5) The Edison
This year, Disney Springs will be opening The Edison, a restaurant, bar, and nighttime experience! The Disney Parks Blog has described The Edison’s theming as “a 1920s-period electric company” and personally I am incredibly intrigued. This is one of the final pieces to be added to Disney Springs after its transformation from being Downtown Disney. The new location will bring back the “exuberant era of invention and imagination.” Can this place open tomorrow? Judging by the concept artwork, and the description of the theming, I can almost guarantee that The Edison will be a fan favorite soon after it opens.
4) It Could Be Less Crowded This Year
Crowds have been down in 2016, and it isn’t likely that 2017 is going to be much different. Navigating the crowds can be one of the biggest deterrents for some families considering a Disney vacation. So, 2017 might be a great year to take advantage of coming to Walt Disney World without having to battle huge crowds. Now, it isn’t like the parks are going to be completely empty, but this year you might find that wait times are just slightly more manageable.
3) Food and Wine Festival, Flower and Garden Festival, and the Festival of the Arts
I love Epcot, and when one of the festivals is going on, I enjoy that park even more. This year, there will be more festivals then ever. Not only are classic festivals like Food and Wine and Flower and Garden being extended, but Disney is also adding a new event called Festival of the Arts, which runs from January 13th until February 20th. So if you love the festivals at Epcot, this might be the perfect year to plan your trip!
2) Rivers of Light
Last year, Rivers of Light was supposed to premiere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but unfortunately, after technical difficulties the nighttime show got pushed back. Well, it looks like we will finally be getting the show we’ve been promised. Last year Disney premiered The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic and it wasn’t loved by Disney fans; expect something completely different with Rivers of Light. The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic was basically thrown together because Rivers of Light wasn’t working. I’d expect Rivers of Light to have the creativity, imagination, and beauty that we can and should expect from Disney.
1) Pandora – The World of Avatar
There should be more people excited for Pandora – The World of Avatar. Between the floating mountains and the bioluminescent plants, I personally think this is going to be one of the most beautiful additions to a theme park that Disney has ever created. Yes, people are excited about Star Wars Land, and rightfully so, but excitement for one thing shouldn’t negate the excitement for another.
The Na’vi River Journey is already getting high praise from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek. He set the bar incredibly high when he said, ”The only thing that’s comparable is the Pirates (of the Caribbean) attraction in Shanghai Disneyland.” Now if you don’t know why this is high praise, open up another tab, and search Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean on YouTube. Wow! I seriously believe, especially after reading Chapek’s statement, that Pandora – The World of Avatar is going to shock guests.
The other E-ticket attraction, Avatar Flight of Passage, is going to allow guests to climb on the back of a banshee as you fly around the jungles of Pandora. This sounds to me like a thrill ride version of Soarin’. How can any Disney fan think this isn’t exciting?
Credit/Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Stephen "Steve" Porter started going to the parks with his family in 1996. Since then he hasn't looked back! Steve was a cast member participating in the Disney College Program in 2013. Most recently he graduated from Penn State University!
