Notable WDW changes in the past 12 years?

[M0710NM4N]

What would you say are some of the most notable changes (new rides and or restaurants opening/closing) in the last 12 years (last time I was able to visit) at WDW? When I was there I recall being bummed because Haunted Mansion was closed for renovations, so of course that's going to be one of the first things I hit next trip.

 

[goofyyukyuk]

Let’s see... New Fantasyland, Disney Springs revamp, Frozen Ever After, Pandora, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (in August), Happily Ever After, Rivers of Light, all the Hollywood Studios night shows, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor opened 12 years ago, Turtle Talk with Crush, New Test Track, Updated Mission: Space, Updated Star Tours, Star Wars Launch Bay.
I’m definitely missing attractions and stuff... as far as restaurants, there’s way too many new ones to count! Hope this helps!

 

[M0710NM4N]

Appreciate the reply.

So nothing super major has really changed in respect to any of the big rides closing it sounds like. Cause I just recently read about the closing of Tower of Terror in Disneyland and was taken back as I would think it was as popular as the one at WDW. And I see my favorite eatery at Hollywood Studios is still there... Backlot Express, can't wait to see if it's as good as it was 12 yrs ago. I went out of my way "3" times just to grab a meal from there, 2 of those times I was at the Magic Kingdom and took the bus there just for lunch and then back to Magic Kingdom. LoL.

 

[bUU]

closing of Tower of Terror in Disneyland

It hasn't closed. It was redressed to another theme. It has reopened as Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout, and some say it is much better than how the ride opened originally.

 

[NickMaio]

A lot has changed - -- even the physical layout of the MK hub has changed.
It will be like going to a new theme park - - - - but familiar.

Have fun!

 

[SoarinSupergirl]

I am almost in the same boat! Haven't visited in over a decade and I am super excited to re-discover everything WDW has to offer. I am little sad Pleasure Island is gone, I know a lot of people hated it, but I loved me some Comedy Warehouse, Adventurer's Club and Rock'n Roll Beach Club. Loved Motion back then, but I'd be too old for that now, anyway!

 

[TheX8]

Another change to note is the My Disney Experience app and the inclusion of the Magic Band. The Magic Band will be your room key (if you stay on property,) your payment method (if you stay on property,) entrance to the parks, will track your location to make it easier to upload some photos to your profile, and will hold your fastpass information as well. Also Great Movie Ride is sadly no longer with us.

 

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

Crowds. Next question.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

MyMagic+ (MDE, FP+, Magic bands... etc)
New Fantasyland
Pandora
Toystory Land
Soarin' Around the World
Test Track 2.0
Frozen Ever After
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Flight of Passage
Slinky Dog Dash
Be Our Guest
Decrease in EMH
Increase in pay to play events

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Prices

 

[M0710NM4N]

Lots of note taking... thanks everyone. Since this may very well be my last trip down there, I think I'm gonna need to muster up some courage and hit some of the rides I skipped out on in the past... like Space Mountain, Rock n Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest.

 

[danlb_2000]

Appreciate the reply.

So nothing super major has really changed in respect to any of the big rides closing it sounds like. Cause I just recently read about the closing of Tower of Terror in Disneyland and was taken back as I would think it was as popular as the one at WDW. And I see my favorite eatery at Hollywood Studios is still there... Backlot Express, can't wait to see if it's as good as it was 12 yrs ago. I went out of my way "3" times just to grab a meal from there, 2 of those times I was at the Magic Kingdom and took the bus there just for lunch and then back to Magic Kingdom. LoL.

There have been some closings. At DHS, Backlot Tour, Lights Motors Action, and the Great Movie Ride have closed and most of Streets of America has been removed. At Epcot, Universe of Energy, the Circle of Life movie in the Land Pavilion, Honey I Shrunk the Audience as well as pretty much everything in Innoventions. In AK, Camp Minnie Mickey is gone, but Festival of the Lion King is still there at a new location. At Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Toon Town and Snow White's Scary Adventure. At Disney Springs, pretty much everything on the former Pleasure Island, Disney Quest, and a lot of other shops and restaurants.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Only 1 parade property wide (used to be 4 daily).

Lots more security.

Backlot Tram tour, stitch, lights motors, Snow White dark ride, Universe of Energy and Great Movie Ride closed.

Pandora and Snow White coaster added.

Along with pandora came night entertainment at DAK. Rivers of Light and Tree of Life Awakenings.

Studios no longer had the hat, they added nighttime projection shows.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

The Great Movie Ride and Ellen's Energy Adventure both closed in 2017.

 

[larryz]

Study up on your FastPass+ techniques.