Ok, when are all these new "lands" actually coming!!

[DoingDisney]

I guess hotels are easier to build? Or maybe there is a profit motive to do those more quickly? I don't know.

But now a lot of the hotel expansion makes sense...attendance is going to continue to increase. And I guess average length of stay also!

It's kind of overwhelming when you step back and think about how many entertainment options are going to be available when it is all done.

Keep in mind they have also closed quite a few things in DHS and I wouldn't be surprised if we learned officially they are closing more (its been rumoured for quite a while as such) so I don't know what exactly the net "new" number of attractions will be ... but considering the glacial pace of expansion (actual number of attractions) at WDW vs Uni ... I wouldn't be excited to "step back and thinkg about how many entertainment options are going to be available when its done" ... I think the answer is "pretty much the same number as we have now" ... Pandora seems to be the only real increase ...

That being said I am excited for these things, but only mildly as I know it will probably be 5 years until we see them.

 

[LoKiHB]

Ribbon will be cut September 4th, 2019, 12:14PM

You obviously missed the super secret, revised, edited, confidential, internal, executive memorandum- it's been moved to 12:32 PM.

 

[raydurz]

I haven't really thought about Toy Story land, but I can see Star Wars Land not opening until 2020 at the earliest.

 

[AquaDame]

Since DLR is "just" getting Star Wars I wonder if ours will open first...?

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Keep in mind they have also closed quite a few things in DHS and I wouldn't be surprised if we learned officially they are closing more (its been rumoured for quite a while as such) so I don't know what exactly the net "new" number of attractions will be ... but considering the glacial pace of expansion (actual number of attractions) at WDW vs Uni ... I wouldn't be excited to "step back and thinkg about how many entertainment options are going to be available when its done" ... I think the answer is "pretty much the same number as we have now" ... Pandora seems to be the only real increase ...

That being said I am excited for these things, but only mildly as I know it will probably be 5 years until we see them.

Yes Pandora is brand new as you say, and so is Rivers of Light.

I agree they shut things at DHS of course and the park felt almost vacant in areas but a 14 acre Star Wars land plus Toy Story Land is not "net neutral" to losing whatever they did shut down.

I guess what I mean is we are already filling 6 to 8 park days at WDW now (even with DHS as it is). When its done we will still be able to do that - plus we will have more to do DHS (a lot more) and more to do at AK (a lot more).

And yes, I agree on glacial. They built ALL of DL in one year back in 1955

 

[RustManFan]

remember.... they are talking about developing 11-13 acres for these new lands and that is huge in WDW terms!

now where does DL have this kind of acreage for SWL?

 

[AngiTN]

remember.... they are talking about developing 11-13 acres for these new lands and that is huge in WDW terms!

now where does DL have this kind of acreage for SWL?

That's the bigger question than when. One report I saw suggested it may be the end of Toon Town

 

[NewmanFamily6]

WDW 50th is October 2021. I'd bet on them having everything tip-top for the hordes of guests that will inundate the parks. The purpose is two-fold: To draw people who don't normally go to WDW because they've already done that, and for those millions of people to return home and tell everyone "there is so much new stuff it's like a different experience.

Great in 2021 I will be 43 years old and DH will be 45. The twins will be 18 and possibly still interested in a trip with the parentals. The older two will be 20 & 24 and probably not so much. Some are speculating 2025 which is really sad because there is currently so little to do at HS.

 

[mom2rtk]

remember.... they are talking about developing 11-13 acres for these new lands and that is huge in WDW terms!

now where does DL have this kind of acreage for SWL?

There's talk about Toontown and the Thunder ranch area being used.

 

[andyman8]

Just relistened to the latest Jim Hill podcast (he D23 preview one on disneydish.bandcamp.com), and Jim is still saying 2017 for AVATAR. I believe they are 8 months behind the original opening schedule, which was for a 2016 opening (I believe they announced that in 2011), but due to a variety of issues (mostly centering around Mr. Cameron), the opening was pushed into 2017 some time ago. I'm still expecting a 2017 opening for AVATAR.

 

[kay1864]

I am excited about these things, but it wouldn't shock (or surprise) me if Universal is able to get another expansion to Harry Potter World before Pandora, Star Wars or Toy Story is done.

Maybe, but they can't exactly add a whole new land the way Disney is doing. At best they can add another attraction to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, but there's really not another HP "area" to be added from the books or movies.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to "experience" the Ministry of Magic, the Weasleys' house, or Azkaban. Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are pretty much it for "lands".

 

[DoingDisney]

Maybe, but they can't exactly add a whole new land the way Disney is doing. At best they can add another attraction to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, but there's really not another HP "area" to be added from the books or movies.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to "experience" the Ministry of Magic, the Weasleys' house, or Azkaban. Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are pretty much it for "lands".

