Disney unveils 'Avatar' 'Indiana Jones,' 'Encanto' and 'Monsters, Inc' attractions By Reuters

Written by Dawn Chmielewski

ANAHEIM, California (Reuters) – Walt Disney unveiled new attractions for its theme parks at the D23 fan event on Saturday as it looks to generate more revenue from its profitable parks and cruise lines.

It will build a new 'Avatar' experience at its Disney California Adventure theme park, based on the second science fiction film, “Avatar: The Way of Water”, the company said.

An exhibit based on the life of Walt Disney (NYSE: ), featuring an animatronic sound image of the company's founder, will open to commemorate Disneyland's 70th anniversary next year, one of the many announcements at the D23 event this weekend. .

The company also announced two attractions for the new Tropical Americas expansion coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida. One follows Indiana Jones as he explores a Mayan temple. One is inspired by the Disney animated film “Encanto” and follows the character Antonio on the day he discovers his magical gift. Tropical Americas will open in 2027.

Actor Billy Crystal took the stage to announce the location at Disney's Hollywood Studios dedicated to the Pixar film, “Monsters, Inc”. This area, known as the language area of ​​the Disney theme park, will have a fixed roller coaster designed to simulate zooming through the door at the Laugh Factory, like the characters Mike and Sulley in the film.

Pixar's “Cars” movie franchise is also coming to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, in the reimagined Frontierland, with two attractions planned. One will take guests on an off-road adventure into the wilderness beyond the fictional movie setting of Radiator Springs. Construction is scheduled to begin early next year.

The announcements reveal how the company will embark on $60 billion in capital investment, nearly doubling that amount over the next decade to improve attractions at its 12 parks and expand fleet capacity.

“Everything we're going to share with you tonight is still in development,” said Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro. “This means plans are being drawn. This means the dirt is moving. I want to be clear to all the fans present. This is not a blue sky.”

Disney says it will add four cruise ships to its growing fleet, capitalizing on an industry that has been enjoying global shutdowns during the COVID-19 crisis.

The company currently has five cruise ships in operation, and previously announced four more, including one ship based in Tokyo and another that will depart from Singapore in 2025. These new ships will sail between 2027 and 2031.

D'Amaro was joined on stage by the company's creative leaders to discuss Disney's partnership with video game maker Epic Games. The company invested $1.5 billion in Epic earlier this year, giving Disney an equity stake in the creator of Fortnite and the Unreal Engine.

Disney has announced new characters and stories coming to the online game, including Disney villains and characters from Pixar's superhero movie, “The Incredibles,” and the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” about a bounty hunter from the Star Wars universe. . .

Disney's parks have become a reliable profit engine, helping to offset the impact of the decline in traditional television and losses in its streaming video business, which last quarter was profitable.

The experience division, which includes parks, cruises and consumer products, contributed 60 percent of the company's operating profit in the most recent quarter — up from 30 percent a decade ago.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company plans to spend $17 billion over the next decade at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

This investment will build on recent attractions such as Tiana's Bayou Adventure – inspired by Disney's animated film “The Princess and The Frog” – the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, and the Tron Lightcycle/Run.

The company faces intensifying competition in central Florida from rival Universal Studios, which plans to open Epic Universe next year, adding 750 hectares (303.5 acres) to be filled with Harry Potter, dragons from the Viking world of “How to Train Your Dragon,” monsters from Universal's classic movies like Frankenstein and Nintendo's Donkey Kong.