Magic Kingdom (General Discussion)

[belloq87]

I think, after already teasing the project at the last D23, they need to announce something firm about it, and the easiest thing in that regard would be which IP are going in there.

 

[UPSguy]

I think, after already teasing the project at the last D23, they need to announce something firm about it, and the easiest thing in that regard would be which IP are going in there.

They'll be announcing a lot of stuff at D23, more than any other D23, a lot for the international parks too.
They might be able to get by with just another tease for Beyond Big Thunder Mountain, I'm sure that project will be the focal point at 2026's D23.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

They'll be announcing a lot of stuff at D23, more than any other D23, a lot for the international parks too.
They might be able to get by with just another tease for Beyond Big Thunder Mountain, I'm sure that project will be the focal point at 2026's D23.

Considering the amount of infrastructure work they have to do first to prep the land, I'd imagine the best we can get this year is a confirmation of the IPs and concept art that is a bit more crystal clear on what it actually is.

 

[UPSguy]

Considering the amount of infrastructure work they have to do first to prep the land, I'd imagine the best we can get this year is a confirmation of the IPs and concept art that is a bit more crystal clear on what it actually is.

Agreed, I think they'll update the concept art (removing Encanto) but I think it'll still be pretty vague.
Last I heard, they haven't made a definitive decision if ROA is getting shortened or not.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Agreed, I think they'll update the concept art (removing Encanto) but I think it'll still be pretty vague.
Last I heard, they haven't made a definitive decision if ROA is getting shortened or not.

I find this hard to believe. They explicitly told us we'd be getting permits within the next few weeks. Unless they have two sets of permits ready to file...

 

[Nick]

I find this hard to believe. They explicitly told us we'd be getting permits within the next few weeks. Unless they have two sets of permits ready to file...

The permits they are filing are for water management, likely meaning to begin the process of moving a waterway.

This is the VERY EARLY stages. SWGE, Tron, GOTG, etc all had similar work to get done and it took them roughly a year or more of doing that before beginning actual construction. I’d argue given exactly how much needs to be changed here that this water management project could take even longer until the actual land construction actually begins.

 

[IzzyB]

Or after opening Flight of Passage, Navi River Journey, the ill-fated Rivers of Light, Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, the ill-fated Starcruiser, Riviera, a new tower at Coronado, Runaway Railway, Slinky Dog, Swirling Saucers, Tron, Ratatoille, Cosmic Rewind, a terrible Epcot firework show, then a better Epcot firework show… the pendulum was going to swing back to international sites irrespective of what Universal does. Then once the international sites get/got theirs, the pendulum has to swing back somewhere else.

I often don't understand why people say Disney does nothing since they did so much over the last 10 years. Not everything can be go go go all the time. Even with Universal we see slower development periods.

The permits they are filing are for water management, likely meaning to begin the process of moving a waterway.

This is the VERY EARLY stages. SWGE, Tron, GOTG, etc all had similar work to get done and it took them roughly a year or more of doing that before beginning actual construction. I’d argue given exactly how much needs to be changed here that this water management project could take even longer until the actual land construction actually begins.

Even Epic had that where it took forever to prep the land. It is not easy developing in Florida. Land prep takes a long time.

 

[Nick]

The Frontierland Shootin' Gallery is closing soon (expected end of May) for what is expected to be a DVC Lounge, with a possible bar/saloon accessible to all.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The Frontierland Shootin' Gallery is closing soon (expected end of May) for what is expected to be a DVC Lounge, with a possible bar/saloon accessible to all.

It was inevitable that MK would receive bar/lounges widespread, just not a fan of DVC lounges lol. With how hot the summer is getting, the parks need to start offering these to everyone.

 

[saint.piss]

This is definitely something. It exists that's for sure.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Always nice to see the best part of the Dumbo movie get some more representation. Even if it...looks like this.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

The Disney forums are saying BTMR will be closed for anywhere from 18 months to three years for an extensive retrack, new trains, and additional sitework related to Beyond BTMR.

EDIT: Starting in July or August, with a public announcement coming soon. To the person who said Magic Kingdom didn't need more rides, I submit to you the ancient Nixonian deathtraps they've been too afraid to decomission out of fear that their removal will negatively impact the park.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

It has seen significant downtime lately (like most of WDW) so not shocked at all. Surprised this is taking precedence over Space MOuntain retrack though.

 

[Nick]

It has seen significant downtime lately (like most of WDW) so not shocked at all. Surprised this is taking precedence over Space MOuntain retrack though.

This works out bc they can wrap the costs for a BTM refurb/retrack into the Beyond Big Thunder project.

 

[GAcoaster]

This was a refurb that was put off almost 10 years ago when they did a partial refurb instead of the track replacement it needed even back then.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Things are fluid, but that's what the current status is.
and Moana at Magic Kingdom is further along than many people think.

Completely fair. I'm more pessimistic on solid info rn than others.

 

[Tobias]

The Disney forums are saying BTMR will be closed for anywhere from 18 months to three years for an extensive retrack, new trains, and additional sitework related to Beyond BTMR.

EDIT: Starting in July or August, with a public announcement coming soon. To the person who said Magic Kingdom didn't need more rides, I submit to you the ancient Nixonian deathtraps they've been too afraid to decomission out of fear that their removal will negatively impact the park.

I'm perfectly fine with BTM getting a thorough refurb, when I went on it a couple years ago it was easily the rougher of the mountain coasters in MK.*

* = Really need to state this is for me, as I've never found Space Mountain to be rough, like -ever-. Couldn't tell you why as I know folks who do find it rough. But I do agree it needs an actual thorough refurb just for the sheer fact it's now the oldest Space Mountain operating without a major track refurb.

 

[HandsomePete]

Space Mountain suffers from the same issue as Matterhorn in that a like-for-like track replacement doesn’t work because there’s no chance a ride that has the structure within an arm’s reach envelope of the ride vehicle would pass present day inspection. After a certain point it’s easier to knock the whole building down than trying to retrofit a different version inside.

But even without that issue, you’re going to prioritize BTM and take the disruption in that corner all at once.

 

[TheGentTrent]

Hopefully they use all the extra downtime to make a finale along the lines of the Disneyland version.

 

[UPSguy]

Space Mountain suffers from the same issue as Matterhorn in that a like-for-like track replacement doesn’t work because there’s no chance a ride that has the structure within an arm’s reach envelope of the ride vehicle would pass present day inspection. After a certain point it’s easier to knock the whole building down than trying to retrofit a different version inside.

But even without that issue, you’re going to prioritize BTM and take the disruption in that corner all at once.

I think Disney is trying to hold out and see how the new Space Mountain by Intamin for Tokyo Disneyland works out. Disney seems more open to working with other manufactures that aren't Vekoma.