What's new since Sep 2009?

[KingStefan]

Hi, everyone. Sorry to be a stranger to the boards for a while. Lot has happened the last four years. But that is a topic for another thread in a different forum at another time.

Point is, we haven't been back (dd15 has, on a band trip, but not en famille).

So, she can clue us in a bit, but I wanted to do some real research on what's new at WDW since Sep 2009. And a big part of that research is consulting my friends the experts right here.

Therefore I am here humbly to beg your assistance. So, what's up, folks, what have I been missing?!

 

[twinfo3728]

Welcome back! To start with the new Fantasyland expansion. Featuring The Little Mermaid ride, Be Our Guest restaurant and new meet and greet princess area. The princess took over what was the Snow White dark ride. Honestly, I liked the ride but they didn't ask me! I am not sure when you are traveling but the dwarfs mine coaster is set to open in 2014.
The Enchanted Tiki Room has been restored to its original show, loosing the under new management part with Iago and Zazu.
The new MyMagic plus. I am really excited to see how this works and love the thought of not having to get my card out. It is basically a bracelet that works just like your key to the world did.
Disney Photopass + which now offers your ride and most of your riding photos that are taken. So love the screaming Splash Mountian photo or the pre dining photo at Chef Mickey well with Photopass+ you get them all. Preorder before you leave for a discount otherwise it is $199.99.
The bakery on Main Street now serves Starbucks items. The cinnamon rolls they did serve are now in the new Fantasyland. I have mixed feelings about this...
Splash Mountain now has safety bars.
I am sure we will think of more....

 

[PUSH]

They've added some new shrubberies.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

You've been missing lot, but I'm sure when you get there it will be familar again.

 

[Figgy1]

Welcome back! The LMA has changed as it now includes Lightning and Mater, Star Tours 2 is 3D, many menus have changed , quite a few for the better(more healthy options) Slash has undergone a refurb (it's brighter and prettier) Just go enjoy and explore!

 

[Mukta]

I have trouble remembering exactly when some stuff happened, but I think most of this list will be new for you.

Epcot:
Test Track has been redone.
Innoventions has a ton of new things. Sum of All Thrills, Storm Struck and Habit Heroes.
Captain EO is back in the Imagination Pavilion
Mexico has a new tequila bar and new restaurants.
Italy has new restaurants
Morocco is building a new restaurant now.
Germany has a new caramel snack place

MK:
New Fantasyland has new attractions like little mermaid and old attractions like dumbo have been moved. Toontown is gone.
Tortuga is a new restaurant near Pirates, but it is seasonal.
Be Our Guest is the new popular restaurant. It is quick service for lunch and table service for dinner.
There is a new nighttime castle show that is amazing. It comes on before Wishes and it is not to be missed.

DHS:
There is a new walk through attraction called Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow. It is not great, but it is not horrible.

AK:
A few things have closed in the Minnie/Mickey area, but I can't think of any new additions off of the top of my head.

 

[luv]

Le Cellier got more expensive, so now people like it less. Be Our Guest is the new must-do dinner.

Test Track was re-done. Crash Dummies and tests out - total darkness with neon lights in.

They added a building in Mexico, near the water, for another restaurant. Adding one in Morocco, too.

I don't remember when it happened, but Jeremy Irons narration in SSE was replaced. SSE got some re-done scenes and TV screens in the car for a choose-your-own ending.

Fantasyland got a Little Mermaid ride, lost SWSA, moved and re-themed Dumbo (plus another spinner).

A bunch of kids run around the MK playing some card game that makes different windows light up.

Tiki Room is back under old management, but a little was cut down.

Country Bears were cut down.

Haunted Mansion got a new queue.

Kim Possible game at Epcot is now Agent P.

Downtown Disney is being redone to become Disney Springs. Bold, new vision got lost.

Some Pirate thing at DHS that doesn't sound promising.

Star Tours has new film.

 

[KingStefan]

Thanks, all for your answers. That'll help make a must-do list for the Dec trip. By the way, the trip is 21-26 Dec. Any further tips on new stuff in the last four years will be greatly appreciated.

 

[disneygirl76]

Hi, everyone. Sorry to be a stranger to the boards for a while. Lot has happened the last four years. But that is a topic for another thread in a different forum at another time.

Point is, we haven't been back (dd15 has, on a band trip, but not en famille).

So, she can clue us in a bit, but I wanted to do some real research on what's new at WDW since Sep 2009. And a big part of that research is consulting my friends the experts right here.

Therefore I am here humbly to beg your assistance. So, what's up, folks, what have I been missing?!

I highly recommend getting the photopass +! As for what's new, of course there is the new fantasy land. And a new que to haunted mansion. I don't know what years things happened exactly, but there is the updated space mountain. Have a great trip!!!

 

[KingStefan]

Thanks everyone. I haven't been there since before the Space Mountain refurb (in fact, last trip was DURING the refurb - I was bummed). That'll give you an idea of the time frame.

New SM good? Anything else not covered above?

 

[lazyboy97o]

How can nobody mention the biggest news? New benches at Fantasmic!

 

[KingStefan]

What is in the place of the former tommorowland skyway station now?

 

[KingStefan]

Also, just heard TTA got new audio a few years ago. Hope they still have all the punny jokes! Do they? (Mr. Tom Morrow, passengers with more than three tentacles, etc.)

 

[tare]

A lot has happened. You will have fun discovering.