There sure are a lot of changes happening around Disney World and the other Disney parks, right?
Magic Kingdom
About that, we’ve seen so many construction projects across all of the parks in their various stages, and that all has us wonder what your thoughts were on all of it. To that point, you shared all of your thoughts on how you truly feel about Disney’s expansion plans!
Recently we reported on Bob Iger’s comments that all future Disney Parks projects will be IP-based and shared our thoughts with our followers on Facebook. We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments!
What do you think?
Before diving into your responses, let’s chat briefly about what some of these projects are.
Animal Kingdom Expansion Plans
As we know, for months, Disney had been teasing that a Tropical Americas-themed land would replace Dinoland U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom, and last month, we finally got confirmation they’re moving forward with the project. They even went as far as to release concept art of the new land, with potential experiences inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones.
So much to take in!
Based on the current layout of Dinoland U.S.A., it looks like the whole land will be undergoing a massive transformation. While plans can always change, we’re really excited about what we see.
Not To Be Dramatic, But This is The BEST Part of Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Expansion
Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Plans
A couple of years ago, Disney announced a “blue sky” project that would bring a NEW land (or lands) to Magic Kingdom. Disney has always teased the possibility of adding Coco-, Encanto-, and/or Disney VILLAINS-themed lands and attractions to Magic Kingdom. The project has been dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” because expansion will likely be physically located behind the Big Thunder Mountain ride.
Possible Land Expansion in Magic Kingdom ©Disney
At first, it was just a “maybe, what if” kind of idea, but it’s been confirmed as something that’s really happening since then. At the moment, we’re still waiting for Disney to officially share the plans, opening timeline, and addition of new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more.
Disney Confirms Permit To Begin MASSIVE Magic Kingdom EXPANSION
DisneylandForward Plans
Another expansion project that’s currently underway is DisneylandForward. It’s the plan for rezoning Disneyland’s land so that new attractions and experiences can fill areas that are currently only allowed to be parking lots or hotels.
Concept Art ©Disney
Disney did receive approval for these plans and can now move forward with them.
Disneyland Expansion IS Happening. So What Happens NEXT?
As we said, those are some of the main projects that are in the works, and now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s dive into your responses!
Not Happy With The Announcement
It looks like the biggest thing you took umbrage with, regarding Iger’s comments, was the notion that all future Disney Parks projects will be IP-based. (About 100 of you responded this way)
©Disney
Here’s an example of what you said:
- “It’s ironic how the team behind creating Disney parks and attractions are called Imagineers, when imagination is something completely void at Disney these days! Now it’s all sequels, prequels remakes and IP-only rides! They can’t come up with anything original anymore! Walt would be ashamed of what his beloved company has become!”
While we love Disney IP, we can’t disagree with you on this. Just take a casual glance at the Disney World parks and hotels and you’ll find less and less that is completely original IP that is developed for the parks.
Cars Land
Taking the thought a bit further, you mentioned:
- “While IP’s can be a good draw for kids, they can become quickly outdated. When the parks originally opened, the ol’ school Imagineers had to literally come up with rides just to fill in the space as Disney didn’t have a lot of IP’s to work off of. Some of the best rides in Disneyland and Disney world are non-IP based. Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, the Matterhorn, and Jungle Cruise were all originally ideas from the Imagineers. I feel sorry for the Imagineers nowadays because the powers at be are probably tying their hands saying that only IP themes rides and attractions are allowed to be created. Hence, no single ride can ever stick out because they’re already represented by the IP they’re connected to.”
©Disney
We’re going to come out immediately and say the Imagineers are awesome and we wouldn’t have these amazing experiences without them. Also, there is something to say about them not being able to exert the amount of pure creativity that they were able to in the past, but such is life in a capitalistic world, right?
Non-IP Attractions Are Still Pretty Awesome
Another thing that’s highlighted in that last response that a number of you echoed, was that a lot of the non-IP attractions are still pretty fantastic today in 2024. (Also, about 100 of you responded this way)
Spaceship Earth
Here’s an example of what you said:
- “I love the non ip rides like spaceship earth and living with the land, and shows like hall of presidents and tiki room. You can have fantastic entertainment without the IP”
- “Hot take, but their best attractions are the ones not based on IP – original Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Horizons, Journey Into Imagination.
I wish they would stop with the IP.”
Living with the Land
Listen, we definitely don’t disagree with you. There are many, MANY days when we hit up the parks ONLY to hop on rides like Spaceship Earth and Living With The Land. They’re classics for a reason and, like you said, completely non-IP.
