Should Disney Try Something New?
In the aftermath of the 2026 D23 Expo, some disgruntled fans have made their voices heard.
This latest outcry has caught fire in certain circles, and they have a fair point.
Disney Horizons
Their request is perfectly reasonable, which isn’t often the case with vocal Disney complaints.
So, let’s debate the point. Should Disney try something new?
What’s the Problem?
At D23, Disney confirmed that it will finally fix the Disco Yeti. When Expedition Everest debuted in 2006, it suffered some structural issues.
The Yeti Audio-Animatronic proved so heavy that it was literally shaking the foundation. So, the Yeti has operated in its B-mode form for 20 years now.
Photo: Disney
I’m mentioning this point to emphasize the point: Expedition Everest is 20 years old. This ride represents the most recent American Disney attraction based on an original story.
I feel compelled to mention that Bob Iger became CEO of Disney in 2005. Also, I’ll note that theme park attractions typically take several years to build.
Expedition Everest
What’s my point? None of this is coincidental but rather Iger’s strategy. When he took the job, Iger evaluated Disney’s entire theme park history.
He quickly determined the best strategy for future attractions. Despite Disney’s impressive history of original ride concepts, Iger picked a side.
Expedition Everest
He decided that all of Disney’s major rides would be based on existing intellectual property (IP). I’m going to emphasize that this statement focuses on American attractions, though.
For whatever reason, Iger signed off on Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland. That ride opened seven years after Expedition Everest and eight years into Iger’s tenure.
Photo: Disney
So, Disney’s former CEO wasn’t wholly averse to original stories. He simply chose not to build them at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World.
For this reason, we’re a few months into the third decade without a new ride featuring an original story.
Some outspoken fans are fed up, and they want Disney to do something about it.
What Do They Want?
In my opinion, the Disney fans aren’t being unreasonable with their request. We need look no further than the parks to recognize why this is a good idea.
Two of Disney’s most important roller coasters, Space Mountain and the Matterhorn Bobsleds, aren’t based on existing IP. I could say the same of It’s a Small World and Jungle Cruise.
Space Mountain
These iconic attractions exist because Walt Disney himself came up with the stories. In the case of Jungle Cruise, he borrowed liberally from The African Queen.
Similarly, Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean exist due to the pop culture zeitgeist.
Haunted Mansion
At the time Uncle Walt built Disneyland, stories about pirates were popular. Similarly, haunted houses were all the rage as cheap tourist attractions.
Disney capitalized on both crazes by constructing rides that encapsulated the appeal of each concept.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Throughout its history, the company has demonstrated a knack for creative storytelling. I mean, some brilliant Imagineer came up with the idea of the dog holding the key in front of the prisoners.
That’s really the point of the argument. Imagineers are amazing at this stuff. When Disney forces them to tell stories based on existing IP, it’s handcuffing them.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Some fans want Iger’s replacement, Josh D’Amaro, to take a different approach. They feel strongly that D’Amaro should liberate his Imagineers from the tyranny of IP.
I’m not talking about Disney eliminating the use of IP entirely. Nobody’s that delusional.
Photo Credit: Disney
No, these fans simply want Disney to tell its first original story in 20+ years. From that perspective, it’s not a big ask.
Well, Ackshually…
Here’s the thing that the champions of this idea aren’t considering. The theme park industry has changed greatly over the past 20 years.
When Disney markets new attractions today, each one needs a hook. Universal Studios just tried to introduce new IPs at Universal Epic Universe.
Photo: Universal
Stardust Racers has experienced plenty of issues, but let’s overlook those for now. What can you tell me about the story of that ride? It’s an original IP.
Theoretically, you should be able to do that…but you can’t, can you?
Photo: Universal
Also, Disney’s reliance on IP isn’t a new thing. The strategy dates back to the early 1950s. When Disneyland debuted, it featured attractions based on Peter Pan and Snow White.
I could list ten others, as Uncle Walt seeded the park with all his most recognizable stories.
Peter Pan’s Flight
More than 70 years ago, he knew that tourists wanted to experience the familiar. So, in a way, this particular fan request asks Disney to go against its theme park history.
Then, we have the side consideration that Disney is technically making an original story. You’re likely freezing at that, but it’s true, even if it’s a technicality.
“it’s a small world”
Walt Disney once created an original ride that eventually bore his name. However, Disney has closed that attraction, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
Its replacement will arrive next spring, and it WILL feature an entirely new story.
Photo: Disney
To everyone’s surprise, Disney is throwing out all four scenes from the original. In their place, Imagineers are creating an entirely new story as we speak.
Should Disney Try Something New?
Still, I’m guessing the folks making this argument aren’t interested in technicalities. They want Disney to unleash its Imagineers and give them free rein on an attraction.
This is when I return to Mystic Manor, which deserves special mention here. That ride absolutely blows my mind with its creativity and charm.
Photo: Disney
I think we all want Disney to try something like that again. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s feasible in the short term, which is why I find the request untimely.
Disney is currently building *deep breath* Monstropolis, Piston Peak, the Tropical Americas, and Villains Land. Oh, and that’s just at Disney World. The list nearly doubles when we include Disneyland.
Photo: Disney
So, even if D’Amaro wanted to build a ride with a new story, the timing’s not there. Disney has already filled its dance card into the 2030s.
Unfortunately, this reality means no rides based on new IP are coming anytime soon.
Photo: Disney
As such, fans will go at least a quarter-century between Disney rides with original stories.
On the bright side, Disney is gonna fix the Disco Yeti, though…
