Disney World has seen a lot of changes over the past few years!
Magic Kingdom
In Magic Kingdom, Tron Lightcycle / Run has been added to Tomorrowland, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been added to Frontierland. Recently, EPCOT just completed its multi-year transformation with the opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza. Even more, change is coming to Disney World, as projects for the Dinoland U.S.A. re-theme in Animal Kingdom and Beyond Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom are currently in the works.
Disney has only shared the blue sky concept art of these projects. This means that the concept art shown is just what could be and is not exactly what will be featured in these new areas of the park. This is totally normal, as concepts change in the development process. For example, while Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is beautiful, it looks different from the original concept art.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
This has made fans start to lose trust in the concept art Disney has been releasing. Most recently, fans have been discussing the concept art for the Beyond Big Thunder Mountain project. Disney has said that this area could feature lands or ideas from Coco, Encanto, and even Disney Villains.
Concept art of potential Magic Kingdom expansion including ‘Coco’ and Villains
We asked, you, our awesome readers to get their opinions on this concept art and expansion, and the consensus was that they do not trust it.
Possible Villain Land Expansion Coming to Magic Kingdom
One of our readers shared that they would believe it when they see it and expect that this project will be scaled back in the same way EPCOT’s transformation was scaled back.
EPCOT Transformation Early Concept Art ©Disney
Kristina, one of our readers, shared that “all of this could be beautiful if done right and not rushed. Open it when it’s been fully conceptualized and tested.” She also pointed out the technical issues that have been going on during previews of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and how Rise of the Resistance still has technical problems.
Rise of the Resistance breaks down frequently
Jeff, a reader, said that there is a “precedent for lovely concept art that turns out to be wholly inaccurate and nothing like what is eventually developed.” He pointed to the newly opened CommuniCore Hall and Plaza and said, “Look no further than the center of EPCOT and the building proposed. We got a student recreation center instead. Add to that the Play Pavilion, Mary Poppins, and Beastly Kingdom. Take these all with a grain of salt and temper expectations. They are pretty paintings and nothing more.”
©Disney || Play Pavilion Concept Art
Some of our readers added some humorous points to this debate. One reader joked that they can’t wait for the Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Cafeteria! Another joked and said that they think this concept will change 20 times before they even break ground.
Another Look @Disney
It has been a trend for new lands to open with about two to three new rides, and Melanie, a reader, said that she does not care for the expansion unless it has at least “six new rides. Not movies, not restaurants, not stage shows. We deserve better than two new rides per land.”
Potential Coco Area in Magic Kingdom
For example, in Galaxy’s Edge, there are only two rides and right next door in Toy Story Land, there are three rides, but only two of those rides were new additions for Hollywood Studios.
Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land
All in all, it seems that our readers all share a similar feeling to Disney’s concept art for the Magic Kingdom expansion. It is hard to trust concept art as concept art is constantly changing. We hope that Disney will give us some more details soon because we are very excited about this project and know Magic Kingdom has the potential to grow even more with these new concepts! As always, stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all the latest Disney news!
Permit Filed for Magic Kingdom Expansion!
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My concern is with the Coco area is how is Disney going to respect Dia de Las Muertos and not make it a ‘cash cow’ with no after thought.
I’ll take the expansion with a grain of salt, looking forward to Epic Universe.
I agree that these “lands” should be more than two rides and a bunch of retail. Also, could we stop building the same rides everywhere with different theming. If you must use an off-the-shelf ride system—and you’ve proven you can do it in amazing ways—there are plenty of great options out there! Side note: I was actually glad the Mary Poppins expansion in Epcot got cancelled: Who needs another teacup ride? Let the Imagineers do what they’re best at: Creativity and world building!
Needless side note: I’d love to see an Ichabod Crane ride near Colonial Square! Maybe a family coaster of some sort, or a dark ride/coaster combo.
There has definitely been a trend towards creating large new lands with few rides…Radiator Springs, Pandora and Galaxy’s Edge are examples. So much of the square footage ends up being F&B and retail rather than attractions. I’m opposed to any Magic Kingdom expansion. The thoroughfares in the park cannot handle more people. Just imagine the chaos in the hub and on Main Street for fireworks and parades if the capacity increases because of a new land. It’s a bad idea.
Agree with Tori. The follow through bar is very low for Disney. It will take twice as long and three times more than projected to produce them be mediocre. Epic, on the other hand, should be EPIC!!
Does the negativity about Concept Art apply to Universal’s new Parks? They always make the space seem so BIG and then when you visit, it’s disappointing.
I take the concept art with a grain of salt. It is just that, “Concept”. I do wish that Disney would expand somewhat to include more rides, but then again, it would be nice to have more places to go to immerse yourself in the feelings of the objective as well. I wasn’t horribly disappointed by Communicore because I could visualize the walls adorned for festivals and such, but for now, it is a nice place to take a break from the heat and weather. So what that it looks like a school cafeteria for now. I’m actually glad that it didn’t include “computer” and tech items that would take away a child’s ability to USE THEIR IMAGINATION! Children these days spend TOO MUCH time in front of screens!!!
I dunno about at least 6 rides. I think 2 major rides, a minor “off the shelf” style ride and a show seems sufficient to me but the stakes in magic kingdom are really high.
And I reeeallly hope they do villains. The internet has wanted a villains park forever and it makes most sense with that park which has the majority of their ‘story book’ and ‘fairytale’ style stuff anyway.
If there is a villians land that does not include a roller coaster themed to the ride down to Yzma and Kronk’s lair from Emperor’s New Groove (PULL THE LEVER!!), i will riot.