Rumor WDW Rumor Tracker - Revenge of the Fifth

Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
  • NOTE - After the thread got put up for adoption by Door Coaster, I have decided to give this thread a home, because why not. May as well give it a spin and let y'all tell me what rumors are going around!

  • This is a collection of rumors from trusted insiders (not wild speculation or assumptions). They (99% of them) don't come from me. The information had been originally posted to the various threads of the forum and are just repeated and collated here. There is a link as to where they came from.
  • If you want to discuss or comment on the rumors, then follow the link and post in those threads.
  • Do not comment or start discussions in this thread. The moderators will delete them.
    • Moth Note: Some discussion is fine but don't over-do it.
    • Another Moth Note: Okay, too much discussion. Please calm down.
    • Do not ask if there are updates. Go to those threads and ask there.
  • It's OK to discuss the rumor as rumors... as to their source and conflicting information and updating out of date rumors.

WDW Parks Rumors/Inside Info/Timeline on WDWMagic -- Jump to...
Other Rumor/Timeline Trackers for WDW/DL:

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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Magic Kingdom​

Night Time Parade
  • Called Disney Starlight
    • Will feature Peter Pan, Encanto and Frozen.

Tomorrowland
  • No current rumors regarding land refreshes for Tomorrowland.
  • Stitch's Great Escape has closed. It was going to be replaced by a Wreck It Ralph ride (like Minions/Simpson in Universal and incorporating VR), but that got downgraded several times [here] and eventually nixed. [here] Some other IP is going there by mid 2020. [here]
    • Stitch replacement indefinitely delayed [here]
    • And it may be back from the dead. MAY is the key word here. Nothing definitive yet. [here]
    • Space will be used 'soon'. [here]
  • Speedway might be getting an overhaul. [Here.]
    • Electric cars? [Possible.]
      • Still the plan. [here]
    • Disneyland's Speedway has gone electric. It's reasonable to assume that WDW's may follow.
  • Space Mountain
    • Absolutely no rumors of note currently
  • Carousel of Progress: refurb rumors have gone dark.
Adventureland

  • Tiki Room is safe for now.
    • Stitch might move in? It's safe from Moana. Will likely not be changed.
  • Treehouse: Maybe even the Swiss Family Treehouse will get some sort of change. [here]
  • Moana Boat Ride: Lots of sources saying this is heading into the expansion plot for the land. [here]
    • Could or could not be Shanghai pirates tech. Recent permits point towards it's own ride tech. [here]
      • Confidence is "high" for Moana. [here]
        • Will be like a 'mini splash mountain' [here]
        • Skipped D23 because ???
Liberty to Frontier


  • Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are potentially on the chopping block [here] (half true, they're both being reduced in length and size Anaheim style)
    • Rivers of America has a chance of being axed due to Beyond Big Thunder. [here]
    • Both are being eliminated entirely.
  • Country Bears reopened with new Disney songs.
  • Splash Mountain got rethemed to Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
  • Big Thunder Mountain
    • Reportedly closing REALLY soon for three years for a retrack. [here]
  • Pecos Bill's Retheme
    • Rumors abound of a retheme happening to the Pecos Bills restaurant.
    • Tiana is an option (and likely), creating a New Orleans mini-district that might even be part of Adventureland! [here]
    • Very likely apart of the Frontierland future developments.
    • Still happening.
    • Hungry Bear? Tiana's?
  • Further Frontierland Development
    • More developments are coming to Frontierland. Timeframe uncertain. [here]
    • Shooting Gallery closing for a DVC lounge.
    • DVC lounge currently under construction.
  • Beyond Big Thunder-Pre D23 2024
    • Massive expansion beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and along the river. Three major sub sections - Coco, Encanto and the Villains (who are getting a roller coaster in Paris in 2028).
    • Very very blue sky [here]
      • Definitely moving forward [here]
    • Maybe details at Destination D23 next fall [here]
    • If it happens, expect opening in phases within the 2025-2030 window [here]
    • A combination of the previously proposed Frontierland Connector plan [here] and the plan prior to that [here]
    • Bridging the river and ending river traffic was a previous suggestion, but unknown if that's still happening [here]
    • TSI and ROA will be reduced. [here]. A "bit more" of a reduction than DL's ROA shortening - everything north of Fort Langhorn is getting turfed. [here] with [here] as a rough approximation of the reduction
    • Coco expansion sees the FoP tech Orlando clone that was previously rumored and Encanto is either a walkthrough or something like Mystic Manor 2.0. [here]
    • If built a "creepy porthole" would be the connector between "Latinx Land" (Coco/Encanto) and Villains Land [here]
    • Out of the five concepts (Moana, Zootopia, Coco, Encanto, Villains), Villains Land is the most blue sky [here]
    • The closure of Splash could mean an opportunity to set up the future connector to "Latinx Land" [here]
    • Something very big and very unannounced MIGHT be in the works at Imagineering, and if it is it could be this project [here] (and of course, it could be something else)
    • Villains could be starting to be seriously considered [here]
    • Destination D23 simply stated it would be on the scale of Galaxy's Edge. Encanto is currently in jeopardy due to it going to DAK instead, though.
    • The IP currently being considered most likely for the space is "ridiculous" for Magic Kingdom according to sources. [here]
    • Zootopia or Cars? [here]
      • Zootopia is out of the running. [here]
    • Not Cars. [here]
    • CARS! Apparently! Cars and Villains have switched places according to some sources. [here]
      • While the source mentioned in this message isn't the most reliable, several other sources have claimed that they have heard the same information.
      • Will just be Radiator Springs Racers, not the whole land. Sorry Handwich truthers.
    • Rumors of a Woody attraction also from the same source. Not as collaborated on as RSR rumors but it's worth keeping an eye on. [here]
      • Could be going elsewhere in MK? Tom Sawyer? [here]
    • Coco is the main forerunner. Could be utilizing Soarin' 2.0 technology [here]
      • Could be an E-Ticket 'Flight of the Alebrijes' ride. Could be something smaller. More sources point towards the former. [here]
        • Confidence is "high" for Coco. [here]
          • Will likely use the more intense Soarin' 2.0 tech [here]
    • Villains have moved to Hollywood Studios apparently [here]
    • Phase 2 plans aren't happening until they convert Frontierland [here]
    • Look below
  • FRONTIERLAND-CARS EXPANSION
    • The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer's Island have been earmarked to be removed and replaced with a new land based off of Cars.
    • Cars will have two attractions, one is an e-ticket and the other is for the younger crowd.
    • Will NOT be a clone of Cars Land in Cali.
    • Will feature an all new story using a locale from the Planes spin-off series.
    • Trackless Ride system? [Add source later future moth!]
  • BEYOND BIG THUNDER- VILLAINS
    • After fan demand for two decades, VILLAINS is coming to Magic Kingdom. Details on this are sparce but concept art points to two coasters, one with a water feature.
Fantasyland
  • Nothing major is coming to FL [here]
    • And this is likely false because Beyond Big Thunder has been speculated to be "New New Fantasyland".
    • Nope, New New Fantasyland off the table. BBT is a different thing.
  • Peter Pan's Flight had the scene we knew was on the chopping block taken out and reworked
Other projects

