Since they’re going through with this wise and not at all misguided plan...
I’ll just say that I think setting the story after the film ends is limiting them creatively. This means no Tiana and Naveen as frogs, and perhaps most criminally, no way to include Dr. Facilier and the amazing Friends on the Other Side song and imagery. Imagine an AA of Facilier with an animated projection of his independent shadow dancing behind him.
I just don’t see how the final drop will feel ominous and built up to, rather than a feeling of “Welp, there’s a lift hill. Ride must be almost over.”
That, and I don’t trust current management to do justice to the gorgeous and immersive physical sets and AAs that currently reside in Chickapin Hill.
I’d absolutely love to be wrong here.