A show based on the life of Walt Disney, featuring an audio-animatronic figure of the company’s founder, will be opened to commemorate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary next year, the company said, one of a number of announcements made at the D23 Disney fan event being held this weekend.
Disney also announced two attractions for the new Tropical Americas expansion coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida. One follows Indiana Jones on an exploration of a Mayan temple. Another is inspired by the Disney animated film “Encanto” and follows the character Antonio on the day he receives his magical gift. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027.
These announcements reveal how the company will begin deploying US$60 billion in capital investments.
Disney has said that it would deepen its investments in its parks, nearly doubling spending over the next decade, as it reimagines attractions at its 12 parks around the world and increases the capacity of its cruise line.
“Everything that we’re going to share with you tonight is in active development,” said Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro. “This means that plans are drawn. This means that dirt is moving. I just want to be clear with all the fans out there. This isn’t blue sky.”
Disney’s parks have become a reliable profit engine, helping to cushion the impact of declines in traditional television and losses in its video streaming business, which last quarter turned a profit.
The experiences unit, which includes parks, cruise ships and consumer products, contributed 60% of the company’s operating profit in the most recent quarter – up from 30% just a decade ago.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company planned to spend US$17 billion over the next decade at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
These investments would build on such recent attractions as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – inspired by Disney’s animated movie “The Princess and The Frog” – the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, and the Tron Lightcycle/Run.
The company faces intensifying competition in central Florida from rival Universal Studios, which plans to open Epic Universe next year, adding 303.5 hectares to be populated by Harry Potter, dragons from the Viking world of “How to Train Your Dragon,” classic Universal movie monsters such as Frankenstein and Nintendo’s Donkey Kong.
In Anaheim, California, Disney earlier this year won approval for a development plan that clears the way for a US$2 billion investment in the Disneyland Resort.
The company has yet to offer any details, beyond saying it is seeking the flexibility to blend hotels, shops, and attractions within the same themed world, as it has in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea Park.
“We have an obligation to continue to develop these huge businesses and amazing experiences that we have here in California and in Florida,” D’Amaro told Reuters in June. “And we will invest aggressively and heavily and intelligently.”