Magic Kingdom needs more capacity. Rumors from sources close to WDW Pro are discussing a potential new hotel and theme park addition that may do just that!
This article is based on rumors and speculation. It is not presented as objective fact or representative of any official statement from The Walt Disney Company. Featured Image courtesy of Blog Mickey.
Previously, I’ve mentioned that I’m hearing strong rumors that Disney World may have a new hotel and major expansion at Magic Kingdom. My sources continue to echo this plan is in the works, and so today I’d like to give you a better visual of what we’re likely looking at towards the end of this decade and the beginning of next. Before doing so, let me provide the context for why all of this is believable beyond just sources I have that none of us can independently verify.
One phrase to remember as I discuss all of this: “moonbeam.” We’ll come back to that in articles down the road.
In the past few years, Disney World saw a new northern entrance developed that travels from Reams Road to the west of Magic Kingdom before connecting to existing infrastructure outside of The Grand Floridan. As work has continued on this section of Disney World’s transportation, one of the projects that has come to light has been moving roadways farther from Magic Kingdom in such a way that frees up a new expansion pad outside the theme park for a hotel. This area also sits across from one of Magic Kingdom’s largest internal expansion pads for a future Adventureland extension.
At the same time, we know that one of Disney’s biggest hurdles going forward is that they need more capacity. At both Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, the demand for the parks exceeds the real estate capacity currently in existence. Although Hollywood Studios and its growth has been mismanaged by the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge expansion that was mired in political infighting, the beauty of Magic Kingdom is that it still has plenty of room to grow. Tron is one project that is essentially only coming to that theme park in an effort to provide more capacity. Soon you may hear guests wonder why the pathway to Tron is so ridiculously long… but if you read this site, you’ll know that it’s essentially to increase the number of guests who can be in the park.
Recently I was given a bunch of information that I cannot independently verify or corroborate. The source has been true in the past, but it is still decidedly rumor. What this source purports is that Tron is not the only capacity-increasing effort that Bob Chapek and Josh D’Amaro have planned for Florida’s main theme park. Instead, there are likely multiple new efforts to be underway in the next decade to increase how many people can attend Magic Kingdom on any given day. I’ll be covering those at a later day, likely very soon. For now, let’s take a look at the possible expansion for Adventureland which would connect to a new, ultra-luxury hotel:
I have provided two images. The first is an undoctored Google Earth image of Adventureland and the expansion pads I’m discussing. The second provides the outline of what we’re discussing. I have outlined new connecting walkways in pink. Red is the area for new theme park expansion areas. And purple outlines the potential new area for a ultra-luxury hotel which would have its own private entrance gate to the Magic Kingdom for guests who stay there. Talk about a perk! You will also note that there are two expansion pads in red… I’m told that should they attempt this, there would be a small expansion structure north of the train tracks in that area. You will also note that gray lines have been added to note the new parade and backstage road pathing.
This expansion area for the theme park is gigantic. It could easily hold an e-ticket attraction like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, plus a restaurant, plus a shop… with room to spare. And, of course, a luxury hotel needs plenty of space, but there’s plenty of space to be had across the canal that would have another drawbridge added for hotel guests to cross.
As I said earlier, this is one of several potential projects to come for Magic Kingdom and increased capacity. I look forward to bringing the others to you very, very soon!
For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place! As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts!
Disney adding a hotel is a terrible idea.
Anyone going to Magic Kingdom will try and eat at the hotel. Or they’ll hang out at the hotel to rest.
Look at Riviera Lobby
Not to derail this thread, but this would be a good article to discuss: https://www.businessinsider.com/former-disney-ceo-iger-battled-board-unhappy-chapek-succession-2022-7?utm_source=babylonbee.com
A hotel takes away space for theme park expansion, not add to it. But the bigger problem is the minor parks aren’t expanding quickly enough to lessen the load at Magic Kingdom. Despite changing the minor parks, actual attractions counts merely doubled from 5 to 10. They need to double the ride counts to 20 for each minor park. Did you know there’s only one carousel at WDW with 4 parks, but Disneyland Resort has 2 carousels with 2 parks? It’s true.
I absolutely love this idea (for a new hotel & attraction, with VIP access to a theme park), and I hope they continue it elsewhere (not only in WDW). Specifically with WDW, this seems a clever way to counter/address Epic Universe, until they have actual data with how much there is an impact.