The Best 5 Things That Happened in Walt Disney World In 2016

Walt Disney World is always growing and changing to offer guests exciting new experiences in all corners of the vacation kingdom. This year many of those changes were met with conflicting review from long time Disney travelers. In the end whether you love the changes, or hate them, is a matter of personal opinion. In my opinion, the following are The Best 5 Things That Happened in Walt Disney World in 2016.


The Best Things To Happen At Walt Disney World In 2016


Disney Springs Town Center & The Spring Opening

With the completion of each new phase of Disney Springs, the area gets better and better. Town Center is a bustling array of shops and restaurants that has turned the quaint little shopping village into a vibrant city center with high-end designers and restaurants from all-star chefs. While it does take a bit to get used to the new size and layout of Disney Springs (I've heard many long time Disney travelers complain of getting lost), the redevelopment has turned the space into all day experience that creates a theme park dedicated to shopping, dinning, and entertainment. My Best of the Best at Disney Springs... Chef Art Smith's Homecoming Florida Kitchen.


New Districts Opened In Disney Springs


Norway Pavilion Expansion

Maelstrom had been one of my favorite Epcot rides, and I'll admit that this was not a change I was pleased with. However the powers that be have created a new vision for Epcot, and introducing more franchise properties is just one of those things that Disney traditionalists (like myself) are just going to have to get used to. Frozen Ever After, is a beautiful new attraction featuring state of the art animatronic and video mapping technology that allows guests to share in a very special "Summer Snow Day" with Queen Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and friends. It breathes new life into World Showcase, and expands the Norway Pavilion to include the Royal Sommerhus where guests are invited to meet the beloved sisters from Arendelle face to face.





Soarin' Around The World

This fan favorite attraction received a third theater, which tends to benefit guests with means shorter lines, and higher capacity. But that wasn't the only change that occurred. In 2016 Disney fans were introduced to a whole new film adventure as they take flight 40 feet in the air for a journey around the world. The new adventure includes scenes of The Great Wall of China, Great Pyramids, Eiffel Tower, and many special Disney Destinations across the globe. Soarin' Around the World "immerses guests in a mulit-sensory experience, complete with stunning sights, spectacular sounds, and even subtle scents."





Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

Even before ground had been broken on the new Star Wars Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney began infusing the Park with even more galactic magic than ever before. My favorite part is the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. This projection, laser, and fireworks is a stunning showcase of the Star Wars universe that envelopes guests gathered in the courtyard in front of the Chinese Theater with pulsing drama.





Animal Kingdom at Night

The addition of night time hours to Disney's Animal Kingdom was certainly met with mixed reviews as the "big show" we were promised failed to launch. But even without the spectacular, night-time hours at Animal Kingdom offer a worthy addition the Disney line up. The Park takes on a different life once the sun goes down, the Nighttime Safari is treat, the Tree of Life Awakenings are stunningly beautiful, and Expedition Everest in the dark is one of the most exciting rollercoaster experiences I've ever had. In 2017 Disney's Animal Kingdom promise to grow even more spectacular with the opening of the luminescent Pandora, and hopefully Rivers of Light.


Tree of Life Awakenings


What were your favorite Disney additions in 2016? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!