Disney Rumors for November 2024

In this month’s Disney Rumors, we’ll discuss what’s happening at Walt Disney World, based on what I’m hearing.

There’s a lot in play here. So, let’s get started.

The Acknowledgment

At the 2024 D23 Expo, Disney officials finally confirmed that the What Lies Beyond Big Thunder project is happening.

There’s a chance we learn even more about the project VERY soon.

You may not know this, but Disney hosts D23 Brazil – A Disney Experience on November 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th.

Generally, Disney breaks its biggest North American theme park news at the D23 Expo and Destination D.

Still, we’ll likely learn more about the various theme park expansions during this event.

So, I’ll readily admit that some of what I’m saying here could look silly in a couple of weeks. It’s the risk we take when dealing with scuttlebutt.

Remember that changes can change, as we witnessed DURING the D23 Expo, when Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro called at least one audible.

Big Thunder Mountain and Beyond

With the warnings and caveats in place, let’s discuss a few things I’m pretty sure are accurate, at least for the moment.

For starters, Disney is readying construction at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. There’s actually work happening behind the scenes now.

In January, this attraction will close, and its absence will serve two purposes.

The first is to modernize the attraction a bit. Those of you who travel to Disneyland as well as Walt Disney World know the deal here.

Disneyland’s version added phenomenal special effects to make the ride a bit spicier.

On at least three occasions, rumors have abounded that Disney would do the same at Magic Kingdom.

I’m led to believe that day is finally at hand. So, the roller coaster will receive a substantial plussing during its downtime.

That’s only part of Disney’s plan here, though. It’ll also perform construction through March 2026 to ready the Villains Land expansion.

The project is probably five years away, but Disney must prep the land first. That’s what will happen in 2025.

In a way, this is the same process underway at Test Track right now, but we’re more interested in What Lies Beyond Big Thunder.

For Disney to start its construction, workers must reclaim parts of the land.

Presuming everything goes right, the change Disney will make in 2026 is one that will last for 30+ years.

So, sacrificing a year of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad represents a small price to pay.

As a reward for your patience, Disney will introduce a better version of the coaster in 2026…which brings me back to Test Track.

The EPCOT Plans

Disney finally finished the seven-year reinvention of EPCOT this summer.

We know that it’s done because the PR team not only emphatically stated the point but also spiked the ball in the end zone and did a lengthy touchdown dance.

The park planners were letting you know that they considered the park fixed.

Around this time, Test Track permanently closed in its previous state.

Thankfully, the ride will return next summer as one more in line with the original themes of World of Motion.

The prevailing belief is that Disney will ditch the TRON look now that it has a TRON ride.

In its place, you’ll find immaculately detailed scenes symbolic of what World of Motion once represented at EPCOT. We’re going back to the future.

This information isn’t really new, even if it remains (arguably) speculative at the moment.

What will excite you is the reveal that at least one classic EPCOT ride and possibly two could eventually receive similar updates.

What I’m hearing is that Spaceship Earth may close soon after Test Track opens.

Disney would prefer to modernize Spaceship Earth, something it originally planned as part of the recent update.

However, the pandemic tore those plans asunder, forcing Disney to cancel the so-called “storytelling light” premise.

Imagineers would have adjusted Spaceship Earth’s theme to make every scene connected, an idea I never really liked.

Thankfully, those plans are apparently out the window. Instead, Disney wants to take what it already has and make it even better.

We all know that’s a good thing, as the “future” sequences on the ride are long in the tooth, and I’m saying that who considers Spaceship Earth the best ride in the world.

The OTHER Plan at EPCOT

Should this project occur as planned, some strategists are pushing for another update…and a similar one at that.

Right now – and remember that this could change at any moment – paying tribute to EPCOT’s history and legacy is quite popular at Disney.

So, rather than turning things down and starting from scratch as happened with Mission: SPACE, Test Track will take a different approach.

