The last big expansion in the Magic Kingdom was New Fantasyland, which had its grand opening on December 6, 2012. There likely won’t be another massive expansion to the Magic Kingdom anytime soon, outside of the Tron Lightcycle Power Run coaster, but it is still fun to imagine what the Walt Disney Imagineers could be formulating for the future.
Alaska
Beyond Big Thunder Mountain and the rest of Frontierland, I imagine a land that could be dedicated to the last frontier…Alaska! Here guests could walk among glaciers, observer audio-animatronic grizzly bears, and maybe even ride a sled dog attraction. While there is not a lot of potential for Disney to integrate their films into the land I still think it’s a decent idea that could be explored. I’m starting off with this one because as much as I personally love the idea, I don’t think it’ll ever be done.
Villains Land
This idea has been bounced around a million times, and honestly, I think it is only a matter of time before Disney follows through. Believe it or not, until the idea got scrapped there was going to be an entire Walt Disney World park centered around Maleficent, Jafar, Captain Hook, and many of the iconic Disney villains. The park was going to be named the Dark Kingdom. If Disney executives don’t want to budget for an entire theme park, then using the idea simply as a land in the Magic Kingdom would be an amazing consolation. Tucked away, in the park known for its pixie dust and glitter, could be a dark villainous corner that promotes everyone’s favorite bad guys. I envision this land to be in the current location of Tom Sawyer’s Island, which could be completely reimagined as the villains’ secret lair. The only problem with that idea is that there most likely wouldn’t be room for a villain-themed attraction.
New Adventureland
Much like Fantasyland needed a reimagining pre-2012, it is time for Adventureland to undergo a similar renovation. Apart from Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, and Dole Whips I personally wouldn’t mind a complete overhaul. There is a ton of potential for Adventureland including integration of Moana, Indiana Jones, and The Jungle Book.
New Orleans Square
Mint Juleps and beignet — that’s a winning combination that the Magic Kingdom needs. New Orleans Square is already one of the most beloved lands in Disneyland, and integrating this land into the Magic Kingdom would be an immediate hit. It might draw some criticism for lacking creative differences from Disneyland, but I think there are a ton of possibilities. Because the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of Caribbean already exist in other locations in the Magic Kingdom, it leaves a lot of room for the Walt Disney Imagineers to get creative. This land could be placed next to Main Street U.S.A. in the previous location of the Main Street Theater that is no longer expected to be built in the near future.
Arendelle
While this wouldn’t be my first choice, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was for Disney executives. There is no denying the success of the 2013 hit-animated film Frozen, and even though the Norway pavilion in Epcot has essentially been transformed into Arendelle, Disney could potentially squeeze out every dollar they can by creating a Frozen-themed land in their most popular theme park. Arendelle-themed lands are already planned for the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris and Disneyland Hong Kong. Is it only a matter of time before we see it in the Magic Kingdom?
Stephen "Steve" Porter started going to the parks with his family in 1996. Since then he hasn't looked back! Steve was a cast member participating in the Disney College Program in 2013. Most recently he graduated from Penn State University!
