Disney has announced a major expansion of its cruise and theme park offerings.
- Four new cruise ships will be introduced, expanding Disney’s fleet significantly.
- Disneyland Paris and Disney World Resort in Florida are set for major upgrades.
- New themed attractions include areas inspired by The Lion King and Pixar’s Cars.
- This move is part of Disney’s robust growth strategy in entertainment.
Disney has outlined its ambitious expansion plans at the recent D23 event in Anaheim, showcasing a significant emphasis on both cruise and theme park developments. The announcement includes the introduction of four new cruise ships, scheduled to launch between 2027 and 2031, increasing the fleet to a total of 13. This is set to occur alongside the release of the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny ships, the latter featuring popular shows based on ‘Hercules’ and ‘Frozen’ expected in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
At Disneyland Paris, a new World of Frozen will be unveiled as part of the reimagined Disney Adventure World, set to open in 2026. The park will also add a Lion King-themed area, accentuated by a Pride Rock water attraction that narrates Simba’s journey from cub to king. Another key feature will be an updated meet-and-greet experience with Anna and Elsa, promising to perform real ‘magic’ for young visitors.
Simultaneously, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is gearing up for its largest expansion in over 50 years. A new Villains Land is already under construction, with two Cars-themed attractions revamping Frontierland, scheduled to start construction in early 2025. The expansion will also introduce a Monsters, Inc. themed ride at Hollywood Studios and a substantial 11-acre Tropical Americas area with attractions inspired by ‘Encanto’ and Indiana Jones, both opening in 2027.
At California’s Disneyland, new attractions are set to enhance the park’s offerings. Disney California Adventure will debut its first ride based on the film ‘Coco’ and introduce a new Avatar experience, building upon the franchise’s success in Florida’s parks. The Avengers Campus is also slated for expansion, featuring new attractions such as the Avengers Infinity Defense and the Stark Flight Lab.
This exciting development was underscored by Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, who stated, “Everything we announced is moving – we’re actually doing this. These developments are set to surprise and delight our guests in incredible ways.” Emphasising storytelling on a grand scale, Disney continues to leverage its vast portfolio of beloved characters and narratives in crafting unparalleled entertainment experiences.
Disney’s expansion marks a significant step forward in its strategy to enhance worldwide entertainment offerings.
