It’s an thrilling time to be a Walt Disney World fan. We’re anxiously awaiting bulletins for the upcoming building cycle of “turbocharged” development to see what’s on the horizon within the subsequent decade. Rumors and wishful pondering are swirling, with hypothesis of latest lands and sights, plus journey reimaginings and different growth.
Together with contemporary and thrilling new buzz, some age-old rumors received’t die, popping up time and again through the years with a cussed persistence–like a penguin or camel or cockroach, relying upon your perspective. So it ought to come as no shock that sure potentialities are making a resurgence as soon as once more, on condition that a number of of those initiatives have been pitched over the past growth cycle that got here to a untimely finish.
That so many rumors are swirling is not any shock. The corporate has $17 billion funding plans for Walt Disney World within the subsequent decade. There’s each incentive to spend that a lot or extra, as theme parks have been an space of energy and stability for the corporate, with the previous decade of investments fueling huge development. On high of all that, the elephant within the room for Walt Disney World is Common’s Epic Universe, the third theme park being in-built Central Florida by Comcast. That can renew the theme park wars within the decade to come back, motivating Disney to give you a greater “reply” to Epic Universe than it’s present “nothing.”
With all of that stated, not all “rumors” for the way forward for Walt Disney World are of equal high quality or chance. These are very a lot air quotes round rumor, as so most of the proposals we’ve heard about are WDW diehard’s daydreams. Issues we as a fan group would collectively like to see and may wish to will into existence, however are nonetheless unlikely. If this wishful pondering is repeated usually sufficient and with a sure confidence, it takes on quasi-rumor standing–like a nasty recreation of phone. That’s a number of the listing under.
There are additionally entries which have extra credibility to them, and a higher chance of coming to fruition down the street. These are actual rumors, or have been at one level. If the above class is sort of a dangerous recreation of phone, that is akin to “the place there’s smoke, there’s fireplace.” Rumors which have lingered as a result of they’re good concepts–and people by no means die in Imagineering. Nonetheless, being a good suggestion doesn’t alone assure a venture being greenlit, that means we’d have to attend some time longer for these ideas to come back to life.
Suffice to say, we’d wager towards listening to any of the next bulletins through the Horizons Park Panel on the 2024 D23 Expo. Possibly in 2026, 2028, or additional down the street–however the probabilities of something on this listing changing into official in 2024 is exceedingly unlikely…
Skyliner Enlargement – This one retains developing, and I’m probably not certain from the place. Each time I hear rumors of a supposed Skyliner growth, the routes are totally different. Generally there’s a connection for Coronado Springs, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the All Stars to Animal Kingdom. Then there was Coronado Springs to Blizzard Seaside and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One more was ??? (I don’t keep in mind) to Disney Springs.
I’ve a tough time believing that any of those or different routes occur. The primary Skyliner fulfilled a objective of getting buses off the roads, upgrading lodging to create two “Worth Plus” and one “Average Plus” resort, whereas giving a brand new Disney Trip Membership tower in no man’s land a definite promoting level.
Earlier than daydreaming about Skyliner growth, it’s important to reply a essential query: what does this do for Disney? Coronado Springs already does moderately properly because the conference resort, the All Stars serve a task as budget-friendly lodging, and there’s little incentive to spend so much to make entry simpler to a shopping mall full of third events. About the one chance, I suppose, is additional decreasing labor and different prices of buses, however I don’t see that alone as sufficiently compelling for Skyliner growth.
De-Disco-ified Yeti – Joe Rohde promised to repair the notorious Disco Yeti that hasn’t labored for many of Expedition Everest’s existence. The legendary Imagineer couldn’t get that accomplished when he was round, and now he’s gone (no less than formally). C’mon, does anybody actually consider that Disney goes to spend the cash mandatory to repair this? When even the park’s largest advocate–and one with inner affect–couldn’t get it accomplished?
I’ll admit that that is partially wishful pondering on my half. The Yeti Audio Animatronics was a colossal waste of cash for one thing that may solely be seen for a fraction of a second. In a park that has loads of issues and is in pressing want of a variety of assist, the yeti shouldn’t be mounted anytime in no less than the following decade. Budgets are finite and that’s a poor use of each (down)money and time. Sorry not sorry.