Want To See The U.S. Parks Get The Attention They Need
When you look at the incredible projects that have been completed overseas and then look at what we have here, you’re not wrong in thinking that the US parks definitely need to get more attention. (Also, about 100 of you responded this way)
Here’s an example of what you said:
- “Hoping all U.S.-based parks get much needed love”
- “Would have like to see some non-IP attractions but as long as they invest as much money into the rides as Tokyo does I’m okay with it”
It’s so beautiful!
That’s the thing. If Disney will truly invest in the U.S. parks the way they do in Tokyo, well, let’s just say that we’ll all be some pretty happy Disney fans. I mean, have you SEEN that Tangled Lantern Festival Scene in Fantasy Springs?! We went to check out the NEW lands in Tokyo, and you can watch our video right here to see exactly what we’re talking about.
Those were just some of your thoughts on Disney’s expansion plans, especially when it comes to the use of IP, and we’d love to hear from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on Facebook to join in on the next discussion.
You’d Never Believe These Things Used To Be NORMAL in Disney World
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What are your thoughts on Disney’s expansion plans especially when it comes to the use of IP? Let us know in the comments below!
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Everything is IP because nobody liked Alien Encounter, kinda joking, kinda not. It’s not safe to spend millions and millions on a project that just bombs when it doesn’t have let’s say Tron’s name on it to pull in a stable fan base that will say ‘the theming and atmosphere delivers a lot of what the ride doesn’t’. And without that you just have something embarrassing like that weird Hollywood limo ride thing.
We love good IP based attractions, and we love the original park attractions as well. The parks were always meant to be growing and changing. What I object to the most is when something closes and the space just sits for years and years, or when too much space is devoted to the same characters in different places. I think Walt would be pushing for theming and characters with the most universal appeal, and I do think that some of the missteps that have happened in a lot of ways with parks, resorts, and other investments has been driven by other agendas than appealing to the widest Disney audience. I agree that Imagineers being locked in to IP-based only (and it sounds like new IP-based only) attractions seems like an unfortunate waste of talent and the opportunity to give everyone something new. And plenty of people know, love, and want to see the original Disney attractions and IP and they’re not only ‘old nostalgia lovers.’ A lot of people ONLY choose Disney resorts BECAUSE there is tradition and nostalgia there for them, and they WILL spend their money elsewhere if everything they love disappears and is replaced with the weak tea of the new.
I wish Iger and others would listen to those of us who have been going to wdw since day one, watched the movies since Snow White, spent our hard-earned money….essentially made Disney what it is today…instead of trying to please stockholders, making them richer. Is there any chance they’ll listen to you at Disney Food Blog? Wdw has gotten way too expensive for the average household and definitely for seniors and baby boomers who grew up with Disney. I like new attractions but not at the expense of original rides and movies from the eras of Walt and Michael Eisner. I’m looking forward to the tropical feel of new areas but especially want an Indy attraction! I also wish they’d stop so much Dvc resort building and cater to the middle class with affordable themed resorts, if not from a movie how about a country we’ll never travel to such as Greece, India, Morocco. I also wish they’d get more countries in Epcot as they did in 2000. Most of all, I wish they would bring back free Magical Express! I don’t know how to operate genie+ and I don’t want go pay for it. I now go to wdw for the ambience, not the rides which I can no longer go on. One more Disney suggestion: Not everyone has or wants dis+. Stop releasing directly to the streaming service! We want to go to the movies! Shame on Disney for not releasing Hocus Pocus 2 and Tom Hanks in Pinocchio to the theaters so we could enjoy them on the big screen first! Thanks for sharing this article.
Perhaps a survey of what customers want to see. I love the old rides at the Magic Kingdom – Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle ride, Its a Small World, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, etc.. There was no reason to change Splash Mountain. I used to love Disney MGM Studios NKA Hollywood Studios but Disney needs to desperately bring back The Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Tour. Epcot needs to return to its original “educational idea.” I love Guardians of the Galaxy ride, but I miss the old original Energy Ride with the dinosaurs; also miss the Body Pavillion. Also, as someone above said, get rid of genie+ it is a horrible program.
Some very good comments on here, when I see and ride Tron , that’s when IP is done very well, makes sense the bike ride system , and it’s cool as ( maybe not the longest ) but we love it, ROTR Superb, even muppet 3D is IP, and that’s brilliant , so I get why they add to the park, but it should be 50/50 , imagineers should still be pointed toward non IP, as a way of storytelling, but I also feel that the CEO’s are happy to spend hundreds of millions on 1 land, but simply can’t get the imagination pavilion to work , this makes me very mad . It’s just lazy ! But they go and add MRR in Hollywood Studios, and it’s also brilliant ,other notes I’d like to bring up , i think M.E should come back if people book through the WDTC , and bring back resort package delivery’s ( even pick up at the end of the day at the parks would be nice) we still love WDW , but yeah they should offer a lot more, I think it may happen , but not on mr iger ‘s watch , he’s simply not interested in the fans, and he’s only saying all this new openings 2025 because UEA, is about to kick ass, and he better believe it ! Personally I think the boards been caught with there pants down , and they ARE starting to worry , could be to little to late though , mr Eisner would of never let universal have the upper hand , no way! After all when he heard about US, he built MGM studios , then ANIMAL KINGDOM, added resorts galore , plus the values . Thank goodness for Walt and Roy plus Michael and frank . Sorry for rant , take care and see ya reel soon !!!
