News Disney plans to accelerate Parks investment to $60 billion over 10 years

[mergatroid]

And Canadians and other foreign visitors generally spend more than domestic US tourists. They are more likely to stay longer; see the 14-day UK WDW ticket as an example. Disney gives them a great deal on the ticket. But they spend a ton on merchandise, dining, and lodging. Not to mention other indirect like rental cars or airfare.

You're correct, we get a great 14 day ticket deal here in the UK. This year however we're doing Disneyland Paris (just booked now) instead due to the volatility of the US market and potential food prices etc and the bad taste in our mouths overall. Our friends are doing the same. Next year we'll probably skip Orlando again and try Tokyo instead. I've been doing Orlando annually for over 40 years but sadly might try other options now. We'll return as we love the place but might take advantage of other places till things settle down.

 

[doctornick]

Bare minimum: we will get Tropical Americas. We will see about anything else…and they could always slow-walk Tropical Americas and open the rides a year apart for marketing purposes. I would guess Monsters, Inc. is too far along to cancel but I certainly think the odds of Villain Land are falling. Ugh.

How about they cancel Cars but keep everything else? Just put Villains in MK even if it means some shortening of the RoA.

 

[RobbinsDad]

Disney announced the billion dollars expansion of DCA back in 2007, and that survived the 2008 financial collapse. If interest rates go down, and borrowing becomes cheap, it makes sense to build during a downturn. Especially if you think it will be short-term and want to be prepared when the crowds and spending return.

Weigh that against their desire to stagger openings for maxmium return on marketing efforts. They may slow down timelines and push things out for years (as they did during COVID), but the projects will probably continue.

First of all, the days of proactive decision-making at Disney are long gone, so this scenario seems unlikely. Second, the cost of materials needed to build is about to skyrocket, so working on anything not already in motion is going to get a lot more expensive, regardless of interest rates.

 

[UNCgolf]

They better not cut anything, they need these new additions and even the proposed ones are the bare minimum.

Do not put Monsters Inc back on the shelf or cancel Villians land. Universal isn’t stopping

All the Universal expansions/replacements that have been rumored are pretty unlikely to happen now. Maybe one or two of them but I'd be shocked if they go on a spending/building spree; those projects are mostly going to get pushed back if not cancelled.

 

[Lilofan]

This is definitely true. The parks are about to be the emptiest they’ve been in years, perhaps decades, and incredible ticket and hotel deals will be available.

WDW is the biggest single site employer in FL that employs thousands and many industries and the very many they employ would not exist if it was not for WDW. Execs may have to make difficult decisions moving forward. DeSantis is proposing to lower homeowners property taxes but have the tourists pay more in terms of sales tax. Good luck in that if the tourists don’t come.

 

[Disstevefan1]

How about they cancel Cars but keep everything else? Just put Villains in MK even if it means some shortening of the RoA.

I vote to cancel Cars

 

[easyrowrdw]

If an economic downturn slows or stop the new additions, then that same economic downturn will reduce the number of guests such that the additions aren't needed.

Do you think the parks are underbuilt currently? Even if fewer guests come in the next few years, do they still “need” more to catch up?

 

[el_super]

First of all, the days of proactive decision-making at Disney are long gone, so this scenario seeks unlikely. Second, the cost of materials needed to build is about to skyrocket, so working on anything not already in motion is going to get a lot more expensive, regardless of interest rates.

Hence expanding out the timelines. Assuming high cost of materials will mostly be short term (and it would have to be in order to stay in business anyway), they can definitely plan around that. They can continue demolition and closure efforts and push off construction until more favorable conditions.

I get the idea here that people are hoping they cancel the demolition of the river, but there's almost no chance of that happening. Whether they cancel CARS or not, the river will close.

 

[celluloid]

All the Universal expansions/replacements that have been rumored are pretty unlikely to happen now. Maybe one or two of them but I'd be shocked if they go on a spending/building spree; those projects are mostly going to get pushed back if not cancelled.

It is already evident that is not the case.

Rip Ride Rockit,
Texas
Vegas
Fast and Furious
England

And these are not counting the ones more rumored and the areas something will be done with such as Lost Continent and Expansion plots.

The diversification in the themed entertainment was/is very wise.

 

[celluloid]

Hence expanding out the timelines. Assuming high cost of materials will mostly be short term (and it would have to be in order to stay in business anyway), they can definitely plan around that. They can continue demolition and closure efforts and push off construction until more favorable conditions.

I get the idea here that people are hoping they cancel the demolition of the river, but there's almost no chance of that happening. Whether they cancel CARS or not, the river will close.

Partially correct.