Should you nonetheless assume Disco Yeti needs to be mounted, I’m curious which parks venture you assume the ~$50 million ought to come from? Tropical Americas, Past Massive Thunder–possibly Magic Kingdom doesn’t really want an evening parade? Followers complain about Walt Disney World not getting sufficient consideration, however it does–the larger drawback is that the corporate doesn’t spend cash smarter with regards to WDW.
fifth Gate – I’m not even going to dignify this one with a prolonged rationalization. We’ve been over this time and time once more, however it retains developing as a result of Common’s Epic Universe.
Many followers count on an equal “reply” to Epic Universe, and the one factor that may actually compete with a brand new theme park is a brand new theme park. That completely is not going to occur. There’s a 0% likelihood Disney declares a fifth theme park for Walt Disney World on the 2024 D23 Expo and like 2% that one is introduced by the 2034 D23 Expo. If you wish to learn extra about this matter: Right here’s Why a fifth Theme Park Will NOT Be Constructed at Walt Disney World within the Subsequent Decade.
Wonders of Wakanda – Again when the primary Black Panther film was a smash success on the field workplace, there have been almost-immediate credible rumors that Disney was evaluating it for the parks. One of many main contends was for it changing Wonders of Life again in 2018. Clearly, it didn’t win out as Play Pavilion was introduced as an alternative. That idea has since been shelved.
Within the final 12 months, each Disney CEO Bob Iger and Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro have mentioned Wakanda as a number one candidate for growth at Walt Disney World or Disneyland. It’s proper up there with Frozen, Encanto, and Coco because the IPs talked about most. And it’s the one a type of that doesn’t have already got a house at Walt Disney World or a touchdown place in Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom or Past Massive Thunder at Magic Kingdom.
Repurposing the Wonders of Life pavilion into Wakanda would create a de facto Marvel miniland in World Discovery, and it could possibly be the second ‘Different World Showcase’ pavilion. From Walt Disney World’s perspective, and as a matter of marketability, that in all probability makes a variety of sense. Personally, I don’t love the concept of extra Marvel in EPCOT, however I think that Wakandan expertise could possibly be the leaping off level for this to be shoehorned into EPCOT. It wouldn’t make any much less sense than the Wonders of Xandar, which works decently properly as a framing gadget.
Nonetheless, I don’t assume this occurs. If Walt Disney World has any urge for food for extra Marvel (and that’s a giant “if”), a reimagined Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is probably the most logical touchdown level. That may be the cheaper and extra marketable possibility, and go away the Wonders pavilion open for extra family-friendly ideas that may be higher suits.
The Simpsons – There are extremely credible rumors that when Common’s license on the Simpsons expires in 2028, these lands will shut. There are myriad causes for this, from the journey system being in poor form and approaching the tip of its life to Common wanting devoted Nintendo presences in every of its current gates along with Epic Universe. I can not independently corroborate Common rumors, however these explanations go the odor check for me.
What doesn’t go the odor check is the belief that when the theme park license reverts to Disney, they are going to reap the benefits of that by constructing their very own land, attraction–no matter. This isn’t a reputable rumor, it’s an assumption. And, in my opinion, it’s not a great one. The Simpsons is effective to the Hulu again catalog as a result of it has a ton of episodes. I’m extremely skeptical that it’s invaluable as a theme park property within the 2030s, when the franchise’s peak reputation is over 30 years up to now.
Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster – Since I’ve been lively within the fan group as an grownup, there have been rumors of a Monsters Inc. Doorways Coaster. At one level, it was a “accomplished deal” for the spot subsequent door to Toy Story Mania in Pixar Place. That was lengthy earlier than Toy Story Land was a factor.
In some unspecified time in the future (in all probability when Toy Story Mania bought a 3rd observe, taking that possibility off the desk), the situation moved to Animation Courtyard. Different variations place it in Sundown Showcase or space that’s presently backstage however could possibly be repurposed to attach useless ends of the park.
For the report, I believe the Monsters Inc. Doorways Coaster is an excellent concept for a family-friendly “story” coaster. I additionally assume that there’s fact to the notion that good concepts by no means actually die in Imagineering and that applies to this idea. So I nonetheless assume there are first rate odds this will get constructed someplace, sometime. I’m simply not assured it’ll be at DHS or greenlit till there’s one other Monsters film that does properly on the field workplace.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Enlargement – Disney won’t ever admit it, however Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has underperformed relative to expectations. I type of hate even saying this, as there’s a cottage business of Cartmans who feed off of anger in direction of Disney’s dealing with of the franchise. However it’s nonetheless true, and you could look no additional than Disney cancelling plans for the Paris model of the land and by no means cloning the growth wherever else. (To not point out the unmitigated failure of Galactic Starcruiser, however that’s a considerably separate matter.)
