Despite Its Crushing Court Loss, Disney Is Still Committed To A Disney World Expansion

In the midst of its fight with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, there was some concern that, as retribution, the Walt Disney Company might forgo any future expansion of Walt Disney World. Some even wrongly believed that Disney World might pack up and head to another state.

Related: In A Major Blow, Judge Dismisses Disney’s Case Against DeSantis

Disney World even received invitations to pack its bags and move. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Governor DeSantis’ rival for the Republican nomination for president at the time, invited Disney World to move to the Palmetto State. Lawmakers from North Carolina and Texas even put forth legislation to lure Walt Disney World to their state.

But unlike a traveling circus, Disney World can’t just pack up its tents and head to another state. The entire theme park is twice the size of Manhattan. It wasn’t realistic for it to move.

However, with the parks routinely feeling crowded, an expansion is desperately needed, but that reality has looked dark for a while.

Related: The Enormous Scale of Disney World Will Blow Your Mind

And now, despite its crushing loss in Federal Court, Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to further expansion of Walt Disney World and its future in Florida. On its website, DisneyConnect.Com, Disney wrote:

Our investments in Florida will continue as we plan to invest billions in Walt Disney World Resort over the next decade. Our investment will create 13,000 new jobs and thousands of other indirect jobs that will attract more people to the state and generate more taxes. We remain committed to giving back to our Central Florida community. Our Company and its cast members continue to show up as a positive force, actively seeking solutions that impact the people and places around us.

So, with a commitment to Central Florida and expansion, now all Disney has to do is commit to precisely what that expansion is going to look like.

Changes Ahead?

We know that Disney has massive plans to reimagine Animal Kingdom. At the D23 Expo, Josh D’Amaro announced that DinoLand U.S.A. would be replaced by a South/Central American land themed after Encanto (2021). But while D’Amaro announced the project, he did not announce a timeframe for starting or completing the transformation of Animal Kingdom.

D’Amaro also announced the “largest” expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom. But once again, he was short on details. However, fans filled in their details for Magic Kingdom, hoping the theme park expansion would finally bring them a villain’s land.

We also know that Splash Mountain is gone at Magic Kingdom and will be replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. But that’s one attraction, and Disney World fans want more.

What Disney World fans are really looking for is a fifth gate. With Universal Orlando opening Epic Universe next year, Disney is expected to announce something significant, but fans don’t know what it will be.

Related: ‘I’m Really Afraid That Universal Is Starting To Edge Them Out,’ Former Believe Disney World is in Trouble

Fans are also hoping for changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studio as well. There is Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but the park frequently feels crowded. And with the failure of Star Wars: Gallactic Starcruiser, there’s some space to fill.

So, while we know something is coming, and Disney has committed to its future in Central Florida, Disney fans want more now.

What would you like to see Disney add to Disney World? Let us know in the comments.