All the Contestants for Survivor Season 31 were hand picked and voted for by the American public (for the first time in the game of Survivor), and were chosen whilst sitting in the audience, at Survivor Season 30's Reunion Show. They were then all escorted straight off the show with their bags packed, and into the bus to head off to Survivor Second Chance.
For the first time in Survivor history, Hidden Immunity Idols were hidden at Immunity Challenges prior to the merge instead of at a tribes camp or on Exile/Redemption Islands as in seasons past.
As has been the format for several years now, two seasons of Survivor are shot back to back in the same location. The difference this year is this season was shot second but aired first.
This season introduced the 'Vote Stealer' where someone could steal someones vote at Tribal Council and cast a second vote.
This will be the first season in Survivor history to have a merge at thirteen Castaways and to have a Jury of ten.