All summer long there has been a rumor circulating amongst Disney fans in, around, and all over the World. It seems the longer this rumor has been out there it is gaining more life of its own. Now here I go adding fuel to the fire by writing about it. Most Disney rumors we hear become the Disney fan fodder of the day then they take a back burner to the next latest rumor. However, the other rumors that have come along this summer keep trying to push this one down but it keeps bouncing back. I am sure most of you have already guessed the rumor is Carsland coming to Walt Disney World’s, Disney Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s enormously successful Carsland was unveiled to great fanfare this summer in Disneyland and with its opening the rumors of a Disney World version began. There has been similar speculation regarding World of Color coming to Disney World but those rumors don’t have the same teeth as the Carsland buzz. On August 8, 2012 Disney announced that the creative genius behind Carsland, Kathy Magnum a vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering would be taking on the position of executive producer of Imagineering at Walt Disney World. In bringing someone of Kathy’s magnitude (no pun intended) to Disney World no one should assume it was with the intention alone of building a Carsland at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are always Imagineering projects going on throughout Walt Disney World that require the creative expertise of people like Kathy Magnum. Currently, the Magic Kingdom is in the midst of a major expansion of Fantasyland and Animal Kingdom will soon be adding the much talked about Avatarland. Perhaps it was the timing in announcing Kathy Magnum’s new position shortly after the opening of Carsland that created the conjecture?
So, are the Carsland rumors true? If the Disney World Carsland rumors are not true then it finally gives Disneyland something that no other park has. In going by all the reports I’ve read and all the videos I have seen it is something that will bring Disney fans to Disneyland that may not have otherwise considered traveling there. If the Carsland rumors are true the park that is a natural fit for it is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The areas that make the most sense are the Backlot Tour, “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” Movie Set Adventure and the Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show. The Backlot Tour has been significantly downsized over the years and there has been on again off again speculation that it may eventually close. The “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” Movie Set Adventure is 11,000 square feet of fun for little ones. The Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show which is incredibly great the first time you see it hasn’t really changed since it opened and it takes up a lot of real estate. Now to add a little twist to the Carsland rumor is that Disney has announced that the Backlot tour will be closed from October 1st through November 30, 2012 and the “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” Movie Set Adventure which is currently closed for rehab through September 14th will be closed again October 1st through November 30, 2012. A coincidence? I don’t think so! With the success and upcoming expansion of Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter and their building a family suite resort it will mean further competition for guests with Disney. While I believe Universal is no competition for Disney they shouldn’t be taken lightly. I also think bringing Carsland to Disney’s Hollywood Studios would put an end to any thoughts that Universal could compete with Disney in Florida.
Whether or not the Carsland rumor is true, Disney has to love all the publicity it is creating. So, don’t expect an official confirmation or denial anytime soon. My guess is if a Disney Hollywood Studios Carsland is ever to be built it’s the kind of announcement that will be saved for the annual shareholders meeting or a D23 Expo.
Please send in your comments and let me know what you think.
Stuart Sternberg is the founder of WDW Fan Zone you can find him on Google +, Facebook, and follow him on twitter @disneygeekdad.
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There are also strong rumors from credible people that a Monsters Inc ride may be a part of what ever happens with Carsland.