Two months from lately, Epic Universe will open at Common Orlando. It seems to be superb and shall be an enormous hit because of Nintendo, Harry Potter, Find out how to Educate Your Dragon, and Monsters lands. Unsurprisingly, many enthusiasts are questioning how Walt Disney Global will “solution” the hole of that new theme park on Might 22, 2025 or over the Memorial Day weekend summer season kickoff.
This addresses the titular query, with believable chances as to what Walt Disney Global will do–whilst additionally ruling out a couple of unrealistic ones. We already know what they gained’t do. Walt Disney Global has introduced new lands and points of interest, the earliest of which debut in 2027. Whilst there are a couple of reimagined rides that’ll get started debuting this summer season with Check Observe 3.0, that’s anticipated in overdue summer season–that means no less than one complete month after Epic Universe. No new or redone rides are coming prior to then.
However, enthusiasts nonetheless need splashy bulletins that thieve the highlight. I’ve heard from multiple WDW diehard within the closing couple of weeks who, in spite of all proof on the contrary, stays satisfied that Might 22 would be the best possible alternative for Walt Disney Global to announce its fifth gate. That’s no longer going down. Now not on Might 22 or any time this decade. Bluntly, it’s so far-fetched that we’re no longer even entertaining the speculation. (Right here’s Why a fifth Theme Park Will NOT Be Constructed at Walt Disney Global within the Subsequent Decade.)
As has been mentioned to demise at this level, Disney gained’t have any legitimate solution to Epic Universe. CEO Bob Iger has contended that Epic Universe is actually Common’s solution to Disney, enjoying catch-up on a decade of nonstop construction at Walt Disney Global and that the corporate doesn’t have nervousness about Common’s 3rd theme park.
Epic Universe didn’t arise in any respect throughout this week’s Walt Disney Corporate 2025 Annual Assembly of Shareholders. It’s been coated on the previous few income calls, with CFO Hugh Johnston providing fairly combined indicators. In most cases talking, Disney’s view is that Epic Universe is “In truth Sure” for Walt Disney Global Attendance in 2025, however they’ve additionally inbuilt some wary and conservative destructive steerage.
Disney signifies that it has modeled Epic Universe into its projections for Walt Disney Global through having a look at early bookings and the historical past of different points of interest and different theme parks opening in Florida, all of which advised Epic Universe shall be really helpful for Walt Disney Global. We’ve quibbled with this–and contended that Epic Universe will have an effect on Walt Disney Global erratically, boosting Magic Kingdom however hitting Animal Kingdom exhausting.
Disney’s public place is {that a} “emerging tide lifts all boats.” Even so, Walt Disney Global will nonetheless wish to do one thing as an try at counterprogramming to Epic Universe. They gained’t take pleasure in the upper tide if their boat has holes in it. Clearly not anything Walt Disney Global does shall be at the identical scale as Epic Universe, however there are issues that may be completed to peel days–and even lodge remains–clear of Common when guests come to Orlando for Epic Universe.
That is the checklist of life like smaller scale ways in which Walt Disney Global can “solution” the hole of Epic Universe on or round Might 22, 2025…
Wild Card Information
Round this time closing 12 months, Walt Disney Global introduced its summer season plans. This integrated a couple of small scale brief additions and characters to advertise the summer season film releases, at the side of the anticipated opening of CommuniCore Corridor and the marvel Disney Desires That Bounce drone display.
I’m no longer going to drone on about it over again, however I nonetheless don’t imagine that superlative Disney Springs middle of the night leisure was once the tip sport for drones at Walt Disney Global. My hope and expectation is that there are plans for a follow-up act at Animal Kingdom in Summer time 2025. And but, we’ve heard completely not anything about it and there were no leaks, suggesting that perhaps it’s no longer going down this 12 months.
Regardless, I’d be expecting every other wild card like that for Summer time 2025 that comes out of left box. And Memorial Day weekend is at all times a large time for brand spanking new additions and summer season choices. For reference, Disney Desires That Bounce debuted the Friday prior to Memorial Day closing 12 months, while Epic Universe opens on Thursday and Disney has debuted many previous additions on that Thursday or Friday.
Accordingly, Walt Disney Global may “solution” Common’s new theme park with marvel leisure debuting that very same weekend. If that occurs, it’ll be coincidental–as a result of Memorial Day weekend is the standard kickoff to summer season for theme parks–no longer as a result of Disney perspectives that leisure as “competing” with Epic Universe.
Starlight Parade Debut
It’s just about the similar tale right here, however with a identified amount in Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away Parade.
If previous precedent is any indication, Walt Disney Global goes to announce the Starlight debut date quickly. Our hope for some time has been that Disney would do the savvy factor and pull ahead the Starlight date so it’s every week or extra prior to Epic Universe, which kills two birds with one stone.
