Overview
- Florida Politics’ Tuesday records release revealed a February 2024 deposition in which Imagineering planner Todd Rimmer said Disney was looking at one or two new hotel sites within the Magic Kingdom expansion area.
- There are no plans for hotels in the project, Disney said in a statement, adding the focus is on the announced Villains Land and Cars attractions.
- Disney’s D23 presentation in August 2024 did not mention hotels, signaling the concept was dropped sometime after the February testimony.
- Aerial photos and permits show heavy grading and new infrastructure in the park’s northwest corner for Villains Land and Piston Peak, with roadway work along Floridian Way that could support future projects even though none are planned.
- Reporting notes Disney’s exploration may have reflected pressure from Universal’s in‑park Helios Grand Hotel, and experts say any Magic Kingdom hotel would need a flawless location, theme, and price despite precedents at Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland Paris.