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We recently reported on some super exciting news: the Walt Disney Company is nearly doubling its spending on its theme parks and cruise lines in the next decade.
More specifically, Disney plans to spend $60 billion in the next ten years. In short, theme park and cruise line expansions are coming. But, there’s a catch to an upcoming Disney Park expansion: typically, guests have to sacrifice one beloved land to make room for another.
“It’s the Circle of Life, and It Moves Us All…”
Credit: Brian McGowan
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For example, Animal Kingdom’s infamous DinoLand, U.S.A., is going extinct to make room for an all-new area inspired by Encanto (2021), Coco (2017), and the Indiana Jones franchise.
Years ago, when Animal Kingdom welcomed Pandora – The World of Avatar, Camp Minnie-Mickey was demolished to make room. It’s just what happens when an area begins dwindling in attendance.
Credit: Disney
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DinoLand, U.S.A., while still beloved by many, has admittedly been declining in popularity and guest attendance, in the same way Camp Minnie-Mickey was dropping attendance before Pandora – The World of Avatar took the theme park area over.
Over in another Disney Park, there’s a theme park land that’s been underutilized and under-visited for years, and we have reason to believe it’s up next on the chopping block.
Prepare to Say Your Goodbyes, Because This Theme Park Area Is Probably On Its Way Out…
Credit: Stone Hood
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Hollywood Studios is home to eight different theme park lands: Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Commissary Lane, Grand Avenue, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, Sunset Boulevard, and Animation Courtyard.
One of these different Disney Park lands is undoubtedly visited less than the rest. We’re talking, of course, about Animation Courtyard.
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Animation Courtyard’s main attraction, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, has been officially closed for nearly a year and unofficially closed for years prior.
The remaining attractions (Walt Disney Presents, Star Wars Launch Bay, and Disney Junior Play & Dance) are primarily ignored by guests, who would rather spend their time on Hollywood Studios rides.
That’s not to say that this area doesn’t have fans! Many fans of Voyage of the Little Mermaid have been holding out hope that the attraction would return, revamped and refurbished. Not to mention, many fans enjoy the Walt Disney Presents attraction, which serves as a little museum with revolving Disney exhibits.
Credit: Disney
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If expansions are coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, then it’s an unfortunate truth that we’re going to have to sacrifice some spaces in exchange.
At Disney Dining, we’re almost sure that Animation Courtyard will be one of those sacrifices, and we’re not the only ones.
What would you like to see in place of Hollywood Studios’s Animation Courtyard area? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
I would only ask that the Walt Disney history and short film remain. I think knowing the story of where Walt Disney came from and how the park came to be ud fascinating and necessary.
I will never agree with some of Disney’s decisions. Dinosaur is one of animal kingdom’s best rides and I am crushed to see it go. I felt the same for splash mountain. Some of their choices result in the removal of a classic attraction and I just don’t agree with their choices.