Had Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge been successful, it had loads of room for growth at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And it nonetheless seemingly may take over Grand Avenue or extra backstage actual property, including one other journey and extra within the course of. It received’t. No less than, not anytime within the foreseeable future.
One of the best case state of affairs–and one which I strongly consider ought to occur–is a delicate reboot of the land that ditches the strict “story” and timeline guidelines to make the land extra enjoyable. That would yield extra leisure and the previously-planned restaurant, and it could give Galaxy’s Edge a shot within the arm within the course of. And that may lead to additional growth of the land down the street, however no time quickly.
Jungle Ebook Experience – Again earlier than there have been credible rumors of a Lion King journey heading to Animal Kingdom, there have been studies of a Jungle Ebook attraction heading to EPCOT as a part of an India pavilion. Like Lion King, a part of the rumor was that the Jungle Ebook attraction would make the most of the identical journey system as Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
This journey system for an underwater-controlled boat was patented by Disney a number of years in the past, however has but to resurface in different sights except for Shanghai. Beforehand, the journey system was additionally rumored for Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea and a brand new Pandora attraction in Animal Kingdom (lengthy earlier than it turned a rumor for Disneyland Resort).
Regardless of Lion King having the clear benefit, it doesn’t seem that Jungle Ebook journey rumors are completely useless. I wouldn’t wager on them coming to fruition anytime quickly, however I additionally wouldn’t wager towards them. Jungle Ebook is likely one of the few animated classics that doesn’t have an attraction (the stay motion remake additionally did very well). That alone provides a component of plausibility to this chance.
Ice Age Mountain – Ever since Disney acquired the rights to Ice Age through the Fox transaction, concepts have floated round concerning the franchise discovering a house at Animal Kingdom. Observe that I’m not calling these rumors and even wishful pondering, it simply appeared like followers baselessly assumed that since Ice Age was common (was it actually, although?), it’d find yourself within the parks.
The most recent iteration of that is an overlay of Expedition Everest. Not as a result of there’s a single iota of fact to it, however as a result of, I suppose, there’s snow on the mountain and within the film? It ought to go with out saying, however this isn’t going to occur.
Extra typically talking, I don’t assume any Ice Age sights or a land will ever occur at Walt Disney World. Rightly or wrongly (rightly is the right reply), Disney doesn’t view Ice Age as certainly one of its top-tier franchises. There has by no means been any sign in anyway that the corporate plans on incorporating these motion pictures into the parks.
It needs to be telling that not even characters have appeared within the parks at this level. In the event that they’re not prepared to spend the minimal on leisure or non permanent choices, what affordable foundation is there for believing they could construct a full land or journey?
World Showcase Enlargement – Walt Disney World has an extended and wealthy historical past of unbuilt World Showcase pavilions that got here so shut to occurring. Most notable are Equatorial Africa, Spain, and Israel, all of which have been really introduced by Disney. Should you’re not aware of these ideas, there’s a lot about them in Walt Disney’s Epcot Heart: Creating the New World of Tomorrow. On the time this ebook was written, it was nonetheless believed that these pavilions have been coming to EPCOT Heart, so the ebook spends time discussing them.
Quick-forward to the 2010s (and even perhaps earlier), and the large rumor was Brazil. The rumors actually gained momentum from 2017 to 2019, to the purpose that an announcement through the latter 12 months’s D23 Expo was believed to be a accomplished deal. Actually, a scheduled tweet from Disney companions “leaked” the information…that by no means was. Whereas we don’t know for certain what occurred, extra rumors afterwards instructed it was a timing concern and Disney not desirous to announce through the 2019 Amazon rainforest fires. Then, in fact, 2020 occurred.
Quick ahead once more to this 12 months, when Disney introduced D23 Brazil: The Final Fan Occasion to be held in Sao Paulo this November. So in fact that’s going to rekindle the rumor and/or hypothesis mill. For our half, we’ve heard completely nothing credible. A few Brazil or any new pavilion in World Showcase. It doesn’t look like there’s any urge for food for additional growth in World Showcase. Even when there needs to be.
