LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Starting this summer, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” will bring Walt Disney World guests into the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film “The Princess and the Frog.”
The reimagining, happening at the former site of “Splash Mountain”, is said to bring the most advanced technology yet. Next door, however, another Frontierland attraction will likely someday be the gateway to more magic.
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During a recent project unveiling, Disney Imagineering teams spoke about a $60 billion investment plan, most of which will go into the theme parks. According to CNN, the expansion — dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder” — will be 14 acres, roughly the size of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
According to CEO Bob Iger, 70% of the investment will be focused on new attractions that expand the capacity of Disney’s theme parks and cruise ships. The remaining 30% will go towards technology and maintenance to make that expansion happen.
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“As I looked at the returns on the invested capital that we made in this business over the 15 years prior to my coming back, it was extraordinarily compelling. We should allocate in a direction where we had great returns,” Iger said.
The reimagining has been an ongoing process throughout Walt Disney World. During a Destination 23 presentation last September, future plans for several experiences and attractions were revealed, including changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney Imagineers said they’re exploring new worlds that bring the worlds of “Encanto” and “Indiana Jones” to this area of the park.
An ‘epic’ addition to the Central Florida theme park scene
As Universal Orlando Resort builds its biggest theme park yet, many have been wondering how Disney World will respond.
During a virtual Disney shareholder meeting last Wednesday, a preselected question was asked: “With Epic Universe opening up in Orlando in 2025, why hasn’t Disney prepared anything, or placed more than just a handful of attractions to be ready for this in 2025 at Walt Disney World?”
Iger responded, “That just couldn’t be further from the truth,” and in fact, Disney has been aware of Universal’s plans for more than a decade.
Iger went on to talk about the number of attractions that have been developed over the past decade, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Iger also called Disney’s recent legal settlement with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District a “win-win,” noting it “will actually enable us to pursue the kind of significant investment in our Florida parks that you’re talking about.”
More details about “Beyond Big Thunder” could come out later this year when Anaheim, California plays host to the Ultimate Disney Fan Event. This year’s Disney D23 Expo runs from Aug. 9 - 11.
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