The primary is that it gives a slight free up valve on crowds, which is strictly why Disneyland is debuting Paint the Evening and its seventieth Anniversary on Might 16 as a substitute of Memorial Day weekend. Central Florida now has an enormous native fanbase, and there are out-of-state Annual Passholders and Disney Holiday Membership Contributors who will commute for Magic Kingdom’s first new evening parade in a long time. Getting a few of that call for ‘out of the device’ prior to summer season vacationer crowds arrive is smart.
Debuting Starlight previous additionally offers it some respiring room from a advertising point of view, permitting it not to get misplaced within the Epic Universe grand opening information cycle. Because of this by myself, it makes probably the most sense to position no less than one week between that new park’s opening and Starlight–preferably with the parade first. Another way, it’ll nonetheless be overshadowed and enthusiasts will flip it right into a punchline: “Common opened a brand spanking new park and Disney countered with a measly parade!” (Let’s be actual: persons are going to mention stuff like that it doesn’t matter what–despite the fact that there’s radio silence from Disney Parks on all channels on Might 22.)
As is most certainly obtrusive, those first two entries are issues that might shape Disney’s substantive “solution” (air quotes, since timing can be coincidental) in debuting along Epic Universe. What follows is how Disney may attempt to thieve the highlight with splashy information of its personal…
Animation Courtyard Announcement
What the corporate has introduced so far is basically the 5-Yr Plan for Walt Disney Global, and management prior to now mentioned that spending can be “backloaded” into the second one part of the last decade. In the event you take into consideration it, this is smart. Tropical Americas is a reimagining plus one primary new journey that’ll land someplace between the Little Mermaid darkish journey and Mystic Manor in relation to ambitiousness.
Monstropolis is a reimagining, plus dusting off the decades-old plans for the Monsters Doorways Coaster. That appears a laugh and gained’t be affordable, however no longer as it’s overly formidable–as a result of not anything Imagineering does is cost-effective. The jury continues to be out on Automobiles Land, which is extra appropriately a subsection of Frontierland and can function a significant (with a bit of luck?) enchantment at the side of a flat journey. Then there’s Villains Land, which will have to have a blockbuster funds…however may well be a part of the second one part of the 10-year plan.
There are a ton of rumors swirling for what’s subsequent, all with various levels of veracity. The one one I’ve heard credibly from more than one assets is that Animation Courtyard is at the cutting block. (Even with out credible assets, you most likely may’ve guessed that. Animation Courtyard is just like the wing of a mall the place Sears went into chapter 11 in 1998. It’s been top for redevelopment for over a decade.)
Much less reliably, I’ve additionally heard that its alternative is an formidable idea and is already set. I’ve hinted at this in different posts, suggesting that it’s a land as soon as floated for Animal Kingdom enlargement that may additionally paintings (or reasonably, would handiest in reality paintings) in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
All of this additionally is smart. The rationale Monstropolis went to Muppets Courtyard as a substitute of Animation Courtyard is as a result of there are larger and higher plans for the latter, and Monstropolis is relatively smaller scale. Whilst I disagree with the verdict to take away MuppetVision, I will be able to additionally see how changing Animation Courtyard at this level would’ve been shortsighted. However in my opinion, the real answer can be flipping the order of those tasks and doing the extra formidable one first, as Animation Courtyard is a blighted ‘useless mall’ zone in the course of DHS.
Without reference to all that, I’ve 0 explanation why to imagine this Animation Courtyard announcement is deliberate anytime quickly. On the contrary, it’s my figuring out that there aren’t any primary bulletins coming this 12 months. That Disney shot its shot on the closing D23 Expo, and the following primary match would be the 2026 D23 Expo, kind of skipping Vacation spot D23. And in truth, this may well be untimely even for 2026, as actually not anything from the closing slate may have opened through then.
Kicking the can down the street for an Animation Courtyard announcement could also be why I’ve been cryptic with clues about what’s rumored. Even though it have been 100% dependable at this level, not anything is actually 100% dependable that’s unofficial and gained’t be introduced for every other few years. Such a lot may exchange between at times, from building prices and the economic system to field workplace and Disney+ streaming performances. Heck, I’m skeptical of tasks which can be formally introduced however have a time horizon 3+ years into the longer term!
I give this announcement a not up to 1% likelihood of going down as an “solution” to Epic Universe’s opening.
Villains Land Disclose
Talking of skepticism about tasks which can be formally introduced however have a time horizon 3+ years into the longer term, Villains Land is the only D23 announcement about which we all know nearly not anything. It’s additionally the task this is, itself, an oblique solution to one thing at Epic Universe–the vintage monsters land, Darkish Universe.
For the reason that, it would make sense for Walt Disney Global to try to thieve the highlight from Epic Universe through hyping up its personal ‘darkish’ universe inside Magic Kingdom. In spite of everything, Disney executives and Imagineers may have been invited through Common Orlando to revel in Epic Universe through that time, so that they’ll know whether or not their very own ideas are as much as par.
What I’d like to look occur is for Imagineers to make those visits to Darkish Universe and be impressed through them when growing Villains Land. In an ideal international, Imagineering would even poach one of the most creatives that evolved Darkish Universe, or scoop up one of the most project-based hires who’ve already left Common Inventive. This might imply that Walt Disney Global’s personal “solution” to Darkish Universe can be slightly extra time incubating prior to it’s able for a divulge.
