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 building, and forward of that yr’s D23 Expo, there have been rumors trickling out that the board had authorized a a number of billion greenback growth plan that would come with the Nice Mickey Experience, Gondolas, DVC at Caribbean Seashore, Spain and Brazil in World Showcase, and way 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 “way more” half. As we wrote not too long ago in 2024 D23 Expo Want Checklist: 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 greatest days ever for Walt Disney World information. A ton of game-changing tasks which have rolled out within the years since and perpetually 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 plenty 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 obtrusive exception…
Introduced on stage by then-Parks Chairman (and future umbrella fanatic) Bob Chapek, the Essential Road USA Theater through the Parks & Resorts panel was the one huge mission that didn’t get constructed. The venue was described as being impressed by Kansas Metropolis’s Willis Wooden Theater from the Twenties, the place Walt Disney lived after he left Marceline.
Chapek himself likened the Essential Road Theater mission to the Hyperion at Disney California Journey, saying it might home Broadway-style exhibits like Frozen that had been enormous hits at Disneyland Resort. “The brand new Essential Road Theater at Walt Disney World continues that streak by bringing a brand new venue for world-class leisure to the world’s greatest park.”
Right here was the idea artwork shared by Bob Chapek and Disney again in 2017:
The mission acquired underway just a few 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 Essential Road Theater mission. Different permits recommended that the theater can be completed by late 2019 and would open in 2020.
These made clear that it might 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 under–the theater is “MK1” on the backside; TRON is “MK2” on the prime.)
Building was about to start on the Essential Road 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 subject got here credible rumors in February 2018 that the Essential Road Theater had been paused indefinitely–successfully abandoning the mission proper because it acquired going.
Walt Disney World by no means made an official announcement (so I suppose technically it’s nonetheless in mission purgatory?!) to cancel the Essential Road Theater, however the space was un-cleared, the parking zone was put again into use, and subsequent permits for TRON Lightcycle Run scrubbed the Essential Road Theater. And in addition, 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 Essential Road Theater mission was “delayed indefinitely” with a view to allocate funds to a different main mission that may debut in time for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. A kind of rumors pointed to new monorails, because the fleet was outdated and overdue for substitute in 2017. Clearly, that didn’t happen. One other chance was a extra bold EPCOT overhaul, which I think was the precise rationalization…till March 2020 occurred, after which it wasn’t. However that’s not the purpose of this put up.
Right here’s my full response to the Essential Road Theater from my D23 Expo autopsy: “My preliminary response to this theater is that it doesn’t match the size of Essential Road, U.S.A. If the size is off, it doesn’t matter what real-world place impressed the theater–it won’t match. The idea artwork additionally makes the supplies (principally concrete) look dissimilar to the remainder of Essential Road, however that might simply be the artwork. On the plus facet, if this implies eliminating that infernal Cinderella Fort Forecourt Stage, I suppose it’s not all unhealthy.” (I used to be quite a bit much less verbose again within the day.)
Regardless of the allow bundle revealing that the Essential Road Theater can be off Essential Road (there was plenty 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 “high-quality by me” and reiterating that the design appeared boring and distinguished however poorly-themed.
A little bit of an apart, however I additionally mentioned the D23 Expo gave the vibe of a ‘Disney Decade 2.0’ with bulletins that have been sufficiently imprecise 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 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 tasks 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 improper concerning the Essential Road USA Theater mission–it’s unlucky that it wasn’t constructed.
Truly, 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 feel 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 pattern, as its new Fantasy Springs Lodge is about as bland because it will get, making Disney’s Riviera Resort look well-designed by comparability.
However I additionally assume the Essential Road Theater might’ve been higher than the idea artwork recommended and likewise wouldn’t have realized my worst fears. For one factor, the massive field resorts are ugly partly due to their sightlines and partly due to their scale and visibility from all sides.
