The Walt Disney Company reported earnings for the second quarter of 2024 increased from last year, with Disney Parks & Experiences up 10% and the first streaming profits, which gave Disney CEO Bob Iger the opportunity to use his new favorite word: turbocharge.
“Our strong performance in Q2 demonstrates we are delivering on our strategic priorities while building on the future,” Bob said. “Looking at our experiences business – which remained an impressive financial diver in the quarter – we’re focused on turbocharging growth with a number of long-term strategic investments.”
Right off the bat, Bob pointed to the approval of DisneylandForward as “the first step in the company’s plans for the resort.” According to Bob, the final vote by the Anaheim City Council (which takes place tonight) paves the way for “the many potential new stories our guests could experience at Walt’s original theme park, including the much-anticipated opportunity to bring Avatar to Disneyland.”
While Avatar at Disneyland is not new news, what’s noteworthy is that it was the only IP Bob specifically mentioned—which is noticeably different from previous statements, when both he and Disneyland President Ken Potrock offered a DisneylandForward “wish list” that also included Zootopia and Frozen.
Read more about DisneylandForward here:
IT’S APPROVED!!! DisneylandForward Moves Forward What You Need To Know
Sequels, Sequels, Sequels (and more Sequels)
During the earnings call, Bob said the studio will be “reducing output and focusing more on quality,” but he also said the studio is focusing on sequels. Why? Because they are already familiar stories and characters and, therefore, cost less to promote. That explains why moviegoers will be seeing Planet of the Apes, Inside Out, Deadpool, Alien, Moana, and Lion King movies this year (plus Captain America, Fantastic Four, Zootopia, and Avatar sequels next year).
Makes good business sense, right? But that cost-cutting strategy also explains why we’ve got Frozen-themed lands popping up around the globe, with World of Frozen already open at Hong Kong Disneyland and Frozen-themed lands opening soon in Tokyo and Paris. Not to mention the twin Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attractions.
So, does that mean DisneylandForward will also include “sequels” of lands and rides Imagineers have already built? While we would not be mad about getting Zootopia from Shanghai and Mystic Manor from Hong Kong, we’re also hoping Imagineers will come up with new ideas for Anaheim.
What Else Did We Learn?
During the Q&A, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston said there are “lots of opportunities” to grow attendance at theme parks worldwide, but he also said the company is focusing on the “enormous opportunities” for Disney Cruise Line. This point explains the queue of new cruise ships, including Disney Treasure, which has its maiden voyage this year, and Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny, which both hit the high seas in 2025.
And, of course, there’s also Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney’s new private island destination in the Bahamas.
Check out our complete guide to Lookout Cay here:
Look at Lookout Cay – A Guide to Disney’s New Tropical Island Destination!
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Let’s Hear From You!
If we are getting “sequels” with DisneylandForward, which ones would you like to see? Maybe Tron Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland? What about a World of Frozen from Hong Kong (or, better yet, from Tokyo)? Could we see Lord Henry Mystic and his monkey Albert? After all, the façade of Mystic Manor was inspired by the Bradbury Mansion in Downtown Los Angeles, so it makes sense for it to be in Southern California, right?
