Wrapping up theme park projects
It’s not really a wall-to-wall construction wall at Orlando’s theme parks, but it might seem that way at times.
The dividers have different purposes at attractions. Sometimes the park is building something new. Sometimes there’s a refurbishment or maintenance happening. Sometimes the wall helps keep the future a mystery.
The recent permanent closure of the Shrek 4-D attraction at Universal Studios already had watchers on alert. Then the wall was installed and decorated with multiple minion images a la “Despicable Me” and Universal released a video with the building and a banana, preferred fruit of minions. The rumor mill went bananas, too.
Here’s a roundup of some ongoing theme park projects. The walls have a way of popping up overnight, so we’re sticking to major productions.
Universal Orlando
A curious aspect of the newly minted minions is that the old Shrek building is across the street from the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction, which also has a bunch of minions plastered on it. But the artistic style is different.
The stance from Universal lacks specifics, indicating that “an exciting new attractions experience” is in the works.
Nearby, the Revenge of the Mummy coaster has been walled off, which enthusiasts were warned of late last year. It closed in early January and will remain so until “late summer,” Universal said.
Next door at Islands of Adventure, the longstanding wall at Poseidon’s Fury has seen heavy machinery inside the barrier and various characters stationed outside it. Universal has made no announcement about the show, which debuted with IOA in 1999.
Its Jurassic Park River Adventure currently has a long brown wall sealing off the entrance and much of the view of the ride’s splashdown area. But not all of it. Visitors can see scaffolding high along the rock wall.
SeaWorld Orlando
The most dominant wall at SeaWorld isn’t long for this world. It has, at points, completely surrounded Ice Breaker, a roller coaster that has tantalized for months by just standing there and looking ready. But now an opening date of Feb. 18 has been announced, although there will be annual passholder previews beginning in late January.
The wall now basically blocks off the pathway to Bayside Stadium. Other iron fencing looks to be what will be used after opening, the kind of safety barrier that keeps pedestrians from running beneath the rail.
Walt Disney World
Epcot has been the reigning wall champion of Wall Disney World for a while. Even now the central part of Future World, basically from Spaceship Earth on back, is dramatically off limits. Eventually, a water play area themed to “Moana” will be back there, as well as the Connection Café and Eatery in the space that was once known as Electric Umbrella. Monorail riders can see down into the construction area as it makes its Epcot loop.
Nearby, visitors can get a feel for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, which has a dramatic roofline looming above its construction wall. Disney says the coaster will open sometime this summer. Also back there will be the Play! Pavilion
in the space that was Wonders of Life once upon a time.
At Magic Kingdom, work continues on Tron Lightcycle / Run attraction. Walls make viewing from both sides — from Tomorrowland and Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus — difficult and sends curious types to the elevated PeopleMover or even to the grandstand at Tomorrowland Speedway.
The Tron construction also has prompted extended closure of the Walt Disney World Railroad stations.
A much shorter downtime is expected for the recently walledoff Splash Mountain. It’s scheduled to return in February, a sure sign that this rehab isn’t the total “Princess and the Frog” makeover that was announced in June 2020. Workers and scaffolding were seen on the side of the mountain this week.
Hollywood Studios mostly emerged from wall mode after the openings of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. A wall remains at the base of Toy Story Land, which features renderings of an announced eatery called Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is almost a wall-free zone. Expedition Everest is undergoing maintenance, and there’s a construction wall sealing off part of the queue from the walkway. Cast members field questions and guard the door.
The wall that surrounded DAK’s now-demolished Primeval Whirl ride has been replaced by a tall blue fence that frames picnic tables.
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