Two months from at this time, Epic Universe will open at Common Orlando. It appears wonderful and shall be an enormous hit as a consequence of Nintendo, Harry Potter, The way to Prepare Your Dragon, and Monsters lands. Unsurprisingly, many followers are questioning how Walt Disney World will “reply” the opening of that new theme park on Might 22, 2025 or over the Memorial Day weekend summer time kickoff.
This addresses the titular query, with believable potentialities as to what Walt Disney World will do–whereas additionally ruling out just a few unrealistic ones. We already know what they received’t do. Walt Disney World has introduced new lands and points of interest, the earliest of which debut in 2027. Whereas there are just a few reimagined rides that’ll begin debuting this summer time with Check Monitor 3.0, that’s anticipated in late summer time–which means not less than one full month after Epic Universe. No new or redone rides are coming earlier than then.
Nonetheless, followers nonetheless need splashy bulletins that steal the highlight. I’ve heard from multiple WDW diehard within the final couple of weeks who, regardless of all proof on the contrary, stays satisfied that Might 22 would be the good alternative for Walt Disney World to announce its fifth gate. That’s not occurring. Not on Might 22 or any time this decade. Bluntly, it’s so far-fetched that we’re not even entertaining the thought. (Right here’s Why a fifth Theme Park Will NOT Be Constructed at Walt Disney World within the Subsequent Decade.)
As has been mentioned to demise at this level, Disney received’t have any official reply to Epic Universe. CEO Bob Iger has contended that Epic Universe is actually Common’s reply to Disney, enjoying catch-up on a decade of nonstop improvement at Walt Disney World and that the corporate doesn’t have nervousness about Common’s third theme park.
Epic Universe didn’t come up in any respect throughout this week’s Walt Disney Firm 2025 Annual Assembly of Shareholders. It has been coated on the previous couple of earnings calls, with CFO Hugh Johnston providing considerably blended alerts. Usually talking, Disney’s view is that Epic Universe is “Truly Optimistic” for Walt Disney World Attendance in 2025, however they’ve additionally inbuilt some cautious and conservative damaging steering.
Disney signifies that it has modeled Epic Universe into its projections for Walt Disney World by taking a look at early bookings and the historical past of different points of interest and different theme parks opening in Florida, all of which instructed Epic Universe shall be helpful for Walt Disney World. We’ve quibbled with this–and contended that Epic Universe will affect Walt Disney World erratically, boosting Magic Kingdom however hitting Animal Kingdom laborious.
Disney’s public place is {that a} “rising tide lifts all boats.” Even so, Walt Disney World will nonetheless must do one thing as an try at counterprogramming to Epic Universe. They received’t profit from the upper tide if their boat has holes in it. Clearly nothing Walt Disney World does shall be on the identical scale as Epic Universe, however there are issues that might be executed to peel days–and even lodge stays–away from Common when guests come to Orlando for Epic Universe.
That is the record of practical smaller scale ways in which Walt Disney World can “reply” the opening of Epic Universe on or round Might 22, 2025…
Wild Card Information
Round this time final yr, Walt Disney World introduced its summer time plans. This included just a few small scale momentary additions and characters to advertise the summer time film releases, together with the anticipated opening of CommuniCore Corridor and the shock Disney Desires That Soar drone present.
I’m not going to drone on about it but once more, however I nonetheless don’t imagine that superlative Disney Springs nighttime leisure was the top sport for drones at Walt Disney World. My hope and expectation is that there are plans for a follow-up act at Animal Kingdom in Summer time 2025. And but, we’ve heard completely nothing about it and there have been no leaks, suggesting that perhaps it’s not occurring this yr.
Regardless, I’d anticipate one other wild card like that for Summer time 2025 that comes out of left area. And Memorial Day weekend is all the time a giant time for brand spanking new additions and summer time choices. For reference, Disney Desires That Soar debuted the Friday earlier than Memorial Day final yr, whereas Epic Universe opens on Thursday and Disney has debuted many previous additions on that Thursday or Friday.
Accordingly, Walt Disney World may “reply” Common’s new theme park with shock leisure debuting that very same weekend. If that occurs, it’ll be coincidental–as a result of Memorial Day weekend is the customary kickoff to summer time for theme parks–not as a result of Disney views that leisure as “competing” with Epic Universe.
Starlight Parade Debut
It’s just about the identical story right here, however with a identified amount in Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away Parade.
If previous precedent is any indication, Walt Disney World goes to announce the Starlight debut date quickly. Our hope for some time has been that Disney would do the savvy factor and pull ahead the Starlight date so it’s every week or extra earlier than Epic Universe, which kills two birds with one stone.
