Walt Disney World has already introduced that building partitions are going up in early 2025 at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. This publish covers the anticipated implications to the visitor expertise–visible blight, misplaced capability, navigational difficulties, and many others–these closures and growth initiatives could have on holidays between now and 2029 or 2030.
That’s proper: 2030. The corporate primarily introduced a 5-year plan for Walt Disney World that kicks off in early 2025. I level this out to underscore a few issues. First, it’s not like Walt Disney World goes to turn into a sea of building partitions come January as all of those initiatives begin at precisely the identical time. These initiatives (together with a handful of unannounced ones) are going to be unfold out.
Second, when this many initiatives are introduced over this lengthy of a timeline, there must be restraint in your feelings (pleasure, outrage, sorrow, and many others). It can take some time for all of this to take form, if all of it takes form. This in all probability doesn’t must be underscored after the litany of cancelled initiatives from the 2019 D23 Expo, however now we have heard many followers hand wave that away due to the pandemic.
We hate to be the bearers of dangerous information, however a few of these initiatives have been by no means occurring, whatever the COVID closure. Features of the EPCOT overhaul have been on skinny ice from the start, and I’m skeptical we’d be skipping down Cherry Tree Lane, using a Mary Poppins attraction, seeing sure movies, or stepping foot contained in the Play Pavilion–amongst different issues.
Longtime followers know that is nothing new. Outdated-timers are in all probability accustomed to Eisner’s notorious “Disney Decade” and simply how a lot of that by no means got here to fruition. There’s a purpose you’ll be able to’t go to Port Disney, WestCot, Disney’s America, Dick Tracy’s Crimestoppers, Mickey’s Movieland, David Copperfield’s Magic Underground, Nice Muppet Film Trip, Tomorrowland 2055–you get the concept. No level in reopening previous wounds.
Even beneath Iger and Chapek pre-pandemic, Disney wasn’t shy about killing initiatives. Bear in mind Hyperion Wharf? Foremost Avenue Theater? The Pixie Hole section of New Fantasyland? Section two of the Disney California Journey overhaul? Different initiatives have been introduced or hinted at, and never occurred.
One most of Disney information and rumors is: Section II by no means occurs. I’d wish to suppose that issues are totally different this time. The Disney Decade was extra formidable than even this, and Eisner acquired overzealous with an (on the time) a lot smaller Disney Firm. The 2017 and 2019 bulletins did largely occur, however it wasn’t simply the pandemic that intervened. It was additionally Disney’s debt load, shift to streaming, and Fox acquisition.
This time, it looks like the celebs are aligned: Wall Avenue needs to see funding within the parks, particularly after seeing the expansion potential and resilience throughout the pent-up demand period. Common’s Epic Universe is poised to attract a boatload (or a number of million boatloads) of visitors to Florida, all of whom will want ‘different stuff’ to do. Every thing introduced throughout the D23 Expo is pretty low-risk, high-reward. There are not any Galactic Starcruisers or different potential boondoggles this time round.
However, issues can and can change. A number of of the bulletins made for Walt Disney World this go-round are distant, and it’d be fairly straightforward to quietly drop them if earlier initiatives go over funds, america enters a recession, Epic Universe takes important market share from WDW, or there’s a change in management at Disney earlier than the initiatives get too far alongside. Different variables may additionally come into play, however these variables even have an honest probability of occurring.
The final a kind of is an inevitability. The corporate’s board prolonged Bob Iger’s contract by two years, and he’ll proceed to function Chief Government Officer by means of December 31, 2026. (Assuming no additional extensions or abrupt resignations, neither of that are a given primarily based on his previous precedent!) Meaning no matter shouldn’t be already beneath building by 2027 is susceptible as a brand new CEO rapidly tries to make his or her mark. This can be a huge purpose why, all else being equal, we’d somewhat have Josh D’Amaro–or, higher but, Tom Staggs–as CEO successor than Dana Walden. Having a “parks particular person” on the prime makes it much less doubtless these plans get derailed.
You would possibly ponder whether that is Moist Blanket Weblog or Disney Vacationer Weblog that you just’re studying given the cynicism. I’d wish to suppose it’s prudence greater than that. To be clear, we predict the long run is vibrant for Walt Disney World. We’re bullish in regards to the Florida parks, and Parks & Resorts as an entire. There are further bulletins to come back, and that we’re prone to see is extra building than what’s listed right here. I’d simply warning in opposition to getting too excited for any undertaking that doesn’t but have a groundbreaking timeline.