Cars will happen because Disney outside of Marvel and Star Wars has not as many hot merch properties to easily lean into and that has been their focus for a long time rather than risk. This is why it is Cars of all things in the first place.

The SCALE is what will be hampered.

 

[Disstevefan1]

If an economic downturn slows or stop the new additions, then that same economic downturn will reduce the number of guests such that the additions aren't needed.

Sincere question.

I thought attendance is currently down (not related to economic downturn) and WDW is getting increased revenue from increased per capita spending?

Meaning WDW current plans to expand was not tied to attendance per say?

 

[doctornick]

All the Universal expansions/replacements that have been rumored are pretty unlikely to happen now. Maybe one or two of them but I'd be shocked if they go on a spending/building spree; those projects are mostly going to get pushed back if not cancelled.

That's thing, this economic (and tourism) situation is lousy for all theme parks but both WDW and Uni have a significant international clientele. With Comcast's financial situation, I would be just as skeptical of them spending a ton of money in the future as I would be for Disney.

If anything, the massive financial outlay for Epic Universe would probably make Uni even more stingy than Disney in the near future until they get some decent ROI on that project.

 

[monothingie]

Everyone forgets what happened when Disney development came to a halt with Covid uncertainty, while USO pushed forward.

Disney is already playing catch up. If they scale back, which this would give them an excuse to do, they will be in a terrible position in Florida recover from.

 

[monothingie]

Great news for Bob Iger fans!

This is the crisis he needs to stay another couple of years!!!

 

[Disstevefan1]

Everyone forgets what happened when Disney development came to a halt with Covid uncertainty, while USO pushed forward.

Disney is already playing catch up. If they scale back, which this would give them an excuse to do, they will be in a terrible position in Florida recover from.

Well if you speak to Disney they will say they knew about EPIC for 10 years and they have been adding to the parks all that time in preparation for EPIC.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

IDK, but considering what they promised with the 10 years parks plan, Disney will have some explaining to do at D23 2026 and D23 2028.

That’s a fancon

They never have…nor ever will have to “explain” anything.

And they didn’t promise anything…they made an announcement of “intention” which is a tired tactic of the Walt Iger Company. Not at all the same thing. They have more parachutes out of these things than the 82nd Airborne.

Now should they follow through? Yes. They have multiple levels of developing business challenges that require immediate action (which they also never take…the same clown show tactics)…but I’d say it’s never more than a 50/50 chance.

They have lost (real time) $11.92 off their stock value in the last 40 hours. And most of the powder boys will blame “the market” round here…but since they’ve been massively underperforming and can’t make any headway - as compared to the market - for going on 5 YEARS…not a rosy picture

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Great news for Bob Iger fans!

This is the crisis he needs to stay another couple of years!!!

Only he can lead them (as they make 360 degree rotations around the bowl)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well if you speak to Disney they will say they knew about EPIC for 10 years and they have been adding to the parks all that time in preparation for EPIC.

It’s amazing how so few humans have impressive skills…
But all have the ability to lie in obvious fashion

 

[Disstevefan1]

That’s a fancon

They never have…nor ever will have to “explain” anything.

And they didn’t promise anything…they made an announcement of “intention” which is a tired tactic of the Walt Iger Company. Not at all the same thing. They have more parachutes out of these things than the 82nd Airborne.

Now should they follow through? Yes. They have multiple levels of developing business challenges that require immediate action (which they also never take…the same clown show tactics)…but I’d say it’s never more than a 50/50 chance.

They have lost (real time) $11.92 off their stock value in the last 40 hours. And most of the powder boys will blame “the market” round here…but since they’ve been massively underperforming and can’t make any headway - as compared to the market - for going on 5 YEARS…not a rosy picture

Nominee for the best post of 2025.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Sincere question.

I thought attendance is currently down (not related to economic downturn) and WDW is getting increased revenue from increased per capita spending?

Meaning WDW current plans to expand was not tied to attendance per say?

Using MK...

Attendance is down compared to pre-pandemic.

But pre-pandemic was crazy crowded such that the GSATs showed that guests saw that as problematic. Not only because too many bodies, but MK didn't have sufficient capacity (for years) for that many people, and people couldn't get on enough rides to think their visit was satisfactory. MK was hosting 10 million more people per year than the park was designed for.

All the price hikes and park reservations were purposely designed to reduce that crowd. And it did. And Disney raised prices to make up for less attendance. And Disney raised prices enough that park profits still went up.

In order to increase the number of people in MK back to pre-pandemic levels (while keeping pricing high), Disney still needs to increase MK's capacity. That's extra super-duper profits.

Tho, I say all their extra capacity money should have gone in to the other three parks to make them more attractive, but... MK is king.