523: Disney Concept Art vs. Reality: Why Your Favorite Rides Look So Different

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill break down new details about the Indiana Jones ride at Animal Kingdom, explore the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster ride system, and take a deep dive into how Disney’s concept art often differs from reality—sometimes dramatically.

• Monsters Inc. Door Coaster – Disney shares the latest look at this first-of-its-kind suspended coaster at South by Southwest.
• Disney Concept Art vs. Reality – The long history of Disney’s over-promising concept art, from Snow White’s Scary Adventures to Cars Road Rally.
• Frontierland’s Future at Magic Kingdom – With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Cars Road Rally, will Frontierland and Liberty Square still exist in their current form?
• Mandalorian Missions at Smuggler’s Run – New destinations and gameplay elements are coming in 2026.
• Universal’s Epic Universe Updates – The latest on character meet-and-greets and interactive elements in Universal’s upcoming park.
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Join Len and Jim as they separate theme park concept art fantasy from reality, uncover new attraction details, and discuss how Disney and Universal are evolving their parks for the future.

SHOW NOTES 

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