DAK 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences at Animal Kingdom

[Animaniac93-98]

Since Iger became CEO nearly 20 years ago, the only significant investments this park has seen are Avatar, Tropical Americas and the ill fated Rivers of Light. One of those won't be finished until after he leaves.

Underinvestment would be an understatement. Now imagine if Iger hadn't tried to get the theme park rights to Avatar.

 

[Timothy_Q]

“Supposed to open,” based on what? Cars, Monsters, South America are imminent attractions that will see substantial progress by the the end of 2026. Villains is a nebulous Phase 2.

Everything announced at D23 is supposed to open in 5 years, and be the phase 1 of a 10 year investment plan

 

[Casper Gutman]

Everything announced at D23 is supposed to open in 5 years, and be the phase 1 of a 10 year investment plan

Where was that stated? I think the chances that Villains Land opens by the start of 2030 is very slim.

 

[Jedi14]

Where was that stated? I think the chances that Villains Land opens by the start of 2030 is very slim.

Josh said it at the end of the D23 presentation.

 

[BrianLo]

Since Iger became CEO nearly 20 years ago, the only significant investments this park has seen are Avatar, Tropical Americas and the ill fated Rivers of Light. One of those won't be finished until after he leaves.

Underinvestment would be an understatement. Now imagine if Iger hadn't tried to get the theme park rights to Avatar.

The first ten years of Iger was absolutely terrible for WDW. The resort probably hit its absolute nadir in 2015. Really the only bright spots during the first half of his tenure was DCA and HKDL.

I actually wasn’t really a fan of WDW at the time.

Where was that stated? I think the chances that Villains Land opens by the start of 2030 is very slim.

It was immediately after the villains reveal. All the projects were projected around the auditorium as he said it; probably not really apparent to those watching the stream. Other execs I would consider a potential gaff, but he is absolutely the most purposeful exec about messaging.

Keep in mind we are still way ahead of the Galaxies edge timeframe decade on decade; and that made 2019.

 

[Casper Gutman]

The first ten years of Iger was absolutely terrible for WDW. The resort probably hit its absolute nadir in 2015. Really the only bright spots during the first half of his tenure was DCA and HKDL.

I actually wasn’t really a fan of WDW at the time.




It was immediately after the villains reveal. All the projects were projected around the auditorium as he said it; probably not really apparent to those watching the stream. Other execs I would consider a potential gaff, but he is absolutely the most purposeful exec about messaging.

Keep in mind we are still way ahead of the Galaxies edge timeframe decade on decade; and that made 2019.

I’m skeptical Villains starts significant construction before Cars opens. We’ll see.

 

[BrianLo]

I’m skeptical Villains starts significant construction before Cars opens. We’ll see.

That may be. But Galaxies edge didn’t even formerly settle into its build locations (on both coasts) until 2016 publicly. It wasn’t announced until 2015 and that concept was equally vague and inaccurate.

This project is quite a bit ahead; so it would have to be an active choice to pause it for several years to hit 2031+. One not currently supported from exec messaging.

Iger still isn’t gone by the next mainline D23, so Josh needs to have something deliverable to show.

 

[Casper Gutman]

That may be. But Galaxies edge didn’t even formerly settle into its build locations (on both coasts) until 2016 publicly. It wasn’t announced until 2015 and that concept was equally vague and inaccurate.

This project is quite a bit ahead; so it would have to be an active choice to pause it for several years to hit 2031+. One not currently supported from exec messaging.

Iger still isn’t gone by the next mainline D23, so Josh needs to have something deliverable to show.

Next D23 will be Cars, AK, and Monsters. Villains will still be vague. There’s no point in diluting the impact of these significant investments - why waste the boost from Villains Land by opening it close on the heels of Cars?

SWL was extremely different because of Iger’s pressing need, both personally and professionally, to justify the Lucasfilm purchase. I was actually shocked by how much they cut from the land considering that. There’s no similar pressure to open Villains, and in fact a lot of forces pushing against it.

 

[JackCH]

I think the two lands are planned to open a year or two apart. Similar to TSL and SGE. That obviously could change, but I would think that would be the idea. So my uneducated guess is Cars 2028, and Villains 2029/2030.

