Disney World Simply Filed 40+ Building Permits for Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, Take a look at Observe, Monstropolis & Extra!

The final week has seen a flurry of filings for Walt Disney World development permits–by my rely, there have been a minimum of 40 over the last week of January 2025 (in all probability over 50 by the point the day is over). This publish combs by means of the paperwork submitted by Disney to the Orange County, Florida Comptroller with particulars in regards to the Notices of Graduation for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios that caught our consideration.

It must be unsurprising that there’s a sudden surge of development permits. Walt Disney World is starting a brand new improvement cycle that can lead to $17 billion of spending on new lands, rides, eating places, and resorts. On prime of Walt Disney World’s 5-year plan laid out at D23, there has additionally been a rise in routine refurbishments as Disney is lastly doing deferred upkeep on sights and extra.

Permits being filed every day is nothing new and definitely not cease the presses information. It’s been occurring for years, and most permits are wholly uninteresting and uneventful. Stuff like new signage, electrical work, and different ‘housekeeping’ tasks not necessitating protection. That continues to be true in 2025. However with a mix of normal refurbishments and floor lastly being damaged on development tasks in Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom (perhaps? nonetheless no updates on the water administration back-and-forth), we’re additionally beginning to see extra permits–and extra fascinating ones.

With that out of the best way, let’s talk about some fundamentals about Walt Disney World development permits that can apply throughout the board. Notices of Commencements are usually filed by Walt Disney World Resort, Facility Asset Administration (FAM), or Walt Disney Imagineering. The “higher” tasks are usually helmed by WDI, in order that’s who to search for because the grantor title.

The grantee can also be necessary. Disney largely with plenty of third events contractors, and the identical ones typically come up many times. Clearly, totally different contractors are able to dealing with tasks of differing scope and scale. One factor that’s notable about this week’s spherical of permits is that Disney’s in-house Buena Vista Building Firm is listed because the grantee on a lot of them. They usually deal with smaller-scale tasks of generalized nature, whereas huge common contractors and people with specialised experience work on new lands and sights.

Many if not most permits would not have include a satisfying quantity of specificity. Within the common description of the development, you’re going to see plenty of “common development” or “present labor, materials, and/or electrical for development.” That is true even of tasks which can be bigger in scale and scope. I assume that is performed for ease and effectivity (it’s a single line on the shape), but in addition as a result of Disney is aware of bloggers are watching these items and so they don’t at all times need to tip their hand. In different instances, there may be extra element offered, however it’s inconsequential, like “set up signage.”

The ultimate element of import is the expiration date. Except in any other case specified, the default expiration is one-year from the date filed. The default 1-year timeline is rarely noteworthy, however shorter or longer ones at all times are, as they’re prolonged or lowered purposefully. Extensions happen on tasks like new lands or sights, that can take greater than a yr to construct. Or tasks just like the Large Thunder re-track. Others are shortened within the case of a journey reimagining or refurbishment that Disney desires to clarify is being performed on a decent timeline. Alternatively, the set up of signage is perhaps left to the one-year default, regardless of it not even taking the federal government that lengthy to put in an indication.

With all of that out of the best way, let’s dig into the possibly fascinating permits which were filed within the final week of January 2025…

Haunted Mansion – The primary allow lists the scope of the work as “present labor, materials, and/or electrical for development,” has the default one-year expiration, and is assigned to Buena Vista Building Firm. The triple-whammy of non-noteworthiness, and to make sure, we wouldn’t even draw consideration to this usually.

Nonetheless, an virtually similar allow was filed in June 2023, and that laid the groundwork for the eventual set up of Hatbox Ghost within the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World. That Audio Animatronics was initially developed for Disneyland, and was added to Magic Kingdom a number of years after the very fact, in a far much less logical location.

Noteworthy right here is that Haunted Mansion at Disneyland simply obtained main updates, essentially the most notable of which is a brand new bride within the attic. Not like Hatbox Ghost, there can be no have to shoehorn this Audio Animatronics into the Magic Kingdom model of the journey. It will merely exchange the prevailing bride, which might make sense to do, because the tech has not aged effectively.

Whereas Hatbox Ghost got here out of the blue, we frankly count on Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion to get a brand new bride sooner slightly than later. The one query is whether or not Walt Disney World is keen to take one other main journey down at Magic Kingdom, or in the event that they’ll wait till 2026. Or maybe the work will be performed within the in a single day hours and the AA swapped out with minimal downtime. It’s additionally doable this allow is for one thing else completely, and is inconsequential. Both method, we’ll be watching to see whether or not a Haunted Mansion refurbishment is added to the calendar!

