Ah, 2017. What a time to be a Walt Disney World fan. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land have been already beneath development, and forward of that yr’s D23 Expo, there have been rumors trickling out that the board had accepted a a number of billion greenback enlargement plan that would come with the Nice Mickey Trip, Gondolas, DVC at Caribbean Seaside, Spain and Brazil in World Showcase, and far more.
Clearly, a few of that was barely incorrect. However with exception of Brazil and Spain, the rumors ended up being proper–with an emphasis on the “far more” half. As we wrote just lately in 2024 D23 Expo Want Listing: Lion Kings & Figments & Bing Bongs, Oh My!, this yr’s occasion has the potential to as soon as once more attain the identical highs as 2017.
That was the most effective D23 Expo for Parks & Resorts bulletins and one of many largest days ever for Walt Disney World information. A ton of game-changing initiatives which have rolled out within the years since and without end modified the panorama of Walt Disney World. It was the final true blockbuster D23 Expo–going into and popping out of the pandemic, the 2019 and 2022 occasions weren’t almost nearly as good, with loads of issues that have been cancelled or by no means occurred. In contrast, what was introduced on the 2017 D23 Expo truly got here to fruition, with one evident exception…
Introduced on stage by then-Parks Chairman (and future umbrella fanatic) Bob Chapek, the Major Avenue USA Theater in the course of the Parks & Resorts panel was the one huge undertaking that didn’t get constructed. The venue was described as being impressed by Kansas Metropolis’s Willis Wooden Theater from the Nineteen Twenties, the place Walt Disney lived after he left Marceline.
Chapek himself likened the Major Avenue Theater undertaking to the Hyperion at Disney California Journey, saying it will home Broadway-style exhibits like Frozen that had been large hits at Disneyland Resort. “The brand new Major Avenue Theater at Walt Disney World continues that streak by bringing a brand new venue for world-class leisure to the world’s largest park.”
Right here was the idea artwork shared by Bob Chapek and Disney again in 2017:
The undertaking obtained underway only some months later, with Imagineering submitting a allow bundle for “Magic Kingdom East Aspect Modifications” in November 2017 that encompassed each TRON Lightcycle Run and the Major Avenue Theater undertaking. Different permits recommended that the theater can be completed by late 2019 and would open in 2020.
These made clear that it will go onto a backstage parking zone between Tomorrowland Terrace and City Sq. Theater, alongside the present bypass that’s used for Halloween and Christmas celebration entry and fireworks exit. (See the allow beneath–the theater is “MK1” on the backside; TRON is “MK2” on the high.)
Building was about to start on the Major Avenue USA Theater, with backstage prep work starting and area being cleared to permit the work to get underway behind the prevailing City Sq. Theater and Tomorrowland. Then out of left area got here credible rumors in February 2018 that the Major Avenue Theater had been paused indefinitely–successfully abandoning the undertaking proper because it obtained going.
Walt Disney World by no means made an official announcement (so I suppose technically it’s nonetheless in undertaking purgatory?!) to cancel the Major Avenue Theater, however the space was un-cleared, the parking zone was put again into use, and subsequent permits for TRON Lightcycle Run scrubbed the Major Avenue Theater. And likewise, you haven’t stepped foot into this theater (as a result of it doesn’t exist), so it’s secure to say the rumors have been correct.
It was additionally rumored that the Major Avenue Theater undertaking was “delayed indefinitely” with the intention to allocate funds to a different main undertaking that will debut in time for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. A type of rumors pointed to new monorails, because the fleet was outdated and overdue for alternative in 2017. Clearly, that didn’t happen. One other risk was a extra formidable EPCOT overhaul, which I believe was the precise clarification…till March 2020 occurred, after which it wasn’t. However that’s not the purpose of this publish.
Right here’s my full response to the Major Avenue Theater from my D23 Expo autopsy: “My preliminary response to this theater is that it doesn’t match the dimensions of Major Avenue, U.S.A. If the dimensions is off, it doesn’t matter what real-world place impressed the theater–it is not going to match. The idea artwork additionally makes the supplies (principally concrete) look dissimilar to the remainder of Major Avenue, however that would simply be the artwork. On the plus aspect, if this implies eliminating that infernal Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage, I suppose it’s not all dangerous.” (I used to be loads much less verbose again within the day.)
Regardless of the allow bundle revealing that the Major Avenue Theater can be off Major Avenue (there was loads of confusion on the time about whether or not it’d be changing City Sq. Theater), I doubled down on this sentiment when phrase of the cancellation broke, calling the information “nice by me” and reiterating that the design appeared boring and outstanding however poorly-themed.
A little bit of an apart, however I additionally stated the D23 Expo gave the vibe of a ‘Disney Decade 2.0’ with bulletins that have been sufficiently obscure in order that they might be deserted or altered with little fanfare, pointing particularly to how the EPCOT overhaul idea artwork solely flashed on the display screen and was by no means launched publicly.
Three iterations of the EPCOT overhaul later, I used to be proper about that final level. However nothing else. The opposite initiatives from the 2017 D23 Expo have been constructed and most turned out very well. If something, Disney followers underestimate simply how a lot the D23 Expos from 2015 and 2017 set Walt Disney World up for the last decade to return and to compete with Common in 2025 regardless of not opening something new (sure, actually). I used to be additionally unsuitable in regards to the Major Avenue USA Theater undertaking–it’s unlucky that it wasn’t constructed.
Really, I’m not going to stroll that again all the way in which. The idea artwork as revealed was underwhelming. Not solely that, however I believe I’ve been vindicated a number of instances over with Imagineering’s “huge field” builds since 2017. Not even Tokyo Disney Resort has managed to flee this development, as its new Fantasy Springs Resort is about as bland because it will get, making Disney’s Riviera Resort look well-designed by comparability.
However I additionally assume the Major Avenue Theater may’ve been higher than the idea artwork recommended and likewise wouldn’t have realized my worst fears. For one factor, the massive field lodges are ugly partly due to their sightlines and partly due to their scale and visibility from all sides.
Whereas this appeared dangerous within the idea artwork, the viewing angles can be extra restricted because it’d be down a hall. Timber may’ve performed loads of the heavy lifting in concealing it from the Major Avenue bypass, and it in all probability wouldn’t have even been seen from Major Avenue USA correct, because the buildings would’ve blocked it.
Additionally, there’s nothing to say Imagineering couldn’t have constructed one thing that appeared higher than the starkly utilitarian idea artwork. Not precisely a excessive bar, there.
There are a number of the reason why it’s time to revive the Major Avenue Theater undertaking now. The primary was intimated above, which is that it will get exhibits off the Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage and into a correct venue. Daytime stage exhibits in that ‘venue’ are depressing many of the yr.
As we reported earlier this month, the Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage is closed by means of the tip of summer season for “refurbishment.” Sure, work is definitely taking place to the stage, but it surely looks as if very handy timing given the oppressive warmth and humidity, which make these usually disagreeable daytime stage exhibits even worse than regular. It’s no enjoyable to camp out and watch these exhibits within the scorching solar, and it may possibly’t be good for the performers, both.
Don’t get me unsuitable–Cinderella Fortress is an superior backdrop for leisure. Nevertheless it’s additionally extremely impractical (and lazy) for daytime stage exhibits, that are the one variety Magic Kingdom does throughout each day operations. If it’s going to stay round, I’d love common nighttime stage exhibits in that spot, however in any other case, an indoor and air-conditioned venue makes extra sense. It’s secure to say that Orlando’s summers aren’t all of the sudden going to get cool and comfy.
Equally, it’s value declaring that Magic Kingdom is the one park at Walt Disney World that doesn’t have a large-scale musical stage present. Sure, there’s Nation Bear Musical Jamboree, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and Carousel of Progress–however these aren’t the identical. It’s actually form of odd that Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom arguably have an overabundance of exhibits, whereas Magic Kingdom doesn’t have sufficient.
Not solely that, however Magic Kingdom is the one citadel park with this downside (assuming Disneyland plans on doing one thing with Fantasyland Theatre post-Pixar Fest). The entire relaxation have stage exhibits, and plenty of of them observe an identical montage-style system that change out the framework however are in any other case very comparable. (That’s even true of the new-ish Mickey’s Magical Music World at Tokyo Disneyland, which I assume is much like what this MSUSA theater would’ve been because the improvement timelines have been comparable.)
