Here’s Everything Disney Just Announced at the Parks — Part II
Okay, we covered the Disneyland Resort announcements in Part I. Now, let’s talk about everything Disney just announced for Walt Disney World…including A NEW THEME PARK!!!
Well, maybe…
Allow me to explain what probably happened at D23 today.
DinoLand Will (Possibly) Transition to Zootopia
Disney Parks chairperson Josh D’Amaro hedged his bets before jumping into the final part of the panel.
This section exemplifies why the panel includes the name Boundless Future. The plans are still partially blue sky, but they’re what park officials have planned for Walt Disney World.
D’Amaro starts with DinoLand, U.S.A., the least trafficked part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In May, I posted a Disney rumor that this themed land would transition to Zootopia.
While some people who usually know this stuff flat out said it wouldn’t happen, I’m happy to report that it apparently will.
Shanghai Disneyland is already prepping a themed land based on the Disney movie, Zootopia.
An Imagineer comes onstage with Jennifer Lee, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Studios and the woman whose brain spawned Frozen.
Lee isn’t merely brilliant. She’s also a fan like us, and her joy was palpable as she discussed potential Disney movies becoming themed lands.
The writer/director discussed various sets from Zootopia, indicating that they could be locations in a new themed land. She also suggested entirely new places could appear.
D’Amaro interjects and indicates that Moana would be another good idea for a location.
If I’d done a live blog, I would have stated that Disney may repurpose DinoLand as a joint Zootopia/Moana land.
Having spoken to some people and listened more closely to the wording, I’m unclear whether that’s what happened.
In fact, I noticed this quote from the Orlando Sentinel: “Creative executives mentioned “Zootopia” and “Moana” as possibilities, but they fell short of an actual announcement.”
That’s how I read the situation as well. Disney talked about this move, but nobody guaranteed it would happen.
Being “excited about the possibilities” isn’t the same as “Zootopia is coming.” So, take from that what you will.
The Magic Kingdom Updates
I want to report this part of the panel discussion as confirmation of a fifth theme park or, at a minimum, a major expansion at Magic Kingdom.
Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be accurate reporting. What Disney did and said falls under the umbrella of “maybe” and “sometime down the line….”
The conversation centers on “what lies beyond Big Thunder Mountain” Railroad. The three people onstage discuss what that might look like.
Frankly, everything they say after this will thrill any Disney fan, as it sounds incredible.
As you read the details, please remember that Disney stubbornly refused to confirm any of it, though.
So, while these folks hinted at a fifth theme park, nobody technically said that.
Coco-themed area, Casa Madrigal from Encanto and Villains-themed area in development “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” at Magic Kingdom. #d23expo pic.twitter.com/8mu3qJTQ8w
— Brooke Geiger McDonald @ D23 Expo (@BrookeGMcDonald) September 11, 2022
The trio showed artists’ renderings and animations of various IPs, all of which could provide the backbone of a new park/themed land.
Disney shows scenes from Coco and Encanto.
I suspect what we’re watching here reflects the uncertainty that has driven Disney’s c-suite during the pandemic.
Executives had no idea what their capital expenditures budget would look like. So, they couldn’t finalize various attraction details.
During this panel, Disney essentially confirms that these projects exist and could come to life down the line. None of it is certain.
In fact, for the headliner grabber of the bunch, D’Amaro plainly states, “I know this one is NOT planned anytime soon, but it’s something we know all of you talk about.”
Encanto and Villains themed area also being studied on top of Coco for Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/kD8GQuzUZW
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) September 11, 2022
Yes, he’s talking about “an area overrun by villains.”
At this moment, Disney confirms that it’s at least toying with the idea of an entire park based on Disney Villains. At a minimum, it’d be a massive themed land.
D’Amaro refers to this plan as Magic Kingdom II. That sure sounds like a fifth theme park.
The EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Updates
I dunno whether D’Amaro knew he was trolling audiences or not, but he briefly got everyone’s hopes up about a new Figment ride.
When the executive mentioned Figment, the audience collectively lost its mind, anticipating the announcement of an update to Journey into Imagination with Figment.
Instead, D’Amaro wanted people to know about a Figment character interaction coming to EPCOT next year.
As a reminder, 2023 represents the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.
Disney is planning to make that year unforgettable. Not coincidentally, D’Amaro confirmed the opening date for Tron Lightcycle Power Run.