Tiana’s Bayou Journey – Very same setup right here with the outline, grantor/grantee, and default expiration.

As beforehand reported, Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom is Closing Early all through Winter 2025. That discusses how the journey is probably going receiving in a single day upkeep resulting from its ongoing downtime and reliability woes, and it’s secure to imagine this allow pertains to that.

Maybe an unpopular opinion, however I want Disney would simply rip the band-aid off and announce a correct refurbishment for Tiana’s Bayou Journey. The window of alternative (colder climate) is closing, and if the after hours work isn’t in a position to handle the difficulty, we might be caught with the attraction being suffering from issues–and a digital queue–till January 2026.

Spaceship Earth – Over at EPCOT, one other allow has been filed with the very same mixture because the Magic Kingdom permits above. Earlier than you get too excited, that is not the lengthy overdue reimagining of Spaceship Earth we mentioned final week. Nonetheless no information on that.

The handle right here corresponds with the situation of the defunct Siemens company lounge, which is behind Spaceship Earth and above the post-show overlooking World Celebration. This has been utilized in restricted capability (we’ve heard Make A Want) within the years since SSE misplaced its sponsor.

Nonetheless, Walt Disney World introduced {that a} new Spaceship Earth lounge will open in Late Spring 2025. Building partitions simply went up across the outdoors of the post-show exit that we assume are associated to the lounge. The idea artwork suggests a reasonably simple fashionable search for the lounge, so crews ought to have the ability to have this performed previous to Memorial Day.

Take a look at Observe – Yet one more allow has been filed for the Take a look at Observe 3.0 reimagining. Not a lot to debate right here. There have been a number of permits, a lot of that are extra consequential than this one and supply intrigue in regards to the inside present scenes.

Take a look at Observe 3.0 is slated to reopen in Late Summer time 2025. As we’ve talked about elsewhere, that is the kind of timeframe that would simply slip to October 1, 2025. One model of the announcement initially stated “Late 2025” for the reopening, and if the journey isn’t prepared by July, there’s actually no rush to reopen in August or September.

The park’s anniversary then turns into essentially the most logical possibility, which additionally precedes Fall Break. If it by some means can’t hit that concentrate on, Veterans Day or Thanksgiving are subsequent up. Whereas I can not wait to expertise the brand new Take a look at Observe, I additionally need Imagineering to take its time and get it proper. Phrases I beforehand wrote about Tiana’s Bayou Journey when suggesting a delay can be higher than a fast-tracking. Protected to say that viewpoint has been vindicated.

Canada Pavilion – This one is a bit over every week previous, however I needed to attract consideration to it right here since we haven’t lined the thriller venture within the Canada pavilion besides in passing. (It in all probability deserves its personal publish, however I’ve felt like an announcement has been imminent for just like the final yr.)

If you happen to’ve visited EPCOT within the final ~18 months, there’s an honest probability you’ve seen this work–or a minimum of encountered partitions blocking your path on the higher stage of the pavilion. Partitions have been up close to the totem poles resulting from work on Resort du Canada. This began as a repainting, however it turned clear final summer season that one thing substantive was occurring.

In the previous few months, it’s been doable to see seen work on the decrease stage of Resort du Canada. The inside is changing into one thing with a guest-facing function, as evidenced by the newest allow for the set up of signage. As for what, who is aware of. By no means wager towards one other bar or Disney Trip Membership gross sales middle.

Personally, I’m hoping for a maple syrup taste-testing counter, moose calf petting zoo, or Dan Flashes Flannel Outpost, with the Canada’s most complex patterns ever. Anticipate an official announcement any day now (or so we’ve been pondering for some time).

Villains Unfairly Ever After – Over at Hollywood Studios, one other allow has been filed with the identical mixture because the others.

The handle right here corresponds to Sundown Showcase, particularly the courtyard space the place there was once parked Vehicles for meet & greets outdoors the now-extinct Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. As with the Lightning McQueen AA inside, it’s secure to imagine these ancillary Vehicles are racing over to Magic Kingdom to be repurposed in Vehicles Land.

It’s additionally secure to imagine that one thing villains-related will exchange them for Villains Unfairly Ever After. The flex constructing that’ll home the present is an in any other case boring blue field, and Walt Disney World doubtless will need to draw eyes away from that with meet & greets and different picture ops. May I counsel Muppet makeovers of the villains to supply a thematic transition between Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster and Villains Unfairly Ever After? Who wouldn’t love to satisfy Miss Maleficent Piggy or Gonzo the Nice Gaston?!

The Little Mermaid Musical Journey – This one is totally different! It’s assigned to a 3rd social gathering contractor, MLC Theming, which makes a speciality of work on scenic portray, fabricating facades, and extra.

