It seems like every park at Walt Disney World ® is either updating rides, shows and attractions or welcoming a new attraction, ride or area this year. From the Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom ® (which is due to be complete in November) to “Avatar Land” at Animal Kingdom ® (still in the conceptual stage), Walt Disney World ® is forging ahead with new plans and updates that will continue to fit in with their brand and with their latest films. And now rumor has it that Hollywood Studios ® will also be getting a new area themed after Disney/Pixar’s ® hit animated film series “Cars” called “Cars Land,” much like in Disney’s California Adventure in California. Suspensions rose when Walt Disney Imagineer executive, Kathy Mangum, who was in charge of Disneyland’s Cars Land project was recently moved to Florida with the new assignment to oversee all attraction and resort design at Walt Disney World ®, we couldn’t help but think this may be a clue that “Cars Land” just may be revving into Disney World ® soon. Disney ® announced that Magnum has been appointed as the “executive producer” for Walt Disney World ®. Her assistance in creating a Cars Land in California has helped Disney’s California Adventure generate nearly 50 percent of Disneyland’s attendance, which is up from 25 percent from recent years. Of course Disney ® isn’t confirming Mangum’s move to Florida has anything to do with a Cars Land project but has stated that the move is a natural progression for her now that Cars Land at Disneyland has been completed. A Walt Disney Imagineer spokesperson said, “Disney World ® is our biggest portfolio and, with everything that we have going on, we just simply need more resources.” There are certainly enough known projects for Mangum to start working on, but if Radiator Springs were to make a move to Orlando, news is swirling that the “land” would be on the site where the Backlot Tour currently resides in Hollywood Studios ®. It would be nestled away between the Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show featuring Lighting McQueen and Mater, and Toy Story Mania by Pixar Studios. Again these are just rumors and for all we know Magnum’s move to Walt Disney World ® could just be to help manage the park’s many existing projects. If these rumors do pan out, we hope Disney ® lets us know very soon. In the meantime you can always enjoy Hollywood Studios ® other rides, attractions and shows like the Lights, Motor, Action show, Toy Story Mania, and the Backlot Tour. You can find discounted Walt Disney World ® tickets right here on Best of Orlando. |