Disney’s theme park future may not look exactly like the company once imagined.
Few entertainment companies are investing in physical experiences as aggressively as Disney right now. Across its global resorts, the company is pouring billions into new lands, attractions, and infrastructure designed to keep visitors returning even as its streaming and film divisions navigate an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape.
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Major projects are already underway in the United States. Walt Disney World Resort is preparing expansions at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, each promising new themed environments tied to some of Disney’s biggest franchises.
Over in California, Disneyland Resort is also undergoing its own wave of additions. Disney California Adventure Park is expected to receive a Coco (2017) boat ride, two new Avengers Campus attractions, and a themed land inspired by James Cameron’s Avatar franchise.
Yet behind the scenes, some of those plans may not be as settled as they appear.
A recent report from The Wrap claims that Disney is reconsidering its Avatar land planned for Disney California Adventure. The report suggests the company could pivot away from the franchise, with former Disney Imagineer Jim Shull – who hasn't hesitated to criticize recent Disney projects – pointing to Zootopia as a potential replacement.
If that happens, the Avatar project itself may not disappear entirely. Instead, it could be relocated to another Disney resort around the world.
Possible alternatives include Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, Shanghai Disneyland’s long-rumored second park, or even a proposed third gate at Tokyo Disney Resort that fans often refer to as DisneySky.
Shanghai Disneyland’s Second Park May Be Changing Direction
Rumors surrounding Shanghai Disneyland’s long-discussed second gate have intensified in recent months.
A plot of land has been reserved for another park since the resort first opened. For years, speculation suggested that Disney was planning something resembling a Chinese counterpart to EPCOT — the Walt Disney World theme park known for its blend of science, technology, and international culture through areas like World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Showcase.
Former Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis has reportedly acknowledged that such a concept — inspired by EPCOT’s science-forward Future World heritage — had once been discussed internally.
Unconfirmed concept art tied to the rumored project — known internally as Project Atlas — appeared to reinforce that theory. The imagery included a structure reminiscent of Spaceship Earth, EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere that anchors the Florida park and symbolizes its themes of innovation, communication, and human progress.
Unlike the Florida theme park, however, the concept art lacked anything resembling World Showcase — the pavilion-lined lagoon at EPCOT that highlights cultures and cuisines from around the globe.
It also remained unclear whether attractions similar to EPCOT rides, such as Test Track, Mission: SPACE, or Soarin', would appear.
It's worth noting that Shanghai Disneyland already includes a version of the latter attraction called Soaring Over the Horizon, located inside the park’s Adventure Isle area.
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According to The Wrap, however, Disney has now moved away from the idea of building “an EPCOT-of-the-east-type science and technology park.”
Instead, the company is reportedly planning a new park themed around broader Disney storytelling experiences.
The outlet claims the concept will revolve around “Disney adventures,” opening the door for franchises such as Avatar to potentially anchor the project.
Disney’s Growing Reliance on the Word “Adventure”
Disney’s increasing reliance on the word “adventure” has become noticeable across its global parks.
The term has emerged as a flexible branding strategy — one that allows the company to incorporate multiple intellectual properties without being tied to a strict narrative theme.
That approach became particularly visible earlier this year in France.
In March, Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris officially rebranded as Disney Adventure World. The change abandoned the park’s original behind-the-scenes Hollywood premise in favor of a much broader concept.
The new direction effectively gives Disney far more freedom when deciding which franchises to incorporate next.
Not everyone within the company’s creative legacy appears enthusiastic about the trend.
During a talk at the Walt Disney Family Museum, Disney Legend Tony Baxter openly criticized the growing use of the word in attraction titles.
Disney Legend Tony Baxter had some hot takes at the Walt Disney Family Museum yesterday:
*He hates using the word “Adventure” in experience names
*He does not like Buzz Lightyear attraction, but is hopeful that the recent refurbishment addresses what he views as its faults (He is a big fan of Toy Story Mania)
*The most recent WOW moment he had at a theme park was entering the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe
*Splash Mountain is the attraction he wishes they would bring back the most
Disney Legend Tony Baxter had some hot takes at the Walt Disney Family Museum yesterday:
*He hates using the word "Adventure" in experience names
*He does not like Buzz Lightyear attraction, but is hopeful that the recent refurbishment addresses what he views as its faults (He is… pic.twitter.com/eV6uxUsYMA— LaughingPlace.com (@laughingplace) April 5, 2026
Multiple rides now rely on the label, including Indiana Jones Adventure, Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.
Despite those criticisms, Disney shows little sign of abandoning the branding strategy anytime soon.
Meanwhile, evidence continues to mount that Shanghai Disneyland’s second gate is inching closer to reality.
Earlier this year, the land earmarked for the expansion underwent a planning adjustment. Its official designation was changed to commercial services, parking lots, and transportation hubs.
Some observers interpreted the change as an early sign that Disney is beginning the groundwork necessary to support another theme park.
The timing could also align with a major milestone for the resort.
June 16 marks the park's 10th anniversary, providing an ideal opportunity for Disney to announce a second gate.
Whatever theme Shanghai Disneyland’s second park ultimately takes, it appears increasingly likely that the project will move forward.
What do you think of the plans for Shanghai Disneyland's second park?
