Transformative Multi-Year Expansion Announced for WDS Paris

[Bernswss]

Lots of new photos from DLP Works on twitter. I have to say, the lake area looks really good so far. I think it's gonna be wonderful to walk there, a great vibe, especially at night. Truly something WDS is missing right now. Also love that they designed it in different levels. I know it's mainly for more viewing space for the nighttime spectacular, but it's something they have eliminated in newer built lands/parks. But it gives the space much more grandeur and makes it just ecstatically pleasing. I think after Lion King, this park will do great business with all the popular IP. And when I let go of all the dreams it could have been, I'm sure to enjoy it as well.

The park has some good rides, nice restaurants and amazing shows, what it doesn't have is that pleasantness of being in a park, the lake and surrounding areas will change that. I can go to Disneyland Park and just enjoy my time there without riding anything, the same can't be said for WDS, but with that new area, it looks like that is coming.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

From DLP Report:

 

[abaker1975]

Unsure if anybody would know, but is all that has been announced - Update to Studio One, Improvement to Entrance Area, New Lake, Tangled Spinner, Frozen and Lion King Ride and new Nighttime show is as far as it goes in to making WDS a worthy Disney Park? I just want to think this is only what has been announced and there are further plans not announced properly yet to build up this park.

Actually, as I typed this all out it sounds quite a lot - but considering where we are starting from (even though Avengers Campus has now opened) it still doesn't feel enough to make it world class.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Unsure if anybody would know, but is all that has been announced - Update to Studio One, Improvement to Entrance Area, New Lake, Tangled Spinner, Frozen and Lion King Ride and new Nighttime show is as far as it goes in to making WDS a worthy Disney Park? I just want to think this is only what has been announced and there are further plans not announced properly yet to build up this park.

Actually, as I typed this all out it sounds quite a lot - but considering where we are starting from (even though Avengers Campus has now opened) it still doesn't feel enough to make it world class.

I think the attraction line-up sounds pretty good by itself on paper, with a decent mix of thrill rides and family rides. The park's big issue was the lack of a compelling package in which to wrap those attractions, particularly compared to the park next-door. I'm a little sceptical that the whole "Disney Adventure World" concept (if there is indeed an overarching concept) correctly addresses that problem, but we'll see, I guess.

 

[nickys]

Unsure if anybody would know, but is all that has been announced - Update to Studio One, Improvement to Entrance Area, New Lake, Tangled Spinner, Frozen and Lion King Ride and new Nighttime show is as far as it goes in to making WDS a worthy Disney Park? I just want to think this is only what has been announced and there are further plans not announced properly yet to build up this park.

Actually, as I typed this all out it sounds quite a lot - but considering where we are starting from (even though Avengers Campus has now opened) it still doesn't feel enough to make it world class.

There are 2 (maybe 3) more good sized areas around the lake that there must be plans for. They’re not like the Epcot expansion pads that have been used for other things, they will be big open spaces that guests walk past.

 

[abaker1975]

I think the attraction line-up sounds pretty good by itself on paper, with a decent mix of thrill rides and family rides. The park's big issue was the lack of a compelling package in which to wrap those attractions, particularly compared to the park next-door. I'm a little sceptical that the whole "Disney Adventure World" concept (if there is indeed an overarching concept) correctly addresses that problem, but we'll see, I guess.

Actually your right. When I started listing all the additions and changes I started doubting what I was thinking. However it is the "wrapping" not the attractions that are the issue for me.

 

[abaker1975]

There are 2 (maybe 3) more good sized areas around the lake that there must be plans for. They’re not like the Epcot expansion pads that have been used for other things, they will be big open spaces that guests walk past.

Let's hope some meaningful additions get added to those areas then. It is going to feel a very empty walk around the lake - it needs atmosphere.

 

[Aramar]

Unsure if anybody would know, but is all that has been announced - Update to Studio One, Improvement to Entrance Area, New Lake, Tangled Spinner, Frozen and Lion King Ride and new Nighttime show is as far as it goes in to making WDS a worthy Disney Park? I just want to think this is only what has been announced and there are further plans not announced properly yet to build up this park.

After the expansion, it will be almost at the current Disney California Adventure level (only 1 big attraction less):

Spoiler: Comparison

Incredicoaster - Flight Force
Jessie's carousel - Tangled Spin
Toy Story Mania - Together (show)
Inside Out - Flying Carpets
Silly Symphony - Cars Road trip
Goofy Sky School - Crush's Coaster
Jumpin Jellyfish - Toy Story Parachute
Golden Zephyr - RC Racer
Little Mermaid - Ratatouille
Grizzly River Run - Lion King
Soarin' - Alice and the Queen of Hearts Back to Wonderland (show)
Mater's Jamboree - Cars Race Rally
Luigi's - Slinky Dog
Philharmagic - Animation Celebration (Frozen show)
Spiderman - Spiderman
Guardians of the Galaxy - Tower of Terror
Turtle Talk - Stitch Live
Hyperion Theater - Mickey and the Magician
Disney Jr Dance Party - Disney Jr Dream Factory
World of Colour - New Night Show
Ancient Sanctum - Hero training Center
Pixar Games - Anna & Elsa Meet and Greet inside Arendelle Castle
Radiator Spring Racers -
Monsters Inc -
Pixar Wheel -
Redwood Trail -

 

[J4546]

DAW will still be the worst Disney park but it wont be an objectively bad park anymore

 

[marni1971]

DAW will still be the worst Disney park but it wont be an objectively bad park anymore

I’m sure you’ll love it when you visit. Even more than last time.