  • Haunted Mansion restaurant. [here] (This isn't happening)
  • In the long term another expansion may go east of Storybook Circus [here]
  • Scentsy Walk-Thru Opened
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Epcot Entrance & World Celebration, Discovery, & Nature​



Epcot in General

Epcot Update: Epcot is getting a major update that will have several phases that will run from 2017 to 2021+ [official]

  • with delays: started in 2019 and will likely run until 2023-2025
  • scope is more than $2 billion over more than 3 years [here]
  • There is a push to include more IPs (Intellectual Properties) into Epcot [here].
  • Bob Chapek on Epcot update: to stay true to Epcot’s original vision while making it “more timeless, more relevant, more family, and more Disney"
  • Epcot is likely to get a 'new name'... but not much different... probably going with all caps and maybe some sort of prefix or suffix, e.g., Disney EPCOT, or EPCOT Center.
    • New font for Epcot has appeared with a mostly all-caps look. Website still uses "Epcot."
  • A stage is being built that'll have an Encanto stage show
  • All done!



World Celebration (spine/hub/festivals) The center spine and hub is now called World Celebration. The major overhaul there will NOT finish in Spring 2024, likely a 2025 completion. It was supposed to contain these elements below which are now either cut, delayed, or altered due to the pandemic

Hub

  • Festival Center
    • Most of this got cancelled. Epcot facelift is mostly done
  • SW Building: demolished right before the pandemic. CommuniCore Hall was built here.
  • NW Building & Journey of Water:
    • All in a finished/mostly finished state.
  • Hub Wishing Tree: Status unknown
  • Hub Fountain: Still coming, timeline unknown
  • Hub entertainment/outdoor plaza: Status unknown (artist concept shows 'flying' acrobats and a Alice themed tea party)
  • Fountain Stage: already moved to a 'temporary' location at World Showcase Plaza
  • All done!
  • EPCOT's Transformation is officially  DONE

Imagination Pavilion

  • In summary: Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but nothing is happening with the Figment ride for the next few years. It was not announced with the Epcot refresh, and thus it is very likely several years away if happening at all. Please stop asking if something's happening with Figment: It isn't. When someone knows, they'll post about it. Until then, the answer is and will be the same... 'nothing.'
    • New Thread Update: There's a film in development, if it happens is one thing but, Disney is actively attempting to use the character more and could lead to Imagination 4 happening.
  • Timeline:
    • Nothing has begun to be done on this Pavilion as of 2024..
  • Figzilla returned! He sports a brand new-look and is meeting where Vanellope met before.
  • Something is going around with Figment and.... Walt Disney Studios? Who knows what is coming from this and the effect it'll have on the current ride. [here]
  • Keep an eye of the Figment film. [here]
  • The dead speak! The Imagination rumor mill returns! Current plan is to keep current track layout and... like, replace Eric Idle with Dreamfinder? Some set changes? Yeah, uhhh, sorry. [here]
  • New story, new effects, new sets, and a new neighbor are apart of the plans. What's been discussed is an outright improvement. [here]
    • Ride layout reportedly not changing.
  • Creeping up...
  • SSE coming before it.
Spaceship Earth

