Welcome to the March edition of Disney Rumor Round Up for 2019! You can check out the February 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
Rumors regarding Magic Kingdom are rather quiet at the moment. In addition to WDWMagic sources last year reporting that fireworks at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party would change from Hallowishes to something similar to Happily Ever After, WDWNT is also reporting this along with even more attraction overlays including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. These overlays would be rather minimal like the ones added in 2018. It is then expected that Holiday Wishes during the Christmas season would also change.
Epcot
Construction continues on several major Epcot projects. The new space restaurant is nearly completely enclosed now as that is expected to open in late 2019. Guardians of the Galaxy coaster track is staged on Disney property as work continues on the exterior of that massive building. Permits have been filed for work to begin on the new Epcot entrance which will start this spring. Wonders of Life is now closed and is now considered a construction site as work to create the new Play Pavilion is underway.
Many news sites went forward to report that Innoventions West, Club Cool and other areas are included in the demolition permit for the entrance work at Epcot. While they share similar addresses it is expected that this permit specifically is only for the park entrance however many sources indicate Innoventions West, Club Cool, Fountain View, and more will be torn down or drastically changed as Epcot moves forward into its re-imagining.
Back in World Showcase the France pavilion is getting yet another addition in the Crêperie dining venue along with the attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. According to rumors this new restaurant will go alongside the new wall being put in place and underneath the Skyliner cables. This area is currently visible from International Gateway.
Hollywood Studios
Disney has finally confirmed and sort of shocked the community with the opening dates for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. On August 29th, 2019 Galaxy’s Edge will open to the world at Hollywood Studios but only with one attraction. Rise of the Resistance will open at a later date not yet announced. According to rumors that date is still up in the air. There have been some technical glitches with Rise of the Resistance however Disney also is doing this to help with crowds. Some sources seem to be exaggerating the technical issues more than others. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, the shops, and dining will all be ready to go before Rise of the Resistance so instead of waiting Disney decided it was best to go with the phased opening. It is expected that Rise of the Resistance could be open in November in Walt Disney World. Neither attraction will open with Fastpass when they do open. Even more changes could be coming to Fastpass as noted below.
Adding a bit more to the Star Wars news it is expected that Walt Disney World’s version will have some sort of limited access when it opens. Disneyland is giving resort hotel guests guaranteed access from May 31st through June 23rd. Walt Disney World has said they would not use that system but notes capacity is limited. Disneyland announced they would be using a virtual queue system starting June 24th after the hotel reservation window ends. This is said to also happen at Hollywood Studios according to sources at WDWMagic. This makes sense to limit and control crowds for this highly anticipated land.
The forgotten child in all of this is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Disney has previously said Fall 2019 opening for this new attraction but it is expected this will open before or in time for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as the park will need the increased capacity when the crowds descend on the park.
According to WDWNT, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular will get a major update removing the studio theming as the focus of Hollywood Studios continues to change. This change would be in place around the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World if this rumor is true.
Animal Kingdom
BlogMickey is reporting a rumor that a new event could be coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This event would take place in Harambe in Africa and has the rumored name of Circle of Flavors. No other known details at this time.
Walt Disney World Resort
Over at Disney Springs, WDWNT is reporting that a Frozen II themed VR experience could soon be joining those at The Void at both Disneyland and Disney Springs. The Star Wars and Wreck it Ralph experiences have been quite successful with guests.
The Disney Skyliner continues to test with most recent aerial images showing over 280 cabins now onsite. The Hollywood Studios line is testing daily with more uncovered cabins showing on that line. The Art of Animation/Pop Century line also started more major cabin testing. The last one is Epcot and hasn’t entered major cabin testing yet. It is the belief that Disney wants this system to open in time for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on August 29th.
A major rumor has popped up recently on WDWMagic.com. Reportedly a version of a paid Fastpass system could soon be making its way to Walt Disney World. Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland all have some sort of paid Fastpass option already. A paid version for Walt Disney World has been rumored before but has yet to actually happen. This new info that has come about says we could see it as soon as later this year. With new major attractions opening up it makes sense in a way.
While details are vague at the moment there are several options on the table that Disney is combing through. One option discussed is giving guests a “taste” of free Fastpass still, allowing them to book 1-2 per day and any additional Fastpasses would be an extra charge. These extra Fastpasses would be available in different package levels. All guests whether you are onsite or offsite would be able to buy these levels. Another option is giving guests the current 3 per day but making headliners extra. So an attraction like Flight of Passage may come at a cost if you want a Fastpass or the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attractions once they get Fastpass. Still a lot of speculation so stay tuned for more on this as time goes on.
Finally, Mizner’s Lounge at The Grand Floridian is closing for a major refurbishment and expansion. According to multiple sources once this reopens it will be a live action Beauty and the Beast themed lounge. It is expected to reopen this fall.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening May 31st, 2019 in Disneyland much earlier than many expected but as noted above only one attraction will be open at first. According to rumors and speculation it is expected that Rise of the Resistance will be ready to go by D23 Expo in August.
For further discussion on all of this and more, visit the Rumors and News board on Disboards.com
