'Beyond Big Thunder Mountain' Blue Sky concept revealed for Magic Kingdom

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Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Blue Sky concept art

Posted: Sunday September 11, 2022 3:07pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In the final moments of the Disney Parks D23 panel, Chairman Josh D'Amaro revealed plans for a new "Beyond Big Thunder Mountain" Blue Sky concept.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro at D23 Expo

The new land, behind Big Thunder Mountain at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, would include Disney animation IPs including Coco, Encanto and villains.

Here is a look at the art.

Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Blue Sky concept art

"Blue Sky" concepts refer to projects that are being considered with preliminary design ideas, but have not reached the stage of being green-lit for actual construction. Disney has a long history of Blue Sky concepts that have never made it to reality, so it remains unclear if the "Beyond Big Thunder Mountain" project will proceed, and what may be included in a final version. What is clear though, is that Magic Kingdom needs additional capacity, and Disney looks to be marking the area behind Big Thunder Mountain as the next expansion pad.

Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Blue Sky concept art

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JoeCamel1 day ago

Wasn't NRJ going to do that?

Magicart871 day ago

Keep in mind that a patent illustration doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot.

UNCgolf1 day ago

That's the thing -- the patent seemed to be showing something different than the Shanghai Pirates system.

lazyboy97o1 day ago

Curse of DarKastle opened in 2005 using Oceaneering’s Evolution ride system that was very much a take on Universal’s SCOOP vehicle. The new Peter Pan attraction at Tokyo DisneySEA uses a similar ride system.

PizzaPlanet1 day ago

I think the patent showed a boat in front of a screen like Shanghai Pirates. Also seemed to be able to rock back and forth in the water

UNCgolf1 day ago

When was Moana rumored to get Shanghai Pirates? I don't remember reading that.

J45461 day ago

does anyone know for sure moana is getting a potc system, or that its even getting built at all?

Touchdown1 day ago

It’s a shame that Moana is getting the Shanghai pirates ride system because that would be great for Coco too. How long does Universal own the exclusive rights to the Spider-man vehicles? I feel Disney could do a lot with that system, especially since Imagineering now employs the creator of that Spidy ride.

Magicart872 days ago

I'm still not convinced we're actually getting that.

Jayhawker2 days ago

Agreed that this type of ride system would be a let down. Plus, you have the added reality of a GIANT show building. Granted, I do not believe you would have the same sight line issues that Epcot has with Soarin' and Cosmic Rewind.

James Alucobond2 days ago

Supposedly, Moana + Coco is a variation of the original Coco + Encanto plan with the attractions more distributed. True that one isn’t actually beyond Big Thunder, but it’s apparently an evolution of the same plan.

eddie1042 days ago

I thought we were counting Moana as separate from this project?

James Alucobond2 days ago

They’ve hinted at two for phase 1, with a Moana ride in Adventureland and a Coco (leading contender) ride just beyond Big Thunder. Other changes to Frontierland seem likely, but probably not additional rides. Phase 2 would probably be another 2-3 attractions with more significant dining and entertainment additions, assuming it ever happens.

eddie1042 days ago

Are any insiders willing to share any info regarding the ride count for this expansion? Like a rough estimate of what to expect so I don’t get my hopes up and to keep my expectations in check.