Anyway, right here’s my tackle how building of the in-park initiatives introduced at or for the reason that 2024 D23 Expo will influence Walt Disney World visitors…
Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad – The most recent announcement from Walt Disney World is that Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad will shut for over a yr for a refurbishment. That is additionally prone to overlap, no less than partially, with the work to fill within the Rivers of America and start Vehicles building. Amongst different issues, this may embrace connecting BTMRR and Villains Land with Liberty Sq. and Fantasyland.
For now, although, Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad is a dead-end. As with routine refurbishments, count on to see a wall go up in entrance of the doorway to the attraction. Over time, that wall will transfer out to embody the doorway for the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island, too.
The opposite visitor impacts are to the Lightning Lane Multi Go lineup. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Lightning Lane demand adjustments for different Tier A rides in Magic Kingdom as soon as BTMRR closes. Similar goes for wait instances at these and different headliners. We’d additionally count on to see Tiana’s Bayou Journey lose its digital queue across the similar time that Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad goes down for refurbishment, if not sooner.
Tropical Americas – This can be a new land coming to Animal Kingdom that’ll be highlighted by an Encanto Magical Madrigal Casita Darkish Trip and Indiana Jones Journey. The previous replaces Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, whereas the latter replaces DINOSAUR.
Tropical Americas may also function a brand new space, Pueblo Esperanza, the hub in coronary heart of the rainforest that’s identify interprets to “Village of Hope” and can provide up a critter carousel, reimagined restaurant, and retail.
Walt Disney World has introduced that the final day of operations for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Enjoyable Video games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will probably be January 12, 2024. The next day, building partitions will go up round Dino-Rama.
The Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Chunk Snacks, Trilo-Bites, and DINOSAUR will all stay open as soon as Dino-Rama closes in Winter 2025. (See When Will DINOSAUR Shut at Walt Disney World? for more information.)
Out of all of the initiatives on this record, Tropical Americas is among the many most impactful. Dino-Rama is (roughly) in the course of Animal Kingdom. These building partitions will probably be in guest-facing areas that individuals stroll previous. The primary section of the undertaking gained’t lower off entry to Dinoland completely–that gained’t occur till the entrance part closes, at which period it’s recreation over for DINOSAUR. That attraction turns into inaccessible.
The excellent news is that we don’t count on the Tropical Americas undertaking to create dead-ends at Flame Tree BBQ or Discovering Nemo: The Musical. There’s a path that bypasses Dinoland, and goes alongside the waterfront. Though that is very near Dino-Rama, there’s nothing to recommend it’ll want to shut. And if it does, the closure will probably be short-lived to take away that huge dinosaur, perhaps. The fashions and idea artwork we’ve seen recommend that this path is secure–that the show-building and casita for the Encanto attraction will probably be constructed within the different route.
That’s excellent news and means Tropical Americas gained’t be as negatively impactful on crowd stream because the EPCOT overhaul, for instance. However, shedding two rides, a number of eating places, and retail is a giant blow on capability in a park that’s already actually mild on rides and issues to do. Given its proportionality, it’s our place that Tropical Americas could have the most important destructive visitor influence of something on this record.
Zootopia: Higher Collectively – This can be a alternative for “It’s Powerful to Be a Bug,” the 3D present contained in the Tree of Life. That attraction is anticipated to shut in some unspecified time in the future in 2025.
Nothing in regards to the exterior is anticipated to alter, so this may have minimal influence on the visitor expertise. It’s completely attainable a building wall gained’t even go up for this one.
The closure of “It’s Powerful to Be a Bug” will end in a slight lack of capability for Animal Kingdom, however removed from a significant one. With a lot or all of Dinoland closed on the similar time, our hope is that Imagineering accomplishes many of the adjustments in a single day, and there’s solely a quick 1-2 week closure throughout the offseason when the capability shouldn’t be “wanted.” Most likely wishful considering on our half, however Animal Kingdom will probably be in tough form if/when that is down simultaneous with all of Dinoland.
Vehicles Land – That is the opposite main contender for many impactful undertaking to the visitor expertise, proper alongside Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom. Vehicles space will really exchange the Rivers of America, that means that Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Sq. Riverboat will completely shut.
Whereas work on Vehicles Land begins in early 2025, it doesn’t imply something will shut then, as mentioned in When Will Rivers of America & Tom Sawyer Island Shut at Magic Kingdom? Early 2025 is when work on the laydown yards behind the park will start, and that’s provided that the remainder of the allowing course of goes easily!
