by Meghan Lemmo

Hello Humans! My name is Meghan, and I am very excited to bring to you my very first article on the blog! Check out the “about” section for some more information about me. One of my favorite things to do is research Disney past, present, and future. I love reading the news and rumors about what is coming to the parks.

Fun fact, the estimated domestic Disney Parks investment this year has been the most since the year 2000. So that just goes to show some pretty exciting things are coming in the next five years. Some very exciting things are coming specifically this year, including the opening of the long-awaited Pandora: The World of AVATAR! Now, without further a-do, here is a summary of what’s coming to Walt Disney World Parks in 2017.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Opening Spring 2017, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will launch its first addition in eight years to the waterpark: a one-of-a-kind family raft ride called “Miss Fortune Falls” complete with show scenes! Yes, you read that correctly: show scenes. Almost like Splash Mountain, this will have indoor sections.This all-new attraction will be located near Crush n’ Gusher and the area which was formerly the shark reef attraction.

Clocking in at two minutes of ride time, Miss Fortune Falls will bring to life a fictitious story about Captain Mary Oceaneer, a treasure-hunting heroine who got stranded at Typhoon Lagoon years ago by a storm. Guest’s will board the treasure rafts and will journey through her past before plunging into a white-water adventure, while seeing the unique artifacts she collected on her journey around the world.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Rivers of Light will FINALLY (hopefully) be opening in Spring 2017, just over a year late, after the originally announced opening date of April 22nd, 2016. Here is the full description from a Walt Disney World press release, if you are unsure of what to expect, and the concept art released two years ago:

“Rivers of Light – Coming in 2017, this powerful theatrical production takes Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests on a magnificent emotional journey – a visual mix of water, fire, nature and light choreographed to an original musical score. Continuing the park’s transformation from a day-into-nighttime experience, the amazing after-dark show on the banks of Discovery River celebrates the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans in the world. With innovative and never-before-seen technology, Rivers of Light will be unlike any other production ever staged at Walt Disney World Resort.”

Next order of business for Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an entirely new land. Yes, “Pandora – The World of AVATAR” will finally be opening in Summer 2017. Disney announced the idea and concept art at the D23 Expo in Japan on October 12th, 2013. While there isn’t much for guests to see just yet, the tops of the mountains we have seen from the parking lot and certain areas within the park look just impeccable. AVATAR has been hailed as one of the most innovative and visually stunning movies ever produced, and luckily Disney got their hands on purchasing it.

Together with James Cameron, director of AVATAR, and one of my favorite Disney Imagineers ever (and personal idol) Joe Rohde, Disney is proud to bring this land to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Now, I’m sure you are wondering what the attractions will be, right?! The first attraction will be the “Na’vi River Journey,” which will be a family river ride through Pandora’s bioluminescent rainforest. This will be a more relaxed attraction, as opposed to the lands other attraction, “AVATAR Flight of Passage.” This attraction will be similar to “Soarin’” in Epcot for those who have experienced that masterpiece. The video linked below is something that we all just need to take a moment for. Can you BELIEVE how life-like this animatronic is? This audio-animatronic figure will be part of the “Na’vi River Journey” ride. I had to watch this video a hundred times the first time because I was so in awe.

Magic Kingdom

Not too much is coming to the Magic Kingdom this year, except finally “Stitch’s Great Mistake Escape”, will be closing! Stitch’s Great Escape is quite possibly the worst attraction at Walt Disney World, so if the rumors are true it would not be a huge loss to see it go. Don’t get me wrong, we love Stitch, and he is my most favorite character of all time, but no one wants to experience Stitch burping in your face. My brother and I were always terrified of this attraction as a kid, and going on it as an adult I now understand why.

On the positive note, it is rumored that a Wreck it Ralph attraction would replace the area that Stitch currently occupies. While this is just a rumor for now, if we do come to find out there is truth to the rumor work will likely begin on the new attraction within the coming year.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has just begun a multi-year transformation that is much needed in a park that has been stripped of a number of attractions in recent years. As the entire Streets of America area including Lights, Motors, Action! and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure were closed in April 2016, the park has been significantly downsized while we wait for the completion of two new lands.

Most of the news for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will come later in 2017, as we get closer to the opening of Toy Story Land, which is rumored for 2018, and Star Wars Land, which is rumored for 2019.

Some small experiences will be coming to the park in 2017, such as the return of the firework show “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” and a seven-hour guided tour through the park’s current Star Wars experiences; such as meeting characters, riding “Star Tours,” a tour around Launch Bay, etc…

Epcot

In terms of what’s coming in 2017, Epcot will have a new festival called “International Festival of the Arts” debuting in January that will host live-music and different food studios, along with performances by Broadway stars, and special events similar to those offered during Food and Wine Festival and Flower and Garden Festival.

It is still rumored that “Ellen’s Energy Adventure” will be closing, and will be replaced by a “Guardians of the Galaxy” ride. There has been no confirmation of this yet, but it wouldn’t be surprising as Bob Chapek, the chairman of Disney Parks, recently stated at Destination D in November that Imagineers are planning a huge transformation for Epcot. Definitely more to come on that later in 2017!

That just about wraps up what’s coming to the Walt Disney World Resort in 2017 (or at least what we know about for now, we’ll keep you updated with future announcements!) Hope everyone is having a happy holiday season and a great New Year!