Ah, 2017. What a time to be a Walt Disney World fan. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land have been already below building, and forward of that yr’s D23 Expo, there have been rumors trickling out that the board had authorized a a number of billion greenback enlargement plan that would come with the Nice Mickey Trip, Gondolas, DVC at Caribbean Seaside, Spain and Brazil in World Showcase, and far more.
Clearly, a few of that was barely incorrect. However with exception of Brazil and Spain, the rumors ended up being proper–with an emphasis on the “far more” half. As we wrote not too long ago in 2024 D23 Expo Want Listing: Lion Kings & Figments & Bing Bongs, Oh My!, this yr’s occasion has the potential to as soon as once more attain the identical highs as 2017.
That was one of the best D23 Expo for Parks & Resorts bulletins and one of many greatest days ever for Walt Disney World information. A ton of game-changing tasks which have rolled out within the years since and ceaselessly modified the panorama of Walt Disney World. It was the final true blockbuster D23 Expo–going into and popping out of the pandemic, the 2019 and 2022 occasions weren’t practically nearly as good, with a number of issues that have been cancelled or by no means occurred. In contrast, what was introduced on the 2017 D23 Expo truly got here to fruition, with one evident exception…
Introduced on stage by then-Parks Chairman (and future umbrella fanatic) Bob Chapek, the Principal Avenue USA Theater through the Parks & Resorts panel was the one huge mission that didn’t get constructed. The venue was described as being impressed by Kansas Metropolis’s Willis Wooden Theater from the Twenties, the place Walt Disney lived after he left Marceline.
Chapek himself likened the Principal Avenue Theater mission to the Hyperion at Disney California Journey, saying it might home Broadway-style exhibits like Frozen that had been large hits at Disneyland Resort. “The brand new Principal Avenue Theater at Walt Disney World continues that streak by bringing a brand new venue for world-class leisure to the world’s greatest park.”
Right here was the idea artwork shared by Bob Chapek and Disney again in 2017:
The mission acquired underway just a few months later, with Imagineering submitting a allow package deal for “Magic Kingdom East Aspect Modifications” in November 2017 that encompassed each TRON Lightcycle Run and the Principal Avenue Theater mission. Different permits advised that the theater could be completed by late 2019 and would open in 2020.
These made clear that it might go onto a backstage parking zone between Tomorrowland Terrace and City Sq. Theater, alongside the present bypass that’s used for Halloween and Christmas occasion entry and fireworks exit. (See the allow beneath–the theater is “MK1” on the backside; TRON is “MK2” on the high.)
Development was about to start on the Principal Avenue USA Theater, with backstage prep work starting and area being cleared to permit the work to get underway behind the present City Sq. Theater and Tomorrowland. Then out of left area got here credible rumors in February 2018 that the Principal Avenue Theater had been paused indefinitely–successfully abandoning the mission proper because it acquired going.
Walt Disney World by no means made an official announcement (so I suppose technically it’s nonetheless in mission purgatory?!) to cancel the Principal Avenue Theater, however the space was un-cleared, the parking zone was put again into use, and subsequent permits for TRON Lightcycle Run scrubbed the Principal Avenue Theater. And likewise, you haven’t stepped foot into this theater (as a result of it doesn’t exist), so it’s secure to say the rumors have been correct.
It was additionally rumored that the Principal Avenue Theater mission was “delayed indefinitely” in an effort to allocate funds to a different main mission that will debut in time for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. A type of rumors pointed to new monorails, because the fleet was previous and overdue for substitute in 2017. Clearly, that didn’t happen. One other risk was a extra formidable EPCOT overhaul, which I believe was the precise clarification…till March 2020 occurred, after which it wasn’t. However that’s not the purpose of this put up.
Right here’s my full response to the Principal Avenue Theater from my D23 Expo autopsy: “My preliminary response to this theater is that it doesn’t match the size of Principal Avenue, U.S.A. If the size is off, it doesn’t matter what real-world place impressed the theater–it won’t match. The idea artwork additionally makes the supplies (principally concrete) look dissimilar to the remainder of Principal Avenue, however that might simply be the artwork. On the plus facet, if this implies eliminating that infernal Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage, I suppose it’s not all unhealthy.” (I used to be loads much less verbose again within the day.)