Friends, you won’t like it, especially if you’re like me and are planning to visit during the next six months.
The Tron roller coaster won’t debut until next spring. I know many of us had hoped for October 1st, 2022, but that’s not happening. Rats.
The Disney Treasure
Disney Cruise Line (DCL) only introduced the Disney Wish within the past three months. However, that’s only the first of three ships DCL commissioned before the pandemic.
D’Amaro took a moment to explain the theme for the next ship. It’ll celebrate adventure and Walt Disney’s “lifelong love for exploration.”
The ship’s interior looked breathtaking, and clever usage of Aladdin’s carpet showed much of the main area.
Disney didn’t choose the carpet by coincidence. Instead, its colors provide the scheme for the Grand Hall.
D’Amaro reveals that Jasmine, Aladdin, and the magic carpet are the focus of this area.
As for the name, I already spoiled it in the header. It’s the Disney Treasure.
The cruise news didn’t stop there, either. The Disney executive showed recent photos of himself…at Lighthouse Point.
A clever camera pullback reveals the massive size of this private island. You’ll love it here! It’s still relatively early in the development stage, though.
D’Amaro brags that 90 percent (!) of all power at Lighthouse Point will come from solar energy, a remarkable feat.
Remember that this place will join Castaway Cay as the second Disney getaway spot in The Bahamas.
By the way, Disney cruises will also sail to new locations soon. Two of them are Australia and New Zealand. The South Pacific is another upcoming destination.
NEW: Disney Wonder is headed to Australia in 2023. #d23expo #disneycruiseline @DisneyCruise DisneyCruise pic.twitter.com/SHRLd1WNLe
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) September 11, 2022
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
D’Amaro ceded the floor to the Imagineering team in charge of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
In case you lost internet access for the past two years, that’s the re-theming of Splash Mountain into an attraction based on The Princess and the Frog.
Carmen Smith, Charita Carter, and Ted Robledo came out to discuss the project, and it sounds incredible!
First, I should add that the people attending the panel gave this announcement rapturous applause. So, Disney fanatics are clearly jazzed about it.
The Imagineers informed the audience that this attraction takes place in the aftermath of The Princess and the Frog.
Tiana has achieved her dream of opening her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace. Understandably, this place has become the go-to eatery in New Orleans.
Civic-minded by nature, community leader Tiana wants to throw a party for the other residents. But then, she realizes that she’s missing her secret ingredient.
So, Tiana asks her friend, Louis, to join her on a trip to the bayou, the home of this ingredient.
The Imagineers suggested keeping one quote from the film in mind as they designed the ride: “The thing about good food is that it brings folks together from all walks of life.”
Notably, Disney will use a new mist technology to create a color palette for various sections of the ride.
While nobody used those words, the whole thing sounded like Worlds of Color elements coming to a theme park attraction. That’ll be incredible!
As an aside, Disney devoted nearly 15 minutes to this attraction. Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose came out and performed Almost There and Dig a Little Deeper.
Approximately 20 dancers and singers joined her on stage. Disney treated the announcement like a massive deal, and the audience adored it!
Final Thoughts
I was initially more excited about this presentation than after watching the segments several times.
At that point, I couldn’t dismiss the notion that Disney leveraged the popularity of D’Amaro and Jennifer Lee to hint at park projects.
However, Disney never confirmed most of the sexy stuff. Instead, the dialogue functioned as one long hedged bet.
Maybe these plans happen beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and DinoLand, U.S.A. That’s not guaranteed, though.
I strongly suspect that budget constraints remain in play for another year or so. Disney’s plan hinges on more money in the budget later.
💭 Reflections are underway to create behind Big Thunder Mountain at Walt Disney World 🇺🇸 a Coco 🇲🇽, Encanto 🌈 and Disney Villains 😈 lands, as well as a Vaiana 🌊 or Zootopia 🐰 lands in place of Dino Land at Animal Kingdom 🌳#D23Expo pic.twitter.com/3jkFiYe3mW
— ED92 (@ED92Magic) September 11, 2022
Some of this stuff probably happens, but we’re probably another D23 away from formalizing those plans.
So, what Disney really means by Boundless Future is “check back in 2024.”
Still, Disney fans can and should watch every piece of concept art and ride animation for these potential projects.
All of them hint at an even better Walt Disney World in year 55 than the one we visited in year 50.