  • Big Refurb/Retheme
    • SSE was going to close on May 26, 2020 for major updates including shifting the story from historical modes of communication to the history of story-telling. Some of the dioramas would have been changed, while others remain mostly intact with updates (likely mostly from projectors). The pandemic indefinitely delayed this refurb. [the update] [the delay] [here]
    • It will need a refurbishment soon, but unsure whether this will change the ride experience [here]
    • Spaceship Earth refurb will likely happen once Test Track comes back. [here]
    • More proof to it coming after Test Track. All new idea, ditching the 'story-light' idea. [here]
    • Imagination might beat it in line... Creeping along...
    • Oh cool, the old lounge is becoming a bar. Neat.
    • Reported there's a plan behind it which will start after TT3.


World Discovery (East side)


Wonders of Life: PLAY!

  • CANCELLED!
    • All trace of it has been wiped from the WDW press releases and only exists in concept art on the official WDW blog. It's dead. It might be early to say it's dead, but until a trustworthy leaker says otherwise, it's dead.

R.I.P Horizons

  • The real story of why Horizons went away (and not because of sink holes) [here]

Test Track
  • Test Track is getting another overhaul to bring it closer to World of Motion [official]
    • Closing in June. [here]
    • Rumored budget is $100 million with a two year closure.
    • Budget will be going into "a de-Tronified World of Motion redux" with implications of more intricate sets akin to World of Motion [here]


World Nature (West side)

Land Pavilion
  • Outside of Soarin getting an updated film in the future to accommodate for a rebuilt EPCOT, do not expect any updates for The Land anytime soon.

Living Seas Pavilion

  • As of September 2024, The Seas has made plans to transfer it's dolphins to another facility and has no future plans to get new ones.

Journey of Water: Finished.

Inside Out: Should eventually find a presence at EPCOT. [here]
  • It and Figment will co-exist and have a bigger presence at WDW as a whole.
  • Keep an EYE on this.
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Epcot World Showcase​



Festivals:
  • There is an idea for a summer event... [here]
    • Since 2017, this has nothing of note to it.

Mexico:
  • Most plans are shelved/repurposed due to reported capacity concerns, with Coco moving into Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom as of current plans.
    • Coco moving into MK gets more likely by the day, Coco isn't going here.

China's 360 Degree Theater will go digital and seamless [confirmed at D23 Expo 2017]. The new film will be live action and projected from a new central ring in the ceiling. [here]
  • New film is MIA as of 2024.

Wakanda
  • Yep, that was a thing once planned on in World Showplace in the Africa spot: indefinitely delayed or completely cut [here]
  • It's back, and officially confirmed, may not necessarily be for Epcot (there's speculation going about that it could be for Studios) but it's coming [official]

France
  • Impressions de France: the placement of the Rat ride would not necessitate any changes to IdF or any of France's restaurants or shops
    • New film? What new film?

The UK:
  • Poppins is cancelled.

Canada
  • The closed upstairs shop of La Boutique des Provinces is supposed to become a Food & Beverage place. [here]

New National Pavilions
  • No source has said anything regarding upcoming World Showcase countries outside of Iger mentioning Wakanda in an interview in 2023.
  • Keep an eye on Brazil rumors.




Fireworks Show: a complete replacement of Harmonious
  • The Replacement of the Replacement - Luminous:
    • Debuted late 2023.
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Disney Hollywood Studios​



Tower of Terror will not get the Guardians of the Galaxy overlay that the one in Anaheim is getting [confirmed by Bob Chapek]
  • Reaffirmed: ToT will remain untouched by GotG [here]
  • Rumors swirling around it losing the Twilight Zone branding.

Star Tours
  • Destinations from Ahsoka, along with other presumably unannounced destinations coming to Star Tours. Timeframe TBA.
  • April 5th!
Galaxy's Edge
  • Rise of the Resistance: Overlay?
    • Rise of the Resistance could be rethemed to another era in the Star Wars timeline [here] (in fact, that was a point imagineers made about SWL when building it.
    • Any new timeline overlay would not be a seasonal thing, but permanent [here] (until they decide to change it again)
    • Such a change (not decided upon yet) would take less than a year [here]
  • Any "Phase II" updates to Galaxy's Edge are now indefinitely delayed [here]
  • Oh hey Mando is there now!

Echo Lake area is safe for now [here]

Drive-in and Commissary safe for now [here]

Muppets
  • Muppets is reportedly being removed for Monsters Land.
    • Muppets will move elsewhere in WDW.