Regardless of the allow package deal revealing that the Principal Avenue Theater could be off Principal Avenue (there was a number of confusion on the time about whether or not it’d be changing City Sq. Theater), I doubled down on this sentiment when phrase of the cancellation broke, calling the information “wonderful by me” and reiterating that the design seemed boring and distinguished however poorly-themed.
A little bit of an apart, however I additionally mentioned the D23 Expo gave the vibe of a ‘Disney Decade 2.0’ with bulletins that have been sufficiently obscure in order that they may very well be deserted or altered with little fanfare, pointing particularly to how the EPCOT overhaul idea artwork solely flashed on the display screen and was by no means launched publicly.
Three iterations of the EPCOT overhaul later, I used to be proper about that final level. However nothing else. The opposite tasks from the 2017 D23 Expo have been constructed and most turned out rather well. If something, Disney followers underestimate simply how a lot the D23 Expos from 2015 and 2017 set Walt Disney World up for the last decade to come back and to compete with Common in 2025 regardless of not opening something new (sure, actually). I used to be additionally fallacious concerning the Principal Avenue USA Theater mission–it’s unlucky that it wasn’t constructed.
Truly, I’m not going to stroll that again all the best way. The idea artwork as revealed was underwhelming. Not solely that, however I feel I’ve been vindicated a number of occasions over with Imagineering’s “huge field” builds since 2017. Not even Tokyo Disney Resort has managed to flee this development, as its new Fantasy Springs Lodge is about as bland because it will get, making Disney’s Riviera Resort look well-designed by comparability.
However I additionally suppose the Principal Avenue Theater may’ve been higher than the idea artwork advised and in addition wouldn’t have realized my worst fears. For one factor, the large field accommodations are ugly partly due to their sightlines and partly due to their scale and visibility from all sides.
Whereas this seemed unhealthy within the idea artwork, the viewing angles could be extra restricted because it’d be down a hall. Timber may’ve carried out a number of the heavy lifting in concealing it from the Principal Avenue bypass, and it most likely wouldn’t have even been seen from Principal Avenue USA correct, because the buildings would’ve blocked it.
Additionally, there’s nothing to say Imagineering couldn’t have constructed one thing that seemed higher than the starkly utilitarian idea artwork. Not precisely a excessive bar, there.
There are a number of explanation why it’s time to revive the Principal Avenue Theater mission now. The primary was intimated above, which is that it might get exhibits off the Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage and into a correct venue. Daytime stage exhibits in that ‘venue’ are depressing many of the yr.
As we reported earlier this month, the Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage is closed by means of the top of summer season for “refurbishment.” Sure, work is definitely occurring to the stage, nevertheless it looks as if very handy timing given the oppressive warmth and humidity, which make these usually disagreeable daytime stage exhibits even worse than regular. It’s no enjoyable to camp out and watch these exhibits within the scorching solar, and it may well’t be good for the performers, both.
Don’t get me fallacious–Cinderella Fortress is an superior backdrop for leisure. But it surely’s additionally extremely impractical (and lazy) for daytime stage exhibits, that are the one form Magic Kingdom does throughout every day operations. If it’s going to stay round, I’d love common nighttime stage exhibits in that spot, however in any other case, an indoor and air-conditioned venue makes extra sense. It’s secure to say that Orlando’s summers aren’t all of a sudden going to get cool and comfy.
Equally, it’s value mentioning that Magic Kingdom is the one park at Walt Disney World that doesn’t have a large-scale musical stage present. Sure, there’s Nation Bear Musical Jamboree, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and Carousel of Progress–however these aren’t the identical. It’s truthfully type of odd that Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom arguably have an overabundance of exhibits, whereas Magic Kingdom doesn’t have sufficient.
Not solely that, however Magic Kingdom is the one citadel park with this downside (assuming Disneyland plans on doing one thing with Fantasyland Theatre post-Pixar Fest). All the relaxation have stage exhibits, and lots of of them observe an identical montage-style formulation that change out the framework however are in any other case very comparable. (That’s even true of the new-ish Mickey’s Magical Music World at Tokyo Disneyland, which I assume is much like what this MSUSA theater would’ve been because the growth timelines have been comparable.)
