A new pre-show area is being built

Image: Disney

Though the ride path and vehicles are largely remaining the same, one big change that is being made to the former Great Movie Ride show building is the addition of a brand new pre-show area, which will be split into two different rooms occupying former queue space in the front of the building.

We'd assume that this construction is to facilitate the previously-announced pre-show that will show Mickey and Minnie getting ready for a picnic while introducing the ride vehicle in the background as a "train" being worked on by Goofy, who is trying his hand at being an engineer. After this pre-show concludes, guests will literally be able to step through a screen while boarding their ride vehicles, literally stepping into the cartoon. This sounds like it could be a really interesting effect, and we're eager to see how Disney might pull something like this off in a practical way, as the similar effect of stepping through the mirror at the Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction is quite impressive, and we'd hope to see something similar here. 

Though the addition of these new pre-show areas in former queue space may make things a little tight for guests waiting in line (we'd imagine if this ride becomes popular the extended, outdoor queue will be used quite frequently), it sounds like a necessary addition for the "story" of the ride. 

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will open in 2019

Image: Disney

While they haven't provided an exact opening date just yet, Disney confirmed at the recent D23 Fan Expo in Japan that Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will open sometime in 2019. This lines up with rumors that swirled last year, and seems like a commonsense move, as 2019 will also bring Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to Disney's Hollywood Studios, and this park is going to need some additional new attractions to draw guests away from this new area, which is expected to bring massive crowds to the park. And while 2018 will bring two new rides to the park in the forthcoming Toy Story Land, the park will need another "E-Ticket" style attraction to really draw guests, which is probably why the rush is on to get Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway ready in time for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. 

Image: Disney

Are you excited to experience Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway when it opens next year? Do you feel like whis attraction will be a fitting replacement for The Great Movie Ride? Let us know what you think in the comments!