It’s an thrilling time to be a Walt Disney World fan. We’re anxiously awaiting bulletins for the upcoming development cycle of “turbocharged” progress 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 experience reimaginings and different enlargement.
Together with recent and thrilling new buzz, some age-old rumors received’t die, popping up many times 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, provided that just a few of those initiatives have been pitched over the past improvement 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 large progress. On prime of all that, the elephant within the room for Walt Disney World is Common’s Epic Universe, the third theme park being inbuilt 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 probability. 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 would possibly wish to will into existence, however are however unlikely. If this wishful pondering is repeated usually sufficient and with a sure confidence, it takes on quasi-rumor standing–like a foul sport of phone. That’s a few of the checklist beneath.
There are additionally entries which have extra credibility to them, and a higher probability 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 sport of phone, that is akin to “the place there’s smoke, there’s hearth.” 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 mission being greenlit, which means we would have to attend some time longer for these ideas to come back to life.
Suffice to say, we’d guess in opposition to listening to any of the next bulletins throughout 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 checklist turning into official in 2024 is exceedingly unlikely…
Skyliner Growth – This one retains developing, and I’m probably not certain from the place. Each time I hear rumors of a supposed Skyliner enlargement, the routes are totally different. Typically there’s a connection for Coronado Springs, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the All Stars to Animal Kingdom. Then there was Coronado Springs to Blizzard Seashore and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yet one more was ??? (I don’t bear in mind) to Disney Springs.
I’ve a tough time believing that any of those or different routes occur. The primary Skyliner fulfilled a aim of getting buses off the roads, upgrading lodging to create two “Worth Plus” and one “Reasonable 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 enlargement, it’s important to reply a vital query: what does this do for Disney? Coronado Springs already does fairly 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 risk, I assume, is additional decreasing labor and different prices of buses, however I don’t see that alone as sufficiently compelling for Skyliner enlargement.
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 (at the least formally). C’mon, does anybody actually consider that Disney goes to spend the cash needed to repair this? When even the park’s largest advocate–and one with inside 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 quite a lot of assist, the yeti shouldn’t be fastened anytime in at the least the following decade. Budgets are finite and that’s a poor use of each (down)money and time. Sorry not sorry.
If you happen to nonetheless assume Disco Yeti must be fastened, I’m curious which parks mission you assume the ~$50 million ought to come from? Tropical Americas, Past Large Thunder–possibly Magic Kingdom doesn’t really need an evening parade? Followers complain about Walt Disney World not getting sufficient consideration, nevertheless 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 clarification. We’ve been over this time and time once more, nevertheless it retains developing attributable to Common’s Epic Universe.
Many followers anticipate 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 won’t occur. There’s a 0% probability Disney broadcasts 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 a substitute. That idea has since been shelved.
Within the final yr, each Disney CEO Bob Iger and Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro have mentioned Wakanda as a number one candidate for enlargement 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 kind 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 Large Thunder at Magic Kingdom.
Repurposing the Wonders of Life pavilion into Wakanda would create a de facto Marvel miniland in World Discovery, and it might be the second ‘Different World Showcase’ pavilion. From Walt Disney World’s perspective, and as a matter of marketability, that most likely makes quite a lot of sense. Personally, I don’t love the thought of extra Marvel in EPCOT, however I think that Wakandan expertise might 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 an enormous “if”), a reimagined Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is essentially the most logical touchdown level. That may be the cheaper and extra marketable possibility, and depart the Wonders pavilion open for extra family-friendly ideas that could be higher matches.
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 experience system being in poor form and approaching the tip of its life to Common wanting devoted Nintendo presences in every of its present gates along with Epic Universe. I can’t independently corroborate Common rumors, however these explanations move the scent check for me.
What doesn’t move the scent check is the belief that when the theme park license reverts to Disney, they are going to benefit from that by constructing their very own land, attraction–no matter. This isn’t a reputable rumor, it’s an assumption. And, for my part, it’s not 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 helpful as a theme park property within the 2030s, when the franchise’s peak recognition is over 30 years previously.
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.
Sooner or later (most likely when Toy Story Mania bought a 3rd observe, taking that possibility off the desk), the placement moved to Animation Courtyard. Different variations place it in Sundown Showcase or space that’s presently backstage however might be repurposed to attach lifeless ends of the park.
For the report, I believe the Monsters Inc. Doorways Coaster is a superb thought for a family-friendly “story” coaster. I additionally assume that there’s reality 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 Growth – Disney won’t ever admit it, however Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has underperformed relative to expectations. I sort of hate even saying this, as there’s a cottage trade of Cartmans who feed off of anger in direction of Disney’s dealing with of the franchise. However it’s however true, and you should look no additional than Disney cancelling plans for the Paris model of the land and by no means cloning the enlargement 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 a hit, it had loads of room for enlargement at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And it nonetheless seemingly may take over Grand Avenue or extra backstage actual property, including one other experience and extra within the course of. It received’t. At the very least, not anytime within the foreseeable future.
One of the best case situation–and one which I strongly consider ought to occur–is a gentle 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 might give Galaxy’s Edge a shot within the arm within the course of. And that may end in additional enlargement of the land down the street, however no time quickly.
