Walt Disney World’s Next 5 Years: Star Wars, Avatar & Hollywood Studios Overhaul (Ep. 62)

Jim Hill and Len Testa look ahead at Walt Disney World's next major wave of development, with Disney's Hollywood Studios emerging as the resort's biggest long-term project. Jim explains why Disney was preparing to move away from the park's original movie-studio concept, how Star Wars could reshape the area around Echo Lake and Star Tours, and why smaller family attractions would be just as important as headline rides. They also discuss Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a possible replacement for IllumiNations at Epcot, Frozen's growing presence, Disney Vacation Club expansion, and how Universal Orlando's aggressive investment was pushing Disney into a new theme park arms race. HIGHLIGHTS • Why Disney was preparing a major multi-year overhaul of Disney's Hollywood Studios and moving away from its working-studio identity. • How a new Star Wars area could transform Echo Lake, Star Tours, Jedi Training Academy, dining, shopping, and interactive experiences. • Why Disney's plan called for a mix of major attractions, family rides, spinners, and smaller experiences rather than relying only on E-tickets. • The possible future of The Great Movie Ride, Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. • How Avatar, Rivers of Light, Frozen, and a potential new Epcot nighttime spectacular fit into Walt Disney World's broader expansion strategy. • Why Universal Orlando's success with Harry Potter, Diagon Alley, new hotels, and future attractions was forcing Disney to increase investment across the resort. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Len Testa - Bluesky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | touringplans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Jim Hill previews Walt Disney World's next five years, including a Hollywood Studios overhaul, Star Wars expansion, Avatar, Frozen, Epcot changes, and Disney's growing competition with Universal Orlando. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices