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Pandora - The World of Avatar artwork

There are huge swathes of new rides, shows and restaurants due to open at Walt Disney World by 2017. Here's an update on the latest confirmed and rumored additions to the resort.ava

Walt Disney World has been accused of lagging behind Universal Orlando when it comes to spending on new additions in recent years. However, there are now a number of major projects underway at the resort, most of which are due to be completed by 2017.

The two biggest areas of focus are Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Downtown Disney area. Animal Kingdom will see its opening hours extended, as well as the addition of the Pandora - The World of Avatar expansion. Downtown Disney, meanwhile, will undergo a complete transformation to become Disney Springs, in an effort to make it more competitive with Universal's CityWalk.

Some elements of these projects have been confirmed, and indeed some are due to open imminently. Others, however, remain simply rumors - and Disney itself has probably not fully decided on the final line-up of shops and restaurants.

Let's take a look at 14 new rides, shops and restaurants that are either confirmed or rumored to be on their to Walt Disney World by 2017.

14. Avatar "flying ride"

Avatar flying ride

Image © Disney

Status: Confirmed
Opening in: 2017

The headline ride in Pandora - The World of Avatar will be a major, "E-Ticket" attraction that will offer a simulated experience of flying over Pandora on a banshee creature. It has been compared to Soarin' at Epcot, but it is likely that the Avatar ride will actually be considerably more technologically advanced - supporting enhanced, more realistic movements and 3-D video on a wrap-around sceen.

The plans show four separate theaters, spread across four floors. The show itself will be projected onto an enormous, IMAX-style curved screen, just as it is in the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida. Riders will board vehicles that rise to one of three show levels in front of the screen, in a similar style to the Universal attraction.

13. Trader Sam's Grog Grotto

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto

Image © Disney

Status: Confirmed
Opening in: 2015

Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar opened several years ago at the Disneyland Hotel, and is inspired by the Jungle Cruise and Enchanted Tiki Room attractions. It also incorporates elements of the Adventurer's Club, one of the most popular nightclubs in Walt Disney World's now-defunct Pleasure Island area. It has proven to be very popular, serving up tropically-themed appetizers, desserts and cocktails.

Little surprise, then, that Disney fans are salivating at the prospect of a version of the bar coming to the revamped Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Trader Sam's Grog Grotto will feature a themed lounge area, and will serve up handcrafted tiki cocktails in souvenir mugs alongside Polynesian-style small plates.

12. Rivers of Light

Rivers of Light

Image © Disney

Status: Confirmed
Opening in: TBC

Disney is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to expand the offerings at Disney's Animal Kingdom, which has often been accused of being a "half-day park". The resort's fourth theme park has always closed earlier than the resort's other parks, partly because of the need to protect its animal residents from excessive noise. However, Disney is now working to install a new night-time show, and will begin opening the park until late.

The show will be hosted around and above the Discovery River and will feature live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. Rumored to be named "Rivers of Light", it is also expected to include the illumination of the iconic Tree of Life. That will involve replacing all 100,000+ artificial leaves on the tree with new ones that light up. Although no opening date has been specified, barges containing props and equipment for the show have already been spied on the river.

11. Italian Restaurant

Tutto Italia
Image © Disney

Status: Rumored
Opening in: 2016 (TBC)

The Patina Restaurant Group, which operates the Via Napoli, Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto restaurants at Epcot's Italy Pavilion, is expected to open a yet-to-be-named Italian restaurant as part of Disney Springs. It appears that it will be located in the space that was formerly occupied by Pleasure Island's 8Trax and Mannequin's clubs. A work permit filed with Orange County suggests that it will consist of "two floors, a new dining area and cast and guest restrooms".

10. The Edison

The Edison

Image via Bettyvine

Status: Rumored
Opening in: TBC

Another rumored resident in Disney Springs is The Edison. This would be based on the original nightclub in Los Angeles, which opened in 2007. It is housed in the Higgins Building basement, a former power plant, and features a post-industrial steampunk theme.

9. Capa

Status: Confirmed
Opening in: September 2014

Four Seasons

Luxury chain Four Seasons is due to open a new $360 million hotel on Walt Disney World property in 2014. It will feature 444 rooms, 3 pools, a "lazy river", a spa with 18 treatment rooms and extensive sports facilities including tennis courts and a climbing wall. One of the highlights will be a rooftop, Spanish-style steak house known as Capa, offering views of the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks. This could come to rival the Contemporary Resort's California Grill as a luxury location from which to observe the pyrotechnics.

8. The Drop at Explorer Island

The Drop

Status: Confirmed
Opening in: August 2014

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is due to open on August 14 at Walt Disney World - and it will come complete with its own mini-water park, Explorer Island. This will be themed around a ruined mansion, and swooping down from this will be The Drop, a 242-foot enclosed water slide. It's made from see-through fibreflass, so riders will be visible as they plunge downwarrds.

Explorer Island is expected to be open only to Four Seasons guests - making this the priciest water park at Walt Disney World.

 
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Comments

I never thought that the Animal Kingdom was a half day park. I kind of liked going there from opening to close and then hitting another park that had extra magic hours.

I never thought that the Animal Kingdom was a half day park. I kind of liked going there from opening to close and then hitting another park that had extra magic hours.

"Concept artwork for The Landing at Disney Springs (the area formerly occupied by Walt Disney World)..." That makes no sense.

In reply to by Pat Gleason (not verified)

I''m that's a misprint, and was supposed to be Downtown Disney.

Oops. I meant I'm sure that's.

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