Major renovations and new construction at Disney theme parks are being completed to bring more fun and excitement to guests' experiences at the various parks in Florida and California.
Mickey's Toontown land at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., is reopening on March 19 after being closed for refurbishments since March 9, 2022. Toontown will feature a new ride that already runs at Disney World's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla., Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. In addition to the new Mickey & Minnie ride, Toontown will unveil a park area known as CenTOONial Park that will include a new centerpiece Mickey fountain as well as a children's play area, Goofy's How-to-Play Yard.
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Disneyland has refurbished other attractions that have been around since Toontown opened in January 1993, including Chip 'n' Dale's Gadget Coaster and the ever-popular Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. Guests can also stroll over to Mickey's House or Minnie's House for a meet and greet.
Disneyland's popular Indiana Jones Adventure ride, which has been closed since Jan. 9, 2023, for refurbishment is expected to reopen on March 27.
Getting Ready for Tron Lightcycle Run's Opening
One of the most-anticipated new rides coming to any Disney theme park is Tron Lightcycle Run, which opens April 4 at Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland. Potential riders will need to sign up in the virtual queue for a run time, and the Disney World website's virtual queue page seems to indicate that the virtual queue on the My Disney Experience will open at 7 a.m. each day. However, Disney Parks Blog advises guests to check the Disney World website's virtual queue page for when and how to request to join the virtual queue for Tron.
Guests will also need a valid ticket or pass and a reservation to enter the Magic Kingdom on the same day they will use the virtual queue.
Meet and Greet Disney Characters
Meet and greets are a popular part of Disney parks, as in addition to Disneyland's Mickey and Minnie meet and greet, Disney World parks also have their share of character encounters. Magic Kingdom features Enchanted Tales with Belle from "Beauty and the Beast", while guests can meet Donald Duck or Goofy at Pete's Silly Sideshow or meet Ariel the Little Mermaid at her Grotto, all three encounters located in Fantasyland.
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Later this fall, popular character Mirabel from "Encanto" will join Magic Kingdom's cast of characters and greet guests in Fairytale Garden, Disney Parks Blog said on March 15. And for guests at Disney World's Animal Kingdom, Moana will greet guests on Discovery Island beginning April 22 to coincide with the park's 25th anniversary. In the Summer, Disney World's Epcot will feature icon Figment greeting guests at the Imagination! pavilion.
The Moana theme will continue in Epcot when Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana debuts this fall in World Nature. The attraction is a self-guided exploration trail taking guests through the natural water cycle – from the skies to oceans and all the way back again.
CommuniCore Hall will open in Epcot's World Celebration later this year with a new character greeting venue called Mickey & Friends, allowing guests to meet Mickey Mouse and many of the other Disney characters in a dedicated building. CommuniCore will also feature new exhibition space that will be used for each of the four International Festivals at Epcot during the year.
