Comedian Nate Bargatze is developing a new family-friendly theme park called Nateland in Nashville, Tennessee. The project involves securing 80 to 100 acres of land and hiring Storyland Studios, a firm with Disney and Universal experience, to create initial designs. Groundbreaking is expected in 2025, with plans to expand the concept to other states through smaller mini-parks. The park will feature original attractions inspired by Bargatze’s comedy style rather than existing media properties. The project has received support from state and local officials, with tax incentives identified to help the venture. Bargatze aims to become a figure similar to Walt Disney, serving as both the creator and mascot of the park. The initial design includes three sections representing his roots in Tennessee, his journey to New York, and his global reach.
Category: Disney Parks
Disney World experienced varying ride wait times during Memorial Day Weekend, with some attractions seeing significantly longer lines than others. TRON Lightcycle Run had the longest wait at 75 minutes, while Haunted Mansion remained closed for several hours each day. EPCOT fared better with Test Track reaching a maximum of 95 minutes, and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind peaking at 90 minutes. Animal Kingdom saw Slinky Dog Dash hit 100 minutes due to a morning closure, while Kali River Rapids also struggled with extended wait times. Several rides across the parks experienced temporary closures throughout the weekend, affecting guest experiences. Despite these challenges, many attractions maintained relatively short wait times, offering visitors opportunities to enjoy multiple rides. The data suggests that while crowds were not overwhelming, operational issues impacted ride availability and guest satisfaction.
Over the past seven decades, Disney Imagineers have conceived numerous projects that never materialized, with many ambitious plans from the 1990s ultimately canceled. One of the most intriguing unbuilt projects was Port Disney, a proposed complex in Long Beach that would have included a theme park named DisneySea. The concept originated after Disney acquired the Wrather Corporation in 1988, which owned the Disneyland Hotel and the RMS Queen Mary ocean liner. Plans for Port Disney, announced in 1990, included five resort hotels, a ferry landing, and a monorail system connecting different areas of the proposed Queensway Bay. The DisneySea theme park would have featured attractions like Oceana, Mysterious Island, and Hero’s Harbor, drawing inspiration from maritime and mythological themes. Despite the creative vision, the project faced significant opposition from Long Beach residents, local politicians, and environmentalists concerned about infrastructure costs and ecological impact. Disney ultimately canceled the project in December 1991, choosing instead to pursue the WestCOT plan, which was also never built. Elements of the DisneySea concept eventually found their way into Tokyo DisneySea, while other aspects influenced the development of Disney’s California Adventure park.
Bluey’s Wild World officially opens tomorrow at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, replacing the former Rafiki’s Planet Watch location. Visitors must ride the Wildlife Express Train to reach this new area, which features fun Bluey music and narration from Robert Irwin. The Australian animal expert provides commentary throughout the journey, with Bluey and her family also making appearances. Once guests arrive at the destination, they can enjoy meet-and-greets with Bluey, themed games, and the Jumping Junction section showcasing Australian wildlife like wallabies and kangaroos. This exciting new experience is highly anticipated by fans of the popular animated series. The addition of Robert Irwin adds an authentic Australian touch to the attraction. Guests are encouraged to visit this new area if they have Bluey fans in their party.
Bluey’s Wild World, a new themed experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, opened early to the public ahead of its official May 26th launch. Visitors can interact with life-sized versions of Bluey and Bingo, play games like Keepy Uppy and Magic Asparagus, and enjoy performances inside an air-conditioned building. The attraction is currently operating on a standby queue, though a virtual queue system will be implemented at full capacity. Guests can also view Australian animals like kangaroos and wallabies at Jumping Junction, which is currently for viewing only. The experience requires taking a train to the Conservation Station area, where free strollers are available for those who need them. Robert Irwin provides the train announcements, adding an authentic touch to the visit. This new addition to Animal Kingdom promises to be a hit with families and fans of the popular animated series.