Walt Disney World Resort - Rumors
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40th Anniversary - The year 2011 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney World resort and rumors circulate that this will be a large observance. Each park will allegedly receive an E-ticket attraction for the celebration, although rumors remain vague as to what will be built where. Read our coverage
Hall of Presidents Refurbishment - November 2008 - While it has been confirmed that the Hall of Presidents will close from November 1st until February 2009, reputable rumors say that this closure will extend until July 2009. This would allow time for extensive changes in the attraction and a grand re-opening in time for the Fourth of July. While the closure would obviously allow for the necessary addition of America’s newly elected commander-in-chief, the prevailing scoop is that the entire theme of the attraction will change from the slavery-centric 1993 storyline to something more focused on the presidents themselves. Rumors uniformly claim that new presidents will no longer be given speaking roles to defuse possible uncomfortable future political issues, but rather that Lincoln and perhaps other presidents will re-take the spotlight. Look for animatronic upgrades as well. Read our coverage (Reported by credible message board sources and others in August 2008)
The Little Mermaid Attraction - Disney has been tinkering with the idea of a dark ride based on this film since its release; it was originally supposed to come to the Magic Kingdom in 1993 as part of the “Disney Decade.” More recently, the Mermaid ride was announced as part of Disney California Adventure’s billion-dollar revival. The ride is rumored to be coming to Florida as well, but odds are that it will in some way differ from the California version. New management at WDI isn’t quite as content to do the cookie-cutter clone thing like the previous regime, and so we probably won’t see this attraction in Florida until around 2011-12. Read our coverage (Reported by Blue Sky Disney and Jim Hill Media)
Carousel of Progress Refurbishment - Sources online indicate that at some point in the next few years the Carousel of Progress will receive multiple upgrades to its animatronics. (Reported in August 2008)
Tortuga Restaurant - There have been a series of rumors concerning a pirate-themed restaurant called “Tortuga” to be built in the former location of the Adventureland Veranda. The most recent buzz has the retheming put on hold as the park’s funds have been diverted to updating the kitchens of a number of the park’s existing restaurants. (Reported by Screamscape in October 2007)
TTA Renovation - When Space Mountain goes down for its long renovation in 2009, it is rumored that the TTA will also undergo a refurbishment and receive some small upgrades. (Reported by Screamscape in November 2007)
Haunted Mansion Store - Rumors have persisted concerning a new merchandise location at the exit of the Haunted Mansion. The exit for the attraction will allegedly be routed through the current Yankee Trader shop. This location will be tripled in size to allow for the new traffic, but this will most likely not occur for 4-5 more years as the recent $30 Million rehab budget was needed entirely for updating the attraction itself. (Reported by Jim Hill Media in October 2007)
Russia Pavilion - Rumors hold that in an effort to bolster its growing corporate presence in Russia’s emerging economy, Disney has decided to dust off its plans for the Russian Showcase that was formerly planned for Eisner’s “Disney Decade” of the 1990’s. Complacence by current WDW management may prevent the project from going though. Read our coverage (Reported by Jim Hill Media & Screamscape in January 2008)
Placemaking - WDI is allegedly working on a slate of improvements to the park to unify its theme and ‘plus’ the park a la their announced rebuilding of California Adventure. While no details of these rumored improvements have surfaced, the park’s new wave of attraction began when Toy Story Mania! opened in 2008. If these changes do go through, 2008 will be a transition year for the park while 2009 will be a “kicker” with improvements to both decor and attractions. (Reported by Blue Sky Disney)
Monsters, Inc. Coaster - Speculation continues as to what other attractions will be added to Pixar Place to join Toy Story Mania! One possibility is an indoor coaster, which many thought would be a copy of Crush’s Coaster from Disney Studios Paris. More recent rumors indicate that the attraction will instead be a coaster themed to the “Door Hangar” sequence from Monsters, Inc. This addition would involve the complete re-theming of the former Soundstage One, which would be made to resemble the Monsters, Inc. building from the film. Guests would attend an opening house at the facility, where their screams and laughter would be captured in containers to help power Monstropolis. The E-ticket attraction would be the park’s centerpiece attraction for Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary in 2011. Read our coverage (Reported by Jim Hill Media in July 2008, confirmed by personal sources)
Pixar Place Upgrades - As part of the re-theming of the Mickey Avenue area to Pixar Place, various attractions are said to be slated for Pixar-related overlays. The former Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground will eventually be re-themed to a bug’s life, and possible future rehabs involve converting Lights, Motors, Action to a Cars theme and, if it proves successful at California Adventure, the addition of “Carsland” to the current backlot area. Read our coverage (Reported by Jim Hill Media and others in July 2008)
Rivers of Light Parade - As part of the effort to extend park operating hours based on the increased attendance due to Expedition Everest, an after-dark parade called “Rivers of Light” is in development. Contrary to its aquatic name, the parade is a traditional land-based affair with character-laden boat-themed floats circling around the Tree of Life and Discovery Island. (Reported by Jim Hill Media)