Sunset Blvd
  • no current plans disrupt the theming of Sunset Blvd [here]
  • but a hint that whatever RnRC remains or become may not wind up on Sunset in a further expansion of the park [here]
    • RnRC may be rethemed, or just reoriented from Sunset Blvd to be part of a new land(s) that will be behind it taking over currently back stage areas (and maybe Animation Courtyard buildings?) [here]
    • And now - At least a few higher ups are at least somewhat considering giving RnRC a Queen theme [here]
      • Not happening.
    • And RnRC, or at least its theme, may be on the chopping block, but that will be "a ways off" [here]
    • Electric Mayhem retheme was shopped around when the Disney+ show came out. Likely not happening due to said show being cancelled. [here]
    • Yearly refurbs keep occuring.
    • Reopened same as we left off in June 2024.
Hub
  • Nighttime animation hub show could replace the Star Wars night show [here]

Shows
  • Indy is safe for now. [here]
    • The announcement that Indy will take up shop at DAK may have complicated things a bit
  • Little Mermaid could be replaced when TSL opens in 2018.
    • Voyage of the Little Mermaid stage show is likely slated to be replaced with a 'black box' ride, which is a C-Ticket dark ride that can be easily rethemed into a new ride as needed [here] and Walt Disney Presents, too, would go to be part of a new ride [here]
    • Voyage of the Little Mermaid (along with multiple others) is now permanently closed [here]. No word on if any replacement is expected.
    • Replacement is... "The Little Mermaid-A Musical Adventure" [here]

Something "big" is coming to DHS/Animation Courtyard Re-do
  • Read more in this thread.
  • Current rumors swirling around are Zootopia, Villains and/or Monsters Inc
  • Villains could possibly be paired with Monsters Inc. [here]
  • Not many sources have commented on Zootopia.
  • Would likely be done after BBTM.

Monsters Land- AC or Muppets?
  • The long rumored Door Coaster was finally announced at D23 2024, with a whole land. There has been no indication on where it's going as of now, with two major contenders.

The rumored "Phase 3" is not going to be another land, but instead, updates like the Mickey ride; however, there once was talk of "2 new areas" in the planning stages which are now off the table
  • No other big stuff for five or six years [here]
  • Is Monstropolis / Pixar Land Coming to DHS? [not very likely] [and still no]
    • Rumors point to a possible revival of the Door Coaster idea for Monsters Inc. [here]
  • Animation Courtyard is next after SWL for a re-do. [here] and [here]
  • Still some undetermined plans for DHS after SWL opens [here]
  • Pre-pandemic, Martin hinted that a proper Phase 3 (as in an actual new land) was a possibility [here]. It could relate to the rumors in the Sunset Boulevard segment of this post.
  • Launch Bay could be the site of a walkway connecting to a possible expansion behind Sunset, possibly the same expansion Martin hinted at in the Sunset Boulevard segment of this post. [here]
    • ToTBellHop stated that the area from Launch Bay to RnRC is next in line for an expansion of the Studios, but added that it would be "a ways off" and that the IP is not set in stone. [here]
  • Simpsons??? [here]
  • Bluey has rights issues preventing it from being in the parks.
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Animal Kingdom​


Night Show: It'll have DRONES! ...if it happens! [here]

Pandora

  • An extra attraction and a full sit-down restaurant are possible additions [here] [updated].
    • It does exist, but unlikely to be enacted [here]
    • Or, it's still in the cards [here]
  • Phase II Addition
    • A description of a proposed Phase 2 attraction in Pandora [here]
    • The Pandora expansion is indefinitely delayed [here]
    • Or, based on The Way of Water's massive box office numbers, this may be back on the table and could even displace the DinoLand project [here]
    • An Avatar attraction was announced for Disneyland. This could be the new attraction for the Pandora Phase Two expansion. [source (Deadline)]
    • James Cameron REALLY wants to do more in Pandora, specifically new rides and updating Flight of Passage.
    • Jon Landau also! [here]
  • a good portion of the interactive at-night lighting effects did not turn out as planned. [here]


Northern Project: Some long term proposal to make use of the land north of Kali and south of Conservation Station. [here]

  • No progress or recent rumors on this.


DinoLand Replacement: There were many rumors concerning this area with one or more attractions being replaced with various rumors that kept shifting. Given the pandemic and the closing of Primeval Whirl, any rumors worth mentioning would only be those from plans made in a post-COVID world. See Version 2 of the tracker for what these all were. Though, this prescient one:

  • Primeval Whirl may be gone in a year or two [here]. And... it's gone.
  • The space may be used for a quick flat-ride replacement (2023 or 2024), OR... saved for a more major land addition (2025 or 2026) [here] (The latter was correct)
  • Encanto and Indy!
  • New Encanto and Indiana Jones project has completely replaced the Moana/Zootopia combo seen in last year's D23 [official]
  • There is intent to move forward with this [here]
  • Like the dead Moana project animals will be involved [here]
  • Looks like Indy will be replacing Dinosaur. A FAR better replacement to Zootopia if you ask me, and it at last validates rumors that you can find on V2 of the tracker. I can't wait!
  • Word on the street is that Coco has joined these plans. [here]
    • Carousel.
  • Good-bye Dinoland. Permits are starting to be made for construction. [here]
  • Encanto will be omnimover or water ride [here]
  • Indiana Jones is not a clone and 'will fit into AK' [here]
  • See more details below.
Tropical Americas: Replacing Dinoland U.S.A and DINOSAUR
  • Plans that reportedly got greenlit [here]
  • DINOSAUR is becoming a ride for Indiana Jones, with a new story that will 'fit AK'.
  • Encanto boat ride, presumably the animal story will be played up.
  • Coco-inspired carousel, may or may not have other animal-based IPs in it.
  • Small animal exhibits spread throughout the land.
    • Like Capybaras!!!!
  • Restaurantosaurus will be expanded and rethemed. Expect Mexican and Central American food.
  • "minimal changes to the current Chester & Hesters shop, restroom facilities, and walk-up food options."
  • Transition of the land will happen at the current Dinoland bridge.
  • Nemo will not be impacted.
  • Access to Theater in the Wild and the current amphitheater will not be impacted.
  • Timeline will be staggered, DINOSAUR will remain open as phase one of construction reportedly starts at the former site of Primeval Whirl

