Disney World To Be Renamed Walt Disney's Universe as Fifth AND Sixth Parks Announced

In a stunning turn of events, and after a severe bout of unrest in the Disney Parks fandom, Bob Iger’s The Walt Disney Company has announced the biggest change in the Mouse’s 100-year history.

Bob Iger at the construction site for the new Frozen land — Credit: Disney

For the longest time, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Central Florida, has consisted of four theme parks–Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Alongside the two water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, these destinations make up the sprawling Disney resort that sits over 27,000 acres.

Recently, the returning Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger–who returned in late 2022 following the surprise ousting of Bob Chapek two years after his own appointment–put forward $60 billion to spend across the next ten years. In March, Iger confirmed that $30 billion would be utilized for parks and resorts, specifically.

Crowds on Main Street U.S.A. at Disney World with Cinderella Castle in the background — Credit: Forsaken Fotos, Flickr

The financial investment comes at a tough time for the House of Mouse. On the Disney World homefront in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis continues to face off against the entertainment giant following the 2022 “Don’t Say Gay” debate, which sparked outrage nationwide, eventually leading to DeSantis dismantling Disney’s historic Reedy Creek Improvement District. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, or CFTOD, now stands in its place.

But DeSantis is not all Disney is up against. Just down the road from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort is about to gain its so-called “Disney-killer” theme park. Next year, Universal will open the third theme park gate in Florida called Universal’s Epic Universe. Bringing the likes of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, more of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Classic Monsters, and How to Train Your Dragon to the Sunshine State, Epic Universe is a massive new addition to the theme park space and will threaten Disney’s attendance.

Universal Epic Universe concept artwork. — Credit: Universal

Bob Iger, though, has put his money where his mouth is, giving $20 billion of the $30 billion designated for parks and resorts to building on untapped land at Disney World. Not only is the rumored fifth park coming to Florida, but in a surprise turn of events, a sixth venture has also been revealed.

And because things usually come in threes, Walt Disney World will officially change its name to Walt Disney’s Universe!

The new Magic Kingdom Central Plaza area between Main Street, U.S.A. and Cinderella Castle is now open to guests. The new landscaping is the first milestone of a multi-phase project that features sculpted gardens, charming fountains and winding pathways. This area is designed to be reminiscent of castle gardens and offers extraordinary viewing locations for parades and fireworks. Magic Kingdom is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) — Credit: Disney

Walt Disney’s Universe is coming with Dark Kingdom and Princess Paradise

Disney historian Jim Hill told Thrillist back in late 2023 that. “The idea of the Dark Kingdom seems to have basically come from the internet, with no basis on anything concrete.” Well, well, well. The Dark Kingdom is coming to Walt Disney World Resort, meaning the long-awaited Disney Villains-centric theme park is going to be a reality. Not much is known about the Dark Kingdom, but two experiences have been confirmed.

The Magic Kingdom may be eliminating Splash Mountain in favor of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (the new Frontierland attraction will open sometime this year), but the Dark Kingdom will bring a new mountain to the Disney World resort with Maleficent Mountain. Guests will board a dragon-themed vehicle to chase down King Stefan and Prince Philip in a thrilling adventure akin to Space Mountain.

A photo of Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom — Credit: Inside the Magic

Joining Maleficent Mountain will be a boat ride called Journey to the Underworld. Here, guests will board boats and sail along the River Styx before meeting the god of the Underworld himself, Hades. This is described as a mix between Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, two of Disney World’s most popular rides. Concept art is to be shared soon by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro. It is likely that the executive will use the four-day D23 Expo event in Anaheim, California, to reveal more.

As for the sixth Disney park, the House of Mouse will expand the Disney Princess offering by bringing guests an entire park dedicated to these popular Disney characters. Princess Paradise is being kept relatively under wraps, but it can be expected that many of the princesses from the last century will appear at the park. From Snow White to Cinderella, Tiana to Merida, and Belle to Ariel, only Disney knows how they will showcase each iconic princess, and fans will be waiting with bated breath for the next update.

With Dark Kingdom and Princess Paradise, Walt Disney World Resort will expand from four to six theme parks. Thus, after 50 years as Walt Disney World Resort, the flagship destination will be renamed Walt Disney’s Universe. In ten years’ time, there will now be two new “Universes” in Central Florida.

The big reveal comes as Bob Iger is fighting off billionaire Nelson Peltz, who is seeking for a seat on the Disney board. Iger has been backed by former CEO Michael Eisner and Star Wars creator George Lucas in a bid to keep Peltz away from the company. The latest development saw the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) support Peltz, who is backed by former Marvel Entertainment executive Ike Perlmutter, in the board seat war, per Deadline.

Foreground Image Credit: Glennia, Flickr

And as Peltz aims for victory, Iger also searches for his successor. The successor will likely oversee these new Disney World expansion plans, so Disney Experiences’ Josh D’Amaro will likely be a popular choice. But, as CNBC reported earlier today, Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden is also in the running. If she successfully succeeds Iger, she will become the first female CEO of the House of Mouse in its century-long history. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Walden’s fellow co-CEO of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman are also other internal names of interest, according to the report.

Josh D'Amaro claps next to Mickey Mouse — Credit: Disney

At the turn of its 100 years, Disney is at a massive crossroads. With more consumer demand than ever and powerful political and financial figures banging on the doors, how will the company cope with the future?

They will endure, as they always have. But fans will have to endure the wait for more Disney World theme parks even longer because Dark Kingdom and Princess Paradise don’t exist.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY!

And no, Walt Disney World will not change its name to Walt Disney’s Universe.

What would you like to see come to the Walt Disney World Resort in the future? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!