That checks out. The previous marquee above the theater for the previous Voyage of The Little Mermaid present was lately eliminated, and that is additionally a boring blue field (like so many at Disney’s Hollywood Studios). It’s secure to imagine the constructing will obtain a recent coat of (blue!) paint and new posters…maybe certainly one of Bluey to go together with all of the blue (and to promote the Bluey meet & greet that’s doubtless coming to Animation Courtyard). A brand new marquee can also be a given.

“The Little Mermaid — A Musical Journey” is a reimagining of the earlier puppet-heavy stage present at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This venue has been empty for ~5 years, and it’s by some means taking Disney virtually two years from announcement to opening of the up to date present, which was already delayed as soon as. A really reassuring signal about their potential to construct complete lands on cheap timelines!

Monstropolis – Okay, so that is an fascinating and odd one. Once more, it’s the identical Buena Vista Building, description, and expiration combo as many of the different permits. Usually, you wouldn’t count on to see that with an precise enlargement, because it’ll take longer than a yr and be helmed by a bigger contractor.

The twist right here is that there’s an odd metal construction by what’ll turn into the Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster entrance that has obtained some consideration these days, getting a brand new coat of blend-in blue paint. This means that Walt Disney World intends to repurpose the construction for Monstropolis.

This would possibly sound odd, however it wouldn’t be the primary time Disney retained parts of current constructions in development tasks. The identical factor occurred with New Fantasyland repurposing a few the partitions (if I recall accurately) from 20,000 Leagues Underneath the Sea regardless of the latter having been closed for over a decade earlier than work on New Fantasyland started.

One other equally doubtless risk is that one hand doesn’t know what the opposite is doing–or doesn’t care. It wouldn’t be the primary time that Disney did work on constructions or inside venues shortly earlier than their demolition. So whereas I’d love for this to be a optimistic signal that Monstropolis has been fast-tracked, I’ll imagine it as soon as we begin seeing “meatier” permits from Imagineering with main third social gathering contractors.

Grand Floridian Resort – Walt Disney World has additionally filed a brand new Discover of Graduation that corresponds with the handle of the principle constructing of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Once more, similar imprecise and generalized combo because the above permits.

This one is fascinating as a result of Walt Disney World seemingly deserted the foyer transforming venture. As you would possibly recall, Disney introduced an ‘Enchanted Gardens’ reimagining of the resort two years in the past, and accomplished that overhaul of the outlying buildings, from the visitor rooms to the lobbies by late 2023.

Timing-wise, work was slated to proceed to the principle foyer across the busy vacation season. Our assumption was that the venture was paused, as is commonly the case, round Christmas because it’s such a well-liked and high-occupancy vacation. We figured work would resume early final yr, as crews have been nonetheless doing exterior work. They by no means returned to the inside, although.

Curiously, it’s been an identical story at BoardWalk Inn and Up to date Resort. Each of these had introduced large-scale reimaginings that have been anticipated to embody their important lobbies or atriums. In each instances, that by no means actually occurred. Each have been controversial in numerous methods, and we’re joyful that Disney didn’t contact BoardWalk’s foyer (don’t repair what isn’t damaged). Alternatively, the Grand Canyon Concourse is such a hideous hodgepodge that there’s solely room for enchancment–particularly in the event that they comply with by means of on the mid-century and Mary Blair look of the foyer (and new BLT rooms).

Again to the Grand Floridian, the result may go both method. The Victorian model and a spotlight to element is implausible, however it’s honest to say that the foyer isn’t purely Victorian–it’s Victorian as seen by means of a Nineties lens. I like the result of the ‘Enchanted Gardens’ overhaul of the outlying buildings, however I’m additionally involved it wouldn’t translate to the principle foyer. On stability, I’d favor that Disney depart effectively sufficient alone at Grand Floridian and as a substitute concentrate on the Up to date. Decrease danger, a lot increased reward.

Clearly, these usually are not the one permits to have been filed during the last week, however the overwhelming majority are pedestrian or pertain to backstage areas and amenities (there have been some fascinating permits for parade storage at Magic Kingdom, presumably for Starlight).

If you wish to seek for Walt Disney World development permits your self, you are able to do so (freely) on the Orange County Comptroller web site (the preface above ought to help with parameters to enter to assist slender your search). Suffice to say, it’s secure to count on that 2025 can be a busy yr within the permits division–we’ll hold you posted as intriguing Notices of Graduation are filed!

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Your Ideas

What do you consider these development permits? Do you suppose these permits counsel tasks on the horizon in Haunted Mansion, Grand Floridian, or elsewhere? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!