Tree of Life Show: Zootopia got downgraded to a new show replacing It's Tough to Be a Bug. Shame, I kinda liked that one. [official]
  • I didn't!

Flights of Wonder:

  • New show opened in April 2018 - - UP! A Great Bird Adventure
    • Show is gone. Got replaced with balloons? That's gone now also.

Rivers of Light: Show was permanently canceled during the pandemic. No info on any possible new water-stadium show.

  • Or... maybe not so cancelled. [here]
  • Or.. everything is now trashed and it ain't ever coming back [here]
  • Aspirations for a new nighttime show [here]


Zootopia: Zootopia never was planned to be and never will be a DAK attraction [here] and [here] (See Tree of Life section above)
  • Has gone MIA.


Indiana Jones: Anything that was Indiana Jones that was going to come to DAK is now cancelled It's Happenin'! [here]


THE LION KING:
  • The Lion King is currently rumored to be getting an E-Ticket ride in Africa after Beyond Big Thunder finishes in Magic Kingdom. [here]
    • Could be a clone of current French plans. Could not.
      • Rumored to be a water ride, and will eat into animal space in the Safari. [here]
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

In General / Park Wide​

  • Some Type of Transportation Other Than Gondolas!
  • AI driven buses, vans, cars?.... <silence>
  • Monorail
    • Now that the automation has been completed, expect upgrades to the vehicles [here] which includes being flush to the loading platform for easier load of vehicles [here]
    • Bob Gurr and Bombardier
      • Legendary and retired Imagineer, Bob Gurr, let loose that WDW was in the process of contracting with Bombardier for new monorail trains (thanks, in part, to several recent non-lethal but-could-have-been mishaps). Not a done deal... yet.
      • Option: Extending the stations to accommodate longer trains. [here]
    • still going with Bombadier, still in the works [here]
    • How about a Bombadier Innovia 200? [here]
    • if still happening, still a few years away and will be incremental changes [here]
    • Silver monorail was just refurbished, which is a sign that WDW isn't getting new monorails soon and in time for the 50th. So, they're getting refurbed in the meantime. [here] [here] [here]
  • DAK to/from AKL Transportation
    • A new non-Gondola and non-bus way to link AKL with AK in in the works (years away)
      • All they can afford are cable cars [here]
    • Could also link in Disney Springs and elsewhere [here]
  • Train from airport to Disney Springs
Miscellaneous
  • Fifth Gate: Ain't happening. No trusted insider has indicated this is anywhere in the works. In fact, they say it isn't.
    • There are current sketches for a possible fifth gate after the next 10+ years of development and $60 billion investment into the parks. [here]
      • Even then, don't bank on it happening.
        • Until it actually happens. The answer will forever be No.
  • Club 33: All the rumored Club 33s (one for each theme park) are completed.
  • S.E.A.: No rumors of this backstory being incorporated into WDW for a while now. With the imperative of "more Disney," it seems that S.E.A. isn't "Disney," at least not without a popular movie to back it up.
    • And now, more SEA being added to Jungle Cruise: [here]
    • SEA has recently been seen in the background of the Imagineering Youtube series? Get hype?
  • Cryptic clue: Maybe there will be something built immediately behind World Showcase (American, Japan, France), or, the gondola system is set up for expansion, or, something... [here]
  • Hours: How WDW determines how late they'll be open to [here]
  • What does a SVP-Commercial Strategy and Chief Revenue Officer do? [here]
  • Joe Rhode and the mystery of Bali [here]
  • Frozen: Other than minor things at DHS (e.g., incorporating songs from the Frozen short into the sing-along), no more Frozen additions expected in WDW. [here]
  • While "more Disney" is a company goal leading to incorporating established Disney IPs from movies into the parks, there still is the possibility of "non-IP" attractions being added. [here]
  • GotG coming to the Energy pavilion will be the only Marvel integration in WDW... that's the plan... for now. [here]
    • Wakanda rumors are stirring but unknown if it's meant for WDW.
  • The Muppets are under Walt Disney Imagineering (under their puppetry division). [here]
  • Disney Dining Plan, shelved during the pandemic, may come back in 2022 [here]
    • It's back in 2024!
  • Cars in Orlando: WDW is still interested in Anaheim's Cars' Land. Apparently they are "hesitant on pulling the trigger". [here]
  • DRONES!: Drones were recently seen testing at WDW, no word on what they could be for but it's promising!
Looking To The Future
  • WDI was recently challenged to develop a large scale project somewhere in the resort to present to the big wigs and "time is of the essence" [here]
  • Numerous large scale projects coming [here]
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Disney Springs​


Marketplace Makeover: There are plans [here] In approval stages [here] (and from other sources), however, it seems a long time delayed, and with the pandemic, pushed off for far longer.

