Nearly seven years have passed since Stitch’s Great Escape closed its doors, leaving a prime location in Tomorrowland mostly unused. While the front queue has occasionally been used for character meet-and-greets at After Hours events, the space as a whole has been largely abandoned, leaving a prominent part of Tomorrowland feeling like your local half-vacant shopping mall. This emptiness detracts from the park’s vibrancy and overall guest experience, and it’s clear that something needs to be done. In 2020, another DIS contributor, Ashley Ratliff, published an article titled ‘What Should Replace Stitch’s Great Escape?’ This piece serves as a continuation of that discussion, highlighting a key idea I believe might have been overlooked.
While a large-scale attraction would be ideal, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that we’ll see such an investment here. With various rumors, such as a Wreck-It-Ralph attraction, coming and going, and several D23 Parks Panels passing without mention of this space, it’s fair to assume that budget constraints or logistical issues are preventing a major development. But instead of letting this space languish any longer, why not turn it into something the Magic Kingdom desperately needs—a playground?
Right now, the Magic Kingdom offers limited options for young kids who need to release pent-up energy. Sure, the park as a whole is a giant playground in some respects, but for parents of toddlers and younger kids, it doesn’t offer dedicated spaces to let little ones run around freely. Compare this to EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which provide multiple playgrounds—both outdoor and indoor—giving children a much-needed break from strollers while allowing parents to relax.
In the Magic Kingdom, the Dumbo playground requires a wait in line and is not always open. The small play area near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) no longer exists. This leaves a significant gap in what the park offers for families with young children.
A well-themed indoor playground, such as “Rocket Raccoon’s Gadget Workshop” or “Wall-E’s Workshop,” could solve this problem. This concept would fit perfectly into Tomorrowland’s futuristic, high-tech atmosphere, with a design that could appeal to both toddlers and kids (up to 12.) The playground could feature traditional play structures like slides and climbing areas, with a fun, futuristic theme. A steampunk twist could add an exciting aesthetic dimension, depending on the character chosen.
Moreover, an air-conditioned playground would be a game-changer for families. Not only would kids have a space to play and burn energy, but parents could also enjoy a cool, comfortable area to relax during the hot summer months. This feature alone would elevate the guest experience and provide a much-needed indoor escape for families, especially when temperatures soar.
It’s important to acknowledge that this space, due to its size, was never going to host a major E-ticket attraction. The square footage is only large enough for two small theaters (as seen with Stitch’s Great Escape), making a smaller-scale addition like a playground a practical and welcome use of the space.
Another option could have been to repurpose the area as “Sonny Eclipse’s Lounge”—a fun, character-driven concept. However, with the Pirates Lounge coming soon, such a space might have been redundant. A playground, on the other hand, fills a current void in the Magic Kingdom’s offerings, enhancing the experience for families with young children while adding to the overall charm of Tomorrowland.
The empty Stitch’s Great Escape building represents a missed opportunity—one that could be easily remedied with a thoughtfully designed, character-driven playground. By doing so, Disney could cater to a critical need for families, bring new life to Tomorrowland, and make the most of a space that has been left to languish for too long.