Past all of that, there’s simply not anything of worth to be received through Walt Disney Global revealing Villains Land as an “solution” to Epic Universe’s opening. It captures some fan consideration and hype. Ok, so what? It could additionally remind visitors that Magic Kingdom’s enlargement is ~5 years away, while they are able to revel in Darkish Universe lately.
They Gained’t.
This “to what finish?” level is a segue into probably the most believable consequence: Walt Disney Global does completely not anything to try to thieve the highlight from Epic Universe. At the start, as it gained’t be high-quality. Something we’ve stressed out for years–lengthy prior to Disney spoke publicly about Epic Universe–is that the one factor that may in reality “solution” a brand new theme park is…every other new theme park. And because we knew Walt Disney Global has no intentions to construct a fifth gate, lets relatively surmise that their easiest technique may well be in large part sitting out 2025.
The similar sentiment will have to clearly observe to bulletins. Time and again, we’ve observed this extraordinary perception from jaded enthusiasts that Walt Disney Global handiest made the D23 bulletins to take consideration clear of Common, and after Epic Universe opens, the plans would quietly be cancelled. That it was once all a ruse, and Disney has no intentions of establishing it. Bluntly, that is silly. Once more, the query is: to what finish? Is there a unmarried solitary one that’s going to forgo an Epic Universe commute in 2025 as a result of Walt Disney Global may have thrilling new stuff coming in 2029?
Perhaps one of these unicorn exists, however widely talking, that’s no longer how other folks plan circle of relatives holidays. Disney would’ve spent far more cash growing those ideas and making the announcement than no matter they theoretically received from the eye. It’s no longer 4D chess, I guarantee you. It’s like enjoying checkers in opposition to my canine–and he’s no longer one of the crucial good, speaking ones. Perfect case state of affairs is he doesn’t attempt to devour the items.
All of this could also be why Walt Disney Global most certainly gained’t announce the rest new on or round Epic Universe’s opening day. It’ll make 0 distinction by any means to Disney’s base line. It’s additionally why they will have to try to give Epic Universe large berth with their very own summer season marketing campaign.
If the rest, all of this information can be buried below protection of Common Orlando’s 3rd theme park. It could additionally simply be a foul glance that makes Disney glance petty. About the one exception to this that I will be able to call to mind is that if Walt Disney Global has destructive information and it needs to “take out the trash” Might 22, 2025. So most likely that’s the day we get a remaining date for the Rivers of The usa and Tom Sawyer Island.
BONUS: Congratulatory Newspaper Advert
If I have been in price, the one factor Walt Disney Global would “announce” on Might 22, 2025 is “congratulations to Common Orlando.” There’s a wealthy historical past of this collegiality a few of the “rival” theme parks, maximum significantly with Knott’s Berry Farm (above) and Disneyland buying and selling congratulatory newspaper commercials within the Los Angeles Instances and Orange County Sign in for many years.
The latest virtual example of this that I may monitor down got here from a few years again when former Disneyland President and present Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared this on Instagram: “Congratulations to my buddy Jon Storbeck and all the group at Knott’s Berry Farm for his or her one centesimal Anniversary! I used to be very touched to be invited to the preview celebration on your birthday celebration closing evening! It was once nice to look you!”
There’s likewise precedent for a similar with Common, albeit no longer as a lot that I may monitor down. There are many circumstances of executives and Imagineers attending grand openings–from the hot Tremendous Nintendo Global in Hollywood to Eisner at Islands of Journey. Unsurprisingly so, since many of us throughout the two “competition” have labored for each, and feature Annual Passes for the parks the place they don’t recently paintings.
I may see fashionable Disney being reluctant to publicly recognize Epic Universe, scared of drawing consideration to the brand new park or having research paralysis about how it could have an effect on their bookings and belief. My recommendation can be: don’t overthink it.
Actually nobody goes to be told about Epic Universe for the primary time due to a publish from @DisneyParks on social media or a newspaper advert within the Orlando Sentinel. It gained’t reason somebody to modify their holiday plans, or the rest of the kind. The one factor it will conceivably do is display the Walt Disney Global nonetheless has graciousness, and in reality believes it after they declare that “a emerging tide lifts all boats.” Disney has no playing cards they are able to play that may thieve Common’s thunder, however this might no less than lead them to a part of the dialog in a favorable means. It gained’t occur…nevertheless it will have to.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
How do you suppose Walt Disney Global will “solution” the hole of Epic Universe over Memorial Day weekend? Or is “they gained’t” the in all probability chance on your thoughts? Is it additionally the easiest transfer? Be expecting Starlight and different summer season choices to debut round Might 22, or will Disney give Common a week-plus buffer? Assume Disney has reason for fear, or do you most often agree {that a} emerging tide lifts all boats? Every other ideas or remark so as to add? Any questions we will be able to assist you to solution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas under within the feedback!
