At the recent D23 Disney fan event, Walt Disney unveiled plans for a new ‘Avatar’ experience at its Disney California Adventure theme park. This new attraction will be based on the upcoming film, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” the second installment in the popular science fiction franchise. Along with this, a show highlighting the life of Walt Disney himself, complete with an audio-animatronic figure of the company’s founder, will be introduced to commemorate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary next year.
In addition to the new Avatar experience, Disney also announced two new attractions for the upcoming Tropical Americas expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida. One attraction will follow Indiana Jones on an adventure through a Mayan temple, while the other will be inspired by the Disney animated film “Encanto” and will follow the character Antonio as he receives his magical gift. The Tropical Americas expansion is set to open in 2027.
These new announcements mark the beginning of Disney’s deployment of a $60 billion capital investment in its parks. The company has expressed its commitment to nearly double spending over the next decade, as it reimagines attractions at its 12 parks worldwide and increases the capacity of its cruise line. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro emphasized that all plans shared at the event are actively in development, with construction already underway. This substantial investment underscores Disney’s dedication to providing cutting-edge and immersive experiences for its guests.
Disney’s parks have become a crucial profit driver for the company, particularly as traditional television revenues decrease and losses in the video streaming business persist. The experiences unit, encompassing parks, cruise ships, and consumer products, contributed 60% of Disney’s operating profit in the most recent quarter – a significant increase from just a decade ago. CEO Bob Iger has outlined plans to invest $17 billion in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando over the next decade, building on recent successful attractions such as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Tron Lightcycle/Run.
Despite Disney’s strong position in the theme park industry, it faces growing competition from rival Universal Studios. Universal Studios is set to open Epic Universe next year in central Florida, which will add 750 acres of new attractions including Harry Potter, dragons from “How to Train Your Dragon,” classic Universal monsters, and Nintendo’s Donkey Kong. In response, Disney has secured approval for a $2 billion investment in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, although specific details about the development plan have not yet been revealed.
As Disney continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for its guests. D’Amaro emphasized the importance of developing new and exciting attractions in both California and Florida, ensuring that Disney’s parks continue to be at the forefront of entertainment and innovation. Disney fans can look forward to a future filled with magic, wonder, and adventure at all of the company’s parks around the world.