Each time it does begin, prepwork itself is probably going a reasonably concerned undertaking that may take a number of months. There’s additionally the chance that even the in-park work gained’t be accomplished abruptly–that Imagineering and building crews will use coffer dams to protect the aesthetics of the guest-facing facet of the Rivers of America for so long as attainable (see above and under photographs from 2018). This might final into 2026.
As soon as work does get far sufficient alongside to necessitate it, building partitions will go up across the present waterfront. Since you’ll be able to’t stroll on water (I assume), that gained’t have an effect on the way you navigate the park. What is feasible, nevertheless, is that the waterfront promenade in Frontierland additionally has to shut, by which case the development partitions eradicate the parade route bypass. This might influence viewing areas for Pageant of Fantasy and Starlight Evening Parade, however we’re guessing it gained’t come to that.
Closing the Tom Sawyer Island and the Riverboat will end in a lack of capability, however it shouldn’t be that noticeable given the park’s strong journey roster and the low utilization charges of those choices. The actual challenge right here is visible blight. The Rivers of America offers a way of serenity to 2 totally different lands in Magic Kingdom, and is among the few lovely, pure vistas within the park.
It is going to be a giant blow to the environment of this nook of the park, particularly within the quick time period when its quick alternative is an energetic building web site. Many longtime followers “get” this, however it’s unattainable to say the extent to which this will probably be felt till the partitions go up and earth begins shifting. And it’ll be like this for just a few years.
Villains Land – That is primarily section two (uh oh) of the Magic Kingdom growth, coming on-line after Vehicles Land. Our expectation is that there will probably be some overlap within the building of the 2 lands, however that Vehicles Land will end first by 1-2 years. A superb comparability might be the one-two punch of Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the last growth cycle.
Whereas technically inside the prevailing boundary of Magic Kingdom, no less than for essentially the most half, Villains Land seems to be to be constructed on what’s at present the far facet of the Rivers of America. That is on the northwestern most portion of the park, above each Huge Thunder and Haunted Mansion–two sights we’re anticipating will probably be linked by a walkway both by means of or across the new land (or each).
This again half of the Rivers of America isn’t actually seen besides from the Walt Disney World Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, the Riverboat, exit space of Huge Thunder, or queue of Haunted Mansion. There will probably be some quantity of visible blight, however the closure of the aforementioned sights and building of Vehicles Land is the actual reason for this, so itemizing it individually is nearly redundant. To that time, it’s not too late for Disney to do the fitting factor and reduce the Rivers of America removing–it will not influence Villains Land!
Monstropolis – Walt Disney World hasn’t even introduced the place the Monstropolis miniland and Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster will go, though there are two main candidates: Grand Avenue or Animation Courtyard.
In each instances, the guest-facing influence is building partitions alongside a walkway. These lands are each pretty remoted, no less than within the sense that they don’t comprise visitor corridors inside them. So that you’ll stroll previous partitions, however they gained’t create dead-ends or require you to take longer routes across the park.
The influence on park capability is pretty negligible both method. Every possibility would outcome within the closure of some hassle-free visitor experiences, with the larger blow coming from the lack of Grand Avenue, which is dwelling to cultural treasure, MuppetVision 3D. In contrast, nothing of worth will probably be misplaced if Animation Courtyard closes.
By and huge, I don’t see many of those initiatives impacting the visitor expertise all that a lot. Given among the issues that readers have expressed after listening to the entire latest information, hopefully this eases some minds. Completely nothing on this record–not even Tropical Americas or Vehicles Land–goes to be even remotely corresponding to the Large EPCOT Grime Pit over the past 5 years that made navigation by means of the previous Future World tedious and ugly.
It’s true that there’s a number of “growth” inside the present footprints of the park and that Walt Disney World goes to lose some main belongings within the course of. There will probably be some visible blight, misplaced capability, and so forth. However for essentially the most half, navigating the parks gained’t be tougher and it gained’t really feel like a sea of building partitions or that there’s “nothing to do” since so many sights are closed. The largest exceptions, as famous above, are across the Rivers of America (misplaced surroundings) and Dinoland (misplaced capability). In fact, this record doesn’t take into consideration any as-yet unannounced refurbishments or journey reimaginings, and it’s our understanding that many extra of these are on the best way within the subsequent 5 years. We’ll have extra on that as data turns into obtainable–keep tuned.
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Your Ideas
What’s your tackle the slate of upcoming building initiatives at Walt Disney World? Will you postpone an upcoming go to to keep away from building? What, if something, that has been introduced do you suppose is probably to get canceled? Are you planning on being at Walt Disney World when all of that is accomplished? Listening to your suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas or questions under within the feedback!