The primary is that it affords a slight launch valve on crowds, which is exactly why Disneyland is debuting Paint the Evening and its seventieth Anniversary on Might 16 as an alternative of Memorial Day weekend. Central Florida now has an enormous native fanbase, and there are out-of-state Annual Passholders and Disney Trip Membership Members who will journey for Magic Kingdom’s first new evening parade in a long time. Getting a few of that demand ‘out of the system’ earlier than summer time vacationer crowds arrive is smart.
Debuting Starlight earlier additionally provides it some respiration room from a advertising and marketing perspective, permitting it to not get misplaced within the Epic Universe grand opening information cycle. Because of this alone, it makes probably the most sense to place not less than one week between that new park’s opening and Starlight–ideally with the parade first. In any other case, it’ll nonetheless be overshadowed and followers will flip it right into a punchline: “Common opened a model new park and Disney countered with a measly parade!” (Let’s be actual: persons are going to say stuff like that it doesn’t matter what–even when there’s radio silence from Disney Parks on all channels on Might 22.)
As might be apparent, these first two entries are issues that might kind Disney’s substantive “reply” (air quotes, since timing could be coincidental) in debuting alongside Epic Universe. What follows is how Disney may attempt to steal the highlight with splashy information of its personal…
Animation Courtyard Announcement
What the corporate has introduced so far is basically the 5-12 months Plan for Walt Disney World, and management beforehand acknowledged that spending could be “backloaded” into the second half of the last decade. If you consider it, this is smart. Tropical Americas is a reimagining plus one main new experience that’ll land someplace between the Little Mermaid darkish experience and Mystic Manor by way of ambitiousness.
Monstropolis is a reimagining, plus dusting off the decades-old plans for the Monsters Doorways Coaster. That appears enjoyable and received’t be low cost, however not as a result of it’s overly formidable–as a result of nothing Imagineering does is cost-effective. The jury continues to be out on Automobiles Land, which is extra precisely a subsection of Frontierland and can function a significant (hopefully?) attraction together with a flat experience. Then there’s Villains Land, which ought to have a blockbuster funds…however is likely to be a part of the second half of the 10-year plan.
There are a ton of rumors swirling for what’s subsequent, all with various levels of veracity. The one one I’ve heard credibly from a number of sources is that Animation Courtyard is on the chopping block. (Even with out credible sources, you in all probability may’ve guessed that. Animation Courtyard is just like the wing of a mall the place Sears went out of enterprise in 1998. It’s been prime for redevelopment for over a decade.)
Much less reliably, I’ve additionally heard that its alternative is an formidable idea and is already set. I’ve hinted at this in different posts, suggesting that it’s a land as soon as floated for Animal Kingdom enlargement that will additionally work (or moderately, would solely really work) in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
All of this additionally is smart. The rationale Monstropolis went to Muppets Courtyard as an alternative of Animation Courtyard is as a result of there are larger and higher plans for the latter, and Monstropolis is relatively smaller scale. Whereas I disagree with the choice to take away MuppetVision, I can even see how changing Animation Courtyard at this level would’ve been shortsighted. However for my part, the precise answer could be flipping the order of those tasks and doing the extra formidable one first, as Animation Courtyard is a blighted ‘useless mall’ zone in the midst of DHS.
No matter all that, I’ve zero cause to imagine this Animation Courtyard announcement is deliberate anytime quickly. On the contrary, it’s my understanding that there aren’t any main bulletins coming this yr. That Disney shot its shot on the final D23 Expo, and the subsequent main occasion would be the 2026 D23 Expo, kind of skipping Vacation spot D23. And actually, this is likely to be untimely even for 2026, as actually nothing from the final slate may have opened by then.
Kicking the can down the street for an Animation Courtyard announcement can also be why I’ve been cryptic with clues about what’s rumored. Even when it had been 100% dependable at this level, nothing is admittedly 100% dependable that’s unofficial and received’t be introduced for an additional few years. A lot may change between every now and then, from building prices and the financial system to field workplace and Disney+ streaming performances. Heck, I’m skeptical of tasks which are formally introduced however have a time horizon 3+ years into the longer term!
I give this announcement a lower than 1% probability of occurring as an “reply” to Epic Universe’s opening.
Villains Land Reveal
Talking of skepticism about tasks which are formally introduced however have a time horizon 3+ years into the longer term, Villains Land is the one D23 announcement about which we all know just about nothing. It’s additionally the mission that’s, itself, an oblique reply to one thing at Epic Universe–the traditional monsters land, Darkish Universe.
On condition that, it’d make sense for Walt Disney World to aim to steal the highlight from Epic Universe by hyping up its personal ‘darkish’ universe inside Magic Kingdom. In spite of everything, Disney executives and Imagineers may have been invited by Common Orlando to expertise Epic Universe by that time, so that they’ll know whether or not their very own ideas are as much as par.
