The Two Major Stories Affecting Walt Disney World that You Probably Missed

Plus More News about Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Bob Iger's return as head of the Walt Disney Company has coincided with a couple of strategically important news stories that will impact Walt Disney World travelers (in a very positive way). Catch up on these stories plus the very latest news on the closing of Splash Mountain and the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

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Disney Plans a Major Theme Park Construction Investment at Walt Disney World Likely in Response to Universal's Epic Universe
 
It's starting to appear that Bob Iger's return as CEO of the Walt Disney Company may mean that Disney will be making a very serious commitment to theme park projects at Walt Disney World. Several respected media outlets have reported that a recent SEC filing by the Walt Disney Company calls for spending $6.3 billion on capital expenditures in the parks in 2023. That translates into new builds and infrastructure for Disney Parks and it's a significant increase over the spend in the past for building things like Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.
 
Bob Iger's true vision for the Walt Disney Company may not be known just yet, but it's appearing likely that some of those great new things we saw for Walt Disney World at D23 Fan Expo -- like the new Villains land in Magic Kingdom Park -- may actually become reality. Stay tuned to 1923 Main Street for more on this story as details become known.
 
Florida May Not End Up Punishing Walt Disney World for its Don't Say Gay Stance
 
In a story by the Financial Times, it looks like Florida lawmakers may be looking to reverse their plans to strip Disney of its right to operate a private government around its theme parks. And it appears that Bob Iger may be the reason why, at least in part.
 
Bob Iger made a comment that is seen to have calmed tensions between Disney and the Florida state government. He said: “What I can say [is] the state of Florida has been important to us for a long time and we have been very important to the state of Florida. That is something I’m extremely mindful of and will articulate if I get the chance.”
 
All in all this is good for the Disney traveler, as any negative impacts from the original plan to strip Disney World of its current rights would likely have trickled down to all of us who visit.

Disney Says a New Scene and Character will be Introduced for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Not exactly shocking news, but Disney has confirmed that Tiana's Bayou Adventure will include a new scene for the ride and some brand-new characters for the attraction. The new scene is said to be a "thrilling moment" when you first drop into the bayou and encounter bayou friends both new and familiar. Unless they are changing the course of the current Splash Mountain waterway, this will be an interesting feat to accomplish.

Fireflies will light up the night and invite us all deeper into the bayou. With all of the fuss Disney is making about this we can only assume that it will be a pretty cool new effect.

Once the ride gets going we'll meet the full group of critters, including an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and others. Disney has hinted that they'll all play a bigger role later on in the ride, but they haven't tipped their hand on that just yet.

Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World Resort will close on January 23, 2023. The closing date for Splash Mountain at Disneyland has not yet been released.

The opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort is still 2024, with no specific dates as it is a bit far off.

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic