Disney CEO Bob Iger says the company could build seven new full lands at its theme parks

Mar 05, 2024 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Tuesday March 5, 2024 1:51pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

At today's Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, Disney's CEO Bob Iger spoke at length about the company's reorganization and positioning for future growth.

Much of the conversation was dominated by Disney+ and ESPN, but Iger spoke enthusiastically about the parks. "Parks and resorts is a wonderful story," Iger said. Trends for this quarter show that domestic and international parks and experiences business will probably deliver in the neighborhood of low to mid-teens in terms of operating income."

Continuing with the parks, Iger said the company has "entered into a phase where we can start building." He continued, "We have 1000s of acres of lands to develop, we could actually build seven new full lands if we wanted to around the world, including the ability to increase the size of Disneyland in California, which everybody thinks is kind of landlocked by 50%."

"You can look at every single location that we've got and there's land, opportunity, but most importantly, we have so much IP to mine that there's opportunity there to create experiences that we know people will love to have in our parks. So you look at our IP, you look at the land that we have, you look at the math, the demand that exists in the marketplace, and you look at the return on invested capital. It's a no-brainer to invest that way."

Disney has already presented "blue sky" concepts for new lands at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom, and we expect to hear more about those projects soon.

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Bocabear18 days ago

Look at the Dockside Diner at DHS... The Riverboat would at least fit the area as a set piece... Wether is could actually move or not...Just to have it on water in the proximity of TBA and BTMRR...It would really be the last piece of old Frontierland....

James Alucobond18 days ago

It would look completely nonsensical with how much they intend to narrow the waterways in the area.

Bocabear18 days ago

It could be parked at the TSI Raft dock. Give that area a gorgeous bit of scenery...

MisterPenguin18 days ago

Turn it into a parade float.

Gusey18 days ago

But where would it fit on the river? The closest river to TBA is the turn under the bridge right?

DisDude3318 days ago

But then it would be the deluxe ferrie and cost $20 to $50 per person.

Bocabear18 days ago

IF it is the closest thing to TBA at the front and they are frying Beignets....and it is right off the walkway past on your way to Auto Parts Mountain...they would be pretty busy....especally if you would not have to go all the way back through the TBA area to get them.... and a plus you could walk aroud the boat and have a seat in the shade...

doctornick18 days ago

Retrofitting the Belle for actual transportation seems like a bad idea to me - much better ways to achieve the benefit of increased transportation capacity. But I do wish the Liberty Belle can be retained in some capacity. Honestly, the most logical thing to me would be the actually retain some of the current RoA waterfront where it borders Liberty Square and across from CBJ and permanently dock the Belle. It can be used for some sort of meal service or even just as a walk through type attraction for ambiance.

JoeCamel18 days ago

It would be seasonal in 6 months

Bocabear18 days ago

They could park it in a small piece of the ROA they could leave in front of TBA and use it for Beignets/Julep vending or a DVC Kiosk...Upcharge special event flex space? It would at least look beautiful on the water as a set piece...but a sad end to a beautiful boat.

EricsBiscuit18 days ago

The LB only holds 450. It would be better suited to dinner cruises with the addition of restrooms and seating.

HauntedPirate19 days ago

Massive expense for little return.

UNCgolf19 days ago

It would, but I don't know that it would even fit on that river. It certainly wouldn't fit under the multiple bridges in the way.

MisterPenguin20 days ago

I'll put that on the list with a retrackd SSE and a retracked Space Mountain!!