 

[𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇]

I’m skeptical Villains starts significant construction before Cars opens. We’ll see.

I'm skeptical Villains happens at all. Then again I was never an optimist.

 

[BrianLo]

Next D23 will be Cars, AK, and Monsters. Villains will still be vague. There’s no point in diluting the impact of these significant investments - why waste the boost from Villains Land by opening it close on the heels of Cars?

Couldn’t we have said the same thing about Pandora, TSPL and MMRR last decade? The investment cycle and opening rollout is eerily similar. I still think it’s not as strong yet as what they did in 2016-19 last cycle. Primarily because the DAK investment is pretty soft and there really isn’t resort wide infrastructure spend to the same degree.

I think they really want major new things to market annually. Especially now that they directly monetize them all. They recuperate their splashy spend E tickets in about 4-5 years directly and still reap the indirect benefit.

 

[MJL92]

think they really want major new things to market annually.

This has definitely been the plan for while now. Unfortunate that the only things in the pipeline in the nearest term are rethemes rather than whole new builds.

2024 - Tiana
2025 - Test Track 3
2026 - ??? (Muppets RnRC??)

Curious if anything else significant pops up for 2026.

 

[Jedi14]

I’m skeptical Villains starts significant construction before Cars opens. We’ll see.

Initial groundwork will probably start since their both using Rivers of America.

 

[J4546]

This has definitely been the plan for while now. Unfortunate that the only things in the pipeline in the nearest term are rethemes rather than whole new builds.

2024 - Tiana
2025 - Test Track 3
2026 - ??? (Muppets RnRC??)

Curious if anything else significant pops up for 2026.

I know this isnt in Florida, but worldwide DAW in Paris gets a massive expansion/lake/frozen land. Thats one of the biggest expansion projects at any Disney park ever and will transform the park. I cant think anything else though, maybe the Spiderman coaster in SHanghai?

 

[Bocabear]

I know this isnt in Florida, but worldwide DAW in Paris gets a massive expansion/lake/frozen land. Thats one of the biggest expansion projects at any Disney park ever and will transform the park. I cant think anything else though, maybe the Spiderman coaster in SHanghai?

Fantasy Springs? That was a pretty significant addition.... Also HK Disneyland's expansion that included a Toy Story Land, Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch...

 

[The Leader of the Club]

Fantasy Springs? That was a pretty significant addition.... Also HK Disneyland's expansion that included a Toy Story Land, Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch...

I think the OP is referring to upcoming projects. 2025-2026.

HK & Shanghai did just get Frozen & Zootopia respectively, so I think it’s okay if they get a little less investment during this cycle. They are both getting Spider-Man E-Tix.

 

[Nickm2022]

I just want Animal Kingdom to be open at night time again

(speaking of which Disney has the oppurtunity to make Tropical America's to look amazing in the dark, esp the Encanto home

 

[Nickm2022]

This has definitely been the plan for while now. Unfortunate that the only things in the pipeline in the nearest term are rethemes rather than whole new builds.

2024 - Tiana
2025 - Test Track 3
2026 - ??? (Muppets RnRC??)

Curious if anything else significant pops up for 2026.

Current List:

Magic Kingdom:
Tiana: Open!
Villains Land /
Cars Ride in Frontierland /
Kid Friendly Cars Ride in Frontierland /
Nighttime show 2025
Pirates Lounge 2025
Parade 2025

EPCOT:
New Test Track 2025
Lounge in SSE 2025
Canceled Play Pavillion Update (or demo) /
Figment Update /

Animal Kingdom:
Zootopia show 2025 (as of now)
Tropical America’s Land 2027

Hollywood Studios:
Monsters Inc Land /
RnRC Muppets Retheme Land /
Smugglers Run updated /

 

[ToTBellHop]

A lot of site prep is necessary for Villains. That will occur in tandem with early Cars work. As Cars enters its final stages of construction, Villains can enter serious construction. Once we are riding Cars, there will be plenty to see in the villain site. Similar to the TSL/SWGE stagger.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Some people here want to complain more than they want to learn what the facts are