As Saturday closes out 2011, a look back at Disney travel reveals a busy year: new attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the new Disney Dream cruise ship, and a new resort in Hawaii.
But that’s not all. Disney also made exciting announcements about ongoing and new projects affecting various Disney travel destinations. Here are ten announcements of things to look forward to in 2012 and beyond.
What are you most looking forward for Disney travel in 2012 and beyond? What was your big Disney travel news in 2011?
- runDisney expands its offerings in 2012. The Disneyland Tinker Bell Half Marathon, a women-focused race, will debut Jan. 27-29. Walt Disney World brings back the Tower of Terror event, now a 10-mile race that centers on Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Because the ToT race will take place Sept. 29, the Epcot Wine & Dine Half Marathon moves to Nov. 9-10.
- Disney Fantasy, the fourth ship for the Disney Cruise Line, will set sail on Caribbean cruises beginning March 31. Ship entertainment and activities include a special “Wishes” show and a Muppets interactive game. In April 2011, DCL announced it will add 2012 sailings from New York City, Seattle and Galveston.
- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (SotMK) an interactive guest experience at the Magic Kingdom, offers a look at Disney’s NextGen technology. The mission: to stop Disney Villains by solving clues in a game not unlike Epcot’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Sorcerers is expected to be available for play early in 2012, and is free with park admission.
Updates: Read a preview of SotMK in play-test mode and about SotMK's debut date.
- Magic Kingdom will begin opening New Fantasyland in stages, starting with the bigger Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Storybook Circus area located in the former Toontown area. Also expected to open in 2012 are Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid and the “Beauty and the Beast” attractions.
Updates: Disney has announced a general timetable for New Fantasyland attractions opening in 2012.
- Construction and renovation at Disneyland Hotel nears completion. Finished changes include room upgrades, re-theming its three Towers, a monorail-themed water play area, and the new Tangaora Terrace restaurant and Trader Sam’s bar. To wrap up the project in 2012, Disney will complete the re-theming of the hotel’s third Tower and makeover the Never Land Pool.
- Disney’s Art of Animation, a Walt Disney World Value Resort focusing on family suites, will open in phases, beginning in May 2012. New royal guests rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort will open Spring 2012. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the flagship hotel at Walt Disney World Resort, will add Disney Vacation Club villas. They will open in late 2013.
- Disney California Adventure will complete its billion dollar, multi-year expansion with the opening of Cars Land in summer 2012, with a grand opening date of June 15. The new land will include such attractions as Luigi’s Flying Tires, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Radiator Spring Racers. The DCA expansion will also see the opening of Buena Vista Street.
- The construction on Shanghai Disney Resort was confirmed in January, and the project broke ground in April. The fourth international Disney theme park is expected to open in 2015 and will be 2-3 times the size of Hong Kong Disneyland.
- Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World will see the opening of a Splitsville (bowling, billiards, dining and entertainment venue) in late 2012. Meanwhile, progress on Hyperion Wharf, the planned makeover of Pleasure Island – Disney’s night-time district that closed in 2008 and was home to the Adventurers Club, Comedy Warehouse and several dance clubs – has been delayed.
- On Sept. 20, 2011, Disney’s Animal Kingdom was announced as the site for the first AVATAR land, based on James Cameron’s movie. Construction is expected to begin in 2013, with Disney providing updates in 2012.
And one bonus look ahead at Disney for Leap Year 2012…
Disney will offer one more 2011 special announcement, during “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.” Although just what that announcement will include is still a bit of a mystery, Disney has offered several hints. The dominant rumor is that Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will be open for 24 hours straight to celebrate Leap Year.
Look for a future article – with either a “mea culpa” or an “I told you so” after Disney reveals the big news and details about its promotion.
Update, Jan. 1: Magic Kingdom and Disneyland open 24 hours on Feb. 29. (The Disney fan community is correct...again.)
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