{"id":75932,"date":"2020-02-25T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T13:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=75932"},"modified":"2022-02-21T13:14:37","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T18:14:37","slug":"changes-to-walt-disney-worlds-resorts-and-transportation-2017-thru-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/changes-to-walt-disney-worlds-resorts-and-transportation-2017-thru-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Changes to Walt Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation 2017 thru 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_75939\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75939\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-75939 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Cover-Resorts-1-400x320.jpg\" alt=\"Changes to Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation\" width=\"400\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Cover-Resorts-1-400x320.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Cover-Resorts-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-75939\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In the last three years there is one new resort, another tower,\u00a0 and Skyliners; just part of the changes to Disney World&#8217;s resorts and transportation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The average return park goer goes to Walt Disney World once every three years. If you are that park goer it\u2019s nice to know what changes to Disney World\u2019s resorts and transportation have been made before you make your plans. This blog covers attractions, lands and entertainment. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/2020\/02\/new-things-to-do-at-disney-world-2017-thru-2020\/\">New Things to do at Disney World 2017 thru 2020<\/a>\u00a0 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/2020\/02\/walt-disney-worlds-new-restaurants-2017-thru-2020\/\">Disney World&#8217;s New Restaurants 2017-2020<\/a> will cover the rest.<\/p>\n<h3>Changes to Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation: Transportation<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_75943\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75943\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-75943 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/skyliner-2-400x225.jpg\" alt=\"Changes to Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/skyliner-2-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/skyliner-2.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-75943\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Skliners are the biggest game changer to Disney&#8217;s transportation system since the monorail. And, they are way cool too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Normally there would be little to say about changing transportation in Disney World. But, in 2019 Disney opened the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/wdw\/disney-skyliner-opens-september\/\">Skyliner<\/a>. After an initial glitch the Skyliner has been operating wonderfully and like the monorail, is quickly becoming an iconic transportation option. Branches of the Skyliner run from<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Art of Animation\/Pop Century to\/from Caribbean Beach Resort<\/li>\n<li>Caribbean Beach Resort to\/from Hollywood Studios<\/li>\n<li>Caribbean Beach Resort to\/from Riviera Resort<\/li>\n<li>Riviera Resort to\/from Epcot International Gateway<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Skyliner isn\u2019t the only transportation change. In 2019 new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/wdw\/walt-disney-world-bus-upgrades\/\">character themed buses<\/a> were rolled out. These buses include laminated floors, new benches and USB ports between seats.<\/p>\n<p>Another new transportation option in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/transportation-options\/disney-transportation\/minnie-van-ride-sharing-service\/\">Minnie Vans<\/a>. Minnie vans operate like Uber or Lyft. Unlike Lyft\/Uber, Minnie Vans are operated by Disney Cast Members and come with two car seats.<\/p>\n<p>For the first eight months of 2017 Disney World offered the Walt Disney World Express Transportation service between parks. For a small fee these buses would pick you up from a back stage area and bring you to the next park. You got to bypass security and lines. We availed ourselves of this service three years ago and we will sorely miss it.<\/p>\n<h3>Changes to Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation: New Resorts\/Buildings<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_75941\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75941\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-75941\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Gran-Destino-400x211.png\" alt=\"Changes to Disney World's Resorts and Transportation\" width=\"400\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Gran-Destino-400x211.png 400w, https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Gran-Destino.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-75941\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Gran Destino Tower adds luxury to the moderate Coronado Springs Resort.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Technically the first new resort opened in 2019 was not a resort at all. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/coronado-springs\/rates\/\">Gran Destino Tower<\/a> is a new part of Disney\u2019s Coronado Springs Resort. As such Gran Destino Tower shares many of the same amenities with Coronado Springs. But, the Gran Destino Tower has a separate theme as well as it\u2019s own pools and restaurants. The theme is based on \u201cDestino\u201d a short film that Walt Disney and Salvatore Dali collaborated on. Gran Destino Tower is truly a unique stay experience and belongs on Disney World\u2019s New Restaurants, Resorts and Transportation list.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_75935\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75935\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-75935 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Riviera-400x400.jpg\" alt=\"Changes to Disney | Changes to Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Riviera-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Riviera-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Riviera.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-75935\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Riviera Resort combines the best of the French and Italian Riviera to achieve stately luxury and elegant food.