Disney has announced its largest expansion yet of parks across the US. Evoking the words of Wald Disney himself at the inauguration of the first Disneyland in California, in 1955, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”, the announcement reveals details of new adventure and magical lands to be added to the existing parks and resorts.
“With so many great Disney stories to tell, we’re excited to bring an unprecedented number of new projects to life in the near future”, said Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro at the “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” in California. “Today we unveiled an extensive slate of new experiences that only Disney can deliver. Work is well under way on all of the new projects we announced, and fans will start to see them come to life in the near future.”
Below are planned expansions revealed by the entertainment company.
1. Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando
1.1. Villains and Cars arrive at the Magic Kingdom
The world’s most-visited theme park will be getting its largest land expansion ever with Disney’s iconic villains and its hit franchise Cars moving into the Magic Kingdom — the keystone park of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Deciding it’s about time villains got more of a spotlight, Disney Imagineers have crafted a land based those characters that “you just love to loathe”. While more details are coming, this new land is underway with two new attractions planned as well as dining and shopping options.
Cars is also racing into the Magic Kingdom, in a reimagined section of Frontierland where guests will leave Radiator Springs behind and head off into the wilderness with two new Cars attractions — one that will be an off-road rally race, and a family-friendly attraction that will be better fit for the youngest racers.
“As we develop the next generation of Disney Experiences, we’re always looking for new ways to tell the stories people love. We’re thrilling Cars fans by building on this incredibly successful franchise and creating the next chapter in this story”, D’Amaro said.
1. 2. Indiana Jones and Encanto move into the Animal Kingdom
Set to open in 2027, Tropical Americas will be the new land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, also at Walt Disney World. Guests will enter the land through Pueblo Esperanza, a fictional village in heart of the rainforest that “will feel lived-in, with a long, rich history”.
On the outskirts of the town, a new Indiana Jones themed attraction will be set. It is to takes place inside a mysterious Maya temple and promises to be an all-new adventure, unlike any of the existing attractions around the world based on the beloved archaeologist.
The land will also feature a new attraction based on one of Disney’s most recent successes, Encanto. The experience, which will be the first ride-through attraction of the 2021 film for a Disney park, takes place inside Casita on the day after young Antonio receives his gift of communicating with animals.
1.3. Monsters, Inc. gets new headquarters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Pixar franchise is getting a new land, which will welcome guests to tour the Laugh Factory with an amazing new attraction that what will be the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park.
“The power of friendship and laughter is at the heart of so many Disney stories – especially Monsters, Inc”, said D’Amaro. “Now we’re giving fans a whole new way to experience this world in a Disney theme park and connect with the characters they love.”
2. Avengers and Avatar at Disneyland Resort, California
Over on the West Coast, the first ever Disney park will also continue its expansion by doubling the size of the Avengers Campus to house new attractions.
Besides the Marvel extension, a new destination, inspired by the second Avatar movie – The Way of Water, will make its way into the resort.