Some truth to this I think, but they do own enough properties they can certainly create some more "lands"

 

[RogueKnits]

Some truth to this I think, but they do own enough properties they can certainly create some more "lands"

Isn't Universal doing something with Nintendo? I don't think they've announced any concrete plans yet, but back in May it was big news that Nintendo-themed attractions would be coming to Universal parks. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they had a full Nintendo Land up and running well before Star Wars Land opens.

 

[DoingDisney]

Isn't Universal doing something with Nintendo? I don't think they've announced any concrete plans yet, but back in May it was big news that Nintendo-themed attractions would be coming to Universal parks. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they had a full Nintendo Land up and running well before Star Wars Land opens.

They have acquired the rights to use Nintendo properties (I imagine they will do a Nintendo world or a Games world or something) and they are completing their King Kong Section/ride ... I don't know that it qualifies as a world, but the themeing is pretty on point...

 

[revdon64]

Geez, what's it been three, four days since the announcements? Some folks on here sound like spoiled brat kids - "What? Only a PlayStation 4? I wanted the XBOX and Wii too! And I wanted them for my birthday last month not for Christmas!" I mean, I get it - Disney doesn't do fast construction. We've all hashed that concept to death over 7DMT and Avatarland and Rivers of Light, even MDE and FP+. But, would it be possible to just be happy that they've actually announced SOMETHING, I mean just for a week or two before we start complaining about the timeline?

 

[DoingDisney]

Geez, what's it been three, four days since the announcements? Some folks on here sound like spoiled brat kids - "What? Only a PlayStation 4? I wanted the XBOX and Wii too! And I wanted them for my birthday last month not for Christmas!" I mean, I get it - Disney doesn't do fast construction. We've all hashed that concept to death over 7DMT and Avatarland and Rivers of Light, even MDE and FP+. But, would it be possible to just be happy that they've actually announced SOMETHING, I mean just for a week or two before we start complaining about the timeline?

People are happy about it ... but why shouldn't we note that we should temper our excitement with the fact that its going to be a long wait.

I have an idea though, why doesn't disney actually throw some of the money they are making off the increased prices we pay at these developments, get them done sooner than we are expecting, and then surprise us all and leave us super excited to get to WDW to enjoy them.

The problem is Disney's, they created this type of reaction. If this had been the first announcement that wouldn't materialize for half a decade or more, I would agree with you. But because people now EXPECT that these announcements are just candy in the window they can't touch for years and years they lose their impact. People can't be blamed for that, but WDW sure can be.

 

[AngiTN]

I sure wish all the people, not anyone specifically here just a general "the" people, that bemoan how long Disney takes and praise how fast Universal is would go to Universal and stop going to Disney till they get things done. It would really reduce the crowds at Disney. But as long as Disney isn't hurting for business they'll probably not see a reason to change their development schedule. I'm expecting by the 50th and anything ready sooner will be a bonus and "early" based on that.

 

[Jfsag123]

I can empathize with the folks who are lamenting having planned family trips around the reported opening dates. We will go every year regardless, so it doesn't make a huge difference to me (although it would be nice to have some of these things done while my kids are still young enough to really enjoy them), but I have a few family members who have talked about wanting to join us on a future trip after seeing how much we love it. Right now, one group is talking about joining us in 2017, but I'm wondering if I should encourage them to wait another year (or two...or three...), as it will probably be their only trip for a long while, maybe ever. It can be hard when you have folks trying to coordinate schedules/finances without any firm dates.

 

[RustManFan]

Please.... construction of even a small dwelling can have completion timing issues due to drainage concerns, electrical and plumbing contractors, inspections, etc. etc. Trying to pinpoint a date for completion of these huge projects is simply impossible. If Disney announces something will be done by summer 2017 and it takes until that autumn (or later), they are going to be blasted for disappointing people you planned vacations around a PROJECTED completion date. Mellow! (you know who you are folks)

 

[DoingDisney]

Please.... construction of even a small dwelling can have completion timing issues due to drainage concerns, electrical and plumbing contractors, inspections, etc. etc. Trying to pinpoint a date for completion of these huge projects is simply impossible. If Disney announces something will be done by summer 2017 and it takes until that autumn (or later), they are going to be blasted for disappointing people you planned vacations around a PROJECTED completion date. Mellow! (you know who you are folks)

Oh I don't really get annoyed at delays per se. And I think thats one of the reasons WDW doesn't like to release dates (like many companies), but they do develop at an extremely slow pace. Though there is a good argument to be made that if they are making money, why expand ? why offer new things? Maximize the return on the investments you have made before making more. That's great for the business, just not so great for us.

They could also wait to announce things, like, maybe until shovels are in the ground or things are ready to go etc. Would at least reduce the wait time.