6 years away from Disney - What have I missed?

[SkorvaHD]

So....

I last visited Forida from the UK 6 years ago before having children, I now have 3(6, 5, 2).

I managed to visit for 7 years on the spin and I am itching to get back out there. Have the parks changed much or are they still just as awesome?

Its the only place I ever felt that it was illegal not to behave like a child

Excited more than my kids I think!

 

[Prince-1]

Without being my snarky sarcastic self, I will say that even with all the warts and polish that WDW needs it is still an awesome place to go. Especially if you haven't been there in many years. The New Fantasy Land expansion is a nice addition to the Magic Kingdom and there are plenty of other new touches that you haven't seen yet. Going with your kids for the first time makes it even more amazing as you get to see it through their eyes which is a whole new experience.

Is it a perfect place...nope!! There are a lot of things that need to be fixed but when you are there you won't even notice them and if you do you won't dwell on them for long. So don't listen to all the naysayers (which I am at times) and go have a great time.

 

[AndyS2992]

Magic Kingdom:
-New Fantasyland (Little Mermaid ride, Seven Dwarfs Mine coaster etc)
-Mickey's Toontown has been demolished
-Princess Fairytale Hall replaces Snow White's Scary Adventures
-Festival of Fantasy Parade
-Main Street Electrical Parade

Epcot
-Test Track 2.0

Disney's Hollywood Studios
-Star Tours 2.0

Disney's Animal Kingdom
-Nothing. Camp Minnie Mickey is gone.

Blizzard Beach
-Nothing

Typhoon Lagoon
-Nothing

Downtown Disney
-Major expansion and refurbishment underway

Disney Resorts
-Art of Animation Resort opened
-Bay Lake Tower opened

So overall not much has really happened at all.

Universal Studios Florida
-Harry Potter Diagon Alley with coaster and train ride replaces Jaws
-Transformers ride
-Springfield Simpsons land expands
-Hollywood Rip Ride Rock It coaster
-New Character Parade

Islands of Adventure
-Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion

SeaWorld
-Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ride
-Manta Coaster

 

[Marc Gil]

Wow it's been awhile, but never fear! WDW is still as awesome as ever!

Out of all the four theme parks, Magic Kingdom definitely changed the most.

There's the All-New Fantasyland Expansion, which is spectacular!

The expansion includes two new rides: Under The Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Both are great fun!

New Fantasyland also includes sub-land called Storybook Circus, which is basically a re-themed Mickey's Toontown Fair. Storybook Circus also includes the new dueling Dumbos with an all new playground queue! It's pretty neat, especially for the kids.

There's also Enchanted Tales with Belle, which is a different and more immersive meet and greet, Princess Fairytale Hall, and the Be Our Guest Restaurant, which is a huge MUST!

Here's a list of other new"ish" experiences:
* Obama in The Hall of Presidents
* Big Thunder Mountain queue changes
* Pirates of the Caribbean featuring Capt. Jack Sparrow, and Mermaids.
* The original Tiki Room Show minus Iago and Zazu.
* Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom (interactive scavenger hunt)
* Pirates scavenger hunt in Adventureland .
* Interactive queue in Space Mountain, also featuring onboard soundtrack and improved effects.
* Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor
* Talking Mickey in Main Street Town Square
* Festival of Fantasy Parade
* Return of the Main Street Electrical Parade

..And more!

Epcot:
* Re-imagined Spaceship Earth, featuring an all new narration and interactive features.
* Sum of All Thrills at Innoventions. (You can create your own roller coaster and ride it!)
* Re-imagined Test Track, featuring all new effects and storyline. You can now customize and create your own Chevy car and compete against each other.
* Return of Captain EO at Imagination!

And more!!

Disney's Hollywood Studios

* Toy Story Mania, a interactive shooting gallery ride similar to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger's Spin. Very very popular!
* Capt. Jack Sparrow Interactive Walk-Through, not sure of the exact name..
* Disney Jr. Live, similar to Playhouse Disney Live.
* Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, a re-imagined 3D version of the classic attraction, featuring all-new effects.

And more!

Disney's Animal Kingdom:

* Relocated Festival of the Lion King

There's also a whole expansion and refurbishment going on at Downtown Disney.

They also added a few more hotels: Art of Animation, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, and more!

You should definitely make plans to go back!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

all

 

[Marc Gil]

Oh yes... I forgot to mention My Magic+... As a matter of fact, you should consider ordering a planning DVD from the Walt Disney World website. They explain all the new stuff better than I do.

Just go to disneyworld.com and they should have a link for the DVD on the top of the page.

EDIT: by the way, it's totally free! Shipping and all!

 

[PhilharMagician]

If you have not been there in more than 6 years than it will definitely be awesome. There have been a lot of changes over that time frame with some good and some bad.

Of course you are more excited than the kids, you know what WDW is all about!

 

[brokedad]

There are indeed a lot of changes, most of them probably go unnoticed, especially if u go all the time. In the big picture, not really much except for a few new rides and updated ones. A lot has also fallen way behind with the times and WDW needed a lot of help, hopefully it comes