Disney’s Magical Specific Returns – It’s unlikely that Disney’s Magical Specific is ever coming again. Nonetheless, if ever there was a time to deliver again the airport transportation that gave Walt Disney World a quasi-captive viewers and helped improve occupancy, it’s when the competitor throughout city is opening a brand new theme park and has a glut of resort stock awaiting the event.
For the reason that choice to finish Disney’s Magical Specific was made, we’ve been saying it is not sensible even from a enterprise perspective–that there have to be extra to the story. It is because, not like different on-site visitor perks, the “free” service was extremely invaluable to Walt Disney World. It made vacationers a captive viewers who have been much less prone to go and spend cash elsewhere.
Way back, Walt Disney World decided that the rise in common per visitor spending with Disney’s Magical Specific plus the perceived comfort and goodwill obtained from providing the service outweighs the typical per visitor value of providing the service. It’s attainable that calculus modified through the period of pent-up demand, particularly as rideshare companies turned extra frequent and simpler to burst the Disney bubble, so to talk.
However the opening of Epic Universe may be event for revisiting the choice. We’ve additionally been saying for some time that the most important risk Common poses to Disney comes through resort occupancy numbers. If Epic Universe can peel away even ~10% of on-site company from Walt Disney World, that’s a giant drawback.
Disney’s Magical Specific may assist tackle that, whereas additionally preserving a subset of company solely on-site. The bubble isn’t as sturdy because it as soon as was and there’s actually no approach to forestall WDW company from taking day journeys to Common, however there are methods to maintain them staying on-site at Walt Disney World. Perks is certainly one of them, and there’s no higher perk than DME!
So whereas I’d nonetheless wager towards a return of Disney’s Magical Specific within the close to future, I believe there’s a non-zero likelihood of it occurring…and the chance will increase if Walt Disney World feels stress from Common Orlando.
BONUS: third Gate at Disneyland – DisneylandForward has damaged the brains of Disney followers. What was as soon as thought not possible–a 3rd gate at Disneyland–now seems like a foregone conclusion to some. We maintain seeing this pop up on lists of predictions for the 2024 D23 Expo, to the purpose that it’s driving me loopy.
The probabilities of DisneylandForward are actually thrilling. However that’s all they’re–potentialities. For just like the dozenth time, DisneylandForward will not be a substantive plan or building venture, it’s extra like a zoning proposal. DisneylandForward is actually all about paving the way in which for future developments of an unsure nature by giving Disney extra autonomy over land use by stress-free the DRSP.
Though its approval does require Disney to speculate no less than $2 billion into the parks over the following decade, with potential for $2.5 billion, it doesn’t require that to be spent on precise growth past the berms. Disney may spend double that quantity on the present parks with out rising the footprint of the resort in any respect and that might nonetheless fulfill the circumstances of the DisneylandForward approval. Actually, that’s nearly precisely what I believe will occur (with the attainable exception of what’s presently the Hollywood Backlot being constructed out into the bus loop).
Loads of followers are making large assumptions based mostly on the environmental impression examine for DisneylandForward. That used precise present buildings for sights from Tokyo and Shanghai, which bought followers excited, however all of these have been placeholders. It’s rather a lot simpler to simply recycle plans which have already been made and drop them into such a report quite than make new (pretend) plans for no actual function.
To finish this on an optimistic word, I really do assume I’ll see a 3rd park at Disneyland in my lifetime. And albeit, I wouldn’t be stunned if work began on it someday within the 2030s. Not like Walt Disney World, there are a variety of explanation why it really makes some extent of sense. At any time when the third gate does come to fruition, it’ll be a direct results of DisneylandForward laying the muse for it. I simply don’t assume that it’s within the playing cards for the medium-term. There’s loads of room for development throughout the current gates, in order that’s what we’ll see first.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What rumors would you wager towards being confirmed on the 2024 D23 Expo–or ever? Which of those do you assume are fan daydreaming? Which do you view as ‘good concepts that by no means die’ throughout the halls of Imagineering? Every other persistent rumors for Walt Disney World that you just’d wager towards? Are you excited/optimistic about what shall be revealed through the Horizons Park Panel, or taking an “I’ll consider it after I see it” stance given all the cancelled initiatives of the final ~5 years? Any shock bulletins you assume may be attainable?
