Magic Kingdom and California Adventure to expand
Significant expansions to its American theme parks have been announced by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo, including new attractions at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, plus a 3D Star Wars attraction at both domestic resorts.
Star Tours will open at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Florida and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, in 2011. Based on George Lucas’ blockbuster Star Wars films, the intergalactic experience will be an immersive 3D update of the existing Star Tours simulator attraction.
In Florida, the Magic Kingdom (Disneyland) park is due for its largest ever expansion with a number of new additions at Fantasyland, due to be completed by 2013. As already announced, guests will be able to share a dance with Cinderella in her castle. They will be also be able to dine or enjoy an enchanting story performance in the Beast’s castle library.
A new Dumbo attraction, twice the size of the existing one, will fly high inside a interactive, three-ring circus tent. Visitors will be able to journey under the sea with The Little Mermaid in Ariel’s Adventure (pictured above) and meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.
The multi-year expansion of Disney’s California Adventure continues, including the new World of Color attraction slated to open next spring, plus the 12-acre Cars Land due to open in 2012. Ariel’s Adventure will also open at the same park in 2011.
As well as an expansion of its park in Hong Kong, Disney also has plans for a new cruise ship, the Disney Dream, plus a family destination resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Pictured below: The planned Magic Kingdom expansion in Orlando
