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20 new things to do at Walt Disney World – Metro US

20 new things to do at Walt Disney World

Fodors

While you eagerly wait for Pandora–The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and lands devoted to Star Wars and Toy Story at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the parks aren’t standing still. This summer there are dozens of new restaurants, attractions and activities to merit a visit to Walt Disney World, including the first ride devoted to the hit movie Frozen, well as the beginning of a new after-dark era at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the biggest expansion ever at Disney Springs.—Douglas Stallings

Star Wars: A Galaxy Far Far Away

This show takes place on the stage right onHollywood Boulevardin front of the Chinese Theater and runs several times a day. Interspersed with projected scenes from all the movies, your favoriteStar Warsheroes and villains appear, including Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2-D2, Darth Maul, Chewbacca, Captain Phasma, Storm Troopers, and even BB-8.

Amphicars

Next to the other restaurant inDisney Springsto open last year, The Boathouse, the whimsical, 1960s-era amphicars—vintage cars that also float like boats—offer guided tours of Village Lake fronting The Boathouse all day long. The trips are not cheap at $125, but they are a unique way for three guests to spend 20 minutes, as amphicar rides are not offered anywhere else in the world. They are unique to Disney Springs and, judging from the wait times, a hit.

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Animal Kingdom Rides by Night
Opens Memorial Day weekend

Popular rides such as Kali River Rapids andExpedition Everesttake on an entirely new feeling after dark. And at night, the animals of theKilimanjaro Safaris(particularly those on the savanna) are much more active than they are by day. You could see active lions, African dogs, hyenas, hippos, elephants, and gazelles ambling under a perpetually setting sun. The entire savanna remains in twilight for the duration of the evening.

New Acts at “La Nouba”

Disney Springsguests who decide to watch the wonderfully inventive Cirque du Soleil production of “La Nouba” will see two new acts that joined the troupe just this year. Opening the show is B-Boy, a group of three young, talented breakdancers; also new on the bill is “Aerial Bamboo,” a couple of Russian trapeze artists who perform a graceful aerial gymnastics routine that is rarely seen in circuses today.

Colortopia Presented by Glidden

Thenewest exhibitin Innoventions East explores the power of color in three different areas. The “Power of Color Theater” combines color with sound and narration to show how color can affect and reflect your mood. The second station, “The Color Lab,” has two interactive stations that allow you to identify and mix colors and understand how you perceive color. The third and final station, “Color Our World,” allows you to create a scene on a digital screen with a “magic paintbrush.” There’s also a mobile app to go along with the exhibit.

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Dory Joins Turtle Talk with Crush
Opens early May

The popular interactive animated experience gets some new members when Dory and a few other characters from the upcoming filmFinding Doryjoin Crush. In addition to everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, you’ll meet Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale, and Hank, a seven-legged octopus. Squirt also joins Crush during the show for the first time this summer atEpcot.

Frozen Ever After
Opens in June

Replacing the popular Maelstrom ride inEpcot’s Norway Pavilion, this new ride will join Anna and Elsa in Arendelle for the “Winter in Summer” celebration, to Elsa’s Ice Palace, and to the North Mountain. All the original cast members returned to record the songs with new orchestrations especially for the ride, which is expected to become one of Walt Disney World’s most popular. (Information on FastPass+ reservations is expected to be release in late May.)

Harambe Market
Open now by day, Memorial Day weekend by night

By day, four walk-up windows serve African-inspired street food in a seafrontAfrican villagethat has been open since last year. Choose from Kitamu Grill (chicken skewers or ground beef kabobs served with flatbread), Famous Sausages (curried corn dogs), Chef Mwanga’s (spice-rubbed Karubi ribs), and Wanjohi Refreshments (South African wines and beers, as well as African sodas). It’s a lively area by day, with street entertainers and parties. But now the area comes alive at night as well, with the Harambe Wildlife Parti, a new collection of drummers, singers, soccer players/performers, and acrobats who will perform throughout the evening.

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Meet Joy and Sadness

Two of the newest characters appearing in Walt Disney World are Joy and Sadness from the popular Pixar filmInside Out.Find them at the expandedEpcotCharacter Spot along with Baymax fromBig Hero 6(and, of course, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy). There are interactive exhibits to keep the kids occupied while they wait to meet and pose with their favorite characters.

New Stores

From the delicious vegan cupcakes of theErinMcKenna Bakeryto the rich chocolate creations ofThe Ganacheryto Florence’s ownVivoli il Gelato, a raft of new food shops have already opened at Disney Springs this year. But that’s not all—you can also shop at The Art of Shaving, Apex by Sunglass Hut, Chapel Hats, and Havianas.

For the rest of what’s new at Walt Disney World this summer, including a Norwegian village to go with Epcot’s new “Frozen” ride, visitFodor’s.