to Disneyland starting in April.

What we know so far about the update to the pier is that it will be split up into "neighborhoods" representing different Pixar stories. The area effected is from Ariel's Grotto (RIP) all the way around the South end of the pier through the West helix of the coaster. From Silly Symphony Swings around the North end of Paradise bay will NOT be effected by the Pixar Pier construction.

California Screamin' is becoming The Incredicoaster (and yes I am in the camp that feels like that is a horrible title for an attraction) featuring new character moments, a new paint scheme, and new look for the ride vehicles.

King Triton's Carousel will become Toy Story themed and along with Toy Story Mania will make up the Toy Story neighborhood. The rumored name of the carousel will be Jessie's Round-Up and it is rumored that the new animals we will be riding on are the ones seen at the end of Toy Story Mania when you see your score and how you rank. Also there appears to be a giant Jessie static figure outside the ride that almost looks like a carbon copy of one that was just installed in WDW's Toy Story Land.

The 3rd neighborhood will be Inside Out in the western helix of the coaster with a new family friendly attraction. A zoomed in look at the concept art for the Pier shows what appears to be an attraction similar to Flik's Flyers over in A Bug's Land which could be another hint that that section of the park might be going away soon to make room for Marvel (more on that later).

The final neighborhood will be Mickey's Fun Wheel and the games/shops on the boardwalk which will celebrate all Pixar stories and characters. Mickey's face will remain on the Fun Wheel but the gondolas will now feature Pixar characters as opposed to Mickey and Friends. I believe that the character art on the construction walls for the Pier are most likely what will be featured on the gondolas (notice a few images below).

Downtown Disney Updates:

As a reminder Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire (VR experience) and Splitsville (luxury bowling) have just opened. Star Wars replaced D-Street and Splitsville replaced the House of Blues. While I was visiting the resort I noticed the construction walls around a decent amount of the East half of Downtown Disney.

On November 15th 2017 the Disney Parks Blog announced that Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is coming to Downtown Disney across from Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar where Build-a-Bear and Ridemakerz used to be. I'm not familiar with this restaurant but it looks like it could be fun to try after it opens later this year.

On January 24th (right before I flew down to Disney) the Parks Blog announced not only Ballast Point would also be added across from Catal and Uva Bar (so right next to Black Tap). Personally I'll be skipping this restaurant but that is only because I'm not fond of alcohol and don't want to go to a brewery while at Disneyland.

Other refurbs ad renovations in DTD:

• In the same blog post Disney announced a long term renovation of World of Disney that will be completed 1 section at a time throughout 2018.
• Disney Home (a new store for Disney themed home goods) opens sometime this month.
• Naples is being renovated throughout 2018 ad should be finished by Fall of this year

New Hotel:

On October 25th 2017 the Disney Parks Blog announced the location for the new hotel as well as gave us concept art. From what we can tell from the concept art it appears that ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe, AMC Theaters, and Earl of Sandwich will be removed. The new Hotel will incorporate the DTD Monorail station and will be right between the Disneyland Hotel and the remainder of DTD. The hotel's name has yet to be announced and is scheduled to open in 2021. The design feels similar to that of the Contemporary Resort in WDW, that said, it honestly looks shoehorned in where Disney really doesn't have that much space to work with. Hopefully it will look better when it is completed but the concept art isn't the most attractive. They announced that similar to the Grand Californian Hotel, there will be shops and restaurants on the ground level so hopefully Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone, and Earl of Sandwich can be relocated.

New Parking Structure:

Also on October 25th 2017 the Parks Blog announced a new 6,500 space parking structure to be built over what is now that Pinocchio parking lot. Construction is scheduled to get underway this month and the garage is scheduled to open in about a year (just in time for Star Wars Galaxy's Edge to open).

Now lets move on to the Eastern Gateway Project that has been shelved. Personally I am not happy at all with Anaheim's leadership for not approving this project. The Eastern Gateway was supposed to be a 6,800 space parking structure, relocated shuttle/taxi drop off, and security checkpoint on the East side of the resort property on the other side of Harbor behind the hotels. The idea was that guests staying at the non Disney hotels would now enter the resort via this new transportation hub for Disneyland, and then they would go across a pedestrian overpass to the esplanade and be above Harbor to avoid traffic congestion. Guests would have gone through security before ever getting on the overpass and it was originally planned to open sometime this year. I believe the only reason Disney is doing the new Parking Structure adjacent to Mickey and Friends is because the city of Anaheim wouldn't give them the green light to move forward with the Eastern Gateway. There was a lot of drama over this project from the Restaurants on Harbor that felt their business would have been negatively effected by this new project. Ironically they might be even more adversely effected now because of guests like me who will on principal not give them our business, besides there are much better dining options inside the parks, let alone now the parking structure is being moved to the opposite side of the park. I do think that this is a temporary situation and that at some point down the line when Disney is ready to build a 3rd park on the current Toy Story Parking Lot (we're talking probably at least 20 years down the line) they will move forward with the Eastern Gateway (.ore on that below).

