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 11. Awesome Planet (Epcot)

Image: Disney

Status: Confirmed 

Opening in: Fall 2019

Earlier this year Disney announced Awesome Planet, a brand new original film especially designed for Epcot, that will be coming to the Harvest Theater at the Land pavilion later this year. Here is the official description of this upcoming new film: 

An on-screen exploration of the realm we call home, showcases the spectacular beauty, diversity and dynamic story of our earth with all the grandeur guests have come to expect.

With spectacular nature photography, immersive in-theater effects, and space sequences created by none other than Industrial Light & Magic (which provided the cinematic foundation for the Star Wars franchise), “Awesome Planet” will stir Epcot guests and deliver an environmental message that will resonate far beyond its final scenes.

Of course, this description is fairly general and vague, but the concept behind this new film still sounds really interesting and the ecologically-friendly message in Awesome Planet is definitely something that will align with the overall theme of the Land Pavilion, but will hopefully feel more up-to-date than its Lion King-themed predecessor. We're also excited about the prospect of the Harvest Theater being upgraded to facilitate the special effects detailed above in the description of the new show. 

12. Unnamed film in Canada Pavilion (Epcot)

Status: Confirmed

Opening in: TBA 2019

The current O Canada circle-vision attraction's days are numbered as it has been confirmed that a brand new O Canada film will be coming to Epcot's Canada Pavilion sometime in the near future, though no timeline has been provided for this upcoming change, but we'd expect this new film to debut sometime later this year.    

13. Unnamed film in China Pavilion (Epcot)

Image: Disney

Status: Confirmed

Opening in: TBA 2019

The current Reflections of China circle-vision attraction's days are also numbered as it has been confirmed that a brand new film will be coming to Epcot's China Pavilion sometime in the near future. Though this was initially announced in 2017, we haven't heard much about this development. However, Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek has confirmed that this new attraction is still in development, so hopefully we'll learn more soon!  

14. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Disney's Hollywood Studios)

Image: Disney

Status: Confirmed

Opening in: Spring 2020

Though Mickey Mouse has appeared in several rides over the years (including the now-closed Great Movie Ride), it looks like Disney is finally giving its most famous character the chance to star in his own ride, along with Minnie Mouse and some of his other pals. However, instead of being based on some of the classic Mickey Mouse cartoons, the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction (which is being constructed inside the building that formerly housed the Great Movie Ride) will be directly inspired by the Mickey Shorts that are shown on the Disney Channel (and have their own channel at Disney resorts). As you might expect, the people who produce the shorts at Disney Television Animation are partnering with Disney Parks and Resorts to help bring the attraction to life.

The actual setup of the attraction is pretty standard, as it will allow guests to literally step "through" a movie screen and join Mickey and his friends on a fun adventure where you’re the star of your own Mickey short and anything can happen. This zany out-of-control adventure will feature surprising twists and turns, dazzling visual effects and mind-boggling transformations that happen before your very eyes, including a forest instantly being transformed into a cityscape, which you can check out here

Image: Disney

Though this attraction sounds a bit like your standard screen-based affair so far, Disney is promising that this ride will be more than just a screen-based dark ride. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will make extensive use of new enhanced screen technology that Disney is calling 2 1/2D. Though we're not entirely sure what this really means, Disney said that the normally 2D world of Disney animation will pop in new ways inside this attraction, but interestingly, without the need for 3D glasses.  

Though Disney previously  confirmed in 2018 that this attraction would open with Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in 2019, the project has hit some delays, and is now set to open in Spring 2020. 

 
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