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Disney World news for 11/16/2018

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Home → WDW Prep To Go Podcast → Disney World news for 11/16/2018
  • Shannon Albert
  • November 16, 2018
  • November 16, 2018

Check out this week's news, including an opening date for the gondolas, details on just how huge the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster will be, and new info on the Star Wars hotel.

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There's so much to talk about this week. Let's break it down by category.

General
  • We now have an approximate date for the Disney Skyliner gondolas to open: fall of 2019. Get more info on the gondolas.
  • Automated PhotoPass is coming to 9 character locations at Disney World in early 2019. Disney says "With this change, multiple cameras will capture numerous memorable moments during a character interaction, allowing Guests to choose from a wider variety of photos. PhotoPass Cast Members will remain at over 100 PhotoPass locations." It's not clear how this will work, but has sparked a lot of concern. Feedback can be sent to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com
Hollywood Studios
  • Disney will use a new series of A-1000 robotics to bring state-of-the art animatronics to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Check out the video.
Epcot
  • It was revealed that the new Guardians of the Galaxy coaster is the largest concrete pour Disney has ever done, and the building that will house the ride is large enough to hold 4 Spaceship Earths.
  • An artist's concept of the ride vehicles for the new Guardians of the Galaxy coaster was released. Described as "the world's first storytelling coaster," these ride vehicles will have a 360-degree spinning motion and be programmed to direct your attention at the story happening around you.

Resorts

  • We learned this week that the new tower coming to Coronado Springs Resort will be called the Gran Destino Tower. It will open in July 2019 and feature 545 new guest rooms (50 of those will be suites), a two-story lobby, and a Table Service restaurant with great views. Disney says guests will soon be able to make reservations, but no date has been announced.
  • According to permits published on CaliforniaCoasterKings.com, the upcoming Star Wars hotel appears it may have only have 68 rooms that will come in 2 different sizes. It also looks like guests will be transported using some type of shuttle system. No opening date has been announced.
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One Response

  1. Giselle November 18, 2018 Reply

    It’s great to hear the news from you! Love this new format, keep them coming!

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I just got back from a five night stay at Coronado Springs and had the best time! Even though I went during the busy season I barely waited in any lines and was able to do everything I wanted!

Jonathan C.

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Instagram post 2195165576133294818_547098091 How to tour Hollywood Studios with an 8 a.m. scheduled opening:
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1.) Arrive by 6 a.m. if you want the shortest standby waits and Rise of the Resistance boarding group with a low number.Buses and Minnie Vans are NOT operating early enough to get you there by 6 a.m., so you would need to have your own car, Lyft, or walk to get there by 6.Have little ones? Uber Car Seat is an option as well.Arriving a bit later will likely still be ok, but increase your wait times and boarding group number slightly.2.) The park is likely to open way before the scheduled 8 a.m. time. The opening time was 6:26 a.m. for us this morning.Once open, you’ll scan your MagicBand/park ticket to enter, and then immediately open the app to snag a boarding group.Scroll through the pics for info on how to get a boarding group.3.) After getting a boarding group, it’s time to start riding rides. This order should allow you the shortest standby times:First hour: Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story ManiaSecond hour: Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror (could also do Star Tours if you like)Third hour: Smugglers Run and hope that your Rise of the Resistance boarding group has been called so you can head there next (higher boarding group number? you can leave the park and come back when you’re called if you’d like).
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Of course, if you have a FastPass for a ride, you may want to skip that attraction (or ride it in the standby line and again later with FastPass).
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Keep in mind that characters and most dining won’t begin until park opening, so you’ll want to hit those after 8 a.m.Hopefully that helps those of you traveling over the next few weeks. What questions do you have? 📲Click the ribbon to save this post for future reference.#riseoftheresistance #hollywoodstudios
Instagram post 2193115991424601780_547098091 Here’s a recap of what we’ve learned about Hollywood Studios w/Rise of the Resistance so far:1.) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. This week it’s 6 a.m. (like today), and next week is likely to be 7:30.After that, we don’t know, but Flight of Passage has been available early for 2+ years, so it might continue for awhile (or not).
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🚌 Transportation: buses will be running that early, but Skyliner won’t. It didn’t start until 8:00 today.2.) 𝙎𝙣𝙖𝙜 𝙖 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙠. ALL members of your party must be in the park to get a boarding group.All groups were full by 8 a.m. today (an hour before official park opening!). Get there early to ride.According to sources, this virtual queue system will be in place for at least the next several weeks before Disney moves to using the FastPass system.3.) 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 (we were told “morning”), but there is no guarantee, especially as the ride goes down often.Our group ended up being called at 12:52.Once called, you have 2 hrs to return. No need to stay in the park. You can leave, get the notification, then return to Studios.4.) 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 which allowed us to go on all Toy Story Land rides, Rock n Roller Coaster, & Tower of Terror in 90 minutes w/no waits. No characters available during this time.5.) 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 & 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 at Rise, but everybody must have a boarding group.Since everybody will be in a boarding group, we aren’t sure we see the value of Rider Switch for most, but it won’t hurt to snag it JUST in case.However, if the 1st members of your party enter toward the end of your boarding window, you will definitely want to snag a Rider Switch pass for the 2nd group to use.DAS varies in how it’s handled. Participants should inquire at the ride.
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WHEW. That’s a lot to take in.What questions do you have? #waltdisneyworld
Instagram post 2192428562363229697_547098091 Moved over to the Boardwalk Inn today where it’s looking as gorgeous as ever with Christmas decor everywhere you look. 😍
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(You know how Epcot looks its best during Flower and Garden Festival and it’s a tough transition to see the park without all the extras? So many resorts are like that with Christmas decor.)
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Lots more on my stories as we explore the hotel and Boardwalk area.
Instagram post 2191647241818984579_547098091 Hello from Galaxy’s Edge where we’ve been able to ride Rise of the Resistance multiple times (and we know what a privilege that is!).
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It is indeed an incredible new attraction and will be the star of Galaxy’s Edge. Answering questions about it in my Stories so feel free to follow along and ask us anything you want to know.
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