Ah, 2017. What a time to be a Walt Disney World fan. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land had been already beneath development, and forward of that 12 months’s D23 Expo, there have been rumors trickling out that the board had accepted a a number of billion greenback growth 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 lately in 2024 D23 Expo Want Checklist: Lion Kings & Figments & Bing Bongs, Oh My!, this 12 months’s occasion has the potential to as soon as once more attain the identical highs as 2017.
That was the very best D23 Expo for Parks & Resorts bulletins and one of many greatest days ever for Walt Disney World information. A ton of game-changing initiatives which have rolled out within the years since and without end 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 almost pretty much as good, with a whole lot of issues that had been cancelled or by no means occurred. Against this, what was introduced on the 2017 D23 Expo really got here to fruition, with one obtrusive exception…
Introduced on stage by then-Parks Chairman (and future umbrella fanatic) Bob Chapek, the Foremost Road USA Theater throughout the Parks & Resorts panel was the one large undertaking that didn’t get constructed. The venue was described as being impressed by Kansas Metropolis’s Willis Wooden Theater from the Nineteen Twenties, the place Walt Disney lived after he left Marceline.
Chapek himself likened the Foremost Road Theater undertaking to the Hyperion at Disney California Journey, saying it could home Broadway-style exhibits like Frozen that had been large hits at Disneyland Resort. “The brand new Foremost Road 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 undertaking received underway just a few months later, with Imagineering submitting a allow bundle for “Magic Kingdom East Aspect Modifications” in November 2017 that encompassed each TRON Lightcycle Run and the Foremost Road Theater undertaking. Different permits advised that the theater could be completed by late 2019 and would open in 2020.
These made clear that it could go onto a backstage car parking zone between Tomorrowland Terrace and City Sq. Theater, alongside the present bypass that’s used for Halloween and Christmas celebration entry and fireworks exit. (See the allow under–the theater is “MK1” on the backside; TRON is “MK2” on the high.)
Development was about to start on the Foremost Road USA Theater, with backstage prep work starting and house being cleared to permit the work to get underway behind the prevailing City Sq. Theater and Tomorrowland. Then out of left area got here credible rumors in February 2018 that the Foremost Road Theater had been paused indefinitely–successfully abandoning the undertaking proper because it received going.
Walt Disney World by no means made an official announcement (so I suppose technically it’s nonetheless in undertaking purgatory?!) to cancel the Foremost Road Theater, however the space was un-cleared, the car parking zone was put again into use, and subsequent permits for TRON Lightcycle Run scrubbed the Foremost Road Theater. And in addition, you haven’t stepped foot into this theater (as a result of it doesn’t exist), so it’s secure to say the rumors had been correct.
It was additionally rumored that the Foremost Road Theater undertaking was “delayed indefinitely” with a view to allocate funds to a different main undertaking that might debut in time for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. A kind of rumors pointed to new monorails, because the fleet was previous and overdue for substitute in 2017. Clearly, that didn’t happen. One other chance was a extra bold 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 Foremost Road Theater from my D23 Expo autopsy: “My preliminary response to this theater is that it doesn’t match the dimensions of Foremost Road, U.S.A. If the dimensions is off, it doesn’t matter what real-world place impressed the theater–it is not going to match. The idea artwork additionally makes the supplies (largely concrete) look dissimilar to the remainder of Foremost Road, 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 dangerous.” (I used to be rather a lot much less verbose again within the day.)
Regardless of the allow bundle revealing that the Foremost Road Theater could be off Foremost Road (there was a whole lot 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 regarded boring and outstanding however poorly-themed.
A little bit of an apart, however I additionally stated the D23 Expo gave the vibe of a ‘Disney Decade 2.0’ with bulletins that had been sufficiently obscure in order that they might be deserted or altered with little fanfare, pointing particularly to how the EPCOT overhaul idea artwork solely flashed on the display 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 initiatives from the 2017 D23 Expo had been constructed and most turned out very 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 unsuitable in regards to the Foremost Road USA Theater undertaking–it’s unlucky that it wasn’t constructed.
Really, I’m not going to stroll that again all the way in which. The idea artwork as revealed was underwhelming. Not solely that, however I feel I’ve been vindicated just a few instances over with Imagineering’s “large field” builds since 2017. Not even Tokyo Disney Resort has managed to flee this pattern, as its new Fantasy Springs Resort is about as bland because it will get, making Disney’s Riviera Resort look well-designed by comparability.
However I additionally assume the Foremost Road Theater might’ve been higher than the idea artwork advised and in addition wouldn’t have realized my worst fears. For one factor, the massive field motels are ugly partly due to their sightlines and partly due to their scale and visibility from all sides.
