Disney unloaded a variety of new attractions to compete with Universal’s upcoming park expansion. But rather than a new park, the changes were small and incremental.
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Disney Experiences News Reports On D23
During Disney’s annual D23, the ultimate Disney fan event, the company unveiled a series of exciting new initiatives that promise to enhance the magic of its theme parks around the world. From a brand-new land being added to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, a “Cars” themed section in the same park, to significant improvements at Disneyland Paris, Disney is continuing to innovate and expand its offerings for visitors of all ages.
Universal is set to open Epic, it’s five-world theme park two miles away from its current complex. The park and hotels will cover an area approximately the same size as all of its existing property in Orlando including two theme parks, a water park, a shopping, dining and entertainment plaza, and all of its hotels. Additionally, Universal has broken ground on its new park in Frisco, Texas.
Disney is not opening a “fifth gate” (another park) in Florida but making additions to entice new visitors and retain returning guests.
A New Land: Disney Villains
One of the most anticipated announcements is the introduction of a completely new land at Magic Kingdom, Disney Villains. While specific details about the theme and location have yet to be fully disclosed, the new land is expected to be immersive, offering visitors a unique experience that combines cutting-edge technology with beloved Disney storytelling.
Disney imagineers have suggested the new land based on the dark side of Disney films will capture the magic of add-ons like Star Wars: Galaxy Edge at Hollywood Studios where it will remove a Muppets attraction to create a Monsters Inc. section featuring Disney’s first suspended coaster.
A Cars-Themed Section: Speeding Into Adventure
In addition to the new land, Disney has announced the development of a “Cars” themed section within the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland in Orlando, Florida. This new area will bring the beloved characters from Pixar’s “Cars” franchise to life, offering a pair of attractions and experiences like the Rally Race offered at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The “Cars” section is expected to feature interactive rides, character meet-and-greets, and themed dining options that will immerse guests in the world of Lightning McQueen and his friends. Our son, Frankie loves Cars and will undoubtedly force our hands to return for a visit when it opens in late 2025.
Other Changes
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a Moana attraction is already underway along with many new changes. Adding to that list, a new attraction based on Indiana Jones will join a section called Tropical Americas likely to include an Encanto-themed attraction. Tropical Americas is slated to open in 2027.
In Disneyland (California), a new ride will come to the Avengers campus as well doubling the size of the section. A Coco-themed ride will also come to Disneyland.
Enhancements at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris, one of Disney’s most popular international destinations, is also set to receive significant upgrades. These improvements include the expansion of existing lands, the introduction of new attractions, and the modernization of park infrastructure to enhance the guest experience.
Among the most exciting developments is the addition of a new Frozen-themed area, which will transport visitors to the enchanting world of Arendelle. This expansion is part of a broader effort to elevate Disneyland Paris to the level of its counterparts in the United States and Asia, ensuring it remains a top destination for European visitors. Disneyland Paris has long trailed its global peers in footprint, sales, and attractions.
The Scale and Scope of Epic Universe
Epic Universe is designed to outshine anything that has come before it, with an emphasis on immersive storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and groundbreaking attractions. The park’s sheer size dwarfs Disney’s recent expansions, with entire themed lands dedicated to single franchises, each offering a range of attractions, dining, and entertainment options. The integration of these lands into a cohesive park experience is expected to set new standards for theme park design and guest experience.
Disney’s Response: A Focus on Quality Over Quantity
While Universal’s Epic Universe is a massive undertaking, Disney’s approach to its recent expansions appears to focus more on the quality and depth of individual experiences rather than on sheer size. Disney’s new land, the Cars-themed section, and the enhancements at Disneyland Paris are all carefully crafted to offer immersive, story-driven experiences that resonate with fans of all ages. By leveraging its extensive portfolio of beloved characters and stories, Disney aims to create magical moments that are deeply personal and emotionally engaging, even if they do not match the scale of Universal’s Epic Universe .
Conclusion
Disney and Universal are both pushing the boundaries of what is possible in theme park entertainment, albeit in different ways. While Universal’s Epic Universe aims to impress with its scale and scope, Disney continues to refine its approach to creating deeply immersive, narrative-driven experiences. For theme park enthusiasts, the next few years are going to be amazing.
Ultimately, whether visitors prefer the grandeur of Universal’s Epic Universe or the finely-tuned magic of Disney’s new initiatives, there’s no doubt that the theme park industry is entering a new era of creativity and innovation. But it seems to this observer (a passholder of Universal and former passholder of Disney World) that Disney’s aim is to incrementally improve its parks rather than start fresh. Disney has substantial real state holdings but has chosen not to utilize its space to build the fifth gate. While exciting, I doubt these small measures will be enough to distract visitors from Universal’s massive undertaking.
What do you think?
In the ghost house for Halloween , most frightening surprise behind a door , would be a Camel-a laughing .
Ah, more sites offering to have you stand in a long slow shuffling line for hours on end. Whether it’s a theme park, the checkin at your Vegas hotel, or just a line-up outside your local restaurant, how did Americans convince themselves it’s worthwhile to undergo this demeaning Soviet-style experience.
Enjoy the lines at the dmv .
Far be it from me to defend the DMV but we don’t really have a choice. Although more and more of the services are available online.
Losers stand in line at Vegas hotels. Gamble and get status or get a credit card that gives you status and access to quick VIP check in. That one perk is worth having the card for anyone that visits any Caesars or MGM property.
Gamblers = losers .
You obviously don’t know about Advantage Play. Maybe look it up before making a general statement.
Some would say working a job for 50 years having to leave your family for the job to travel is for losers as well. But hey, you get a couple weeks a year for vacation.
Let’s face it, most of the posters on this site are losers working for the “man”, thinking they are important. And that’s not a general statement.
Akron , Ohio , is a better destination than Las Vegas .
Can I be alone in questioning the value of these theme parks? There was a time when the fantasy was in line for what guests received, but in recent years they are overrated and overpriced. Is there a breaking point when families realize this?
You can vacation in Zermatt, see the real Matterhorn, and stay in the charming village that inspired Walt Disney to build his parks and for less cost. Maybe it’s just me but I now compare these theme parks junk food for the family. If you’re looking for thrillingly rides there are better options.
I was in Zermatt last June, which was followed by Chamonix-Mont Blanc. Those places just blew my mind. And excluding the flight, as exorbitant as those places are, it seems to be cheaper than going to Didney Wurl. Holy crap.
I think there’s still value in parks for me, but it would have to be something that offers more specialized thrills like Cedar Point or Carowinds. Those parks have some crazy rides and a lot less, fat ugly single 40-year old women who thinks they are still Disney princesses, which is always a plus.
@Maryland … +1 . Exactly . And Switzerland is more clean as well .
You’re not alone. I took my family to Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes for two weeks this summer. I’d proffer that it was substantially cheaper than what a trip to Di$ney would have run. And my kid learned a whole lot more about the world in the process.
This is exactly what we found too.
@MeanMeosh … AND , your kid learned fluent French , as well .
I’d love a Darth Vader experience or something similar. Thing is, not only is Disney breathtakingly expensive (and Universal actually worse) but the lines are close to unconscionable. Every year it gets tougher to justify that amount of money for perpetually decreasing return.