GardenWalk

The Anaheim GardenWalk mall is up for sale... Again. The last time it was for sale was about 5 years ago when it went bankrupt and many Disney fans expected Disney to acquire it then, now with it available to purchase again the fan community yet again is hoping to see Disney purchase the property as it would be the missing link to connect all of Disney's property in Anaheim (not counting the Company D store that is offsite). The aerial view below has Disney property highlighted in blue and Gardenwalk highlighted in red to show why it is such a crucial acquisition that Disney needs to make happen.

Marvel Themed Area in DCA:

During the D23 Expo last summer Disney announced that an immersive Marvel themed area would be coming to Disney California Adventure. "Soon the Guardians of the Galaxy will be joined by Spider-Man and the Avengers". The rumor is that the Avengers ride will actually be the same ride system as the Tron Lightcycle Coaster from Shanghai Disneyland. In October Disney filed a patent for a new ride system that hints at what the Spider-Man ride could be.

Now We take a turn and look at some things I would like to see done at Disneyland Resort regarding potential expansion pads and new rides. To start things off lets look at the Tron Light Cycle Power Run that is at Shanghai Disneyland and is coming to the Magic Kingdom in WDW. I would LOVE to see this added to Disneyland's Tomorrow Land. Disney drastically needs to update Tomorrow Land at Disneyland, for instance the long empty Peoplemover tracks need to go, Autopia is another attraction I wouldn't mind saying goodbye to as it has nothing to do with the future. And, with Galaxy's Edge on the way I could easily see Star Wars Launch Bay becoming obsolete, with that said I would love to see the Tron Light Cycle coaster replace both Autopia and the Launch Bay. I don't think it would need all of Autopia's footprint which is good because I'd like to see some of the North end of that area saved for Fantasyland.

Fantasy Land:

As good as I think Mickey and the Magical Map is, I think it is time for the Fantasy Land theater to be removed, I would also like to see the old Motor Boat and north end of Autopia become an expansion area. Easily the 2 most popular movies Disney has to work with that don't already have rides at Disneyland are Beauty and the Beast and Frozen. Based on the concept art for the new Beauty ad the Beast ride coming to Tokyo Disney I would LOVE to see it brought to Disneyland as well. It should easily be able to fit in the area currently occupied by the Fantasy Land theater, and if possible I think the entrance should be changed to be from between Frontier Land and Casey Jr, across from the Red Rose Tavern. For Frozen I think they could fit a legit attraction in the area between Matterhorn, Small World, and the Eastern edge of the park.

Dining:

First let's look at the current location of Aladdin's Oasis, you know, that former restaurant location that now just sits unused in Adventure Land. For anyone that doesn't already know it is the former site of the Tahitian Terrace and was replaced by Aladdin's Oasis in 1993 and closed in 2008. With how long this location has sat unused I'd love to see the Tahitian Terrace return only now feature Moana!!! Another dining location that could use Moana's presence is the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel. Moana would fit right in with Stitch and could even tell him off when he starts misbehaving (does he ever behave?)

Princess Character Dining:

Now that Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure is closed Disney really needs to find a new dining location for the princesses. Ariel's Grotto was my absolute favorite character breakfast location because not only was the menu really good, but I also loved the guarantee of seeing Ariel + 4 other princesses just for going to the restaurant. And I felt it was more difficult during my visit last week to make sure I saw all the princesses by not being able to get 5 at once. I hope that Disneyland is planning a new location for the Princesses as we speak and that we don't have to wait for the new hotel to open. I honestly don't have any great suggestions for a location but this needs to happen.

And speaking of character dining, I would love to see a Marvel character restaurant experience as part of the new Marvel expansion featuring some of the most popular Marvel characters: Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Black Widow, and a few others. This would also free up the meet and greets to be for the most recent films/characters. I would also love to see a Star Wars character dining experience although I can't think of which characters should be there unless it was based on Star Wars Rebels in which case obviously Ezra, Kanan, Hera, Sabine, Zeb, and Ahsoka.

New Disney VALUE hotels:

I'm genuinely tired of Disney only opening new moderate or higher resort hotels. I would love to see a West Coast equivalent of the Art of Animation Resort from WDW. The other hotel I would love to see brought to the West Coast is the new Star Wars hotel that WDW is getting. Both of these hotels would be amazing and popular if they were brought to Disneyland. I know a lot of Disneyland traveling guests (as opposed to locals) that would love to stay at a Disney hotel but can't justify the nightly cost of the 3 existing hotels.

I hope you enjoyed this look at the future of Disneyland!