 

[HauntedPirate]

DAW will still be the worst Disney park but it wont be an objectively bad park anymore

When was your last visit to DLP?

 

[SplashJacket]

DAW will still be the worst Disney park but it wont be an objectively bad park anymore

100% agree.

Not really sure what could be worse? DHS? DAK? HKDL?

They’ve all gotten / will get better by the time DAW completes its improvements.

Truly though, won’t be anymore terrible Disney parks.

 

[infloencer]

Not really sure what could be worse? DHS? DAK? HKDL?

Did you just say DAK was one of the worst Disney parks???? (When it’s obviously in the top 5)

 

[mrflo]

Wasn't DLP supposed to get a significant part of Disney’s $60 billion supercharge investment? Some insiders were even claiming that it would be in the double-digit billion range and outpace the investment for the DLR. Maybe a more substantial expansion phase - this time also including the first park - is in development and still to be announced? Though rumours have gone very quiet around this. Anyone heard any recent update on this?

While I would be super excited to see such a investment coming to DLP, I have always said that even just matching the investments for DLR in the next couple of years would be already a major win for DLP.

On the lack of compelling package for DAW, I completely agree. I find the new concept extremely lazy and like something that some Marketing executives came up with in brief brainstorming session. I have recently visited a few non Disney-parks like Europa-Park or SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and was very impressed how other parks have ramped up their game on theming, innovation and immersive story-telling. Meanwhile the primary thing that Disney has raised was their prices.

 

[SplashJacket]

Did you just say DAK was one of the worst Disney parks???? (When it’s obviously in the top 5)

I love DAK, but I don’t see people arguing MK, DLP, TDS, TDL, etc are bad parks

 

[Centauri Space Station]

I love DAK, but I don’t see people arguing MK, DLP, TDS, TDL, etc are bad parks

DCA is way worse than DAK

 

[SplashJacket]

DCA is way worse than DAK

As a themed park, I would agree, but I could spend infinitely more time in DCA. I find myself rarely visiting DAK because there’s just so little to do.

 

[Gusey]

Wasn't DLP supposed to get a significant part of Disney’s $60 billion supercharge investment? Some insiders were even claiming that it would be in the double-digit billion range and outpace the investment for the DLR. Maybe a more substantial expansion phase - this time also including the first park - is in development and still to be announced? Though rumours have gone very quiet around this. Anyone heard any recent update on this?

While I would be super excited to see such a investment coming to DLP, I have always said that even just matching the investments for DLR in the next couple of years would be already a major win for DLP.

I'm not sure if we ever found out if the $60 billion included the DAW transformation $1 billion announced in 2018 (Avengers Campus, Frozen and Star Wars/Lion King). Disneyland Parc's expansion stuff has gone quite quiet and seems to depend on if Space Mountain removes Star Wars or not. Current rumour is that Big Thunder's refurb last 6 months, then Space will go down in June for a refurb (a maintenance bay has been created now for Space)

 

[mrflo]

I'm not sure if we ever found out if the $60 billion included the DAW transformation $1 billion announced in 2018 (Avengers Campus, Frozen and Star Wars/Lion King).

Very good question. This is the way that I would see it - and I am happy to get convinced otherwise .

Disney’s $60 billion investment announcement is a strategic vision for the next decade, indicating their plan to double investment in parks and cruise lines. This isn’t money they already have set aside or fully allocated to specific projects but a signal of their long-term commitment to growth in the parks to investors, stakeholders, etc.

Regarding the $2 billion previously announced for WDS expansion, some of that has been spent on completed projects (e.g. AC) or construction costs, but ongoing and future costs might now already be part of the broader $60 billion plan. This blurs the lines between the initial and new announcement. The positive is that this should not mean Disney is limited to the original $2 billion for attractions within that original scope like the LK, especially since the timelines have shifted due to factors like COVID-related delays. Though there might be still budget limits for each project/attraction. It also does not tell us yet how much DLP will ramp up investments for other unannounced projects that will fall into the $60 billion scope.

 

[cjkeating]

I'd be surprised if we heard anything about significant further investment in the parks until they gauge how Frozen performs. The Olympics spooked Burbank plus they are nervous about the political landscape in France and the wider impacts that could have on the economy and tourism.

I expect Frozen will do well. Just like Avengers Campus drove the numbers and Frozen will lead into the 35th which is always a strong year for the resort so should set them up to have further expansions green lit.

Because it is all about synergy the performance of various IPs could also impact on projects being greenlit such as Moana 2, Mandalorian and Grogu, Avatar 3 etc.

Also there has been zero new money announced for Paris from the $60bn 10 year investment although I wouldn't be surprised if they are now counting Lion King as part of that as pre-announced plans like the Dinoland replacement form part of the 10 year plan now.