Whereas this regarded dangerous within the idea artwork, the viewing angles could be extra restricted because it’d be down a hall. Bushes might’ve accomplished a whole lot of the heavy lifting in concealing it from the Foremost Road bypass, and it most likely wouldn’t have even been seen from Foremost Road USA correct, because the buildings would’ve blocked it.
Additionally, there’s nothing to say Imagineering couldn’t have constructed one thing that regarded higher than the starkly utilitarian idea artwork. Not precisely a excessive bar, there.
There are just a few the reason why it’s time to revive the Foremost Road Theater undertaking now. The primary was intimated above, which is that it could get exhibits off the Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage and into a correct venue. Daytime stage exhibits in that ‘venue’ are depressing a lot of the 12 months.
As we reported earlier this month, the Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage is closed by the top of summer season for “refurbishment.” Sure, work is definitely taking place to the stage, but it surely looks like 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 could possibly’t be good for the performers, both.
Don’t get me unsuitable–Cinderella Fortress is an superior backdrop for leisure. Nevertheless it’s additionally extremely impractical (and lazy) for daytime stage exhibits, that are the one variety Magic Kingdom does throughout day by 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 price stating 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 sort 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 plenty of of them comply with an identical montage-style system that swap 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 just like what this MSUSA theater would’ve been because the improvement timelines had been comparable.)
As Magic Kingdom will get busier–presumably the objective given Past Massive Thunder–having an enormous Broadway stage present venue wouldn’t simply be good for company, however nice for operations. This theater would assist absorb crowds and be a wonderful change-of-pace attraction.
One more reason is extra tangential to the Foremost Road Theater itself, however equally vital. Magic Kingdom wants a Foremost Road bypass.
That is already evident throughout peak season, in addition to round Fortunately Ever After and Competition 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 obligatory for leisure proper now, however frankly, it’ll be obligatory usually in ~5 years with Past Massive Thunder.
If we’re being real looking, the one means a Foremost Road bypass will get correct funding and turns into one thing higher than what’s there proper now’s if there’s a undertaking anchoring it. This theater could be precisely that. Whereas I’m real looking sufficient to not count on one thing on par with the prevailing Foremost Road, I do know Imagineering could be bold and creative if given the possibility–engaged on a Foremost Road undertaking could be an honor for a lot of Imagineers, and it could grow to be a ardour undertaking.
Lastly, as a result of we’ve seen what these Broadway type exhibits will be–and so they’re glorious!
Disney Reside Leisure has gotten actually, actually good at creating stage exhibits like this. I’d go so far as to say that proper now’s a golden age of leisure, at the least from a artistic perspective (actually not in amount or atmospheric acts) and the Disney Reside Leisure workforce can completely ship. Simply take a look at the stage exhibits they’ve dropped at 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 every 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 Reside Leisure. Blame Disneyland administration for being low-cost.
The issue is that Walt Disney World administration is, traditionally, additionally low-cost in relation to reside leisure.
The Florida parks have misplaced a lot distinctive leisure during the last decade, and particularly since 2019-2020. Given the whole lot that has been lower or continues to be “briefly 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 supply and employees a Broadway type stage present? Certain factor, Bob. Simply as quickly as free FastPass and Disney’s Magical Categorical return.
Nonetheless, I’m maybe foolishly optimistic about Walt Disney World’s future leisure prospects. Every part I’ve heard has me feeling good in regards to the future. As I’ve stated earlier than, there’s a motive that Walt Disney World introduced David Duffy over from Disneyland Paris and we must always begin seeing the fruits of that in 2025.
Whereas the Foremost Road Theater couldn’t be one in all Walt Disney World’s “solutions” to Epic Universe in 2025, it most likely might be prepared by Spring 2027 if the undertaking had been accelerated. That’s means earlier than Past Massive Thunder and doubtless previous to Tropical Americas, too.
Failing all else, if Walt Disney World put the sources into making a spectacular stage present–one thing alongside the traces of Mickey and the Magician or Massive Band Beat (pre-COVID), they may completely monetize it. I’m not saying that is what I wish to see–fairly the other–however they may simply promote Lightning Lane Single Move to a present that good.
Finally, I’m not upset that the Foremost Road Theater undertaking received delayed indefinitely in 2017. With so many different initiatives having increased precedence, it wouldn’t have shocked me if it had been constructed on a good funds and with out enough design and placemaking. Given the venue’s dimension and outstanding location on Foremost Road, it ought to 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 Foremost Road USA Theater will be revived and given a wholesome funds together with a correct bypass.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What did you consider the Foremost Road Theater undertaking? Glad it was cancelled or would you want a Broadway-style stage present and themed bypass of Foremost Road for crowd management? Do you assume 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 Foremost Road Theater ought to be revived? We love listening to from readers, so please share another ideas or questions you’ve gotten within the feedback!
