Monsters, villains and more questions 😈

We were so eager to find out what was beyond Big Thunder Railroad, that little did we think about what was planned in front.

Hello patrons, it’s Haley, the voice of the “In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops” newsletter.

D23 gave fans long-awaited attractions, but to achieve the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, sometimes we must sacrifice.

This brings us the “Cars” Land. The idea had been thrown out there before, but what came as a surprise was its placement. Two days after D23, Walt Disney World released a rendering of Frontierland with “Cars” Land taking over the site of Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Rivers of America.

Despite this being sad news for Disney die-hards, putting in an attraction based on a franchise geared toward families (especially ones with young boys) will add a dose of magic.

A question moving forward does not impact the guest, but employees. Canoe Races of the World, aka C.R.O.W., has been a long-standing tradition on the Rivers of America, so where will it be moved? Will Disney allow for one final race in Frontierland before construction supposedly begins next year?

A long-awaited “nightmare” 🍎

Initially dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder,” we can now call that expansion plan Villains Land.

In this art concept, Forbidden Mountain is the perfectly-selected showpiece in the background. Keeping with the “Sleeping Beauty” theme is the Forest of Thorns on the left side, which appears to be intertwined to create a roller coaster, plus Maleficent in dragon form.

There’s also a roller coaster in the foreground. Is it one for Hades and the Underworld, or is that Ursula’s whirlpool?

The Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, Lady Tremaine, and “Fantasia’s” Chernabog are just some of the baddies in a reel Disney dropped along with the D23 announcement. Time will tell how exactly they will be featured in Villains Land.

Mulling over Monstropolis 🏭

When Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced that a planned Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would feature a door system ride that would be Disney’s first-ever suspended roller coaster, there were shrieks of excitement.

However, the Sulley-sized question moving forward is where Monstropolis is being built. As of right now, Disney has not made that clear.

My first thought was replacing Animation Courtyard, but there’s also the possibility of it taking over Muppet*Vision 3D and Grand Avenue, which could put fans in an Animal-like frenzy.

There’s a lot of sentimental value in Muppet*Vision 3D, as it was one of Jim Henson’s last projects before his death.

In the words of Roz, we’re watching you, Disney. Always watching.

Going extinct 🦖

We knew changes were happening in Dinoland U.S.A. following D23 last year, but we now have a clearer vision.

The land is closing this fall to reopen in 2027 as Pueblo Esperanza at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a Tropical Americas area. It will house areas themed after Disney’s popular “Encanto” and Lucasfilm’s legendary “Indiana Jones” films.

To no surprise, we will be getting a first-ever “Encanto” ride at a Disney park, complete with what seems to be ambitious animatronics scenes, and I would not be surprised if there’s an original song or two.

For a full wrap of all the D23 announcements, click here.

Epic Universe

This is how we roller coaster 🎢

Today’s special edition newsletter can be called “In the Loop-the-Loop: Theme Park Scoops.”

To celebrate National Roller Coaster Day, Universal Orlando dropped a behind-the-scenes look at Stardust Racers, one of the highly-anticipated attractions coming to Epic Universe.

Stardust Racers looks to be an absolute spectacle, especially at night. The track will not be externally lit, so when the trains launch they will look like shooting comets. The photo above shows a view of the train that will be brightly lit.

Then there’s the star maneuver, the Celestial Spin, that will allow riders to wave at the other train from above.

This was also a first close-up look at an Epic Universe attraction. For a breakdown of all the roller coasters coming to Epic Universe, click here.

That was a lot of attractions. At least we ended on one that has actual footage and isn’t an art rendering.

Feel free to keep me in the loop through my email or reach out to me on my X or Instagram.

See you next week!