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

[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.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

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

 

[eddie104]

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

Exactly…

 

[Incomudro]

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.

Yes, the vagueness of Villains Land give me little hope.
I certainly don't think it's going to be remotely comparable to what Uni is doing with Frankenstein, the Werewolf etc.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

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

I am rather confident in saying that once everything is said and done, AK will start staying open later.

 

[IanDLBZF]

I am rather confident in saying that once everything is said and done, AK will start staying open later.

Me too, add to that once they get a proper replacement for ROL.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I am rather confident in saying that once everything is said and done, AK will start staying open later.

That's what they said when Avatar opened, and it didn't last long.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

That's what they said when Avatar opened, and it didn't last long.

That is true yes! And this time may not be any different. But, I also feel that the context of this whole project is also different than Pandora. I get the sense that this project will result in a more prominent change to the way AK is approached than Pandora did.