Disney Rumors for December 2024

This month, we’ve got a rumor spread almost entirely on social media.

So, its authenticity is in question. Like, it’s probably hogwash.

Still, I’m going to take it seriously since it serves a bigger purpose.

Change is afoot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with one area currently awaiting re-theming. What will go there?

In this month’s Disney Rumors, we’ll discuss a very strange rumor about Animation Courtyard.

What to Do with Animation Courtyard?

I didn’t start this rumor, but if you know anything about me, you’d realize it’s something I’ve wanted for years.

While the internet sounds squarely against this idea, it’d be a dream come true for me.

Friends, the hot rumor of the moment is that Animation Courtyard will soon re-theme to…The Simpsons!!!

Do I believe this rumor? Not even a little bit. But I’m going to try to manifest my fantasy by discussing it this month.

Besides, this conversation is much larger than just The Simpsons. It’s about what’s happening at Hollywood Studios.

In 2017, Disney rebooted this park by closing The Great Movie Ride and planning for two new themed lands.

Those locations, Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, reinvigorated what was an unpopular theme park at the time.

Alas, even with the addition of the marvelous Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Hollywood Studios’ momentum has slowed.

Nowadays, the theme park is top-heavy, with a handful of attractions driving almost all the demand.

For this reason, Disney is trying to rebalance traffic by making some changes.

One of them is adding a villain-themed show in the old Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy building.

The other, the one that infuriated Disney fans across the world, is the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D.

In its place, Disney will add what’s sure to be a superior experience, Monstropolis, a themed land based on Monsters, Inc.

Unfortunately, fans cannot look past the devastating opportunity cost of losing Jim Henson’s masterpiece.

In short, just seven years after the last reboot, Hollywood Studios is changing again.

As a byproduct of this change, Animation Courtyard no longer makes sense at the park.

The Lack of Identity at Hollywood Studios

As has been the case for the past several months at Hollywood Studios, we’re getting a mixed message here.

Disney has confirmed that the Little Mermaid show will return next summer, making it a part of Animation Courtyard’s future.

That fact muddies the picture here as we try to decipher what’s coming next.

What we know is that Animation Courtyard covers prime real estate at Hollywood Studios and is arguably even the best location.

However, the attractions here are stubbornly juvenile and have fallen in popularity.

Therefore, fans expect Disney to reinvigorate this space, just as it’s doing with Monstropolis at Muppets Courtyard.

Truthfully, many of us expected Disney to pick Animation Courtyard as the new home for Monstropolis.

I covered that story this summer when it was spreading like wildfire. My understanding is that it was under consideration.

Then, Disney made its call, one that has proven wildly unpopular on the internet.

Of course, we have that longstanding debate about how much internet conversation reflects actual opinions.

Nothing’s clear here, but I’m not going out on a limb when I say two things.

The first is that Disney must preserve Muppet*Vision 3D by putting it somewhere else.

The second is that Animation Courtyard needs to change, and everyone, including Disney, knows it. And that brings us to…

Springfield at Animation Courtyard?

You may be wondering how Disney could add The Simpsons at Hollywood Studios.

Presumably, you’re aware that Universal Studios Florida has hosted a version of Springfield since 2013.

That’s correct, but the statement comes with an asterisk. It’s an open secret in the industry that Universal’s contract expires in 2028.

That’s three years and one month from right now. Since Disney purchased The Simpsons from Fox, it owns everything but theme park rights.

Universal snagged those through 2028, but the contract works differently from its Marvel license.

With Marvel, Universal owns the rights in perpetuity, meaning it can keep them forever if so inclined.

With The Simpsons, the deal ends in 2028, and I can assure you that Disney won’t be renewing.

So, Universal officials are already contemplating what comes next at the park, and there could be movement on that front soon.

As soon as Universal closes its Springfield, which will happen no later than 2028, Disney can make a move on The Simpsons.

One of the obvious locations for this themed land is Animation Courtyard, which makes sense.

I mean, The Simpsons actually has a connection to Hollywood, which isn’t always the case with some of Disney’s recent park decisions here.

Still, this idea raises some questions. For starters, some critics wonder whether The Simpsons is relevant enough for a park presence.

To those people, I say, “Please pay attention.” Nielsen streaming ratings readers know the deal.

The Simpsons is consistently one of top two shows on Disney+. It’s no Bluey, but it’s the next best thing for viewership.

The other debate is whether Disney’s Springfield would be any better.

To those critics, I ask, “Have you ever been to Disney and Universal theme parks???”

That’s like asking whether Victoria & Albert’s is better than Burger King.

What Else Could Go at Animation Courtyard?

I’m casting an eye toward Disneyland Paris whenever I consider Disney’s upcoming plans.

As I just referenced. Hollywood Studios is dialing back the Hollywood these days.

Then, we have rumors that Disney’s Animal Kingdom may slightly modify its name to allow for a more cohesive use of Disney brands.

Historically, I would have dismissed these possibilities. Now, we have Disney Adventure World replacing Walt Disney Studios Park.

So, that does appear to be the direction Disney is taking with theme park planning.

Also, changing theme park names isn’t as unusual as you may think. I mean, EPCOT technically just changed its name in 2020.

And Hollywood Studios started as Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park anyway.

None of these names is truly permanent except (probably) Disneyland and Magic Kingdom.

If Disney does move away from Hollywood, anything could go into Animation Courtyard.

However, the other hot rumor right now is that one of Disney’s upcoming sequels like Moana, Zootopia, or Frozen could go here.

I’d always heard Zootopia at Animal Kingdom, but there appears to be at least some fan pushback on the premise.

Then again, based on what just happened with Muppet*Vision 3D, it’s unclear whether Disney even cares. It’s gonna do what’s best for business.

A Disneyland Rumor

Plenty is happening at Disneyland Resort right now, and we’re frankly just getting started.

Disney California Adventure is about to make some incredible changes soon.

Now, there’s a sign that Disneyland could spruce up Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as well.

According to a series of new filings, Disney wants to add some projection lights to buildings at Star Wars Land.

Realistically, there’s only one reason to do that. Disney probably wants to add some sort of nighttime projections here.

I don’t know whether that means a new nighttime presentation or some accentuating effects to make the nights more magical.

Frankly, I’d probably enjoy the latter more, as I’d love for Disney to add alien moons in the sky as a backdrop.

That’s a kind of immersive enhancement Disney has never tried before, and I honestly don’t even know whether the technology is there yet.

Projection mapping on the buildings and maybe even the surrounding mountains is a more likely possibility.

Hollywood Studios hasn’t made any similar filings. So, whatever Disney has planned is exclusive to Disneyland for now.

Since this is a filing, we know this one is happening. We’re just unclear on the form.

Stay tuned to MickeyBlog to learn more about what’s coming to light up the night at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

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