Build-A-Bear: A more self-sourced thing but I frequent those circles and there's been semi-regular talk that the higher ups at Build-A-Bear keep eying up a store in Disney Springs.

Property was deemed too expensive. Not happening.

NBA Experience Building: No reliable source has given any pointers on what will be done with this location.
-Permits! We have permits being done!

Escape Rooms: Were being discussed.... then dropped. Sources haven't heard anything since. [here]
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Resorts​


Value Designation: Designation of Value, Moderate, and Deluxe being done away with. Rooms priced as the market will bear. Multiple criteria will be considered in pricing: closeness to a park, size of room, theming, amenities, etc.... Computer searching for price range replaces cost tiers.
  • Since this rumor, years have gone by with revamps to hotel designations with regard to villas, DVC, Disney Springs, Good Neighbor, special status of Swolphin, Four Seasons, etc.... But, still haven't done away with "value v. moderate v. deluxe"

Polynesian may be getting a major update [here]
  • And indeed a refurb has been announced.
  • Polynesian Great Ceremonial House retheme with Moana elements has been scaled back in scope [here]
  • The luau kicked it. A massive tower (10 stories IIRC) is replacing it and targeted for 2024. This seems to be an expansion of a different Poly tower proposal that died during COVID.
  • Poly expansion is vertical. It will definitely be ten stories tall and might even open earlier than planned. [here]

Miscellaneous
  • Maybe 6 new boutique hotels 2018-2031 [here] Now probably dead because the one they did built flopped hard and is now gone forever
  • Maybe a super-deluxe [here]
    • WDW Pro posted this, so take it with a huge grain of salt, but a very very high-end hotel (probably the Super Deluxe) might be destined to go north of Grand Floridian, and may have a private entrance into Adventureland. [here]
  • Maybe the empty resort pad on Seven Seas Lagoon that was once going to be the Venetian will be developed after all [here]
  • Once the road is moved, a new deluxe resort goes up not far from GF [here]. This or something similar was corroborated by Martin. [here]
  • The pirate rooms at CBR are going to be replaced by a general underwater theme [here]
  • There's a possibility that Contemporary is expanding - it was described as about the same scale as Bay Lake Tower if it happens [here] and would, if this post isn't just sarcasm that flew over my head, likely include another tower replacing the South Garden Wing [here]
  • Convention centers at all resorts may be in danger [here]
  • At one point a DVC resort was proposed to go near the MK auto center [here]
  • Four new DVC sites being examined, at least two of which are in consideration and one of which is the above Contemporary expansion. [here]
  • Seeming implications of something similar to Poly's DVC expansion (new DVC studios then a tower) happening at GF in reverse order to Poly along with Yacht Club villas [here]
  • Too lazy to get links for this ATM but will update at a later date.
  • New DVC cabins on the way to Fort Wilderness, replacing the old ones. Ex-Reflections site remains prime for possible future expansion
  • Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser has closed forever, nothing known about the fate of the physical structure other than it will be used for something. The Other Site suggested they could be turning it into a normal hotel
    • Construction permits! [here]
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

Resources​


Forum

Big List of Forum Abbreviations


Maps

Google Earth Pro

WDW Project Map by Door Coaster

I likely won't be keeping this up so it's up to Door Coaster if they'd like to show me the ropes on how to maintain it or maintain it themselves.
  • Check it out here!
  • Colors and what they mean:
  • Green - already open
  • Yellow - actively under construction
  • Orange - on the tracker and not cancelled but not currently under construction
  • Very dark orange - Indefinitely delayed
  • Red - Official project cancelled
  • Light purple - status unclear
  • Dark Purple - Rumored project either denied by insiders or cancelled

RCID Address Finder


Rick Singh CFA Orange County Property Appraiser Florida

  • Often has the latest satellite imagery. Will also identify ownership of plots.

Disney's Web Map without borders

Maps of the Reedy Creek 2010 - 2020 Plan

How to Search for Permits


Other

Animation Screencaps: Don't bother firing up D+ on your computer to grab a screencap... they got you covered. (External link)
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
"What do you know about lines?": Genie Rundown

