Welcome to the April edition of Disney Rumor Round Up for 2019! You can check out the March 2019 installment here. Spring has sprung at the Disney Parks! Disclaimer: Any rumors mentioned in this article are not confirmed by Disney and may not ever happen.
Magic Kingdom
As we inch closer to the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary rumors and plans continue to be rumored. One of those rumors or hopeful speculations is a return of a nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom. WDWNT is reporting that Disney will not debut a new nighttime parade for the 50th anniversary. They do note that other nighttime entertainment is being planned though. Obviously, things could still change but it doesn’t seem to be looking up for the prospect of a new nighttime parade right now. Pretty much everyone agrees that Disney is planning on new entertainment for the Magic Kingdom as a whole for the 50th.
Epcot
Disney confirmed that Illuminations will end September 30th, 2019 just as rumored before and the new Epcot Forever show will debut October 1st, 2019 on the anniversary of Epcot.
The big news for Epcot this month is the reported change or overhaul of Future World. WDWNT is reporting as expected that Innoventions West would go away completely. In its place would a new festival center would be built, as well as a new Starbucks, meet and greet area, and what is being called the “Journey of Water” which will lead you to The Seas pavilion. Innoventions East will maintain a large retail space and a large food and beverage location much like it currently does with Electric Umbrella and MouseGears. A new widened path will lead guests to the Guardians Coaster and Test Track. In between both Innoventions, the Fountain of Nations would go away as well as the pin shop. A new beer garden and green space will overtake the central area. WDWMagic sources agree that this is the plan for Epcot as it stands. Disney has yet to announce much of this but it is being codenamed Project Gamma.
Finally, back into World Showcase, WDWMagic sources indicate that construction on a flat ride in the UK pavilion is back on and will begin later this year. A new pavilion based on Brazil is also still heavily rumored. In addition to that, WDWNT and WDWMagic sources are saying that the Agent P’s game in World Showcase will change to a new DuckTales theme.
Hollywood Studios
Disney and most people are all focused on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and rightfully so but Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway which replaced The Great Movie Ride was scheduled to open this Fall around the time Galaxy’s Edge would open. Rumors from several sources early in April was Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway would be delayed into late 2019 possibly 2020. Then in mid-April Disney announced alongside the attraction going to Disneyland that it would open in Spring 2020 at Hollywood Studios which is a significant delay. Rumors point to a few reasons for that. Disney has a huge amount of construction work going on and is pushing to get Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on time which is creating some delays elsewhere. Also reported tech issues with the attraction are contributing to the delay. Hollywood Studios certainly needs the capacity but it seems that won’t happen until 2020.
As for Galaxy’s Edge, things are moving along and issues regarding Rise of the Resistance are being fixed which should have the attraction opening sooner rather than later. Disney also announced some new details regarding the land at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago including themed Coca-Cola bottles, as well as the first look some of the animatronics and music within the land.
Animal Kingdom
Construction is beginning on the Club 33 inside Animal Kingdom. This location will be in Africa near the Festival of the Lion Kingdom and pathway to Pandora. In addition to that, Disney announced that starting May 2019, Disney characters will be added into a new version of Rivers of Light called Rivers of Light: We Are One.
Walt Disney World Resort
Major Skyliner testing continues and even evacuation training has begun. This month Disney gave an update on the construction and said around 300 cabins would be part of this system. They also stressed the ventilation system that would be part of the cabins. Disney as part of this said cast members would begin testing in August and that could go on for months. Those familiar with these systems have already been taken back by how long this is taking and that months more testing is needed when Disney has already been testing for months. So hopefully the Skyliner is open sooner rather than later.
The Star Wars Hotel is finally moving. Foundations have been poured and the hotel is starting to go vertical. Disney has not given an opening date for this new hotel experience as of yet.
Disneyland Resort has been buzzing a lot more recently. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens May 31st, and guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotels get first access in four-hour windows. Guests who do not have a resort reservation will get a chance to book a reservation starting May 2nd.
Disneyland also announced the long-rumored change that the Halloween party would move to Disney California Adventure. In addition to that, the rumored Halloween version of World of Color called Villainous will debut this year as part of the new Oogie Boogie Bash party.
Perhaps the biggest news from Disneyland this month is the confirmation that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will come to Mickey’s Toontown in 2022. No attractions will go away because of this addition but the Gag Factory store will go away to serve as the entryway for this attraction and the attraction show building will take up areas backstage.
Finally, for Disneyland, there are rumors swirling that a new parade will be coming and replace Soundsational in 2020. According to rumors on MiceChat, the parade would be called “Magic Happens” and feature several large floats with characters from Disney and Pixar films.
For further discussion on all of this and more, visit the Rumors and News board on Disboards.com
