Will Disneyland Resort Shutter Classic Attractions? New Designs Emerge

ANAHEIM, CA — Which came first? The Disneyland attraction or the featured film behind it?

This week Disney CEO Bob Iger shared that Walt Disney Company is changing how its attractions are imagined. Future attractions will rely on the storytelling that its creative minds are known for, focused on the company's intellectual property—feature films and streaming shows—enjoyed by fans worldwide, Iger announced at the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference.

In Anaheim, Disneyland’s original lands and rides, such as Fantasyland, The Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean, were not based on feature films when the park was built in the 1950s. Each attraction stemmed from the creativity of the original Imagineers. That method of creating attractions and lands is changing now, Iger said.

“We have a huge legacy of storytelling with a company that is 100 years old,” Iger said. Storytelling is still the company's cornerstone, according to Iger, and pairing the company's best films with the theme parks goes along with Walt Disney's original corporate strategy, he added.

“If we get things right film-wise, that will pay off more when combined with the turbocharged presence in the parks,” he said.

After Disney+ was launched, numerous films, streaming shows, and other content failed to resonate with fans. Iger attributes that to “too much content being made," he said, adding that he tells his content creators. "Good isn’t good enough. Be great."

With DisneyForward now approved by the city of Anaheim, the largest expansion of the park since Disney California Adventure in 2001, the company is floating concepts of the kinds of immersive experiences the parks could offer.

Already in existence are "Tangled," "Frozen," and "Peter Pan," at Tokyo Disney, and Tokyo DisneySea. Iger mentioned another of the most popular Disney+ feature films, "Moana," could be in the running.

All will be based on Disney-owned intellectual property.

“We have 1,000 acres of land to develop and plenty of opportunity. It’s a portfolio expansion," Iger said.

One thing is for certain: The goal is to create immersive experiences where visitors can step inside their favorite film and engage with characters, attractions, and environments from their favorite Disney films and streaming shows. Examples include from Disney Shanghai's Zootopia Land to the original Cars Land at Disneyland Resort.

"I don’t think the interest in physically immersive experiences is going to wane,” Iger said. “What’s fascinating is that it’s multigenerational. The connection between the people and the intellectual property is extraordinary. We shouldn’t take it for granted at all because it’s a very popular vacation destination. There’s something about an immersive experience when it’s shared with others; it’s not just memorable, but it’s valuable.”

Not to worry—the favorite original park attractions will still be there.

According to a Disneyland theme park spokesperson, tried-and-true attractions such as "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Haunted Mansion" are not going away anytime soon, though they will be maintained and improved in keeping with accessibility guidelines.

Haunted Mansion is undergoing a "spirited" renovation in keeping with its story, recently released in a Disney feature film, starring Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota.

Expect to see new shopping, a broader line-waiting experience, upgrades to the "pet cemetery," and other enhancements near Tiana's Palace, the restaurant themed after the princess of the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure, coming soon.

"This area is one that holds a lot of memories and history, and a new, elegant park-like setting will be a place to relax and enjoy the ambiance and live entertainment under the shade of new and historic trees," a park spokesperson said.

As Walt Disney said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

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