This Map Could Be Hiding a Huge HINT about Disney’s Magic Kingdom Expansion Plans

Magic Kingdom is changing in a big way — and it doesn’t look like Disney has any plans to stop those changes!

Concept art of potential Magic Kingdom expansion including ‘Coco’ and Villains

Splash Mountain is being transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and we’ve seen the closure of Country Bear Jamboree to make way for a new version of the classic attraction. But, there are even bigger updates planned for Magic Kingdom and we’re digging into a map that might give us some clues about what we can expect!

Disney previously announced a “blue sky” project that would bring a NEW land (or lands) to Magic Kingdom a couple of years ago. When it was first revealed, it seemed to be more of an abstract idea and one that could potentially never see the light of day, but it’s been confirmed as something that’s really happening. Since then, we’ve been digging into the concept art and looking out for every hint Disney drops about this park expansion.

Cinderella Castle

We’ve heard a few more updates from Disney about the plans, like the possibility of adding Coco-, Encanto-, or even Disney VILLAINS-themed lands and attractions to Magic Kingdom. The project has been named “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” — likely because expansion will be located behind the Big Thunder Mountain ride.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Disney executive Bruce Vaughn previously said that these expansion plans for Magic Kingdom are the “largest ever,” and that the additions are on a similar scale to expansions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios and Pandora – The World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom. These lands included the addition of new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more, which could mean BIG changes for the iconic Disney World park.

And, not too long ago, Disney shared at an exclusive Imagineering event that they would soon be filing permits for storm drainage and other foundational work for this expansion — which means things really are happening!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Earlier this year, we spotted an interesting map in the 2032 Reedy Creek Improvement District’s long-term land use plan that we think gave us a clue about the upcoming expansion.

In this plan, Disney outlines some big changes from its last land use plan (proposed in 2020), including a new designation for land use called “Marginally Unsuitable.” These areas are considered to have recognizable constraints for development, such as proximity to wetlands within the 100-year flood elevation.

©RCID

But, on the 2023 plan, there’s a large area directly north of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom that now has been declared “Marginally Unsuitable.” Previously, this area was labeled “land considered unavailable for development,” but now there’s the stipulation that “development is permitted to the extent allowable under the District’s long-term permits.”

And, it’s the map we think is hiding the clues. If you look at the area marked “02” at the top right corner of the map below, just below that red line which is Floridian Way, is the area where we could see this expansion take place.

©RCID

We laid the RCID land use map over a map of Frontierland — specifically, the area just north/northwest of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which you can see at the very bottom center of this image. As you can see, Disney has quite a bit of room to work with should this land eventually be developed.

RCID Comprehensive Plan map and map of Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland

Of course, only time will tell what will come of this land and how long it will take Disney to develop it. Disney previously stated that it plans to invest $60 billion into its parks division, but later clarified that those major expansion projects likely won’t happen for another five years.

Frontierland

No matter what ends up happening with the Magic Kingdom Beyond Big Thunder park expansion, you can be sure we’ll be on the lookout for the latest news and will update you with every announcement. Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more Disney news!

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