I feel like I’m in the minority here, but I don’t really mind the IP attractions. Let’s take Moana Journey of Water for example. I didn’t really feel the IP jumping out at me. I saw beautiful water features and learned about the water cycle and conservation. Yes, there’s the big Te Fiti statue but to me it was a beautiful giant piece of greenery that fit in nicely with the attraction.
Cosmic Rewind yes is full of the Guardians characters and theming but what stood out for me was the innovative ride vehicles and the fun music.
Tron, again another fun way to experience a roller coaster.
Would I like to see some new original concepts pop up? Sure! Disney does them well (most of the time…I’m looking at you Mission to Mars) but they also do movies and characters well, so I’m not going to be mad at them for theming rides and attractions around the movies & characters that they’ve created and we all know and love.
I guess it’s all about commercial success. Universal has always been IP based and that works. But isn’t Disney somehow more original with their attractions. I’m not so sure. Also while I love IP like guardians of the galaxy stars wars and pandora. I think it’s important to keep the mix between Disney purchased ip and Disney developed IP like frozen Moana encanto. Whatever they do they need to pick up the pace. The slow role they do is infuriating. They don’t have anything big coming out in 25 and universal is going to clobber Disney. I see universal getting to number 1 theme park next year. Disney does a better job at accommodating handicapped ppl but universal has kept is nose out of the political damaging situation that Disney stepped into. I do worry about the future of Disney parks in the US which makes me sad because I am a fan. Sadly a fan of the losing team.
I wish people at Disney would realize that nostalgia means happy memories shared with loved ones – not a trip to the past necessarily. Too many of their recent films, attractions and other projects are mired in contemporary issues and challenges that just stress everyone out. Let kids be kids with their imaginations and and let grown ups share their excitement and wonder.
What, specifically is an IP attraction?
Hi Denise! IP is Intellectual Property, meaning anything Disney has created in the past and has rights/copyrights/patents/trademarks, etc.
I don’t really get the issue with “IP”. Everything is IP as soon as they make it. People cite things like pirates, haunted mansion, and jungle cruise, but those are all now their own IPs. It’s not like they’re making stuff based on non-Disney IP, and it’s a Disney themed park, so I guess I can’t understand the objections. I think it’s nostalgia goggles.
Also, any commenters alluding to “political” stuff need to get with the times. We know what you mean. It isn’t cool. Kids are being kids. Knowing things exist in the world isn’t taking anyone out of their childhoods.
Some of the attractions people miss the most are non-IP. Horizons, World of Motion, Universe of Energy for example. So mix it up with both as was always the case. But don’t throw the good away with the bad.
I question the idea of basing a “Land” on a single film. Lands should be all encompassing with individual attractions focusing on specific films. Toy Story Land may be an exception with there being 5 films (#5 on the way) and with it’s historic significance. But Disneyland’s Pixar Pier seems more reasonable and allows for a wider range of attractions in the Pixar theme.
I apologize for my ignorance, but what is an IP based attraction?
Hi Roberta! We are asked that question quite often and I’m happy to answer! IP is Intellectual Property, which is basically anything Disney has rights to, whether it be something Disney Imagineers created or something that Disney acquired.
I love this, back in the day when Star Tours and the Indy Ride at Disneyland were coming in the fans were outraged that the park was getting non Disney attractions. Of course they turned out to be quite popular. I am find with attractions being Disney themed as long as they are done well. The article pointed out the new Tokyo attractions and I would be happy to have them be part of Disneyland.
They need to address the raising price as this is ment be a park that lots different kinds ppl can go at the minute it seams with the price keep going up mostly which we’ll off ppl can go ppl on low income it’s just a dream that never come true , mr disney said long ago it’s a park that everyone can afford to go now only intreated in increas profits so they can have a better wage fr top wigs come back to earth do smthing fr low paid faimly and ppl to be able to come to make happy face dreams .
It’s Disney World/Land, how is it even an arguement or discussion on IP attractions? Disney owns half the world, so I find it difficult to believe that with all of the talent behind them, they can’t create some amazing Disney themed hotels, parks and attractions that would make people happy.
I’ll go to Universal or Six Flags to see other stuff. I go to Disney to enjoy Disney.