No Genie
  • Show up, get in standby lines, OR, use Boarding Groups/Virtual Queues -- either way, all rides can be ridden at no additional cost this way
  • Can still use My Disney Experience app (MDE)
  • The old "My Plans" section can be accessed by searching for my plans in the search bar.
Disney Genie [DG] (without the "+")
  • The app that will plan your day 'for free' by guiding you to your preferred attractions (standby lines) throughout the day.
  • Coming Oct 19, 2021 to WDW. [Start date at DL is still TBD.]
Disney Genie+ [DG+]
  • What is it?
    • DG+ is an add-on to the free Disney Genie app... for a daily fee.
    • It will then show on your app, the list of attractions/rides that have a "Lightning Lane" (what used to be called "FastPass Queue/Line").
    • It shows the next available "Lightning Lane Pass" for that attraction. Click on it, and you know have a scheduled Lightning Lane.
  • Purchasing Genie+
    • Costs $15 per day per guest per day at WDW; costs $20 at DL.
    • DG+ can be bought on a day-to-day basis.
      • You can purchase a theme park ticket with DG+ added on
      • You can add DG+ to your ticket already purchased
      • You can purchase DG+ for the day through the app
        • DG+ can be added to the day of your visit starting at 12:00 AM (let's call it 12:01 AM, so we know which side of the divide we're on). Then, at 7:00 AM, you can do your DG+ stuff.
      • If you purchase a multi-day ticket/package, you can add DG+ for the whole stay.
    • APs can purchase DG+ per day on each day they attend.
      • It is unknown at this time if Disney will have an option to pay one price to add G+$ to an AP for every visit (like a Park Hopper Pass can be added).
    • When you make a DG+ LL selection. It can be cancelled so that you can choose a different LL.
  • Benefit: Lightning Lanes [LL]
    • DG+ gives you access to Lightning Lanes (LLs, previously, FP Queues), which are available one-at-a-time throughout the day.
      • In this way, you can schedule your LLs like Maxpass in DL or with the old paper passes.
    • Shows you the next available scheduling slot for a slew of rides (with the exception of select 'tier 1' rides that now have an individual extra cost [see ILL below]) and you pick one, and show up at the time.
    • All guests can schedule their first LL at 7a at WDW. At DL, they can schedule their first LL once in the park.
      • WARNING: If you grab a LL for later in the day, the 120 minute times starts when the park opens, and not at 7 AM. If your first LL of the day is at park opening, it makes no difference. If your first LL is later in the day, your next LL window will be 2 hours after the park opens.
    • You don't have to be in the park in which your next LL is scheduled (so, you can chose your LL at the resort, e.g., or at another park and then hop)
    • When can you grab your next LL? Book another LL when your return window opens for your current 'open' LL, OR, after 2 hours since your last selection, whichever is sooner, which is the current DL practice of Maxpass.
      • This means that, e.g., if at 9 AM you pick up a Big Thunder Mountain LL scheduled for 4 PM, then, at 11 AM, you can choose a new DG+ LL pass.
    • Note that you can only get one LL per ride per day. For example, if you grab a LL for Haunted Mansion, you can't get another LL for HM in that same day. You'll have to use the Standby line for a second ride. This includes purchasing an ILL (see below). However you get a LL for an attraction, you can't get another LL for that attraction the same day. Re-rides can be accomplished by using the Standby Queue/Line.
    • It seems the the same grace period from FP+ exists for LLs, namely, 5 minutes before and 15 minutes after stated window.
  • Benefits, Miscellaneous:
    • at DL, Genie+ gives you Photopass and audio tour tracks
    • At WDW, G+ doesn't give you photopass, but you get augmented reality lens and some audio tour tracks.
Individual Lightning Lanes (ILL) [formerly knowns as Individual Attractions Lightning Lanes $elect Experiences (IA$)]
  • Buy up to two Individual Lightning Lane $elections (formerly, "fastpasses") for select rides
    • The select rides are: Space, 7DMT, FEA, Rat, RotR, MMRR, FoP, Everest
  • If you buy your max of 2 for the day, they must be two different attractions, no double dipping.
    • If you also purchased DG+ (see above), you're still limited to one LL per attraction per day, whether by ILL or DG+.
  • Unlike DG+LLs in which you can only grab the next available time slot, these individually selected pay-per-ride ILLs can be scheduled at a wide range of time slots if those slots are available.
    • Once you purchase it, you'll see all the available time slots of the day.
  • Disney Resort Guests at WDW can purchase ILL at 7am day-of.
    • Non-resort-guests at WDW, and everyone at DL, have to wait until the park opens to buy their ILL.
  • You don't have to be in the park in which your ILLis scheduled
    • this way, you can chose your ILL at the resort, e.g., or at another park and then hop
  • When you make a ILL selection, it cannot be moved or cancelled for some other attraction or time. It is non-refundable.
  • You don't have to purchase Genie+$15 in order to buy your one or two ILL. A person looking for rides on Genie (regular, not 'plus') will see a button to *purchase* a LL for select rides.
  • Disney wan't sure what to call this. We've seen, and they may still use at times...
    • Lightning Lane Select Experiences
    • Individual Attraction Selections (IAS)
    • Individual Attractions
    • Individual Lightning Lanes (ILL) (!!)
    • Individual á la carte Lightning Lane Entrance
  • At launch, ILLattractions will be priced at $7-$15 per attraction per person. Everest will be the cheapest and Rise of the Resistance being the most expensive. Prices will fluctuate based on demand (so far, prices we've seen have fluctuated only a few dollars)
    • the most expensive ILLs are capped at $15.
  • If the attraction you paid for goes down...
    • you will be allowed to ride it when it comes back up at any time later in the day
    • if it goes down for the rest of the day, currently, you can get a gift card refund from Customer Service, but there is plans to make the refund automatic
    • If it goes down and it comes back up, but you couldn't go the attraction at a later time (e.g., you already left the park), you can contact CS for a refund
Virtual Queues
  • Will be found under Genie (regular, not 'plus')
  • Rat will have them.
  • RotR recently got removed from VQs, it may go back on
  • If you miss the VQ lottery:
    • These attractions could possibly wind up with standby lines on slow days, or,
    • you may be able to buy a IA$ for it under Genie (regular, not 'plus')

