Bob Iger Says Disney Will “Lean Into” Moana More in the Parks
Disney CEO Bob Iger took center stage during today’s MoffettNathanson’s Media, Internet & Communications Conference to give his insight into the future of the company.
While Iger, for the most part, stuck to the same script that he had read during recent appearances, he did give a hint about what is to come at Disney Parks.
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/240403-Bob-Iger-ew-412p-5d1ef7.webp)
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/240403-Bob-Iger-ew-412p-5d1ef7.webp)
NBC News
Speaking of the recently approved DisneylandForward project, Iger noted that there are 1,000 acres of land to develop in Disneyland, which gives the company a lot of room to play with.
![DisneylandForward](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DisneylandForward-1536x860.jpg.avif)
![DisneylandForward](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DisneylandForward-1536x860.jpg.avif)
Disney
Disney has already announced that a new Avatar experience will finally be coming to the West Coast, but what about the rest of the land?
Moana is Coming
Without getting into the specifics, Iger stated that Disney will be leaning more heavily into its popular Moana franchise in the parks.
Since its release in 2016, Moana has been perhaps Disney’s most popular film. In fact, last year, the film was the most-watched movie on all of streaming.
![Moana 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Moana-2-1.jpg)
![Moana 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Moana-2-1.jpg)
Photo: Disney
To capitalize on the franchise’s enduring popularity, earlier this year, Iger announced that Moana 2 would hit theaters in November. The film was a surprise for many fans, who had assumed that the previously-announced live-action remake would be the next Moana film to hit theaters.
The Franchise Has Been Under-Utilized
Despite how popular Moana and her cohorts have proven to be, Disney has only minimally utilized the franchise in its parks. Last year, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana opened at EPCOT, and Moana herself continues to be a popular meet-and-greet character. Still, the franchise has yet to get its own ride.
![Journey of Water](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-wdw-epcot-journey-of-water-inspired-by-moana-attraction-sign-atmo-1024x726.png)
![Journey of Water](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-wdw-epcot-journey-of-water-inspired-by-moana-attraction-sign-atmo-1024x726.png)
Journey of Water
According to Iger, however, that may soon change.
“We’re starting to lean into investments in [Moana] in the parks,” Iger said during today’s presentation.
![Moana 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Moana-2-1024x683.jpg)
![Moana 2](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Moana-2-1024x683.jpg)
Photo: Disney
While we may not know how or when Disney will utilize the franchise, fans should expect more Moana on the horizon.
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