At D23, new Disney theme park rides were on display as scale models, including a Monsters, Inc.-themed roller coaster, an Encanto-themed attraction, an Indiana Jones-themed roller coaster, a land based on the Avatar sequels, and a Lion King-themed log flume.
Scale models of some of Disney’s most ambitious upcoming theme park attractions were on display at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 11, 2024. Access to the models was strictly prohibited during the previous event, but they were unveiled to the public the morning after the big theme park news presentation by Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences.
D’Amaro’s bombshells included the announcement of a country based on “Monsters, Inc.” for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, confirmation of plans for “Encanto” and Indiana Jones attractions for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, a concrete prospect of a country on the theme of “Avatar” for Disney California Adventure Park and the unveiling of a wild water ride based on “The Lion King” for Disney Adventure World in France (to name just a few of the new Disney theme park rides you can look forward to), all of which were on display as scale models in exhibition area D23.
You can find more perspectives on the roller coaster model “Monsters Inc.” with the doors in our video:
In addition to a scale model of the entire tropical Americas, Imagineering displayed a “study model” of the Casita of “Encanto”.
See more of the scale model of Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas in our video:
New “Avatar” Land at Disney California Adventure Park
Walt Disney Imagineering will build an “Avatar” land at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort. The land, which will include a boat ride, will be completely different from Pandora – The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom in Florida. The new area at California Adventure will be based on 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” 2025’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” and other upcoming sequels.
At D23, Imagineering displayed what appeared to be three versions of an architectural centerpiece for “Avatar” land, each a revision of the last over the course of the creative process (or at least that’s the story told in the exhibit). Notes with feedback from various artists and supervisors were scattered throughout the “workspace.” If this narrative is to be believed, the team may be in the process of developing the version of the model that will be presented in the center of the exhibit.
The earliest model (far right on the desk) came with a sticky note dated June 21, 2023 that read: “Good start – less like a movie set?”
Another sheet of paper on the desk was dated October 18, 2023 and contained the following notes:
- “Would like to try an older version – a bit more worn out.”
- “When exiting under rock walls, walkway clearances are required.”
- “When is the structural review?”
- “Living foliage to (illegible)”
- “Casey – what do you think about seeing the back of the water?”
On another page next to it with the heading May 2, 2024 it said:
- “Chris – need new schedule”
- “The facility will be updated in the next version”
- “Floating mountains – this time more floating, location will be announced via sight lines”
- “Only schematic color, NOT final”
- “Natural/artificial waterfalls are still developing”
Finally, the model in the middle of the desk was provided with the following notes:
- “Team – We need to meet to establish the geographic location on Pandora.”
- “Please take pictures so Dylan can update the art. Thanks! C”
“Dylan” is believed to be Dylan Cole, the concept art director of the original Avatar film and production designer of Avatar: The Way of Water, the latter role he will also take on for Avatar: Fire and Ash and the untitled fourth book in the series. Cole also developed concepts for Animal Kingdom’s Pandora and appears to be working with Imagineering again for the California Adventure counterpart.
This Lion King site will be located on currently undeveloped land around a lake under construction, expanding Walt Disney Studios with new land rather than replacing existing rides. With Disney revealing little information about the site and its central attraction, the model at D23 offered the most comprehensive look yet at what the project will entail.
D23 did not show scale models of other newly announced projects, such as Villains Land and the “Cars” rides at Magic Kingdom or the upcoming “Coco” ride at California Adventure.
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