1629355664949.png





1633723547724.png



See also...




www.wdwmagic.com




Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane FAQ for Walt Disney World ​


Your most frequently asked questions about the new Disney Genie service coming to Walt Disney World.

www.wdwmagic.com

www.wdwmagic.com





This is a helpful graphic by @JAB...

1629411305944.png



1633727783778.png
 
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Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Patch Notes
  • 2/5/24
    • Moth takes the wheel for Version 5 of the Rumor Tracker.
    • Main 4 Parks added with some changes between v4 and here.
  • 2/6/24
    • Sources being added for some rumors for the main 4 parks
    • Other areas added for posts.
  • 2/7/24
    • Fixed links up!
    • Clarified current status of PLAY! pavilion. Once a trusted source says the word cancelled I'll deem it cancelled but for now it'll be basically "cancelled*"
      • *mileage may vary regarding cancellation, could come back alive at any moment. v
  • 3/4/24
    • Reduced clutter. Added some stuff.
 
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Door Coaster

Door Coaster

Well-Known Member
You have received the Official Door Coaster Seal of Approval!

Some advice:
  1. In the glossary (where it lists the parts of the tracker like MK, EPCOT, DHS, etc.) you might want to change the links to the current incarnation of the tracker. They still lead to Version 4.
  2. For some of the rumors (I.E. Coco coming to DAK, or the Electric Mayhem overlay of RNRC), see if you can find a source for them and then put the source next to the rumor in brackets like "[here]". Kinda like what you've been doing with the officials. (Altho, you could still be datamining the insiders at this stage, so if you are then that explains it)
  3. There's 4 more segments in the tracker after AK: In General, Disney Springs, Resorts and Resources. It'd be a good idea to add those.
  4. List of Trusted Insiders I typically sourced from: ToTBellhop, marni1971, Magic Feather, WDW Pro VERY sparingly although he basically incinerated the "trusted" part when he threw a hissy fit in Tracker 2. Looking at MisterPenguin's followed users gives a good idea of who to source from.
And finally, for your consideration:
  • Monsters Inc. (including the door coaster) has also been floated for the Studios expansion [here, and check here for more info on DHS rumors]
  • The IP most likely to be announced for Beyond Big Thunder isn't one of the previously announced ones and was described as not fitting MK at all [here]
  • At bare minimum, Orlando is still interested in Anaheim's Cars Land. (In fact, that might be the above mentioned IP for BBT) [here]
 
Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thank you both for the pointers! I'm trying to get everything cleaned up to have an official launch of this thread for the weekend.

I'm working on importing the Springs and other sections later today. Along with general link fixing and trying to dig up further rumors.

I like the idea for the timeline for updates and I have a plan to have a patch-notes for updates I do to this thread.

I might have to ask y'all to delete your posts because I might want to add at least 2-3 more reserved posts. But other than that, working on tidying up stuff today!
 
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nickys

nickys

Premium Member
BasiltheBatLord said:
Some innocent advice: I always felt a chronological timeline of coming attractions and updates would be very useful for those trying to plan their trips. We do this over on the Disneyland forum. Understand it would be a much bigger timeline for WDW but I think it would be really useful.
Click to expand...
I think @MisterPenguin already does this with his Sacred Timeline thread.

The Sacred Timeline

The following is a timeline of stuff for which we have a specific date, or our legit insiders have indicated. All the other stuff for which have no time frame at all, such as projects indefinitely on hold (e.g. Stitch's replacement, Mary Poppin attraction) are, by definition, indefinite and...
forums.wdwmagic.com forums.wdwmagic.com
 
nickys

nickys

Premium Member
I just looked through post #1 so far. I notice some of the links aren’t accurately pointing to the posts in question….

For example, the cancellation of the Play pavilion link goes to a random post in the middle of the relevant thread. I can’t find any post within a page either side which says anything about it being cancelled.

I realise it might take a while to check the links and find the relevant posts (hopefully within the linked thread at least). As a quick hit you could maybe add “tbc” to links which still need some refining.
 
Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
nickys said:
I just looked through post #1 so far. I notice some of the links aren’t accurately pointing to the posts in question….

For example, the cancellation of the Play pavilion link goes to a random post in the middle of the relevant thread. I can’t find any post within a page either side which says anything about it being cancelled.

I realise it might take a while to check the links and find the relevant posts (hopefully within the linked thread at least). As a quick hit you could maybe add “tbc” to links which still need some refining.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm digging thru the links tonight so I can start fixing everything/making sure things go to their right place.
 

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