Whereas this appeared unhealthy within the idea artwork, the viewing angles can be extra restricted because it’d be down a hall. Bushes might’ve performed plenty of the heavy lifting in concealing it from the Essential Road bypass, and it most likely wouldn’t have even been seen from Essential Road 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 explanation why it’s time to revive the Essential Road Theater mission now. The primary was intimated above, which is that it might get exhibits off the Cinderella Fort 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 Fort Forecourt Stage is closed by the tip of summer season for “refurbishment.” Sure, work is definitely occurring to the stage, but it surely looks like 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 will probably’t be good for the performers, both.
Don’t get me improper–Cinderella Fort is an superior backdrop for leisure. However it’s additionally extremely impractical (and lazy) for daytime stage exhibits, that are the one sort 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 out of the blue going to get cool and comfy.
Equally, it’s value mentioning 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 type 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 fortress park with this downside (assuming Disneyland plans on doing one thing with Fantasyland Theatre post-Pixar Fest). All the relaxation have stage exhibits, and plenty of of them comply with an analogous montage-style components 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 just like what this MSUSA theater would’ve been because the growth 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 take in crowds and be a wonderful change-of-pace attraction.
Another excuse is extra tangential to the Essential Road Theater itself, however equally vital. Magic Kingdom wants a Essential Road bypass.
That is already evident throughout peak season, in addition to round Fortunately Ever After and Pageant 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 needed for leisure proper now, however frankly, it’ll be needed typically in ~5 years with Past Massive Thunder.
If we’re being lifelike, the one manner a Essential Road bypass will get correct funding and turns into one thing higher than what’s there proper now’s if there’s a mission anchoring it. This theater can be precisely that. Whereas I’m lifelike sufficient to not count on one thing on par with the prevailing Essential Road, I do know Imagineering can be bold and ingenious if given the possibility–engaged on a Essential Road mission can be an honor for a lot of Imagineers, and it might develop into a ardour mission.
Lastly, as a result of we’ve seen what these Broadway type exhibits may be–they usually’re glorious!
Disney Reside 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, a minimum of from a artistic perspective (actually not in amount or atmospheric acts) and the Disney Reside Leisure group can completely ship. Simply have a look at the stage exhibits they’ve dropped at 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’s 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 Reside Leisure. Blame Disneyland administration for being low-cost.
The issue is that Walt Disney World administration is, traditionally, additionally low-cost on the subject of reside leisure.
The Florida parks have misplaced a lot distinctive leisure during the last decade, and particularly since 2019-2020. Given all the things that has been minimize or continues to be “quickly unavailable” following the phased reopening (that started over 4 years in the past) the entire premise of this put up feels a bit foolish, frankly. Walt Disney World spending the cash to supply and employees a Broadway type stage present? Certain factor, Bob. Simply as quickly as free FastPass and Disney’s Magical Categorical return.
Nonetheless, I’m maybe foolishly optimistic about Walt Disney World’s future leisure prospects. The whole lot I’ve heard has me feeling good concerning the future. As I’ve mentioned earlier than, there’s a purpose that Walt Disney World introduced David Duffy over from Disneyland Paris and we must always begin seeing the fruits of that in 2025.
Whereas the Essential Road Theater couldn’t be considered one of Walt Disney World’s “solutions” to Epic Universe in 2025, it most likely might be prepared by Spring 2027 if the mission have been accelerated. That’s manner earlier than Past Massive Thunder and possibly previous to Tropical Americas, too.
Failing all else, if Walt Disney World put the assets 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 Go to a present that good.
In the end, I’m not upset that the Essential Road Theater mission acquired delayed indefinitely in 2017. With so many different tasks having increased precedence, it wouldn’t have stunned me if it have been constructed on a decent funds and with out ample design and placemaking. Given the venue’s measurement and distinguished location on Essential Road, it ought to 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 Essential Road USA Theater may be revived and given a wholesome funds together with a correct bypass.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What did you consider the Essential Road Theater mission? Glad it was cancelled or would you want a Broadway-style stage present and themed bypass of Essential Road for crowd management? Do you assume the looks of the proposed theater was ‘ok’ or ought to it have been themed higher? Agree or disagree with our take right here that the Essential Road Theater ought to be revived? We love listening to from readers, so please share every other ideas or questions you might have within the feedback!