Jungle Guide Trip – Again earlier than there have been credible rumors of a Lion King experience heading to Animal Kingdom, there have been reviews of a Jungle Guide attraction heading to EPCOT as a part of an India pavilion. Like Lion King, a part of the rumor was that the Jungle Guide attraction would make the most of the identical experience system as Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
This experience 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 apart from Shanghai. Beforehand, the experience 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 Guide experience rumors are completely lifeless. I wouldn’t guess on them coming to fruition anytime quickly, however I additionally wouldn’t guess in opposition to them. Jungle Guide is without doubt one of the few animated classics that doesn’t have an attraction (the reside motion remake additionally did very well). That alone provides a component of plausibility to this risk.
Ice Age Mountain – Ever since Disney acquired the rights to Ice Age through the Fox transaction, concepts have floated round in regards to the franchise discovering a house at Animal Kingdom. Word that I’m not calling these rumors and even wishful pondering, it simply appeared like followers baselessly assumed that since Ice Age was widespread (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 reality to it, however as a result of, I assume, 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 usually 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 films into the parks.
It must be telling that not even characters have appeared within the parks at this level. In the event that they’re not keen to spend the minimal on leisure or short-term choices, what affordable foundation is there for believing they may construct a full land or experience?
World Showcase Growth – Walt Disney World has an extended and wealthy historical past of unbuilt World Showcase pavilions that got here so shut to taking place. Most notable are Equatorial Africa, Spain, and Israel, all of which have been really introduced by Disney. If you happen to’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 massive rumor was Brazil. The rumors actually gained momentum from 2017 to 2019, to the purpose that an announcement throughout the latter yr’s D23 Expo was believed to be a accomplished deal. In actual fact, 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 urged it was a timing problem and Disney not desirous to announce throughout the 2019 Amazon rainforest fires. Then, after all, 2020 occurred.
Quick ahead once more to this yr, when Disney introduced D23 Brazil: The Final Fan Occasion to be held in Sao Paulo this November. So after all that’s going to rekindle the rumor and/or hypothesis mill. For our half, we’ve heard completely nothing credible. A couple of Brazil or any new pavilion in World Showcase. It doesn’t seem to be there’s any urge for food for additional enlargement in World Showcase. Even when there must 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 carry again the airport transportation that gave Walt Disney World a quasi-captive viewers and helped enhance 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.
Because the resolution to finish Disney’s Magical Specific was made, we’ve been saying it is mindless even from a enterprise perspective–that there should be extra to the story. It’s because, in contrast to different on-site visitor perks, the “free” service was extremely helpful to Walt Disney World. It made vacationers a captive viewers who have been much less more likely 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 throughout the period of pent-up demand, particularly as rideshare companies turned extra widespread and simpler to burst the Disney bubble, so to talk.
However the opening of Epic Universe could be event for revisiting the choice. We’ve additionally been saying for some time that the most important menace Common poses to Disney comes through resort occupancy numbers. If Epic Universe can peel away even ~10% of on-site friends from Walt Disney World, that’s an enormous drawback.
Disney’s Magical Specific may assist deal with that, whereas additionally conserving a subset of friends totally on-site. The bubble isn’t as robust because it as soon as was and there’s actually no method to stop WDW friends 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 guess in opposition to a return of Disney’s Magical Specific within the close to future, I believe there’s a non-zero probability of it taking place…and the probability 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 looks like a foregone conclusion to some. We hold 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 shouldn’t be a substantive plan or development mission, it’s extra like a zoning proposal. DisneylandForward is basically all about paving the way in which for future developments of an unsure nature by giving Disney extra autonomy over land use by enjoyable the DRSP.
Though its approval does require Disney to speculate at the least $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 enlargement past the berms. Disney may spend double that quantity on the prevailing parks with out rising the footprint of the resort in any respect and that will nonetheless fulfill the circumstances of the DisneylandForward approval. In actual fact, that’s virtually precisely what I believe will occur (with the attainable exception of what’s presently the Hollywood Backlot being constructed out into the bus loop).
A number of followers are making large assumptions primarily based on the environmental affect research 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 so much simpler to only recycle plans which have already been made and drop them into such a report quite than make new (pretend) plans for no actual objective.
To finish this on an optimistic be aware, I really do assume I’ll see a 3rd park at Disneyland in my lifetime. And admittedly, I wouldn’t be stunned if work began on it someday within the 2030s. In contrast to Walt Disney World, there are quite a lot of explanation why it really makes a point of sense. Each time the third gate does come to fruition, it’ll be a direct results of DisneylandForward laying the inspiration for it. I simply don’t assume that it’s within the playing cards for the medium-term. There’s loads of room for progress throughout the present gates, in order that’s what we’ll see first.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What rumors would you guess in opposition to 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? Another persistent rumors for Walt Disney World that you simply’d guess in opposition to? Are you excited/optimistic about what might be revealed throughout the Horizons Park Panel, or taking an “I’ll consider it once I see it” stance given all the cancelled initiatives of the final ~5 years? Any shock bulletins you assume could be attainable?