What I’d wish to see occur is for Imagineers to make these visits to Darkish Universe and be impressed by them when growing Villains Land. In an ideal world, Imagineering would even poach a number of the creatives that developed Darkish Universe, or scoop up a number of the project-based hires who’ve already left Common Inventive. This could imply that Walt Disney World’s personal “reply” to Darkish Universe could be a bit extra time incubating earlier than it’s prepared for a reveal.
Past all of that, there’s simply nothing of worth to be gained by Walt Disney World revealing Villains Land as an “reply” to Epic Universe’s opening. It captures some fan consideration and hype. Okay, so what? It will additionally remind friends that Magic Kingdom’s enlargement is ~5 years away, whereas they will expertise Darkish Universe at this time.
They Gained’t.
This “to what finish?” level is a segue into probably the most believable final result: Walt Disney World does completely nothing to aim to steal the highlight from Epic Universe. Before everything, as a result of it received’t be efficient. One factor we’ve pressured for years–lengthy earlier than Disney spoke publicly about Epic Universe–is that the one factor that may actually “reply” a brand new theme park is…one other new theme park. And since we knew Walt Disney World has no intentions to construct a fifth gate, we may pretty surmise that their greatest technique is likely to be largely sitting out 2025.
The identical sentiment ought to clearly apply to bulletins. Many times, we’ve seen this odd notion from jaded followers that Walt Disney World solely made the D23 bulletins to take consideration away from Common, and after Epic Universe opens, the plans would quietly be cancelled. That it was all a ruse, and Disney has no intentions of constructing it. Bluntly, that is silly. Once more, the query is: to what finish? Is there a single solitary one who’s going to forgo an Epic Universe journey in 2025 as a result of Walt Disney World may need thrilling new stuff coming in 2029?
Possibly such a unicorn exists, however broadly talking, that’s not how individuals plan household holidays. Disney would’ve spent far more cash growing these ideas and making the announcement than no matter they theoretically gained from the eye. It’s not 4D chess, I guarantee you. It’s like enjoying checkers in opposition to my canine–and he’s not one of many sensible, speaking ones. Finest case state of affairs is he doesn’t attempt to eat the items.
All of that is additionally why Walt Disney World in all probability received’t announce something new on or round Epic Universe’s opening day. It can make zero distinction in any respect to Disney’s backside line. It’s additionally why they need to try to offer Epic Universe huge berth with their very own summer time marketing campaign.
If something, all of this information could be buried below protection of Common Orlando’s third theme park. It will additionally simply be a foul look that makes Disney look petty. About the one exception to this that I can consider is that if Walt Disney World has damaging information and it needs to “take out the trash” Might 22, 2025. So maybe that’s the day we get a time limit for the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
BONUS: Congratulatory Newspaper Advert
If I had been in cost, the one factor Walt Disney World would “announce” on Might 22, 2025 is “congratulations to Common Orlando.” There’s a wealthy historical past of this collegiality among the many “rival” theme parks, most notably with Knott’s Berry Farm (above) and Disneyland buying and selling congratulatory newspaper advertisements within the Los Angeles Occasions and Orange County Register for many years.
The latest digital occasion of this that I may monitor down got here from a few years again when former Disneyland President and present Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared this on Instagram: “Congratulations to my pal Jon Storbeck and your entire crew at Knott’s Berry Farm for his or her one hundredth Anniversary! I used to be very touched to be invited to the preview celebration in your celebration final evening! It was nice to see you!”
There’s likewise precedent for a similar with Common, albeit not as a lot that I may monitor down. There are many cases of executives and Imagineers attending grand openings–from the latest Tremendous Nintendo World in Hollywood to Eisner at Islands of Journey. Unsurprisingly so, since many individuals inside the two “rivals” have labored for each, and have Annual Passes for the parks the place they don’t at present work.
I may see trendy Disney being reluctant to publicly acknowledge Epic Universe, terrified of drawing consideration to the brand new park or having evaluation paralysis about how it might affect their bookings and notion. My recommendation could be: don’t overthink it.
Actually nobody goes to find out about Epic Universe for the primary time due to a put up from @DisneyParks on social media or a newspaper advert within the Orlando Sentinel. It received’t trigger anybody to alter their trip plans, or something of the type. The one factor it may conceivably do is present the Walt Disney World nonetheless has graciousness, and actually believes it once they declare that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Disney has no playing cards they will play that will steal Common’s thunder, however this might not less than make them a part of the dialog in a optimistic method. It received’t occur…however it ought to.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
How do you assume Walt Disney World will “reply” the opening of Epic Universe over Memorial Day weekend? Or is “they received’t” the most probably chance in your thoughts? Is it additionally the greatest transfer? Count on Starlight and different summer time choices to debut round Might 22, or will Disney give Common a week-plus buffer? Suppose Disney has trigger for concern, or do you usually agree {that a} rising tide lifts all boats? Every other ideas or commentary so as to add? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
