Disney has unveiled further details regarding its previously announced plans to inject $60 billion into parks over the next decade, though it refrained from formally disclosing new attractions.

Allocated by percentages, the $60 billion investment, earmarked for Disney Experiences (formerly Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products), breaks down as follows:

  • 50% ($30 billion): Parks and resorts
  • 30% ($18 billion): Tech & maintenance
  • 20% ($12 billion): Cruise/other

The investment, part of Disney’s broader goal of “Experiences growth,” aims to:

“Accelerate storytelling by utilizing our wealth of intellectual property, untapped stories, and unmatched creativity”

“Expand our footprint … we have over 1,000 acres of available development across our six existing resorts in North America, Europe, and Asia”

“Invest in innovative technology to improve the guest experience”

“Reach new fans around the world … for every park guest today, we believe there are >10 consumers with Disney affinity who don’t visit the parks in a given year”

While citing examples such as World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland to illustrate its IP-driven parks expansion strategy, Disney refrained from specifying the franchises on which the $60 billion will be focused.

Disney relayed these figures to investors as part of a presentation made publicly accessible through a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The presentation seeks investor support as Disney faces a proxy battle ahead of its annual shareholders meeting on April 3, 2024.

This public disclosure comes amid a nomination by investment management firm Trian Partners of businesspeople Nelson Peltz and Jay Rasulo to join Disney’s board of directors. Disney is seeking investor votes to retain its 12 nominees and has launched multiple communication campaigns to that end. One campaign features voting instructions narrated by Professor Ludwig Von Drake using recycled animations of the character.

Furthermore, as part of Disney’s focus on “Experiences growth,” the company has invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games to develop a new online gaming universe, though this investment does not appear to be included in the $60 billion park investment.

In contrast, Trian views Universal Epic Universe as a competitive threat to Disney’s future. Trian’s presentation emphasized the need for Disney to fortify its leadership position with new investments in response to Epic Universe.

D23 Expo 2024, scheduled for August 9-11 in Anaheim, Calif., is expected to be a significant event where Disney may reveal its future projects. With so much anticipation surrounding potential announcements, fans eagerly await what Disney has in store.