Could it really be true? Is it actually FINALLY happening??
Disney has been teasing us with little updates and reminders about a HUGE expansion that’s being planned for Magic Kingdom. Up until now, it’s seemed like every announcement is more and more vague, without any concrete promises. But it looks like Disney might be finally putting this plan into action!
You might need a little bit of background info before we dive in. A couple of years ago, Disney announced a “blue sky” project that would bring a NEW land (or lands) to Magic Kingdom. Back then, it was just a “maybe, what if” kind of idea, but it’s been confirmed as something that’s really happening since then.
We’ve heard a few more updates about the plans, including the possibility of adding Coco-, Encanto-, and/or Disney VILLAINS-themed lands and attractions to Magic Kingdom. The project has been dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” because expansion will likely be physically located behind the Big Thunder Mountain ride.
So WHEN is this actually going to happen? Although we don’t have any kind of opening date or timeline for the new area, we do know that work is finally actually beginning!
At an exclusive media event this week at Walt Disney Imagineering, we were told that Disney will soon file permits for storm drainage and other foundational work for the land where this expansion will take place. It’s a small but CRUCIAL step as they get ready to build on that land. And with this, Disney is confirming that expansion plans are finally in motion!
Disney executive Bruce Vaughn has said that these expansion plans for Magic Kingdom are the “largest ever.” The additions are reportedly on a similar scale to lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (in Hollywood Studios) and Pandora – The World of Avatar (in Animal Kingdom), including the addition of new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more. That means BIG changes for the iconic Disney World park.
Although we don’t know any specifics about what will be in the lands yet, Disney executives have tossed around a few ideas. During the 2022 D23 Expo, Jennifer Lee talked about possible Encanto additions: “What if you could walk into the Madrigals’ casita…What if Mirabel is your guide…What if you could step up to a door and discover your own magical gift?”
Disney previously announced that they’re planning to invest a LOT into their parks over the next ten years. In fact, they’re going to invest about $60 BILLION in the Parks, Experiences, and Products segment of the company in the coming decade. Part of that budget will include the Magic Kingdom expansion!
The new permits aren’t the only indication that real work is getting started on this project. Earlier this year, we noticed an interesting section in the 2023 Reedy Creek Improvement District’s long-term land use plan that may have given us a clue about the upcoming expansion. In this plan, Disney outlines some big changes from its last land use plan (proposed in 2020), including a new designation for land use called “Marginally Unsuitable.” These areas are considered to have recognizable constraints for development, such as proximity to wetlands within the 100-year flood elevation.
If Disney wanted to develop this land, they would need a long-term permit from the District (which is now the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) that allows construction in those areas. Right now, there are over 1,700 acres in that category. When we looked at the 2023 plan, we noticed that there’s a large area directly north of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom that now has been declared “Marginally Unsuitable.” Previously, this area was labeled “land considered unavailable for development,” but now there’s the stipulation that “development is permitted to the extent allowable under the District’s long-term permits.”
These changes might be another indication that Disney is actively working on a plan to expand Magic Kingdom.
We’ll be watching for more updates and announcements from Disney, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest!
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What lands or attractions are you hoping will come to Magic Kingdom as part of this expansion? Let us know in the comments.
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Recently, we were invited by Disney to attend their exclusive Imagineering media event. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
Pam says
Encanto was not successful enough to warrant their own land, and it is too specific. Villans, on the other hand, along with a Maleficent type area would be more widely accepted and appropriate
GL Josh says
A villain’s land could be really incredible, maybe try to get a copy of the dragon from Disneyland Paris. Maybe a Hook ride where the “goal” is to capture Peter, Tinkerbell, or the Lost Boys. Perhaps a play from the villain’s point of view.
Janice says
Keeping my fingers crossed for Villians. After all, there are no heroes without villains.
Lucretia Kleinman says
VILLIANS! VILLIANS! Yes, give me a Villans Park. So much more fun and revives memories of Disney movies. Just think of Halloween! Everyone loves Halloween.
MaryAnn says
I agree with Pam
Scott says
Made to the berm by curving it to the outside of this new area and expand the train tracks to accommodate a third train. You’ll be glad you have a station at the rear of this new area for guest ease.
Scott says
Add to the berm by curving it to the outside of this new area and expand the train tracks to accommodate a third train. You’ll be glad you have a station at the rear of this new area for guest ease.
CAS says
I agree with Pam. But I would go with a pirate land full of adventure!
naturaldisastergirl says
A whole area for one specific movie, especiallly if it wasn’t a long standing classic Disney movie, would not fit in with the other lands in Magic Kingdom. The current lands of Magic Kingdom allow for the opportunity to have all kinds of different characters and attractions in each area. Disney has known the appeal of a VIllians area and attractions for a long time. From the former Pleasure Island area when it was Downtown Disney, to the Villians shops in various places, to the VIllians events that have been sometimes held at the park (pre-pandemic), Disney knows the appeal and versatility of Villians theming. There are so many places where they could have theming and characters for Coco and Encanto (aren’t they also planning to do that in the Dinoland area in Animal Kingdom?), including resorts (like Coronado Springs) and EPCOT. I’m all for having it all, but can’t we have something that is for the VIllians? Especially since so many people would love it? I’m tired of seeing the same characters and movies get theming all over the place. It’s time for something different.
Arizona Sunshine says
Villians and Pirates PLEASE!