As Magic Kingdom will get busier–presumably the aim given Past Massive Thunder–having an enormous Broadway stage present venue wouldn’t simply be good for company, however nice for operations. This theater would assist absorb crowds and be a wonderful change-of-pace attraction.
One more reason is extra tangential to the Major Avenue Theater itself, however equally essential. Magic Kingdom wants a Major Avenue bypass.
That is already evident throughout peak season, in addition to round Fortunately Ever After and Competition of Fantasy Parade. And if Magic Kingdom is ever going to have a nighttime parade once more (about that…), a bypass can be a useful asset for crowd management. It’s obligatory for leisure proper now, however frankly, it’ll be obligatory basically in ~5 years with Past Massive Thunder.
If we’re being practical, the one approach a Major Avenue bypass will get correct funding and turns into one thing higher than what’s there proper now’s if there’s a undertaking anchoring it. This theater can be precisely that. Whereas I’m practical sufficient to not anticipate one thing on par with the prevailing Major Avenue, I do know Imagineering can be formidable and creative if given the prospect–engaged on a Major Avenue undertaking can be an honor for a lot of Imagineers, and it will grow to be a ardour undertaking.
Lastly, as a result of we’ve seen what these Broadway type exhibits will be–they usually’re wonderful!
Disney Dwell Leisure has gotten actually, actually good at creating stage exhibits like this. I’d go so far as to say that proper now’s a golden age of leisure, not less than from a artistic perspective (actually not in amount or atmospheric acts) and the Disney Dwell Leisure crew can completely ship. Simply take a look at the stage exhibits they’ve delivered to life at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, or aboard Disney Cruise Line.
That is even true at Disneyland in California. The one slight downside there may be that every one of those nice exhibits have fallen sufferer to cost-cutting. Though each present staged there was nice, there isn’t something within the Hyperion–neither is there any precise leisure at Fantasyland Theater. However that’s not a artistic failing of Disney Dwell Leisure. Blame Disneyland administration for being low cost.
The issue is that Walt Disney World administration is, traditionally, additionally low cost in relation to dwell leisure.
The Florida parks have misplaced a lot distinctive leisure over the past decade, and particularly since 2019-2020. Given all the things that has been minimize or continues to be “briefly unavailable” following the phased reopening (that started over 4 years in the past) the entire premise of this publish feels a bit foolish, frankly. Walt Disney World spending the cash to provide and workers a Broadway type stage present? Certain factor, Bob. Simply as quickly as free FastPass and Disney’s Magical Specific return.
Nevertheless, I’m maybe foolishly optimistic about Walt Disney World’s future leisure prospects. Every part I’ve heard has me feeling good in regards to the future. As I’ve stated earlier than, there’s a purpose that Walt Disney World introduced David Duffy over from Disneyland Paris and we should always begin seeing the fruits of that in 2025.
Whereas the Major Avenue Theater couldn’t be one among Walt Disney World’s “solutions” to Epic Universe in 2025, it in all probability might be prepared by Spring 2027 if the undertaking have been accelerated. That’s approach earlier than Past Massive Thunder and doubtless previous to Tropical Americas, too.
Failing all else, if Walt Disney World put the sources into making a spectacular stage present–one thing alongside the strains of Mickey and the Magician or Massive Band Beat (pre-COVID), they might completely monetize it. I’m not saying that is what I need to see–fairly the alternative–however they might simply promote Lightning Lane Single Cross to a present that good.
In the end, I’m not upset that the Major Avenue Theater undertaking obtained delayed indefinitely in 2017. With so many different initiatives having larger precedence, it wouldn’t have shocked me if it have been constructed on a decent price range and with out enough design and placemaking. Given the venue’s dimension and outstanding location on Major Avenue, it must be created with cautious consideration to element and thoughtfulness as to the way it’ll mix with the long-lasting space. With $17 billion to be spent within the subsequent decade, hopefully the Major Avenue USA Theater will be revived and given a wholesome price range together with a correct bypass.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Resorts Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things that you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What did you consider the Major Avenue Theater undertaking? Glad it was cancelled or would you want a Broadway-style stage present and themed bypass of Major Avenue for crowd management? Do you assume the looks of the proposed theater was ‘adequate’ or ought to it have been themed higher? Agree or disagree with our take right here that the Major Avenue Theater must be revived? We love listening to from readers, so please share another ideas or questions you will have within the feedback!