As Magic Kingdom will get busier–presumably the aim given Past Huge Thunder–having an enormous Broadway stage present venue wouldn’t simply be good for friends, however nice for operations. This theater would assist take in crowds and be a wonderful change-of-pace attraction.
One more reason is extra tangential to the Principal Avenue Theater itself, however equally necessary. Magic Kingdom wants a Principal Avenue bypass.
That is already evident throughout peak season, in addition to round Fortunately Ever After and Pageant of Fantasy Parade. And if Magic Kingdom is ever going to have a nighttime parade once more (about that…), a bypass could be a useful asset for crowd management. It’s mandatory for leisure proper now, however frankly, it’ll be mandatory normally in ~5 years with Past Huge Thunder.
If we’re being life like, the one method a Principal Avenue bypass will get correct funding and turns into one thing higher than what’s there proper now could be if there’s a mission anchoring it. This theater could be precisely that. Whereas I’m life like sufficient to not count on one thing on par with the present Principal Avenue, I do know Imagineering could be formidable and creative if given the possibility–engaged on a Principal Avenue mission could be an honor for a lot of Imagineers, and it might change into a ardour mission.
Lastly, as a result of we’ve seen what these Broadway fashion exhibits may be–and so they’re wonderful!
Disney Dwell Leisure has gotten actually, actually good at creating stage exhibits like this. I’d go so far as to say that proper now could be a golden age of leisure, at the very least from a artistic perspective (definitely not in amount or atmospheric acts) and the Disney Dwell Leisure group can completely ship. Simply take a look at the stage exhibits they’ve delivered to life at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, or aboard Disney Cruise Line.
That is even true at Disneyland in California. The one slight downside there may be that each one of those nice exhibits have fallen sufferer to cost-cutting. Though each present staged there was nice, there isn’t something within the Hyperion–neither is there any precise leisure at Fantasyland Theater. However that’s not a artistic failing of Disney Dwell Leisure. Blame Disneyland administration for being low-cost.
The issue is that Walt Disney World administration is, traditionally, additionally low-cost with regards to stay leisure.
The Florida parks have misplaced a lot distinctive leisure during the last decade, and particularly since 2019-2020. Given all the things that has been reduce or continues to be “quickly unavailable” following the phased reopening (that started over 4 years in the past) the entire premise of this put up feels a bit foolish, frankly. Walt Disney World spending the cash to provide and employees a Broadway fashion stage present? Certain factor, Bob. Simply as quickly as free FastPass and Disney’s Magical Specific return.
Nonetheless, I’m maybe foolishly optimistic about Walt Disney World’s future leisure prospects. Every thing I’ve heard has me feeling good concerning the future. As I’ve mentioned earlier than, there’s a purpose that Walt Disney World introduced David Duffy over from Disneyland Paris and we should always begin seeing the fruits of that in 2025.
Whereas the Principal Avenue Theater couldn’t be certainly one of Walt Disney World’s “solutions” to Epic Universe in 2025, it most likely may very well be prepared by Spring 2027 if the mission have been accelerated. That’s method earlier than Past Huge Thunder and possibly previous to Tropical Americas, too.
Failing all else, if Walt Disney World put the assets into making a spectacular stage present–one thing alongside the traces of Mickey and the Magician or Huge Band Beat (pre-COVID), they might completely monetize it. I’m not saying that is what I wish to see–fairly the alternative–however they might simply promote Lightning Lane Single Move to a present that good.
Finally, I’m not upset that the Principal Avenue Theater mission acquired delayed indefinitely in 2017. With so many different tasks having larger precedence, it wouldn’t have shocked me if it have been constructed on a good funds and with out enough design and placemaking. Given the venue’s dimension and distinguished location on Principal Avenue, it must be created with cautious consideration to element and thoughtfulness as to the way it’ll mix with the enduring space. With $17 billion to be spent within the subsequent decade, hopefully the Principal Avenue USA Theater may be revived and given a wholesome funds together with a correct bypass.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What did you consider the Principal Avenue Theater mission? Glad it was cancelled or would you want a Broadway-style stage present and themed bypass of Principal Avenue for crowd management? Do you suppose the looks of the proposed theater was ‘adequate’ or ought to it have been themed higher? Agree or disagree with our take right here that the Principal Avenue Theater must be revived? We love listening to from readers, so please share another ideas or questions you’ve got within the feedback!