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/disneys-riviera-resort-guide\/\">Disney\u2019s Riviera Resort<\/a> is Disney\u2019s only true new resort for 2019. Located at a Skyliner hub and populated with top restaurants the Riviera is destined to be a favorite. The theme of this resort is the best of the French and Italian riviera. Both the food and the stately d\u00e9cor reflect this. Deluxe Villa property, the Riviera offers Studios and 1-3 bedroom villas.<\/p>\n<h3>Changes to Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation: Resort Renovations<\/h3>\n<p>Disney World resorts are under a constant state of maintenance. At some point significant changes need to be made. Rooms may upgrade their &#8216;Soft goods&#8217; (carpeting, bedspreads, curtains, fabric covers) or &#8216;hard goods&#8217; (Furniture, electronics or even bathroom fixtures). Additionally, common areas may also go through major changes above and beyond common maintenance. With thousands of rooms something will be under renovation or have just completed renovations at any time.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_75934\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75934\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-75934 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Pop-2-400x271.jpg\" alt=\"Changes to Disney World\u2019s Resorts and Transportation\" width=\"400\" height=\"271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Pop-2-400x271.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Pop-2.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-75934\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pop Century is on our bucket list &#8211; even more so since the refurbishment and the skyliner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4>Competed refurbishments:<\/h4>\n<p>(Only the most recent are listed).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/all-star-movies\/\">All-Star Movies Resort<\/a>\u2013 Hard\/Soft Goods Upgrade<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/cbr\/\">Caribbean Beach Resort<\/a>\u2013 Skyliner Station, Old Port Royale upgrade, Sebastian\u2019s Bistro and Banana Cabana, Rooms had hard and soft goods upgraded.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/coronado-springs\/\">Coronado Springs Resort<\/a>\u2013 Gran Destino Tower (see above), Three Bridges Bar &amp; Grill, Pool refresh, Rooms remodeled, new bar<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/old-key-west\/\">Old Key West Resort<\/a> \u2013 Hard goods refurbishments of guest rooms<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/pop-century\/\">Pop Century Resort<\/a>\u2013\u00a0Hard and soft Goods, Disney Skyliner station<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/port-orleans-french-quarter\/\">Port Orleans French Quarter Resort<\/a>\u2013 Soft goods refurbishment, minor thematic and functional changes to the rooms, and concluded last year.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/yacht-club\/\">Yacht Club Resort <\/a><strong>&amp; <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/beach-club-resort\/\">Beach Club Resort<\/a>\u2013 hard goods refurbishments of guest rooms, Ale and Compass Restaurant &amp; Lounge.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/wilderness-lodge\/\">Wilderness Lodge Resort<\/a>\u2013Disney Vacation Club expansion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Renovations currently underway:<\/h4>\n<p>Note: it\u2019s a good policy to ask for a newly renovated room when you reserve your stay. It isn\u2019t guaranteed but you won\u2019t get a new room if you don\u2019t ask.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/all-star-music\/\">All-Star Music Resort<\/a> \u2013 Hard\/Soft goods<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/animal-kingdom-villas\/\">Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House)\u00a0<\/a>\u2013 Hard\/Soft goods comleting early 2020. Value Studio villas will be renovated through Spring 2020.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/animal-kingdom-villas\/\">Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village)\u00a0<\/a>\u2013 Refurbishments of the common areas, facades painting repainting, roof work, and ornamental details. Does not impact guest rooms.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/art-of-animation\/\"> Art of Animation Resort <\/a>\u2013Lobby overhaul and Big Blue Pool upgrade. Art of Animation Suites replacing carpet with laminate flooring, Disney Skyliner Station (Complete).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/port-orleans-riverside\/\">Port Orleans Riverside Resort<\/a><strong>\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Alligator Bayou soft goods<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/walt-disney-world\/resort-hotels\/faq\/saratoga-springs\/\">Saratoga Springs<\/a>\u2013hard good refurbishment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>What are your favorite changes over the last few years? Let us know<\/em> <em>in the comments\u00a0<\/em><em>or\u00a0on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheMouseForLess\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/themouseforless\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Twitter<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Did you like this article? Make sure to share it with your friends! Check below for easy ways to share!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want to visit the Walt Disney World Resort? Contact\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.themagicforless.com\/request-free-no-obligation-quote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Magic for Less Travel<\/a>\u00a0for more information and a free, no-obligation quote.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themagicforless.com\/request-free-no-obligation-quote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"pibfi_pinterest \"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72748\" src=\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Quote1-400x99.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"99\" \/> <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The average return park goer goes to Walt Disney World once every three years. If you are that park goer it\u2019s nice to know what changes to Disney World\u2019s resorts and transportation have been made before you make your plans. This blog covers attractions, lands and entertainment. New Things to do at Disney World 2017&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":179,"featured_media":75939,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[507],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-walt-disney-world-resorts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/179"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75932"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76609,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75932\/revisions\/76609"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}