Then, presuming that project goes well, Disney wants to do the same thing with Spaceship Earth.

You can probably tell where I’m going with this. Yes, the possibility of a Figment reboot is back on the drawing board.

In case you’ve forgotten, we’ve discussed this rumor previously. In fact, I think I’ve mentioned it at least three times in six years.

The idea is that Journey into Imagination with Figment isn’t the best version of the attraction.

Instead, that honor goes to the original, Journey into Imagination.

For reasons passing understanding, Disney dropped the Dreamfinder in favor of Eric Idle.

Even the cast of Monty Python knows that’s a terrible trade. In fantasy sports, your commissioner would reject it.

Disney pushed forward, as it needed to do something to replace Journey into YOUR Imagination, which was much worse.

The current Figment ride is perfectly fine, and I’m happy for you if you enjoy it.

Still, anyone who remembers the original grits their teeth at the thought of the replacements.

Apparently, Disney agrees and at least has a plan in place for Figment 4.0.

The next reboot sounds modest in nature and could be as simple as restoring the Dreamfinder.

Honestly, that’s all a lot of us want, though. Figment is a licensing powerhouse at EPCOT, and every time you buy a product, Disney notices.

In that way, you’re slowly building buzz for a new Figment ride.

Magic Kingdom II

Circling back to Magic Kingdom, this is a big month for Adventureland fans.

Moana 2 will open in theaters on November 27^th, the day before Thanksgiving.

Current box office tracking suggests it could debut at $100 million.

Personally, I think or at least hope that’s on the low side of estimates, but there’s a hidden factor in play here.

Disney hasn’t fully marketed Moana 2 yet because ad rates cost so much during election season.

You can expect a pointed marketing push to start after the election, but the lack of advertising right now may prevent it from surpassing Frozen II.

That film started with a $130 million opening weekend…and you’re probably wondering what any of this has to do with Adventureland.

The answer is simple. As with Figment, Disney is closely monitoring the results of Moana 2 at the box office.

Should the film prove as popular as predicted, the odds increase dramatically that Disney will bring a Moana ride to Adventureland.

Plans are in place for two different concepts, one of which I’ve discussed multiple times.

There’s a volcano roller coaster concept that has been around for years. Right now, roller coasters are VERY in at Disney.

Villains Land will probably have one of them, and we’ve already watched the Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster become a reality after a decade of rumors.

The other possibility is the Moana boat ride I’ve mentioned, which I’d describe as more likely.

For either project to get off the ground, Moana 2 needs to excel at the box office, though.

If the film disappoints, Adventureland probably isn’t getting a Moana attraction. So, pay attention to this story.

I suspect this will go well, though. Box office analysts are calling this release Moanapocalyse.

A Quick Disneyland Update

I know some fans have grown a bit restless regarding Disney’s lack of updates on the Disneyland expansion.

To them, all I’ll say is that D23 was less than three months ago. Management is planning for the next decade. Just breathe, people.

Anyway, there’s one concept you understand when contemplating this entire process…and it’s got nothing to do with theme parks.

Are you familiar with Wrigleyville? Many years ago, loyal Chicago Cubs fans built a loyal community surrounding Wrigley Field.

More recently, some enterprising individuals monetized these developments and turned it into one amazing tourist trap.

Since then, other communities have followed suit, taking something popular and building an entire entertainment district around it.

As an example, the Atlanta Braves abandoned a still new-ish Olympic baseball stadium to build the team’s own Wrigleyville.

The Battery has generated hundreds of millions of dollars since its inception, but that’s not the remarkable part.

This entertainment complex’s operating income has soared as high as 57 percent. A good operating income is 20 percent.

Other places are taking note, and Disneyland is one of them.

Some of the DisneylandForward documents hinted at this sort of future.

Imagine a place where the lines blur between Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney.

To an extent, you could already say that it exists, but there are clear lines of demarcation.

The next iteration of theme park expansion may very well tear down those walls and make everything one giant Disneyville.

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